December 7-28, 2015 SanDestin, Dayton, Ixonia and Christmas

Driving out on I-10 I was just hoping that,   1) had the boat setup properly so the fridges and freezers stayed on line and,  2) it wouldn't sink when they put it back in the water.   Of secondary concern was if I packed long pants since we will be in Wisconsin where the weather has been known to be slightly less hospitable than sunny Florida.

The drive along I-10 was uneventful.  We've driven this route about a dozen times now and I've learned where the best gas prices and the tastiest food is located.

Looking out over the bay from our room

We arrived at Sandestin at nightfall and were assigned a room in the building where we first stayed on our initial visit here years ago.  The building and rooms are certainly in much better shape that what I remember.

The next morning we walked next door to Another Broken Egg  but discovered they had been replaced by Sunset Bay Cafe.  A nice couple runs the place and although the place appears to have retained the original decor, I judge the food to be better with larger portions.

Sunset Bay Cafe

After eating I drove Mary to the beach and parked the car so I could take an old walking route around the whole resort.  Near the end, I stopped at the Marina Bar and Grill at the Marina and of course ran into Mary Ann.  The precocious parrot.

Mary Ann refusing to return to her perch

She got all excited squawking and running around on her perch so I stuck my arm out and she hopped right on, squawked and carried on for a few minute but then absolutely refused to return.  I'd lean over and put my arm next to the perch and all she'd do was run up to my shoulder.  Rather embarrassing.  And funny I guess because there was an older couple watching all this with great delight.  I finally ended up using her portable perch stick to get her back.  Whew!

I picked up Mary at the beach and then we drove back to the Marina Bar.  We stopped to see the parrot again but she was getting feisty and pecking so after a few minutes and a package of pistachios, I put her back up on her big perch and we went into the bar and talked with Angela, the bar tender/waitress who we remembered from previous years.

Boats anchored in Destin Harbor

After a beer we drove down into Destin and Harborwalk to buy a few trinkets.  Later we walked the docks and ran into a guy bringing his recycling to shore from his boat anchored out in the Destin harbor.  I talked with him a bit and gleaned some good info from him.

Returning to Sandestin we first made a stop at the Publix and the wine store.  Remember.  We're drinking healthy now days.  For dinner we went back to the marina.  They had really good burgers the last time we were there and nothing has changed.  Very good.

Next morning we had a lazy breakfast back at the Sunset Bay Cafe before hitting the road.  We took Mid Bay Bridge (toll) intending joining up to I-65 at Georgiana, AL.  But I wasn't paying attention and missed the turn onto Alabama route 55 and ended up taking US-331 all the way to Montgomery.  The back roads of Alabama offer an array of interesting scenery.  And people.

Went straight to Chattanooga and stayed at the North Chattanooga Hampton Inn.  It was a refreshing break not having to go through Nashville and their horrendous traffic snarls.

The next day drove to Kettering Ohio to see Gordy and Joanne.  Always nice to visit with them for a few days.  We arrived in the evening.  The next day, after stopping for coffee and a non-MacDonald's restaurant, Tim Hortons, we drove into Cincinnati.  Well actually, we crossed the river into Newport Kentucky and went to the Newport On The Levee, a mall-like place surrounding the Newport Aquarium.

We ate outside at Brothers Bar.   Eating outside in December?  Weird, yes.  But we had a great view of the river.  And it wouldn't be a proper lunch without stopping for ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery

Back at their house,  Mary and I took our car out to gas it up and stop at a CVS for a few things.  Oddly enough, I'm beginning to know the roads around here.

When we returned, everyone went off to church while I took a walked a few miles.  I even went to Gordy's favorite MacDonald's to check and see if his, well theirs, latte machine was working yet.  Nope.  No lattes for for the next few days.

We were up and on the road pretty early the next morning.  We choose to take I-39 up the middle of Illinois instead of enduring the supremely annoying Chicago traffic.  And tolls.  Taking I-39 adds about 50 minutes to the drive but the toll is only $1.90 and the traffic is always light.

We pulled into Oconomowoc late afternoon and first stopped to see Sammy, our newest grandchild.  After a brief visit we went to Dave and Jens house in Ixonia where we usually stay when we are in Wisconsin.   And, much to Mary's relief, we  made it in time to see a good portion of the packer game.

Thanks for the welcome gift Jonah, a sparkling white rock!

Next day everyone was off to school or work.  We did a little laundry and then drove up to Green Bay because we had a whole day of Dr. appointments Tuesday.  Our normal hotel, Country Inn Suites in Suamico/Howard had only a few other guests.  We literally had the place to ourselves.

