Where Does The Time Go

 

April 10 - 30, 2013

We have been in Stuart for three and a half weeks.  It's like living at home.   Every day is busy, but it is difficult to come up with a list of things accomplished.  The only thing I can say without hesitation -- we really enjoy this part of Florida.  Here is a partial accounting.  

Jimmy Buffet's former boat is docked next to us.

I started physical therapy in an attempt to strengthen my leg muscles in preparation for bilateral knee replacement. The first day was an evaluation that pronounced my thighs 'mushy'.  I'm being tortured, which seems to be a good thing.  Thanks to friends and my pedometer I'm attempting to walk 4 - 5 miles each day. 

Carrying raw materials to the boat

 
Bonnie and I are creating fish sculptures from parts of palm trees.
Every now and then we have to let those creative juices flow.
 



 

Reshaping the palm frond.

He's beginning to look like a happy fish.
Photo of finished work to follow. 

 

Day trips are frequent to explore Palm Beach, Ft Lauderdale and the surrounding small towns.

She's looking a little rough today, but will be
a beauty in another 10 days!

Gotta Smile is having a face lift.  We contracted to have a wide blue stripe added which has involved weeks of sanding and smoothing just to get it ready for paint.  We are pretty excited about the new look!        

 


Varnishing the teak cap rail is a continuous project when it isn't raining and the crew isn't sanding the boat.

Jon was in Iowa for a couple of weeks getting caught up on projects.  While he was gone, Bonnie introduced us to their friends, Bobbie and Tom, who have a 39 foot Krogen, Selkie.  They generously left their car (that accommodated all three of us) for a week while they moved their boat from Stuart to Jacksonville.  Another example of boaters generosity!
  

And, then we have to work in all of our opportunities to eat out:  Monday night is half price ribs, Tuesday is $2 Taco Night, the Krogen breakfast group is still meeting once a week, we discovered a great bakery for brunch, milk shakes are half price between 2 and 4 at Steak and Shake, and the list goes on......   

Gotta smile - we're lovin the ride!

Home From Vacation

April 5 - 9, 2013

Pulling into Sunset Bay Marina felt like we were returning home after a great month long vacation.  They assigned us to the same dock that we were previously on; so we recognized many of the boaters around us.  In spite of a heavy drizzle of rain, the couple on the boat next to us came over to help us tie up.  She commented that she thought we had met at Green Turtle Marina in Kentucky a couple of years ago.  As soon as she said that, I said, "I remember you -- to celebrate your retirement you rode your bikes across the United States".  The weird things we remember.  And, the weird things people do.  Yikes!!!  I remember asking him "how long did it take for your crotch to quit hurting?"    

Saturday was our 45th wedding anniversary. Now that we've made it this far I'm feeling pretty confident that we'll see 50 together.  Ft. Pierce has a huge farmers' market and craft show every Saturday.  Plus, this week was the Oyster Festival.  We found good food at the booths and a few trinkets for the grandkids.  Later that evening we cleaned up for dinner at the Riverwalk Cafe.  It's a step up from the dives that we normally eat in.  I guess 45 years deserves a bit of a splurge.

Another week-end -- another farmers' market.

We will be in Stuart for a month while we have some work done on the boat.  Three guys are spending two days sanding the teak rails.  When the sanding is complete, Brian will finish the teak with 12 coats of varnish.  Then, the crew comes back to fill some cracks and paint a stripe between the teak cap and the rub rail.  For those of you that don't know boat terms -- pictures to follow.  

At first glance, you might not understand what this is.
I've never seen a motorcycle with a bike rack.

Our daughter, Jennifer, called today (as she does most days). She said, "Mom, I caught up on your blog last night and I hope that our retirement will be as much fun as you and Dad are having."  I hope that is true for everyone!  Living on a boat and traveling is perfect for the two of us. But, it sure isn't perfect for everyone. Life is short.  Find what you love and take the risk!  Believe me, it was scary to sell everything and sail off on our boat.  Take that first step and LIVE YOUR DREAM!  Have no regrets.  Ok, I'm off the soapbox.    

Gotta smile - we're loving the ride!

