Yes we are here. It’s called Hell’s’ Gate and I’m not sure why yet, hope I don’t find out anytime soon.

Backup. We left Vero Beach about 8:30 this morning and headed down the waterway. After a few options we decided on Palm gardens and called for a reservation. It would be 4:30 or later getting there but that’s okay we wanted to get further.

We ran into some rain but that was okay, we kept going. We knew we had no less than 5 bridges to open for us, one was a real strange thing. You know chicken with cars? This trawler tried to beat us through the bridge, scary.

Anyway the bridges are some on demand, some on the hour or half hour, so we were planning for that.

Ed passed 3 no problem then we approached 707 after Jupiter. The bridge tender lady had an attitude.

Ed contacted her and she responded curtly “Captain let me know when you’re in sight and I’ll open the bridge for you.”

Ed responded “We’re in sight,” but she continued, ” captain you are too far, when you are closer I will open the bridge for you.”

Closer and closer no bridge opening no response.

We start turning a 360 because we are getting too close and she is still letting traffic go, not opening the bridge. The bridge bitch as we renamed her finally told us there was a problem with the bridge; it couldn’t reopen; she’s calling the mechanic. She says it might be 15 minutes before the mechanic arrives.

We turned around to backtrack since we couldn’t go forward. The bridge tender told us the maintenance guy was 30 minutes away. We knew we wouldn’t make our marina plan so we looked for close north anchorages.

Hells Gate was the closest. After a couple tries we anchored (first time) and the boat is holding as i speak. We may do watches to check on it tonight.

Best thing was we spent no money today as we are anchored out. Barbecued ribs on the grill with potatoes and grilled veggies on the boat and anchored free. Ziggy got bones!

By the grace of God we came to the gates of Hell and our anchor is holding!

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