The next day started at 8 AM by dropping Mary off at the Dentist office for her appointment which wasn't until 10.   But I had a physical at 8:30 in De Pere which was several miles away.

Physical was fine except I ended up getting two shots, two blood draws and three x-rays.  Followed by a shot in my aching knee.  It took almost 2 hours.

I'm told I'll live another year and probably to 110. Hear that kids?  110!

One note about the knee shot.  I was mildly trepidacious having seen, years ago,  large bore needles entering a knee joint.  Now it's a small bore needle, of moderate length.  Didn't hurt at all however the sight of a needle sticking in my knee joint was sort of weird.

First injection was some milky substance with a mild analgesic including Lidocaine.  Then, leaving the needle in my knee, the doctor unscrewed the first syringe and screwed in a different one filled with what appeared to be heavy weight mineral oil.

The general label for these types of injections are Hyaluronan injections.  The poor doctor really had to work at injecting the the stuff and I could feel the pressure but it wasn't' painful.

Knee injections

She had me move my knee up and down to distribute it, and that was it.  And it surprised me how much better my knee felt after only 30 minutes.  I was walking almost normally.  After the two additional injections I should be good as new.  Not sure how long the effects will last though.  And my X-ray clearly showed mild to moderate Osteoarthritis.  But she assured me I'm a long way off from needing a knee replacement.  Maybe when I'm 105?

Mary getting her crown in Brenda's chair

Meanwhile Mary was having her teeth cleaned and she was done by the time I drove back to the dentist office.  Then it was my turn for a crown.  It took an hour or so and I and had my temporary crown.  Mary, who had cracked a tooth a few weeks earlier followed right after with her crown and then we drove back to Ixonia.

Next day we didn't get up until 10:30.  Doctor appointments are exhausting!

Went to Seany's school Christmas concert.  My pathetic camera wasn't able to snap a picture, but the festive atmosphere was great.  Exuberant singers for the most part although there appeared to be lapses of attention from some of the younger participants.

The next day we took Jack to his swim practice in the evening and Jonah and I went swimming in the other pool.  He complained of a stomach ache after we had left the pool.  Then on the way home he upchucked in our rental car's back seat.   Ever try cleaning out a car seat in 20 degree weather?

Stomach flu hit everyone except me.  I had chills for an hour.   It was quite the time we had for a few days as it slowly died out.  Reminiscent of a scene from a jungle war movie and the dysentery ward.

Meanwhile we did finalize the boat window estimates and he'll be replacing all our front facing windows while we're gone.  He is also putting in a screen door on the sundeck leading down to the swim platform.

Craig from Huckins called me to say they had to do a few extra hours of scrapping the shaft, struts  and propellers because we had some super adhering type of Barnacle they couldn't remove without concentrated grinding.  He mentioned he never saw anything like that before.  Lucky us.

It was back to Green Bay after a few days for Mary's med check and the second of three shots in my knee.  We had thought we could see Tim and Jill but Mary wasn't feeling all that well so we decided to cancel and try for another time.

Holiday food shopping

Next day I drove Jen and boys to lunch and then at Aldi and Piggly Wiggly.  Lots of people doing last minute shopping!

On the 24th I took Mary to St. Jerome church.  For a Christmas Eve service, there didn't appear to be a large crowd.

Santa?  Didn't your wipe for feet?

We returned and watched some Drunk History, a TV program on the Comedy Central.  It's real history told by really drunk people.  It sounds stupid and it is, but it is funny.  Then it was time for presents to be brought up from some secure location and put around the tree.  Then Santa snow foot prints (baking soda... a great idea).  Then bed.

Christmas day I was up at 6:15 to pee and in the dark hallway bumped into Jonah who was poised to  make a dash downstairs.  I suggested he knock on his parents bedroom door.   And he did.  Did I say knock?  I meant pound.

Did you know its pitch black out at 6:30am?   Later after the present openings, Mary and I went back upstairs and took a nap.

Christmas Day, LeAnn and Brant arrived bearing gifts but also a turkey and their grill.   And Lula their boxer!  We were having grilled Turkey the day after Christmas.  Yumm.

Greg and Laura stopped by for a while along with Sammy who has this perpetually perplexed expression as he takes in all the commotion.

The kids had converted a few of our family movie/VHS tapes into DVD's for our Christmas present.  So we spent some time watching old family movies from when the kids were youngsters.  I fear Uncle Dan's skills as a cinematographer had rubbed off on me.  Long boring scenes sprinkled with hilarious snippets.  Haven't laughed that hard in years.

