Week Thirty-five, November 25, 2013, Continued
Sunday, December 1, 2013
The big day has arrived. We have been waiting, anticipating, dreading, etc etc this part of the trip since the day we first heard about it. We have heard so many horror stories, so many precautionary tales about the crossing, so much advice about how to do it, who to go with, who NOT to go with, that we finally just said, heck, it can't be as hard as all that, let's just DO it!!.
Well, the best advice I can give anyone is to not listen to anyone else. By the time you get to this point in the trip, you probably have many thousands of miles under your keel, and you by all means should know what you are doing. Yes, if you go in bad weather, it can be dangerous, and at the very least, uncomfortable. So, pick your weather window carefully, listen to Tom's weather musings, and make the trip.
We have heard two schools of thought on crossing with a group. One school says go alone, then you don't have to worry about your "buddy boat" breaking down along the way and forcing you to stop in mid trip to assist. Another school says go with a group. Then, if you break down, you will have help near by. My take on this is that weather or not you are with a group, there are enough boats crossing, in both directions, that help will usually be available. And, let's face it, if you are traveling alone, and someone is in distress nearby, you are going to stop and help.
Having said all that, we did not go as part of a group, but still found ourselves traveling with six other loopers. We left Apalachicola at 11:00 am, by ourselves, heading for East Pass and our entry into the Gulf proper. Approaching the pass, we realized that we were the lead boat, and that we were being followed by Blue Moon and Untide, both coming from Apalachicola, and by Journey, Down Time, Meander, and Tie-a-knot, all coming out from Carabelle. On top of that, we later found out that there were three slower moving sailboats that had left earlier in the day from the anchorage at Dog Island. So, like it or not, we had a flotilla.
On our trip out of Apalachicola, Veronica spotted a huge Bald Eagle watching us from a tree. We interpreted this as a good omen, and, as a further good omen, we were soon joined by a group of Dolphins who traveled with us for about three miles, swimming alongside, and jumping clear out of the water for our entertainment. What a great start.
Progressing out into the gulf, we ran at 10 mph until dark, wanting to put as many miles between us and the coast as possible before dark, and then slowed to 7 mph at dark. This would allow us to time our arrival at Tarpon Springs for mid morning, when we would be better able to see the numerous crab pots supposedly littering the approaches to Tarpon.
The run after dark was not what I would call a thing of beauty. We did not have a problem with winds and seas, but it was a moonless and starless night, and the only thing visible was the confines of the fly bridge. We did have a little excitement around 11:30, when I noticed on radar a vessel approaching us from astern at a high rate of speed. I changed course a few time, but the blip kept coming towards us. Checking the AIS, I could see the vessels identification number, but not it's name or other information. So, I called them on the radio and they identified themselves as a Coast Guard Vessel doing an "investigation". After I identified our vessel and gave them all of our information, they backed off and told us they would stay clear, but did tell us that "we are out here if you need us", which was kind of comforting. I guess they were looking at us because we were about five miles out in front of the pack by ourselves.
So, dawn broke and our schedule seemed to be spot on. We did not, however, really need to slow down. The day was overcast, so we did not have the sun in our eyes, and the number of crab pots was, at least from our vantage point, greatly over rated. Better safe than sorry, I guess.
Dolphins Clearing Water
More Dolphins Guiding Our Way
The Sun Setting on The Gulf of Mexico as We Start Our Overnight Crossing
Week Thirty-six, December 2, 2013
Monday, December 2, 2013
Here we are at Tarpon Springs, Florida. We arrived at Turtle Cove Marina at 10:30 am, after a trip of 190 miles across the Gulf. Everyone in our flotilla made it across without any problems, and, once again, we all owe Tom Conrad a great big thank you for all the work he does in predicting the weather windows.
Now the question is, do we get some sleep, or just stay up as long as we can and just get to bed early tonight. If I didn't mention it before, most of us were awake all night thru the entire crossing. Staying awake won.
When we got all situated in the marina, one of the staff came down with an eight passenger golf cart and took several of us on a tour of the town. After that, we all got caught up on chores, and then got together for dinner at one of Tarpon Springs famous Greek Restaurants. We picked Mykonos, and the food was amazing. I always thought that smelt was a fresh water fish, but they apparently also flourish in the salt water of the gulf. I ordered them for the table for an appetizer, and boy, were they good. A perfect ending to a marathon day.
Now the question is, do we get some sleep, or just stay up as long as we can and just get to bed early tonight. If I didn't mention it before, most of us were awake all night thru the entire crossing. Staying awake won.
