Pick One

 

 

We loaded the boat on the trailer at the ramp in Laishley Marina, Punta Gorda.  I winterized the boat's water systems in the parking lot, and we were able to find a nearby car wash with a hose to flush the salt out of the engines.  Frank and Pat hauled out Grey Goose at the same time, but they were leaving their boat in storage in Florida for a few more months.

We stopped at the first rest area on I-75 and I noticed that the brake line coming out of the master cylinder on the trailer was severed.  A 6" section of it was missing, and brake fluid was dripping out of the broken end.  Made for a "non-stop" trip home. I think I might have stepped on the brake line and broken it when I was getting the boat on the trailer. At the next stop, I noticed that one of the bunks on the trailer was turned 90 degrees and the front half of the boat wasn't resting on it like it should.  We limped on home, and got here before more sNOw and freezing rain.  Glad the drive home is over, but can't say I'm glad to be here.

Today, I drove the truck over to the storage lot where I keep the boat to see if they had cleared the spot where I park it.  Thought I'd come back with the boat later.  Just driving through the lot, my 2 wheel drive pick up truck got stuck in the sNOw.  And, I had forgotten to bring my cell phone.  I waited until someone else drove in, and borrowed their phone to call home.  Naturally, Pam wasn't home, and of course I don't need to remember my neighbor Jake's number because it's programmed into my cell phone.  My truck was dangerously close to one of the RV coaches and as I tried to get unstuck, it kept sliding closer.  After about a half hour of digging with my bare hands and rocking the truck back and forth without sliding into the coach, I got free.  I drove home, and got Jake and his 4 wheel drive truck to haul my boat back to the storage lot and park it.  I had already given Jake a case of beer for clearing my driveway with his sNOwplow before we got home, and now, I owe him even more beer.  I'm lucky to have Jake as a neighbor.  And at this rate, I'll keep his beer fridge stocked all summer. 

Bacon

Cropped close up view of wild pigs

Global Warming

Morning temps in the low 40's most days. All this week, the high temp for each day is in the low 60's. Throw in the 20 mph winds and a lot of the residents here in Punta Gorda look like the one in the attached photo.
Heard that during a "normal" winter, about 10 manatees die. This year, over 300 died because of the cold. Of course by spring those manatee deaths will be attributed to boaters. Most of the people in this part of Florida are my age or older so by spring they will have forgotten it was too cold for any boaters to be out on the water.
Every winter we hear that "it's unusually cold this year." I think that's chamber of commerce propaganda to get us to return next year. It's been working on me for the last 15 years.

Nav-A-Gator

Frank and Pat jumped on board our boat and we went up the Peace River about 12 miles to the Nav-A-Gator for lunch.  The river is not very deep in some spots.  There's a marked channel, but the local knowledge dock hands told us not to follow it.  One guy drew us a map on the back of a sheet of paper, but couldn't give us the paper.  Had some business info on it. We crossed over some spots with less than a foot of water below the props.  But made it unscathed.

Along the way, we saw an alligator napping on the shore.

We also saw some wild pigs under the shade of this tree. You have to look close.

We finally found the signs telling us where to turn, but there was a small boat aground in the center of the channel.

We waited until the stuck boat pushed off with a paddle.  I got out on the bow to scout the water, and decided to go in right against the shore.  We made it back in to their docks and tied up.

The inside is rather plain.  I think some decorations on the walls would brighten up the place.

Later, we went over to Fisherman's Village a talked with Dave and Barb on Robert Sidney.  Yet another Rosborough.

Cabbage Key

Picked up Frank and Pat on our boat and went over to Cabbage Key for breakfast.

 

Frank put up the obligatory dollar bill with our boat names.

We motored on up to Laishley Marina in Punta Gorda.

As soon as we got tied up, there was a couple walking out the dock to see us.  They have a Rosborough.  They're from England, then Toronto.  They're staying on their boat over at Fisherman's Village, so we'll walk over to see them Wednesday.  Next couple coming out the dock said they almost bought a Rosborough.  The guy had a beard, but I thought his voice was familiar.  They're from Cincinnati and have a place at Burnt Store.  They bought parts for their Catalina 25 from us when we had the boat business, and we almost bought a camper from them 5 or 6 years ago.

Tomorrow our plan is to go up the Peace River to the Nav-A-Gator for lunch.

