Another Dream Came True

January 29, 2012

On Friday friends from Minnesota came to visit for the week-end. Dorothy and Dennis sold their house the same week that we did. They immediately moved to Florida and began living their dream in The Villages near Orlando. The Villages is a self contained community that offers every conceivable activity - most for free.   Dennis is an avid golfer and they both are crazy over pickle ball. (Pickle ball is similar to doubles tennis on a smaller court with a wiffle ball, solid face racquet, different rules and another method of scoring. Other than that -- it's just the same!) Residents can play all of the golf they desire for free. The same fee schedule applies to interest clubs and other sports. Anyway, their dream came true -- they made it come true! 

Our first stop for Sunday Brunch. 
Unfortunately, they only sold bait!
Next stop....

Dorothy found that an art fair was scheduled in St. Armand's Circle this week-end. The perfect excuse to get together! We spent an entire day wandering from booth to booth and eating lunch at Columbia -- Dennis, like last week's guest, is in pursuit of the best Cuban sandwich in America. Brian and I did find a piece of art.

The guys finished looking at the booths
before Dorothy and I.  What a surprise!

Shopping our butts off....Oh, if it was only that easy.

A walk to the beach after brunch.

Now for the nail biter----Is the dingy motor repaired?
Yes!!!  See that smile on his face.  He looks a little
tentative, but the motor ran with no hesitation.
At last, at last---we have our dingy running again!

Gotta Smile -- we're lovin the ride!

The Continuing Saga

January 26, 2012

Ok, I'm not going to drag this out, but that dagnab dingy motor is continuing to test the patience of a very patient person.  We went for a ride on Monday.  It was delightful exploring all of the canals that come off the bay.  We looked at homes, boats, landscaping and admired the mangrove root systems.  About three miles from our dock the motor quit.  It would start and rev up in neutral, but try to put it in gear and it would die.  Finally, Brian yelled 'hold on', threw it in gear while reved to the hilt and we took off!  Forget the NO WAKE signs as we cruised into the marina -- we weren't taking a chance on it dying again.  When we knew we could coast into our slip, the speed was pulled back and --- yes, it died, but we glided into our parking spot.  More adjustments, more trips to West Marine, more parts and another test ride.  First stop fresh fuel from the gas dock.  Then, just beyond the entrance to the marina -- it quit.  Back to the slip making sputtering sounds.  Another trip to the Mercury dealer, take the carburetor apart again and Brian has just announced that he is confident that it is fixed!!!!  Well, unfortunately, it's dark so the test run will have to wait until tomorrow.  I'm sure you are riveted on the edge of your seats wondering -- how will this end.  Stay tuned...

Mangroves grow in sheltered intertidal coastal areas. 
Their tangled roots tolerate salt water and form 
islands that protect the coast.  Within 5 years a
single seed can grow into a small island.     

On a happier note.  Jill and Glenn from Last Dance came to visit us today.  Their boat is in Venice (about a half hour away).  They have almost finished the Great Loop so they had lots of suggestions for our future travels.  We originally met them in Mobile.  After chatting  on board we went to St Armand's Circle for lunch at Columbia, a well known Spanish restaurant.  Glenn was anxious to try their Cuban sandwich.  He declared it good, but not the best in the world -- as advertised.  

Gotta smile -- we're lovin the ride!       

Sweet Success

January 22, 2012

On December 5th we got stranded in our dingy when it quit running after salt water got into the gas supply.  We have not been able to rely on it since then.  With company coming this week-end and more next week, we knew that we would want to use it.  Brian has disassembled the carburetor and other parts and cleaned them twice checking and rechecking every adjustment he could think of.  New fuel was purchased after getting rid of all the tainted gas.  Additives were put in the fuel tank.  Fuel lines were cleaned.  New filters installed.  The spark plugs were replaced.  Calls were made to the Mercury help line in Wisconsin along with several visits to the local dealer.  Finally, it was ready for another test run.  The engine was allowed to run at different speeds for about an hour tied to the side of Gotta Smile.  It sounded good!  The lines were untied and Brian was off to see if his patience would be rewarded.... Yes, success!  It purred in neutral, it purred at moderate speed and it skipped along at high speed.  And, not once did it stall.  We have our dingy back.  A small step for man -- a giant testament to patience.     

