Archive for » January, 2008 «

Fort Myers Beach
January 31st, 2008 | Author:

Smooth boating. We have stablizers and I am loving it, not that being on the ICW is really rough. In fact, it is like driving on a road. You need to make sure that you stay in the channel, watch your speed (manatee zones) and look at the scenery.

We entered San Carlos Bay.

But, as luck would have it, the batteries did not charge. So, after picking up a mooring, we are forced to drop it and head off to Salty Sam’s Marina, which is close by. Frustrating? You bet. But, it is a shake down cruise.

If at a marina…there must be Happy Hour and new friends to meet. Diane and Bob have friends that our living on their boat in the mooring field and so we joined them for drinks and great conversation. Meet Bill and Jo:

And the Fearless Foursome

and a surprise visit from:

We will leave tomorrow and get boat tweaked some more. It has been a great start. We have had so much fun.

Category: Cruising, Florida  | Tags:  | Comments off
Shake Down Cruise
January 30th, 2008 | Author:

On to Cayo Costa and anchoring in Pelican Bay. This boat has never been on its anchor. A first, and those of you that know me, know that I am not thrilled at the idea of anchoring. But, this is Florida. Land of a lot of water that is spread very thinly around the state. Below our boat there is 5 feet of water! You can almost see the anchor!

We jumped in our dinghy and took off for a little island to look around.

I couldn’t believe what we found:

Yes, not one, but 2 tortoises! Go figure!

The next morning we took our dinghy over to the park for a walk to the Gulf side.

The walk is short and the beach is huge. We went shelling for a bit. But, it is a good thing we are having a shake down cruise and that we have understanding friends

because we need to go and charge up our batteries. We found out last night that our generator isn’t working. But, another adventure awaits at Fort Myers Beach. The batteries will charge as we run….we hope.

Category: Cruising, Florida  | Comments off
First Cruise
January 28th, 2008 | Author:

We had planned to leave earlier, but the weather would not cooperate. So, Kelley remade the reservations; the Barrys made their reservations. Tween Waters Marina, here we come. Our first cruise!

We have all of the essentials: charts, magnifying glass, and Pirate Fargle!

The trip was made exciting with the GPS going out all of the time. But we arrived!

Toasted a successful landing!

And enjoyed walks,

a cocktail party with our friends and the owner of Tween Waters,

and it was time to leave Captiva Island after two terrific days!

But note the happy captain:

On to Cayo Costa and pelican Bay.

Category: Cruising, Florida  | Comments off
Time for Prime
January 21st, 2008 | Author:

No engraved invitations! No R.S.V.P.’s asked for. Just a come if you can….

We borrowed tables to put in front of the boat. We had food and drink…I think people we have never seen could smell it all and that is why they came, but, the more the merrier!

We unnamed BarMarVI on Saturday, January 20th and then christened her Prime Time.

This was another ‘Bike Night” about which I have written and so there was a band playing. I was pleased we had live entertainment for our gala.

We thought the gathering would last about an hour and a half, but it went on for 4 hours. Once the food and the wine was gone, people called it quits.

We cleaned up around 9. Got on our boat…got into comfy clothes and down came the rain! Amazing.

Good Times ahead on Prime Time.

Category: Cruising, Florida  | Tags: ,  | Comments off
« Previous Entries