The breakfast gang

The day after Christmas we went off to breakfast at Cafe Labelle in the Shore Haven nursing home in Oconomowoc.  Later we all met up at Dave & Jen's house for more Christmas fun.  Like presents and grilled turkey.

Jack and LeAnn starting the grill

Sammy and Aunt LeAnn

Sammy taking it all in

Handing out presents to unwrap

LeAnn and Brant left the next day and then the Hagens all went over to Bonnee's leaving us a day to rest and recover.

The forecast has been hinting at a storm and now, its been changed to a full winter storm warning.  So our plan to meet Gene, the Downys and Fuch's is off and has to be rescheduled.   Gotta love Wisconsin in the winter.  Is that why we're here?

December 1-5 Huckins Boat Yard

At Ortega Landing Marina we were up early armed with the knowledge that we were first on the pump out list.  And sure enough, Joe showed up a little before 9.  We pumped out and left the dock about 9:30.

Ortega bridge opening for us as we head out to the St. Johns River

We drove out of the Ortega River and ran up (south) the St. Johns River for a few hours at, for us, a blistering pace of 9 mph!  Of course we had the help of a substantial current.

I started the generator and we made water to top off the tanks.  As we approached the route into the Ortega River I ran the engine up to 2100 rpm for a few minutes to blow them out a bit.  We resumed a more normal speed and slowly made our way into the river.  Mary called Sara from Huckins, on the phone and after a few minutes battling the swift current (we happen to hit peak velocity) Joey, one of the fine Huckins yard workers, was out waving at us so we pulled in and snuggled up to the inside of the outer most dock.

Ortega Landing Marina with out vacant slip next to the big boat, Foxy Lady

The railroad bridge right next to Hukins

WoLo (We Only Live Once), a large Hatteras motor yacht, arrived shortly after us and went right into the slipway.  The slipway is like a very long boat slip where the Travelift can be positioned to lift boats out of the water.

Tied up at Huckins

After we were tied up we went in to the office and met Sara and Trish and then briefly discussed the work we wanted to do with PJ, the yard manager and Justin the mechanical supervisor.

Sara and Tricia are Debbie's replacement.  Debbie retired a month ago and, of course, we went to the retirement party.  We know Debbie pretty well.  She's a dog lover and we got to know here because of our old dog Cleo who was with us when we first stopped here a few years ago.  Sara texted Debbie saying we were at the yard and she replied that she'd bring her dogs down to meet us the next day.

The next morning true to her word, Debbie was in the boat yard with her dogs which were scampering all over and getting loved up by the yard crew and technicians.  We had a nice chat with here.  She's doing just fine in retirement and hasn't visited Huckins since the day she left.

It's one of things we love about Huckins.  The relaxed friendly atmosphere.  Not many places would tolerate a couple of old Labs running around and garnering all sorts of attention from the boat yard guys.  The shop spaces here are old but expansive and the staff are all craftsman.  Best place to have boat work done in our opinion.

A Huckins yacht in the travelift

Huckins is known for their Fareform Flyers, and the Quadraconic hull form they use on their yachts.  Very distinctive boats.  They service them here and pretty much build them here too.  They actually designed and built some WWII PT boats.

Cold front moving through downtown Jacksonville 

I'm able to walk a familiar walking route across the Roosevelt Bridge, along the river and back across the Ortega River Bride.  But the second day we here it turned cold and damp as a weather system moved through.  We had sustained high winds too.  It  plunged to the fifties at night.  We are warm weather wusses.  This is cold!

Mat from Boatswains Locker down the street, does canvas work and he came on board to give us an estimate.  We have a few windows that need replacing and some extra work we'd like to have done to our front facing fly bridge windows.

Mary picking out carpet with Andrew, Frank's son

In the afternoon we walked a few miles to Carpet Concepts where Frank led us through some carpet selections for our stairs.  The existing carpeting is badly worn so we figured since we are in a boat yard and on the hard (out of the water), why not just get this done too.  The samples of a carpet he was recommending to us were at another store so we vowed to return Monday and make the proper color selection.

And Monday, the rest of the Huckins yard guys meet with us on board so they can generate estimates for the work we are considering.  The plan is to be hauled out early Tuesday morning and then leave for Destin that afternoon.

But we need to get the dinghy down and in the water because they have to repair a check valve in the tilt mechanism and change the gear oil and impeller.  So we scrabbled up on the sundeck and got the davit set up.   Setting up the davit requires me to lift the crane arm up so Mary can put the large shear pin in the hole which holds the crane arm in place.  As we were doing this I noticed one of the struts, which help reduce the weight of the arm, had bent and sheared off.  I guess my impression that the davit was heavier was correct.

