Just one month and four days after interrupting our cruise to Ohio, we are back in Titusville and ready to continue our journey north tomorrow.
On April 9th we left "Passage" at Titusville Municipal Marina and drove a Budget ( as in breaks your budget) Rental car home, arriving on Saturday, April 9th. We spent the weekend with my daughter Kim and son in law Jeff, who will soon be moving to Indianapolis, Indiana. I then visited the surgeon on Thursday the 14th; and he fast tracked my hernia operation, which took place on Monday, April 18th. The following week was not much fun. I must say that Sue did a great job of taking care of me. Without her, I would not have been able to get out of my recliner! After just two weeks the doctor gave me the ok to drive back to Florida, provided that I behaved myself for another four weeks.
We spent the rest of the week visiting friends and family. I also supervised some work at the Grand River Yacht Club, but managed to behave myself and let others do the heavy lifting. We finished the week by enjoying the annual GRYC Murder Mystery Pot Luck Dinner.
On Saturday, May 7th, we loaded up another one way rental car and drove to near Columbia, South Carolina. We were graciously hosted by longtime sailing friends Dave and Deanna Hoops. We enjoyed meeting their two cats, Ava and Roxie, toured their lovely new home, and then went out for an absolutely superb dinner at their favorite Italian restaurant. Sue and I cherished the time we spent catching up with old friends, but departed after a breakfast of homemade scones and fresh strawberries. We arrived in Titusville by four o'clock on Sunday.
Passage had weathered the month very well. We moved back aboard, got the AC and refrigeration up and running, purchased supplies for the next couple of weeks, and prepped the boat. All this took place in just two days, and we still found time for happy hour on the dock with the local liveaboards! Because I am under doctor's orders not to strain myself, and the Admiral's orders not to do any lifting, etc., Sue did all of the heavy work. For example, she scrubbed the boat while I held the hose. One really has to admire her spirit and tenacity.
Tomorrow we plan to leave the marina and travel to Daytona Beach. After that, we will only have about 1900 miles to go!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Liveaboard Lucy Lost
Sue and I are saddened by the loss of Lucy, our cruising cat companion for the last sixteen years. Lucy was struggling with what we thought was motion awareness issues. Once a very seaworthy kitty, she was throwing up each time we moved the boat. Two days of illness while we are temporarily home in Ohio led to the diagnosis of cancer of the stomach and associated organs. She was not able to hold down food, and finally lost interest in eating. On Saturday, April 30th, our kindly veterinarian convinced us that Lucy's time with us was over. We will miss her, and the boat and house will seem empty without her.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Northbound Interrupted
While we were in Ft. Lauderdale the captain suffered a hernia. A visit to the hospital revealed that surgery was not immediately necessary if I wore a truss and behaved myself, which is easier said than done. Anyway, we backed out of the dock at Cooley's Landing on Friday, April 1 at 9:00 a. m. Because of Lucy's motion awareness problems, we decided to motor up the ICW, which meant that we would need to pass through 23 opening bridges, most of which operate on a restricted schedule.
This bridge was the most interesting design. The bridges are supposedly timed so that one can make each of them for their next scheduled opening, but this is tough when wind and current are working against you. Also, parts of the ICW above Ft. Lauderdale have vertical walls which reflect boat wakes back and forth. This turmoil made Lucy sick. So much for not sailing outside!
We didn't arrive in the North Lake Worth anchorage until 7:30, anchoring shortly before dark. We called John and Brenda on "Some Dream" and discovered they were in the same anchorage. They stopped by late in the evening and filled us in on the trip to the Exumas. Sounds like they had a fabulous time.
The next mornng we raised anchor and motored 25.2 nautical miles to Manatee Pocket. Saturday was a tough day to travel because of the weekend powerboat traffic. Wakes were especially bad around the St. Lucie River. We were relieved to get off of the waterway, even if the day's progress was limited. On the 3rd of April we traveled to Vero Beach Municipal Marina. We spent three days here, mostly waiting for Tuesday's bad weather to blow through. We were moored next to George and Marianne on the Gemini Catamaran " Wet Wings".
They cruise from January until sometime in April, spending this year in the Exumas. They can't come down earlier because they own a Christmas Tree farm and are busy with their seasonal business. We shared a happy hour with them aboard "Passage" and had a very nice time.
