A Season Over

The cruising season is over and we sit out hurricane season in Fort Myers counting the days until November when we will be free again.

With time on my hands I am pacing myself on boat chores and engaged in a little trip down nostalgia lane in reviewing our first season. We covered 595 miles - 352 under sail, 236 under power, and (unfortuately) 7 under tow. We stayed in 8 marinas and 11 anchorages, which doesn't count the times I had to pull and re-anchor in the same vicinity.

Our season was a half season since I was working during November and December and then came the 6 weeks of waiting in Mobile. Of the 105 days total since leaving Mobile we traveled 21 days, voluntarily remained in port 52 days, and had 32 days of weather forced inactivity.

Some cruisers we have met along the way are far ahead of us. Sadly, several have succumbed to the rigors of cruising. It is a hard lifestyle that punishes a wrong decision, a moment of inattention or just bad luck. In the real world (or unreal, depending on your point of view) there is much cushioning. Here, as I have said before, Mother Nature wins.

The rewards however are truly spectacular. I wish I could share adaquately the following experiences:
Sailing a beam reach down Sarasota Bay.
We have seen hundreds of dolphins and had up to 30 surrounding our boat at one time, but I have yet to get a good picture.
The ospry is a magnificent bird that has a silly, high pitched cry.
If you want a truly religious experience take a small boat 30 or 40 miles offshore in heavy weather.
The feeling of accomplishment and sense of relief when you run a channel and spot your anchorage after a day or two at sea.
The asmatic wheeze of a 4 foot long sea turtle surfacing.
Appreciation for a capable wife/sailor
The jubilation of going a whole day without scraping bottom.
When a pelican hits the water after a fish, the sound is like a fat man doing a belly flop.
The excitement of a correct weather forecast.
White powder sand under your bare feet.
Bucking the tide in Captiva Pass
Finding ripe mangos just laying on the ground.
Waves over the bow.

I know what you are thinking - you can almost hear Julie Andrews singing "These are a few of my favorite things" in the background.

Since we are docked for an extended period my blog output will slow down until cruising resumes.

At the Ft. Myers dock with a cruising Mainship 35 in the background:

El Cheapo

All cruisers are cheapskates. I am not sure if cheapskates become cruisers or vice versa.We like to sail - even if it is only to turn off the expensive motor and generator. Some cruisers (and you know who you are!) will dumpster dive while owning a financial profolio. Goodwill is a good place to shop for clothes, but church thrift shops are better. Cruisers always get the day pass for the bus and plan detailed shopping expeditions - leaving the day pass a tattered mess by the end of the day.

De Anne and I fit the profile. Tuesday we went to Fort Myers Beach (15 miles south of Fort Myers). For the two $2.50 day passes we took 4 bus rides and 3 trolley rides. We walked the beach in the morning - and we've seen better, walked through town, passing up numerous resturants, until we dined off the McDonalds dollar menu. First McD fries I have had in five months - a new record!

Thursday we walked to the once-a-week farmers market conenviently located a few blocks away. For $9 we stocked up on fruit and produce for the week. Our $9 got us a watermelon, 6 peaches, 2 avacados, 3 cucumbers, and 3 green peppers. A cheapskate's dream!

On the first Friday evening each month the City sponsors an Art Walk. Downtown businesses host different artists in their stores complete with food and drink. The Art Museum had a free play and a great buffet. For a "suggested" $5 donation we had wine, great food, and saw a good stage comedy. Their sausage casserole with 5 kinds of sausages, potatoes, and plantains was so good I had three (although small) plate loads. After touring the downtown locations, some with better finger food than others, we rested in the square and listened to a blues group for a while. Last stop on the tour was a restored 1901 Victorian home to view some more art work (more wine and finally dessert). While talking to the curator of the home we were invited back for a tour of the house next week. Another fun and inexpensive evening lined up for next week.

In Memory of Brigadoon

One thing about cruising is the friends you make so fast. We stay in contact, if not frequently, at least occasionally with a dozen cruisers we have met along the way. Big boat, small boat, experienced or novice, we are all tiny to Mother Nature so trust and camaraderie form quickly.

We met Skip and Caroline on Brigadoon in Destin. Last Thursday I got an email from Skip saying he had just started a blog and that they were in Carrabelle getting ready to make the Big Bend crossing (see our April 11th post: "A Hard Day's Night).

A couple hours ago I found out they lost their boat. I recommend reading his account. http://cruisingwithbrigadoon.blogspot.com/