Dear Ellinor

11 January 2015                       

1,000,000,000 No Seeum Lane

Big Mud Creek, ICW Florida  

Dear Ellinor

I would be amiss if I didn't send you a note and tell you all about our adventures to Big Mud Creek, near Fort Pierce. As you know I am manatee crazy, we’ve had a few around, but I want to have front row seats to a mother nursing her calf or a sighting like our friends had at the end of the St Johns River where you can view 50-200 in the same area. Your advice of the warm water at the nuclear plant was sure to put us on the path for manatee sighting success. 

When we searched active captain there were no markers or reviews, our charts showed no anchorage and when we questioned about the stop the local knowledge was limited. So sadly, we set a different course and decided to forgo Big Mud Creek. But, as we traveled up the ICW and approached the entrance we spotted the passage, thought what the heck, adjusted our course, slowed the boat to give it a go. 

Now some people may think us foolish, but we believe that always taking the beaten path is monotonous and sorry if I get a head of myself, but if everything always goes right what good stories would we have to share. Seriously, life is just so short to always play by the rules.

Carefully we navigated the channel up to the markers for the nuclear plant. Marc, “What does it say on that marker?” Me, “I think no trespassing, but come on it can't mean us” In full fairness to us the writing was very small, only on small markers. 

On Our Way In

Nuclear Plant 

As you know from being there it is a beautiful cove, there were lots and lots of birds and I just knew there would be manatee a plenty. We decided it was better to ask for forgiveness than permission so we went on. NOAA was posting small craft warnings, gusting winds, thunder & lightening so we decided that if questioned we would beg coverage from bad weather. Ignorance is bliss.  I have to admit I was a little scared but excited. There is something to say about being naughty!

On the shore near the plant we saw a truck driving away, all was good. We anchored at 15:30, did odd jobs, and I started supper. At 17:38, sunset Marc went outside to ensure the lights were all working well. On shore there was a man in uniform, arms a waving, demanding Marc’s attention. The wind was rather strong and Marc feebly  attempted to play wind deaf but ultimately Marc jumped in the dingy and went to the man that had now multiplied into two M16 armed men. Marc was told nicely without question that we must leave and leave now. As you can see I tried to candidly snap a couple pictures but honestly I just wanted to have my captain back safely so I tried to take them secretly 

Marc and the guards

So, I turned off the supper, we pulled anchor and in much too dark a night we headed off 7.7 miles in 25 Knot head winds to the Jensen Street bridge. We did make it by 19:30 a little wetter than we would have liked, a little later than we usually travel, adventures are never perfect, but boy did we have fun.  Tomorrow we are off to Manatee Pocket, we heard that there are manatees a plenty and no armed security guards.   

Wet & Wild

Much love I know we will talk soon 

Marc & Linda Faubert
The Sailing Vessel DevOcean
marclindafaubert@gmail.com

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Probably The Luckiest Two People You Know