Family Visits

We arrived back at Tourist in time to get prepped for a quick visit from my daughter Angela and her husband Doug. They, like so many others had had enough of winter and found a couple of days to escape.

 Happy to be off the plane and in warmer weather.

 Dad & Daughter at the Green Flash on Captiva.

This is the only green flash I've ever seen.

 We stopped for a walk on the beach when Ange thought she saw an imaginary Limbo pole!

 The beach at Captiva.

The only request they had for a choice of dinner spots was Carrabba's. One of our favorite chain restaurants so it wasn't hard to oblige
.

 Ready to dig in at Carrabba's.

With only 2 full days at their disposal it wasn't conducive to unleashing Tourist from the dock so we did the next best thing. We drove to Matlacha and rented kayaks. We both had tandem kayaks and after some uncoordinated attempts at paddling we all got it figured out and had a good time. Of course we saw birds and fish that seemed like they were going to jump into the kayak and a dolphin to make the adventure complete. We even saw a couple of manatees stick their noses out. We did get a little wet but that goes with it.

 Paddles in sync in the hold position.

Pam checking to see if I'm paddling.

In need of refreshment after our adventure we drove to St. James City and made a stop at Woody's.

 No not Key West. Just Woody's!

That night Pam made Asian salmon and we dined aboard Tourist.

Ange getting in as much time in the warm weather as possible before returning home.

All too soon it was time to head back to the airport and say goodbye. A quick visit but a good one.

Quick Visit Home

Shortly after Mike & Nancy returned to the frozen tundra we had flights booked to do the same. It was a typical day of flying for me. Our connecting flight to Cedar Rapids had been cancelled two days earlier at which time we had been re-booked on a flight 2 hours later. No big deal. On the day of our flight we arrived at the airport and proceeded to the gate. Boarding went smooth and we were ready to go when the pilot announces that due to weather in Chicago we would be delayed. He stated that originally our new time of departure was to be 9a.m. but that he made some calls and got our time moved up. Shortly after, we taxied out onto the tarmac where we stopped. Again the pilot announced that we were being held up and that the engines would be shut down to conserve fuel. We sat for about 15 minutes before the engines fired and we were on our way.

The flight was good except for a few bumps coming into Chicago. Now with nearly 3 hours to kill between flights Pam & I decided to sit on the plane until the folks with tighter connections were off. Once out of the jet I turned on my phone only to find a notification from United that our flight to CR was cancelled and that we had been re-booked for the following morning! In my world that wasn't going to work. We have other options. I called my Dad who was picking us up and said to sit tight, there's been a change in plans but I wasn't sure just yet what they were.

At 9:17 we looked at the departure board and found a flight to Moline departing from gate F2 at 9:50. We were currently in C concourse. A bit of a hike away. We took off at a fast pace knocking over old ladies and children who got in our way making it to the now changed gate F9 before they closed off boarding. After explaining our situation the clerk got on the computer and found 2 seats for us to Moline. A call to my parents from the plane as it was backing away from the terminal and we were off. Dad must of had his foot in it because we only waited about a half hour before they were pulling up at the terminal. Just a normal day of flying! Oh. And the temperature was in the 20's. Good for the Mid-westerners. Cold for us!

Mississippi River still frozen at Dubuque, Iowa.

Still skiing at Chestnut Mt. near Galena, Ill.

H-Dock at Mid-Town Marina, Former summer home of Tourist.

One big reason we ventured home at this time while it was still cold was to celebrate Ellie's 2nd birthday.

GramPam helping blow out the candles.

I really like this bow. Neat gift!

Giving orders as usual.

Clowning around with Bompa.

Three generations. Help!

While we were home Pam thought it would be fun to spend a day separately with each of the kids. First up was Franklin. She took him to the Americas River Museum in Dubuque. A great museum with something of interest for all ages. Franklin gravitated to the aquarium section

Ready to go with his sidekick, Turtle!!

It didn't take long to find the live turtles.

How about a ride on a turtle?

Checking out the Rays.

Lunch with GramPam.

Wore out. Good job Grandma!

Next up was Ellie. What to do with a 2 year old? How about a haircut!

In her car seat, ready to go, but not liking her restraints. Just a preview of things to come!

Come on. Let's get this over with.

