Time to make the donuts. I use to say this when it was time to get up and go to work, but I am retired now. Now it is time to make memories that I want to share with you.
Going back to
November 23, 2018
I put up the wreath with lights on the outside of the boat. I wanted a wreath for the inside of the boat, so I bought this boa type thingie, a wreath base and battery operated stars. In the picture below you will see what I mean. My friend Barbara gave me this wonderful star Santa that hangs in the middle. I think I have had this star for over twenty years.
November 24, 2018
Traveled to Fort Pierce. Do you know that some of the "forts" use the full name "Fort in their name while others use the abbreviation "Ft" in their name, I didn't know that and I never can remember which one is which.
We stayed in Faber Cove that is a round, for lack of a better description, anchorage well protected from any weather. We didn't need protection but it is a great place the stay.
November 25, 2018
We travelled a short distance to Stuart. For the first time I piloted the boat and Rob picked up the mooring. I had a great time feeling like I was a little cheese in a big pond. I did a pretty good job as did Rob picking up a mooring for the first time. I am determined to learn how to dock. I think the first time I do it I will do it on a face dock without any other boats at the dock. Good plan wouldn't you say?
November 26, 2018
A very hot day, but we still walked five miles round trip to BOW, Boat Owner's Warehouse, Ace Hardware and of course McDonald's for an ice cream cone.
We bought parts for the boat, what else, and a new cooler. I love this new cooler it doesn't hit me on the head every time I try to get something out of it AND it has wheels! I wondered what people thought as they drove by a couple of people walking down RT. 1 with backpacks and a cooler.
November 27, 2018
It was a cold day 61degrees necessitating all the blankets onboard. A couple of days earlier we couldn't use any blankets because it was too hot. People talk about Maine's quickly changing weather, I don't think that is unique to Maine. I set out to walk to Tuesday Morning a fun store with these and that. Tuesday morning is about 3 miles up/down Rt. 1 so Max gave me a ride to the store and I walked home looking in shops. I stopped at the Family Dollar Store to poke around and they had the cheapest holiday M&M's I had seen a awhile so I bought 5 bags and yup they are all gone.
Rob spent a long time putting a small inverter in that would charge my laptop when the main inverter is off, we aren't running the generator or on shore power. Because it was in a place that I put my clothes, in a few days I had disconnected two wires. Oh well what else does Rob have to do but constantly trying to make living on the boat easier. I wish it was different but boats require constant attention.
November 28, 2018
Next we took the marina bus to buy groceries with full intentions of taking Uber back to the boat. But as we walked out of the store we were hailed by someone with a van that told us we looked like we belonged at the marina, so they gave us a ride back. I am constantly surprised at the boaters tight-knit group.
A bonus came with the ride. I had the great pleasure of meeting Wren and yes she is named for the bird. Wren is 4 and quite a personable and social child.
Back at the marina Wren and I looked for rogue pieces of glass that someone had removed from the fire pit. Yes I know that might not make sense but bare with me. Maybe some other child or maybe even adult had taken these pretty pieces of glass and hidden them in the rocks nearby. Wren and I started the treasure hunt to find and put back the glass pieces where they belonged while her parents loaded up the dinghy with previsions, because they are on their way to the Bahamas in their catamaran.
November 29, 2018
Left Stuart for the West Coast. We decided to cross Lake Okeechobee instead of doing the rim route because the lake was reasonably calm, first stop Clewiston. We tied up to the dolphins for the night. I will post a picture for those who have not seen them. I piloted the boat while Rob did the lassoing "to catch with or as with a lasso" (everything is a verb these days).
Did I mention before in other posts that dolphins are difficult, well they are, but we did really well this time because we read online how to do it.
BUT, the bugs were horrible. They weren't biting bugs, but still. Rob had the brilliant idea of vacuuming them up rather than squashing them on the headliner that Ken and Rob worked so hard to install.
November 30, 2018
Time to untie from the dolphins and be on our way to Franklin Locks Marina. When we first started the twins one wouldn't start. It turn over but wouldn't start. I guess it was a fluke because we haven't had that happen since then. Rob thinks the switch is bad and will replace it in Ft. Myers. We love Franklin Locks Marina and have been there several times. We made it through all the locks like we were pros but don't get cocky about it because there are several elements that can change to make the experience horrible. I remember when we first started out four years ago how awful it was.
