Ft. Pierce (12 Dec - 16 Dec)

While the boat was being worked on, Ann and I went to Fort Pierce, Florida – about an hour north of West Palm Beach – to visit with her friend Bill Arbaugh. Bill has two cars and two condos, so he graciously let us use one of his condos and one of his cars. Okay, the car may have left a little bit to be desired (sometimes the car locks and won’t let you out), but beggars can’t be choosers. He also took us to see Fort Pierce and its environs. The first day Bill took us to a nice little restaurant for lunch, where Ann and I both ordered lobster rolls. They were okay. But, as it turns out, Bill’s girlfriend Claudette (who is from Maine – see where this is going?) just happens to know of a small sandwich shop where they make the best lobster rolls south of the Mason-Dixon Line. It was in Vero Beach, just off the boardwalk (there is a long story there, but I am not going to go into it). The lobster rolls were delicious. They were made of lobster claws, a little butter and a roll. MMMM MMMM Good!

Bill and Claudette took us all around. We went to a kayak store (Bill is an ardent kayaker), the Fort Pierce Inlet (it can sure look vicious in high winds and choppy seas), West Marine (our new favorite store), not a biker bar, but a biker street, and several other places. Bill’s condo is just across from the ICW so one of these days we will take our boat down the waterway and pull our dinghy onto his lawn.  

Ann with Manatee in Ft. Pierce

One other thing happened in Fort Pierce. Ann and I went to one of Bill’s favorite local haunts – a diner. And what did we see on the menu? No, not lobster rolls. Need a hint?? Remember, this is Florida. Yes! We had gator for the first time. Ann wasn’t a real fan, but I thought it was pretty good. I am not going to say that it tasted like chicken … I am not going to say that it tasted like chicken … I am not going to say … okay, but it did. Actually, it was a little tougher than chicken, but it was really good!



Gator Mmm Mmm Good!