Caution -- Items May Appear Larger......

March 29, 2012

Words of wisdom --- Never stand next to a very thin person for a picture!!!  Doing so may make you appear chubby. I know that must be what happened in this case. It probably had something to do with the camera and perspective. New diet starts today! 

 We spent the afternoon with Bob and Sara, who were our neighbors when we moved from California to Minnetonka, Minnesota. Now, our kids are older than we were when we were neighbors...34 years ago.  They just remodeled a house on the beach of Casey Key (about 20 miles from our boat). It's a great place with the beach right outside their back door and huge gulf views. (Word is -- Steven King takes a daily stroll through the neighborhood around 4:00.) 

To make the visit even better their daughter, Christine, was there and her nine month old daughter, Lucy.  Now, I know cute grandchildren. My four are exceptionally cute, but Lucy is a traffic stopper. She came into the world with red hair and beautiful light blue eyes. Her disposition is as sweet as her face. She's definitely a keeper!

Reconnecting with friends and finding out that we still have so much in common is one of the greatest bonuses of this voyage.  We'll definitely be back on this side of Florida again next winter.

Gotta smile -- we're lovin the ride!

Living At Break Neck Speed

March 19 - 25, 2012

We have been living on board for 10 months.  It seems impossible that it has been that long -- Wow almost a year!!!  We are still simplifying. Brian and I both went through our clothes and each of us took a stack of things to Goodwill. The longer we are on board the more we realize how little we really need.  While talking to friends this week, they asked 'what do you do all day'. We do what everyone else does that has a home: grocery shopping, laundry, meals, cleaning, repairs, upkeep.  (This isn't a cruise ship with maids and pursers.)  We visit with friends here, at their place and meet for lunches and dinners. We do lots of emailing with family and friends. We play Words with Friends (Brian lots more than me). We take walks, go to the beach, visit with neighbors.  Brian has started riding his bike 10+ miles per day. We're beginning to plan our trip that will start again in April.  Most of our other activities have been covered on past blogs.  Does all of this sound familiar?  It should -- our lives are like everyone else's, except for the fact that our home is a boat.  So, yes, our lives are moving at break neck speed....just like every one's.   We're doing everything we can to make sure every day is well used.

Gail and John, who were on board the first 2 1/2 weeks of our trip, have rented a home on Sanibel Island for the month of March.  Their house is on a bayou.  I wasn't sure what a bayou is -- I remember learning the term along with isthmus and peninsula when I was in elementary school, but the gray matter failed me again.  A bayou is typically found in a flat low-lying area.  It's usually slow moving and can be brackish.  This one is a great habitat for reptiles and birds.  While on a bike ride, Brian and John came across an alligator sunning himself in the shallows along the road.  We requested a couple of relaxing days.  It was great to swim in their pool, bike, walk the beach, shop and eat in some very good restaurants.  We've spent so much time together in the past couple of years that we're almost related.      

Today was an exciting day for Brian.  We went to the  Honda Grand Prix of St Petersburg.  The race was fun and we enjoyed looking at some fabulous yachts (up to 90 feet) that were in the bay.  The yacht owners had a great view of the race from their cockpits.  But, the best part happened as we were leaving.  We ran into our friend, Doug, and his son, Tim.  As we were chatting, Chip Ganassi walked up and Doug introduced us to him.  This alone would have been a thrill for Brian, but Doug went on to tell Chip that Brian enters turn one at Brainard International Raceway at 160 mph.  Chip responded with a bit of awe -- which was enough to make Brian's shirt buttons pop.  We're expecting a call any minute to ask Brian to join one of Chip's racing teams.  Chip (Did you notice that we're now on a first name basis?) and his partners own teams competing in IndyCar, Grand Am and NASCAR Sprint Cup.  He is "Mr Racing".  Every time you see the Target logo on a race car -- it is a Ganassi car!  I think Brian will be levitating all night.....  Oh, by the way, no one mentioned that I also raced Porsches at Brainard and what my race times were.     

Gotta smile -- we're lovin the ride!      

Voom, voom, voom - Ganassi car came in 2nd.

I actually got him to turn away from the track for
15 seconds.



