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.