While we were in Vero, I decided that my hernia was too uncomfortable while operating "Passage" to continue our cruise to Ohio. We made the decision to find a temporary dock and go home to Ohio to have the injury repaired. Since they had no dock space available in Vero Beach, we arranged for dockage in Titusville.
On Wednesday the 6th of April, we traveled up the Indian River section of the ICW to Titusville, a voyage of 68.2 nautical miles. There was a long line of boats leaving Vero to begin their migration north. We passed the Kennedy Space Center, and could see a building used to prep and protect the space shuttles.
We did sail a little on this trip after the wind shifted. It was very nice not to listen to the diesel. We arrived in Titusville a little after six p.m. and were greeted by a group of liveaboards from E dock. Among them were Pat and Sandy John from "Inion Na Gaot".
Pat and Sandy were from our marina in Fairport Harbor, Ohio, and have been living aboard their vessel since they sailed out the St. Lawrence River into the North Atlantic many years ago. It was great seeing them and meeting the newest member of their crew, Little Bit.
Thursday we washed two months of dirt and salt from "Passage". The local manatees supervised the entire operation in hopes of scoring a little fresh water.
We worked all day prepping the boat for her long visit at the Titusville Municipal Marina. It was difficult for us to leave her here unattended for the expected six to eight weeks we will be gone.
On Friday the 8th we loaded the Budget rental car and drove to Wytheville, Va. On Saturday we arrived in Painesville, Ohio. We are spending the weekend with my daughter Kim and son-in-law Jeff. The county is scheduled to turn the water back on at our home tomorrow morning. I will also pick up my medical referral which will lead to fixing my problem so that we can return to "Passage" and complete her delivery to Lake Erie.
This bridge was the most interesting design. The bridges are supposedly timed so that one can make each of them for their next scheduled opening, but this is tough when wind and current are working against you. Also, parts of the ICW above Ft. Lauderdale have vertical walls which reflect boat wakes back and forth. This turmoil made Lucy sick. So much for not sailing outside!
We didn't arrive in the North Lake Worth anchorage until 7:30, anchoring shortly before dark. We called John and Brenda on "Some Dream" and discovered they were in the same anchorage. They stopped by late in the evening and filled us in on the trip to the Exumas. Sounds like they had a fabulous time.
The next mornng we raised anchor and motored 25.2 nautical miles to Manatee Pocket. Saturday was a tough day to travel because of the weekend powerboat traffic. Wakes were especially bad around the St. Lucie River. We were relieved to get off of the waterway, even if the day's progress was limited. On the 3rd of April we traveled to Vero Beach Municipal Marina. We spent three days here, mostly waiting for Tuesday's bad weather to blow through. We were moored next to George and Marianne on the Gemini Catamaran " Wet Wings".
They cruise from January until sometime in April, spending this year in the Exumas. They can't come down earlier because they own a Christmas Tree farm and are busy with their seasonal business. We shared a happy hour with them aboard "Passage" and had a very nice time.
While we were in Vero, I decided that my hernia was too uncomfortable while operating "Passage" to continue our cruise to Ohio. We made the decision to find a temporary dock and go home to Ohio to have the injury repaired. Since they had no dock space available in Vero Beach, we arranged for dockage in Titusville.
On Wednesday the 6th of April, we traveled up the Indian River section of the ICW to Titusville, a voyage of 68.2 nautical miles. There was a long line of boats leaving Vero to begin their migration north. We passed the Kennedy Space Center, and could see a building used to prep and protect the space shuttles.
We did sail a little on this trip after the wind shifted. It was very nice not to listen to the diesel. We arrived in Titusville a little after six p.m. and were greeted by a group of liveaboards from E dock. Among them were Pat and Sandy John from "Inion Na Gaot".
Pat and Sandy were from our marina in Fairport Harbor, Ohio, and have been living aboard their vessel since they sailed out the St. Lawrence River into the North Atlantic many years ago. It was great seeing them and meeting the newest member of their crew, Little Bit.
Thursday we washed two months of dirt and salt from "Passage". The local manatees supervised the entire operation in hopes of scoring a little fresh water.
We worked all day prepping the boat for her long visit at the Titusville Municipal Marina. It was difficult for us to leave her here unattended for the expected six to eight weeks we will be gone.
