Keys & Beyond

Eric,
Taught her a lesson she would never forget. Thankfully the water was warm and she didn't hit her head on the dock. We were out just far enough for her to reach out and grab the dock. She was laughing but embarassed 😳 . I was not laughing. 😱 :x
captd
 
When the boat is being handled in any fashion everyone wears a PFD upon leaving the cabin.. Learned it the hard way a long time ago as I was inspecting the bottom clip on the genny, when a rogue wave catapulted me into the air like a badminton shuttlecock - and whilst I was gracefully at apogee the foredeck smartly dipped and swiveled sideways leaving me just standing there, like the Coyote in the roadrunner cartoon... Shortly after, the law of gravity (it is the law after all) reasserted itself... Now this was some 8 miles off shore in a blow... (Don't be sneering, you salt water guys... If you haven't been on Lake Huron in a smart blow, you don't know jack. Many an ocean freighter captain has entered the Great Lakes just once, and vowed never to return)
Anyway, my son was on the tiller and he instantly handed it to my wife and leaned out over the lee rail... I was kicking hard to reach the surface before the boat could pass me, and as I popped up we joined hands and I rolled back on deck...

denny-o
 
Tuggers,
About 200 miles down range. Docked at Cape Haze Marina. $1.50 a foot. Dock boy recommended a place to eat, called Johnnies Seafood House. Said just a short walk around the corner past the marina office. Turned out the office was a block away and Johnnies about a mile more. Dee and I are about an inch shorter. We needed the exercise, but not all at once. Very nice place and the food was good. Priced right besides.
Every night it has been quite chilly. This morning at 5:00 a.m. it was 56 in the cabin. The Wallas makes the coffee and warms us up.
All bridges except two were high enough for the Lucky Fin. Both opened on demand. Nice to be on the short side. I kept the fuel burn down to two gals an hour. Gave us around 8 mph. Up to 9 with an incoming tide. Fuel price is creeping up.

Should be in Fort Meyers by tonight. Probably hang out in the area for a day or two. Hope to meet fellow Tuggers there.
Dee wants nice calm weather to round the horn. We will shoot for Boot Key. Guess they now have mooring balls available.That is if they are not all taken. I remember up to 400 boats anchored in that totaly protected harbor.

To be continued
captd
 
Englewood, eh... Too bad we were not down there as we have a place on Lemon Bay with a dock (free for you)...

It is 9 degrees as I type this drivel this morning... The frost would be on the pumpkin, if the pumpkin hadn't long ago turned into a frozen boulder... Gawd I hate winter...

Anyway, had a meeting yesterday with the gnomes to go over the contract to buy me out, and after a bit of finagling over some minor items we have an agreement... I will have to work for them for awhile to 'learn em the ropes', but they are paying extra (mucho) for the education - both parties are happy so it is win-win... There is hope that I may yet become an unemployed, proving the Peter Principle by reaching (finally) my level of incompetence...

denny-o
 
Hey Capt'D, at North Fort Meyers is Southwest Florida Yacht Charters, located at Marinatown Yacht Harbor, which is a live aboard marina... This is entered through the Hancock Bridge Parkway cut... Very sheltered in a blow... Take your time following the dredged canal in, as it is shallow if you leave the cut...
Anyway, I chartered an American Tug 34 there last year and they are nice folks and it is a really nice marina (don't know anything about the rates)... But, just thought I would mention it in case you need an option...

denny-o
 
Capt D

Cathy and I will be in Key West Saturday through wensday. If you make it there call me 386 717 6429!

Frank

Ainokea
 
Eric,

I often cruise over to Caladesi with my Labrador. The park is very dog friendly. We are allowed everywhere except on the beach and inside the restuarant. I must caution you that during the summer the boat deck and sand is very rough on them. We keep her wet by using the showers and keep her in the shade. There are nearby islands were we let her jump off the boat and claim the island as her own.
 
Good morning Tugnuts,
This is the third time I have typed a post. These @#$%$#@ putors. so I' am using a back up. Lost all messages and e-mails.

