Vero Beach

  Vero Beach, also known as Velcro Beach, because it’s so hard to get away from here.  We’ll be relieved when we actually leave here, although we’ve definitely appreciated being here:  free bus service, wonderful marina where, for $13+ a night, we get the use of laundry facilities, showers, Captain’s lounge, a mooring ball, and to talk to other cruisers.

  We have been stocking the boat with as much stuff as we can use, although shopping in the Bahamas is not the problem it used to be.  There’s a huge market now in Marsh Harbour; Georgetown has a great market; and there are even supplies in the more remote areas.  Ken and I usually try to get the first bus out of the marina, 8:15am, and will go to the Miracle Mile Plaza to Publix, West Marine, and other stores, or take #1 bus to the hub, transfer to #2 bus and go out to the mall, Lowes, Target, or Walmart.  We do spend an inordinate amount of time on the bus, or waiting for a bus.  Then after a day of shopping or finishing a project, of course we need some downtime and will meet for happy hour at the local restaurant, Riverside, where we can take out dinghies and tie up to their dock, or on a boat.

  Boats have been coming and going, depending on the weather.  We were lucky to get in Thursday night before the strong winds hit the area.  The talk is always when the next weather window is and sailors will be chomping at the bit to get going and make it over to the Bahamas.  The first weather window is Tuesday, the 22nd, or Wednesday, the 23rd, so there was a parade of boats leaving Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.  And then there are boats coming in for Thanksgiving, so as boats are leaving, more are coming to replace them. 

  Sunday we walked the mile, or so, down to the beach, taking a side road where live oaks line the road, some with huge leafed vines going up the trunk and branches.  It’s like a jungle with all the different plants.  We could hear the surf before we saw the ‘white stallions’, yet we still saw boats in the distance heading south.  Nancy and Jim met us at Mulligan’s, driving up from West Palm Beach.  What a treat to see them and spend the afternoon with them!

  Monday after our usual early morning shopping, we waited to hear from Jan and Bob (Jany K) and spent the afternoon with them, visiting their condo on South Hutchison.  I was sold and would move there in a jiffy, if we didn’t have a house in VT to consider!  What a beautiful location and condo!  Then we came back to meet Geoff and Katja at Riverside.

  Tuesday started with our usual early morning shopping.  No matter how many times we go in, it seems  we’re always needing something else and will have to do another shopping trip in the morning!  We’re finally getting this bus system down pat!  One trip I made it to the hub with a group from the marina, and there was no room on the #2 bus to go to Walmart and the Indian River Mall!  We would have to wait an hour for the next bus!  The #9 bus driver beckoned us to come over and said to get on, that it was better to go w/him than stand around for an hour.  He took us to a stop where we caught the #8 bus to the mall.  With the holiday week, we were afraid every day might be like this, but they added and ‘Express’ bus to go to the mall and Walmart, and that helped.  See….our lives are being run by the bus schedule, and here we thought we could get away from this!

  Wednesday, another day of shopping—a long, tedious day of being on buses, changing our phone plan, walking from store to store—exhausting.  Only to cap it off with happy hour on Interlude!  I tell you, cruising is the life!  Oh….we’re stuck in Velcro Beach.  Well, having happy hour every night is the life!