. . . sun down!! Here's a typical one, which we watch from our back deck most nights. We've decided that sunsets are like Ohio snowflakes ~ no two are alike (but that's about all they have in common!) We really have been working very hard getting our Phase II into shape and ready for cruising. Like our flip houses, Dave has been focusing on all the mechanics, plumbing, electrical, etc. and I've been putting my painting, decorating and "finishing touches" skills to good use. It's amazing the transformation we've made in just over a month, but there's more to go. And more new tools to buy to get it done, of course!!
Dave has discovered that 180 HP diesel engines are slightly different than his Healy and MG engines he's rebuilt. Here he is with one of the two on board! He's now got both running like champs. Darbi sure hates it when we start them up though. Luckily it only takes her a minute or two to get used to it.
Just last week we made our first solo journey down the intercoastal to beautiful Boca Grande. The ride was awesome, nothing like seeing the Florida shorelines from the water. Here we are yielding to a ferry taking cars from the mainland to an island. It's such a short distance across the trip takes about 30 seconds! One of our our new neighbors took this video on her phone of us pulling out. I'll post it, hopefully you can play it . . .
Too bad she didn't get the return trip ~ Dave is backing her in like he's done it for years! Of course with my constant "input" and "direction" that oddly enough he says he really doesn't need!
Here we are taking a spin around the marina on our dinghy. The 9.5 HP motor sure gets her moving around the "hood"! Darbi does love her Paws Aboard life jacket and I really like it because it has a handle on the back so I can move her around like a purse. Luckily we haven't had to retrieve her from the water yet!
We have met some great people who have made us feel so welcome! Here we are the 2nd week we were here at a little "boathood" get together. A neighborhood picnic takes on a whole new meaning living in a marina . . . we shared great food and drink on the top deck of Mike and Angie's Chris Craft while cruising down the intercoastal and out into the Gulf of Mexico. (That's Mike and Angie sitting next to Dave ~ not sure who the heck was driving the boat!!!)
Meet our friendly boathood dolphins who stop by regularly to eat. It's incredible watching them jump around just off our back deck! Darbi still isn't sure about them, but it's hysterical watching her trying to figure out what they are.
As awesome as it is living here, we really do miss everyone back home! Thankfully we have had some overnight guests from the north, with brother-in-law Bill being the first seen here fishing off the dock. And here he is proudly cooking for breakfast the previous night's catch!
And as soon as Pat gets back from Puerto Rico, I'll have some pictures of her and Tom and my girlfriends who have all been down to experience the rockin' life on the boat!
Next posting I promise to have lots of pictures of the boat so you can see what we've really been up to!
Miss you all ~ please keep in touch and there's a standing invitation to you all to come and visit!!