We anchored out in a nice secluded, protect cove with about 15 ft of water. Right next to Tarpon Point Marina.
Four huge condos right out in front of us. ( maybe not so secluded) Not so handy for Phoo Bear, This place is to rich for our blood. $1.80 a ft. and up for slip. $3.20 plus for fuel.

Frank, I am sorry we can not make it to Key West for this weekend. Seems like we never quite get together. Your zigin while we are zagin. We are going to hang out around here for a day or two, before we go around the horn.

Eric, I will check out that marina. Dee insists she needs to wash clothes and take showers and all that silly stuff. :roll:

Good uneventfull day yesterday. Run at 8 mph 99% of the time. Did opener up to 17 mph. Not bad for loaded. Note for Andrew: Waterline is still above water.

To be continued.
captd
 
Tuggers,

Found a home for about two weeks right here in North Fort Meyers Beach. Very nice marina on the beach side. Moss Marine is the name.
As I pulled up to the fuel dock there sets a blue Ranger 25. I ask the dock master who owns that piece of junk. LOL.
He said yours looks just like it. It turns out that it was the Tuggin Aweigh. Frank and Pam, whom I had never met in , but had talked via e-mail. for several weeks. I had given up on us every coming together. Out of the dozens of marinas in this area we pick the right one to top off our fuel and here they were. Guess it was ment to be.

We had an enjoyable lunch and a toast with a glass of wine that Pam and Dee put together. We are thrilled with our new found friends. Frank and I rode bikes and caught the trolly to the fish market and had a short tour of the beach area. Absolutely fabulous. The nicest beach I have seen in Florida.

We are in a slip right in front of the boaters lounge. Where we have a big tv. coffee, wash rooms and showers. Plug in for laptops. All private, not outsiders allowed. Casino boat is on the end off the pier we are on. Guess what Dee wants to do? The marina gave us free boarding passes, so why not? Beach is within walking distance for Dee and I , that means within two blocks.
Course it is all a big tourist trap, but are'nt they all.

I'll tell you more about this place as we learn our selves. And be posting some pictures. Dee is content here, besides it is warmer.


One last thing.......Frank and Cathy......We can not make it to Key West by Saturday. Sorry to have missed you guys.
I'll blame it all on Dee. LOL One of these days we will get together and do some cruising. You got to quit that flying around in air planes all the time and slow down. I sent you a couple of messages, but they went into outer space.

to be continued.
captd
 
Darrell,
On your way south you can duck into the Shark river for the night. While we have never been there, I always wanted to go. I have heard the water is crystal clear and you can litterally see the Hammer Head Sharks swimming around! (Don't let go of Miss Dee here.....)

It is supposed to be an excellent anchorage. The bugs should not be too bad this time of year. Remember to take some bug spray along though just in case.

Be safe!
 
Dave,
Yes, about the shark river. Been there and anchored out with a friend with a 40 Defever. If I remember correctly it was in August. and yes the bugs would eat you alive. I tried fishing in the evening , but gave up that idea quickly. In the morning when I pulled anchor , I couldn't do it fast enough.

I am trying to interest some of the eastern tuggers to come across country to the Dave & Maureen rendezvous. You two are becoming famous even out here. Word is spreading.

I really like Fort Meyers Beach. I can not say how good it really is. I wish I had a better way with words.

Dee got my older putor working again so I can take my time and correct my mistakes to the best of my abilities. Which ain't much. I see my last post was a mess. But I have faith the tugnuts are smart enough to figure out what I am trying to say.

Frank and Pam are going to be posting and telling more about there travels and showing photos of their boat and Frank's brand new dink. He got her in the water today. We pedaled our bikes over the big bridge to West Marine which was three miles away. Seemed like ten after climbing up over that bridge. At least I pedaled all the way. Last time i walked and pushed the bike the last half.

Taylorville, Illinois is well represented here tonight. Frank who was the mayor and two other couples are now here makes you wonder who is left in charge in Taylorville. I am going to have to look up where that town is located. Frank said it is a town of about 10,000. That is more then twice as big as Libby Montana.

Grandson is on vidio right now so talk to you all later.

Amazing, what a kick to look him in the eye and talk to him. 😀


captd
 
Loving these posts... can't wait until you actually cross the Gulf!!
 
