We made it back home to the cloud belt this evening.
Still some sNOw in the corners of the house that are in the shadows.
No more problems with the truck--as a matter off fact, it runs better than it has since we've owned it. If your Ford needs service, I'd recommend Langdale Ford in Valdosta, GA.
Showing posts with label Islamorada. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Islamorada. Show all posts
March 8, 2011
March 7, 2011
On the road again
The problem was a leak in the high pressure oil injector. A $.15 part and $896.00 in labor to get to it. We got the truck back about 6 pm and made it NOrth of Atlanta tonight.
Thanks for all the calls and emails. My neighbor Jake offered to drive his Chevy truck down here to tow the boat home if my Ford couldn't handle it.
Brown O bOb was southbound on I-75 and offered to stop to help us. We passed each other at mile 50.
Thanks for all the calls and emails. My neighbor Jake offered to drive his Chevy truck down here to tow the boat home if my Ford couldn't handle it.
Brown O bOb was southbound on I-75 and offered to stop to help us. We passed each other at mile 50.
On the hook
March 6, 2011
Road dog trouble
Made it to the Georgia state line. Stopped at a Cracker Barrel, came out and the truck would not start. Left the truck and boat there, and walked to a motel. Look for a Ford dealer tomorrow
March 5, 2011
Curses! Foiled Again!
So Pam says "We have to start home Sunday."
"Can't be time yet" says I, "look at all the vitamins that are left," shaking the bottle for effect.
Then she says "On our last few trips, I've noticed that for some reason your vitamins have not been a good indicator, so this time, since you eat oats for breakfast every day, I counted out the packets of Quaker Oats, and there's only one day left." She also said she noticed when we left home that I packed two months worth of deodorant, and I was now out. Not going to ask how she knows that.
Next, I tried the financial defense. "But it will cost us more to drive home, than it would to stay here another month." She pointed out that situation would never change, and only get worse as the price of diesel fuel continues to rise.
Looks like we're leaving Sunday.
We enjoyed a nice pitch-in dinner in the shelter house last night with Mike & Kay Ann and Phil & Cathie. I suppose it was our farewell party.
Kay Ann was attacked by the marina cat, "Dockie," Thursday and had to go to the emergency room for treatment. Probably won't be seeing the same cat here next year.
So now it's time to deflate the dingy (along with my spirits,) wash the salt off the boat, and drive NOrth. On D-day (departure day) we'll pump out the holding tank, empty the water tank, and winterize both so they won't freeze when we get home. I'll try to spend as much time as possible before we leave here looking at the clear green water, clear blue skies, and the lush green foliage that's everywhere. When we get back up NOrth, everything will be such "beautiful" shades of brown.
Update on hot dog man's jet boat. We knew it had old gas in it when he bought it. Walrus man thought he would help by adding 5 gallons of new gas, so he took a full 5 gallon gas can off the top of the hot dog boat, and poured it in the jet boat. At first, hot dog man didn't know where walrus man got the "gas." Seems it was the can where hot dog man stored his old motor oil, as well as the old cooking oil from his deep fryers in the hot dog boat.
"Can't be time yet" says I, "look at all the vitamins that are left," shaking the bottle for effect.
Then she says "On our last few trips, I've noticed that for some reason your vitamins have not been a good indicator, so this time, since you eat oats for breakfast every day, I counted out the packets of Quaker Oats, and there's only one day left." She also said she noticed when we left home that I packed two months worth of deodorant, and I was now out. Not going to ask how she knows that.
Next, I tried the financial defense. "But it will cost us more to drive home, than it would to stay here another month." She pointed out that situation would never change, and only get worse as the price of diesel fuel continues to rise.
Looks like we're leaving Sunday.
We enjoyed a nice pitch-in dinner in the shelter house last night with Mike & Kay Ann and Phil & Cathie. I suppose it was our farewell party.
Kay Ann was attacked by the marina cat, "Dockie," Thursday and had to go to the emergency room for treatment. Probably won't be seeing the same cat here next year.
