Dock Lines can be untied. Who Knew!

Last week the weather finally broke and provided us with the Florida weather we all come down here for. Light winds and temps in the low 80's. Taking advantage of the forecast we figured out how to untie the dock lines and slip out of the marina.
Our journey only took us 22 miles to Ft. Myers Beach and the mooring field. That's right. The same mooring field that wrongly accused me of cutting one of the mooring ball lines last year. Check in went smooth with no mention of last years tension. Still IMHO this is a field that could be better run with just a little more effort.
We later joined the crew of Kasey's Choice and took the dinghy's to Snook Bight Marina for docktails with friends of Donnie & Marilyn's who were docked there.

Snook Bight Marina.

Of course we stayed into the darkness and had to break out the running lights for the ride home.

We woke up the next morning to a foggy mooring field.

 Kasey's Choice left for Marco Island and we were then joined by Private Affair II. While we were soaking up the sun on the boat we heard people yelling at us from a passing boat. Turned out to be Gary & Karen Howe and a crew of boaters from Mid-Town Marina back home. We had a nice visit before they continued on to their next destination. Good thing I had my clothes on!

Of course part of the allure of the mooring field is a trip or two into shore to stroll on the beach and check out the sights. Here they are.

Colorful.

Pelican on the Pier.

Pam on the Pier.

You guessed it. The Pier!

Sky view.

Bridge to the beach.

Cocktails on the roof.

Randy Droessler playing at the Cottage.

Our ride back to Tourist gave us these views.

Shrimp fleet.

Tourist.

Private Affair at sunset.

While we were at the beach we got a call from some family friends from Pam's childhood who were in the area. We were able to get together once we got back to Legacy. It was a nice visit with memories shared.

Lunch at McGregor Cafe.

While on our ride back I noticed the port alternator wasn't charging to full capacity. One more thing on the list! Once back I consulted Eric the Harbormaster here at Legacy and was referred to a small shop not too far away that diagnosis and repairs alternators. Once again I became a human pretzel and got the ailing unit off and to the shop. By 3 p.m. I got a call telling me what was wrong. What it would cost. And that it would be ready by 5. Reasonable and quick. Two things that rarely happen in the boating world!

Cleaned up and rebuilt waiting to go back in service.

February 13th is son Ryan's birthday. It also is the only day that Pam & I could get reservations where we wanted for a Valentine's Day dinner. The end result is that we killed two birds with one stone and celebrated the two events at once.

Happy Birthday Ryan!

Pam & I chose The Roadhouse Cafe for our dinner and had a real surprise when she found her sister (Barbara Smith) was the featured entertainer.

Barbara Smith with Pam.

OK. So that's not Pam's sister but her real sister Barbara Smith is also an entertainer.

Waiting to audition.

Our evening was very enjoyable with good food. Good entertainment. And we stilled made it home before curfew!