When we got all situated in the marina, one of the staff came down with an eight passenger golf cart and took several of us on a tour of the town. After that, we all got caught up on chores, and then got together for dinner at one of Tarpon Springs famous Greek Restaurants. We picked Mykonos, and the food was amazing. I always thought that smelt was a fresh water fish, but they apparently also flourish in the salt water of the gulf. I ordered them for the table for an appetizer, and boy, were they good. A perfect ending to a marathon day.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Shopping day today at Tarpon Springs. Veronica and I spent the day in town, me getting some nice hand rolled cigars and she shopping for sea sponges to send with me up north for Christmas gifts. Dinner with the same group, and they had such a good time at Mykonos that they all wanted to go again. Well, glutton for punishment that I am, we did and had more Smelt and a really good time. Will be leaving late morning tomorrow for Clearwater Beach. We will miss Tarpon Springs. I fear we will not be traveling with any loopers in the near future.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
On our way to Clearwater Beach this morning. Left Tarpon at 11:30 am and traveled with Journey for a while. They decided to drop off at a State Park Anchorage, and we continued on to Clearwater Beach alone, arriving at about 4:20 pm. Another great place. We went to Jimmies Crows nest on the roof of the Pier House Marina Hotel for sunset cocktails, and then to Jimmies Fish House at the Holiday Inn for dinner. They had a really good guy on the guitar entertaining, and the place was jumping. We are really liking the west coast of Florida.
Shark Watching Excursion Boat - Clearwater Beach - Fl
Veronica at Jimmy's Crow's Nest Roof Top Bar - Pier House 60 Marina Hotel
Clearwater Beach, Florida
Clearwater Beach Municipal Marina - Clearwater Beach - Fl
Pier 60 - Clearwater Beach, Fl
Sunset on the Gulf From Jimmy's Clearwater Beach Fl
Mike & Veronica - Jimmy's Fish House - Clearwater Beach FL
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Today we are off to see old looper buddies Vicki and Randy Stacy from Barefoot'n. They have a home on the water at Treasure Island, Fl. We left Clearwater Beach at noon, arriving in Gulfport Fl, just south of Treasure Island, around 3:15 pm. On our way through Treasure Isle, Vicki and Randy, and Heidi the wonder dog, were out on the dock to give us a big wave and a greeting as we came by. After getting all situated in the marina, Randy and Vicki came by for cocktails, and we headed out to a local watering hole, O'Maddy's, for dinner on the water. Great place, great food, and great company.
Vicki and Randy (Barefoot'n) With Mike & Veronica at O'Maddy's - Gulfport FL
Friday, December 6, 2013
Off the dock today at 9:25 am, heading for Marina Jacks, in Sarasota, Fl. On leaving Gulfport, we passed the Loews Don CeSar Hotel. This was built in 1928, and served as everything from a private residence to a WWII recuperation hospital to a Hotel. During its heyday, people like F. Scott Fitzgerald and Clarence Darrow stayed there, and today, people like Elton John are known to frequent the Inn. We arrived at Marina Jacks at 2:00 pm, and had a nice dinner at the marina restaurant. Then, to our surprise, we were treated to an unannounced fireworks display at the marina, put on for "an old customers 70th birthday party".
Loews Don CeSar Hotel - St. Pete Beach FL
Dolphin Fountain at Sunset - Sarasota - FL
Saturday, December 7, 2013
A treat today. We are staying in Sarasota so that we can visit "The Ringling", which is the combination circus museum, John and Mabel Ringling Museum of the Arts, and the palatial home they built in Sarasota, C'a d'Zan (House of John).
History of The Ringling
Today, The Ringling, the State Art Museum of Florida, is home to one of the preeminent art and cultural collections in the United States. But its story begins nearly a century ago, with the circus impresario and his beloved wife’s shared love for Sarasota, Italy and art.
The Building of Ca’ d’Zan
John Ringling was one of the five brothers who owned and operated the circus rightly called “The Greatest Show on Earth.” His success with the circus and entrepreneurial skills helped to make him, in the Roaring Twenties, one of the richest men in America, with an estimated worth of nearly $200 million.
In 1911, John and his wife, Mable, purchased 20 acres of waterfront property in Sarasota. In 1912, they began spending winters in what was then still a small town. They became active in the community and purchased more and more real estate, at one time owning more than 25 percent of Sarasota’s total area.
After a few years the couple decided to build a house and hired the noted New York architect Dwight James Baum to design it. Mable, who kept a portfolio
filled with sketches, postcards and photos, wanted a home in the Venetian Gothic style of the palazzi in Venice, Italy, with Sarasota Bay serving as her Grand
Canal. Construction began in 1924 and was completed two years later at a then staggering cost of $1.5 million. Five stories tall, the 36,000 square foot mansion has 41 rooms and 15 bathrooms.
Mable supervised every aspect of the building, down to the mixing of the terra cotta and the glazing of the tiles. Today, the entrance to the grounds is through the Venetian gothic gateway where the Ringlings welcomed their guests to the opulent Ca’ d’Zan, or “House of John” in the Venetian dialect.
The Museum of Art
While traveling through Europe in search of acts for his circus, John Ringling, in the spirit of America’s wealthiest Gilded Age industrialists, began acquiring art and gradually built a significant collection. The more he collected, the more passionate and voracious a collector he became, educating himself and working with dealers such as Julius Bohler. He began buying and devouring art books – that would become the foundation of the now 85,000 volume Ringling Art Library.
Soon after the completion of Ca’ d’Zan, John built a 21-gallery museum modeled on the Florentine Uffizi Gallery to house his treasure trove of paintings and art objects, highlighted by his collection of Old Masters, including Velazquez, Poussin, van Dyke and Rubens. The result is the museum and a courtyard filled with replicas of Greek and Roman sculpture, including a bronze cast of Michelangelo’s David. John opened the Museum of Art to the public in 1931, two years after the death of his beloved Mable, saying he hoped it would “promote education and art appreciation, especially among our young people.” And five years later, upon his death, he bequeathed it to the people of Florida.