So now it's time to deflate the dingy (along with my spirits,) wash the salt off the boat, and drive NOrth. On D-day (departure day) we'll pump out the holding tank, empty the water tank, and winterize both so they won't freeze when we get home. I'll try to spend as much time as possible before we leave here looking at the clear green water, clear blue skies, and the lush green foliage that's everywhere. When we get back up NOrth, everything will be such "beautiful" shades of brown.
Update on hot dog man's jet boat. We knew it had old gas in it when he bought it. Walrus man thought he would help by adding 5 gallons of new gas, so he took a full 5 gallon gas can off the top of the hot dog boat, and poured it in the jet boat. At first, hot dog man didn't know where walrus man got the "gas." Seems it was the can where hot dog man stored his old motor oil, as well as the old cooking oil from his deep fryers in the hot dog boat.
March 3, 2011
More hot dog man stories
It's been windy the last few days. Blowing 20 today, increasing to 30 tonight and tomorrow. We're rockin at the dock.
We were able to go out to the reef on Tuesday. Saw this boat on the way out. Most sailboats are identified by an insignia on the sail. My sailing friends can tell what's wrong with this picture.
The other day, when hot dog man told us about his trip to the emergency room due to man-of-war stings, he also said there had been a fatality caused by man-of-wars. We have decided that maybe some of the hot dog man's stories might be true, but without a second source, I'm reluctant to repeat everything he says. I was reading a local newspaper today, and it mentioned that they were performing an autopsy on a 64 year old New Jersey man who was snorkeling off the S.S.Minnow out of Key Largo. The skipper of the Minnow shouted to the man that there were man-of -wars close to him. The man tried to swim back to the boat, but suffered a "trauma" before making it back on board the Minnow. The paper said the authorities doubted if his death was due to the stings. Therefore they're doing an autopsy to confirm the c.o.d.
The next hot dog man story is about a boat he bought. It's a small jet powered boat. Not much bigger than a PWC. On Monday, some gold chainer was sitting on the dock, drinking an entire large bottle of Mike and Kay Ann's vodka. He was boasting about going to the Bahamas, buying an island, building an airstrip, and developing a resort. Said he had to fly out of here the next morning, and he had this boat he needed to get rid of fast and cheap--and of course, it was like new. So hot dog man says his family is coming here for spring break, so he will buy it. The next day, the gold chainer is gone, hot dog man has the boat, and to no one's surprise, it won't run. We can hear it cranking and cranking, and since it's so windy, and it's directly upwind, we start to smell ether. (He's spraying in starting fluid.) The boat roars to life. Then we can smell the old fuel which has turned to "varnish." Instead of removing the old gas, he dumps more in.
It's too windy to take his boat out, but it looks like he might eventually make it go. Later, he told us he's already sold the boat to a local sheriff deputy. Hot dog man keeps it until after spring break. I suppose if you work with grease, problems slide right off.
We saw this sea creature swimming around the transom of our boat at the dock. It looks a little like a sea horse.
We were able to go out to the reef on Tuesday. Saw this boat on the way out. Most sailboats are identified by an insignia on the sail. My sailing friends can tell what's wrong with this picture.
The other day, when hot dog man told us about his trip to the emergency room due to man-of-war stings, he also said there had been a fatality caused by man-of-wars. We have decided that maybe some of the hot dog man's stories might be true, but without a second source, I'm reluctant to repeat everything he says. I was reading a local newspaper today, and it mentioned that they were performing an autopsy on a 64 year old New Jersey man who was snorkeling off the S.S.Minnow out of Key Largo. The skipper of the Minnow shouted to the man that there were man-of -wars close to him. The man tried to swim back to the boat, but suffered a "trauma" before making it back on board the Minnow. The paper said the authorities doubted if his death was due to the stings. Therefore they're doing an autopsy to confirm the c.o.d.