December 1, 2018
The first full day at Franklin Locks. We had the boat waxed and she looked beautiful! After crossing the Okeechobee the boat looked horrible! I walked around her and there were specks of blue in several places. I don't know what it was but guessed it was either the ash from the burning sugar cane it might also have been some chemical from the crop dusting. The sugar cane lobby is big in this state. People who live there are hopeless in making the burning of sugar cane stop. I cleaned the outside of the boat and the bridge and it made a difference, but not enough. I am hopeful that the sun will continue to fad the blue. In addition to blue specks there were brown spots of dead bugs from the night on the dolphins. Such hardship traveling on a boat for six months in the south during the cold weather of Maine.
There is an RV park and four docks at the Franklin Locks. I just realized that I might be giving the impression that the locks and the RV/marina are in one place they aren't. The uniqueness of this place is that every lot is on the water. The park is an island. Now I have described to you the setting.
After cleaning the boat I sat down at a picnic table facing the Okeechobee Water Way and enjoyed the view.
December 3rd, 4th and 5th, 2018
While I was sitting on that same picnic table we were visited by two great friends from the Ft. Myers Yacht Basin, a great welcome to the West Coast.
We were going to leave for Cayo Costa on this day but the predicted weather was not going to be good for traveling so we decided to stay until December 6th.
I came up with the brilliant idea of going to pick up our truck in Myrtle Beach. It was always a plan to do this but not until later in December with the unexpected free time we decided to set in motion the plan to travel north. Do not move to SC because you think that it will be warmer year round because it isn't true the temperatures there have been in the 30's at times.
I will spare details just know that we rented a car, did the 14 hours in one day. It is a 12hour trip but with stops and traffic it took us 14. We stayed with good friends in Myrtle Beach, Val and Rick, such gracious hosts. Even though it was their bedtime they stayed up and served us chili and funny stories, they really made us feel like family. We hit the road the next day driving our truck but we did it in two days instead of one and at that I was beat.
Only my card making friends will understand what happens when one is exhausted. This is not my own story but it resonated with me.
"I shopped all day but needed one more supply for my card making and that was white embossing powder so I searched stores and finally found what I wanted. I got home and prepared my card for heating to melt the embossing powder only to find that I bought white glitter and I watched it fly all over my room".
Here is my own story about how tired I was. There was a VMS ( variable-message sign) over the highway you know the ones I mean the ones that change depending on the news they want to bring you such as "speed limit has been lowed to 45 due to bad weather conditions", I saw one that said "FDOT Text Message" I read it as Foot test massage, what the heck does that mean.
Aging! When I was a kid I didn't understand why the "old" people carried their stuff around in one bag and often a clear bag because they couldn't remember which pocket in there travel bag they left the very thing that they needed, and that is why clear plastic zip lock bags work so well. Tada, here I am "old".
On the last day of this adventure that being the 5th our good friends from Ft. Myers helped us shuttle the vehicles and leave the truck at the Yacht Basin.
I count my blessings everyday knowing that we have so many friends that really care about us. Four years ago I could not have predicted that this would happen. It was murder that first year and we didn't know anybody and now we have a few other places we feel are home. I thought Myrtle Beach was for golfers and I had no desire to be there. We have a growing community of friends we care about and that care about us. On the flip side is that the boating world is a small community so you better behave.
December 6, 2018
Finally we hit the waterway. Traveled to Ft. Myers Yacht Basin for fuel and a pump out. I went to the store with a friend to buy a few groceries including raspberry sherbet to have for dessert with our friends when we arrived at Cayo Costa our finally destination that day.
I was so excited about being in Ft. Myers and finally meeting my idols, Barack Obama And Mark Twain but I lost my phone in the Caloosahatchee River so I can't share those pictures with you. Soon a new phone was on its way I considered living without one, but I am in touch with so many friends with text I couldn't do it.
You see I was in a hurry to get the sherbet in the fridge and it was so dangerous getting onto the boat because of the way it was tied to the dock. I threw my purse onto the boat but it went over one rail, but kept going back through the second rail. I crawled down the disgusting ladder and nabbed the handle with my foot the purse was closed so it floated some, but I was willing to go for a swim to save my bag that had all my identity in it and my cell phone. What is this boating, but to tell wild stories about our adventures. Mark at the marina asked me why I dropped by bag in the water, answer, for attention. Luckily I had it backed up to iCloud.
December 7, 2018
Pearl Harbor day a sad day one of many that changed the world forever. Rob's two aunts were there one a school teacher and the other a banker both were safe being far away from the bombing.