Resting easy before 

Once it was in the water we put the davit back in its normal, unused position and then I  started the dinghy and ran it around for a few minutes to make sure the oil change I did earlier in the week was ok.  I brought it back and tied it up in the covered dock where they will lift it out of the water so they can work on it.

I was able to take several walks around the Ortega River while we are here.  It's about a 4 mile route and my knee, which was had been really hurting earlier, seemed to respond to the long walks began feeling much better.  No leaping off the boat yet, but at least I can walk almost normally now.   Go figure.

Treats anyone?

The boat yard cats, about a dozen, are cared for by Jerry, the night watchman.  He feeds them normal dry cat food.  I, on the other hand  feed them memorable, soft and chewy treats.  I found them on sale at Publix.   I bought a few bags and give them out to the less shy cats who come out and stand next to me.  The shy ones vocalize their displeasure but I figure the least they can do is walk over to me.

But this is spiraling out of control because whenever I walk by, I'm swarmed by half a dozen cats, all expressing their desire see me pull out a bag of cat treats.  They even slid up to Mary who is not the most ardent cat lover.

Sunday, we are to be interviewed by the Dog Inspection Lady from BRAT.   The ongoing "discussion" on whether or not to get a dog is, well, ongoing.   Mary, ever the canine optimist, decided to be certified to own a Basenji.

Before the inspection we headed over to the Metro Diner again for breakfast.  This really is the classic "where the locals eat" diner .    Seems we are on a eating-out roll today.  We ate dinner at Panera.  But I should make not that we have used our on board grill a few nights when the winds are from the east.  Since we are facing east the winds just blow the smoke out the back.  And yes, we have a smokey grill.  I refer to it as seasoned.   Others brusquely label it in less elegant terms.

The inspection lady turned out to be an older couple.  She had a clip board.   I made myself mostly invisible trying to configure what turned out to be a defective wifi extender.  So Mary took the brunt of the interrogation and did so well, that we are now approved to adopt a Basenji.   Whoopeeee?

Bet you didn't know they are the second least trainable breed did you?  This is according to the book, The Intelligence of Dogs.   

Hatteras owners, boxer

There is a 1973 Hatteras motor yacht in the yard.  The owner and I chatted a bit about the boat and his travels.  They (wife and dog) had the boat up in Lake Superior last year and have traveled the rivers and the coasts many times over the course of their 30 years of cruising.  The boat has 2 inch thick fiberglass in the hull and even though its several feet smaller than ours, probably weighs several tons more.  It also has soft rounded chines and a single engine.  Pretty boat.

Finally got around to backing up the ship's main computer.  It took 18 hours over a creeping usb connection.  Never got around to doing any of the others we have.

Last year I had purchased a new Bullet, a wireless booster.   They were having a sale of sorts so I also picked up a wifi repeater, an Air Gateway.  In short the Bullet picks up open wifi signals and sends it to the Air Gateway which will be our on-board wifi access point.   When I set it all up.  Our existing installation uses a type of Bullet with fixed parameters which can be problematic when accessing marina or other open wifi signals.  So I intend to configure this new Bullet with different parameters less likely to cause us problems.

Speaking of wifi, the boatyard wifi access point here isn't accessible due to certification errors (old cert server) so when I pointed this out to Sara in the office she gave me the office wifi credentials which are working perfectly!  Well, as long as out equipment is working which is another story.

PJ had provided us with  the key to one of the boat yard trucks.  I was planning on going to Walmart while the dog inspectors were here grilling Mary.   Never got there.

Instead of wandering through a Walmart seeking things on Mary's list, I fought most of the day with this little wifi extender box we use with media player.  It ultimately proved to be broken so I began fiddling with a new extender but it balked at connecting to anything.  By then I was worn out battling gadgets, so just left everything.

While I was playing with gadgets I noticed a boat down on the next dock, drifting out into the fare way.  It's stern line parted and only the shore power cable was holding it to the dock.  I took a break from electronics and went over and tied it up again to the dock.  Mild excitement.

My knee felt almost normal so after the dog lady left I went off for a 6 mile walk.  No running yet.  Met Mary at Subway where we picked up dinner, and then stopped at the Chinese takeout place right around the corner for two egg rolls and some egg drop soup.  It's getting chilly here which is why I think we both had a sudden craving for hot soup.

We finished up season 5 of West Wing minus a few episodes because the discs are all scratched.  Not our day for technology.  Maybe we'll just chuck it all and go back to VHS tapes.

We at least got the luggage out this evening since we have to pack.  But I had to toss out my old bag because it was really moldy.  It was about 20 years old, but still.  I suppose it is true .... boats can harbor dampness.

