jApril 2, 2014 Full Day of Guests

We were fortunate to be able to connect with another relative of mine vacationing in Ft Myers Beach.  Kimberly Kindle Nachreiner was here with her husband, Kevin, and 2 boys, Konner and Karson.  Kimberly’s mother, Linda Schaefer Kindle, and I are first cousins and we all grew up in SD. 

We picked them up at the dock across the street from their hotel, the Pink Shell.  Their hotel is on the beach side of the island.  But right across the street is the bay side.  First thing Dave did was have the boys place the 7 cockpit cushions in the right place, like a puzzle.  His mind is still that of a little boy.  Great day of getting everyone involved with sailing the boat and enjoying the ride.  Of course the 5 year old wanted to know “where are we going, what are we going to see, when can we go back to the beach, etc”.  So cute!

After sailing, we took a dinghy ride to a restaurant on the next island inland, San Carlos Island.  We were able to circle the island and bring them right back to their hotel on the bay side.  It was really fun to connect with family and share our boat with them.

SAME DAY-Dave’s brother, Dean, from Minneapolis arrived about 5:00.  He had vacation time in April, so we decided to stay in Ft Myers Beach for him to join us.  Once we leave here, we can’t predict where we will be and when.  So joining us here kept us in Ft Myers Beach about a week longer.  He will fly out of Miami on April 15. 

Dean took a taxi to Bonita Bills, where we picked him up by dinghy and enjoyed a “Welcome to the islands” beer or two.  After getting him settled on the boat, we went to our favorite restaurant for dinner, Nervous Nellies.  THEN, they had to rearrange our garage (oh, I mean aft cabin) into a guest room.  Didn’t quite get to that before he arrived.  I stayed out of the way :)

March 29, 2014 Cruiser's appreciation

The mooring field, where our boat is tied, is owned by the city of Ft Myers Beach.  Matanzas resort manages it for them.  On Saturday, March 29, the city had a Cruiser’s Appreciation event at Matanza’s parking lot.  When I first saw it advertised, I thought, we wouldn’t still be here.  So I didn’t pay much attention to the advertisement at the office.  Well here we are. 

The local free paper, called the Sand Paper, had information about it the week before the event.  They had pictures of several boats, including a picture of Dave at the top of our mast.  I didn’t even know they took the picture.  They named our boat “Luck of Fools” instead of “Luck of a Fool”, but we didn’t make them print a correction.

The paper had more information than the flyer in the office.  I thought it was just a “meet the other cruisers” get together.  The paper stated that the general public was invited.  “This event is an opportunity to meet and mingle with mooring field patrons, learn about their vessels, their fascinating travels and our town’s mooring field.”  So I looked at Dave and said “Did you know we were going to be the entertainment?”  We decided we better go, especially since he had been in the paper.  People may want autographs.

It was from noon to 3:00 in Matanzas parking lot.  It threatened to rain, but it held off until about 3:30.  There was a live band, food and drinks to purchase via $1 tickets.  The cruisers were given $7 worth of tickets each.  There were door prizes and raffled items.  We won a $20 give certificate to Matanzas restaurant.  Which we used that evening. 

We met other cruisers, but didn’t talk to anyone from the general public.  I told the organizers that we needed something like a wrist band so people would know who the cruisers were. 

We did meet several other cruisers.  They are always willing to share their knowledge.  We asked them lots of questions about the Bahamas.  After the event, about 8 of us went across the bay to a cheaper bar, Bonita Bills, and hung out until about 6:00pm, when the rain let up. 

Since I am posting this at a later date, I can include the photo of us from the newspaper that was taken the day of the event.  As they would say in my hometown newspaper “A good time was had by all.”

March 24, 2014 Bimini and Dodger completed!!

Yippee!  Our canvas work it done.  And it turned out great!  But, as Dave says, I think they work on alien calendars.

OK, here is the canvas work saga.  The existing canvas and framework were custom made for this boat. Last summer, when we were installing our solar panels and attaching them to the framework, we had to make holes through the bimini.  Normally, you can burn a hole through the material.  Well it began to shred.  And we noticed that it was not made for ease of removal for a hurricane.  So we decided to have it replaced.  For non sailors, the bimini shades the cockpit, the area where we sit or stand while sailing the boat, or eating at our table in the cockpit.  The dodger is like a windshield with a roof part to it, too. 

Mobile summer 2013- only canvas people were more into awnings.  Decided to wait until we were in Florida.  Called a couple companies in FL-didn’t work out to make plans in advance.

Tampa December 2013-contacted a recommended company.  Made appointment for an estimate and the guy didn’t show.  We were headed on to Ft Myers, so we sent pictures, got an estimate, left a message saying “yes, let’s do it.”  Didn’t hear back for a week.  By then we were setting up other appointments, so I told him I’d get back to him, just to leave HIM on a hook. 

Ft Myers Beach January 9-called 3 companies. One never returned a call, one said they’d call back to set up an appointment to come to the boat but didn’t, the third one actually set up an appointment. 

January 15-Top Stitch crew were about 45 minutes late, so we called.  The owner didn’t tell the estimates guys about the appointment.  But they came over right away.  We liked them and their ideas, so we decided to go with them no matter what.  We discussed materials and colors at that time. 

