Leaving Ft. Myers

March 1, 2017

Today we leave Ft. Myers and head for Cayo Costa to meet friends and walk the beach together. Meeting friends is very exciting and leaving friends is not. It has been a very busy month.  I had great plans to make a well needed curtain for the aft cabin, polish the chrome on the rails, refinish the little bit of teak we have on the outside of the boat and defrost the refrigerator.  We leave today and the fridge is clean, the laundry is done and alas my toes look sharp from a much needed pedi, but the rest of the chores will wait for another time.

Rob did more, he arranged for the boat's Strataglass  to be installed on the bridge and hired a diver to clean the bottom of the boat and replace one zinc that had actually fallen off the rudder. He did all the dirty work like pumping out the holding tank. He also filled the water tanks, but not at the same time. Rob replaced the pencil zincs in the 3 diesels, two engines and the generator.

Here is the comparison between the old polycarbonate and the new Strataglass.

Rob planned our trip north on the West Coast and figured out how our niece could visit on the East Coast during her spring vacation.
Rob has gathered enough information from friends about the West Coast for us to have a great time.  We will never be able to complete the list before heading back to Stuart and up the East Coast to home.

Last night we had dinner on Jack and Patty's boat followed by a walk for ice cream. One couple left yesterday for Stuart, continuing on their way around the Great Loop. This month has been special with a growing friendships with three other couples.  Maybe there has been 3 days during the month that we have not gone on walks, eaten a meals together or gathered for cocktails. We enjoyed trips with our new friends regardless of where we went or what we did together.

Downtown is a short walk from the boat. I understand the buildings were empty a few years back and now there are stores and cafe's.

Rob and I will never be able to tell you how much we have enjoyed our time in Ft. Myers. Here is what we have been doing:

There is always a great dog to drool over. Godiva is a star, one of the commercials she does is for Pet Smart I was not with Rob when he met this beautiful girl, it was very unusual for him to tell me I had to find this dog.
Guess Diva's breed.

All day folding boat project. 

I had never seen a folding boat, let alone watching the collapse for travel.   It really was hysterical watching King fold up this boat for the first time. There were several trips to stores to get the right "tools" for this job.

Help has come!

Nothing like noodles to complete the job.

Look at the contraption that secures the boat on the truck. Also in the picture is the very versatile hat.

Just add a glass vase and voila you have a lovely vase.

The Edison Festival ends with a beautiful light parade and fireworks.

Friends from Maine enjoyed the parade with us.

 


Jack organized a 7 mile trip by dinghy to Manatee Park. Four couples headed out to the ICW channel.

A beautiful stainless steal Manatee sculpture paying tribute a loved one.

Trips to the Edison Estate with friends.

Blossom of the vanilla tree. The pollination happens manually.

I really like this boat that is leaving for a trip to the Everglades. They will return to their slip in about a week.

David and Kim leave for Stuart, we hope to run into them again.

A regular activity to the ice cream store.  More tales of their travels on the Great Loop.  I feel like I know every lock, bridge, river and city on the Loop trip. I have decided I am a Loopet, one who can pass as a seasoned Gold Looper without leaving the dock.

I am unable to explain all the fun we have had in Ft. Myers. Not a care in the world, being spontaneous is better than anything we could have planned.

Retire as soon as you can. Our days are numbered, you might as well experience Ft. Myers.

Once again all my best to my blog readers.

Tricia