The final leg north and home 

Saturday, May 14, 2016

We began another leg of our homeward bound journey from Daytona.  Cross/Over went under the Memorial Bridge, maybe for the last time.  Work is to begin to replace the bridge with a high rise bridge.  Construction will hamper many cyclists who use the bridge to commute to work.

Underway headed to St Augustine.  This time, we maneuvered past Matanzas Inlet successfully.(the site of our grounding on our way south)  It was interesting to see what the sandbar is really like at low tide.  So glad we got pulled off before it go as low as the picture shows.

This was a short day, only 54 miles.  River Edge Marina is next to a restaurant, Hurricane Patties, and they give the slip holders a discount.  When Dave suggested we have our meal at noon why would I argue?  Dave had a good burger and I had their shrimp and grits, not bad!  Everywhere you go the chef has a different variation.  Later Dave assembled the bikes.  First, we rode to the produce stand to get a few fresh items.  Next, we rode to the San Sebastian Winery.  Of course, you can’t leave without buying wine!  We were pleasantly surprised at the difference in the taste of the wine using the muscadine grapes.  Our experience with the flavor of the same grapes at a winery in North Caroline was completely different.  One of the pourers explained that the growing location changes the flavor of the grape considerably.  A wine made with the same grape that was grown in the mountains of North Caroline would also be different in flavor.  Unfortunately, the wines made at the San Sebastian winery are not sold in South Carolina and the boat is already overloaded.

We did some sprucing up of the boat in preparation for a visit from the Dorseys the following day.  Dave spent some time reading in our new” screened porch”.  I personally preferred the AC that afternoon.  Later in the evening we enjoyed the music from the Patties.

Sunday, May 15, 2015

We had heard so much about the diner, Georgie’s, in St.Augustine, we had to  give it a try.  No disappointment there, but Greek restaurants have ever let us down.  The morning was cool and it would not have seemed like we visited St Augustine without riding downtown.  Church bells were ringing but the tourists had not begun to stir.

The Dorseys arrived at 11 o’clock and we sat on the boat, after their tour of the latest upgrades, and caught up with health issues, a book Jim is writing, our travels and their travel plans.  They drove us out to the beach, to the Salt Life Restaurant.  From the rooftop we could see the beach.  Just a hint, if you like shrimp, they make a yummy shrimp taco salad.

Joan and Jim invited us to stay with them, in their condo at World Golf Village.  A night off the boat was welcome.  We walked through their neighborhood and Joan achieved her goal for steps taken that day.  More conversation and good libations; followed by one of Joan’s good meals completed a wonderful evening with good friends.

Monday, May 16, 2016

After a light breakfast, they drove us back to the boat for an early departure.  The tide gets very low in the San Sebastian River and we did not want to miss our chance to get out of the marina.  Our departure at 8:25 was problem free.    We saw one of the boats that we had locked through the lake with, it would have been the third time we had overnighted in the same area.

The current was against us big time, reducing our speed by 3 MPH.  North of the St John’s River, Jacksonville area, the ICW took us into Sawpit Creek.  It was rather strange seeing the crab pots exposed on the bank.  The tides in this area are 6 to 9 feet and we were in the phase of the moon making them very high and very low.  

Later we approached a shallow area with tricky markers in the Little Amelia River.  Two sail boaters had their sails up and were not able to change direction quickly enough to avoid the shoals; both were aground on opposite sides of the channel.  Sea tow had his hands full. 

We waited off the fuel dock in Fernandina for a long while before we could get in to take on fuel.  It was after we crossed St Mary’s Sound that we had hitchhikers come aboard; we were attacked by biting flies! We  did spot other more interesting wildlife in the form of 5 wild horses on Cumberland Island.  In the middle of St Andrews Sound Dave spotted two turtles that appeared to be mating???  I believe they were loggerhead turtles.  They had chosen rather rough condition.  That day we did not have any unusually rough inlet crossings.

This was our night to anchor out.  The wind was steady from the east, keeping us cool.  The day had been a long one.  Dropping the anchor at Jekyll Island, after 93 miles, and shutting down the engine was welcome.  What a treat we had in store for us.  There were dolphins all around us in pairs and threes, a single one came up to the boat and way out of the water.  Sometimes it is hard to know which is best, just watching and enjoying them or trying to capture the moment. The evening was quiet with no bugs to annoy us.