On Friday the 8th we loaded the Budget rental car and drove to Wytheville, Va. On Saturday we arrived in Painesville, Ohio. We are spending the weekend with my daughter Kim and son-in-law Jeff. The county is scheduled to turn the water back on at our home tomorrow morning. I will also pick up my medical referral which will lead to fixing my problem so that we can return to "Passage" and complete her delivery to Lake Erie.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Ft. Lauderdale Follies
Passage separated from the Mooring Ball and departed Boot Key Harbor and the city of Marathon at 7:50 a.m. on Wednesday, March 23rd. We motored down Sister Creek at low tide and entered the Atlantic Ocean, more specifically the Hawk Channel inside the reef. We were greeted by two to three foot beam seas and wind too close to sail, so we motored. Lucy didn't handle the swells well and surrendered her breakfast. In a few hours we approached Long Key and viewed the amazing Long Key Viaduct.
Seeking smoother seas for our ancient kitty, we crossed under the Channel Five bridge and motored up the Florida Bay side of the keys. We instantly were rewarded with smooth seas. As we approached Jewfish Creek, we could see the new high bridge which had replaced the lift bridge since our last trip through here.
After passing under the bridge and motoring through Jewfish Creek, we turned to starboard and anchored in Thursday Cove in Barnes sound for the night.
Thursday morning we continued towards Miami, enjoying several hours of sailing in the sounds and lower Biscayne Bay before the winds deserted us. We then motored on to Miami.
After a peaceful night at anchor near the Venetian Causeway and the Miami Yacht Club, we motored up the ICW to Fort Lauderdale. Lucy appreciated the smooth seas. Despite fighting current the whole way, we arrived too early to dock on the New River, so we anchored for lunch at Lake Sylvia. Our lunch was disrupted by some bozo pulling a tube with two kids aboard all through the anchorage. It turns out that after the State of Florida passed a law stating that cities could not restrict anchoring of cruising boats, Ft. Lauderdale countered by allowing high speed tubing in this little lake to discourage anchoring. This will probably go on until someone is hurt by the wakes of some speed boat. They may have the legal right to tube, but they are still responsible for their wakes. And people wonder why we are taking our catamaran home to Ohio.
Anyway, we arrived at Cooley's Landing Marina in downtown Ft.Lauderdale at slack current and settled in for a weeklong visit.
Cooley's landing is a lovely marina in a park like setting. The restrooms and laundry are airconditioned and the grounds are lovely.
The marina was named for an early pioneer who settled here and came on hard times.
You can click on the picture twice and read all about it.
We were pleasantly surprised to be greeted by Andy and Molly Jensen, who had just launched their 25 foot C-Dory "Molly J".
We have known them for a number of years, going back to our months at Mangrove Marina at Tavernier on Key Largo. We have enjoyed many happy hours with them here in Lauderdale, along with several other sailors at the marina.
The river walk from the marina through downtown Ft. Lauderdale is spectacular, and we enjoyed walking along the river.
The city celebrated their centennial while we were here, and we enjoyed the extra action on the riverfront, as well as fireworks on Sunday night.
The New River is very busy, and many huge yachts are transported up river to marinas designed to accomodate them for refits, etc. These "ships" are moved by two tow boats so that there are no accidents on the narrow, twisting river.
The sheer number of these yachts is amazing, as they pass up or down the river all day, even on Sundays.
On our last night in Lauderdale, we walked down the river to Briny Pub and Restaurant Riverside with single hander Bob Feltman, who sails a Pearson 323. We enjoyed an excellent meal and are now fueled up and ready to go.
We are planning to leave Ft. Lauderdale on Friday, April 1. A nasty front with possible bad storms is expected tonight, and we put off our departure for one day because of it. So, we will consider April 1 as the beginning of our delivery cruise back to Ohio.
Seeking smoother seas for our ancient kitty, we crossed under the Channel Five bridge and motored up the Florida Bay side of the keys. We instantly were rewarded with smooth seas. As we approached Jewfish Creek, we could see the new high bridge which had replaced the lift bridge since our last trip through here.
After passing under the bridge and motoring through Jewfish Creek, we turned to starboard and anchored in Thursday Cove in Barnes sound for the night.
Thursday morning we continued towards Miami, enjoying several hours of sailing in the sounds and lower Biscayne Bay before the winds deserted us. We then motored on to Miami.
