A Saturday Morning Tradition

Fort Pierce     

In all our travels, a handful of events stick out as "must do's" when moving along our route. When in Fort Pierce we must attend the Downtown Farmers Market, "A Saturday Morning Tradition Since 1997." While waiting for our Uber, we walked around Harbortown Marina appreciating the landscaping and checking out the scene at the onsite Skipper's Cove Bar and Grill. According to the arrows, Nassau is 248 miles thataway. Our three mile car ride went quickly and we were let out at the edge of the market and adjacent to the city marina. A large crowd had already gathered on this beautiful morning. Past experience led us to visit the large bakery tent first. The selection was dwindling, but we secured a fresh loaf of bread. 

The market is a feast for all senses. Up, around, down, and through the vendor booths we walked. Then a second lap was made in case we missed something. Lucious green lettuces, bright red tomatoes and beets, yellow sunflowers and multicolored peppers, and purple orchids were all treats for the eyes. The steaming-hot apple cider donuts smelled incredible. The seafood vendors were tempting, but we had to pass. Oh, how I would have loved to have purchased some grouper fingers (even with such an interesting pricing formula). 

Kettle corn was packed tall and long. Fresh fruit bowls were carefully crafted with pineapple, bananas, strawberries, and blueberries ... topped off with a drizzle of honey. Barry and I shared a refreshing frozen piña colada smoothie while sitting on the seawall and watching dogs lead their humans. Across the square the Fort Pierce Jazz & Blues Society concurrently hosts a market featuring creative arts and crafts. We made our same counterclockwise survey of vendors displaying clothes, mosaics, acrylic pours, totes, photography, and paintings. We were most intrigued as to how iguana oil was processed to make an insect repellant. I admit I was a bit disappointed to learn the product's ingredients include coconut oil, sesame seed oil, neem, clove, lemon eucalyptus, lemongrass, lavender, rosemary, and patchouli geranium ... no iguanas at all. We enjoyed our morning out and returned to Crossroads in time for lunch. Yes, sandwiches using our fresh bread were much better than those using our usual wraps. It was a slow afternoon with more sun and reading for me and a few boat projects for Barry. Our water tanks are now full. We will leave tomorrow afternoon at slack current to begin an overnight run to Fort Lauderdale. I'm hoping Elon will allow me watch the Super Bowl while underway via StarLink. 

Note: There will be no post tomorrow night while we're offshore.