Now that I've got the ranting about credit cards and weather out of my system (see post below "Stuck in Velcro Beach"), I can focus on having some fun. Vero is actually a good town to be in if you have to sit and wait somewhere. The moorings are inexpensive ($15/night), the marina is friendly and the town provides free bus service Monday-Saturday. We arrived on a Thursday and that happens to be the night of the weekly happy hour for all cruisers in the mooring field. So, we met some old and new friends and made plans for other get togethers. Jill and Parker on Tootsie showed us the ropes of the bus system and we ran all over town to a great used book store, marine store etc...On Saturday, half a block from the beach, there is an incredible Farmer's Market that runs all year long. I never thought about fresh local produce 12 months a year. Heaven!
Once we exhausted all culinary and retail opportunities, we were looking for something new. So, we hiked up our double-knit pants above our waists, put on our white shoes and belts and took the bus to the shuffleboard courts! Actually, boaters who had wintered here previously (Island Spirit and Cat's Paw) invited us to join them for a lunch of southern barbecue to be followed by several strenuous sets of shuffleboard. The city built approximately a dozen pristine shuffleboard courts in a park in the middle of town. The equipment is maintained by volunteers and the competition can be downright serious. Oh it looks easy but it is not. However, it is somehow quite satisfying to knock your spouses puck off the course or even better into the "minus ten" scoring block. Nine of us played on various teams until we developed some semblance of skill (skill is perhaps not the best choice of words) and then we played the women against the men with spouse against spouse. Who won is not important (OK-so the men actually won) but it turned out to be a hoot! And the octogenarians who supervise the court and provide strategic advice were just as much fun as the game. I know I have created a somewhat scary vision for you but don't knock it until you've tried it-great fun!
When we first arrived in Vero, I thought we would provision and leave right away. I detected a little stalling attitude in Joe and was puzzled. However, as the date for the Army-Navy game grew closer, I began to understand why. We don't have a TV with us so we need to go ashore to watch the game that represents quite a rivalry in the Morton Family. Joe's Dad, one brother and one niece were in the Army. Joe, another brother and niece were in the Navy. The e-mails have been flying for weeks and the cell phones will be buzzing during the game. It is pouring rain as I write this but I have no doubt that before the 2:30 kickoff, we will be in the dinghy in our rain gear headed for a bar and a TV. The things I do for this man.
GO NAVY!!!!!!!!!! GO NAVY!!!!!!!!!! GO NAVY!!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations on the win Navy.
ReplyDelete