Exploring New Destinations On Florida's West Coast

March 22 - April 3, 2013

Our plan had been to leave the Keys and travel up the east coast of Florida back to Stuart.   However, I prefer the west coast and our friends, Gail and John, (from Hawaii trip and many trips on Gotta Smile) were renting a house in Sanibel for the month of March.  I was able to convince Brian, Bonnie and Jon that this would be a more interesting trip.  It didn't really take a lot of convincing.  Mostly, I mentioned it and all agreed.  

Sun setting behind the 7 mile bridge in Marathon.



After anchoring in Marathon, we had one beautiful day with little wind and flat water to get to Naples. It was 89 degrees with perfect conditions. 12 hours and 116 miles later we dropped our anchor in a canal surrounded by executive homes. It was critical to push that far because the next few days were going to be anything but perfect. Heavy winds would be directed at our bow, which makes for uncomfortable travel. Sunday was a short trip to an anchorage just off Sanibel.  Monday we arrived at the Sanibel Marina and were assigned a slip next to Grandma Dot's.  This popular restaurant seemed to always have a crowd waiting to eat.  Everyone was entertained as Brian docked us in a tight spot with heavy wind.  He looked like a pro and this was an excellent moment to do it right!  John and Gail arrived for lunch and the fun began.  I was hoping that everyone would enjoy one another.  No worry there.  For the next three days we shopped, toured, ate and played Farkel.  John and Gale have a big Expedition that easily carried all 6 of us and our loot.  The 3 guys did a little bike riding, mostly because the girls took the car!  Everyone had a great time.  We said good-bye Wednesday afternoon and about 8:30 they returned to show Gotta Smile to friends from the island.  Ok, one more round of good-byes.  

 

Things got a little nutty after waiting over an hour
for a dinner table.  I began serving mints from this
crocodile head to guests as they left. 

The Expedition filled after a Costco run....lots of
goodies and six people.  We should be a Ford ad!
I don't think we have ever done a vacation with
John and Gail that did not involve a Costco run.
We even did one in Kauai.   

Thursday we traveled 26 miles to Cayo Costa's Pelican Bay.  This is a state park that has been recommended to us by numerous boaters.  For me -- heaven!  We were anchored in a large protected bay with sandy beaches only a short dingy ride away.   For two days we took the dingy to the park dock where we got a ride on the tractor tram to the gulf side of the island.  We walked the beach, picked up a few shells, ate a simple picnic lunch and looked at the blue, blue water.  Back on the dingy we explored other inlets and spits of sand before going back to our boats.  Bonnie and I shared the 'galley slave' duties by having dinner on Bon Voyage two nights and Gotta Smile the other.  Easter Sunday we got really adventurous and took the dingy a short two miles to Cabbage Key.  This is another one of the many restaurants that claim to have inspired Jimmy Buffet to write 'Cheeseburger In Paradise'.  It was a little slice of paradise so who knows?               

The welcome center at Cayo Costa State Park.

   

 

Walking the beach!

Done walking, done with lunch -- time for a nap!



The park offered informal classes.  While the guys
took one on fishing, Bonnie and I went to a jewelry
class.  The teacher was overwhelmed with too many
students so Bonnie and I rolled up our sleeves and
assisted.  We are now Jr. Park Rangers! 



Dingin around in the dingy.

 

The restaurant at Cabbage Key has dollar bills taped
to the walls, ceiling, and posts of the bar.  They estimate
$70,000 at any time.  As the tape releases and they fall
to the floor, they are collected and put in trash bags. 
When they have $10,000 they donate the money to a
local charity.      

After lunch, we hiked the nature trail around the
grounds.

Also enjoying the trail - an ibis decked out with red
legs and beak. 

On April Fool's Day we finished exploring new destinations by visiting Punta Gorda.  The marina was adjacent to Fisherman's Village -- a shopping mall with attached condos.  It wasn't my favorite stop this month, but we did accomplish one thing -- I've been trying to convince Brian that he should buy a hat that gives his face and ears better sun protection than a baseball cap.  We finally found one.  Now if he will just wear it!    

 After Punta Gorda we retraced our steps across the Okeechobee with an anchorage at Pine Island and the city dock in Morehaven before arriving back in Stuart for a month.   

Gotta smile -- we're lovin the ride!