Moving in position for a power wash

Plucked out of the water

Next morning bright and early I was up and talking with Joey about hauling out.  He confirmed, it was going to be now, 8AM.  So I quick made coffee and woke up my resident morning person who, after some coffee, was awake enough to hear me start the engines.

Dressed for the Metro Diner

Joey came aboard and I drove the boat back out of the dock area into the slipway.  We all moved the boat by hand into the slings, and after positioning it, we got Mary off and Joey hauled it out of the water.

They started preparing to power wash it and we, unable to get on the boat until it was blocked up, walked to the Metro Diner for breakfast.  Luckily it's a local place so there is no appropriate attire.  I did have to go fetch a ladder and retrieve my wallet off the boat before we went.

They were still power washing when we returned so I called Enterprise and they picked me up, I got the car, a Kia Optima, and drove back to pick up Mary because we had to buy Damp Rid at the Publix.  We use it in closets to keep moisture levels down thus inhibiting mildew growth.

We also bought a dozen donuts for the Huckins office staff and the other boat yard guys.

That's us on the right

The boat was just being settled on blocks and jack stands when we returned.  Once set we got on board and I started packing.  But since the boat was out of the water my attention wandered to the rusty bolts on the swim platform mainly because Mary mentioned them for inclusion on the estimate.

Setting the boat on a keel block and jack stands

I thought I'll save some money and figured 20 minutes to removed them.   An hour later with an annoyed wife I had most of them off.  Packing took me 10 minutes and shutting down boat systems etc. took another 30 minutes.

We said good bye to everyone, fed the cats the last of the treats and drove off into the setting sun bound for Sandestin.

November 26-30 Ortega Landing Marina

I decided to take a stroll Thanksgiving Day before the festivities began and wandered down towards Huckins Boat yard and then up and over the Roosevelt Bridge and into the quaint neighborhood across the river.

Delightful day.  Lots of people out waling about among kids zooming around on skate boards through the tree lined streets.

I returned to the boat and showered in time for us to be fashionably late at 2:15.  The party began at 2 PM.  Mary discovered most everyone was already in the buffet line or eating so she had to dash back to the boat and quickly coax the Bob Evans Potatoes into something warm and palatable.

The clubhouse and party goers

Yeah, there's always one in a crowd

The buffet line

With warm mashed potatoes, we made it back in time to see the last few people in line dishing up plates of turkey and other goodies.  The marina graciously provide the turkey, mashed potatoes (we didn’t know that) and wine.  All very good.   Especially the cherry pie some kind soul brought.

There were a few tables set up but most of us 80 some people found chairs outside and little cocktail tables to eat at.

We talked with Monica who had hip replacement surgery about a week ago.  She’s up and walking albeit a bit gingerly.

I stumbled on another one of Rob and Sue’s friends, a couple on a wide body Krogen 42.  They were telling me about their Down East loop adventure.  It’s a trip we have been considering.

Short summary of the Down East Loop

• Head up the coast to NYC
• Go up the Hudson river to just north of Albany, NY
• Enter the Erie Canal and head west to around Syracuse, NY which is about the mid point of the Erie. 
• Follow the Oswego canal north to the southeast corner of Lake Ontario.
• Cross Ontario to its northeast corner to the Thousand Islands Region which is the headwaters of the St Lawrence River. 
• Continue north into the Rideau Canal system  all the way to Ottawa.
• In Ottawa, pick up the Ottawa River and follow it southeast until it rejoins the St Lawrence at Montreal.
• Then down the St Lawrence to Quebec City, and onward to the St Lawrence Gulf
• Prince Edward Island comes next, followed by Cape Breton Island, Bras d'Or Lake, then down the coast of Nova Scotia.
• At the end of Nova Scotia, we'll head across the Bay of Fundy and re-enter the US in northern Maine.
• Then down the coast of Maine towards sunny Florida again.

Actually most of the whole day was spent in conversations with various people either just keeping their boat here, or living on it and spending time in this great marina.  It was a very wonderful event.  And we had left over potatoes to take back with us.

Ortega River Marina's new deck

Ortega River Marina's new pool

Next morning we went to CVS so Mary could get a flu shot and pick up a few items.   And then back to the boat.  Later in the afternoon we took a stroll over to Huckins Boat Yard and then took a peek at Ortega River Marina which was Ortega Yacht Club where we stayed a few years ago.  Paul, the dock master, really spruced up the place.  Think we'll be staying here our next time through.

Later we began to hear, and see, fireworks close bye.  When I went out for a night time walk I passed a house that was throwing a huge party and sure enough, the county sheriff was there discussing fireworks.  

