Key West on Adventure III, 2017

 Christine says we are loaded and ready for Key West and points in between.

We will be on this trip with Dave and Michele Sylver along with Dave Crannell on his beautiful Power-Cat yacht called "Adventure III".

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Saturday..April 8, 2017
"Mystic Lady" will be resting up for her next adventure to the Bahama Islands when we get back. Many thanks to Dave for inviting us to tag along part way, before him and his crew head for Cuba.

Dave is clearing the lines as we leave Legacy Harbour Marina in Ft. Myers.

Two fairly good days of weather ahead, enough to get to Marathon then it's super windy for the remainder of this trip.

Seems the winds are being relentless this season.

Cruising past some of SW Florida coastline..with Michele taking it all in.
This gal loves the water as much as anybody I've met. Her and Christine would rather be on a boat than anywhere.

The Sylver's are a great couple to cruise with.

Looking forward to the week in the Keys.

First stop is Marco Island for fuel before we start the long ride to Marathon.

It was a bit tricky getting up to the fuel dock because the night before we arrived the entire dock that houses the fuel station fell into the water. The concrete pilings had crumbled from deterioration.

They had a temporary fuel truck backed up to a floating dock for fueling purposes. However, Captain Dave backed her in between the docks with no problem.

Just another trawler from the fishing fleet as we cruised the coast line.

Not a bad day to travel, winds 10-15 kts, seas 1-2 with occasional 3 footers.

Gonna get much rougher as the week goes on.

Jerry takes a break and enjoys the forward deck as we make our way through the little community of Goodland.

We haven't been thru this cut in about 11 years. The last time we were thru here the place was run-down but today it is booming with boaters and new additions have been added to the old facilities.

The Old Marco Inn in the background has been around since the 1800's...

Saturday Evening...April 8, 2017

After our fuel stop and sightseeing journey thru Goodland we pulled into the "Ten Thousand Island" area of the Everglades for the night.

We chose a place called Panther Key to drop the anchor.

Annie is returning from her Potty Stop at a nearby island.
Some local folks had set up tents and were boat camping on the beach with their kids. Good to see kids getting a taste of Mother Nature's lifestyle.

A great shot of "Adventure III" as we arrive back from our dingy trip around a nearby island.

It was a long ride so we were ready to get back to the "Mother Ship" and cook some supper.

Tomorrow will be a long day as we dodge crab pots and windy conditions all the way to Marathon.





Sunday..April, 9, 2017...Marathon

A Full Moon setting as the sun comes up behind us.

This shot is from the front deck of Adventure III as Christine and I sip our morning coffee.

Our slip location gives us a beautiful view of Moonsets and Sunsets....

We all took a dingy ride over to Burdines  for lunch on the water.

The winds were picking up so we took a table a little more sheltered but the pics were not good.

Lunch, however, was great. Especially the fries.

"High Yo Sylver"..............Dave and Michele "Sylver" are waiting for Capt. Dave to do some dingy cruising around the Marathon area.

Christine and I will wait here and start some projects on Adventure III.

"Dave and his other brother Dave" have a long list of projects for their resident mechanic.





April 11, 2017

Waiting on a cab to take us to the grocery store.

$5.00 to anywhere on the Island....not bad.
It would be $25.00 in the Bahamas.

Expecting some rain showers today so walking ain't gonna happen.





After the taxi ride Jerry, Dave and his other brother Dave took a little walk down to "Faro Blanco" for a drink and to check out the new marina. WOW, it is really nice but I wouldn't want to dock there if the winds are over 5 kts.
They had 1-2 ft. rollers inside the marina. Very exposed to North and East winds.

Boat Outing with Christine's Bible Study Group

Christine and JoAnn on the Forward Deck as we pull out of Legacy Marina on Gene and Kathy's beautiful 1987 68 ft. Ocean Alexander, "Front Page"......

A perfect day for a 15 mile cruise down the river to their favorite Waterside Restaurant called "Marker 92"...

We have about 20 people on board and looking forward to a great lunch with friends.

Seems the dolphins wanted to follow along on our little expedition to Marker 92....

We had a pod of three for quite a while, then this gal started showing off with beautiful "Antics" like this one.
She would turn her head sideways as if saying hello as the ladies would call out to her.
They love to surf along with the boat wakes and sometimes follow for miles.