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

The temperature was 76 as we began the morning.  There seemed to be a battery issue, possibly the alternator, so we called ahead to the marina in Thunderbolt, Georgia. (near Savannah)  If we arrived after 4 PM they could put us on the fuel dock.

We fueled at the Jekyll Island Marina and mentioned the biting flies.  They sold us NONATZ, allegedly it repels gnats, mosquitoes, so-see-ums and biting flies.   I can’t swear to it but you can order it from NONATZ, PO Box 1044, Dublin , GA  31040.  The fly swatter  detail was a challenge, they were fast.  The racket we had with the electric shock would have worked but we had left it home because the batteries were bad.   While fueling we learned during our conversation that  both dock hands were from Myrtle Beach.

This day had current with us, against us, and wet crossing of sounds and rivers and on two occasions blinding rain.   Our only way to steer was by the instruments.   Stopping was not an option.  During one storm we made a wrong turn into another river.  Dave caught it rather quickly when the visibility improved.  The ICW markers have a yellow/gold square on the top of the numbered day marks.

During the day we found our water tank empty again.  Dave found later that the fitting on the pressure tank had come off, possibly due to the pounding through the waves.  The waves certainly did a number on my back and hip.

We got to the dock at Thunderbolt at 3:15, refueled and tied for the night just as the next deluge let loose.  Dave got soaked going up to register.  Meantime, I was wiping up leaks in the cabin.  Our trip that day covered 105 miles.  After the rain, we showered and got into some dry clothes.  The TV picked up the info channel from Myrtle Beach that tells the tourists where to eat and shop on their visit.  How interesting that we would see that in Georgia!

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Off again, this time with the current and the flies.  Those bites are nasty and itch for days.  It is nice to be back in south Caroline and familiar places like Hilton Head, Parris Island, and Beaufort.  Dave likes going by Marine Air Station and watching the F/A-18s do touch and go’s with military landing approaches.

In the Ashopoo Coosaw River Cutoff students were offloading net bags with oyster shells and making a buffer along the bank.  I wish I knew what they used to ward off the flies.  Is this why cruisers head home earlier in the year?

Finally, we were in the Charleston Harbor and avoiding the ferry boats going to and from Fort Sumter.  Approaching the other side of the harbor we were lucky to have an opportunity to pass a tug and barge before the ICW narrowed at the Ben Sawyer Bridge.

Our last night on the waterway we docked at the Isle of Palms Marina.  There were two busloads of school children there on a marine outing.  They didn’t seem to mind the rain shower but we were lucky to be in the boat.  We had a drink aboard with a toast to 125 miles on the water that day. The shower stopped and we walked to the restaurant to celebrate a good trip.  Their shrimp and grits were not to my taste but Dave had wonderful juicy, local clams.   Dave and I discussed our feelings about this trip on the ICW and each of us had a slightly different outlook on our expectations.

My back and hip were feeling better and I slept well.

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Dave thought he was up early but realized we were further east and the sun came up earlier.  Overnight he decided it was time for me to be more comfortable  piloting of the boat.  This boat is quite different than our sailboat, which I used to captain on women’s cruises.  He reviewed the procedures and we were under way on this cool morning.  Our tasks were reversed; he made the snacks, got the drinks and made lunch.  I diverted to him if I had questions and spoke up when the alligator swam to the shore.

I slogged through the heavy chop and current in the river by Georgetown.  

The trip up the Waccamaw River was calm and beautiful as always.  I made this observation:  Georgetown is the Mason/Dixion of this trip.  To the south the area is marsh, meandering narrow and shallow waterway, salt water, pelicans, dolphins, palm trees and biting flies. On the other side of the river, you have the Waccamaw 

River that is very wide at the mouth for many miles and very deep, even as it narrows with twists and turns.  This water is fresh and is the culmination of many large and small rivers to the north and west.  Here there aren't any dolphins; the sea birds have stayed behind and the banks are lined with Live Oaks and Cyprus trees on islands that once had been cleared for rice plantations.   There are water lilies along the banks and in small streams. They get torn loose by small fishing boats.  When they float in your path you always check to be certain it is not hard debris.  Dave termed them exploding lilies.

