Almost Ready to Go

The past week has been spent running to Wally World, Publix, West Marine, liquor store, and a few other places to stock up on things we will need while in the Bahamas. Got new charts from Landfall Navigation for the Bahamas. Landfall by the way is owned by Capt. Henry Marx, an old diesel submariner who Moose & I met a couple of years ago at Trawlerfest in Wisconsin. Much of the conversation at the time centered around which sub was better. Diesel or Nuclear since Moose was on a Nuke during his stint in the Navy. I don't remember a clear winner but it was sure entertaining as the night grew on and the empty glasses piled up. Landfall devotes most of it's catalog space to navigation and safety related items for boats like ours.

It's been warm and windy here this week. A boat club from Stuart came into the marina 2 days ago for a one night stay before going on to Naples. When they pulled out to continue their trip it was just a couple of hours before they came back. Sea's were running 3' to 5' in the Gulf which would make for an unpleasant ride to Naples. The forecast is for more of the same until Monday. In typical boater fashion they aren't letting the change in plans spoil their fun!

Each night on the dock the regulars gather for docktails before dinner. It seems that one of the local schools of fish (Mullets) have heard about this ritual and decided to join in. So every evening about the same time as docktails the Mullet go on a feeding frenzy around the marina. They stir the water up and keep on moving in pursuit of dinner. Quite entertaining!

3/15 thru 3/21/09

Sunday 3/15/09 This morning was spent getting Tourist ready for her next guests, Pam's sister Barb and her husband Bill from Galena. This was to be their first trip without kids. After they arrived and decompressed for awhile we went over to, you guessed it, Joe's Crab Shack for dinner. The highlight of the meal was that we could see the fire and smoke trail from the shuttle launch on the other side of the state from our table. Just one of the unexpected extras we throw in when you come to visit!

Monday 3/16/09 We fired up the engines today and cruised over to Sanibel Island for lunch and then on to Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge where we anchored for the remainder of the day and night. A bright sunny day with some red skin to show as a result. When we woke up on Tuesday we could see Manatee's swimming about 100 yards away from the boat. Unfortunately they weren't close enough to get a picture of since they just break the surface of the water and then go back down to feed. Following a leisurely morning we travelled to Glover's Bight to anchor for the night. Here we were treated to the dolphin show with several dolphins working there way around the bight looking for food. Once they spot something they are off like a rocket!

Wednesday 3/18/09 We headed back to Legacy Harbour this morning to clean up and go to the Edison/Ford complex just down the road. Bill, Barb, & Pam went ahead to the First Watch Cafe while I hosed off the boat and myself. I caught up just in time to gobble down the cheeseburger Pam had ordered for me and then on tho the E/F complex. While strolling the grounds at the Edison home we encountered a swarm of giant bees. Pam is still running! Later that day we drove to Bonita Springs to have dinner with Mom & Dad. Another fine meal at Carrabba's!

Thursday 3/19/09 Bill & Barb left today after a leisurely morning dockside. Mom & Dad came up to take Pam & I to the airport. No we didn't sneak home! Our purpose for the airport trip was to go to the U.S. Customs & Immigration office and get our Local Boaters Option cards. These cards along with a decal for the boat that must be ordered from C&I will allow us to simply call in our arrival when we come back from the Bahamas and not have to report in person to an office somewhere.

Friday 3/20/09 On the road again. This time to Palmetto, Fl. to apply for my TWIC card which I need to maintain my captains license. TWIC stands for Transportation Workers Identification Credential. Everyone who comes in and out of a Port area must have one of theses if they are a dock worker, truck driver, seaman, or hold a merchant mariners certificate (me). So for the umpteeninth time in my life I got fingerprinted again! Now I have to wait 4 to 8 weeks to get the card which by the way has to be picked up in person at the issuing location. Hopefully it will be ready when we return from the Bahamas. Highlight of the day....lunch at a Mexican Restaurant. Our first since we left home!