Some of the group chose to ride at the Upper Helm (or Flybridge) to get a better view and feel the air in their face.

Also easier to spot the dolphins and  boat traffic....

Kathy (in blue) is the Bible Study Group Leader and she does a fabulous job with the Studies according to all the Ladies.

Her husband Gene is Captain but today he has lots of help....

Well, we arrived safely at this beautiful location at the mouth of the Caloosahatchie River just across the bay from Sanibel Island.

A super nice marina with condos all around and a great place to dine.

Only a few miles from Legacy and perfect for an afternoon cruise.

Would have been a perfect day to eat outside on the patio but our Gang was so large we had to go inside to get a table big enough to serve 20 people.

A very upscale dining experience and I would recommend it to anyone visiting the Ft. Myers or Cape Coral area.

ThankYou, Gene and Kathy, for providing this cruise for the group.

"Front Page" making her way back to Legacy Marina after a wonderful trip down the river.

Gene and Kathy are in the Newspaper Business and that might explain the name of their yacht.

She is a 30 year old yacht but is in impeccable condition. They completed a year long cruise down to Trinidad in the Caribbean just last year...
Great Friends, we are truly blessed.

The Antics of "Annie and Oscar"

FEBRUARY 2017

Annie and Oscar (our marina neighbor the Golden-Doodle) love to play tug-of-war at the Marina.


Annie is getting toughened up for her trip to the Bahama's in a few weeks. She will do a lot of beach running and swimming as soon as we arrive at the first island.

She wishes Oscar could come along cause she "Loves" Oscar.

Our friend and neighbor "Ken" is having some heart issues and may not be able to make the trip to the Bahamas this year.

He was all set to go over in his brand new 50 ft. Tiara Yacht but had a stroke on New Years Eve and the doctors will tell him next month if he is good to go...we are hoping for the best for Ken, Sandra, and Oscar.
They are great people, like so many here at Legacy Marina.

Annie and Oscar were playing on Mystic Lady and it was time to take a Pee break.

No, there eyes aren't floating....I just didn't bother to remove the bright eyes...

Cayo Costa Cruise

Monday, February 6, 2017

Adios until next time Pelican Bay...

Heading back to Ft. Myers today, got more Dr, Appointments tomorrow .

Had a good day yesterday with calm winds and smooth waters but today is looking a little windy.

Sunday morning fog kept us on Mystic Lady until mid- day but managed to take a dingy ride down to the South End of Cayo Costa Island...

Looks like Christine and Annie are ready to go somewhere. I don't think they care where, just somewhere.

My girls are up to anything as long as they are cruising on Mystic Lady.

Good Morning South Florida.....
Sun rising over Useppa Island.

This picture will give you a good idea what it's like to "Go boating" in Southwest Florida. This is part of the "Miserable Mile", a narrow channel with a No Wake zone. We were coming back to Ft. Myers around Noon. This is the traffic leaving Cape Coral and Ft. Myers heading out to the beaches and islands in the area. I may not be the best Captain out here but believe me.....some of these people have no idea what "Rules of The Road" mean.
Enlarge picture to see all..

Weekend-on-the-water Feb. 4, 2017

Annie loves  "Dolphin Huntin" from the dingy

A little closer Dad, closer, I think I got him.....Awww Dad you let him get away, and I had him.

Well, just turn me loose and I'll get him myself....here Dolphin, here Dolphin

Think I'll just roll in the sand for a while.....that'll teach ya to let my Dolphin get away..

Hey Mom, let's run down to the other end of the beach.....come on, you can do it

Very busy day at Cayo Costa State Park, beautiful weekend weather....Lower 80's, clear skies, and light winds. Mystic Lady is enjoying her time on the hook. Christine is a Happy Camper.....

Mom says it's time to start supper...so back to Mystic Lady for an evening with "Jack".........might even get in a little fishing before dark.

BRIMSTONE with HANK JR.

Loaded up and rolling at 5:00 am

Stopping off in Columbia, Ky for some home cooking..Southern Style Breakfast....

This should be a great weekend of off-roading in the North Cumberland Mountains.

Headed to Huntsville, Tenn. for the annual Wild Mountain Rampage at Brimstone ATV Park.