Lunch in Galena with Bompa, Pam, And my parents.

A quick stop at Pam's parents to show off the new haircut.

And once again a successful outing comes to an end.

We also were able to visit with my son Addam and daughter Angela and families while home as well as friends in the area.
Ellie wasn't the only birthday at that time. Grandson Luke turned 19 while we were home. Happy Birthday Luke!

Just after the Warrior Dash last summer.

Also the notorious "Buttgravy" had a birthday.

Happy Birthday Gravy!

Before we knew it it was time to catch a plane back to Florida. As a parting gift Mother Nature deposited an inch of snow overnight which gave me one last chance to operate a snow shovel again!

Company Switches

Well no sooner had Kim & Lu left for the frozen North when Mike & Nancy flew in to escape the cold. Unlike previous years when they have visited the Florida weather was ideal this time. We wasted no time in unleashing Tourist and heading for Hurricane Pass just above Marco Island where we anchored for a few nights. We arrived on a Saturday and with spring breakers adding to the usual week-end crowd the place was bustling with activity.

Wall to wall on the beach.

Spring breakers on Tourist.

Campers towing a kayak full of firewood back to their beach campsite.

Oops! Tide went out overnight on these campers.

Beached.

Tourists with Tourist in the background.

Along with all the beach goers came an increase in water patrol. While anchored one afternoon we witnessed a 20' deckboat approaching us. One guy was hanging his feet in the water at the bow and 3 women were sitting on the transom while they were going past us. That was enough to attract the attention of the police boat nearby who stopped them. They went through the usual checks of the boat and then ran the driver through a series of dexterity tests followed by a breathalyzer. He must have failed because he immediately had his hands handcuffed behind his back. A pfd put on him. And he was transferred to the police boat. They then chose someone to drive the boat after giving them a breathalyzer also. After that the police boat took off with the guy in cuffs and the other boat following.
We see people hanging off boats and sitting on the forward deck while underway all the time down here. This is the first time we've ever seen one pulled over because of it. About time!

Sunset over Keywadyn Island.

Mike & Nancy. I interrupted their stargazing.

Meat! It's what's for dinner!

Crab on the beach.

Not sure but looked like a big snail minus it's shell.

Sure beats the snow and cold back home!

Motorized kite over the beach. Fun to watch at first but then became annoying.

Tour boat on the inland channel between Naples and Marco.

Heading out Gordon Pass.

Reluctantly we left Hurricane Pass after 3 days of beachcoming, people watching and sun soaking. Our ride back to Ft. Myers was as smooth as glass interrupted only by an occasional string of crab pots. We returned in time to clean up Tourist and ourselves and join in the Legacy Appreciation Party complete with food, prizes, and a live band.

The deck was full of revelers. And no, Pam is not picking her nose! She was adjusting her sunglasses.

A few of the B-Dockers.

Mike & Nancy doing a polka, proving they're from Wisconsin!

Donnie in one of his natural poses.

The party was great fun with a huge turnout of boaters.

Friday came and with it a trip to Fleamasters Fleamarket. Definitely a cultural experience not to be missed!

Aisles of junk, I mean goods.

Need a puzzle light?

Even food of all varieties.

Saturday we took the dinghy across the river to Marina Town and Cactus Jacks.

Group selfie!

At Cactus Jacks waiting for snacks.

Pam talking to her Dad after he had knee surgery.

Before heading back to Legacy we explored some of the canals of N. Ft. Myers. Not quite as packed with homes as the canals of Cape Coral but still interesting to see.

Sunday dawned bright and warm so we piled into the car and drove to Goodland, Fl. and Stan's Idle Hour (www.stansidlehour.net) for the festivities. We arrived in time for the Star Spangled Banner. Without a doubt the longest rendition I've heard. People, food, drinks, and live music under the sun. It doesn't get any better! To protect the innocent no pictures were taken. Sorry!

All too soon it was time to say goodbye to Mike & Nancy who left the warmth at 6:30 a.m. Monday. It was fun!

On a side note, while we were at Hurricane Pass a 68' Neptunus yacht caught fire and sank off of Sanibel Island. At last report the boat was going to be raised to try and determine the cause of the fire. It sank in only about 25' of water. Both people on the boat escaped without injury and were picked up by a passing boat.