After a peaceful night at anchor near the Venetian Causeway and the Miami Yacht Club, we motored up the ICW to Fort Lauderdale. Lucy appreciated the smooth seas. Despite fighting current the whole way, we arrived too early to dock on the New River, so we anchored for lunch at Lake Sylvia. Our lunch was disrupted by some bozo pulling a tube with two kids aboard all through the anchorage. It turns out that after the State of Florida passed a law stating that cities could not restrict anchoring of cruising boats, Ft. Lauderdale countered by allowing high speed tubing in this little lake to discourage anchoring. This will probably go on until someone is hurt by the wakes of some speed boat. They may have the legal right to tube, but they are still responsible for their wakes. And people wonder why we are taking our catamaran home to Ohio.
Anyway, we arrived at Cooley's Landing Marina in downtown Ft.Lauderdale at slack current and settled in for a weeklong visit.
Cooley's landing is a lovely marina in a park like setting. The restrooms and laundry are airconditioned and the grounds are lovely.
The marina was named for an early pioneer who settled here and came on hard times.
You can click on the picture twice and read all about it.
We were pleasantly surprised to be greeted by Andy and Molly Jensen, who had just launched their 25 foot C-Dory "Molly J".
We have known them for a number of years, going back to our months at Mangrove Marina at Tavernier on Key Largo. We have enjoyed many happy hours with them here in Lauderdale, along with several other sailors at the marina.
The river walk from the marina through downtown Ft. Lauderdale is spectacular, and we enjoyed walking along the river.
The city celebrated their centennial while we were here, and we enjoyed the extra action on the riverfront, as well as fireworks on Sunday night.
The New River is very busy, and many huge yachts are transported up river to marinas designed to accomodate them for refits, etc. These "ships" are moved by two tow boats so that there are no accidents on the narrow, twisting river.
The sheer number of these yachts is amazing, as they pass up or down the river all day, even on Sundays.
On our last night in Lauderdale, we walked down the river to Briny Pub and Restaurant Riverside with single hander Bob Feltman, who sails a Pearson 323. We enjoyed an excellent meal and are now fueled up and ready to go.
We are planning to leave Ft. Lauderdale on Friday, April 1. A nasty front with possible bad storms is expected tonight, and we put off our departure for one day because of it. So, we will consider April 1 as the beginning of our delivery cruise back to Ohio.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Prepping Passage
Our day started early on Saturday, March 19th, when we caught the 9:33 a.m. bus to the Big Pine Key Flea Market.
One never knows what treasures one will discover in such a place. We scored a number of items including four original Sham-Wows for soaking up water, mirrors to see overtaking boats on the ICW, and other goodies too numerous to mention.
When we left the flea market, we discovered that a Radio Shack was hidden on a side street within walking distance. This good fortune enabled us to replace our recently departed 350 watt inverter. The bus ride back to Marathon was uneventful.
After showering in the marina, we headed over to Dockside for one last happy hour with Tom and Doris and John and Marcia.
Dockside was much more organized; and we had great service, good food and good entertainment.
I thought the ladies looked especially fetching on this warm Florida Keys evening.
Of course, we men were, well, we were looking good too!
As you can see, even Lee the cook was sad to see us leaving the harbor soon and stopped to say goodbye. After much beer and scotch, we said farewell to our friends, who we hope to see on the trip north.
Sunday morning Tom and Doris on "Our Time" left pretty early.
After a pretty heavy social week, we decided to take it easy and spent most of Sunday on the boat. We did discover that Lucy has a strong desire to sample cherry turnovers.
Sue valiantly defended her pastry, and Lucy ultimately resigned herself to feeding from her cat food bowl.
Monday the 21st was filled with errands and shopping as we supplied our catamaran for her voyage north. We walked about three miles in the morning, the last one heavily laden with groceries. After lunch we snagged a marina shopping cart. Tossing a twenty pound propane tank into it, we hiked to Home Depot, exchanged the tank and hiked back. Projects and installations were then completed, leaving only the boat bottom on our to do list.
Tuesday morning after we said goodbye on the morning web on VHF Channel 68, Mike the diver stopped to clean the bottom.
