Just when you think you're getting a handle on the boat projects....well, you know.
I tried our horns the other day and all they did was grunt. Not acceptable. Usually all I have to do is remove them from their mounting below the deck of the bow and clean them. The culprit is salt water intrusion due to the location of the mounting. Unfortunately this time my efforts failed so now instead of a horn Pam will have to stand on the bow and yell "look out you stupid idiot" at boats that get too close.
Horn location. The block which they and the faucet are mounted on is open to the elements on the other side below the rub rail on the bow. Any spray or the occasional time the bow gets buried in a wave and bingo, we've got a problem.
A week or two ago Pam was surfing Facebook and discovered that some former boating buddies, Jay & Judy Ploessl from back home were on nearby Sanibel Island. She made contact with them and found that they actually had a home in Cape Coral and would we like to come over for dinner. Of course we accepted and plugged their address into the GPS. I knew we were in the right spot when I spotted Jay's old fishing boat in the driveway.
Cocktails ensued followed by a delicious dinner on their lanai served right off the newspapers spread out on the table. The low country boil was delicious. Time passed much too quickly as we exchanged stories from the past and caught up on each others lives over the past few years.
Thursday we decided to get out of the dock and deploy the anchor for a few days. Our first stop however was at the City of Ft. Myers Marina fuel dock. We were face to face with a yacht called Bella Luna which was in town for a charity event to be held on it. We were invited but at $30,000.00 a plate combined with the fact that my tuxedo is back in Illinois we had to graciously decline. Maybe next time!
M/V Bella Luna
Once the tanks were topped off we made our way along the Caloosahatchie to one of our favorite spots, Glover Bight, where we caught up with Kasey's Choice already at anchor. We dropped the anchor and unloaded the dinghy. That evening we were invited to dinner at a friend of Donnie & Marilyn's who has a home on one of the nearby canals. Another good time with good food stretched into the darkness before it was time to head back to the boats.
The good news is that our running lights on the dinghy worked. The bad news is that the outboard that had just come out of the shop was running the same as before. As we went along the motor seemed to get better and we made it back unscathed.
Once the tanks were topped off we made our way along the Caloosahatchie to one of our favorite spots, Glover Bight, where we caught up with Kasey's Choice already at anchor. We dropped the anchor and unloaded the dinghy. That evening we were invited to dinner at a friend of Donnie & Marilyn's who has a home on one of the nearby canals. Another good time with good food stretched into the darkness before it was time to head back to the boats.
The good news is that our running lights on the dinghy worked. The bad news is that the outboard that had just come out of the shop was running the same as before. As we went along the motor seemed to get better and we made it back unscathed.
Glover Bight anchorage.
Someone has a problem.
Another sunset at Glover Bight.
It was nice to get off the dock and spend time on the hook but before long it was Saturday and Kasey's Choice had had enough of us and headed back to Legacy.
It was nice to get off the dock and spend time on the hook but before long it was Saturday and Kasey's Choice had had enough of us and headed back to Legacy.
Donnie on the bow cleaning mud off the anchor chain while Marilyn is at the controls.
Pam and I stayed at anchor for another day and ran around the corner in the dinghy to Rumrunner's for lunch. The wind was gusting to 30 mph so our ride was a bit sloppy and made even more aggravating by our once again sputtering motor. Thankfully the food and service were good which made the motor problem disappear for a short while.
We cancelled our planned tour of the canals and limped back to Tourist where we we enjoyed the afternoon watching boats come and go. The wind eventually died down and we got another good nights sleep.
Sunday morning I awoke expecting to find us socked in by fog which had settled in during the night. Much to my surprise it was clear and sunny with very little breeze. Following morning coffee we fired up the engines, expended several gallons of water washing the mud from the anchor chain and headed back to Legacy before the weekenders came out in force. The only thing worse here in Florida than driving on the roadways with all the retiree's is negotiating the waterways with them. Oh well. It will keep Pam busy at the bow!
Pam and I stayed at anchor for another day and ran around the corner in the dinghy to Rumrunner's for lunch. The wind was gusting to 30 mph so our ride was a bit sloppy and made even more aggravating by our once again sputtering motor. Thankfully the food and service were good which made the motor problem disappear for a short while.
We cancelled our planned tour of the canals and limped back to Tourist where we we enjoyed the afternoon watching boats come and go. The wind eventually died down and we got another good nights sleep.
Sunday morning I awoke expecting to find us socked in by fog which had settled in during the night. Much to my surprise it was clear and sunny with very little breeze. Following morning coffee we fired up the engines, expended several gallons of water washing the mud from the anchor chain and headed back to Legacy before the weekenders came out in force. The only thing worse here in Florida than driving on the roadways with all the retiree's is negotiating the waterways with them. Oh well. It will keep Pam busy at the bow!
Heading towards Ft. Myers on the Caloosahatchie.
We arrived back in time for me to clean the boat and Pam to do laundry. Definitely a successful day!
Monday was spent getting ready for the annual Legacy appreciation party save for removing the outboard once again and taking it into the shop! Grrrr!
Before long it was time to head up to the deck and lay claim to a table. We weren't alone. Several other tables had already been claimed by the time we arrived but there were many to choose from so no one had to be displaced. The company and food was great and we even won a couple of items during the drawing! Once the drawing was over a band called Stringtown played until 10. The leader of Stringtown is also the keyboard player for The Juice which we heard during Music Walk. As an additional highlight Dockmaster Eric's wife Lynn (also from the Juice) sang a few songs with them.
It was a great night of camaraderie and generosity provided by the Sullivan family (owners) and staff of Legacy Harbour. Thanks to all!
We arrived back in time for me to clean the boat and Pam to do laundry. Definitely a successful day!
Monday was spent getting ready for the annual Legacy appreciation party save for removing the outboard once again and taking it into the shop! Grrrr!
Before long it was time to head up to the deck and lay claim to a table. We weren't alone. Several other tables had already been claimed by the time we arrived but there were many to choose from so no one had to be displaced. The company and food was great and we even won a couple of items during the drawing! Once the drawing was over a band called Stringtown played until 10. The leader of Stringtown is also the keyboard player for The Juice which we heard during Music Walk. As an additional highlight Dockmaster Eric's wife Lynn (also from the Juice) sang a few songs with them.
It was a great night of camaraderie and generosity provided by the Sullivan family (owners) and staff of Legacy Harbour. Thanks to all!
Our table of trouble makers.
Dockmaster Eric in Tux and flip flops.
Stringtown with Eric's wife at the microphone.
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