Sailing South aboard Lucy III: 2020-21 (Part III - returning North)

 Sunset Marina, Stuart, Florida:  April 10, 2021

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Stuart,+FL/@27.2213129,-80.2516656

Jupiter Light

Marc-  I have long thought that travel on the weekends in Florida was a bad idea due to the crowds on the water.  Well we threw reason aside and set out this morning from Riviera Beach and motorsailed all the way to Stuart up on the St. Lucie River.  No surprise that the number of motorboats on the ICW was excessive and all of those boats were throwing a large wake.  The number grew and grew and it came to a crescendo on the St. Lucie River in the early afternoon.  Everything slowed down when we arrived at the Roosevelt bridge and the main line railroad bridge.  One large sport fishing boat tried to make the highway bridge only to stop short when the automated railroad bridge closed.  The bridge closes whenever a train is coming and a siren sounds off.

We arrived at Stuart and followed Fiddler's Green to our mooring location.  We wasted no time to go ashore after some early dinner aboard Lucy III.  The Town is compact but very nice with many shops and restaurants.  I particularly enjoyed the Kilwin's Chocolate and Ice Cream Shop.  Michael and Doreen found Duffy's Irish Pub for a nice dinner.

This Riviera Beach boat give a whole new meaning to liveaboard.

A more traditional liveaboard.

One of many bridges that we passed today. Most of the bridges were passed in a group of three sailboats.

A personal catamaran.

The Federal Bridge opening in front of Jupiter Light.

Jupiter waters were beautiful much like those of the Keys.

One of many nice waterfront homes.

The Route 1 Highway Bridge and the main line railroad with over 100 freight cars.  We waited 45 minutes for the train bridge to open.

We finally arrive in Stuart.

Part of the welcoming crew in Stuart.

A boardwalk covers the waterfront in Stuart.

A Mangrove tree grows in Stuart.