I managed to pilot with opposing current until we came to the inhabited areas of the South Grand Strand with no wake areas, here my endurance ebbed.  Dave had finished his book and was willing to take the wheel.  He told me I had done well and I should feel more confident.  The day went as expected until we got to Barefoot Landing and the barge we passed yesterday was just entering a section of the ICW in Myrtle Beach known as the “rock pile”.  This section of the ICW was blasted out of the Coquina stone to join the Waccamaw River and Little River to the north.  There is no way to pass without endangering your vessel.  The captain was very nice and chatty.  He was coming from Georgia and headed to Beaufort, North Carolina.  He advised us and the vessel behind us not to pass until we reached the high rise bridge in North Myrtle Beach.  Dave did find the patience to stay back and we arrived in our slip safely.

Susie and Don were on the office steps, waving to welcome us back.  Don came to help tie the boat.  Our neighbor, Dave answered our call for a ride to bring us to the house for our car.  The unpacking began and went on again today.   I put things away and did laundry while Dave cleaned the boat.  We are far from settled back into a routine but it is nice to have lots of space, our own showers and big beds.

In the last three months, we have traveled 1,872 miles on the water.  Our longest day was 135 miles. Will I stick with my idea that we should make a weekend trip north or south once a month, time and weather will be a determining factor?

If you have followed my blog I would appreciate knowing.  It takes a considerable amount of time and concentration.  A few of you have already responded and I appreciate your comments. 

Memorial Bridge, leaving Daytona

Dave reading in the screened room

San Sebastian Winery

St Augustine City Marina

I missed his jump next to the boat

North of Charleston, smiley face pirate,  Do you think it lights up at night?

Our fly swatter is on its last legs.

Barge and tug just before our homeward pass.

This is out of sequence, but this is the sand bar we grounded on.

So sad to see, this is moss and grass growing on the boat hull.

My chance behind the wheel

Homeward bound

Saturday, May 7^th, 2016

Departure from the dock at Twin Dolphin Marina, Bradenton, was early and easy.  The Manatee River was calm and we made the decision to go down the Gulf.  We carefully took the Passage Key Inlet around Anna Maria Island.  The wind was now from the North and we had 3 to 4 foot swells pushing us.  This was a different feeling than when we experienced this wave action on our sailboat.  Coming down off a crest we picked up 3 to 4 MPH.  The water is so beautiful; however, the motion was in all directions.  We came off the Gulf at Charlotte Harbor Inlet.  That was a bit nail biting for both of us. The   rocking and rolling during our passage and in the marina has messed up my equilibrium.  

Docking with the North wind at the Ft Myers City Marina was extremely difficult and we finally had to be walked around to the inside where we spent the night.    Our passage was 105 miles, but we covered in one day what would have taken us two days in the ICW.  Showers and dinner at the Standard, a British-style pub, began my Mother’s Day early.  Ft Myers is a happening place; bands in the street on Saturday and Friday there had been an Art Walk.  The evening was cool and temperatures overnight dropped the temp in the boat to 68 degrees.

Mother’s Day

Off to Clewiston, located on the South rim, part way across Lake Okeechobee.  We had three locks getting into the lake, the first one took us up 14 feet, the second we went up 8 feet and last one 2 feet.  Along the way we got to see a deer swimming across the canal, 3 alligators and lots of birds.  Some of the birds were as common as red wing black birds and heron, osprey, egrets and I think a king fisher but that is questionable.  We arrived in Clewiston at 3 PM.  They make a good Bahama Mama at the bar and we got to keep the glass.  Adrienne called and Brad and the children face timed to wish me a Happy Mother’s Day.

Monday

We treated ourselves to breakfast out before heading across the lake.  We spoke to one captains on a BIG power yacht and asked how much fuel he burned.  He proudly announced, “ 25 gallons and hour.”  We got to see several of the boats we had docked withas we waited for and transited the lock.   The first of the two locks was open.  At one area we had to wait for an AMTRACK train to cross.   It must have been late, as usual, we waited almost 45 minutes.  At the last lock at Port St Lucie before Stuart we came back down 14 feet.

