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!  

Another Nibble Of Key West

March 20 - 21, 2013
 

I looked all over Hawaii for coconut heads to bring
back for grandsons, Niko and Christopher.
Finally found them in Key West.




 

 

Our first stop after the Dry Tortugas was Key West.  This time we opted to stay in the marina at a dock rather than wrestle the mooring ball again.  It was a very good decision.  Around 9:00 Wednesday night the wind started howling at a steady 25 miles per hour.  There were white caps in our very protected marina harbor.  As we checked the weather service, an announcement was transmitted that all boaters in the Dry Tortugas should put on personal flotation devices.  That area was getting the brunt of the storm. We were so thankful to be tied securely to a dock in Key West when 24 hours      earlier we were precisely where the storm was screaming through.  
 

Thursday was a beautiful day. Once again, we walked and ate our way through town.   We had two great meals.  Lunch was at Paseo -- by far the best food we've had in a couple months.  It is located in a converted gas station....so cute!  Dinner was at Kelly's (Kelly McGilis from Top Gun) in the building that was the birthplace of Pan American Airlines.   While we were trying to decide where to go for dinner, two guys asked if we needed help.  They were very nice and had some suggestions. However, as we talked I noticed that their eyes were kind of going in opposite directions.  Brian, Jon and Bonnie must have noticed something was askew before me, because they had all moved away. Guess I was just wrapped up in how friendly they were!  But, yes, they were obviously buzzed......  As we walked back from dinner, we saw 'our personal concierge sevice' again. This time they were digging food out of the trash cans!!!  I made sure that I kept my eyes straight ahead so there was no eye contact.  I wasn't interested in any more restaurant recommendations from those two.  Maybe they judge the restaurants by the leftovers that are trashed.  This is one very strange town!  Between meals we did some provisioning for boat parts and wandered through the old neighborhoods.  The houses are very cute with lots of remodeling and updating on every block.  I don't think there are any steals or deals on real estate in Key West.    

Paseo is located in a residential area. 
Delicious food..... I can't recommend it enough.

 

Sometimes you just have to be a tourist!

Cute houses everywhere.

Garden sculpture named Treasure Chest.

Gotta smile -- we're lovin the ride!

50 Shades of Blue

March 16 - 20, 2013

Very few people have ever heard of the Dry Tortugas and they certainly don't know where they are.  A month ago I had never heard of them either.  Well, I've seen them and I'm recommending them to anyone that plans to visit the Keys.  A cluster of seven small islands are part of the Dry Tortugas National Park.  It is located about 70 miles west of Key West.  Just far enough off the beaten path to be pristine.  The blues of the water and sky are remarkable.  There are no resorts, restaurants or stores.  Whatever is needed during your stay must be brought with you.  There are beautiful beaches, water so clear we could see our anchor laying on the bay floor and a fort that was built in the 1800's.   There are only two ways to visit: a boat or sea plane. That certainly cuts down on the drive bys.    

Fort Jefferson was started in 1846, and even though
construction continued for 30 years it was never
completed.

         

The eight-foot-thick walls were 50 feet tall with three
gun tiers on each wall.   

Overlooking the 17 acre yard.  Dr Samuel Mudd
was imprisoned here after he assisted John Wilkes
Booth after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.

Walking the moat wall.

Brian takes a snooze while Bonnie and I do
butt bumps...... 

No, butt bumps -- we're having a stone skipping
competition.

It was a very friendly competition.  I don't remember
who won, which probably means I lost.

A death defying three mile dingy ride took us across
the bay to visit Loggerhead.

One of the sea planes that brings visitors to the
park took off between Bon Voyage and Gotta Smile.

Gotta smile -- we're lovin the ride!

Funky Key West

March 10 - 15, 2013

Key West greeted us with high winds, rough water and many challenges before we ever went to town.  Our reservation was for a mooring ball.   A mooring ball is a large float attached to a big piece of cement.  A line is floating in the water that must be caught and attached to the boat.  This isn’t too difficult in calm water, but we were in rough water with high winds.  Brian decided I should drive the boat and he would grab the line.  My first attempt brought us very close.  Brian was using the boat hook to catch the line.  Before he caught the line the pole caught his headset and flipped it overboard.  Lost—no chance for retrieval.  After 6 passes, we connect.  Then we realized we drove over the ball, it gets caught on our stabilizer fin.  We have to let the line go.  Start over ---- this time, we are lucky and we catch the line immediately.  Success, we are settled!   

 

We thought the Army Special Forces were coming
to rescue us, but no they are just training.

 Monday morning it’s time to launch the dingy so we can go to town.  Brian goes to the fly bridge to lower the dingy.  The davit doesn’t work.  Most of the day is consumed fixing it.  As long as we are in good water and we can’t go to town, let’s try the water maker.  All looks promising.  The water is clean and salt-free, but it won’t discharge the water into the water tank – it is dumping it overboard!  Each time the water maker is started it uses fresh water to purge the system.  Now we have only 1/8 tank (50 gallons) of fresh water.   

Look what we found on our way to town!  Crazy......

Tuesday began with final adjustments on the davit, some phone calls for advice about the water maker and a couple of additional tweaks.  Still, no water going into the tank.  Enough of this – we’re going to town!  We just got a glimpse of Key West, but it was not a disappointment.  It’s definitely one funky place.  Ann, from Long Boat Key, recommended lunch at Pepe’s.  It is the oldest restaurant in the Keys.  Their motto, “a fairly good place for quite a long time”.

 

Wednesday and Thursday the wind picked up along with the waves.  It is too rough to go to town in the dingy.  A good time to cook a couple of nice dinners, do some repairs and even a little cleaning.  Brian completed the water maker repairs.  It is pumping 26 gallons each hour into our water tank.  Yea, showers again!    

 

We ate on the patio at Pepe's.  Their cat was taking
a catnap on this mesh over the tables.  He slept the
whole time we were there.  Several patrons inquired
about  his health:  alive or dead.

Friday our patience was rewarded with beautiful weather and flat water.  We headed into town for a day of exploration.  Determined to see as much as we could -- we were in the dingy and on our way at 8:30.  No disappointments today -- Key West lived up to its reputation and we did what little we could to make it a friendly happy place.     

Our day begins with breakfast at Blue Heaven --
eggs benedict with shrimp.  Delicious!

Roosters and chickens walk between the tables.

Momma chicken keeps her 4 chicks warm by
sitting on them.  Can you see all 4?

The southernmost point in the continental United States.

                      

Some might say -- over acting.
My grandchildren say "Wow, Grandma is being eaten
by a giant shark!"

Street performers entertain the crowd
in Mallory Square as we wait for the
sunset.

I didn't see a title on this sculpture, but I bet you
can come up with something interesting.

Gotta smile -- we're lovin the ride!