Little camping, little riding, little racing and even a little drinking....

Did I mention a little campfire activities or was that included with the little drinking comment....

Did a little Sweet Talking to Danika and she got us a nice level campsite in the Event Area....in walking distance to the Event Stage where the "One and Only" Hank Williams, Jr. will perform on Saturday Night...

It also helps to get there two days early.......

Campsite all set up and Christine has her Hog Snout Dust Mask, walking stick and brand new hiking boots....Looks like she is ready to do some serious trail riding.


Gonna get in a few miles today before this huge crowd shows up tomorrow.

This is expected to be the biggest event ever held at Brimstone.


Hot and dry here in the Tennessee hills.....

Made it in time for lunch on the ground....nothing like dining in the mountains.



Beautiful weather and quite peaceful on this Thursday afternoon....

Will try to get some Go-Pro videos edited and add them in later...

 Friday, September 16, 2016      

Headed up to the Vendor Area this morning to check out the New Stuff..

Vendors arriving and setting up their displays. Good time to stretch a leg and exercise a sore knee before heading back up into the trails.

Just one of the many Wild Rides here at the Wild Mountain Rampage...

Check out this 4-wheeler....

And back at the Wild Mountain Beauty Parlor Andrea and Alison are having their hair done.........Campground Style..


It was a verrrrry dusty ride on the trails today....we could use a little rain before the Rampage starts tomorrow.

These girls could hardly get the hair washed for laughing so much..

Rode into town of Huntsville, Tenn. today for some milk and ice.

This is the first year that State Police have allowed ATV's on Highway 63.

Several of the Trail Systems are trying to work an arrangement with the State to allow ATV's and OHVs to use state and county roads to link the trail systems.

Hopefully, the State will approve. There are four or five large trail systems that could be linked if this is allowed. Much like the "Hatfield and McCoy" systems in West Virginia.







Saturday, September 17, 2016

Click on the Video below for a tour of the Event Area campground........

 
Saturday around Noon as people are coming in to get a spot for the Hank Jr. concert later tonight.
This is expected to be the largest crowd ever at a Brimstone Rally.....

Jimmy and I were at the registration booth bright and early hoping to be first to leave on the Wild Mountain Rampage Race.
Several others had the same idea. We were sixth or seventh to leave out this morning. A cool, foggy morning for this cross country event.
The Moto-Cross rider on the 300 KTM "looked like" the guy to beat. We will just have to see if we can catch them. Drivers leave as they are signed up. The KTM was long gone by the time we were finished signing in.

The "Mad Hatter" was at Checkpoint #3 when we arrived. You got bonus points if he was at a checkpoint when you arrived, he moved from one to the other all day long.
He will play an interesting role later on in the finishing results.
We got the bonus points.....now it's off to catch the the rest of the drivers.

We passed two before the first checkpoint.....Jimmy lead all day while I ate his dust, but I passed him on a rough dirt road just before entering the county road back to the start/finish. He couldn't catch up so I finished fourth and Jimmy finished fifth. However, the first and second place drivers did not get their cards punched by the checkpoint official, they only got the "Mad Hatter" to punch their card so they actually were disqualified. Andrea rode with me and Alison rode with Jimmy......two brave girls. Christine DOES NOT like to go fast so she sat this one out. Lots of fun.

Back at the event area for the next event....the "Obstacle Course".

We are waiting for the drivers meeting and explanation of the course and direction to go...

Gonna be a fun afternoon....and a Hank Jr. concert tonight.

Drivers are walking the course with the official.
There is no practice and no pre-walking of the course just to be fair to all.

Very rough course, built at the last minute with a few bulldozers and backhoes..

Jimmy beat me by 2 seconds....I must have been tired from the morning ride. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Andrea and Alison messing around on the way to the concert. Christine and I had already parked the RZR in a good spot several hours before the concert expecting a record crowd. So we all walked up to the RZR with chairs for the show.

It was a good idea because it was so crowded we had to leave the RZR there until after midnight before we could get it back to the camp.

We are in the middle of a "Sea of SIDE X SIDES" ...all makes and models, only thing they have in common is they are all drunk or working on getting drunk...

Clip of Trail 95's Whoop-De-Doos...