Saturday 3/21/09 Just another day in Paradise! Changed oil in the generator and started figuring out how to evacuate the holding tank while in the Bahamas since they don't have pump out facilities at the marinas over there. Another trip to Publix and dinner at the Morgan House followed by a cigar at the local cigar bar. Yes you can still smoke inside down here and enjoy a cocktail at the same time!

3/12 thru 3/14/09

Thursday 3/12/09 Haircut day! So far neither Pam or I have been very happy with our hair stylists here in Florida. (Cindy I miss you!!!) Our latest adventure resulted in me with a spike style and Pam with traces of red through her hair. I thought she should just take it all the way to pink but that was another great idea shot down!

We also got to spend some time with Floyd & Linda from Tumbleweed and took part for the first time in the Thursday night pot luck at the marina. Normally we are not big on pot lucks. Probably due to bad memories of cub scout pot lucks when the kids were small. This one was actually good and we all got to know a little more about one another and our cruising plans.

Friday 3/13/09 Helped Tumbleweed get ready for departure. I watched and Floyd worked! My job was interrupted before they left however by the people from the boat massage company. Yep! It was spa day for Tourist. Hull cleaned and waxed as well as the hardtop. Two areas of the boat that I just don't like doing myself. She really shines now!

Said good bye to Floyd & Linda as they continue their loop adventure with hopes to meet up again in the fall. As noon approached we got a surprise visit from my Mom & Dad. They were in the area (within 20 miles) and decided to stop in and take us to lunch. An offer we couldn't refuse! I think my dad has stock in Joe's Crab Shack next door!

Saturday 3/14/09 Another beautiful day here in Ft. Myers. Sunny sky and temps in the 80's. We decided to drop the dink in the water and go for a ride. It started out calm and stayed that way for most of the trip until we turned to head back. Needless to say the sea breeze kicked in and put a nice 2' to 3' chop on the Caloosahatchie. You guessed it. Pam went back under the beach towel for the return trip. She still got wet and even admitted that it was fun! Along the way we saw some interesting boats. The Sir Winston has a pontoon boat hanging on the stern for a life raft.

Wednesday 3/4/09 Yesterday was an airport transfer day. We took Julie to the airport to catch her 8:30 am flight. Ran some errands since we had a car and went back to the airport at 11:30 to pick up Moose & Lisa. The rest of the day was spent catching up on news from home interspersed with a cocktail or two! Wednesday we provisioned, took on fuel (the truck comes to the marina so we don't have to move the boat) and water and pumped out the holding tank. An exciting day in any one's life!

Thursday 3/5/09 We pulled out of Legacy Harbour and headed West about 12 miles to a place called Shell Point where we anchored just off the channel for the rest of the day and night. This turned out to be a boat lovers dream spot. The traffic must slow down to idle speed and funnel through a narrow channel to either get to the Gulf or into Ft. Myers so the parade of boats is endless! During the day we shared this spot with a few other boats, (one of which almost drifted into us because he didn't let out enough anchor line to allow the anchor to get set) but by dusk we were all alone.

Friday 3/6/09 We enjoyed the morning watching boats pass by at shell Point then decided to head over to Sanibel Marina to have lunch at Grandma Dots. After negotiating the skinny entrance into the marina ( the entrance is filled with sand about half way across it's 100 yard width) we tied up at the fuel dock just in time to beat the lunch crowd rush. We then headed into the Gulf and travelled down to Big Carlos Pass and anchored for the next two nights just off the beach at Lovers Key State Park. It was a fun spot watching people on the beach as well as people on the water. A little rolly during the day but dead calm at night with the only movement coming from the change in direction of the tide. We saw a couple of beautiful sunsets while there but never the green flash people talk about when the sun goes into the gulf. Apparently we need to add more alcohol before sunset!

