Tube Dude Is Ready To Travel And So Are We

August 15 - 22, 2013

 

It is so good to be back home on Gotta Smile.  When we were gone for two months, I said to Brian that I could hardly remember that we lived on our boat.  I was surprised that he felt the same way.  It is amazing how quickly we can adapt to what life hands us.  Well, luckily, we did remember where we belong and found our way home.  

On the ferry boat to Amelia Island.  We had to
pause while this behemoth passed.   

We are staying in Jacksonville until the beginning of September (wow, summer is gone).  There are many interesting places  to visit:  Amelia Island, St Augustine, Fernandina Beach and,  of course, Jacksonville.  We love to drive through small towns, looking at the residential areas.  When we tire of life on the sea, we'd love to find an affordable home in a small community near the ocean or gulf and also near a large city.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.......   No plans to change our lifestyle now, but it is a good pastime.  

A day trip to one of our favorite cities in Florida,
St Augustine.

 

We are staying at Ortega Landing.  It is a very nice facility with a pool and hot tub and easy access to the necessities of life.  We came here because of their lower monthly rate.  Leaving the boat for two months, we wanted a secure and reasonable location. The monthly fee was reasonable, but later we found that the electrical fee was $200 per month for each of the months that we were gone.  We were shocked and disappointed that a closed boat with only a refrigerator, air conditioner and two LED lights could possibly use that much electricity.  In the past two years the highest fee we have paid for a month of electricity was $75.  I'm nervous about what this month will be with us living on board.  Just a word of caution.  I'm not sure how anyone can anticipate this kind of fee when the electricity is metered.  


 

'The Dude' has a new flag and is ready for the
adventures to begin.

It is official -- well, as official as anything can be on the water -- abort the plan to head to Trinidad this year. We will spend winter in the Virgin Islands.  I can't be too upset about this change because St John in the US Virgin Islands is one of my most favorite places on earth!!!  We hope to be there by Thanksgiving and stay into February.  Bonnie and Jon on Bon Voyage will be traveling with us. Guaranteed fun!!!!  In preparation for the adventure we have been loading up on staples that we won't be able to easily purchase in the islands.  This has caused us to reorganize our storage areas and plan ahead.  (Something that we don't often do.  We are great at flying by the seat of our pants.)  We are constantly amazed at the storage we have on our 48 Krogen.  Even after we have loaded up on most everything we can think of, we still have additional space that is EMPTY.  And, it is space that is easily accessible.  No fear -- by the time we leave -- those too will be filled!    

One of three sections under the port side couch now
holds 173 cans and bottles.  Yes, it is all inventoried! 

 

 

Gotta smile -- we're lovin the ride!