The smile of success

Gotta smile -- we're lovin the ride!

Separated At Birth?

January 19, 2011

We went to visit Dick and Kristi in their funky little town, Pass-a-Grille, near St Pete's Beach.  We love the community.  It meets many of our requirements:  a small town near large cities and an airport with houses that are within walking distance of the beach, fun shops and restaurants. It also seems to be very welcoming to new comers and has an active church community.  After all of the bad news about real estate in Florida, we thought that prices would be lower. Not the case. We are compiling information about different areas. For now we're happy with our accomodations on the high seas!  

Giant glass and metal bug sculpture on
one of the shops downtown

Historic downtown Pass-a-Grille

1. Each time we get together we notice that Brian and Dick are way too similar! It's a little weird. When a topic comes up, they will simultaneously pull out their smart phones and hit their apps. They both are bonkers about cars -- Dick maybe even more than Brian -- hard to believe!   Kristi told her daughter about the two of them and she said, "I think they are twins that were seperated at birth". We have come to believe that is the case! Dick is a sailor. You know those purists... We're trying to convince them to spend a couple of days on board so they can see how the diesel folks live.

Gotta smile -- we're lovin the ride! 

 

Looking For Love In All The Wrong Places

January 11 - 15, 2012

No, not me!  Rest assured I have all of the 'hunk a hunk of burning love' I can handle with my man, Big B! 

Downtown Sarasota landmark.

Our friend, Eileen, came 

for a short visit from Minnesota.  She has been a widow for seven years and would love to find a traveling companion.  (Does that  sound discrete?)  I told her I'd put a post on my blog and see if anyone showed up.  You know -- stranger things have happened!  She has traveled to many exotic places around the world as well as interesting destinations in the United States.  Email for the juicy details!

A short cruise to Sarasota begins with a pump-out.
100 gallons of sewage removed from our holding tank!
We really know how to show guests a good time....

Condos in Sarasota overlooking the bay.

Yowza!!!   My 66th birthday.
Brian made dinner
and invited neighbors over for cake and ice cream.
It was quite the extravaganza!

Walking the beach and picking up shells on
Longboat Key

A day of shopping at St Armand's proved very
successful for both of us.

Gotta  smile -- we're lovin the ride!

Past Clients - New Friends

January 9, 2012

You know how sometimes you get together with someone and feel like you have known them forever?  Well, that happened yesterday.  Past clients from Afton, Minnesota, Dick and Kristi, came to Longboat for the day.  This is there second winter in Pass-a-Grille.  Kristi and I have been sporadically emailing one another for about a year.  We have both noticed many parallels in our lives.  However, we weren't sure how the guys would get along.  (Isn't that always the challenge -- finding couples that both the husband AND wife are compatible with you and your spouse?)  Well, no worries this time.  Dick seems to love all things mechanical and understands the complexity of boat systems -- so right there we are over the hump.  Kristi and I hardly came up for air as we jumped from topic to topic.  It was such a fun reunion for me and a great visit for all of us.  After lunch at Tommy Bahama's in St Armand's Circle, we agreed to spend another day with them soon and get an insider's tour of their cute town.  

Gotta smile -- we're lovin the ride!         

