Log 190
Day 603
Thursday, January 14, 2010
9:00 AM EST
Location: Cape Harbour Marina; Cape Coral, FL.
Weather: 51 degrees...only a high in the 70’s today
It’s been a little over a month since my last log. Here is an update of what’s been going on.
· Leaving the boat to head home...things went just as planned. It’s not a big deal to leave the boat for a couple of weeks. Make sure the holding tanks are pumped out; make sure the refrigerator is set, in case of a power outage; set the air conditioners to cycle once a day to keep out the humidity; and shut off all water. We had a 6:30 flight, so we left the boat at about 4:30 am. We had a rental car, so it was easy to head to the airport, and all things were on time. After a 4 hour layover in Chicago, we landed in Peoria, IL at 2 PM...right on time. Our brother in law, Terry Ruhland, picked us up at the airport, and we only had to go a few miles to where we had our truck stored. It had been over 18 months since we had put the truck in storage...and it started without a problem...and ran perfect.
· Our Christmas time at home...was very nice. Lots of traveling to see our daughter; grandkids; different friends and family; and all over about a 7 day period, but, looking back, it was a great time. In years past I would always complain about how much of a hassle things were...but it never seemed to change the fact that we continued to do the same things, so this year I just went with the flow. It was easier on all of us.
· Heading back to the boat...also went as planned. The week before Christmas I went to get our 21 foot Boston Whaler out of storage, and make sure it was winterized for the trip south. On the Monday after Christmas, at 10 am, we hooked onto the boat, and left Chillicothe. When we left it was 26 degrees, with light blowing snow. By the time we stopped in Clarksville, TN on Monday evening it was in the low 40’s and in the mid 50’s when we stopped in Birmingham, AL on Tuesday. (we made a little detour to stop at Brad & Patti’s house...our friends from Salvage Crew). After a great afternoon, and evening, of laughing with Brad and Patti, we left the next morning (after a great eggs and grits breakfast) at 9 am, and by 6 pm we were in Gainesville, Fl for the night. Finally...on New Years Eve, we arrived back at Cape Harbour Marina..to 80 degrees!! There was a big party here at the marina complex, and it was great to be back at the boat.
· The first couple of days after our return were spent getting the boat back in shape, as well as getting the Whaler off the trailer, and “in the barn” (which is a large building with racks, and a they use a big forklift to put boats in the water). The Monday after New Years, I had a mechanic do a complete service on the Yamaha engine on the Whaler, and Deb and I took it out for a quick spin. The key word here is “quick”. It was sunny, but only about 55 degrees...and while it felt warm in the harbor, once we got out on the Caloosahatchee, it was way too cold. But, we did have a great time, and it gave us a taste of many fun days ahead of us, as we explore the area in the Whaler.
· Since that first day of having the boat in the water, I have used the boat almost every day. Most of the time I have been by myself, and just “putzing” around trying to fish. The weather continues to set records for the longest amount of days where the tempratures does not get to 70, and also cold nights (it’s been as cold as 32 and now is back to a low of 47...the average low is 58). This has really caused havoc with the fish. They do not feed during these times, and there are LOTS of fish that have died, and are floating on the water. Many of the locals I have met tell me they have never seen anything like this in their lifetime.
· Keeping busy here does not seem to be an issue at all. Deb loves her morning to be slow and relaxing. She gets wound up later in the day...about the time I’m slowing down. I spend my early mornings on the computer, and then generally head over to the bait and tackle shop (right next to the marina) about 9, or so, and hang out with some of my new friends I have met. There is a great group of guys who come and go each morning, and I have gotten to know several of them, and I am always asking for advice on fishing tips. Late mornings I head back to the boat, and Deb is making plans for the day. While I have been heading back to the Whaler, she has been cleaning, and running errands. And then we meet back at the boat between 3 and 4...just in time for cocktail hour. I know as the weather warms up we will spend more time together on the Whaler, but for now this routine seems to suit us just fine.
· Fishing...is what I am really looking forward to as the winter goes on. While I am alone on the boat I have been working on “hot set-ups” for fishing, and getting the boat ready to make it easy to fish. Along with all the tips, and things I need to buy, I have also found a fishing guide that is going to take me fishing on Friday, January 15th. I can’t wait for him to show me all his favorite spots, and techniques for catching fish. I have told him I don’t care if we catch a fish (while were together) I just want to learn as much as I can about the area, and the habits of the fish. That way I can explore on my own, as well as know the hot spots when my fishing buddies are here.
· Selling the boat...is a daily work in progress. Almost every day I stop by the Galati dealer (just a minute from our boat) to say “hi” and talk about boat activity. We are coming up to the busiest time of the year (mid January to May) for boat buying, and I want to be sure we are priced right, and the boat is in great shape to show. I will say that my enthusiasm for washing the outside of the boat, in this cold weather, is not very high...but it continues to look great, none the less.
· While it has been quite, and relaxing, the last couple of weeks, the level of activity is about to pick up considerably. A friend, and former coworker, Carl Melville will arrive here on Friday, and be here until next Tuesday. When Carl leaves, I will drive to West Palm Beach for a board meeting, and then, the last week of the month some longtime friends, Dave and Jane Smith, will be here for 10 days. Beginning the 1st of February, our friends Brad & Patti (M/V Salvage Crew) will be renting a home about 5 minutes from the marina for the month, and sharing it with Andy and Mary (M/V Good News). If that was not enough, Les and Annie, and Darrell and Donna, will be renting a home for 2 months (February and March) here in Cape Coral...which is also less than 5 minutes away from our boat. We also have two other former coworkers (Steve & Claudia Larry and John and Karen Peters) join us on our boat during that time. And to top it off, I have invited 8 former coworkers to come down the first weekend in March...and they all said yes. I’m getting a headache just thinking about all the margaritas that will be consumed.
That’s about all that’s fit to print at this time.
I’ll keep you posted.
Bob