Leaving Naples

The marine forecast for Monday called for NOrth winds 10 to 15 and 2 to 4 foot seas. That was the best forecast of any day this week. The morning temp was in the 30's and I could see my breath. That's inside the boat.
We pounded through the waves early on, but it got better the farther we went.
Later, as we're motoring up the ICW, I heard someone hailing the Rosborough on the VHF radio. I answered, and talked with a fellow on a Monk 36 who's previous boat was a Rosborough named "Miss Peggy Sue". Last year on the Chesapeake, we met Richie Michaels who bought "Miss Peggy Sue." Small world.
We're currently anchored off Useppa Island, I'm going to wake up Grey Goose so we can go in to Cabbage Key for breakfast.

Still stuck in Naples

We're still on a mooring ball in Naples. Too windy to even venture outside of the boat. I had hoped to get the dinghy off the roof and go into the marina and into town. Neither us nor Grey Goose took the chance of getting our dinghy airborne. So we both stayed inside our boats 30 feet apart and talked to each other on cell phones.
In addition to the wind, it's also cold here. I don't expect much sympathy from those of you up NOrth, but lows in the 30's here are not pleasant. I even put on socks today--now that's cold!
We hope to make it up to near Cabbage Key tomorrow. I've been checking the forecast all day. NOAA says 2 to 4 foot seas tomorrow. Hoping for less.
Since our time here is scheduled to end soon, I've also been checking the forecast for up NOrth. Looks like it might snow this weekend up in the land of long pants. We might have to stay a little longer to miss that snow. I'm thinking May.

Naples

Left Everglades City and the deluxe RV park Thursday. Had an easy trip in the gulf and up behind Marco Island. We anchored in Smokehouse bay (inner city Marco) and rafted up with Grey Goose. We sat on our back porches and enjoyed the sunset. Pat and Pam "cocktailed."
This morning, I checked the weather forecast to see if I could hook up with Cavanaugh for another day of fishing. Either I missed it yesterday, or NOAA added the gale warning today. So much for fishing. We went ahead and moved up to Naples before the wind built over to 30. I feel safer on a mooring ball--and it's only $10 a night. We'll take our dinghy into shore tomorrow. Looks like rain today.
Getting into the Naples City Dock was an adventure. The wind was blowing strong against the dock, so we hit pretty hard. They require that you pump out before going to a ball. Getting away from the dock was equally exciting as was picking up the mooring ball in this wind. Grey Goose got secured to their ball on the first pass. It was their first time ever picking up a ball and they did a great job in very difficult circumstances.
It looks like we might be able to go back out in the gulf on Sunday. North wind, but only blowing 10 with 2 - 3 foot seas. If we can't go Sunday, it could be Wednesday before we would try again. There are worse places to be stuck.

Manatees

Down the way from our slip in Everglades City there's a momma manatee with her calf. 

We enjoyed complimentary coffee and danish this morning here at our resort.
Frank & Pat were able to rent a golf cart today from the resort and they toured E. City.
Frank found that the spots to park your coach here in our resort were listed for sale at $600,000.00 (each.)  At least the ones that overlook our slips are that much.  The ones off the waterfront are less with the least expensive being $250,000.00.  A very nice Prevost coach came in today and parked overlooking Grey Goose and us.  I'm sure he will enjoy his view of our laundry hanging on our back porch. I'm thinking about going up to the heated pool and jacuzzi after dark tonight if the mosquitos aren't too thick.

We rode our bikes about 5 miles over to Chokoloskee for lunch. If you ever make it to Chokoloskee, I would recommend the Havana Cafe.  We also toured the Smallwood General Store and Museum.  If you're familar with Everglades history, it's where Mr Watson was killed. 

Everglades Isle

Here are some photos of the RV park where we're staying.
Only two boats in the slips.

Everglades City

 

  

  

 

Photos are from the Little Shark River.


Spent Monday night anchored in the Little Shark River.  Left this morning (Tuesday) about 9 on our way to Everglades City.   This was a 40 mile trip straight from Little Shark to Indian Key.  It's offshore, and other than crab pots, there's not much to look at.  I was steering, and we were surging along with a following sea, surfing down waves, then slowing for the next one.  We'd go 9 knots, then surf to 12.5.  I wasn't asleep at the wheel--but close.  I was looking out the windshield when a dolphin jumped 10' in the air only about 2' in front of our bow rail.  I shouted so loud that Pam thought I said "iceberg - dead ahead!"  One jump only.  Sorry no photo.  I've seen a lot of dolphins, but I've never seen that before.
 