Mega yachts lined up to watch the race.
We'd look mighty small next to these beauties!

    

Seven Glorious Days

March 10 - 17, 2012

It doesn't get much better than this!!!  Steve, Erin, Niko and Addison spent the last week on board.  Every 80 degree, blue sky day was filled with adventures.  We saw dolphins, manatees, pelicans gulping down fish, peacocks, ibis, cranes, egrets and a huge hermit crab.  We jumped in waves, rolled in the sand, had picnics, went on a dingy ride, swam in the pool, put feet in the hot tub, took adventure walks, read about pirates, visited a drum circle as the sun set, and had a day trip on the boat.  It doesn't take a lot to make four year olds deliriously happy!  Six people on a 48 foot boat for seven days could spell disaster, but not this time....everyone relaxed, enjoyed one another and had fun!  We were thrilled to be with our family and have them experience our new life.   They quickly saw why we love this part of the world and our simple lifestyle.  Most important, they want to come again....        

Gotta smile -- we're lovin the ride!

They are finally here!

A daily activity - swimming in the pool. 

Another daily activity!

Siesta Key drum circle.

With belly dancers!



Great Grandma Fran gets a surprise visit.



Grandpa is awakened from his nap with
 a salty sandy kiss.

Steve and Erin begin every day with a run
or tennis match -- over achievers!

Looking for critters in the bay.

Niko trying to master the frisbee.

Done with lunch.  Time to hop in the dingy and
head for home.

Mr. Perpetual Motion

Addison helps Grandpa drive the boat.

Another picnic -- biggest challenge is keeping
the sand out of the sandwiches....



Say it isn't so ----- the week is over. 

This Is Why We Don't Plan Ahead

March 4 & 5, 2012

The gimpy girls

About six weeks ago we made plans to take Kristi and Dick (our friends from Pass-a-Grille) out on the water for an overnight trip.  We have only had four rainy days since we arrived in mid-December.  Make that five!  We did get rain, but the bigger problem was 40 mile per hour winds which contributed to 13 foot waves.  That did not sound inviting to any of us.  Instead we had an overnight right here in the marina.  Except for a walk to look at some of the other boats late Sunday afternoon, we stayed on board for the 26 hours they were here.  No problem -- lots to discuss:  boats, boat equipment, past lives, cars, travels, children, husbands, friends, food, decorating.....  The disappointment of not anchoring out was quickly overcome with lots of laughter and great conversation.



Front or.....

Back -- they are good guys!

Gotta Smile -- We're lovin the ride!        

I'll Take Luck Over Brains Any Day

March 2, 2012

We took off this afternoon to run errands.  It was another glorious day.  We were zipping along with the top down, sun on our faces and the wind in our hair!   As we pulled up to a stop light, yikes ----- the linkage for the transmission snapped.  We were in first gear and that's all we had.  Now comes the lucky part.   We were in the right lane (slower traffic) and only a couple of miles from the Porsche dealer.  We knew we could limp that far.  When we arrived, there was no one waiting for service. The service manager ushered us in like we were long lost friends -- offering diet cokes and stories about his life as a factory crew chief for Porsche racing.  Brian and Michael chatted about life at the track and fast modified Porsches.  The service department didn't have the part that we needed, but....   Here is the second lucky thing.  They had one loaner left that he gave us -- a Porsche Boxster!  So, even with all of the stories and conversation we were on our way to complete our errands in about an hour. Once again the top was down, the sun on our faces and the wind was in our hair --- again it was a glorious day!  Our car should have the repairs completed by Tuesday.   Even though we have a repair bill ahead of us, things could have been so much worse. Yep, we are definitely lucky!!!

Gotta smile -- we're lovin the ride!

