Next stop down the ICW for us is Vero Beach (otherwise known as "Velcro Beach" by cruisers because it is hard to leave the conveniences). Vero Beach has the advantage of offering low priced mooring balls, but the main draw is full protection from strong winds or storms from any direction. Add to that you can walk to the beach or to shopping malls with a West Marine and Publix. We of course did the 8mile walk to Wawa for coffee. For the non-walkers there is a free public mini-bus (last year called the COVID coach) that goes to the same locations.
Across from our mooring ball under the bridge was the Riverside Cafe. Last year during COVID it was nearly deserted but was a great spot to grab a beer on the outside deck. This year it was packed and drinking only was not allowed on the deck, only dining guests. Drinking guests were directed to the inside bar but we had Rivah with us so passed and went back and had a beer on the boat.
We stayed on the mooring ball for 3 days waiting for our weather window to make the offshore passage from Fort Pierce to Miami. That gave us plenty of time to fill up on gas and water, do several loads of laundry and get hot showers each day. Soon it was time to push on further south.