We motored through Stuart and turned North on the ICW.  The day marks are now red on the port and green on the starboard, a sure sign that we are headed North and Home.  We arrived at the Fort Pierce City Marina early afternoon.  We were in a different part of Ft Pierce this time.   On other occasion we have stopped by car to go to the marine surplus warehouse.  There was always something Dave needed for the boat refurbishing.  This marina has large sport fishing boats and other large boats.   This is the first marina that charged us for the length of the swim platform and dinghy on the davits.  Instead of a 28 foot boat we became a 34 foot boat.  When you are charged by the foot it becomes a bigger chunk of change.  We still felt like a tender to the other boats around us.

Tuesday

Dave got our bikes out and we toured the downtown area, which also included a trip to ACE Hardware.  There is lots of history here and we did not get to see any of the historical homes.  The architecture is very Spanish. The parks are lovely and I went to the Manatee Center while Dave worked on the hydraulics for the trim tabs.  When I walked into the center they asked where I was visiting from.  When I told them North Myrtle Beach the docent got all excited and told me she was meeting her family there for a vacation and wanted to get some local knowledge.  After a relaxing afternoon and showers we went to Cobb’s Landing with our 20% off coupon and enjoyed an early dinner.

Wednesday

We were off the dock by 8 AM and the water was flat.   How could we be that lucky?  Our original plan was to anchor at Addison Point, south of Titusville.  The conditions were so good we decided to proceed on to Daytona.  It was a long day, the longest one on this trip, 135 miles.  We did not encounter anything exciting along but the occasional dolphin sightings.  (See picture) the way. It was nice to be docked and have a refreshing shower.  The day was special because it was our granddaughter, Alyse’s 9^th birthday.  We got to face time with her on her way home from swim practice. 

Thursday

Dave put the bikes together and we headed off to the Winn Dixie, about a mile and a half.  We rode part way on the beach.   The water was calm but cooler than the Gulf of Mexico.  Along the way we also checked out UV protective clothing for me.   I couldn’t try it on because I was wearing  sun screen.  When we got back to the boat we did some searches on the net and order a UV protective shirt for me.  We had it shipped to our friend Joan’s in St Augustine so I will have it to wear on the trip home.

Back at the boat, exhausted and hot, I got things put away and laid down with the AC running.  Dave has more stamina in the heat than I do.  He washed down the boat, which again was full of salt spray.  We relaxed and read in the cockpit.   There was a good breeze in the cockpit and the screens help a lot to block the sun.

We learned too late that there are $4 burgers and $1 drafts at the Irish Tavern on Beech Street every Thursday night.  There was also a minor baseball game at Jackie Robison Field.  Both are just a few blocks from the marina.  FYI on summer Saturday nights there is fireworks at the field.  All was not lost, we got to watch our grandson Nathan shoot hoops on face time.   Good job buddy!

Friday

The morning started out with 90% humidity and bright sun.  Dave and I did some cleaning in the saloon and the cockpit.  The Nilles are stopping by around 5 PM to see the boat upgrades.  Next we will go to their house for happy hour and then to dinner at Zappy’s Italian Restaurant on Beech Street.

Dave put the dinghy in the water to take the porta-potty across the marina to the dump out.  It gave him an opportunity to clean the transom and run the outboard.  A wine run was next, CVS has a fairly good selection and good prices.  Dave also picked up a set of sweat bands.  That is not something we thought of when we packed in late February.

Tomorrow morning we are off to St Augustine and a visit with our good friends Joan and Jim Dorsey and help them celebrate their recent birthdays.  They offered to have us stay the night.  A real bed and bathroom will be a luxury. 

 We should be back in North Myrtle Beach by next weekend.  I am looking forward to real AC and a bit more space, but not the unpacking.

I still have not solved the problem of the pictures repositioning.  Sorry!

Traveling the waters of the Gulf of Mexico

Sunset from the dock in Ft Myers

Deer swimming the channel

Alligator

Here we were a 34' boat

The New Greater New Bethel Haitian Baptist Church, Ft Pierce. this is for my PA friends at the New Bethel Church in Kempton

The Spanish architecture of the Ft Pierce Methodist Church

Peacock

Manatee Center

This information was very interesting and buying a pair of Dolphin earrings to match a necklace Adrienne gave me was timely.