January 27- owner and stainless steel man came to look at our framework and other options for mounting the solar panels.  We decided against changing the framework. 

February 10-they came back to actually take the measurements and start the work (one month after first contacting them-which we expected).  But we hadn’t been given an estimate.  The employee showed us what he was told, but the owner called us the next day with the estimate.  It was actually less than we had expected, so we were glad it was all working out. 

The employees used a heavy plastic to actually make a pattern of where the canvas and the windows would be (isinglass that can be rolled up when opened). Interesting process.  Then they take it back to the “shop” and put it on the shelf to be sewn when the projects ahead of it are finished.  Then we waited. 

March 3, 2014, no word from them, so we gave them a call.  They said it was scheduled to be done by the 6th.  No word by Friday, the 7th, so I called.  Andy said it would be ready to install Monday or Tuesday.  So I asked if I should call on Monday, yes that would be good.  Called Monday, Andy isn’t working.  When I tell them that he said to call to set up on appointment for Monday or Tuesday, the lady on the phone said “well it looks like it will be Tuesday”.  Here phone skills needed some improvement for representing the company. 

March 12-installed dodger.
March 17- brought the bimini to be fitted and then a pattern was made for the piece that will connect the dodger and bimini.  We had to take our solar panels off for this part AND store them inside the boat. 

March 24-the bimini and the connector piece were installed.  Solar panels go back on.  Now the framework was in a different place since the material was tighter.  So Dave had to drill 2 new holes into the frame of each solar panel to be able to mount them again.  My dad always said “measure twice, cut once”.

March 28- side curtains delivered.  They can be zipped on and off to block wind, rain, or waves.  Our stern has a walk through transom, so we didn’t make a rear curtain.  We may figure a way to do that in the future.  They put grommets in the free ends to help hold them to the framework.  Each side was missing one grommet, so they will arrange to have those 2 added “easily”. 

Can you believe how long you have to wait?  Other sailors say that this was not unusual.  My friend, Cheryl, can sew and she likes to scuba dive.  She should move here and start her own canvas company.
When I have more pictures of the side curtains, I will add them. 

 

March 21-23, 2014 Killion weekend

We were invited to spend the night at the Killions so the men could have a clam soup cook off.  Dave made clam chowder and Brian made clam bisque.  Of course it was a tie.  Got to love it when the guys cook. 

Since we were spending the night, Jackie picked us up at the dock.  We didn’t want to leave our dinghy at the dock overnight.  So Dave brought me to shore with our overnight bags, groceries, laundry and some electronics (have to take advantage of water and electricity when you can).  Then he returned to the boat with our dinghy and took the water taxi back to the dock.  It costs $10/person. 

On Saturday, we wanted to go to our storage unit, hardware store and grocery store.  We had made a list of nonperishable food that we wanted for our trip to the Bahamas.  We are guessing on the amounts to provision, but I am going to keep track, somehow, for future reference. 

Before running our errands and returning home, we started talking about what we needed.  Jackie then pulled out HUGE bags of rice and beans.  They are ready for a hurricane.  She offered to vacuum seal rice and beans for us.  So we made some 3 pound bags of rice and one pound bags of beans.  After shopping, we returned and vacuum sealed our flour into 2.5 pound bags.  I also removed products from boxes and put them in ziploc bags.  Keeps things dry, and takes less space to store. 

So we packed up our food, overnight bags, laundry and electronics and headed for an Irish Pub to take them out for dinner.  Well, one beer led to another, and we ended up returning to their house for another night.  Good thing Devyn is old enough to drive now.  Still can’t believe she’s that old.

After going to church with them on Sunday morning, and having leftover clam chowder and bisque, we finally went back to the boat.  We unloaded everything at the dock and let them leave.  It took over an hour for the water taxi to pick up Dave.  Mix up with the dispatcher as to where we needed the pick up.  Then it took 2 trips back to the boat with all of our provisions, etc. 

It was a great send off from the Killions.  We will miss them when we leave here.  But we are considering making this our permanent address.  So there may be another address change before Christmas this year.  We have our storage unit here and plan to get some things from it after the Bahamas and before heading up the east coast.  We will probably rent a car on the east coast of Florida and come back here rather than bring the boat around the tip of Florida again.  So we will see our good friends again, if not here, then on our boat somewhere.

March 12-15, 2014 Iowa visitors

We found out Tuesday night that some relatives of mine were going to be in Ft Myers Beach for a week starting Wednesday, Terry and Pam (Bowar) Brueggeman, who now live in Iowa.  Pam's mother and my mother were sisters.  We grew up about 40 miles apart and spent many holidays and family gatherings together.  Pam's brother, Larry and Cheryl Bowar, were supposed to join them, but Larry had a farming accident a couple days before the trip and hurt his leg.  We sent them plenty of pictures to show them what  they were missing :)

They had a beautiful room right on the beach.  So we spent a few evenings walking on the beach and watching the sunset.  Since we are in a bay, we don't see the sunset from our boat.  

