Week 12

Saturday, March 25, 2017 

Rib Off!

It is Saturday again. And that means a walk to the weekly Farmers Market in front of Crane Point. Our take of fresh veggies included asparagus, Brussel Sprouts, tomatoes and cukes. Folks from Four Sheets to the Wind were there so I started up a conversation with them. We're going to see them at the Nowhere Bar on Thursday.

In the evening, we joined the other boaters for a rib cook off. Of course we used vegetarian ribs! Anna Marie made her famous bean salad to share with everyone. Now she has to write down the recipe for a couple folks. 

Sunday, March 26, 2017

Change of Plans!

Weather prognosticators predict a few days of 15 or less knots of wind. We decided to make the 37 mile trip to Flamingo. About a mile and a half into it, we changed course for Bahia Honda so we could be back tomorrow instead of Tuesday. Ginny informed us that they plan to leave Tuesday morning after pump out. We thought it would be nice to say goodbye especially since Dave is off fishing with friends and we can't bid him farewell now.

Speaking of goodbyes, Sandy and Kevin (Koastal Karma) slipped their lines at 0725 this morning. They are beginning their northward migration back to Virginia Beach.

We made it to Bahia Honda at Noon after slipping our lines at 0930. We registered at the office, had our free beverage and settled down for a fake chicken salad sandwich which was excellent! After lunch we chilled for a bit, hoping for a nap that didn't materialize. 

The passage to Bahia Honda was a little bit rough. The wind hit our starboard quarter and gave us a bit of a roll. It sure seems the conditions are not those predicted by wind finder!

While registering for the slip at the marina, we found out that the dive boat had canceled its trips for today and tomorrow. Why, you ask? Remember that prediction I mentioned earlier? Turns out the wind is blowing 18-20 knots! Tomorrow, we'll be plowing back into it. It'll be slow going if the wind stays in the same strength and direction.

Monday, March 27, 2017

Returning to Blackfin! 

Surprisingly, the Internet worked well last night and we watch a couple shows on Netflix. We went to bed later than we probably should have. We were up early enough and after a walk around the park, we parked up and readied SUNSHINE for departure. We slipped our lines at 0945, a few minutes after the dive boat left. Wait, I thought today's trip was  cancelled due to the wind and wave conditions. I checked Windfinder and the forecast was for 14 knots out of the ENE. We could see plenty of whitecaps in the direction we were headed and thought it might be a rough ride. As luck would have it the predicted 2-3 foot waves didn't materialize just yet and we motored into the wind at 7 mph, getting a nice push from the incoming tide. That lasted an hour or so. About one and one-half miles to Moser Channel, the waves were at least two feet and the wind was a point or two off the port bow. For that distance and an additional half mile to Pigeon Key, the ride was bouncy, but nothing the boat couldn't handle. The conditions moderated some or the last forty-five minutes back to Blackfin. 

We walk the boat, flushed the engine and got set up for life in the marina again. We hope to take another mini cruise before we leave.

The rest of the day was spent in our normal activities; happy hour and camaraderie at 1700 hours with scintillating conversation and Sunset viewing at 1930. As Denny, one of our neighbors, said, "This never gets old."

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Goodbye Tinytown (Pop. 👫)!  

At 0800, the honey wagon was pumping out Tinytown. By 0900, the Tanger 27 tug was on its trailer and Dave and Ginny were scrubbing her down. Yet another pair of new friends is leaving the marina. Since Tinytown is for sale, we might not see them next year. They hope to buy a fishing boat and a cottage on or near the St. Lawrence Seaway. We gave them a  hand getting the boat on the trailer although they had their system down and didn't really need help.

Following Tinytown's departure, Anna Marie did a load of laundry and together, we adjusted the boat trailer bunks. Once at the proper height, we tightened the bolts. It should be good to go now.

The high temperature for today is supposed to be 79°, but it feels like 85°. Work on the trailer was slow and methodical in the bright, hot sun.

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Offensive!

We rode our bikes to Sea Mark, a marine electronics store. Despite the political signage on the store front, we went in. The "expert wasn't in. We were asked to leave  our name and phone number. As I was writing the info on a sheet of paper, Anna Marie pointed out several pieces of racist material hanging on the wall. I ripped the sheet off the tablet  and turned to leave. When asked why I was leaving without furnishing my contact information, I said I found the materials stapled to the wall to be offensive. She replied, "I find you offensive." I may be, but you're the one loosing the sale!

We rode back to the boat and I cleaned the final bits of brass. 