It Must Have Been A Premonition

January 8, 2012

Brian came home yesterday after getting rid of the bad dingy fuel (Second Rescue at Sea – December 5, 2011).  He said it looked like there was a huge art festival going on in downtown Sarasota and asked if I wanted to go.  I had just finished cleaning the interior of the boat and an afternoon of wondering through arts and crafts booths sounded like a good way to relax.  We drove over to Sarasota and were lucky to find a parking spot -- the city was on overload.  As we entered the festival area, we commented, quietly to each other, these don’t look like typical art festival attendees.  Well, for good reason!  This was Thunder By The Bay, Sarasota’s fourteenth annual motorcycle festival.  If we thought there were a lot of vehicles parked in the lots, that was nothing.  Probably eight city blocks were parked with motorcycles on each side of the street and also down the middle.  The motorcycles were gorgeous.  They ranged from a Hello Kitty motif to a paint job that looked like an undulating python.  The crowd was polite, but obviously knew that we were out of our element.  Still we wondered up and down the streets taking in all of the sights and believe me there were sights to be taken in!  As we left, I asked a policeman how many were expected.  Easily 20,000 he replied. 

                                                   Do you see me?

Ok, so my last blog was titled ‘Evil Knievel on Training Wheels’.  Today we wind up at a motorcycle festival.  But, that’s not the best part.  We met a couple in the marina, Nancy and Michael.  They have rented a 60 foot boat for the winter.  It’s too big for them to take out of the marina without a captain, but they are using it like a condo.  We stopped by to say ‘Hi’ and they invited us onboard to see their accommodations.  The boat is called Brat and they said that they were told that it had originally belonged to ------ Evil Knievel!  I couldn’t make this stuff up if I tried.

Gotta smile – we’re lovin the ride!    

Evil Knievel on Training Wheels

January 7, 2012

The picture may look blurred because
I'm going so fast.

Brian got the bikes off the upper deck today and we went for a little ride.  I haven't been on my bike for two years.  The last time we went for a bike ride we were in Fairhope, Alabama.  We decided to ride from the marina into town.  We didn't realize how hilly the terrain was.  Everything went well in the beginning, but as the hills got more frequent and steeper, I began having trouble.  At one point, Brian was running along next to me pushing my bike and steadying it just like you do with a five year old the first time he rides without training wheels.  It was so very pathetic.  Luckily, today's ride went much better.  The terrain was flat and pedestrians jumped out of the way as I approached.  Somehow they sensed some trepidation in my riding skills. (Another day I'll tell the tale of my encounter with Stuart in 4th grade -- he didn't move out of my way.  It really was an accident!)  Brian said I can't go out again without my helmet.  He's probably right -- again.      

Gotta Smile -- we're lovin the ride!

You Just Never Know

January 6, 2011

Back in 1999 Brian and I went to a Trawlerfest.  That is a convention for people that own a trawler, want to own a trawler or are thinking about trawlers.  They have boats to walk on and look at, booths with stuff that you absolutely need, and classes.  Brian took some classes on navigation and care of the engine -- wouldn't you expect that?  I took a class for 'wives on board' that included first aid and galley basics.  One of the things that they discussed in my class was burial at sea.  Seems reasonable.....  Out of the whole week-end that is the one item that is most remembered.  Brian has lived in constant fear that someday he'll be my practice case for  'burial at sea'.  Mostly he worries that he won't be dead when tossed overboard.  Well, earlier this week I saw a car advertisement that just might be a new money maker for us if times get tough.  Notice the last line.  Apparently, my skills are now in demand.  Who knew?

Yesterday we drove to Largo to visit Brian's stepmother, Fran, who is 96.  She loved being on the water at their cabin in Michigan, at the beach in Florida and on boats when she was younger.  She has always had a very inquisitive mind and been interested in most anything you want to talk about.  (The perfect listener for Brian.)  We took the iPad and gave her a short travelogue of our trip.  I didn't mention my new business -- it seemed a bit insensitive.

On our way back to Longboat Key we drove through many beach communities and St. Petersburg.  We're trying to acquaint ourselves with the area.  Our friends Kristi and Dick live in a small town that I love.  It's very funky.  Lots of art galleries, small shops, near the beach -- Passe A Grille.  One to definitely put on the possibility list for when we tire of life on the high seas.  But for now....

