The weather has been pretty good so far this winter so wouldn't you know that when Mike & Nancy arrived for a visit it gets cooler! They were still happy to get here after a 2 day fiasco with cancelled flights and a winter storm at their heels back home.
The morning after their arrival we hosted a Bloody Mary greeting for them on Tourist along with a few of our dock mates.
With the cruddy weather we visited West Marine & Total Wine doing our part to stimulate the economy. Sunday we drove out to St. James City and had lunch at Woody's. The food was worth the trip.
We also stopped for a drink at the Ragged Ass Saloon. A biker bar not far from Woody's before backtracking to Matlacha.
Matlacha is wide spot in the road that looks like a page out of Hippiedom. The only thing missing was the smell of ganja in the air. Most likely because the wind was blowing too hard! Certainly an interesting place with the expected artistic flair. A few pictures below of some of the shops.
Matlacha
Of course one of the highlights if you're a boater from the upper Midwest is walking the docks to check out the variety of boats. So many of which you never see back home. Names of boats are also intriguing. We found one that would be perfect for a buddy back home!
Finally the weather warmed up and the wind slowed enough to make going out enjoyable so we cast off the lines and headed to the park at Franklin Lock for an overnight.
Once tied up and checked in we dropped the dinghy in and headed for Hickey Creek, a mile or so from the park. We wound our way up the narrow creek dodging overhanging trees and spotting turtles and birds along the way.
On our way back from Hickey Creek we took a couple of the small oxbows off the main channel and were rewarded with a couple of gator sightings. We got a picture of the smaller one but the camera operators were a little too nervous and the angle was bad so the big one got away. True story! The 2nd gator was more than twice the size of the one below.
Back on Tourist nerve soothing beverages were required to calm the crew.
The park is a very tranquil spot where you can watch nature. Passing traffic on the water. Sit and fish. Or just enjoy the surroundings.
Wednesday we returned to Legacy before the winds kicked up allowing us to get into the slip unscathed. It also allowed the travelers time to get organized for their return to the snowy North.
That night we wandered over to Joe's for dinner and cocktails and were joined by Rick & Sarah.
Too soon it was time to head to the airport and say goodbye to Mike & Nancy. Once again they kidnapped Pam and took her with them!
Actually Pam went home for Ellette's 1st birthday on Monday and to get an overall grandchild fix. At least that's what she told me.
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