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.

Bradenton, FL

Monday. April 11, 2016   to    Thursday, April 21, 2016 

We left Fort Myers at 9 AM heading to Bradenton.  The  wind was coming from the north, not in our favor, but great for sailboats heading south.  The trip was uneventful with varying speeds.  This was the night to anchor.  An area south of the Blackburn Bridge at Casey Key looked good and we approached carefully; finding 5 to 6 feet of water.

Relaxed, I finished my book and Dave updated the log book; then napped.  Dave called Don to give him our ETA and he knew where we were.  He told us the Tiki Bar on the other side of the water was very popular.  Good, an excuse for us to use our dinghy.  Headed over, it certainly is a popular place.  We ordered 2 margaritas, not your expected Happy Hour!  The drinks were $8 each; they were good.  Since we were there we decided to share a burger and fries at the Casey Key Fish House. Our check including the tip was less than the drinks.  Back on board, Dave made coffee and we watched a nice sunset.

When we are on the hook we conserve our power use as it all comes from batteries.  Dave had incorporated a third battery for this trip. The sleep sound was on, plugged into the inverter.  An hour later the inverter started beeping.  We turned it off, the lapping water of the changing tide, kept us awake for a good long time.  In the middle of the night Dave realized the two batteries we use for the ‘house’ had gone dead.

Tuesday

When Dave got up at 6:30 he found the ‘starting’ battery was weak so he started the engine.  At daylight, a large cruiser was approaching the bridge and Dave got the anchor up in time for us to follow them through the bridge.  We slowed for a rowing team that was out practicing.

With the early start we arrived at the fuel dock at the Twin Dolphin Marina at 10:45; topped the tanks.  We couldn’t ask for a more convenient slip.  We are at the base of the ramp leading to the pool, hot tub, good washers and driers at a fair price, good WIFI and all the other facilities.  On this visit the weather is perfect for pool time.  We are surrounded by catamarans.  It seems that this marina has larger slips that allow for their wide beam.  Our neighbors on a ‘Cat’ are here from California and staying for a year.  They have done the Panama Canal and parts of Mexico and South America.

Don came by and discussed our ideas on the bimini and sun screening we plan for him to fashion.  He in turn he has some work for Dave to do in his new shop, the barter system is great.

Wednesday

Dave washed all the salt off the boat.  It is so much nicer to look out the windows without the all the streaks.  Don and Ramona came by; they are loaning us a car through the weekend.

Our next venture was restocking food and meds.  It is always a challenge to store everything on the boat.  Dave and I discussed the enclosure at length.  After lunch, we drove to Don’s shop and he and Dave reviewed the wiring job he wanted Dave to do for him.  Dave also got to borrow a battery tester from Don’s friend who builds trucks for NASCAR.  On our return Dave tested , finding the oldest battery in the series was dead which in turn drained the other battery.  A new battery is in the future.

Pool time and then got some basil from our neighbor for our dinner.  They have a 'tree' of it on in the cockpit.

Thursday  “National Dolphin Day”

Dave spent part of the morning doing the planning and materials he would need for the wiring project.  We drove down to the shop and checked out some more details;  then on to Lowes, half an hour away.  Everything here is so far away.  We did find a nice Italian Restaurant for lunch.

Back to the shop and begin work. I worked on my knitting project.

More pool and hot tub time before dinner.

Friday

Dave went off to work; I stayed at the marina and did laundry.  In the afternoon, I walked the downtown; toured the Art studio, got stamps and just a nice walk.  The weather was very hot and muggy.

Dave got back around 4:30, the  hot tub was a welcome relaxer.  We treated ourselves to dinner at OBrick’s in old Main Street.  Going early was a good call.  We came back and Dave put the bikes together and we biked down River Walk and enjoyed the music at the outdoor amphitheater.  During intermission, we rode to the end of the River Walk and explored the neighborhood there.  Back at the boat where I finished another book. Girls of Atomic City by Denise Kiernam,  a story of the girls who worked at Oakridge , TN on the Atomic Bomb.  It is a very interesting, historical read.

Saturday

After breakfast, we walked to the Farmer’s Market.  They close off Old Main Street and a side street for a good part of the day.  We found the venders to mostly be artist and two produce stands.

The rest of the day was a work day, driving for materials and going to the shop.

Back at the marina the wind was from the east at 20 to 25 mph and rocking us badly, as well as all the other boats.  Unfortunately, we had eaten out on Friday.   I managed to do spaghetti.  We closed the blinds hoping we could watch a DVD and forget about the rocking but the volume was bad so we just sent it back.  Getting to sleep was difficult but the wind slacked off  a bit during the night.

Sunday

Sunny and low 80’s and much drier air; very welcome.  Dave did some repair on a the hydraulic hose that got damaged by the bike he stores down in the engine compartment.  He also put up two towel bars in the head.  What a domestic concept!

