Off and Running

We threw our lines off at 7:30 this morning. We left Paradise Marina and headed out for the next leg of our adventure. We are headed for Kentucky Dam Marina. I know some of you are saying to yourself, "What's wrong with them? They are going in the wrong direction." Well, you are right. We decided to go back the way we came with Norm and Sue to spend the summer in Kentucky. Then, we will head back south to visit The Keys, North Fort Myers again, and the Bahamas before heading up the eastern shore.
Today everything was going along as it should, when John discovered a flood in the galley. It seems a pipe came apart under the sink and made a huge mess on the galley floor and the V-berth floor. John was able to fix it, but now we look like the Clampetts riding along with wet towels hung all over the place. We arrived at Marine Max in Venice, FL at 4:00 P.M. As luck would have it, this marina is only about 6 blocks from John's parents' condo. So, they came for dinner. We grilled Italian sausages and had an enjoyable dinner visiting with them.
It's supposed to rain tonight and then clear up and be beautiful for the next few days. We are hoping to make Tarpon Springs tomorrow and then wait for our weather window to make the Gulf crossing. (We are hoping NOT to run into the oil spill in the Gulf.)
We are both exhausted. Until next time......

Month of April, 2010

John and I went home on April 12th through the 18th to visit with our children, grandchildren, and friends. We spent at least one night at each of our children's homes. That was really nice to spend some one on one time with each of the families. This was our first glimpse of our newest grandchild Jonathan. What a doll baby! Kate is adorable and getting so big already! Maria had her tonsils removed while we were there. Poor Maria! Poor Jay and Cynthia! Maria threw a fit every time they wanted her to eat or drink or take her medicine. She ended up back in the hospital because she was dehydrated. (She's doing better, but the medicine part is still a challenge for them.) Carolyn didn't understand why her sister and brother were getting all of the attention. We saw less of Clara and Lindy than the others this time. Gina and Jim, Jay and Cynthia, and Jeff and Susan---we miss all of you!

We went out to eat with Mike and Linda, and Ed and Kyle on Tuesday night. That was one of the nights we were staying at Jeff's house. He met us at the door when we came back and said, "You were out past curfew. When you're under my roof, you live by my rules." Then he laughed and said, "I've waited a long time to say that to you."

Then, on Saturday night we went to dinner at Dean and Debbie's. They had most of A Dock to their home for dinner, including Lee, whom we haven' seen in over a year. That was very enjoyable. On Sunday night we flew home.

Today is the 26th of April and we are getting ready to take off on the boat again. We are planning to leave North Fort Myers on Friday morning at first light. We will be traveling with "Run Around Sue" (Norm and Sue Mayer). Sue will be in Cincinnati when we take off, but she will join us in Mobile around May 19th. Both boats are having work done to them at Dog River in Mobile. After that, our loose plan is to take our time and head north, the same path we cruised on the way here. We have reserved spots at Kentucky Dam State Park for the months of July, August, and September. We are hoping family and friends will come to visit us while we are there. John and I are anxious to get moving again. We have a few last minute things to do to get ready, but we will be ready on Friday.

March 16th through April 1st, 2010

On Tuesday, March 16th, Norm and Sue brought their boat to Fort Myers Beach. They hooked up to a mooring ball, $13 a day plus you get the use of a dinghy dock and showers and restroom. None of us had ever used a mooring ball before. They tried several times to catch the loop with their hook, with no success. We came along in the dinghy and did it for them. Mike and Linda, and John and I visited on their boat for the afternoon and then went to Parrot Key for dinner. The dinghy ride back to our boat was 3 1/2 miles of cold and wet. We are really glad they came to send a few days with us.

St. Patrick's Day is a really big deal on the island. Norm and Sue came to our boat by dinghy and we partied all day, mostly at Castaways. They had continuous live bands all day. There was a parade in the morning, but it rained, so we didn't go to it. Some of you got phone calls while we were partying. "Nuff said!"

On Friday, March 19th, we picked Norm and Sue up at the dinghy dock and the 6 of us went to the dog track. Linda Luti is the luckiest person, as any of you who belong to the Rising Sun Boat Club already know. Norm was the only one who didn't win a single race. After the races, we grilled out steaks and then had to take Norm and Sue back to the dinghy dock before it got dark.
John had to take the van to a car place because we had a large screw in a tire. Fortunately, it didn't go flat.

John bid on another sewing machine just like the one I have (that's still in the shop). He got the bid and it was $240 less than the one that went to the wrong address.

Fish Tale Marina had a Grady Fest on Friday. The Coast Guard Auxiliary had a booth and inspected our boat for us. We bought a canvas cart and an anchor saver.

Then, on Saturday, March 20th, the Lutis left to go home. We had a lot of fun with them and will miss them until we are home in April. We left Fort Myers Beach on Saturday as well, and headed back to Paradise Marina.

Yesterday, Wednesday, March 31st, our first grandson was born. He was born at 2:40 P.M., weighed 7 pounds, and his name is Jonathan Steven Sagel. His name seemed to be the hardest part of this baby business. He wasn't named until today. Cynthia and the baby are coming home this afternoon already. Everyone is doing fine.

We are looking forward to seeing a lot of you while we are home in April.