Saturday morning I ran into Mitch from Foxy Lady.  We had decided to take their cruise that night and see the Jacksonville Light Parade and Fireworks.  It's a big event, with a parade of boats all lit up at night, and then a spectacular fireworks show.  Foxy Lady is a participant in the parade of boats and they make it a public cruise with dinner.  So we are going.

He had originally thought we could leave our dock here at 3:30 but found out the dock master at River City Marina was anxious leaving Mitch's dock space open with all the boat traffic, so Mitch had to leave at 1 PM instead.  But he arranged for his wife Carolyn to pick us up on her way to meet the boat at River City Marina where they board passengers for their cruises.

So they left our dock and I went for a little run, showered and made it up to the clubhouse at 3:30.  But Carolyn was delayed and arrived around 4 PM though.  No big deal.

River City Marina dock and Foxy Lady

River City Marina.  Foxy Lady is the big boat at the end of the dock

We drove to River City Marina, about 15 minutes away.  River City Marina is adjacent to the Main Street Bridge and right across the river from Jacksonville Landing.   It's really a restaurant and brew house with plenty of slips on the river for patrons to tie up their boats.

Automobile traffic was beginning to build.  Seems this is a very well attended event.  We parked and went to the boat with Carolyn but Mary and I decided to walk around the river walk area to stay out of the crews way as they started setting up for dinner.  But we did have a drink on board.  Carolyn is  a good bar tender!

Looking across at Jacksonville Landing, Main Street Bridge to the right

We tried to get across the river over to Jacksonville Landing but the bridge was closed off.  The Main Street Bridge was going to be left in the open position (raised) to accommodate the seventy-some boats participating in the parade, starting around 7 PM.

Fireworks watchers beginning to gather

People were beginning to arrive to watch the fireworks, setting up chairs and blankets, hauling kids and coolers in wagons.  Reminiscent of the fireworks at Milwaukee's Lakefront when our kids were young.

We hung around the Marina and then boarded Foxy Lady with 50 other people.  Mitch took it out into the river and joined the other parade bound boats.  The marshaling point was a mile down the river (towards the ocean).

Jacksonville Landing and the big tree.  And huge crowds

By the time we arrived there, it was dark and the parade boats were all lit up.  Decorations were very neat.  My favorite was the small sport fisherman using its outriggers as goal posts and having a football seemingly go through them.  And there were others almost as good.

A Minion decorated power boat

On the right is the boat depicting a field goal

We did two circuits around the harbor area and it was pretty chaotic given that it was dark and 70 some boats were tying to follow a Harbor Patrol Boat.  And there were an assortment of other official and non-official boats milling about too.  I could feel Mitch cycle the boats transmissions trying to keep some distance between them all. 

The route took the parade by a viewing stand located somewhere on shore. Judges, seeing each boat twice, recorded their votes.  A party a few days from now is where they announce the winners.  Here's a youtube video of the parade someone posted.

Snow in Jacksonville

Foxy Lady had a snowman up top and somehow they got their hands on a snow generator which spewed out fake snow.  

Eon and Emily

During the journey we were served a yummy dinner.  Our table companions were a delightfully fun couple, Emily and Eon.  They were both in the Navy stationed at Jacksonville Naval Air Station.  Great time with them.

We and pulled back to the dock a few minutes before the fireworks began.  And what great fireworks they were.  Two barges, pushed by tugs pulled into position, one directly in front of us and the other on the opposite side of Main Street Bridge.  They didn't anchor but went into station keeping mode with the engines running.   

At some point a few minutes later the fireworks began shooting up from the barge.  Awesome!

Waterfall on the Main Street Bridge

During the display they somehow have the Main Street and Acosta Bridge suddenly erupt in this waterfall display which is really stunning.  I'm not sure if it was pyrotechnics or some form of lighting, but it sure was spectacular.

The fireworks lasted until about 9:30 and the boat was closed off to everyone by 10 PM when they shutdown the bar.  Conrad, another boating friend we met here, was bar tending on board and he offered to take Mary back to the Marina in his car.  I rode the boat back with Mitch and Ray, his first mate.  It was a nice ride cruising up the dark river for the 5 miles back to our marina.  

SkipperLiner, Foxy Lady's boat manufacturer,  was a boat builder in Wisconsin specializing in fabricating large houseboats or cruising boats like Foxy Lady.  These are flat bottom, hulls made of steel and are great dinner boats with volumes of space, multiple levels and outfitted very well.   They closed up operations in 2014.