Last year, when we were in Everglades City, we stayed at the Rod and Gun Club.  Built in 1800's and hasn't changed much since.  However, the tides here in Everglades City are at least 4'.  Sometimes last year, we had to climb on the roof of our boat to step off on the seawall.  We heard from Jan and Steve (on another Rosborough "Jessie M") that the new RV park was open had transient slips with floating docks.   Getting the boat into a slip was the most difficult docking ever because of the strong side current, but well worth the effort.  This is the nicest place we've ever been in our boat.  Much too nice for someone like me.  I'll take photos tomorrow.

We're going to stay here a couple of days and then make our way up to Marco.  Then back up to the Charlotte Harbor area.

Leaving Marathon

We checked the weather for Monday and Tuesday, and decided it would be ok to depart Marathon Monday morning. We didn't want to get in a position where the waves might KICK us ON SIDE in the SECOND HALF of the trip. Frank and Pat on Grey Goose had to top off their fuel, so they INTERCEPTED us just short of the 7 mile bridge.
The trip up to the Little Shark river was calm. When we arrived, we cruised several miles up the river to explore the Everglades. There is a whole lot of nothing in there and it would be very easy to get LOST !

more anchors

Gearing up for a Super Bowl party tomorrow. They're bringIng in a big projection TV and setting up 200 seats in the marina meeting room. The Colts Fan in this photo is Phil. An ex judge in Greenwood, IN.
Late this morning, we called F&P to see when they were going to the grocrey. They were waiting for a boat neighbor to check on used anchors listed for sale on the marina bulletin board. (This same guy is from Canada and knows Bob Rosborough--the builder of our boats.) I told Frank that I had a spare anchor he could use so we took our dinghy over to Grey Goose and set out our anchor along with the two Frank already had out. That might seem like overkill, but it's blowing over 20 and gusting higher. The holding is poor in the anchorage area, and there are a lot of boats anchored close together. On the way to Publix, Frank bought another anchor at Home Depot.
I took the dinghy in this afternoon to fill our water jugs. Pam didn't want to go so she stayed on the boat. Just as I was nearing the dock where the water hose is located, a gust of wind caught the dinghy and blew it towards a boat lift that overhangs the water. I gave the engine more throttle to keep from hitting the lift, but that only made me hit it harder. The dinghy went under the boat lift but the motor got caught on a barnacle encrusted brace. In gear. Almost full throttle. Most embarassing. I had a hard time shutting the motor off because I couldn't reach around all the barnacle covered metal framework. When I finally shut it off and got out of the mess I quickly filled the water jugs and headed back to the boat as if it never happened. As soon as I returned, Pam says "How did all that blood get in the dinghy?" I didn't realize I was bleeding. The barnacles had sliced up my legs. I blame Pam. If she had been sitting in her spot in the front of the dinghy, she would have hit first and the dinghy would have never gone under the boat lift.
We had dinner tonight with F&P at the Keys Fishery. I tried their speciality. A lobster rueben sandwich. Scrumptious !

What could go wrong.......

We left Frank & Pat last night in the dark in a location I thought might be an ok place to anchor Grey Goose. Evidently, some of the other boats anchored nearby didn't agree with my judgement. After we left them, one neighbor expressed concern that they were too close to his boat. F&P pulled their anchor and moved. Next guy pointed out that they had now anchored in a shallow area of sea grass--can't stay there. (It's dark, and by now, the thunderstorm was upon us.) Next guy came out in his dinghy and loaned them another anchor and chain, and then set it for them.
We stopped by to see them this morning on our way into the showers. While we were there, 4 other dinghies stopped by Grey Goose with suggestions on where and how to anchor. One guy in a 28' boat said he had a 500 pound anchor with a 100' of chain plus a second anchor. The whole place is a spider web of anchor lines going every which way. I think all the marinas are full and there's 26 boats on the waiting list for a mooring ball. When we first saw F&P this morning, Frank (aka Frankie Vallie) did his best "Oh What a Night"
I wonder why all these boats crowd into this harbor here in the beautiful, warm, sunny Florida Keys. How's the weather back in Indiana?
In case those of you up NOrth have forgotten what it looks like, I'm attaching a photo of the sky.

Frank & Pat

Friday we rode our bikes to Publix to stock up in preparation for our planned departure on Monday. (After celebrating a Colts victory on Sunday)
Later, I went fishing back in my secret spot. I guess I shouldn't have posted a photo of the spot on the blog because the usually isolated area had 20 boats back there fishing. Hardly room to cast a line.
We met Frank & Pat on Grey Goose (another Rosborough) about 4 pm. Their boat had been stored in Punta Gorda and they drove down here to Marathon. We helped them launch. I inflated their dinghy while Frank took their truck and trailer to a storage place. It was dark when they finally left the dock. (No overnight allowed there.) Since they had never seen this place, we tried to lead them in our dinghy to a spot where they could anchor. Around all the shoals. Through the 226 moored boats. Through all the other anchored boats. In the dark. Navigating by the stars. Cloudy night with a storm coming in. With my sunglasses on. What could possibly go wrong?

