Hi
all! We seem to be sharing in your weather fronts, though the lows certainly
aren't as low as yours! Expecting warm, sunny weather, we've been disappointed
for the most part. And, neither boating nor hanging around marinas is much fun
in chilly temps!
Deciding
that Sunday (Jan 19th) would be warmer, we opted to cook Saturday night and
head north on the Jolley Trolley on Sunday to the Greek restaurant Mykonos we
seem to favor. Riding the trolley made both of us experience those who take
public transportation routinely. As we paid the bill at Mykonos, we saw the
trolley pass by, not to appear again for another hour. So, having an hour to
kill, Clay missed a step out of the restaurant, did a face plant, and we spent
the next hour eating ice cream as comfort food.
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| "Caladesi Island Chick Cruise" crew! |
Monday
dawned with promise of warmer weather and plans to take St. Louis friend Janis
and her Warrenton friend Beth on an afternoon cruise to Caladesi Island. Our
Marker 1 Marina is located on the causeway which connects the mainland to the
access to Honeymoon and Caladesi Islands (this latter destination by ferry
only), and we've heard top-notch reviews about Caladesi from both Janis and
many of our Looper friends. Janis came prepared with beach chairs, beach umbrellas, towels, suntan lotion and friend Beth who was thrilled to be included in a Gulf cruise. What high-spirited passengers we had in Janis and Beth who acted like two kids in a candy store. And, Clay was only slightly anxious to show both of them all the bells and whistles of his Great Loop experience! Despite the winds and chilly temps, we people-watched from our beach chairs and soaked up a few rays.
With
our funky bikes loaded aboard, Tuesday was a travel day as we departed Marker 1
Marina and headed down the coastline to Clearwater Beach Municipal Marina, a
two-hour cruise. Our docking was rough at best as we arrived amidst building
storm clouds, wind, and a brief (1 1/2 minute max) downpour from the dark clouds
perched directly above our slip. So thankful for harbor master Mike and his
assistance. Entering the marina behind us was Looper boat Harmony (Bob and
Janet); we later became acquainted with Takes Two (Gerald and Cheri). We seem
to accumulate leftovers which often become our lunch and/or dinner meals. Thank
goodness Clay is receptive.
Tuesday's
overnight storm had us rockin' and rollin', squeakin' and creakin' and makin'
us feel like we were playing bumper cars all night (constant jerking). It was
pretty much a sleepless night for us both! We are in an oversized slip
(commercial) and tied only on the starboard side which makes for the play in
the lines. Temps dropped, and we awakened Wednesday morning to 11 mph winds,
gusting to 37 mph, and 50 degrees (and not to be any warmer nor less windy). In
these conditions, we find ourselves in 'winter mode,' much like you, hunkering
down and finding indoor activity (130 sq ft of space doesn't allow for much
indoor activity, espec when that space also accommodates the dining table, 4
chairs, 2 barrel chairs, a captain's chair and 2 bar stools, a side table, and
a built-in desk configuration in one corner!). Knitting, tv, reading, computer
work; cooking if I were so inspired. Jumping rope is out as are jumping jacks
and boxing. I did bring along three yoga tapes (thanks for the rec, Eric!), but
have yet to partake. |
| Sally and her Pier 60 "friend" |
Our
Wednesday dinner was interrupted by Looper friends Ric and Nancy and another
couple who are now in Florida RV'ing. We were entertained by stories of the newbies
(to RV'ing) who discovered their toilet overflowing and knew not why (were
unaware of such thing as a holding tank). Thank goodness for Clay and his
previous experience because THAT is an experience I'd not want to have! But, as
traumatic as some experiences are, they become humorous and entertaining in
past tense as we relate those tales to others!
Speaking
of Clay and previous experience, we are both fortunate that he is so handy. He
rented a red box movie "Captain Phillips," intent on expanding and
enriching his 130-sq-ft-of-available-interior-space activity but found the
boat's electronics to be not quite up to par....as in, the DVD player wouldn't
play the DVD. Voila! Misconnection and need for a new cable (validates having
spares and a stash of 'stuff' on board!) Now looking forward to more red box
movies on 'dead' days.
Thursday.
Cold. Chilly. Uninspiring. Gave us pause in thanksgiving for the upcoming
weekend of plans! Friday was a whirlwind of activity, starting with the
Enterprise van's arrival to pick us up for our 3-day car rental, a Nissan Juke.
Cute car. We looked up 'juke' as we'd not heard the word and thus expanded our
vocabulary. Next stop, Panera Bread (a fav of Sal's...enough said). The
vibrancy and energy of the restaurant's diners and atmosphere made me realize
that, in the past few days, we've become fuddy-duddys! I told Clay, just
because you are 65 does not mean you have to act 65! And, it seems that
sluggishness breeds sluggishness. I don't think I've ever been more aware of such
a contrast as during lunch on Friday. I think the weather has had something to
do with it though!
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| Clay with Bruce (dressed for school) |
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| Bruce and Sally at the Berkley Theater |
Next
stop, Wally World. We used the time mid-afternoon to fill the basket with
non-perishables, check out, and head toward Berkley Prep School where our
friends Kathi and Bruce teach. They had graciously offered tickets to their
school play, 'The Diviners,' which we accepted for the Friday matinee
performance. Oh my! Having relatively low expectations for a high school play,
and somewhat disappointed that it wasn't a musical, we were both 'blown away'
by Kathi's directing, the staging, lighting, Bruce's sets and effects, and many
of the teenage actors. We knew in advance that many of these students make
names for themselves as adults in the theatre world, but we got to witness
firsthand their 'training' ground! Kudos to Kathi and Bruce and Berkley Prep!
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| Berkley set designed by Kathi and built by Bruce! |
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| Kathi and Sally before the play |
Our
Friday dinner plans were aborted when we found ourselves taking advantage of
our wheels, and making a repeat appearance at Wally World for the perishable
component of our shopping list. Dinner wasn't what it was gonna be...there's
always a Plan B!
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