They wanted to go to a MN Twins spring training baseball game in Ft Myers.  That is something I had been wanting to do, but we would have had to take a taxi or figure out an all day bus schedule to get there.  So we traded a ride to the game for a ride on our sailboat.   In the bottom of the ninth inning, there were 2 outs and the Twins hit a home run to tie the game.  That was the end of the game.  We were surprised they didn't go another inning, but I guess there aren't any stats for spring training.

On Saturday, the Brueggemans and the Killions joined us for a beautiful day out on the water.  All seven of us were originally from South Dakota.  We just sailed back and forth in the Gulf of Mexico in front of Ft Myers Beach.  But it was so relaxing.  Everyone helped with the sails at some point.  We saw multiple dolphins and Devyn saw a sea turtle. 

We planned to cook dinner on the boat.  But we went to a restaurant by dinghy for an appetizer and drink and decided to stay for dinner.  We had some wonderful meals while they were here.  Tried a couple new places and took them to our favorite place twice, they liked it so  much, Nervous Nellies.

We decided we couldn't have planned it any better.  We were sorry Larry and Cheryl couldn't make it.  Now their brother, Gary, offered to trade a helicopter ride for a boat ride.  I'm sure we can make that happen.      

March 6-11, 2014 house sitting

The Killions went to a wedding in Minnesota for 5 days.  Being the great friends that they are, they let me house and cat sit and use their car while they were gone.  The wonderful part for me was that I finished up a lot of projects involving electricity and mobility.  Dave stayed at the boat and was able to tear apart the floor and leave projects out to work on.  No clearing the table and making space to sit for dinner.  Also there is the problem of parking the car here at the boat or leaving the dinghy overnight at the dock. 

On Thursday, Jackie planned to pick me up after work.  That way I could just take them to the airport in the morning.  On Thursday afternoon, we had a heavy thunderstorm with a tornado watch.  This is the second time we put all our hand held electronics in the microwave.  If we are hit by lightning, they are protected inside the metal box.  Then we discussed what we would do if there really was a tornado.  We decided we would do what we could to protect the boat, be ready to get in our dinghy if the boat was going down, and if our time was up, it was up.  The whole thing was over in time for Jackie to pick me up.  I had my personal bag, but we had to pull out our dry bags to pack 2 laptops, a VCR and the remaining  tapes, our scanner,  2 external hard drives and a bag of paperwork.  

I came back to the boat on Friday with the latest batch of packages that were sent to the Killions.  Then I settled in at the Killions with my media center.  I wanted to finish converting our VHS tapes to DVDs and get rid of the VCR and tapes.  These are tapes we made of Peter performing over the years.  The problem is they have to be converted in real time.  And the laptop that has the program can't be used for anything else, hence the second laptop.  So while tapes were running, I set to work scanning papers that we didn't want to physically hang on to.  I also cleaned up the two external hard drives.  Then I cleaned up my documents and downloads on my main laptop because we are going to get rid of it.  But I didn't want to attempt to transfer it to the hard drive.  

By Monday, I returned to the boat to pick up Dave for a dental appointment.  We found a different dentist  than the one who did his exam and what they called a cleaning.  I asked them to send me the digital x-rays.  I found a cavity on the x-rays, then looked in Dave's mouth and could see the cavity.  I guess we may have to return to SD every 6 months for dental care we can trust. 

We also found an accounting/tax firm to do our taxes for us.  Both these places are on our bus line, so we can return if needed without a car.  Have to think of all those things. 

On Tuesday, I loaded up my personal bags, all the electronics, and made a run to Walmart.  I had the car fully loaded, which then had to be loaded into the dinghy in 2 trips to the boat before I could pick up the Killions at the airport with their luggage. 

It was a very productive weekend for both me and Dave.  Plus the Killions didn't have to park their car at the airport.  Their lovely, but occasionally psycho, cat would have been fine either way.  Thanks Jackie and Brian and Devyn.

March 4, 2014 Canadian visitors

While I was in South Dakota in January, I met several new Canadian friends from Toronto.  I think there were 12 of them there this year.  One couple, Jill and David Greenwood, told us they would be vacationing in Naples, Fl in March, which is about 30 miles from Ft Myers Beach.  At the time, I wasn't sure if we would still be here.  But we were able to get together for an evening.

Both  Jill and David are sailors, even though David is visually impaired.  We met them at our dinghy dock and brought them out to our boat for a tour and happy hour.  From exchanging stories, we found out they were very experienced sailors.  So getting in and out of the dinghy at the dock and at the boat was no problem for David.  I think he handled it better than several of our sighted friends. 

We had a wonderful time sitting in the cockpit sharing a bottle of wine and several stories.  They had never met Dave, but they appreciated his sense of humor, and had a great time. 

Then we went back to shore to eat at a restaurant.  They were busy and it got a little late.  We forgot that it was Fat Tuesday.  But we enjoyed the live jazz music in honor of Mardi Gras. 

We really hope to go to Toronto some day to see all of our friends there.  We would never be able to sail there and get back south again before we would get iced in somewhere.  So we'll go in from the northern east coast by car or train.  Or we'll just have to fly in there someday.  We would really enjoy sailing with all of them (besides the great laughs we have when we are together).