Finally! Another cruiser!

After two cloudy and cool weeks in Atlanta visiting family, and a particularly satisifying visit with both sons, we made our way back to sunny, hot Fort Myers. Transportation involved car, train, plane, bus, and the last 6 blocks on foot back to the boat. If a horse-drawn carriage had been available I might have used it just to complete the travel experience.

First thing back the air-conditioner was re-installed. While it labored mightly we went food shopping. Thursday was back to business as usual with a trip to the Farmers Market.

At the market:



While we were tasting the joys of big city life a real live cruising boat snuck in next to us. We met Bill aboard Wanderlust, a 40 foot Endeavour center-cockpit sailboat. He, his wife, and 3 children left Chicago on September 18th, 2007 for a 2 year cruise which took them all the way to Venezuela and back. His family returned to Chicago earlier and he departed in a U-Haul yesterday (two years to the day) leaving a for sale sign on the stern.

Bill on Wanderlust: (ignore the shaky camera work)


We did manage to distract him several times in order to glean a few cruising stories and advice. We bought Bill's left over Bahama currency and his extra Bahama courtesy flag which, I guess, means we are now fully committed to head in that general direction. We no longer say we are "going to", only that we are "headed toward". (The discerning reader will note a few occasions where our travel intentions were not fully realized.) This was a joyous circumstance as Admiral De Anne had pointed out to me regularly, over the past year, our lack of a Bahama courtesy flag and the dire consequences which would befall us. Five dollars well-spent.

De Anne - ever vigilant to the slothful ways of men - realized our distractions were causing Bill to fall behind in emptying his boat and decided to throw her whirlwind self into the fray and that I might be of some small use as a draft animal. (those of you who know her now have a vivid mental image and perhaps have had a tiny, involuntary shudder). While De Anne threw herself into the task at hand I carefully husbanded my efforts in order to maintain sufficent energy reserves just in case any unforseen crisis arose needing my attention. Although, when pressed - I did, from time to time, load the cart and make a trip to the truck.

Bill made sure to reinforce our behavior by showering us with cruising gifts. As his waterline rose ours sank. Among the many items bestowed, we are now ready to fish underway, our firstaid kit is now extensive and has items unavailable in the USA, and I now have 12 feet of fire hose - much coveted as the ultimate in chafe guard for anchor and dock lines.
Wanderlust with Rising Star in the background:


While we enjoy the company of several live-aboards here at the marina ( some are former cruisers), it was a special treat to visit with Bill - having just arrived from an extensive cruising trip.