Pam has been bugging me to get a new blog post out for the past few weeks. My excuse has been that the timing was all wrong what with boat projects, company, and my afternoon nap keeping me from the keyboard. Well there are still boat projects to take care of and of course the afternoon nap can't be sacrificed but we are alone for a few days so I no longer have an excuse!
A thought that started back in November when we spent a couple of days at Franklin Lock Park finally became a reality. Since Franklin Lock is operated by the Corps of Engineers, a Federal agency, they have something known as a Senior Discount for anyone over 62 provided you have the proper credentials. (A piece of plastic the size of a credit card.) When I inquired of them just how I could get this card I was told that I could get one simply by driving to Ding Darling Preserve on Sanibel Island where they were issued on the spot.
Of course life got in the way back in November so it wasn't until recently that we've had the time to fight the snowbird traffic and make our way to Sanibel. In the process of docktail discussion we picked up a couple of hitchhikers in the form of Rich & Diane (M/V RiDi). Plans were made and we were off.
We stopped at the visitor center at Ding Darling thinking it would be a likely place to acquire the "card". Guess again. It was a nice stop but the pickup spot for the "card" was at the roadside ticket booth as you drive through the park. So on we went.
Success! I now qualify for the Senior Discount!
We drove through the park and then had lunch at the Green Flash Restaurant on Captiva before returning to Legacy to show off the new "card"!
Some of the many birds in the park.
A misplaced miniature golf prop? No. It's the real thing.
Green Flash dining. If you get there check out the bathrooms.
Diane getting up close and personal with the mangroves.
Weather wise things started to improve which gave us the opportunity to cast off the lines and get out of Dodge. We only travelled 13 miles to one of the spots we seem to hit every winter, Glover Bight where we dropped the hook for a couple of nights.
Spotted this anhinga drying his feathers as we went by.
Anchored in full view of the Westin.
Watched the Coast Guard Auxiliary practice their towing skills.
Looked up and spotted this guy going up the mast. (One reason we're not sailors!)
And enjoyed another day coming to a close.
We only spent 2 nights on the hook but it was nice to see if I could still operate the boat!
Shortly after we arrived back at Legacy I received a call from a former business friend who was in town for a few days. As it turned out he and his wife were staying at the Westin and had been for the past two nights! If only we'd known! Fortunately we were able to get together before they had to head back home.
A couple of days later we were contacted by Diane & Denny. Friends from back home who were staying in Venice but were coming to Ft. Myers for an airport pickup and had time for dinner before meeting their flight. Timing worked out to enjoy a docktail before moving on to The Firestone for dinner.
A great meal. A great setting. And great friends. A good time was had by all!
Later that week Mike & Nancy rolled into town for a visit.
Of course that means a 2 blondes shopping excursion!
We waited for the weather to warm up and then we took off for Ft. Myers Beach and a couple of nights on a mooring ball.
A nice glass of tomato juice for the ride.
When we arrived at the beach there were only 3 moorings left. Of course as is usual no regard is given to matching the size of the vessel to the appropriate mooring thus we ended up on a mooring intended for a 35' boat while all of the larger balls were occupied by smaller boats. Fortunately it was calm for the time we were there.
We spent some time exploring the beach area shops and establishments and ended up our stay with a great meal on the boat of fresh scallops purchased at Trico fish market.
Lunch anyone?
One of our stops was at the top of the Lanai Kai Hotel for a drink with a view.
Nancy checking out the horizon.
View of the Gulf.
View of the beach.
Back at the boat Mike greatly enjoyed one of the bottles originally intended for Jim Small.
After two days at the beach we moved on to Sanibel Island for lunch at Grandma Dot's. As usual they were dredging the entrance making it a tight squeeze to get into the harbor. Fortunately a boat had just left giving us a spot to tie up for the time we were there.
We arrived early enough to avoid the normal wait.
Inside Grandma's.
An attempt at a selfie.
After lunch we checked out the new Back Cove boats for sale before continuing our days journey.
We made our way through the "Miserable Mile" and dropped the anchor at the Shell Pt. No Wake area next to the bait shack.
The girls wasted no time in getting set up on the bow to watch the parade of boats go by.
One of the boats passing by was M/V RiDi on their way back to Legacy.
Another was M/V Arawak. A boat that we had chartered some years ago in the Virgin Islands. It has recently been brought to the U.S. for a complete refit. Believe me when I say it looks a great deal better now than when we were on it!
The weather cooperated giving us another peaceful night on the hook in an often overlooked location.
Too soon it was time to return to the dock but still we had something to look forward to. In fact when our dock mates first learned that Mike & Nancy were going to visit they started asking about whether or not we were going to keep the biscuits & gravy tradition going. (Don't worry M & N, they like you even without the B & G brunch!)
So on the morning before Mike & Nancy were heading out we had the now annual B & G brunch on Tourist. Somehow 20+ people crowded onto Tourist for a plate or two of delicious biscuits and gravy plus other treats brought by our guests. The whole event was pulled off under an Irish themed banner since they are the Flanagan's, and it was almost St. Patrick's Day!
Biscuits & Gravy. Always a cause for celebration!
Party planners!
Jim, Gordy, Kathy, & Gene.
Bru, Sandy, Mary, & Kathy.
Donnie, Marv, & Rick.
Nancy & Bill.
Debbie, Bill, & Donnie.
Mike entertaining the troops!
Sarah & Pam.
The event was a success with everyone getting their fill of biscuits & gravy as well as a bloody Mary or two. The lucky ones also received green beads and a shamrock sticker. All in all it was a great send off for Mike & Nancy.