We left to pick up a rental car. We met Don and Ramona to go to the Sarasota Boat show at Marina Jacks.  Don was eyeing all the cushions and canvas work while Dave wanted to see what bigger boats had to offer.  The show was interesting because they mixed new and used boats in the fairway.  Later Dave watched part of the NASCAR race with Don at their house. 

Back aboard we were in for another rocky evening; not quite as bad as the previous night.

Monday

Back to work for Dave.  I started the blog and am just getting around to getting it up to date.  Later I rode my bike to the Arts Village.  Mondays' unfortunately' is not a day they are open.  I did get some photographs of the whimsical things in the yards.  Most of the artist live, work and sell from their small clapboard homes.  When Dave got back it was another hunt for stores and materials and groceries. 

The pool was enjoyable and after dinner we rode out bikes half way across the route 41 bridge to watch the sunset.  I find riding in a bike lane with three lanes of traffic going by a bit unnerving.

Tuesday

The weather has been so nice we have not had to run the AC except for late afternoon.

We stayed at the marina.  In the morning broker in this marina came down to give us a rough estimate on the value of our boat.   Dave is always dreaming!  After lunch the Shroms stopped by with friends to see the boat and loan us beach chairs and an umbrella. Their homeowner’s group was dining at the restaurant next door.  Don also dropped by to discuss more design concepts foor the bimini and shades.

At 9:15 PM we caught the spectacular site of the space station traveling from north to southwest.   That just happened to be our open view.

Wednesday

Another half day of work for Dave.  This time, it was to modify the fittings needed for the railings on our boat.  The rails are slightly larger than the rails used on newer boats.  He quit around noon and we headed to the Siesta Key beach.  We almost gave up hope of finding a parking spot.  Chairs and umbrella were our only preparation.  We had not packed food or drinks expecting to find something there.  Dave did not have a book.  The width of the beach is grand and the sand is white and like powder.  Dave got completely wet but I chickened out.  The water is clear like the Caribbean.

Back to the marina more of the same with a walk up the bridge this time.  My hip is getting stronger and Dave had difficulty keeping up with my pace.

*I apologize to this blog entry being more of a diary.  Due to this bartering, which we certainly appreciate, there has been little time to do much in the way of site seeing and culture.  I envy the ladies sunning by the pool every day and hope they don’t have to pay the price I have for my sun exposure.  This is not a city we would be comfortable living.  The traffic is horrible, yes worse than Severna Park.  I am anxious to have the canvas installed and move on to Caladesi State Park to go shelling.*

Sunset from the anchorage at Casey Key

Sunset from our stern at Twin Dolphin Marina, Bradenton

The arrow at the bottom of the ramp to the pool shows where we are berthed.

Manatee Sculpture along the River Walk

Amphitheater, along the River Walk, music every Friday 6 to 8 PM

It is hard not to post pictures of sunsets

Our friend for two days

Entering the street at the beginning of the Arts Village

Funky, whimsical stuff

 Fort Myers     April 10, 2016

We got lucky on our timing crossing Lake Okeechobee.  The wind has been strong since our arrival, white caps off the marina. Waves yesterday in the gulf were to be 5’ to 7’.  We rock here in the marina even though we are at the street side dock.  Gnats are a problem here also, although not as numerous as some spots.  Our location here gives us lots of walking time to the facilities.  We do have the shade of a building until noon.  Unfortunately, the building is being rehabbed and there is construction dirt.  Fort Myers City Marina cannot compare at all with Halifax Harbor in Daytona (also a City marina.)

Thursday is the city's outdoor market day.  The strawberries were wonderful.  One of the vendors has a great deal going.  All the veggies and fruit are in bowls.  Bowls are $3 each.  You can take a bowl and mix it up.   I got a lime, a yellow squash, green pepper, a tomato and an onion for $3. What a great deal, and no waste for me.

Our bike riding has ramped up since docking here.  The first day we rode 5 miles to ACE Hardware to get clamps for the water hoses on the head faucets.  We had a hose pop off on the way to Clewiston and the fresh  water tank emptied.  With the engine running we did not hear the water pump running.  When the tank was filled the water pump would not prime.  Dave worked on it; the motor ran but no pressure.  We were lucky to be in the right spot.  This marina does have a good ships store.  They had the right water pump and Dave also purchased a spare impeller for the raw water pump. We are back pumping! The hoses are double clamped!

Coming back from Ace Hardware we came by the stadium.  (See picture)  The Tabebuia trees are in full bloom.  They are sometimes referred to as trumpet trees due to the flower shape.   We have seen some lavender ones but the yellow is so spectacular.

Yesterday morning we took the bikes to tour a sculpture exhibit around the downtown area.  To see the metal sculptures go to www.allureexhibit.com.  Carmona’s attention to detail is meticulous; as is his sense of humor.  During the afternoon, we took the free trolley around the loop to see the town.  This trolley runs ‘during the season’.  The season ends April 27.