The next hot dog man story is about a boat he bought. It's a small jet powered boat. Not much bigger than a PWC. On Monday, some gold chainer was sitting on the dock, drinking an entire large bottle of Mike and Kay Ann's vodka. He was boasting about going to the Bahamas, buying an island, building an airstrip, and developing a resort. Said he had to fly out of here the next morning, and he had this boat he needed to get rid of fast and cheap--and of course, it was like new. So hot dog man says his family is coming here for spring break, so he will buy it. The next day, the gold chainer is gone, hot dog man has the boat, and to no one's surprise, it won't run. We can hear it cranking and cranking, and since it's so windy, and it's directly upwind, we start to smell ether. (He's spraying in starting fluid.) The boat roars to life. Then we can smell the old fuel which has turned to "varnish." Instead of removing the old gas, he dumps more in.
It's too windy to take his boat out, but it looks like he might eventually make it go. Later, he told us he's already sold the boat to a local sheriff deputy. Hot dog man keeps it until after spring break. I suppose if you work with grease, problems slide right off.
We saw this sea creature swimming around the transom of our boat at the dock. It looks a little like a sea horse.
February 28, 2011
Walrus fleas
The gigantic nautical flea market was gigantic. Thousands of people both days. A lot of people came in boats to avoid the traffic jam out on the highway. We stayed in the park both days.
We has some success shopping for shoes and T-shirts. (Cheap) There were lots of vendors with fishing gear and nautical stuff. I was able to find some new fuel line I needed. But unfortunately, there were no nautical fleas for sale. False advertising.
Once again, the hot dog man had some interesting stories from the sandbar. He ended up in the emergency room Sunday night. Earlier in the day, a young child was wading along the edge of the sandbar on his way to buy some ice cream from the hot dog man. The kid started screaming, and hot dog man jumped off the hot dog boat to pick him up out of the water. The kid was being stung by man-of-wars. Hot dog man was also stung. After he got home, hot dog man started feeling a tingling in his arm, and his heart was racing. He called his wife (in Chicago) and she said he should go to the hospital. She thought he was having a heart attack. He said he would get better soon, but she said she was going to call 911 in Chicago, and have them get in touch with the hospital here to send an ambulance to the marina. Since he didn't want to wake up all his dock neighbors, he went to the hospital on his own. It was the poison from the man-of-war stings affecting his nervous system. He's fine today.
Our boat neighbors, Mike and Kay Ann saw a "walrus" and her calf by the dock today.
They will stay and drink fresh water all day.
Dalai (the dog) wasn't sure at first, and hid under momma.
But she came around.
The "walrus" rolled over on her back and floated a while.
Before long, things got out of control.
February 25, 2011
Tuna Success
The tuna from our boat neighbor was excellent! I had to look up how to prepare it on the internet. They suggested using an iron skillet, but we don't have one on board. So I got one of the marina's grill's very hot, and cooked the tuna about a minute and a half on each side to sear it. Delicious!
My pal Wayne (I mentioned him earlier regarding the Illinois river trip) is in the plumbing supply business. He emailed me this morning that my water connection might be suspect. He explained that simply restricting the flow of water does not reduce the pressure. I'm sure if I would give him my credit card number, he could ship me the plumbing parts I need to bring my installation up to code. Most likely, he would only ship half the parts I would need. When I do plumbing projects I never have all the required parts the first time. Actually, he suggested I visit an RV store and pick up a pressure regulator. However, Wayne's email arrived a little too late. There was water spraying out from behind the walls this morning. Always consult a professional, and don't try this at home.
When I was growing up in Indianapolis, there was an urban legend about a "House of Blue Lights." Some people said an eccentric old man lived there, and if he caught you on his property, he would shoot you. Others said the house was haunted. Eventually, the story faded away. We always assumed the guy retired and moved to somewhere warm. This boat mysteriously appeared in our marina last night.
