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December 09th, 2007 | Author:

'He who would be Jimmy Buffet

Finally a cruise! ‘”He who would be Jimmy Buffet” started up the dinghy and we went out on the river. We went up and across the river, practicing the navigational skills we will need when we take Prime Time out. We went into 2 little coves. One called Old Bridge Cove. It is a trailer park that wraps around this lighthouse. So quiet and pretty.

Manatees are found in the river. We didn’t see any but we did see many signs warning us to watch our speed.

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December 08th, 2007 | Author:

Tacos…just like El Toro Bravo on 19th Street at home. What luck to find it. We walked to the hardware store and we passed this taqeria. It wasn’t open yet. As luck would have it, returning home, it was not only open, but crowded with a wonderful aroma wafting out from the doors. We oreded tacos and waited. They were the best!

Kelley and I wanted to go to Fort Myers Beach to look around. It is about a 30 minute drive (remember my outing to West Marine?). Diane and Bob said that if we went later (around 5:30) they would go with us. The 20th Annual Christmas Boat Parade was to take place. Boat parade? We are game.

We found a spot at the bar in the Matanzas Inn and Restaurant and from there could see the boats come under the bridge. There were maybe 20 at the most. But a few of them would be great competition for the parade at home in Newport Beach. We definitely want to return to Fort Myers Beach with the boat. There are moorings and slips available. The town feels like old Lahaina: sleepy, but active.

From there we decided to head back towards home and have dinner at the MacGregor Café. The owner was welcoming and checked on us a lot. We sat out on the patio and had an outstanding meal. (In fact, Kelley and I had the same outstanding meal Sunday night!) After eating the owner returned and poured us a port and thanked us for coming. A great time was had by all.

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December 07th, 2007 | Author:

On Full House we had the all in one washer and dryer and I never used it. Kelley complained that it took forever to dry anything. On this boat we have the same thing. But, living on the boat I knew that I would use it. There is a Laundromat in the marina but how nice to throw something in; if only to dry towels in this humid location.

But alas, the dryer not only took forever, but it never finished drying the small load. Kelley and I decided that we could fix this…if only look at it and shake our heads. Out it came from the cabinet.

Now on our port side live Nancy and Fred. He is retired and she is working J.C.Penny’s. They have a washer-dryer like ours and that is all Nancy uses. He brings us the newspaper every morning and always has a joke for me. They are a sweet couple. So, Fred wants to know what’s up. Kelley invited him over and the two of them take the machine top off and before you know it, Fred discovers that the fan can’t turn because it keeps hitting a screw. We are all surprised that the motor has not overheated, or worse, burned out. Mmmmmmmm. What to do? The men can’t get the top off this one part and that is where the screw is that needs to be lowered. Fred grabs some pliers and proceeds to break off the tips of the fan where they would be hitting the screw! Brilliant! Out of the box thinking! Now this took much longer for the men to come to this conclusion then I am letting on. But, I now cheerfully wash and dry clothes. Here are the men…with a celebratory beer! Thanks, Fred.

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December 06th, 2007 | Author:

There is a small farmers’ market that comes on Thursdays. One of our neighbors, Diane, came and got me and we walked to it.

The produce looked great. I really didn’t need anything since we are leaving in a week. There were 2 bakeries there. One makes Italian specialties and another hearty breads and rolls. I bought a loaf of dense grainy bread. I wouldn’t want a sandwich with it, but toasted at lunch, it was quite tasty.

We are hosting our first cocktail party this evening. Just drinks before dinner. Diane and Bob are coming over. They live in Grand Junction, CO but cruise on their boat most of the year. They have done the LOOP. They are a wealth of knowledge. On the other side we have Nancy and Fred. They have lived on their boat here for 8 years. These people have helped us so much. We look forward to entertaining them.

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