Let The Good Times Roll & Roll & Roll

February 23 - 28, 2012

One day after we got home from Boca Grande my nephew and his family arrived for two days.  Bob and his wife, Pam, came from Detroit with Elizabeth (7), Mark (6) and Kenny (4).  We were thrilled that they wanted to spend part of their vacation with us!  As soon as the kids got on board, I told them they had to sit on the couch so I could talk with them.  They thought I was going to give them a long list of rules, but no.....  Instead I told them our tale of woe.  The pirates had come to our boat and left their flag on our stearn along with some shirts (that just happened to fit the three of them).  I convinced them that the pirates wouldn't return, if they would wear their pirate shirts.  Well, they bought it hook, line and sinker!  Stories were read and pirate life was discussed for the entire visit.  In the end it was unanimous -- the pirate life is the life to live!  On Friday at 3:00 they left and at 5:00 Mary and Russ arrived.  They are moving Mary's Mother to Venice from Minnesota and had an evening free.  We rendezvoused at the boat so we could have a quiet visit before we went to dinner.  It was good to hear about what is going on in our old neighborhood.  Saturday morning we were up and on our way to meet Mary and Doug at their house.  They had friends from Atlanta visiting and invited us to spend the day with them.  We all drove to Brandon where their boat had just completed repairs.  The guys hopped on the boat and made it back to Longboat Key faster than the girls could drive back (of course, we did make a couple of stops on the way).  Lunch was next at the beach, back to their house and then home to prepare for the arrival of Sunday's guests.  Didi and Peter had just completed a week in Boca Grande and were on their way back to Virginia when they came by.  We visited them there for two days last week.  While they were here, we packed the days full and had a two night Rummy Cube tournament.  Guess who was the grand champion -- ME!  It probably wouldn't have made the blog if someone else would have won.  Hey, it's my blog!  Tomorrow night we're visiting Jon and Bonnie's 39 foot Krogen and Thursday Mary is here for dinner!  We love having company and spending time with friends.  Like I told someone last week -- "all I need is time to change the bedding, clean the bathrooms and refocus" then bring on the company!

Gotta smile -- We're lovin the ride!

Off to look for pirates!

Pancakes for the crew.

Lots of dancing in the water, running on the beach,
hunting for shells, digging in the sand.

Mary and Russ visit before dinner.

The opposite of our trawler ----  60 foot Searay
that goes very fast.  Repairs made and
ready to head back to Longboat Key.

After lunch on the north end of Longboat Key,
we sought out the wild peacocks.
This male is doing his best to get the females
attention.  Looks like the girls are more
interested in eating. 

What looks like a shadow at the water's edge is
actually a six foot manatee.  He rubbed his back
and stomach along the bottom of our neighbor's
boat for 15 minutes.  These prehistoric looking
mammals grow up to 13 feet long and
weigh up to 1300 pounds.   

A perfect day to explore the coast in the dingy
with Didi and Peter.

Lunch on the dock of the bay.

The guys patiently wait while Didi and I shop.

Beverages and Peter welcome us home.

A Grand Time in Boca Grande

February 20 - 21, 2011

In November of 2009 we were taking our previous boat, Finally, to Florida on a three month trip.  The first night that we were in Demopolis, Alabama we met Didi and Peter on their beautiful boat, Moon Beam.  We got stranded there along with many other boats because a tropical storm was headed for Mobile.  The storm missed Mobile, but caused the rivers to flood all the way to the Gulf of Mexico.  That layover was a blessing in disguise -- it gave us time to develop a lasting friendship.  We traveled together to Mobile and stayed in touch when they continued to the Florida Keys and we crossed the state on the Okeechobee.  Before we left Florida to take Gotta Smile north, they came back from the Exumas to spend a couple of days with us in Stuart.  Didi and Peter continued to Virginia (their home state) and completed the Great Circle -- a huge year long accomplishment.  Labor Day week-end of 2010 we drove to Perry Sound, Canada to visit them at their cabin.  And, now we are together again in Boca Grande.  They rented a home on the beach for a week.  We enjoyed two days of reminiscing and catching up on family news.  Brian and Peter talked nonstop about all things 'engine'.  They are coming to Longboat next week to spend a couple of days onboard before they drive home.  Boca Grande is a beautiful island with a small village atmosphere.  Gulf carts are a favorite mode of transportation.  And, giant banyan trees grow everywhere.  
    

Gotta smile -- we're lovin the ride!        

Touring the island via golf cart.

This is one tree -- A huge banyan

Didi and I perched precariously on the back
seat of the golf cart.  Time for breakfast!

Fun in the sun.