There's a sign out in front of Founder's Park that says "Gigantic Nautical Flea Market" this weekend. I'm hoping to buy some gigantic nautical fleas there. These fleas I have are so small, I usually can't find them. And since they're not the nautical variety, they keep getting seasick. Nothing worse than having flea barf all over the boat.
My pal Wayne (I mentioned him earlier regarding the Illinois river trip) is in the plumbing supply business. He emailed me this morning that my water connection might be suspect. He explained that simply restricting the flow of water does not reduce the pressure. I'm sure if I would give him my credit card number, he could ship me the plumbing parts I need to bring my installation up to code. Most likely, he would only ship half the parts I would need. When I do plumbing projects I never have all the required parts the first time. Actually, he suggested I visit an RV store and pick up a pressure regulator. However, Wayne's email arrived a little too late. There was water spraying out from behind the walls this morning. Always consult a professional, and don't try this at home.
When I was growing up in Indianapolis, there was an urban legend about a "House of Blue Lights." Some people said an eccentric old man lived there, and if he caught you on his property, he would shoot you. Others said the house was haunted. Eventually, the story faded away. We always assumed the guy retired and moved to somewhere warm. This boat mysteriously appeared in our marina last night.
There's a sign out in front of Founder's Park that says "Gigantic Nautical Flea Market" this weekend. I'm hoping to buy some gigantic nautical fleas there. These fleas I have are so small, I usually can't find them. And since they're not the nautical variety, they keep getting seasick. Nothing worse than having flea barf all over the boat.
February 24, 2011
Launching a Party
The space shuttle launch was today. We thought we would watch from our dock. We started out with Phil and Cathie and some popcorn. Looks like the start of a party.
We had seen a shuttle launch from the Charlotte Harbor area before, but that was at night. Unfortunately, we were unable to see the launch from here today. I think it was too cloudy.
There's a guy staying on the boat next to us--Troy. The boat belongs to his cousin--at least that's his story. His son is visiting him. I call the son Sherman (Rocky and Bullwinkle), but Pam says his name is Sawyer. Sherman loves to fish off the back of the boat, and is out early. The first day he was here, about 6:30 am, he hooked a fish, and shouted at the top of his lungs "Fish On!!" Of course, he's just 10 feet away from our open hatch, and I'm not usually an early riser.
Troy stopped by our boat last night with a gift. He had gone fishing with a friend down by Big Pine Key. He said they were out to where the water is about 300 feet deep. They saw birds diving and the water below them churning. A fisherman's dream. They caught up with the the frenzy, and saw tuna jumping clear out of the water chasing bait fish. He said they were able to pass through the school three times and hooked up each time. Troy brought us some fresh tuna steaks for dinner tonight.
We have really become attached to this place. Today, I spliced in the water hose from the dock to the cold water line in the cockpit shower, and we now have shore water. No more annoying water pump when we turn on the faucet. I don't yet have a pressure regulator, but I have only opened the hose valve part way to keep the pressure from blowing off my hose clamps. So now when we want to take the boat out, in addition to the dock lines, shore power, cable TV, we need to disconnect the water hose. We really are attached.
Pretty soon, the group grew. I think it was the popcorn that drew them in.
There's a guy staying on the boat next to us--Troy. The boat belongs to his cousin--at least that's his story. His son is visiting him. I call the son Sherman (Rocky and Bullwinkle), but Pam says his name is Sawyer. Sherman loves to fish off the back of the boat, and is out early. The first day he was here, about 6:30 am, he hooked a fish, and shouted at the top of his lungs "Fish On!!" Of course, he's just 10 feet away from our open hatch, and I'm not usually an early riser.
We have really become attached to this place. Today, I spliced in the water hose from the dock to the cold water line in the cockpit shower, and we now have shore water. No more annoying water pump when we turn on the faucet. I don't yet have a pressure regulator, but I have only opened the hose valve part way to keep the pressure from blowing off my hose clamps. So now when we want to take the boat out, in addition to the dock lines, shore power, cable TV, we need to disconnect the water hose. We really are attached.
