Stuart, Florida Family Outing

July 2007

by Ted Parkhurst

This was a first for Susan and I, all the Skiff Events that we have done have been a four to five hour drive for us. Jenson Beach is an easy hour and a half from where we live.

We drove through on and off rain showers on the turnpike. As we got closer to Martin County the weather got better not that the rain is not needed but only at night and not on weekends.

The Caribbean Shores resort is old time Florida redone to perfection. We checked in and checked things out at the resort.  All weekend long, men kept staring at the wall... gee. 

Skip and Ester were there along with Doug Apy and Jo Carol Two, Roger and Diane Harris in Breakin' Water along with their girls Megan and Taylor. Bill and Joan Oakley’s Wo- Jo was in the water and tied up at the pier, their grandchildren already fishing. Rick and Linda Forum came shortly after we got there with Rick's new Raveau - no skiff this trip. When I was a kid this is the boat that all the rich kids had...

The kids were having a ball on the pier fishing and looking for things in the water - starfish, stingrays, and jumping mullet.

The tide was out, Skip's Century was on the bottom, but it was not a problem the bottom is all sand. Broom Jaw was bringing the Baja in and could not find the way in with out hitting bottom he was able to work his way in with a lot of help from Roger. Freddy Ziegler and his Have No Fear was in the water already also.

We all sat around the pool and under the trees enjoying the breeze telling stories (and lies) and enjoying pleasant conversation.

Paul and Nicole Mezyk volunteered to get hot dogs and hamburgers going on the grill for dinner.  Susan and I decided to go out for dinner (it was date night for us). I heard Paul knows his way around the grill and the food was great. Everyone who stayed said it was great. 

That night after dinner we told some more stories sitting around the pool. Susan and I were sawing logs by eleven.

Saturday morning the pier was the place to be -  the tide was in and the skiffs were running out to the channel running up and down between the two bridges.

Skip had the Orange Crate in the water for the first time with a new motor this boat is a work of art, it looks new it is hard believe it is over forty years old.

Phil and Jean Jordan came in their new boat and it is sweet. Marty and Claire came in with their new boat (Phil's old Glory Days) and it's sweeter!  Paul and Donna Nowack in Heart Beat came in like the water was six feet deep. Mark Van Winkle and Doug Whichello came in the same way, these guys are locals and know the water well.

Several groups of boats went in different directions I was in Phil Jordan's new boat Fire 'Em Up it runs fast and straight.

Paul (can't beat me)Nowack was leading the way as we went down the Indian River around Sewell's Point to Sand Sprit and then into the St Lucie River.  I did not miss my flat bottom as there were wakes coming from every direction. Phil's boat had no problem handling it.

Marty and Clare in Glory Days were ridding high and dry. Rick and Linda in the Raveau were flying high.   Linda said that she only feared for her life half the ride.

On the way to Port Solerno for lunch Paul just had to blow off a big turbo charged Jet Ski. He (like most men) cannot pass an opportunity to race.  As we were passing Sandsprit Park we noticed 2 more skiffs sitting at the docks.  It was Marty's old Puppy Love that Gordy and Patty purchased along with the old River Rat Gordy also purchased.  The engine hoods were up and the wrenches were out, they waved us along has they had everything under control and would meet up with us.

We pulled into Port Solerno for lunch at Finz and several more skiffs showed up from the Stuart Area. The table was big and the AC felt good, real good.

They had a wild selection of drinks that everyone enjoyed.

Linda decided to ride back with Susan and Jeanie in our truck. On the boat ride back to Caribbean Shores we went by Paul & Donna's townhouse and did a hot lap for the neighbors.

When we arrived back at Caribbean Shores there was Pina Coladas flowing and going around. The recipe was Sandy Kline's super recipe everyone loved them.  The kids even had a chance to enjoy the kids version!

That night Donna Nowack arranged for a catered Italian dinner for over 40 people... it hit the spot and we all stayed up late talking and enjoying the evening with everyone.  People were everywhere... enjoying the beautiful breeze on the dock, in the pool, in the shade, under the tents and breezeways and everyone was enjoying life!

Sunday Morning Roger and the kids, along with Doug Apy ran out to the ocean for a final cruise. When they returned, the boats were pulled out and we all went our different directions. Kathy & Cliffs Black Creek is the next adventure scheduled for August.

Thanks to everyone who participated and helped out!  It was another fine event put on by a bunch of people who share many things in common... not to mention skiffs.