A Period of Decline
Hurt by the Depression, John had by the time of his passing, fallen into debt. Creditors and legal wrangling would delay the settling of his estate for a decade. While the state prevailed and took control in 1946, funds languished. The $1.2 million endowment Ringling left was poorly managed and barely grew. Between 1936 and 1946 the Museum was only occasionally opened and not properly maintained. The Ca’ d’Zan was used privately and remained closed to the public.
Gradually, the care that the buildings required – weatherproofing, mechanical upgrades, and maintenance of Mable’s gardens – was either put off or handled piecemeal. Some private donors came forward to help keep the Museum open, while a dedicated, but severely underfunded staff struggled to fulfill the
Museum’s potential.
The Circus Museum and Historic Asolo Theater
There were, however, some bright spots during this period. In 1948, the Museum’s first Director, A. Everett ‘Chick’ Austin, Jr., used Ringling memorabilia to open the first Circus Museum. In 1950 Austin oversaw the purchase of all the decorative elements of a theater originally built in 1798 by architect Antonio Locateli. The theater was originally located in the castle of Queen Caterina Cornaro, the Venetian-born widow of the King of Cyprus, in the town of Asolo near Venice, Italy.
Plans were finally made in 1954 for a separate building to be constructed for the theater off the west end of the Museum’s north wing. The building was
constructed, the theater installed during 1955-56, and then completed in 1957. The U-shaped theater, with three tiers of boxes adorned by decorative panels,
was used for plays, concerts, operas, lectures, films and other cultural programming. But because of its immense popularity as the center of Sarasota’s
culture life, restoration was difficult and long-term deterioration was inevitable. It was finally closed to the public in the late 1990s and remained unused until The Ringling’s recent renaissance.
A New Beginning
In 2000, after years of negotiation, the state passed on governance of the Museum to Florida State University (FSU). As part of the arrangement, the state
promised to fund immediate repairs and in 2002 provided through the University another $43 million to fund all four buildings – the Museum of Art, Ca’ d’Zan,
Circus Museum and Historic Asolo Theater – provided the Museum board could raise another $50 million within five years. Thanks to a heroic effort by some in the community and truly generous public support, they exceeded beyond expectations and more than $56 million was raised by 2007. As importantly, a new Director, John Wetenhall, was appointed in 2001 and under his care The Ringling experienced an extraordinary rebirth. A new roof was put on the Museum of Art and the galleries refurbished. Ca’ d’Zan underwent a $15 million restoration. The Historic Asolo Theater was restored and moved inside the new Visitor
Pavilion, designed by Yann Weymouth, chief architect for the Pyramide du Louvre and East Wing of the National Gallery in Washington, D.C., as well as the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida.
The Visitor Pavilion was one of four new buildings added. The Circus Museum Tibbals Learning Center, was built featuring the world’s largest model circus, the Howard Bros. Circus Model, built over 50 years by master model maker and philanthropist Howard Tibbals. A state-of the-art Education Center was also built with storage facilities, offices and an art library that has become an essential resource for scholars, educators and students. The crowning touch, the
Searing Wing, provides more than 20,000 square feet of exhibition space capable of accommodating up to four exhibitions at a time.
Interim director Marshall Rousseau, a longtime Ringling supporter, oversaw The Ringling after Wetenhall’s departure and was instrumental in the 2011 hiring of Steven High, who had been serving as the Director and CEO of the Telfair Museums in Savannah, Georgia.
High is committed to expanding the range of Museum offerings by introducing audiences to those emerging talents in the international arts community who are defining current trends in contemporary art. Under his leadership, Joseph’s Coat, a Skyspace by modern master James Turrell, became part of the Museum’s permanent collection, thrilling audiences by inviting them to contemplate light and perception as they gaze at the sky through a 24-foot aperture, in the ceiling.
High has also overseen the mounting of Paolo Veronese, the first major exhibition of the renaissance artist in over 20 years and the first artist that John Ringling acquired. To the delight of all, the Tibbals Learning Center has since expanded with the opening of its interactive family galleries, inviting all to experience the excitement of a day at the circus while preserving the legacy of the Museum’s founder and circus king, John Ringling.
History of The Ringling
Today, The Ringling, the State Art Museum of Florida, is home to one of the preeminent art and cultural collections in the United States. But its story begins nearly a century ago, with the circus impresario and his beloved wife’s shared love for Sarasota, Italy and art.
The Building of Ca’ d’Zan
John Ringling was one of the five brothers who owned and operated the circus rightly called “The Greatest Show on Earth.” His success with the circus and entrepreneurial skills helped to make him, in the Roaring Twenties, one of the richest men in America, with an estimated worth of nearly $200 million.
In 1911, John and his wife, Mable, purchased 20 acres of waterfront property in Sarasota. In 1912, they began spending winters in what was then still a small town. They became active in the community and purchased more and more real estate, at one time owning more than 25 percent of Sarasota’s total area.
