Projects

The past few days have been dedicated to boat projects. Our Onan generator was due for a valve adjustment so after a call to Cummins and a scheduling mess up on their part mechanic, John showed up to perform the task. Clearly not Johns best side in the picture but it gives you an idea of why I don't want to perform this task. Human pretzle comes to mind.

Another project stems back to 2003 when we ordered Tourist. We had the option of ordering a satelite tv receiver but opted not to for various reasons that made sense at the time. Then came last June when all of the tv stations started broadcasting in a digital format (whatever that means). Since then we have not been able to pick up any tv stations on our antenna. I'm now happy to report that we now have a digital descrambler installed and working! So now we get some of the major networks as well as 3 spanish stations here in Ft. Myers. Se habla espanol? It was a bit of a project since all of the cables and wiring for the tv is concealed behind a panel that holds 2 six disc cd changers. 1 dvd player. 1 am/fm radio. and 1 Sirius radio controller. All of which had to be removed so I could cut a new hole in the panel to accomodate the digital whatchamacallit.

On Tuesday myself and Donnie from Kasey's Choice crewed for Captain Eric Ravenschlag who was delivering the M/V Blue Goose (53' Hatteras) across the Caloosahatchie to The River Forest storage facility. (http://www.riverforestyc.com/)  It was a pleasant days ride through 2 locks and a more rural area than we've seen for awhile. River Forest has 2 buildings that are climate controlled and can accomodate approximately 140 boats under cover. Impressive place! It is the first travelift I've ever seen with condoms on the straps. That's right. The straps have a heavy clear plastic wrapper around them! Upon completion of our duties we were picked up by a couple of hot babes (Pam & Marilyn) and given a ride back to Ft. Myers.

Slipless

Ever since we arrived in Florida Pam and I have been kicking around ideas about where to go when we leave Legacy Harbour. I'm happy to report that we still don't know! One thing we did decide on though is that we don't want to fight the river again this spring and with that said I made the call to Midtown Marina and let them know that our silp is available. As of this writing I've allready been told that it will have a new occupant when the boats go back in the water. Midtown has been a great facility for us over the years and we'll miss the service and friendliness the staff has always provided. 

The other day we were invited for home made pizza by Bill & Mary on the bow of their boat, the Blue Goose. What we didn't know until shortly before lunch time was that Bill had arranged to have Nik Wallenda put on a high wire show between the condos that are located next to Legacy. (Maybe Bill exagerated a bit). The pizza was great. The weather cooperated and the show was spectacular. The pictures are of course Bill & Mary and the one above them is Nik Wallenda crossing between buildings and stepping over his accomplice who is squating while balancing on the same wire!

Later that afternoon Tourist headed down to Ft. Myers Beach to the mooring field where we spent four nights tied to a mooring ball. We explored the beach area as well as the waters around it with the crew from Kaseys Choice who joined us the next day.

Shrimp Boats.

While we were out exploring we managed to get a picture of Flipper who was playing with his friends about 20ft. away from our raft. Of course Pam got so excited that she couldn't speak. (I wonder how I can keep those guys around?) We had a great time at the beach and look forward to going back before we depart.

Family Visits

Over the past ten days we have had visits from my dads brother Leo. His wife Jean, and Leos' daughter Marsha. Not to be outdone, my mothers' brother Algie and his wife Sherry stopped by to balance the sibling visits. What made these two separate visits special is that in both cases these are the only remaining siblings my parents have from families of three brothers on my dads side and one sister and three brothers on moms side. The weather Gods must have been watching over us for both visits as we were able to take them out on Tourist on each occasion.

First to visit was Uncle Leo and crew and our outing took us to Marker 92 at Tarpon Point for lunch. (http://www.marinavillageresort.com/) Here are a few pics from that day.

The brothers. Dad on the left. Leo on the right. Always fun listening to the stories about their childhood.

