Monthly Archives: February 2013

Plan on spending at least a month down here in cape coral, so I decided to work on a project the last couple days.  Been reading and watching videos recently about growing veggies and worm composting using plastic tubs.  Obviously a normal garden in the ground is straightforward, but this tub solution seems to offer some additional benefits.  Growing inside a screen enclosure limits the pests without spraying, subterranean hydration limits water loss due to evaporation saving $$, allows the plants to use water as needed and doesn’t require manual daily watering.  We planted 2 tomatoes and a bell pepper.

Off and running with our veggies

The second project is a worm composting tub.  Much simpler to construct, but it needs a couple weeks to ferment before buying and adding the red wiggler worms.  Nice way to compost leftover food scraps, especially with our vegetarian diet these days.  Plus they output some of the best dirt and worm tea for enhancing growth of our veggies.

Looks tasty, right?

Will see how well these projects perform, then maybe go the next step into hydroponics (only growing legal greenery, of course).  We used to buy delicious lettuce at the riverside arts market in jacksonville.  The couple running the business grew all their items hydroponically.  Appear to be a ton of mangoes on our tree in the yard and likely another banner avocado season.  Could see ourselves having a table at a future farmers market selling produce we grow..

Ladies enjoying a sunny afternoon by the pool

Had a smooth drive yesterday on our way from cocoa beach to cape coral. Packed the truck as full as possible. Amazing how much still we still have.. Was about a 4.5 hour drive which included a couple stops along the way. Expected somewhat of a shorter drive, since it used to be about 5.5 hours to drive from Jax. Picked up some delicious honeybell oranges, fish dip and pickles at a farm stand near fort pierce. Honeybell juice + vodka + ice = amazing screwdriver My mom arrived earlier in the day from chicago, so we greeted her when we arrived. Had dinner at a nearby italian restaurant, likely leftovers for tuesday night too! One of the best tiramisu desserts i have ever had. Unpacked and settled in today. Weather was windy and rained later in the day, so good timing for an unpacking day. Plan on some sightseeing around the area this week.

Jalapeno had no issue finding her favorite spot at the new house

Starting to exchange photos with the BVI sailing group.  Came across a couple of Cindy and I which came out nice.  Some beautiful blue water!

A peaceful sailing afternoon

Keeping an eye on things from the helm

Spectacular sunsets in the islands

Spent some time today to gather our Costa Rica footage and lay it together with some sweet music..  ENJOY!

Costa Rica Surfing 2013 from Chris Schaul on Vimeo.

Follow along below from February 8th-18th with a daily captain’s log, which I added this evening.

Drove back to cocoa beach this afternoon. A smooth drive from south florida, other than the usual crazy drivers for the first couple hours..

Our jalapeno was glad to see us again

Arrived back in fort lauderdale on monday evening after an action packed day of travel. More details on that to come as part of our trip log..

Been hanging out at our friend’s house since we arrived and had a great pasta dinner waiting for us at their house on Monday night. We spent Tuesday sightseeing in fort lauderdale. Our bag didn’t make the flight, so spent the morning getting some essentials and some shopping at Publix for dinner supplies. Rode bikes out to the beach along las olas drive, people watching at the beach, found slip F18 at Bahia Mar (for any Travis McGee fans), then grabbed a bite to eat at a couple bars on our way back home down 17th street. Completed the sightseeing Lauderdale Loop.

Got back to the house, cooked up a tasty spinach enchilada dish for the 4 of us and enjoyed it on the patio over a couple bottles of wine and great conversation. Our luggage arrived on the tuesday evening flight, which we picked up after dinner.

View from the 17th street bridge

Plaque in recognition of the Travis McGee books which were based at slip F18 a Bahia Mar

Boat rush hour at 5pm

Up at 6am in Trellis Bay to get an early start back to our origin harbor.  Unmoored and headed 6 miles to Hodges Creek Marina.  It was a quick hour trip back to the base on our final sail.  Always sad to say our goodbyes after a great trip!  Packed up for a late afternoon flight out of Saint Thomas.  Gave away a good share of our leftover beer, liquor and unopened food.  Drank the rest before catching our taxi at 1pm.

Ended up being an amazing, heart racing journey from Tortola to catch our 5pm flight in St Thomas!

Timeline follows..

1pm – Taxi arrives at Hodges Creek

1:30pm – Taxi arrives at Road Town, Tortola

2:30pm – Ferry departs Road Town, Tortola

3:45pm – “50-minute” ferry arrives late in Saint Thomas

4:15pm – Make it thru 1st round of customs and get into taxi

4:25pm – Taxi arrives at Saint Thomas airport

4:35pm – Checked in for our Spirit flight, but Steve missed his earlier Jetblue flight

5:20pm – Make it thru 2nd round of customs, TSA security and onto our plane which was luckily delayed already

Made it back to the port safely this morning.  Its been a great trip and sad to say goodbye to everyone.  We’ll be back in Florida tonight. 

Will have some great photos, videos and daily log of activities posted up later this week.

Left the west of Tortola around 8:30am, which would be our last day of sailing.  Took off NNE to try some trolling north of JVD.  Spent a few hours on a couple tacks with no hits on the fishing lures.  Jeff was the helmsman most of the trip today.  Made our way to Trellis Bay on the east end of Tortola.  Pulled in the fishing lures and moored up on the northeast end of the bay.  Group decision to change plans and stay the night in Trellis Bay, then motor-sail in the morning to Hodges Creek.

Took the dinghy into shore for lunch.  “Awesome famous” sandwiches were good but not great.  Back to the boat for everyone’s nap.  Made reservations for dinner at The Last Resort at 8pm.  Ran aground in the dinghy on the way to dinner, but Mike jumped out and pushed us back into deeper water.  Good food and drinks at the restaurant.  A good 1-man band playing live music as well.  Back on the boat around 11pm for bed time.