February 23, 2011
Another three hour tour
Our friends from Noblesville, Bill and Joyce arrived this morning, and we went out for a ride on the boat. We were able to get through the "toilet bowl" in Tonic (just barely deep enough for us with the motors tilted up)
They were looking at the hundert decorated toilet seats marking the channel, but since I'd seen it all before, I was watching the water. Half way through, there's a hole that's about 6 feet deep. Since the water is crystal clear, I looked down in the hole to see a tarpon that's 5 feet long. You can see him in this photo.
We went through Tavernier Creek, and out to Hen and Chickens Reef. Phil and Cathie had taken their guests out for a day of snorkeling. I think today was the calmest day on the ocean since we've been here.
We took Bill and Joyce on the standard three hour tour. Back inside at Snake Creek (see Brown-O bOb's comment on my previous post) and on to Islamorada Fish Company for lunch.
Same old boring weather. Sunny, high of 80 degrees, light breeze. Ho hum.
They were looking at the hundert decorated toilet seats marking the channel, but since I'd seen it all before, I was watching the water. Half way through, there's a hole that's about 6 feet deep. Since the water is crystal clear, I looked down in the hole to see a tarpon that's 5 feet long. You can see him in this photo.
We went through Tavernier Creek, and out to Hen and Chickens Reef. Phil and Cathie had taken their guests out for a day of snorkeling. I think today was the calmest day on the ocean since we've been here.
We took Bill and Joyce on the standard three hour tour. Back inside at Snake Creek (see Brown-O bOb's comment on my previous post) and on to Islamorada Fish Company for lunch.
February 22, 2011
Crocker Reef
Out to the reef again today. When we motored out Snake Creek (the pass out to the ocean) I knew we would not be snorkeling today. Each of the "bubbles" you can see in this photo is a Portuguese man-of-war. They're back.
We went out near Crocker Reef, and judging by the number of boats out fishing, I thought it would be a good day.
I caught several small Yellowtail snapper.
And this strange looking beast. When he was in the water, the lower portion was bright yellow. I think it's a Spanish Hogfish.
After we got back to the marina, I stopped at the gas dock to add a little gas (25 gallons.) I try to plan out our usage so that we have plenty of gas for our excursions, but when we tow the boat home, it's almost empty. (Unlike my next door Noblesville neighbor Jake who runs out of gas almost every trip out on the water.) Also, I don't like gas sitting in the tank for long. (Apparently, neither does Jake.) One plus is that what we buy in marinas usually doesn't have ethanol. While we were pumping the gas, we asked dockmaster Tim what happened to the large boat that was supposed to arrive. He said it's still coming sometime. They're waiting for a higher high tide. The boat's 80 feet long. The people who own it have recently retired, and plan to live here. Tim said he thinks they can get it in here on a high tide without pulling the "wheels" (props) off.
When we returned to the slip, I rinsed the salt off the boat with fresh water, and the "walrus" came by for a drink.
Neighbors from Noblesville are coming for a visit tomorrow. Bill and Joice have a condo in Pompano Beach, FL, and are driving down to Islamorada. We plan to take them out on the boat for a three hour tour.
We went out near Crocker Reef, and judging by the number of boats out fishing, I thought it would be a good day.
And this strange looking beast. When he was in the water, the lower portion was bright yellow. I think it's a Spanish Hogfish.
After we got back to the marina, I stopped at the gas dock to add a little gas (25 gallons.) I try to plan out our usage so that we have plenty of gas for our excursions, but when we tow the boat home, it's almost empty. (Unlike my next door Noblesville neighbor Jake who runs out of gas almost every trip out on the water.) Also, I don't like gas sitting in the tank for long. (Apparently, neither does Jake.) One plus is that what we buy in marinas usually doesn't have ethanol. While we were pumping the gas, we asked dockmaster Tim what happened to the large boat that was supposed to arrive. He said it's still coming sometime. They're waiting for a higher high tide. The boat's 80 feet long. The people who own it have recently retired, and plan to live here. Tim said he thinks they can get it in here on a high tide without pulling the "wheels" (props) off.