After a few years the couple decided to build a house and hired the noted New York architect Dwight James Baum to design it. Mable, who kept a portfolio
filled with sketches, postcards and photos, wanted a home in the Venetian Gothic style of the palazzi in Venice, Italy, with Sarasota Bay serving as her Grand
Canal. Construction began in 1924 and was completed two years later at a then staggering cost of $1.5 million. Five stories tall, the 36,000 square foot mansion has 41 rooms and 15 bathrooms.
Mable supervised every aspect of the building, down to the mixing of the terra cotta and the glazing of the tiles. Today, the entrance to the grounds is through the Venetian gothic gateway where the Ringlings welcomed their guests to the opulent Ca’ d’Zan, or “House of John” in the Venetian dialect.
The Museum of Art
While traveling through Europe in search of acts for his circus, John Ringling, in the spirit of America’s wealthiest Gilded Age industrialists, began acquiring art and gradually built a significant collection. The more he collected, the more passionate and voracious a collector he became, educating himself and working with dealers such as Julius Bohler. He began buying and devouring art books – that would become the foundation of the now 85,000 volume Ringling Art Library.
Soon after the completion of Ca’ d’Zan, John built a 21-gallery museum modeled on the Florentine Uffizi Gallery to house his treasure trove of paintings and art objects, highlighted by his collection of Old Masters, including Velazquez, Poussin, van Dyke and Rubens. The result is the museum and a courtyard filled with replicas of Greek and Roman sculpture, including a bronze cast of Michelangelo’s David. John opened the Museum of Art to the public in 1931, two years after the death of his beloved Mable, saying he hoped it would “promote education and art appreciation, especially among our young people.” And five years later, upon his death, he bequeathed it to the people of Florida.
A Period of Decline
Hurt by the Depression, John had by the time of his passing, fallen into debt. Creditors and legal wrangling would delay the settling of his estate for a decade. While the state prevailed and took control in 1946, funds languished. The $1.2 million endowment Ringling left was poorly managed and barely grew. Between 1936 and 1946 the Museum was only occasionally opened and not properly maintained. The Ca’ d’Zan was used privately and remained closed to the public.
Gradually, the care that the buildings required – weatherproofing, mechanical upgrades, and maintenance of Mable’s gardens – was either put off or handled piecemeal. Some private donors came forward to help keep the Museum open, while a dedicated, but severely underfunded staff struggled to fulfill the
Museum’s potential.
The Circus Museum and Historic Asolo Theater
There were, however, some bright spots during this period. In 1948, the Museum’s first Director, A. Everett ‘Chick’ Austin, Jr., used Ringling memorabilia to open the first Circus Museum. In 1950 Austin oversaw the purchase of all the decorative elements of a theater originally built in 1798 by architect Antonio Locateli. The theater was originally located in the castle of Queen Caterina Cornaro, the Venetian-born widow of the King of Cyprus, in the town of Asolo near Venice, Italy.
Plans were finally made in 1954 for a separate building to be constructed for the theater off the west end of the Museum’s north wing. The building was
constructed, the theater installed during 1955-56, and then completed in 1957. The U-shaped theater, with three tiers of boxes adorned by decorative panels,
was used for plays, concerts, operas, lectures, films and other cultural programming. But because of its immense popularity as the center of Sarasota’s
culture life, restoration was difficult and long-term deterioration was inevitable. It was finally closed to the public in the late 1990s and remained unused until The Ringling’s recent renaissance.
A New Beginning
In 2000, after years of negotiation, the state passed on governance of the Museum to Florida State University (FSU). As part of the arrangement, the state
promised to fund immediate repairs and in 2002 provided through the University another $43 million to fund all four buildings – the Museum of Art, Ca’ d’Zan,
Circus Museum and Historic Asolo Theater – provided the Museum board could raise another $50 million within five years. Thanks to a heroic effort by some in the community and truly generous public support, they exceeded beyond expectations and more than $56 million was raised by 2007. As importantly, a new Director, John Wetenhall, was appointed in 2001 and under his care The Ringling experienced an extraordinary rebirth. A new roof was put on the Museum of Art and the galleries refurbished. Ca’ d’Zan underwent a $15 million restoration. The Historic Asolo Theater was restored and moved inside the new Visitor
Pavilion, designed by Yann Weymouth, chief architect for the Pyramide du Louvre and East Wing of the National Gallery in Washington, D.C., as well as the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida.
The Visitor Pavilion was one of four new buildings added. The Circus Museum Tibbals Learning Center, was built featuring the world’s largest model circus, the Howard Bros. Circus Model, built over 50 years by master model maker and philanthropist Howard Tibbals. A state-of the-art Education Center was also built with storage facilities, offices and an art library that has become an essential resource for scholars, educators and students. The crowning touch, the
Searing Wing, provides more than 20,000 square feet of exhibition space capable of accommodating up to four exhibitions at a time.
Interim director Marshall Rousseau, a longtime Ringling supporter, oversaw The Ringling after Wetenhall’s departure and was instrumental in the 2011 hiring of Steven High, who had been serving as the Director and CEO of the Telfair Museums in Savannah, Georgia.
High is committed to expanding the range of Museum offerings by introducing audiences to those emerging talents in the international arts community who are defining current trends in contemporary art. Under his leadership, Joseph’s Coat, a Skyspace by modern master James Turrell, became part of the Museum’s permanent collection, thrilling audiences by inviting them to contemplate light and perception as they gaze at the sky through a 24-foot aperture, in the ceiling.
