Channel 29

Waiting.  Waiting for No Show already at sea to report conditions on Channel 29.  Channel 29?  Someone said, "It's the long distance channel; that's why we are using it."  On the rotary knob, channel markers were distributed along a logarithmic scale with Channel 29 just to the right of Channel 16.  As I looked up from the old VHF radio, black water reaching out from a hazy beach to a dull sky filled my field of vision.  Somewhere over the horizon, TMCA boats were either sailing a meandering river home or rushing about as if riding a wild rapids under bare poles. We were to join them, waiting now for No Show to call on Channel 29. Silence. Looking around, my brother-in-law Paul charged like an angry bull.  Before I could dive between the rails of a corral fence and out the way, Paul rushed by as if I weren't even there, his eyes riveted on Ed Herndon of all people.  Midnight. Prevacid. Six hours till dawn. Six months of construction to go.

Michele came for a visit last week. We sailed on the harbor.  She borrowed the car to drive to Key West. The lucky cats with six toes are there. She quit her job. She is living in the moment.  I have lived in the past that never was and the future that may not be. So living in the moment is OK, I suppose, as long as the moments add up. It's better than Prevacid.  When she returns on Monday, we may or may not sail down to Pelican Bay for a day. Later in the week we drop her off at the Tampa airport and pickup Marie for Easter.  Richard back to 16.

Pelican Bay & Boca Grande

Tiny raindrops falling from a gray sky dotted the quiet canal water with ever expanding circles Wednesday morning as we completed loading Eagle's Wings. Without wind we motored around Punta Gorda and down Charoltte Harbor past Marker Five where we turned west toward Pelican Bay. With wind now filling in but on the nose we continued motoring. We anchored in Pelican Bay for a St Patrick's dinner with the PG Islanders.

Thursday, a short dinghy ride transported Joanne & I (Sherwood remained aboard) to Cayo Costa for a walk to the beach, a picnic and a ranger led tour. Check the Islander's website for a cruise report.
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Friday morning Eagle's Wings motored a short way to "med moor" at the Boca Grande Anchorage along the mangroves northwest of the entrance channel.


We took in Boca Grande from our dinghy and then dined at the Pink Elephant located directly across from the anchorage. The fish and chips were the best and also the most expensive we have ever tasted.

Nightime featured brillant stars in the perfectly clear sky. Saturday morning we managed to run aground on the way out of the anchorage where a shoal is building off the southeast side of the golf course. We backed off and slipped by alongside the seawall. We actually sailed part of the way home under an absolutely beautiful sunny sky!


Sunday, March 21 rain came in buckets! Glad we sailed home on Saturday!

Lipton Retiree Lunch

Coop awards Marie with Volunteer of the Year Award for her work with the St Vincent de Paul Society.

Marie interviews clients to determine their need.

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We were her guests at the Lipton Retiree Lunch held at the Isles Yacht Club.

Ice House

Time to select a draft beer or two and throw some darts with the PG Islanders. Joanne & her partner, Don Brandt, darted their way to the quarter finals before they were eliminated. Richard didn't do so well.

Before refrigeration, ice from the Ice House kept Charlotte Harbor fish cold on their railroad journey to northern cities. Now, the Ice House serves beer imported from all over the world.

Gordon Bok - House Concert

Gordon Bok enchanted folks who crammed into the private residence at 215 Sycamore on Anna Maria Island last night. We were there! My brother-in-law Paul recommended we listen to one of Gordon's albums of folk music years ago. We have been fans ever since. This was our first chance to see him live. Learn about Gordon Bok, sailor, woodcutter and folk singer at Gordon's Website.

One of Gordon's songs actually inspired us to visit Isle Au Haut off the coast of Maine a few years ago. Isle Au Haut Light House

Lyrics:
If I could give you three things,
I would give you these:
Song and laughter and a wooden home
In the shining seas

chorus: When you see old Isle au Haut
Rising in the dawn,
You will play in yellow fields
In the morning sun.

Sleep where the wind is warm
And the moon is high.
Give sadness to the stars,
Sorrow to the sky.

Do you hear what the sails are saying
In the wind's dark song?
Give sadness to the wind,
Blown alee and gone.

Sleep now, the moon is high,
And the wind blows cold;
For you are sad and young
And the sea is old.

If I could give you three things
I would give you these:
Song and laughter and a wooden home
In the shining sea.

Alice in Wonderland

Down the rabbit hole we tumbled with Alice into Underland, a Wonderland of special effects and surround sound in 3D at the IMAX in Fort Myers. Humans and bloodhounds blend seamlessly with wonderland characters into fantastical imagery. I espically like the grinning and disappearing Cheshire Cat although all the characters are great.

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We were impressed with the 3D IMAX Avatar a few months ago but I would rather go down the rabbit hole with Alice! Kicking or screaming, with eyes wide open or closed tight, tumbling rightside up or upside down, like it or not, we are all on our way.

Preview Details Review Adventures in Wonderland White Rabbit

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Beginning next year watch 3D television displace our flat screen LCD and plasma screens while old fat clunkers still fill garages and closets - all headed for a landfill, I suppose.

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Here is an update on our Punta Gorda life. We are waiting out the Arctic Oscillation trying not to turn the heater into an unmanageable electric bill. If we can get an antifreeze leak fixed, we will be cruising soon!

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We joined the PGI Islanders, a boating club much like the Texas Mariner's Cruising Association. Our first event - a Road Rally! We teamed up with a PGI couple formerly of League City, Texas who had played with the Clear Lake famous musician Andy Upchurch. We had to look for clever clues for turns, identify pictures and answer tricky questions. Here is one of the questions: By now you're getting hungry, but don't start to grouse. Tell us what became of the dogs in this house? Our answer, Someone ate them (click on picture), edged us into 2nd place! A professional looking team with their own tee shirts brandishing their Road Islanders name captured 1st place. See Islander's Report & Islander's Pictures on PG Islander's website.

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We closed on our construction loan; building should start the 3rd week of March. Stay tuned.