When we returned to the slip, I rinsed the salt off the boat with fresh water, and the "walrus" came by for a drink.
February 21, 2011
goo goo g'joob
The hot dog man is from Chicago. When he arrived a week or so ago, he brought with him two helpers. He calls one of them Gilligan, and the other Otis (the town drunk from Mayberry.) I think Otis' real name may be Guido. Anyway, today, Guido--who hasn't been around the water much--sees the manatee for the first time, and says............"Look, a Walrus!"
A couple of boats left today. One was "Katabatik", a Leopard 46' catamaran. It has a 25' beam, so we enjoyed watching them spin around in their own length to get out. An engine in each hull will do that for you.
Not their first day on the boat.
As we were leaving for dinner, an interesting boat came in to buy fuel. The marina was all sold out (cheapest fuel in the keys).
We first thought something was missing. Luckily, Pam interrupted me before I could say something stupid. She was standing on the dock with a woman I didn't recognize, and Pam said "Tom, that beautiful boat belongs to this lady."
Dinner was "happy hour" at the Island Grill. Kay Ann had to fly home today, so Mike, Phil and Cathie joined us. Looks like Cathie didn't get the memo about HAPPY hour.
A couple of boats left today. One was "Katabatik", a Leopard 46' catamaran. It has a 25' beam, so we enjoyed watching them spin around in their own length to get out. An engine in each hull will do that for you.
Not their first day on the boat.
As we were leaving for dinner, an interesting boat came in to buy fuel. The marina was all sold out (cheapest fuel in the keys).
More of the same (weather)
The weather here is pretty boring. Upper 70's and sunny every day.
Pam got bored sitting in the cockpit, so she moved to the promenade deck for a different view.
I also climbed up and took some photos of the neighborhood. We can see about half of the marina from our slip.
Several of the boats are leaving for the Bahamas this week.
The hot dog boat provided some entertainment this weekend. He left Saturday morning to go out to the sandbar and open for business. Just outside the marina, he ran aground. He had to call TowBoatUS to pull him off. But before he could get away, the Florida FWC (same as DNR--turtle cops--at home) came and wrote him a ticket for disturbing the sea grass. Then when he finally got out to the sandbar where he sells hot dogs, his house boat was blown sideways, and washed up on the sandbar in such a way that he had to call TowBoatUS again. A good day for the POSEIDON.
Pam got bored sitting in the cockpit, so she moved to the promenade deck for a different view.
I also climbed up and took some photos of the neighborhood. We can see about half of the marina from our slip.
The hot dog boat provided some entertainment this weekend. He left Saturday morning to go out to the sandbar and open for business. Just outside the marina, he ran aground. He had to call TowBoatUS to pull him off. But before he could get away, the Florida FWC (same as DNR--turtle cops--at home) came and wrote him a ticket for disturbing the sea grass. Then when he finally got out to the sandbar where he sells hot dogs, his house boat was blown sideways, and washed up on the sandbar in such a way that he had to call TowBoatUS again. A good day for the POSEIDON.
February 18, 2011
Toilet Bowl
Our dock neighbors, Mike and Kay Ann, told us that some friends of theirs took them to a place called the "Toilet Bowl." At first, I thought maybe it was a local nickname for a restaurant that served it's food on a shingle. Mike said no, it's a passage way through a shallow area. He showed me the location on a chart, and today, Pam and I went off in search of the Toilet Bowl. From a distance, it looked like a typical pass, but with an excessive amount of markers.
Then, as we got closer, the reason for it's name became clear. Why it happened is not so clear.
Each of the hundert markers has a custom toilet seat mounted on it. Here's a sampling.
Then, as we got closer, the reason for it's name became clear. Why it happened is not so clear.
Each of the hundert markers has a custom toilet seat mounted on it. Here's a sampling.
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