High has also overseen the mounting of Paolo Veronese, the first major exhibition of the renaissance artist in over 20 years and the first artist that John Ringling acquired. To the delight of all, the Tibbals Learning Center has since expanded with the opening of its interactive family galleries, inviting all to experience the excitement of a day at the circus while preserving the legacy of the Museum’s founder and circus king, John Ringling.
Main Entrance - Ringling Museum - Tibbals Learning Center
Wild West Show Poster
Pawnee Bill Wild West Show Poster
Buffalo Bill Cody Wild West Show Poster
Miniature Circus Diorama - 1
Miniature Circus Diorama - 2
Miniature Circus Diorama - 3
Circus Poster with Goofy Looking Ringmaster
Miniature Circus Diorama - 4
Veronica on Veranda - Ca' d'Zan (House of John)
View Along Waterfront from Ca' d'Zan
Needless to say, the experience was one that we will always remember. We, unfortunately, did no have enough in our day long trip to tour the Art Museum. Oh, well. Maybe another time.
Another nice surprise was finding out that Arch from KaJen was tied up at another marina. Since he had a car, he drove down and had dinner with us at the marina restaurant, and another great evening trading sea stories was had by all. Since Arch is staying in the Ft. Myers area for a month or so, we probably will not cross paths again for quite sometime. Bon chance KaJen.
Another nice surprise was finding out that Arch from KaJen was tied up at another marina. Since he had a car, he drove down and had dinner with us at the marina restaurant, and another great evening trading sea stories was had by all. Since Arch is staying in the Ft. Myers area for a month or so, we probably will not cross paths again for quite sometime. Bon chance KaJen.
Sunday, December 8, 2013
A veg out day for us today. Veronica is doing laundry, and I am doing some routine maintenance. We stopped at Publix yesterday on the way back from The Ringling, so we are stocked up and ready for our next leg.
Week Thirty-seven, December 9, 2013
Monday, December 9, 2013
Off the dock this morning at 9:00 am, heading for Crow's Nest Marina in Venice FL., arriving at about noon. Tallying up the mileage, we are sitting at 5,065 Statute Miles for the trip, so far. Wow, who'd a thunk!!
Coming into Crow's Nest, we had to pass the marina by about two miles to get our fenders and lines set. There was some confusion about how they wanted us to tie up, but no worry, just re do the tackle.
Ran into some loopers that we had not seen for a while, They are Canadians, doing the trip on a 36 foot gasoline powered trawler with small original fuel tanks. They have put two 30 gallon drums of gasoline on their sun deck, and that is their reserve supply for long runs. Don't know if I'd like to do that.
Late lunch/early dinner at the marina restaurant. I'm really lovin these Gulf Oysters. Had an order of Oysters Casino and a beer. I'm finding out that an appetizer late in the afternoon is all we need till tomorrows breakfast on board.
Afterwards, we took a long walk on the beach. We were a little disappointed with Venice beach. The sand was dark and very coarse, not like we expected. They tell us that the further south we go, the better it gets.
Coming into Crow's Nest, we had to pass the marina by about two miles to get our fenders and lines set. There was some confusion about how they wanted us to tie up, but no worry, just re do the tackle.
Ran into some loopers that we had not seen for a while, They are Canadians, doing the trip on a 36 foot gasoline powered trawler with small original fuel tanks. They have put two 30 gallon drums of gasoline on their sun deck, and that is their reserve supply for long runs. Don't know if I'd like to do that.
Late lunch/early dinner at the marina restaurant. I'm really lovin these Gulf Oysters. Had an order of Oysters Casino and a beer. I'm finding out that an appetizer late in the afternoon is all we need till tomorrows breakfast on board.
Afterwards, we took a long walk on the beach. We were a little disappointed with Venice beach. The sand was dark and very coarse, not like we expected. They tell us that the further south we go, the better it gets.
Home on Waterfront - Venice - FL
Veronica Walking the Beach - Venice - FL
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Heading south this morning from Venice to Boca Grande, FL. We wanted to stay at the Boca Grande Marina, but a phone call found that the marina was under renovation and was not scheduled to reopen for another two weeks. So, at their suggestion, we stayed at Uncle Henry's Marina at the other (North) end of Gasparilla Island. Arriving at the dock at 12:15 pm, we were greeted by the local welcoming committee, a huge, very friendly, Manatee. She played around our stern and tugged at our dock lines for a while, till she got bored, then left for somewhere else to play. She did reappear several times while we were there.
This afternoon, we rented a golf cart and took the seven mile ride to the other end of the Island to have an early dinner at The South Beach Inn, a neat little local restaurant right on the beach. This time, the beach was the fine white sand we had expected, and was covered with shells. Veronica collected a bunch to decorate the sun deck with. After dinner, a trip back through the town of Boca Grande and all of their beautiful Banyan Trees. What a gorgeous place to live.
This afternoon, we rented a golf cart and took the seven mile ride to the other end of the Island to have an early dinner at The South Beach Inn, a neat little local restaurant right on the beach. This time, the beach was the fine white sand we had expected, and was covered with shells. Veronica collected a bunch to decorate the sun deck with. After dinner, a trip back through the town of Boca Grande and all of their beautiful Banyan Trees. What a gorgeous place to live.
