Visitors : Day 3

Rising early to get fuel and returning to Matanza Inn to pick up my Mom , Aunt Patty and Aunt Becky started my day.
They arrived within minutes and we were off !
I had to stop and fix the keel hang up problem that happened again, but that didn't take long.
Letting Aunt Becky try the helm was a hoot. She didn't do half bad for a rookie and help to steer off and on throughout the day!
The wind was fresh out of the east at about 13-17 mph.
We got to run with it for a few miles and were able to sail at a decent tack at a 15 degree heel for a few miles while going around a shoaled area near Sannibel Island.
Once around the shoal we were able to run again due to a wind shift and head NW towards Sannibel for a few miles passing into the contiguous zone ( 3 miles off shore ) and then back into state waters before the wind layed to practically nothing, moving us at about a mile an hour.
From there we motorsailed towards the eastern tip of Sannibel , where they got some pix of the lighthouse, and passed into San Carlos Bay to the north side of Sannibel to a marina there for a bathroom stop and a bite to eat at Grandma Dots.
After leaving there we sailed across the bay back to FMB to end the day.
This was an awesome daysail! My cheeks ache from laughter and my belly stretched from good food!
Here are some pix!

Visitors day 2

The day started out with me and Jon bustin ass to get a friends sailboat ungrounded and anchors reset.
By noon my Mom and Aunt Patty and Aunt Becky and I where sailing south along the ICW towards the south end of Estero Island! I had to get the keel unstuck first before we could sail (which didn't take very long.).
The wind was a brisk Northerly that had us scooting right along for a while until its started to get a little fickle, changing directions and disappearing and reappearing suddenly in a gust, forcing me to the deck repeatedly to reset the genoa accordingly while Mom tried her best at the wheel to hold course while large boats ripped by!
We made it to San Carlos Point and decided to go take a look at the Gulf to see how the conditions were.
Passing the bascule bridge in Big Carlos Pass was easy enough but as we aproached open water the, wind decided that was when it would return with gusto and maintain....This was a 20-25 mph northerly that was kicking up 2-3 ft chop with an occasional 4 footer .....
Soooo it didn't take long before we decided to turn around and return to the inside.
As we got closer to the bridge , the waves lessened to a tolerable level but the wind stayed steady, so we set out a hook in the bay and had a snack and enjoyed the environment .
Munchies done, we headed under the bridge and traveled back to FMB under power into the wind, arriving back at Matanza Inn in twilight, ending the night with an incredible dinner at Nervous Nellies.
So Day 2 went without any problems other than disagreeable sailing conditions one way.
Here are some pix!

 This sign was half way up the stairs to the bar.....

 Mom got the ribs.

 Aunt Patty with ribs also!

 Aunt Becky with Lobster roll.

My Jumbo shrimp stuffed with bluecrab.
I must say that the ribs were e-n-o-r-m-o-u-s!!!!!!!!
My shrimp was good and all but when their ribs arrived I knew I should have got them instead.
Maybe next time if that happens...... the 45 minute wait(just to be seated) was tedious to say the least.
By the time we parted , we all were heavily exausted from the boating and stuffed to the gills and all were asleep with in an hour.

Visitors: Day one

My Mother and Aunt Becky and Aunt Patty came to visit !!! They got in town late last night and we got to hang out and meander around the times square area on Estero Island!
Today the weather wasn't conducive to boating activities so we stayed ashore. Tomorrow is supposed to be windy but warm and clear! I hope to be able to sail a bit tomorrow , but I know we will definitely sail Monday and more!

What a great day despite the weather! My jaws ache from smiling and laughing so much!!!
to be continued......

Mmmmm

Steamed spicy baby taters! 

Test run

I did some trading with Jon and ended up with a diving suit. I about froze the day before while helping another guy with a hull below the waterline.
This photo is the best I could do due to the intense heat the suit hold in. , plus it was 85 degrees today.
the suit worked great! It kept the heat in and the creel shrimp out!

Visiting the Mound House

There is a really old house here in FMB that dates back quite a ways that is being renovated at this time.
They seem to have the grounds around the house setup and growing good.
The house sits atop a place where the natives used to deposite the shells leftover from harvesting shellfish for hundreds of years making this mound one of the highest points of elevation on Estero Island!

Spotter

I went over to Njoy to be a spotter today while Jon climbed the mast to do some repairs!

Whenever I do this or see anyone doing this I can't help but think of my friend Henry and his view of heights!

Visitor

Its been nice to chill out and visit with an ol friend from back home without all the "gotta goes" and "gotta do's".

Jon hangin out next to DAWGFISH.

This guy is always good for out of the box conversation!

NJOY

I got a visitor today from back home! 

NJOY and her crew of 2 Jon and Veto finally made it to the area! 

Jon started in Massachusetts and came down the east coast. 

We rafted up for a few hrs to visit but with the wind and night coming in He set an anchor down yonder . Will get some more pix later this week.