Keep the posts coming our way CaptD and give that gal of yours a hug.
 
Swat a bug or two for me and Vicki.

Good cruising.
 
Darrell,
With it only being February, I would think that the "bugs" would be at a minimum on the Shark. I have never had the good fortune to get there but have heard that it is absolutly incredible to sit in the cockpit and watch the sharks swim by!

I would be careful fishing in there though. I have caught one or two of those hammer heads while Tarpon Fishing in the keys! They are not the happiest little fella's when you get them in the boat. We actually watched one chase the guide around the inside of a sixteen foot flats boat one day..... once he finally got it back in the water, we all had a good laugh....

Glad you and Miss Dee are having such a great time!
 
Thanks Dave& Maureen,
We are hanging close to marina cause the weather is a bit wet and cool, but we are not complaining. Yesterday Frank and Pam of the Tuggin Aweigh invited us to ride around in their truck over to Fort Meyers. If it were not for that we would have seen only what you see from the boat or as far as we can pedal our bikes.

I truly believe Tuggers are the best most interesting, friendly, hospitable, people in the world. The more of them I meet the more convinced I am. By the way, Dee's favorite light on the boat are the lamps. Thanks again. We use them with an inverter on 12 volts. It makes lighting much easier on the eyes. Most good ideas :idea: for the boat come from fellow tuggers.
captd
 
Just to let you know, Snug Tug (R-25) is in Delray Beach, Fl (east coast) and will be heading south to Key West next week. We plan on being in Miami on Monday night, right after the Super Bowl and then will slowly work our way south to Key West over the next week or so.

Our paths seem sure to cross somewhere!

Keep the posts coming and we'll try to meet up once we see where our trajectories will intersect.
 
Snug Tug.
Looks like the Lucky Fin and the Tuggin Aweigh will both be down in the Keys. Frank has to fly up north for about 5 days so it will be about the 16th before he can go down. I plan, at this time, to start down about the 10th.
I hope it will come together. we would enjoy meeting you guys down there. 🙂
captd
 
The Captain and Crew of the Lucky Fin were invited to the Edison and Ford winter home here in Fort Meyers. (Course for a token fee of $40.00.) Thomas and Henry were not home at the time but we wandered over the estate. Looked into the windows and took pictures of the homes and interior. Seen some of the transportion that Henry gave to Tom. Maybe not the exact same ones. A model T pickup and a model "A" if I am not mistaken. I guess the model "T" pickup sold for $250.00. I offered 500.00 but they turned it down. Gosh, how much profit do they need.
The estate sit along side of the Caloosahatchee. Caloosa ( tribe ) hatchee ( river in Caloosa tongue ). Correct me if I'm wrong.

He bought the property for $20,000 , I would have offered more than that now that they made some improvements. They spent $1000 putting in a swiming pool and dressing room. The pool uses water directly from an artisian well. A walk through the gardens was a nice experience. trees and plants from around the world. The biggest banyan tree in the country if not the world. It was so huge you could not get it all in one picture. They had posted the name as " fiscus " or some such thing. I was going to tell Thomas if I seen him around but he never showed up so I guess it will be missnamed for another 100 years.

We took a lot of pictures. Some shots of Thomas's study and some of his inventions, like light bulbs, phonograph, telegraph, and numerous other projects. If he would have showed up, I was planning on telling him that incandescent bulbs wouln't be the best way to go. They use to much power and contribute to global warming. I could have helped him with a lot of his projects, you know some folks don't want to share the spot light. Oh well, I will post some of these pictures in my album under the heading of Thomas & Henry. You will see that some of their ideas were quite old fashion. I could have been a big help. :roll:

Bottom line it was a very enjoyable day. Educationl besides. Thanks to Frank and Pam for the ride over and back. Plus other wonderfull acts of kindness. 😉

captd
 
Snug Tug is in Islamorada today (Feb 11) headed for Marathon tomorrow. Anyone in the neighborhood? We haven't had internet service for a couple of days so this is our first chance to catch up on e-mail and the Tugnutters. Spent last night at Pennekamp park on Key Largo and the night before on Boca Chita Key in the Biscayne National Park. Both are great stops!
 
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