We laid low the next day recovering from way too much partying for people our age.  We only began creeping out among the living around, yup, cocktail hour.   This explains why Mitch and Ray banged on our hull a few times requesting our presence on their upper deck for sunset cocktails.  Mary was just stirring from a long afternoon nap and was planning on starting dinner so I, exhibiting once gain that I dont retain life lessons, grabbed a glass of wine and went over to join them.

We had a great time.  Ray is a retired Coast Guard medic who, during his 20 years in, spent a few of them up in the Bearing Sea on some small little island at the end of the world, or so he tells it.   We had a good old time swapping sea stories.

The winner in the sailboat category 

I went out on my usual night time stroll and on our dock was a the rumored winner for best decorations in the sailboat category.

Monday is crunch day.  This is when we visit Huckins, and ready our selves to leave here and eventually go there.  I wanted to run the boat out on the St. Johns river and run the water maker, and check on our fuel imbalance.  We decided to have a relaxed breakfast at Metro Cafe and review our repair list before walking over to Huckins to see Sara and Tricia, Justin and PJ.

Sara and Tricia have taken over for our friend Debbie who was the superb business manager.  She  retired early this November.  Justin is the mechanic guy and PJ is the yard manager.

But before we even got coffee Curt & Marilyn contacted me.  They were in only a few miles away in Orange Park on their way down to Port Canaveral and eventually Marathon towing their sailboat.

They left the boat in the hotel parking lot and drove the 7 miles to visit us at Metro Cafe where they ate a late breakfast and we caught up since we haven't seen them since early spring.

We had to get to Huckins so they walked there with us.  While we went inside, they strolled the docks. We talked with everyone except PJ who was out sick.  They aren't too busy so we can come in anytime.  I'm thinking Thursday if we can get an early pump out at the marina (they do them every Thursday).

Our mail is supposed to be delivered here at the marina by Wednesday so we should be all set.

Marilyn trying to take a picture

Curt and Mary

We all walked back to our Marina except Curt and I walked over to get his truck so they wouldn't have to back track so far.  We talked some more before they had to leave.  We will be seeing them as we make our way down the coast.

After they left Mary started laundry and washing the boat while fiddled with the fuel manifold and cleaned off some battery terminals.  I know, exciting.

I went for a walk, hobbling now not running because I did something to my knee again.

While I was away I had all the shore power off and we were just running on the batteries.  They seemed to be holding up fairly well.  I'm anxious to see how they do with a real test Friday when Huckins does their analysis.

We had dinner, watched two episodes of West Wing and went to bed.

Another November in the books.  Have we really seen 64 Novembers come and go.  Wow are we ancient!

November 23-25 2015 Ortega Landing Marina

Eric is the mechanic recommended to us by Jim's friend, Terry.  I had left him a message yesterday and as were were doing paperwork at the dock office this morning, he walked in.  Luckily he was doing some work on another boat here in the marina and said he'd stop by and see about our fuel problem.

 At least for now, we are staying until November 30 when the slip occupants, who vacated for a few months, are slated to return.  Bruce, the dock master is checking to see if we can stay past the weekend and into next week.

Making the Satellite work

I emailed KVH tech support last night asking about the satellite problem we are experiencing.  The DISH people said it was an antenna problem.  And as I found out from KVH this morning, they (DISH), altered some of their satellite parameters in late August which is when our TV went off the air.

Jack, the KVH guy, sent me a tech bulletin with the new parameters.  It reads like a Bash (Unix shell) script.  Hey, I sort of  remember some of that stuff.   Anyway once I update the satellite Mary will have all her channels back.  Thanksgiving day gift!

I started equalizing the batteries through the solar panel charge controller.  It'll take most of the day.  Basically it charge the batteries with voltages in the 14.6-15.2 range to desulfinate he battery plates.  This may extend the usefulness of the batteries for a bit, but we are going to have to replace them all pretty soon, especially before going to the Bahamas.

While we were at the office we also met Gene, an Illinoisan  who is a Door County veteran.  He spent summers up there when we also vacationed there.  Except he does't remember what is was like in the 60's and late 50's.  Turns out he's several years younger than I am which, he said chuckling, makes me a Door County elder.  Me an elder?  Come on!

The aft head sink faucet is leaking badly so I found the spare faucet and intend on installing it.  Some time soon, but not right away.  It's going to require contortions which I can do, but at a price.  So I'm limbering up in preparation.  And I know now, that seemingly simple repairs are never simple, and require a far larger investment of time.

Eric did stop over later and we hashed out some thoughts on the fuel imbalance.  He thinks it's a return problem and I agree.  The engines pump lots of fuel but only use a small portion of it, returning the excess to the fuel tanks.  We seem to be only returning fuel to the starboard tank.  So I'm going to check the fuel tank vent, and then the fuel return line connections.