Fruit salad with Limincello

7 ounces Greek Yogurt. (recommend Fage).       Serves 6
1/3  cup bottled lemon curd
1.     Tablespoon honey
1/4.  teaspoon vanilla extract
2.     Cups sliced strawberries
1.      Cup raspberries (1/2 pint)
1.      Cup blueberries (1/2 pint)
2.      Tablespoons sugar
3.       Tablespoons limoncello liqueur
1.       Banana, sliced
Fresh mint sprigs

Directions:
For the lemon yogurt topping, whisk together the yogurt , lemon curd, honey, and vanilla. 

Set aside at room temperature.
For the fruit salad, carefully toss together the strawberries, raspberries, blueberries,

sugar and limoncello. 

Allow them to stand at room temperature for about 5 minutes to let the berries macerate

with the sugar and liqueur.  Gently fold the banana into the mixture.
Serve with a dollop of lemon yogurt on top.  Top each with a sprig of fresh mint.

Bradenton,  Our Departure Post

Wednesday, May 4 2016

Our decision to return to Bradenton on Tuesday was well founded.  Rain began Wednesday AM before we were up.  By 8 AM we experienced strong winds and heavy rain accompanied by thunder and lightning.  It was comforting to be surrounded by the tall masts of other boats.  The boat rocked but we were dry inside.  We read and I finished a knitting project.  My 14th book was completed. 
By late afternoon, we were in sunshine and beginning the process of drying out.  The boat was super clean now.  Another small group of storms materialized during cocktail hour but were gone in time for us to walk to Main Street for an Italian meal.

Thursday 

Our day was destined to be a busy one.   I started to do our laundry, my detergent was nowhere to be found.  I came to the realization that I must have left the new bottle in the laundry room last week.  I had one packet of powered and got a second from our neighbor. Next, Don arrived to deliver our poly carbonate side panels.  They are amazing; so clear you don’t know they are there.  He and Dave put fasteners in the hard top so we can stow them up under the hard top.  The last piece of screen is for the windshield.  Don took the patterns before the wind became too strong.  As he left our friends, Nancy and Jess arrived with a wonderful lunch the included fresh fruit topped with Limoncello.  See recipe below:
After lunch they were good enough to drive us to grocery shop. They had another mission and that was to bring us the remainder of their wallpaper primer paint and paper paste.  No, the boat has not sunk yet.  Thanks again to both of you.
After all that excitement we were invited to tour another dock mate’s 41’, 1984 DeFever trawler.  A very nicely appointed  boat in great condition.  He also has a herb garden and tomato plants on the aft deck.  We learned that  Bob is headed to Key Largo tomorrow to complete his Loop Passage.
We passed on the  Cinco de Mayo celebration on Old Main Street. Instead, Dave worked on weather forecasts and projection our trip home.

Friday

It was so nice to sleep with the hatches open and no AC running. I stripped the bed and went to the laundry with my detergent.  Well, no it was fabric softener.  Did I feel stupid just reaching for something in the right shaped bottle yesterday at the store! Two caps of softener and our sheets smell good and that was the purpose I intended.  
Don arrived with a bag to store our screens, the patterns for the work he did and the screen for the windshield. We will miss seeing him and are so pleased with the work he has done and the designs he and Dave collaborated on together.  It is like having a new boat.
As he finished, Dave’s sister, Joyce and her husband, arrived.  They are vacationing from Lynchburg and staying in Venice, FL.  We showed them around the immediate downtown and went to several thrift shops followed by a nice lunch at Pier 22.   It was very windy and Joyce made a good call when she grabbed her sweater.
Dave put the bikes aboard and began the preparations for departure in the morning.  We took the time for one last soak in the hot tub before we say goodbye here. An eighth grader in the hot tub with us had a Rubik cube and in less than two minutes he could solve the puzzle and most of the time he was not watching what he was doing, Kids are amazing!
Our boat neighbors next door invited us for cocktails and we spent several hours talking. A great couple, married 52 years, with many adventures from their native California and down the coast of South America to Argentina and back here to the West Coast of Florida.   They will fly home for the summer months and then plan for more time on the water.

