Magnolia made a port visit to Vero Beach, FL. It is often referred to as Velcro Beach because once you visit it is said its hard to leave! I can see how people come to feel that way. The area we explored around the marina what quite nice. Our friends Frank & MaryMarie aboard SV Eleanor Q along with JR & Dreena aboard SV Journey were in-port as well.
While Annette & MaryMarie headed off in the direction of the beach, Frank & I headed off to West Marine & Walmart which were not in the direction of the beach! Vero has a public bus system that does not collect fares. How exactly it is funded is a bit of mystery. There are about 5 different routes which all meet on the hour and half hour along a section of road open only to buses near the airport. There is nothing out there, just this deserted road. All the buses arrive and people scurry between buses to make the appropriate connection to their destination.
There are so many former “cruisers” “stuck” in “Velcro” beach. The local cruiser community organizes a happy hour and along with the visitor cruisers are invited to attend. Dreena on the left, MaryMarie and Annette on the right are members of the Facebook Group “Woman Who Cruise.” Below is a picture of the members of the group who happened to be in attendance.
Magnolia has been traveling mostly on the Intercostal Water Way (ICW) to our current location in Hope Sound along the Florida Coast. As you can see we are anchored just across the 1000 mile marker along the ICW. Mile 0 is located in Portsmouth, VA. Though we have traveled quite a bit more than the 1000 miles on side trips etc. We have seen nearly every mile of those 1000 ICW miles which it a pretty cool thing…at least to us!
We have met so many wonderful people along the way, reconnecting with a couple of relatives, old friends and making many new friends. We wake every morning with a feeling of gratitude for the opportunity to take on this adventure.
We will be in Fort Lauderdale for the holidays. Will try and write again before the holiday!
Once again…I must say that we are so happy for both of you and that we are thoroughly enjoying your e-mails. Have a very Merry Christmas and Happy Healthly New Year. Love, frank and elaine