The job took him almost two hours, but we have no slime or barnacles. Passage will now sail at her designed speed unhindered by the forest she once sported. As I write this, Sue is finishing up the laundry; and we will eat out one last time in Marathon. Tomorrow we will leave at the crack of dawn and work up the keys towards our next destination, Fort Lauderdale.
One never knows what treasures one will discover in such a place. We scored a number of items including four original Sham-Wows for soaking up water, mirrors to see overtaking boats on the ICW, and other goodies too numerous to mention.
When we left the flea market, we discovered that a Radio Shack was hidden on a side street within walking distance. This good fortune enabled us to replace our recently departed 350 watt inverter. The bus ride back to Marathon was uneventful.
After showering in the marina, we headed over to Dockside for one last happy hour with Tom and Doris and John and Marcia.
Dockside was much more organized; and we had great service, good food and good entertainment.
I thought the ladies looked especially fetching on this warm Florida Keys evening.
Of course, we men were, well, we were looking good too!
As you can see, even Lee the cook was sad to see us leaving the harbor soon and stopped to say goodbye. After much beer and scotch, we said farewell to our friends, who we hope to see on the trip north.
Sunday morning Tom and Doris on "Our Time" left pretty early.
After a pretty heavy social week, we decided to take it easy and spent most of Sunday on the boat. We did discover that Lucy has a strong desire to sample cherry turnovers.
Sue valiantly defended her pastry, and Lucy ultimately resigned herself to feeding from her cat food bowl.
Monday the 21st was filled with errands and shopping as we supplied our catamaran for her voyage north. We walked about three miles in the morning, the last one heavily laden with groceries. After lunch we snagged a marina shopping cart. Tossing a twenty pound propane tank into it, we hiked to Home Depot, exchanged the tank and hiked back. Projects and installations were then completed, leaving only the boat bottom on our to do list.
Tuesday morning after we said goodbye on the morning web on VHF Channel 68, Mike the diver stopped to clean the bottom.
The job took him almost two hours, but we have no slime or barnacles. Passage will now sail at her designed speed unhindered by the forest she once sported. As I write this, Sue is finishing up the laundry; and we will eat out one last time in Marathon. Tomorrow we will leave at the crack of dawn and work up the keys towards our next destination, Fort Lauderdale.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Entertainment Gala
A week of musical and culinary celebration opened on Saturday, March 12th at the Marathon Seafood Festival. Sue and I feasted on conch chowder, peel and eat shrimp and a mahi-mahi dinner, all of which was yummy. We also grooved to two keys bands that we thoroughly enjoy. John Bartus and Storm Watch performed first.
They played a combination of popular classic rock music and John's original compositions.
The local crowd really loved the music performed by this local Marathon band, as people danced in the grass in front of the stage and enthusiastically applauded each number.
Next up was the band that I was waiting for: Howard Livingston and the Marker 24 Band.
Howard has written innumerable songs about life in the lower keys. A large and rowdy fan base soaked up the music and atmosphere of the event. Even Sue sang some of the songs along with the band. Howard put on a great show.
Sue and I dingied back to "Passage" full of seafood and musical memories.
On Monday the 14th Sue and I dingied over to "Our Time" to celebrate happy hour with Tom and Doris Johnson. John and Marcia off "Marcia, Marcia, Marcia", who we had met in Fort Myers, were also there. Naturally, a great time was had by all.
Tuesday the 15th of March Sue and I hopped on the bus and rode to Key West. We hot-footed it directly to Sloppy Joe's.
We enjoyed a fabulous grilled Mahi-Mahi sandwich, as well as the music of, you guessed it, Brian Roberts. Sloppy Joe's rocked more than usual because it is spring break time! The bar was filled with college age spring breakers looking for a good time, and Brian provided the musical entertainment and tossed colorful bead necklaces to the women in the crowd. Joined by his percussionist friend Ray, Brian put on a great show.
Wednesday brought the Legacy Harbour C dock reunion at The Dockside Bar and Grill, which recently reopened. The crews of "Passage", "Our Time", "Marcia, Marcia, Marcia", "Lady Jane" and "Kokopelli" celebrated being together again for happy hour.
Live music and good food made it a great evening. Unfortunately, we wiped out their supply of Amber Bock and finally motored home in the dark, full and happy.