You may not get another post for a time as we will be doing on nighters back to the East Coast.  We plan to stop briefly in Daytona and St Augustine and be in North Myrtle Beach on or about the 22nd of May.

These little guys are brown here, they must have suntan,. In NMB they are green.

Poly carbonate side curtains in the stored position

Windshield sun screen

Storage bag,  OK sorry folks I edit the pictures but when I post them they revert to the way I have taken them with the I-phone

Joyce and Leo, "What do you mean this cost the same as our house!"

Windy lunch

Mike and Neila,  boat neighbors

Bradenton  Part 3

Saturday, April 30, 2016

We started our Saturday by going up to Old Main Street to the Farmer’s Market.  Produce and fruit and a bottle of pomegranate balsamic vinegar completed our list for the week.  These vendors set up 6 days a week at markets from Clearwater to Naples.  We got back to the boat and our neighbors returned from the market and asked if we had found the seafood vendor.  They showed us the red shrimp, huge and frozen.   Back on my bike and up to the market.  Now, what shrimp dishes to make for dinners.

At 1 P.M. ,80 or more of the slip holders were treated to an Italian lunch at Pier 22 (part of the marina property).  It was nice to make a more informal acquaintance with folks on our dock that we have just been saying hello to as they pass our boat.  We learned that one of the couples we see at the pool is from Uruguay.  Another gentleman that we see as he walks his Scotty dogs; leaves the dock with a computer and briefcase at irregular hours.   He checks sites for in ground pools for a local company.  The food was outstanding; better yet I would not have to cook an evening meal.

We relaxed, read, napped, and followed by cocktails.  At 6:15 we took the bikes and with chairs on our backs, peddled over to Manatee Avenue (the main thoroughfare) to watch the Desoto Parade.  A great number of runners came by for the first hour.  There was lots of security (police and sheriff) presence.  There were officers on motorcycles, bikes,  on foot, ATV’s and a group of young  folks from the Bradenton Police Explorers unit.  The whole parade unit was lined with metal barricades.  For one who thinks a parade is the ones we see in Pennsylvania at Halloween it was a bit of a disappointment.  The main focus seemed to be fire engines, rescue trucks, Mustang convertibles with various queens and dignitaries from the sister city in Spain.  It was a bead throwing contest, no candy at this parade; I walked away with 24 strands of beads.  I do respect the bands and people who walked almost 50 blocks.  We gave up before it was over.

Sunday, May 1, 2016

Both of us got off to an early start preparing for our departure to Caladesi  Island State Park.  Dave washed the boat and took down the screens.  Mike and Neila helped us out of the slip at 9 AM.  Sorry  to people in the boat by the entrance to the breakwater as Dave gave two blasts on the air horns as required. 

We proceeded down the Manatee River, no problem with the wind behind us, and then across the entrance of Tampa Bay.  The wind was out of the Southeast and swells two to three feet with the occasional white caps.  We needed to go under the Causeway and find the ICW channel.   I would compare it to crossing the Potomac River on the Chesapeake Bay, not fun and very wet!  The ICW goes between St Petersburg and the outer islands and up to Clearwater.  There doesn’t seem to be a square foot of land along the waterway that does not have homes, condos or hotels.  We only saw one for sale sign the whole way.  But then you come to the north end of Clearwater Beach and there is Caladesi State Park just before Honeymoon Island.  $1 a foot but if we were FL residents and over 65 it would have been $ .50.

Our docking was difficult with the wind but fellow boaters took our lines on the T-pier and then we walked the boat around into the slip.  We got settled, a brief wash down, screens up and AC on.  The women in the next boat warned us that the no-see-ums were bad if the wind stopped or at dusk.  How right they were!  We walked to the beach, the shells are small.  Tomorrow we will get to the beach before the ferry arrives and hope for better finds.  The ranger told us there will be areas roped off for nesting birds and turtles.  There are only two other boats in the marina tonight.

