Canterbury Sails by Chasseur: Velcro Beach

December 20 - 26, 2012 Thursday - Wednesday

People call it "Velcro" Beach because (they say), once you visit here, you never leave, (Vero Beach that is). It did not take us long to understand why. Suzanne fell in love with Vero Beach. It will take a lot to pull her away. Everything is here and accessible. The city has a free bus service that will take us anywhere, and it stops right at the marina! Parks, bike trails. easy access to the beach and shopping, are all accessible by bike, walking or bus. The city is not built up, only 2 high rise condominiums, with a strict building code that will not let others be constructed. The arts are plentiful with live theater, fine art shops, art festivals in the park and a beautiful art museum. The marina has a friendly, helpful live aboard community. Banyan trees cover the marina grounds. We can get out to the Atlantic Ocean from Fort Pierce just south of Vero Beach, and it is only 60 miles to the Bahamas from there. We were blessed with the hospitality and help of friends Bob and Carol Peterson who reside in Vero Beach. They gave us the grand tour and helped us with just about everything we needed.
We were able to get our new raw water pump shipped in one day. The marina diver, Peter Brocker, helped us install the pump.
This extended stay in Vero Beach was a good opportunity for getting a few more maintenance items done. We decided to change the fuel filters. Unknown to us (not in our boat owners manual), there was a (missed) fuel shut off valve. While Terry was changing the Racor filter, the diesel was siphoning to an area where he could not see it. The diesel spilled into the engine pan, then into some difficult areas under the floor boards where we could not reach without challenging yoga postures. To make a long story short, all of Christmas Eve, and into Christmas Day, we were cleaning up diesel fuel. We will definitely remember this Christmas! We will also remember the fuel shut off!! "Fool me once..... fool me twice".....NOT!
Christmas day, the marina had a potluck. All of the cruisers contributed food items. It was a treat not to have to prepare a big meal, and everyone did their own clean up. After our early dinner, we walked to the beach with friends Tutty and Muriel, SV "Mistress". Muriel was determined to go swimming in the Atlantic on Christmas day, well sort of (see photo). We all went to the Vero Beach Tiki Bar and had a toast to Christmas.

Merry Christmas to all!!!