The 17th was Saint Patrick's day, so Sue and I put on our green shirts and headed over to Dockside again, this time for Corned Beef and Cabbage and music by Joe Mama. We were joined by Tom and Doris and John and Marcia, and we certainly got into the spirit of the day!
So did John and Marcia.
On the 18th we dragged ourselves out of bed at 6:00 a.m. so that Sue could walk over a mile to McDonald's by 8:00 a.m. to meet coaching legend and former teaching colleague Mike Milkovich for breakfast. She hiked back with a backpack full of groceries. After stowing these we motored to shore in the dingy and walked a mile to West Marine, then made several stops looking for a rear view mirror for "Passage", as well as a new portable inverter. No luck on either of those, but we did enjoy a 5 dollar lunch at the Hurricane. Although we were both a little tired from all the walking in the heat, we were revieved by showers and dingied over to "Marcia, Marcia, Marcia for happy hour with John and Marcia, Tom and Doris and their dock partners Dale and Debbie. After the three hour celebration were returned to the mothership tired but happy. Now we are prepping for our last weekend in Marathon.
They played a combination of popular classic rock music and John's original compositions.
The local crowd really loved the music performed by this local Marathon band, as people danced in the grass in front of the stage and enthusiastically applauded each number.
Next up was the band that I was waiting for: Howard Livingston and the Marker 24 Band.
Howard has written innumerable songs about life in the lower keys. A large and rowdy fan base soaked up the music and atmosphere of the event. Even Sue sang some of the songs along with the band. Howard put on a great show.
Sue and I dingied back to "Passage" full of seafood and musical memories.
On Monday the 14th Sue and I dingied over to "Our Time" to celebrate happy hour with Tom and Doris Johnson. John and Marcia off "Marcia, Marcia, Marcia", who we had met in Fort Myers, were also there. Naturally, a great time was had by all.
Tuesday the 15th of March Sue and I hopped on the bus and rode to Key West. We hot-footed it directly to Sloppy Joe's.
We enjoyed a fabulous grilled Mahi-Mahi sandwich, as well as the music of, you guessed it, Brian Roberts. Sloppy Joe's rocked more than usual because it is spring break time! The bar was filled with college age spring breakers looking for a good time, and Brian provided the musical entertainment and tossed colorful bead necklaces to the women in the crowd. Joined by his percussionist friend Ray, Brian put on a great show.
Wednesday brought the Legacy Harbour C dock reunion at The Dockside Bar and Grill, which recently reopened. The crews of "Passage", "Our Time", "Marcia, Marcia, Marcia", "Lady Jane" and "Kokopelli" celebrated being together again for happy hour.
Live music and good food made it a great evening. Unfortunately, we wiped out their supply of Amber Bock and finally motored home in the dark, full and happy.
The 17th was Saint Patrick's day, so Sue and I put on our green shirts and headed over to Dockside again, this time for Corned Beef and Cabbage and music by Joe Mama. We were joined by Tom and Doris and John and Marcia, and we certainly got into the spirit of the day!
So did John and Marcia.
On the 18th we dragged ourselves out of bed at 6:00 a.m. so that Sue could walk over a mile to McDonald's by 8:00 a.m. to meet coaching legend and former teaching colleague Mike Milkovich for breakfast. She hiked back with a backpack full of groceries. After stowing these we motored to shore in the dingy and walked a mile to West Marine, then made several stops looking for a rear view mirror for "Passage", as well as a new portable inverter. No luck on either of those, but we did enjoy a 5 dollar lunch at the Hurricane. Although we were both a little tired from all the walking in the heat, we were revieved by showers and dingied over to "Marcia, Marcia, Marcia for happy hour with John and Marcia, Tom and Doris and their dock partners Dale and Debbie. After the three hour celebration were returned to the mothership tired but happy. Now we are prepping for our last weekend in Marathon.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
That's More Like It
Unlike the last two winters, the weather in Marathon has been wonderful, with highs in the low 80's and lows around 70. Soon after we arrived, we enjoyed a happy hour aboard "Our Time" with Tom and Doris Johnson, whom we had met in Fort Myers. On Monday the 28th of February ten Gemini Catamarans were represented at a Gemini luncheon at the Hurricane.
A good time was had by all seventeen people as we discussed sailing and living aboard our boats. The day was crowned by "all you can eat Mexican" night at the Cabana Restaurant at Banana Bay. Along with Gemini friends Les and Barb from "Revision" and John and Lynn from the Hunter 31 "She n I", we enjoyed a night of entertainment by John Bartus. It was a great night, though "all I could eat" was more than I should eat.