Monday

We got out on the beach early.  The shelling was not special.  I was rethinking my crafts as I picked out shells to save.  The walk north to the end of the island was 1.8 miles.  We approached the area where Royal Terns were nesting.  (Hopefully, I have that identification right.) That made a long stretch for me but I fared well.  Back at the boat we rested and then took our chairs, umbrella and our books to the beach for the rest of the afternoon.  The water is warm and wonderful.  Temperatures have been 10 degrees above normal the last several weeks. 

Tuesday

Weather forecast for Wednesday did not look good for boat travel.  Our plan was to get out to the beach early before the high sun.  This time, we started down the beach and saw no shells so turned around and walked north nothing.  The ranger stopped on his patrol of the beach and collected trash I had piled for pick up on our way back.  He told us he had not found turtle crawls on the beach this morning but yesterday they had had a Kemp’s Ridley turtle nest near the end of the beach entrance.  They nest during the day and are usually only seen in Mexico but this is the second year they have had a nest on their beach.

A disappointment for the morning  plan  change.  The other great place to shell is Rooker Bar north of Honeymoon Island.  Not knowing what the weather would be for Wednesday we decided to go north, shell, and then head back to Bradenton.  Upon our arrival there the bar was posted due to bird nesting.  It is a rookery thus the name Rooker Bar. Our trip across the Tampa Bay was much calmer with winds southwest.  We refueled and were back in our slip by 2 PM.  A beeline to the pool to cool down, one of the days that starts with the weather man saying the temperature is 72 and feels like 82.  I am sure you get the picture.

Dave’s stylist gave him a haircut and he cleaned the cockpit as well as the whole boat wash down.   You folks are lucky you aren’t getting original sea salt for Christmas gifts.

Two pictures I have included have made my trip so much easier and comfortable.  The bike seat has been great, Walmart.  Dave constructed the shell scoop for me.  Again from Walmart, a frying utensil and a dowel.  It sure beats all the bending over.  Feel free to copy the ideas.

Bradenton, FL  Part 2

Friday, April 22 thru Friday, April 29, 2016

We are still in Bradenton and work on the bimini and sun screens has begun.  More about that later.

Friday

Bringing you up to date:  We attended the open air concert last Friday and the Alternative music was a real  bust.  The crowd was leaving after the first four numbers. However, we sat next to a very gracious couple, whose home is Chester, England.   They spend 6 months here, coming for 3 months segments.  They own a condo in Bradenton and a home on Anna-Maria Island.  Dave had made gin and tonics to drink during the concert.   Unfortunately, the bottle overturned, leaked and snacks were soggy.  They insisted on buying us a beer and a soda.  (We had come with empty pockets.)

Saturday

Dave fastened the struts for the canvas work and Don arrived with the ridge pole for the bimini.  Structural components are complete.

After lunch, we drove down to the Red Barn Flea Market.  It is mostly indoors and air conditioned but the booths sell the same things as Daytona, Tampa, and other flea markets.  We went on down the road to the Good Will.  We were looking for used beach chairs but no luck.  I did find a gauze shirt in the men’s department.  As much as I use sun screen I still can’t seem to not get brown.  Of course not the even tan I used to get with all the sun damage I have.  I have already made my appointment with the dermatologist.  I wonder if he can write me a prescription that will give us a medical break for the sun barriers we are putting on the boat. 

On return to the marina we showered and dressed.  Nancy and Jess Shrom arrived from Sun City Center and we had a long cocktail hour by the pool and then over to Edelweiss Restaurant.  (A nice meal but not the tastiest.)  They brought Dave a gift.  On our last visit with them, we had tomato sauce that found its way to Dave’s shirt.  He mentioned he thought he should have a bib.  They found one at a craft sale……

Sunday

Dave was up early as usual and online found an event in East Sarasota.  The Sarasota Remote Control Flying Club was holding a flying event.  The club is the largest on the east Coast with 270 members.  We arrived with our new, cheap, chairs from Walmart.  What an array of planes!  One member from Tarpon Springs is into flying jet RC craft.  They sounded and smelled like the real thing; from a distance, you would not have told the difference.  Donuts and coffee were free, later they sold burgers and hot dogs.  The county paved their airfield on the top of a landfill.  They maintain the grounds they use, buildings and shelters.  They passed out balsa gliders to all the kids and encouraged folks to become interested in the sport.  Their members range from 14 to 95 years.  The starter planes, referred to as ‘foamies’, begin at $200.  Your will see in my pictures how serious these folks are.  (Do they spend more than boaters on their hobby, we won’t go there.)  There was an opportunity to walk around and speak with the hobbyist and learn how the controls worked.  Most all the planes were replicas of military aircraft.  The commentator was very well versed in military history; making it very interesting and informative.