Sunday 3/8/09 Sunday we travelled from Lovers Key back in to Glover's Bight where we have anchored before. While passing by the channel that leads into Ft. Myers Beach we heard someone hailing us on the marine radio. Turns out it was Gary Howe, a fellow boater out of Midtown Marina back home. He was on his boat in Ft. Myers Beach and called out of the blue to see if we were in the area. What are the chances of that happening!?!

We anchored, cleaned up and took the dink into Rumrunners for dinner. While sitting there eating we had a show in the canal from a couple of dolphins in front of the restaurant. Pretty Cool! Of course the dolphins are only half the show. People watching is the other. Amazing the number of women trying to look younger than they did when they were fifty. Lifts, tucks, enhancements, hair dye, etc. The guys sporting gold jewelry to rival Mr. T, dyed hair and beer guts! All for the price of dinner!

Monday 3/9/09 We spent most of the day anchored at Glover's Bight enjoying the weather. We did take a little raft ride into the canals to check on our new home and see what the neighbors were doing. Later in the day we pulled anchor and returned to Legacy Harbour. It still amazes me the level of service the staff here gives every boater. Without any notification from me about our arrival back at the marina we find two staffers at our slip waiting to take our lines and help us. They do this for every boat! Our marinas back home could take a few lessons!

Tuesday 3/10/09 Today was boat wash boot camp for Moose! We spent most of the morning cleaning the exterior of the boat. I was hoping the work would ignite the seed I planted in his brain a few years ago about developing a drive through boat wash. Only time will tell.

Also today we got new neighbors in the slip next to us. Tumbleweed from Wichita, Ks. This wasn't a surprise since I went to Chapman's School last year with Floyd and have been in contact on & off since that time. Tumbleweed is a 36' Carver Aft Cabin crewed by Floyd & his significant other Linda who are stopping here for a few days on their Great Loop adventure. We'll be able to catch up and exchange "war stories" over the next couple of days while they are here.

Wednesday 3/11/09 Up early to see Moose & Lisa off to the airport for their return trip to reality. Try as he might, Moose was unable to convince Lisa to let him stay in Florida. "Only as a corpse" were her exact words! He thought about that for a moment but decided there wasn't any future in that course of action. We have a few days now before Bill & Barb arrive to visit.

Update 2/28/09 - 3/3/09

Saturday 2/28/09 was a beautiful day. sunny skies and temps nearing 80. Since the forecast for Sun & Mon was predicting cooler temps we decided to dump the dinghy in the water and go for a ride. We (Pam, Julie, & myself) ended up across the Caloosahatchie about a mile, at the Harborside Tiki Bar. We had lunch and listened to the music for awhile. First time ever I've been in one of these places that I didn't hear a single Jimmy Buffet song!

We decided to get back in the dink and do a little touring of the local mangrove canals. After wandering around in the canals for an hour or so (never lost) we worked our way out to the river only to find that the wind had picked up from the West which put a nice two foot chop on the water. Needless to say we all got wet on the way back across except for Pam who only came out from under her beach towel tent once and quickly ducked back under cover. It was a fun day!

Sunday was a veg out day to dry out from the salt water bath of Saturday. Monday we had a Pam morning which means we just lounged around. After lunch we headed down the street to visit the Edison-Ford complex (http://www.efwefla.org/) which is about five blocks away. We started walking and before we got out of the marina lot Eric who works at the marina showed up on his 9 passenger golf cart and offered us a ride. Not wanting to offend him we reluctantly accepted his offer! By the time we got there the place was jumping with people. Seems no one was at the beach! We spent about 3.5 hours touring Seminole Lodge, The Mangoes, and the botanical lab and museum. You forget just what a genius Thomas Edison was. Quite an impressive site and worth the $20.00 admission. Our walk back lasted one block when we found my parents sitting in their car in an empty lot near the complex. They normally don't just hang out in empty lots. They were there to pick us up so we could use their car to take Julie to the airport Tuesday morning and pick up Moose & Lisa a little later. It was a fun but quick visit with Julie.