Gotta smile -- we're lovin' the ride! 
   

No Bathing Suits, But No Snow Either

January 4, 2011

The weather reports were buzzing last night because there was a hard freeze predicted in the area.  A hard freeze is when it gets to 32 degrees or lower and stays there for more than four hours.  Their forecasts were correct and the temperatures in many areas did fall below 32.  It is a big deal down here, as you can imagine.  Plants need to be protected.  However, for us who have endured very harsh winters in Minnesota it's a walk in the park.  Which is what we just did.  With only a fleece, we went for a walk and it was beautiful.  The sun is still shining, the sky is still blue, there's no wind and the temperature is 41.  On Friday it is supposed to be back in the 70's and next week it may hit 80.  When we lived in Minnesota and saw the freeze warnings for Florida, I always imagined people wearing parkas and long underwear.  I'm not gloating about the weather (well, maybe a little) I'm just explaining the difference between my perception and reality.  Hey, even if it gets to 90, I won't be wearing a bathing suit on the beach.  In college, my nickname was 'The Bod'......sadly the bod is not what it once was, but it will still be enjoying the weather!

Gotta Smile -- we're lovin the ride!

Over The River and Through the Woods

December 19 - 30, 2011

We can't believe it is Christmas!  The last three months have gone so fast and now we are in Florida with blue skies and balmy temperatures.  We must be crazy to head back to Minnesota in the middle of winter.  We are crazy.... crazy to see our family!!!  We take a flight on the 19th to the Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul).  Steve picks us up and takes us to their new Afton home where we are greeted by hugs, kisses and "I love yous" from Addison and Niko.  There is no snow and the temperatures are mild -- 30's and low 40's.  Great news for the two of us, but disappointing to the rest of the group.  Jennifer, Ian, Christopher and JAC are arriving on the 22nd.  In the mean time there is lots to do.  I have to get my hair cut and colored (critical), do some grocery shopping, stop at the office to say 'hi' to friends, have lunch with additional friends and pick up some last minute gifts.  Brian and I both meet Barb and Sandy for lunch.  He gets the Boxster out of storage and goes to Mayo for his five year cancer check.  Great news -- he is clear of anything that resembles a cancer cell and doesn't have to return for additional check-ups for eighteen months!  We are so thankful.  Jennifer arrives with her children in the morning and Ian arrives that evening.  Now, things are getting really festive (code for- crazy wild)!  Christmas morning is pure unadalterated chaos.  Wrapping paper flies off the gifts, shouts of pure joy, and lots of hugs.  I know it sounds like a Hallmark card but, It was pretty much perfect.  Early on the 28th Jennifer and her family left for the airport to return to Dallas while Brian and I hopped in the Boxster to drive to Florida.  We had an incredible family Christmas with no fights or arguments and I didn't say anything inappropriate (that I remember).  Maybe we are just becoming more tolerant of each other's idiosyncrasies?   A special thanks to Erin for taking in all of her in-laws for a whole week and never looking like she wanted to kill us or herself!     


Gotta Smile -- We're lovin the ride!

The Annual Family Photo



Pure Joy

Frank & Randeen from Austin, TX
We've been friends with Frank for 39 years and almost as
long with Randeen.



Each of the kids decorated a gingerbread man.
You wouldn't believe how far those sprinkles bounce.




The cooks-- ready to take on another meal.

Anticipation!

The chaos......

Thank you -- I love it!

Aunt Erin and JAC




Addison and Niko are 4!!!
Christmas babies





Time for a trail run...a few minutes away.



Brian relaxes by washing windows

The campfire and yummy samores

The big hike through the woods
to the top of the hill!
Steve & Erin's backyard.

Ian smiling.....

Afton, MN to Long Boat Key, FL
2597 miles, 78 days by trawler
1659 miles, 3 days by car