Today our big bike trip was to Publics Market and restock. The Public Store is closer here than in Bradenton.  So on return, all cupboards rearranged as well as the freezer and the icebox.  Those of you who boat  understand that chore.

Dave is planning the next leg of the trip. It looks like an overnight on the hook near Venice and Bradenton the following day.

Tabebuia Tree

Boulevard 

Cyclist, not the cat on the back of the bike

Ches game, all pieces authentic shapes.

Note the detail

Dave feeding his pets

The damaged impellor

Sculpture in Melbourne

Cross/Over in Melbourne

She sure is pretty

Just off the day mark

The Pool at Loggerhead, Grand Harbor, Vero Beach

No, we didn't leave the country, this is on the St. Lucie River

 Friday, April 1, through April 5, 2016

 We left Dayton at 7:15 AM.  The dock master came out and held out a skimming net and we dropped our gate/bathhouse keys into it as we motored by and we were off.   The weather was cloudy and humid.  The weather man stated that this was weather you could wear.  He got that right.  The sun came out and the thermometer soared to 91.  Travel was average and we arrived at the Melbourne Marina around noon.  Our slip was in front of the bathhouse and a few short blocks from downtown.  Several boats our size came into slips, a stop on their way to the MTOA gathering in Fort Pierce. 

We braved the heat and walked in to town and checked out the restaurants.  On our last visit we ate at the Irish Pub ‘Meg O’Maleys’ so let’s try something different.  There is a wide range of establishments including brew pups.  It turns out that the Florida Institute of Technology is a mile from town so Friday and Saturday night get lively.  Back to the boat and relaxed, showered and walked two blocks to ‘The Nomad Café’.  A nice atmosphere and variety of food from various countries, our meals were delicious.

Saturday dawned grey and cloudy with rising temperatures.  I went into town to shop and Dave did boat maintenance.  Engine water temps were high on the run from Daytona.  On inspection of the water pump he found the impellor had 3 ½ of the original 12 blades remaining.  He carries a spar with us.  Job completed and next was to find the leak over my bunk.  The side running light is now sealed and no problems since.  We went to lunch at the Ichabod's Bar and Grill with the chit we got infrom the dockmaster at check-in.

We were invited aboard a 43’ Viking down the dock from us.   The Captain and his wife had retired to Maine but he was offered a job as Head Master at the Episcopal School in Melbourne and his wife is teaching there also.  During the conversation, he mentioned being in Baltimore for part of his career.  There is was the head of the English Department at Boy’s Latin.  It was an interesting visit and a nice way to spend the rainy part of the afternoon.

Sunday, April 3, 2018

We left Melbourne at 9 AM with a school of dolphin leading us out.  You know to stay in the channel when you see a man wading in the water fishing on the other side of the marker.  The trip to Vero Beach was a run all the way with no slow zones.

Cross/Over was docked in the Logger Head Marina in Grand Harbor at 11:15 AM.  Plenty of time to lunch, make plans with our friend Victoria and spend the afternoon at the pool.  Victoria and her friend, Jack, came to the boat.   Jack did the boat tour and we went to dinner and visited despite the loud band.

The cool air was delightful but no one had warned us about the no-see-ums.  Dave had a dream that he had the measles and woke with his arms bitten.  We closed the boat and raised the blinds and took paper towels and squashed great numbers of those flies with teeth.

The day was beautiful; Victoria came by about 10:30 to chauffer us around town.  The first stop was ACE Hardware, a tour of the beach front and a stop by her beautiful condo overlooking the water.  We lunched at BOBBY’S. Then back across the bridge and we all shopped at Publics. Thank you so much, Victoria, for making our time in Vero Beach special.  Later I had time to enjoy the pool again, exercising in the water was a delight.   

The next interesting happening was to ask a woman in the lounge, who was using a cane, if she had had surgery.  No, but she explained her situation and before the end of the conversation I learned that she was from Leesport, PA.  Her two sons live aboard their 47’ Chris Craft and attend the Florida Institute of Technology.  She was just visiting.  What a small world!  We had dinner on board and then walked the docks and Dave looked at some work Brad sent from Trega. Strangely, over night the whole marina lost electricity for about 3 hours.  The night was cool so it was not uncomfortable even with the boat closed.  We never learned what happened.

Monday, April 5, 2016

We needed fuel so did not get an early start.  Another beautiful day;  not a cloud in the sky.  Wind was not a blustery today so the trip was smoother.  By 11 AM we were in the St Lucie River and ready for the trip toward the locks and Lake Okeechobee.   We had a wait of an hour to get into the first lock that took us up 14 feet into the lake.  The second lock only rose us a foot.   The lake is much higher this visit.  Conditions were favorable so we came across to Clewston, a 104 mile day.  Here we were lucky to get a place at the dock for the night.   Showers felt great after the sun and 89 degrees.  We shared a burger and ourselves with the big black mosquitoes that came out at dark.  Ironically here at this “fish camp” we have has the best internet connection of the whole trip.

Tomorrow we are off to Fort Myers.