Food shopping and liquor run on the way home before pool time.  Cocktails in the cockpit and leftovers made for a relaxing evening.

Monday

Don arrived and made patterns for the bimini and the side curtains.  To allow the starboard curtain to be tight Dave will need to reroute the VHF antenna cable and the VHF radio will need to be relocated for us to store the side curtains by lifting them underneath the hard top.  A shopping run, this one to Harbor Freight and West Marine for parts. 

Next stop, Bradenton Beach; now we have been to three local beaches.  Our trip to Anna-Maria Island earned us a parking ticket for parking on the wrong side of the street.  I think Anna-Maria was our favorite.  The water has warmed considerably but shells are virtually nonexistent here.

Tuesday

I think Dave has spent as much time working on the boat as he does when it is in NMB.  Relocating the VHF radio and cable, painting the welds on the bimini framework and adhering the new  Chris Craft logo on the sides of the boat.  Yes, he couldn’t resist going to the Chris Craft plant and making his request.  Now when folks go by they don’t have to ask, "What kind of boat is it?"

I got to go with him to the Hope Thrift Shop where I found a pair of TEVA’s for $4 and a $1 gauze cover up.  Do I care whether Dave thinks it is gaudy?  He on the other hand, is so pleased with his find, a Cuisinart  Espresso machine for a fifth of the new price.  He can’t stop playing with it and the only place to store it is on the floor.  Maybe he can get a job at Starbuck’s when we get home.

Wednesday

The dreaded laundry day; lucky for me all three machines were open.

Don came by for a fitting of the bimini, what a difference it will make. 

An easy day, reading by the pool.  I have read 12 books since our trip began and have started the next. I have no count for Dave, his reading is more in depth so he needs more concentration.  Our boat neighbors Mike and Neila exchange books with us and we find others in the book exchanges in different marinas.  I did not finish Girl on the Train.

Thursday

We took a long bike ride through the neighborhood along the river.  There is a mixture of new and older homes.  There is also a Westminster Senior Living Apartment along the water and another on Old Main Street.  We have seen them in several of the cities we have explored.  If you are looking to relocate, check Sotheby’s waterfront listings.

Don came by with the bimini.  We are very pleased! The air seems to funnel through the cockpit now.  Don took more patterns for the screens and will bring them tomorrow.  Then we will head to Caladesi  State Park, claimed to be the “best beach” in Florida.   Hopefully, I will find some good shelling. When we return the side curtains should be finished and  we will start the journey home.

Friday

Dave returned the rental car this morning and our neighbor brought him back.  Now he is doing some polishing on the boat.

Don and Ramona surprised us with the sun screen shades this afternoon.  What a difference!  The boat looks so much larger.  We will be getting one for the windshield next week.  Unfortunately, I forgot to get pictures  before dark.

Tonight we enjoyed a wonderful concert at the amphitheater, Latin and Jazz.  Dave bought an album from the group, La Lucha.

Tomorrow will be busy;  Farmers’ Market in the morning for our produce.  From 1 to 3 PM the marina is treating the boaters to lunch at Pier 22.  Then in the evening there will be the Hernando  De Soto Heritage Festival Grand Parade  at 6:30 pm.  It is billed as the largest parade in SW Florida.  Be that as it may, chairs have lined the street since Wednesday.  (Reminds me of the residents of Hamburg preparing for the King Frost Parade.)  Look for pictures in the next blog.

Dave's new bib

Nancy and Jesse Shrom

Jet powered, I think this is a Eurofighter Typhoon.

They flew 500 feet, the jets at 800 feet

The plane in the foreground is referred to as a foamy, because it is made of styrofoam.

The back of one of the trucks, sorry it is not upright.

Cappuccino 

Don and Ramona installing the sun screen

New logo

New bimini

Sunset after the concert.