Leo and Marsha.
It was a fun outing that rekindled memories of my childhood when visits were more frequent.

A few days later my uncle Algie and wife Sherry came to visit my parents. (We won't mention any golf scores at the risk of embarrasment to one of the participants.) On Tuesday they decided a change of activities would be in order and came up to Ft. Myers to visit Pam & me. Again it was a good day to be on the water so off we went. Our destination this time, Gramma Dots on Sanibel Island. (http://www.sanibelmarina.com/) As we were sitting at the counter a gentleman sat down next to Algie and a conversation ensued. Soon it went to telling Ole and Lena jokes back & forth and back & forth. I thought we might be making Sanibel our permanent residence. Turns out the gentleman was from Eau Claire, Wi. less than an hours drive from Black River Falls where my uncle lives. Small world.

The crew at Sanibel.

Pilot & co-pilot. Former river explorers.
It was great to visit with all and catch up on whats' been going on in their lives.

Bike Night

The other night they blocked off the streets in downtown Ft. Myers and had Bike Night. Hundreds of Harleys with a few crotch rockets thrown in. Now before I go too far along I have to apologize to all you guys with a leather fetish. Every time I raised the camera to take a photo of an interesting wardrobe Pam would push my camera clutching hands into the sky! Maybe next time.

A couple of the not so typical bikes.

And a crowd favorite. (Dutch. I think the girls would look good in this!)

We  walked around the streets drinking beer, listening to the live band, and looking at bikes and people. I tried buying some bikerwear for Pam but they didn't have her size.
All in all it was a fun night. The crowd was civilized. The music and drinks were good and the scenery was different from what we see on a boat.

Happy Birthday Luke!

A couple photos of our Grandson Luke. One opening a Christmas gift of new PJ's and the other with Addams' dog Felony. Hope you have a great day Luke!

Controlled Chaos

Bless me Father for it has been 9 days since my last posting in this blog. We've been hosting company as you are all aware. Three days before Mike and Nancy ventured back north, we were joined by Moose and Lisa. What ensued was controlled chaos. Six people. One boat. Endless alcohol. Enough said!

We took a walk one day to the Edison /Ford complex and were able to meet Henry Ford. (better looking than portrayed in most photos!)

Another excursion took us to Manatee Park where we were able to see the most recently discovered species of manatee. Don't they pose well! The water is warming up so it was a special treat to catch this exotic group still enjoying the confines of the park.

Finally the weather is getting back to normal for the Floridians. We were able to get out of the dock and anchor for a day in a no wake zone near Shell Point, just off the Caloosahatchie River. The girls even found their swimsuits, although none of them got in the water. Moose tried talking them into a group flash but this was the best he could do! Maybe next time.

Before long it was time give Mike & Nancy the boot and send them back to reality. We'll miss you guys!

Company's Coming & Going!

Thursday March 4, 2010     For the past week we have enjoyed the company of Mike & Julie followed by Mike & Nancy. (2 different Mikes' in case you were wondering). Unfortunately the Florida weather hasn't co-operated fully. We were finally able to cast off the lines on Sunday and head to Sanibel Island for lunch at Grandma Dots. You can see the woman Pam is talking to is prepared for the impending snow storm. Notice her thigh high boots!

After lunch we kicked Mike & Julie off to find their way to their beachside motel for the next few days. I hope the taxi showed up!

It's no secret that Pam & I would like to move into a trawler style boat. Something more roomy and more fuel efficient. I think we may have found a suitable alternative, although not a trawler this solar powered craft will certainly be fuel effecient and roomy.

We were able to spend a night on the hook before the winds and rain came again. While anchored in Glovers Bight we noticed the dinghy tied to this sailboat losing air. Never did see anyone around the boat. Hope they're not deflated and laying inside!

On a brighter note I thought I'd post this picture of the moon sinking into the western sky over Tarpon Point Marina. Don't let the calm water fool you. The winds picked up to 30+ mph the next day!