December 8, 2018
A beautiful day to travel to St. Pete after a nice anchorage in Little Sarasota.
December 9, 2018
Rain most of the day, but went for a walk for ice cream and I did laundry. I figured either the machines would be very busy because what else would there be to do on a rainy day or they would be empty because who would want to go out on a rainy day.
There is a nice lounge to wait while my laundry is doing its thing.
December 10, 2018
St. Petersburg History Museum with a special exhibit of the Korean War, the Forgotten War.
I have pictures to share with you from the museum.
December 11, 2018
My head is messed up so we are in the process of fixing in. We walked to a marine supply place for a product, Toilet Conditioner, so creative, that promises to help but not cure. I will keep you posted if you want. We also walked to Publix. Even though it was late we decided to go to the Janes Museum of Western & Wildlife Art. Go if you are in town. I can't really explain the experience for me or Rob, so there are pictures to help you with how you might experience the visit.
That brings us to today December 12, 2018 tonight we are going to live theater. The production is Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley.
MISS BENNET: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY
By Lauren Gunderson & Margot Melcon
This Christmas, cozy up with your favorite Pride and Prejudice characters at Pemberley. Told with a sweet and sassy modern wit and romantic, period style, this comedic sequel takes us to 1815 England in the grand estate of newlyweds, Mr. and Mrs. Darcy. Bookish middle daughter Mary Bennet meets a curious visitor who proves himself an intellectual match, kindred spirit and possibly more. For the first time, Mary must stand tall and become the heroine of her own story. Inspired by one of the most beloved literary romances of all time, MISS BENNET will enchant Jane Austen fans and new-comers alike.
Hysterical!
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Rob's picking up a mooring and I am piloting the boat
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| Dolphins |
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Rob took my picture at the lock so I could send it to a friend. I swear holding on to the rope stretching out over the boat and one foot on the rail is the reason his back was in pain for three days
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Felting a kitty cat just one project to keep my hands busy on the boat.
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Looking at the Franklin lock from the picnic table
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This sweet little house settled in between large houses just looked like it belonged in Maine.
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| I wish that you could see this tree filled with black birds. If you looked on the port side top of the tree you will see one black bird headed to roost for the night. Segregation in the animal kingdom (yes birds are part of the animal kingdom) look at the white birds in the tree below. |
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Not far from the tree above is this tree filled each evening with tons of white birds, maybe ibis. The next picture is a blurry close up of the birds. The black bird in the top of the tree is a mystery to me.
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Earlier on that same morning I spotted this young man fishing on the pier next to the one we were on.
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Pelicans resting in trees along the water way.
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I really need a haircut
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Another great Banyan tree.
St. Petersburg History Museum
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Little Cooperstown is a separate part of the History Museum
From the St. Petersburg History Museum website
HISTORY AND AMERICA'S PASTIME
Made up of nearly 5,000 baseballs, Schrader's Little Cooperstown is certified by Guinness World Records as the largest collection of its kind.
Stories and artifacts of baseball legends like Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, “Shoeless” Joe Jackson and Joe DiMaggio, as well as leagues such as the Women’s Professional Baseball League and the Negro Leagues, take visitors on a journey through America’s and St. Petersburg’s rich history.
This rare collection is more than baseball, it also includes celebrities, political leaders such as Fidel Castro and more than 100 years of Tampa Bay’s own history as a Spring Training destination.
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| Baseballs signed by Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio. |
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More to the museum than baseball
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Nothing special just fun while waiting for something.
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Darn those young people!
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Having fun
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Christmas outside Linda Jean
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Christmas inside Linda Jean
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| The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art |
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It is amazing that this is a painting it looks like a photo
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This necklace with the ear of corn is in the room called the 'jewelry box'. The colors in this necklace are tiny seed beads.
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Just adorable!
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Large bronze sculpture by John Coleman
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Amazement
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Whose fish is it anyway
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| So sad |
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My photos, AWWWE
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Rob's photo
GRRRR!
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"Self Portrait"
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The artist started out with political satire
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On our walk home from the theater.
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Yup that is me in my down jacket on our walk home from the theater. Someone said to me that you could tell the northerns because they have warm jackets to wear in the cold and we don't.
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Daytime Sundial area
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I won't be back until after the holidays, but before I go I want you to know how much we both would like you to have the best holiday you could possibly have.
Hugs from Tricia
