Chapter 23: Back in Tierra Verde

5:55 am
Tuesday, December 28, 1999
Tierra Verde Resort & Marina
Tierra Verde, FL.

It's always interesting coming back to the boat when you've been gone for a while. I am always excited, but you're not sure what to expect. Yesterday was no exception.
We arrived in Tampa right on time. After a limo ride, (with several other people, who didn't happen to be going where we were, so we were the last ones off) we arrived at the marina at about 6PM. From a distance the boat looked great. It looked clean, and as I say I was excited to see it.

Once on the boat things took a bit of a change. On the stern of our boat we have two big doors, one of which slides, similar to glass sliding doors on a patio. The only difference in ours is that there heavier, and curved verses flat. On the inside we have sort of mini blinds that are made out of fabric.

You can raise and lower these with a pull string. Simple enough right? Well, when we leave the boat we lower the blinds to keep the sun from bleaching out the carpet. The problem is we have to lower these by hand, because the pull string is on the inside. (yes, there is a reason to tell you this) Anyway......when we got to the boat, the blinds were messed up because the guy who was installing the stereo wasn't quite as careful as we are. Somehow he broke these, and they wouldn't go up, and I had to take them down in order to get in the boat. No big deal, I'm sure someone sells these things.

Speaking of the guy who installed the stereo. (or was supposed to install the stereo) Once we got in the boat I noticed that there were empty stereo boxes in the salon, so I went up on the bridge to inspect the new installation. What I found was a mess. The dash panel was open, and screws were laying on the dash. The canvas that is supposed to cover the dash was in a ball and laying in the corner. (by the way it rained hard last night) On the floor were wires, and a used antenna. My stomach did a flip. I had his (Jamie) cell number, so I called him. Oh, Jamie said, "I have your new stereo right here beside me". I thought about telling him it belonged in my dash, but I assumed he knew that. He went on to say he had a problem, and had to take the stereo to Clarion dealer. But then he said there was no problem with the stereo, the problem must be on the boat. Not to worry though, he said "it will only take him a few minutes to fix in the morning".
(do you think when I write this log tomorrow, it will have taken "only a few minutes to fix"?) I doubt it!

At about this time it seemed to me a gin and tonic was in order. Carl went to get ice, so I was all set. Once made I was ready for the next project.

Remember that table base for the salon table that broke? Well I went over to the boat of the guy who was going to fix it. I banged on the boat, and when he finally came out he said "Hi, when you leavin"? I knew we had a problem.

It seems that the base was at some painters shop, and this guy closed his shop for a week. I'm serious. I thought about reminding him that I gave him this base on September, 27th, and it's now almost January, but I thought he knew that as well. We are still trying to figure out what to do about this one.

The rest of the evening was less eventful. Deb and Chris put things away, and helped Carl make up the bed in the 3rd bedroom. We went over to the restaurant and had a pretty good meal, and some great margaritas. By 10 we were back at the boat, and Deb and Chris put the final touches on the grocery list.

Today? Well, Deb and Chris will head out to the store to stock up on food.
Steve, and Carl will head out to West Marine to get a few things, and then help clean the boat when they return. I need to check things out in the engine room, hopefully get the stereo fully installed, and try and figure out how to my table base back. All this, and my goal is to leave at noon.

Our destination today is Longboat Key. There is a great marina there (or at least the picture looks good). It should be an easy trip. Only 35 miles, and the weather will be fine, after that front went through.

So that where we're at as of now. Carl got up a few minutes ago, so I'll close this, and find out what he's thinking.

BK.