Wednesday February 13: Saying Goodbyes ....

John and Daisy's visit seemed to be over before it even got started - the time went so quickly.

For our last breakfast with them, we met Dave and Joyce and Joe and Joy at the Stuffed Pig. As always, it was enjoyable.

I have lost the picture from Saturday night - when Joyce and Dave hosted John, Daisy, Steve and I at their condo home for the pizza in a crockpot.

Crazy as it sounds, it was really good! Who would have thought you could make pizza in a crockpot! A new recipe for Steve for when we are traveling ... plus a totally vegan meal. Wonderful :-) Thanks, guys!!

We did manage to get out on the water with John and Daisy on Sunday for a two hour boat ride. It was VERY windy but we stayed close enough to shore that it wasn't a problem - just a little bumpy.

It was a nice ride around under the 7-mile bridge to the ocean side and into Boot Key Harbor. No where to go in there but it was fun looking at the boats around.

We were able to spot High Spirits (Joe and Joy's sailboat) in the 250 mooring ball field. They were on shore via dinghy getting ready to leave for the Bahamas.

As I write this Joe and Joy should have already arrived to the Bahamas. They left yesterday about 3 pm and sailed/motored all night in order to arrive around 10 am this morning.

One of these years we too will make it over there!!

There was of course the usual 5 pm gathering at the picnic tables just down from our boat slip.

The regulars plus a few new folks and a few guests - like John and Daisy or Joe and Joy when they are around. It seems there is always someone new to talk with about boating.

Steve was busily capturing the sunset - as well as taking a picture of Daisy as she was capturing the same sunset!

Electrical work was ongoing after we sent John and Daisy off north (they were headed for Terri and Scott's place).

Success - after much time and thought. Turns out to be the wiring in the inverter that had an issue. New marine wire is on order and should be here by the time we return from visiting with the kids.

In the meantime, our new neighbor (for all of 2 nights) asked if we had an extra fan. Seems their air conditioner wasn't working (it's a relatively new to them boat) so we took the one in our hatch out (a 20" fan) and gave it to them for the night.

As you can see from the picture on the right, this was a 40 foot Cigarette boat! With just a couple of small hatches, I understood why the fan would be nice to have. Just to keep the air moving inside.

This couple were from Chicago and were here for a few days and then were headed north to Key Largo - leave the boat - then head on up to Chicago to work.

Not sure I remember what that word means :-) At least in the connotation of going to a job!

Before they left they asked if we would like a ride in their boat!

WOW!! Top speed on this boat is 74 mph and I felt like we were going that fast ... think rides at Cedar Point where your face skin is flapping in the wind (well at least mine was :-)) I probably would have declined but no way was Steve going to pass up this opportunity. Good thing because it was really a blast!

Meanwhile a bit later the sun did indeed set - yet again.

Work today is getting the mast back up, flushing the inside of the dinghy engine with fresh water (which requires the use of the mast) and getting ready to leave for a few days.

We are headed tomorrow to New Orleans as a mid-winter get together with Becky, Matt and Wendy. Should be a great time .... will report back next week :-)