Curious Manatee - Uncle Henry's Marina - Gasparilla Island FL
Checking out the Signs - South End - Gasparilla Island FL
Banyan Tree - Boca Grande FL
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
On our way this morning at 8:45 am, heading to Salty Sam's Marina at Ft. Myers Beach on Esotero Island. Once again, we have a dolphin escort for the first part of the trip.
We are going to try and touch base with my cousin Jerry Klaben and his wife Carol, and also with another old friend, John Bisson, a USAir pilot who has a home on Sanibel Island, near Ft. Myers.
Mid morning, we passed by the Cabbage Key Inn, where local lore has it that Jimmy Buffet wrote "Cheeseburger in Paradise". We had planned to stop there for lunch, but we got there too early, and they would not be open for another hour and a half.
I managed to reach Jerry and Carol shortly after that, and we arranged for them to come to PB for cocktails at five, and then they will take us to their condo for a nice Italian dinner ala Jerry. Imagine, a polish guy cooking Italian!
Just before we got to Sanibel, I called John and got his answering machine. Told him where we were, and in fifteen minutes we got a call back. John was at Sanibel, just getting on the Sanibel Island Causeway, and would be waiting to greet us at Salty Sam's. Cool!! But wait! Five minutes later I get another call from John, wanting to know if we had just passed under the causeway. Yep. "Well, hey, I'm on the causeway and I see you guys right next to me!! Welcome to Ft. Myers!!"
So, we get to the dock, and John is right there as we pass the Ft. Myers Beach Bridge, cheering us on. Half an hour later, he showed up at the boat for a quick beer and a tour, and we made arrangements for him to come by in the morning for breakfast, and to take us shopping and on a local tour.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch..... Oops. wrong thread.
Five O'clock and all is well. Jerry and Carol come by, also for a cocktail and a tour, and then off to their condo for a surprisingly good pasta dish. Beautiful condo on the gulf side of the island, and what a view!! And, they both look great and are really enjoying their retirement. Another great day!!
We are going to try and touch base with my cousin Jerry Klaben and his wife Carol, and also with another old friend, John Bisson, a USAir pilot who has a home on Sanibel Island, near Ft. Myers.
Mid morning, we passed by the Cabbage Key Inn, where local lore has it that Jimmy Buffet wrote "Cheeseburger in Paradise". We had planned to stop there for lunch, but we got there too early, and they would not be open for another hour and a half.
I managed to reach Jerry and Carol shortly after that, and we arranged for them to come to PB for cocktails at five, and then they will take us to their condo for a nice Italian dinner ala Jerry. Imagine, a polish guy cooking Italian!
Just before we got to Sanibel, I called John and got his answering machine. Told him where we were, and in fifteen minutes we got a call back. John was at Sanibel, just getting on the Sanibel Island Causeway, and would be waiting to greet us at Salty Sam's. Cool!! But wait! Five minutes later I get another call from John, wanting to know if we had just passed under the causeway. Yep. "Well, hey, I'm on the causeway and I see you guys right next to me!! Welcome to Ft. Myers!!"
So, we get to the dock, and John is right there as we pass the Ft. Myers Beach Bridge, cheering us on. Half an hour later, he showed up at the boat for a quick beer and a tour, and we made arrangements for him to come by in the morning for breakfast, and to take us shopping and on a local tour.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch..... Oops. wrong thread.
Five O'clock and all is well. Jerry and Carol come by, also for a cocktail and a tour, and then off to their condo for a surprisingly good pasta dish. Beautiful condo on the gulf side of the island, and what a view!! And, they both look great and are really enjoying their retirement. Another great day!!
Friendly Dolphin Escorting us out of the Harbor - Uncle Henry's
Ft. Myers Beach - Esotero Island FL
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Capt. Jon-Luc (real name) came by first thing, and we went to Bonita Bill's Waterfront Café for breakfast with the locals. Pretty divey place, lots of local color, and very good inexpensive breakfast. What more do you need??
Publix for groceries, Total Wine for intoxicants, West Marine for charts of the Keys and a quick stop at a local trophy shop to have a couple of small plastic clearance signs made for the bridge. Then John had to scoot to catch a plane back to Charlotte to make an evening Christmas party he had already committed to. Well, like all of our friends who have helped us along the way, Thanks, John!!!!
A light dinner at the Big Game Restaurant at the marina, and off to bed early, ready to travel again tomorrow.
Publix for groceries, Total Wine for intoxicants, West Marine for charts of the Keys and a quick stop at a local trophy shop to have a couple of small plastic clearance signs made for the bridge. Then John had to scoot to catch a plane back to Charlotte to make an evening Christmas party he had already committed to. Well, like all of our friends who have helped us along the way, Thanks, John!!!!
A light dinner at the Big Game Restaurant at the marina, and off to bed early, ready to travel again tomorrow.
Capt. Jon-Luc Bisson - Salty Sam's Marina - Ft. Myers Beach FL
Friday, December 13, 2013
Well, a special day today, at least for me. Oggi e mi io compliano!! Today is my 66th birthday.