We were going to rent a car and drive to Frenandina so I could get a prescription which was mysteriously transferred to the CVS there.   But this morning while it was 52 outside and a energizing 61 in the cabin, it dawned on me that Wednesday was the day before a major holiday.   There will be all kinds of people out shopping and driving.  I didn't want to be included, so I arranged for a car this morning.

Our little Versa parked at the chilly beach

Enterprise picked us up here at the marina around 11.  And once at their office, they gave us a Nissan Versa and sent us on our way in only a few minutes.  It took us about an hour to drive to the Frenandina Beach CVS.  Once that task was completed we took a little driving tour around Amelia Island since we have never seen much of the island except from the water.  Nice place, stately homes but it was windy and really cool so we didn't do any beach walking.


We started back out of town but made a stop at the Walmart and stocked up on some sundry items which are remarkably cheaper than Publix, the grocery store nearest to us at the marina.  Although we did have to make a stop there for some more exotic Chinese type food items Mary wanted..

Chilly beach with white caps out on the ocean

We went directly to Enterprise from Publix to return the car and get a ride back to the marina, bags of groceries and all.

As we were walking back to the boat we had another of those "small world" episodes.  The tour boat next to us is Foxy Lady.  Mary noted it had Green Bay, WI as its port of call.  She told me but that bit of information somehow missed its mark and I promptly forgot.   As we were walking out on the dock I noticed the activity on board and of course went over to talk with them.

As it turns out, this is the same boat that was based on the Fox River up in Green Bay.  And we never went on of the cruises!

Small world

Mitch and Carolyn, owners of Foxy Lady, ran cruises on it in Green Bay for years.  But they decided a few years ago to move it down here.  So they drove it all the way from Green Bay to Jacksonville.  Cant wait to hear about that trip.

We were invited aboard and had a nice talk with them.  The boat is in a great shape!   And it has a bar on each level.

The annual lighted boat parade in Jacksonville is this Saturday and they are participating.  We're thinking of going along.  Prime Rib dinner and fireworks after.  The boat hangs around on the river in downtown Jacksonville so the view is fabulous.

Bruce, the dock master here, informed us that we can stay in this slip until December 1 or beyond.  He contacted the absent slip occupants and they're being delayed so wont be back right away.   So we can enjoy the place for a few more days.

We've been waiting for a pump out today.  The marina is closed tomorrow and Friday so I'm hoping the guys gets here this afternoon.  Meanwhile Mary decided to do some laundry and I thought I'd swap out the leaky faucet in our head.

Sawing out a faucet is a first for me

Guess it was time to replace it

I got the short end of that deal.  In a house, changing a faucet is maybe a 45 minute job.  Here on an old boat, I spent almost three hours crunched in a little cupboard.  I ended up having to slide a hacksaw underneath the base and cut the threaded pipe fitting because the water line was so corroded  a crescent wrench wouldn't budge it.  I tried a few times but just ended up rounding off the nut.  So the only way to remove the faucet was with a hacksaw.  Luckily I bought new water lines.

So three hours later, we have a new faucet, no leaks and an aching plumber.

The winds are howling out of the east. Our stern faces directly east so were bouncing around a little in the slip.  Glad we're staying here until next week!

They all came running as I walked into the yard

I walked around Ortega again and stopped in at Huckins where we'll be in a few weeks.  We've spent time here before but I was surprised that the yard cats all seemed to remember me, the old guy with cat treats.

Guardian of the dock

We seem to be engaged in a turf war with this uppity, great blue heron who hangs at the end of the dock and squawks its displeasure when I get on or off the boat.  It wont move until I'm a yard or two away from it either.  It flies off and returns right away to its spot on the dock.

I think tonight, maybe we'll enjoy a bottle of wine huddled up in the plush lounge where there is a fire place.  If the weather is this windy and chilly now, whats it going to be like when we leave here in mid January to head south?  Should I maybe bring a shovel in case of snow?  Ear muffs?  My Fleet Farm stocking cap?  Sheez ....

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and there are 87 people attending the party here.  We are bringing a Bob Evans mashed potatoes dish.  It's unclear how much galley time will be involved, but I suspect it wont consume too many hours of the day.

We did get pumped out so we should be good for another few weeks.

The high pressure here in the east is causing several days of high winds.  However when we leave on the 2nd the winds will have dissipated.   But that weather system sweeping through the plains over the next few days will be making its way down here at some point.  If its forecast to be a strong front we just may stay here and enjoy the marina until we have to make our way to Huckins on December 7th.