After a few days of very strong winds, Bradd and Maeve Wilson arrived in the harbor aboard "Sampatecho". We enjoyed two days visiting with our longtime friends from Port Colborne, savoring dinner on Friday at the Hurricane and hosting them on Saturday aboard "Passage". We enjoyed happy hour and grilled pork tenderloin on the new grill, which worked flawlessly in the wind. Bradd and Maeve sailed for Cuba on Sunday.
On Monday, March 7th, a second Gemini Catamaran luncheon was held at the Hurricane, once again with 10 boats in attendance, though not all the same vessels were represented.
That same evening we joined Tom and Doris Johnson for dinner and entertainment at the Sunset Grill. We enjoyed a couple of drinks at the bar and and generally had a rowdy good time.
It is amazing how much fun four retired educators can have if they have the right attitude and a little beverage assist.
It also helped that the night's entertainer was Brian Roberts, whom many of you faithful readers will remember is Sue's favorite singer.
I am still not sure why Sue considers herself President of the Brian Roberts Senior Fan Club. I just don't get it. But I am working on figuring it out.
Any suggestions? All kidding aside, Brian is a warm and friendly guy and a fabulous entertainer. We had a great time, and stayed till well after the event for which the grill is named.
Also this week, Sue and I saw the original Musical Production ACT NOW! This musical was written, along with a third collaborator, by Michael and Cheri Edwards on the Gemini "Believe", which arrived in 2007 and has never left Marathon. The show was very well written with many clever plot twists amid the song and dance. We had a great time, although earlier in the day we were afraid we might not make the show when a storm front with 49 mile per hour winds and torrential rain swept through the harbor. Although the wind really howled all afternoon, it quieted down so that we could leave the boat and attend the show.
This weekend is the Seafood Festival at the Park next to the marina. We will enjoy fresh seafood and two days of live entertainment. It will be great fun.
A good time was had by all seventeen people as we discussed sailing and living aboard our boats. The day was crowned by "all you can eat Mexican" night at the Cabana Restaurant at Banana Bay. Along with Gemini friends Les and Barb from "Revision" and John and Lynn from the Hunter 31 "She n I", we enjoyed a night of entertainment by John Bartus. It was a great night, though "all I could eat" was more than I should eat.
After a few days of very strong winds, Bradd and Maeve Wilson arrived in the harbor aboard "Sampatecho". We enjoyed two days visiting with our longtime friends from Port Colborne, savoring dinner on Friday at the Hurricane and hosting them on Saturday aboard "Passage". We enjoyed happy hour and grilled pork tenderloin on the new grill, which worked flawlessly in the wind. Bradd and Maeve sailed for Cuba on Sunday.
On Monday, March 7th, a second Gemini Catamaran luncheon was held at the Hurricane, once again with 10 boats in attendance, though not all the same vessels were represented.
That same evening we joined Tom and Doris Johnson for dinner and entertainment at the Sunset Grill. We enjoyed a couple of drinks at the bar and and generally had a rowdy good time.
It is amazing how much fun four retired educators can have if they have the right attitude and a little beverage assist.
It also helped that the night's entertainer was Brian Roberts, whom many of you faithful readers will remember is Sue's favorite singer.
I am still not sure why Sue considers herself President of the Brian Roberts Senior Fan Club. I just don't get it. But I am working on figuring it out.
Any suggestions? All kidding aside, Brian is a warm and friendly guy and a fabulous entertainer. We had a great time, and stayed till well after the event for which the grill is named.
Also this week, Sue and I saw the original Musical Production ACT NOW! This musical was written, along with a third collaborator, by Michael and Cheri Edwards on the Gemini "Believe", which arrived in 2007 and has never left Marathon. The show was very well written with many clever plot twists amid the song and dance. We had a great time, although earlier in the day we were afraid we might not make the show when a storm front with 49 mile per hour winds and torrential rain swept through the harbor. Although the wind really howled all afternoon, it quieted down so that we could leave the boat and attend the show.
This weekend is the Seafood Festival at the Park next to the marina. We will enjoy fresh seafood and two days of live entertainment. It will be great fun.
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