Off the dock at 8:50 am, on the way to Naples, FL, and the Naples Boat Club, arriving at 12;30 PM. Love these morning starts and short trips. We arrive early enough to walk about three miles into the center of Naples, do some window shopping and have an early dinner at Pinchers, a local seafood place that specializes in sautéed crab claws. Yum-yum. Another of these appetizer and a beer lunch/dinners. We've started calling these "Linners", like breakfast/lunch brunch, lunch/dinner linner! I know, goofy, huh?
Off the dock at 8:50 am, on the way to Naples, FL, and the Naples Boat Club, arriving at 12;30 PM. Love these morning starts and short trips. We arrive early enough to walk about three miles into the center of Naples, do some window shopping and have an early dinner at Pinchers, a local seafood place that specializes in sautéed crab claws. Yum-yum. Another of these appetizer and a beer lunch/dinners. We've started calling these "Linners", like breakfast/lunch brunch, lunch/dinner linner! I know, goofy, huh?
Approaching Naples FL
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Getting into real wilderness from here on out for a while. We took the inside route from Naples to Marco Island. Very narrow and very shallow. We needed to arrive at Marco at high tide to enable us to stay inside and travel down to the backside of Romano Shoal when the water is high enough for us to pass. At low tide, it's a no go for us. The timing worked out perfectly, and we hit the low spots at high tide. Even so, we still stirred up a bit of mud, but now bangs and dents.
The Big Marco River passage dumped us out into Gullivan Bay at Coon Key, and then we had a twenty or so mile run in the gulf to Indian Key Light and the entrance to the canal to Everglades City. We had heard from a lot of folks that the Historic Rod and Gun Club in Everglades City was the only place to tie up before hitting the Little Shark Anchorage on the way to Marathon in the keys, and should not be missed because of the history of the inn. Well, it was the only place to tie up, but the inn has fallen onto hard times, and is really not the place it once was. It has been visited by presidents and movie stars (the Duke and Sir Sean Connery stick in my mind), and famous folks of all kinds. The problem for us was no water at the dock, which is just the seawall in front, no marina personnel (the front desk guy came to help us dock but did not know his port from his starboard), and very little to do. It was a relief to be off the gulf, but I would not make a special trip to go there.
The Big Marco River passage dumped us out into Gullivan Bay at Coon Key, and then we had a twenty or so mile run in the gulf to Indian Key Light and the entrance to the canal to Everglades City. We had heard from a lot of folks that the Historic Rod and Gun Club in Everglades City was the only place to tie up before hitting the Little Shark Anchorage on the way to Marathon in the keys, and should not be missed because of the history of the inn. Well, it was the only place to tie up, but the inn has fallen onto hard times, and is really not the place it once was. It has been visited by presidents and movie stars (the Duke and Sir Sean Connery stick in my mind), and famous folks of all kinds. The problem for us was no water at the dock, which is just the seawall in front, no marina personnel (the front desk guy came to help us dock but did not know his port from his starboard), and very little to do. It was a relief to be off the gulf, but I would not make a special trip to go there.
White Pelicans - Indian Key - Everglades City FL
Sunday, December 15, 2013
We were going to have a quick breakfast at the Rod & Gun Club, but no one showed up to work that morning and the restaurant did not open. I asked the gal who opened the front desk at 8:00 am, and she said the Island Café was a great local place, inexpensive, and just one block up and one block over. She was half right. Good, inexpensive restaurant, but more like ten long blocks away. We found the restaurant by asking locals we met, and they directed us.
Back to the boat and off the dock at 9:30 am, on the way to the Little Shark River anchorage, where we will stop overnight before the 45 mile long run across Florida Bay to Marathon, in the Keys.
We arrived at Little Shark at 2:30 pm, and found a good spot to anchor. The scenery and wildlife is just unbelievable. Dolphins, pelicans, gators and lots of others. And when the sun goes down, it gets DARK!! And, very shallow!!
Back to the boat and off the dock at 9:30 am, on the way to the Little Shark River anchorage, where we will stop overnight before the 45 mile long run across Florida Bay to Marathon, in the Keys.
We arrived at Little Shark at 2:30 pm, and found a good spot to anchor. The scenery and wildlife is just unbelievable. Dolphins, pelicans, gators and lots of others. And when the sun goes down, it gets DARK!! And, very shallow!!
Another Dolphin Guides us at Shark River
Sunset at Little Shark River Anchorage
Little Shark River Anchorage
Week Thirty-eight, December 16, 2013
Monday, December 16, 2013
Well, the story gets a little interesting here. The weather reports were calling for some choppy waters between here and Marathon, so, after some thought, we decided that Veronica should play it safe and put on a Scopolamine Patch.
OK, so, off the anchorage at 7:00 am (first light), and on our way. Eight miles to round Cape Sable, and then a course south to Marathon. It was a little rough till we rounded Cape Sable, but once on course to Marathon, the seas established themselves on our stern, and we actually had a pretty nice ride, arriving at Sombrero Key Resort And Marina (actually a condo complex that rents space on their sea wall) at 1:00 pm, with all hands happy and well.
This puts us at 5,308 Statute Miles to date, and we are pausing our tale here to run up North for the Christmas Holidays. Veronica will be staying with Sean, Sue Ann and little Allie in Charlotte, SC, while I get to go to the ice and snow in Syracuse to see the whole fam damily. Looking forward to good times, good food (like I need it), and a lot of catching up.