Thursday, March 30, 2017

Fiftieth Anniversary of the Summer of Love!

OK, it's a bit early to celebrate the summer of love (1967). Fifty years ago I celebrated my 19th birthday on this date. Since it's too soon to celebrate the summer of love we celebrated my birthday. It was a most special occasion. We started the day with a visit to the new Starbuck's in town. From there we drove to Little Torch Key to board the commuter boat, Truman, that will take us to the exclusive Dinning Room at Little Palm Island. Before boarding  the 24 year old  wooden boat, we visited the gift shop and lounged on the tropical deck adjacent to the boat dock. 

The boat ride from Little Torch to Little Palm took about 20 minutes through a choppy Newfound Harbor in a stiff 20 knot breeze. The boat easily handled the chop and the ride was comfortable with spray flying as the vessel smashed into the waves.

The Captain docked the boat and we were welcomed to Little Palm Island by a hostess who wished me a happy birthday. She showed each party, there were three, to it’s respective tables,  ours overlooking the harbor and the ocean. In the distance, we could see Summerland Key,  where we purchased the M/V SUNSHINE three years ago.

The hostess presented our menus and explained she would present them as a roll up after we ordered. We opened the menu and there at the top was a birthday greeting printed right on the first page. We made our selections with Anna  Marie ordering the Catch of the Day Fish Sandwich with Thai Tomato and Cucumber Salad while I opted for the Curry Shrimp Bowl with Broccoli. We delighted in our selections as we casually dine in this elegant room with the gorgeous view.

As we were finishing our meal, three Key Deer walked by, less than three feet from our table. They even stopped to pose before meandering off. For dessert, we chose the Coconut Rice Pudding. Topped with Melon and Mango balls, it was presented with a couple lace chocolate Chip cookies and a chocolate wafer with "Happy Birthday" scrolled across the top. Both Emile, our waiter,  and the dinning room manager stopped by to thank us for dinning with them and both offered me their wish that I enjoy a happy birthday.

We didn't rush to catch the 1300 boat back, opting instead to enjoy the ambience of Little Palm Island for a while longer. We selected a couple chairs on the dock and sat in the shade of an umbrella as we waited for the 1400 boat. 

The ride back was less dramatic as we were traveling with  the wind. There was much less spray as we scooted back towards the Dolphin Marina on Little Torch Key, home of the Little Palm Island Welcome Center.

Upon returning to M/V SUNSHINE, we relaxed for a couple hours, eventually taking our beverages to the point to enjoy the view. It never gets old! At about 1800 hours, we drove to the Nowhere Bar where Four Sheets to the Wind was playing. When we arrived, we found the place locked with "CLOSED" written in grease pencil on the front door! Another business that didn't pan out for its owners here in paradise. When we arrived in January, we found the Dockside Tropical Cafe and Lulu's had both been shuttered.

We went to Barnacle Barney's where we shared a Grouper Basket and participated in their daily toast to the sunset.

Our day was complete and we returned to the boat after having received birthday greetings from everyone. Sadly, both Sandi and Josh have the flu and are very much under the weather. We wish them both speedy recoveries.

We hope they are completely cured when we return home. And we really hope Rose can avoid catching it from either of them.

Friday, March 31, 2017

Thinking About Departing!

Ranger Tug Roam is planning to leave today. They'll head to Key West in preparation for their cruise to Cuba. They expect to be the first Ranger Tug to visit that country. Most of the live aboard are planning to head to Charlotte Harbor for summer storage, and one will cruise the Panhandle. John and Sue aboard Nuclear Fishin left the harbor yesterday, although they have rented a room for the weekend. They're heading home to Tennessee for the summer.

We will finish adjusting the bunks today, I have go for a swim to scrub the bottom of the boat, and our last detail will be to grease the zerk fittings on the folding bikes. Once I do that, we'll fold the bikes and pack them in the truck thus officially starting our packing in preparation for the trip home.

The above mentioned tasks were accomplished without too much difficulty. The least pleasant job, scrubbing the bottom, was done by Diver Rich who came to the marina to scrub Barry's boat. Barry wasn't quite ready and when I made my inquiry to discover the fee and to see if he had the time, he told me $50.00 and he would do it straight away. We shook on it and he did the job. That allowed us some time for a dip in the pool. By 1830, we were seated at Burdine's to share a basket of fries and a tuna melt. We listened to Joe Mama until his break then we left for Havana Jack's to listen to our he Island Time Band. We enjoyed one of their sets before heading back to SUNSHINE.