No snow here

Since no one wants to play name that tune, maybe I should blog about the weather. It's the usual forecast here--mostly sunny, breezy, high near 80, low in the upper 60's. The forecast for Indiana includes a winter storm warning with up to 8" of snow. I really hate to miss that.
Yesterday, we thought we would go out to the reef and snorkel. We brought all the gear with us including wetsuits we still had from my windsurfing days. Unfortunately, it was too windy. Looks like the next couple of days will be too breezy also. Monday is first day with light winds in the forecast so I think we will use that window to cross Florida Bay back to the Little Shark River.
On the way out the pass to the reef, we stopped at a gas dock and topped off our fuel with non-ethanol gas at $3.98 / gal.
Coming back in we heard a frantic conversation on the VHF between the Coast Guard and a boater reporting that an airplane had crashed near Long Key. A few miles east of us. The CG dispatched assets to the area for SAR. Turned out to be a false alarm. Your tax dollars at work.
I went back up in the mangroves to fish again later in the day. The photo is of a channel off Sister Creek where I saw the tarpon. I caught a couple of Jacks, and then hooked a bigger fish that jumped straight towards me so I couldn't get a good look at it. Since it got away, I'm pretty sure it was a tarpon.
We took the dinghy ashore last night and walked up to a bar so we could watch the IU / Purdue basketball game on ESPN. Sat there nursing a few 25 cent wings and a glass of iced tea for 3 hours. Got back to the marina about 9:30 and had to navigate by the stars to find our boat in the dark.

But not up

I mentioned that we met our neighbor Phil from Wisconsin, and helped him celebrate growing older on his birthday.
Today, we saw him hobbling around on the trampoline of his trimaran with a crutch. Of course we asked what happened. The cruisers net organizes a softball game in the city park next to the marina. He signed up to play and the next thing you know...............
He rounded first, never thought of the worst, as he studied the shortstop's position. Crack went his leg like the shell of an egg. Someone called a decent physician. I guess he's no Pete Rose.

Exploring

Pam did laundry this morning. Everything we have is clean. Seems that we could stay an extra six weeks. Although, half of what she washed was long pants and sweatshirts. Won't be needing those again here. While she did laundry, I went to the marina office to extend our stay yet another week. If you come here, go ahead and pay for a month up front. It's cheaper than three weeks, and chances are good you'll stay longer than you thought.
Our dinghy ride this afternoon took us over by Sombrero Marina. I've always found some boats more pleasing to look at than others. Hinckleys, Grand Banks, Sabres, etc. I find some older boats to be real works of art. The boat in these photos needs some TLC, but it could really be something special. I don't know the builder, but my guess would be Trumpy.
We took the dinghy way, way back into the mangroves. We discovered two exciting things. The first was tarpon. While casting one direction, I glanced over my shoulder to see several tarpon rolling close to some mangroves behind us. No doubt about it. Silver fish with that tell-tale dorsal fin. I quickly reeled in and casted to the exact spot. I guess my adrenlin must have kicked in because I casted straight to the spot, but my lure was 8 feet above the water stuck in the mangroves. And that's how we discovered the second exciting thing. While removing my lure from the mangroves, we were attacked by man-eating bugs. No see ums. Bugs about half the size of a speck of pepper but they each have dozens of 3" long razor sharp teeth. Our faces, arms and legs were covered with them. As you might imagine, that was the end of my fishing for the day. But I do have bug repellent and another day.

Where not to anchor

All 226 mooring balls in Boot Key Harbor are occupied and we've heard that there's 22 boats on the waiting list. You can anchor some places in the harbor to wait for a mooring to become available. The photos show a couple of spots that are NOT on the recommended anchorage locations.
We were invited over to "kimosabi" last night to celebrate Phil's birthday (our neighbors from Wisconsin.) "kimosabi" is a 31' Cosair trimaran. Eight people filled the cockpit. One couple was from "Grey Hound" another trimaran that was in Little Shark when we were there. They also launched at All American in Punta Gorda.
It looks like Frank and Pat from "Grey Goose" will be joining us here in Boot Key and cruise back up the west coast with us. We enjoy Frank and Pat's company and it's fun to have another Rosborough along. They're driving down from Pennsylvania.
We were going to do laundry today, but the liquid sunshine kept us in the boat all day.