OK, so, off the anchorage at 7:00 am (first light), and on our way. Eight miles to round Cape Sable, and then a course south to Marathon. It was a little rough till we rounded Cape Sable, but once on course to Marathon, the seas established themselves on our stern, and we actually had a pretty nice ride, arriving at Sombrero Key Resort And Marina (actually a condo complex that rents space on their sea wall) at 1:00 pm, with all hands happy and well.
This puts us at 5,308 Statute Miles to date, and we are pausing our tale here to run up North for the Christmas Holidays. Veronica will be staying with Sean, Sue Ann and little Allie in Charlotte, SC, while I get to go to the ice and snow in Syracuse to see the whole fam damily. Looking forward to good times, good food (like I need it), and a lot of catching up.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
A day of rest today. The laundry is right next to the boat, so Veronica is taking advantage and catching up on the wash, while I am editing some photos and paying bills (god bless the computer age). Tomorrow will be time for maintenance chores. One of our new boat neighbors was kind enough to loan us his car, so we are off to pick up some oil and filters for an overdue oil change. Should have done it about three weeks ago.
Sombrero Resort and Marina from the Water
Sombrero Resort and Marina Dockside
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
A full day of maintenance chores today. Oil change and filters for both main engines and the generator. Takes about 48 quarts of 40 weight oil, three oil filters and 8 fuel filters for the whole job. Also, 2 engine zincs to change and all belts to check. A full days work. After I moved all the furniture out of the salon and pulled up all of the engine room hatches, I got to work, with my trusty first mate helping to fetch and carry while I was working in the engine room. Teamwork.
Reward for all hands after a job well done, dinner and a few beers at the Dockside Restaurant, a little local place about a 15 minute walk away and on the water. Great view of the main 300 boat mooring field in the center of Vaca Key.
Reward for all hands after a job well done, dinner and a few beers at the Dockside Restaurant, a little local place about a 15 minute walk away and on the water. Great view of the main 300 boat mooring field in the center of Vaca Key.
Thursday, December 19, 2013
While trying to figure out how to get rid of our used oil, one of the neighbors, Ted from "Amichi", stopped by and offered to take me by dinghy to Marathon City Marina, where they have a disposal site for used oil, diesel and filters. So, after very little consideration, I took him up on his offer, and we left for a ride up the harbor, with the proviso that we take a side trip out sisters creek and out into the Atlantic. Ted has an idea that if he gets some seawater untainted by all the pollutants in the harbor, he can put it in the slow cooker and extract some sea salt. OK. I guess we'll see.
We were invited to the local snowbird docktail party, held every afternoon at the docks at 5:00 pm. This is not like our looper docktails. You just bring what you want to drink, no snacks to pass. Still a good time, and we got to meet some of the other boaters. There was entertainment, though. One of the long time tenants had bought a new boat and was bringing it down from Key Largo. The boat was new to him, and much bigger than he was used to, and the slip he was trying to get into was about a foot too narrow. After eight of nine tries, he finally got it in. Not easy, trying to dock an unfamiliar boat in a stiff cross wind with 30 other boaters watching. But, as they say in the South, "bless his heart" he did a great job and kept his cool, finishing with a smile (even though his mate dropped the stern line into the prop on the last try and he had to get a diver to get it off the next day). Dinner on board, after the show.
We were invited to the local snowbird docktail party, held every afternoon at the docks at 5:00 pm. This is not like our looper docktails. You just bring what you want to drink, no snacks to pass. Still a good time, and we got to meet some of the other boaters. There was entertainment, though. One of the long time tenants had bought a new boat and was bringing it down from Key Largo. The boat was new to him, and much bigger than he was used to, and the slip he was trying to get into was about a foot too narrow. After eight of nine tries, he finally got it in. Not easy, trying to dock an unfamiliar boat in a stiff cross wind with 30 other boaters watching. But, as they say in the South, "bless his heart" he did a great job and kept his cool, finishing with a smile (even though his mate dropped the stern line into the prop on the last try and he had to get a diver to get it off the next day). Dinner on board, after the show.
Friday, December 20, 2013
Getting ready to depart for Christmas. I did not bring any luggage with me, so we took a half hour walk to the local K-Mart Supercenter to buy a small roll on. Veronica has her flowered Vera Wang bag, and she had enough room for her things. Going to have to pack some heavy duds, as winter is supposed to be in Syracuse with a vengeance. This will be my first trip off the boat since June in Boston and Syracuse.
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Well, we are off for the holidays. We are taking the Key West Transit bus from Marathon to the Key West Airport, a two hour and twenty minute ride that only costs $1.50 each for seniors. What a deal! The only problem is that it stops at every palm tree between here and there. We will be going to Charlotte, and then I will go on to Syracuse. This will be our last posting until we return from Charlotte on the 30th of December. Our old friends, Skip and Linda Beeler, will be on the same plane, coming back to spend new years eve (their anniversary) with us. This has gotten to be somewhat of a tradition over the last 15 years.
Happy Holidays!! Enjoy the Season.
Happy Holidays!! Enjoy the Season.