Dec 13 - the week's highlight

A beautiful day was forecast, so we planned to be on the water. The bookends of Jeffrey, Sara and Emma's week here were great weather days -- the first day at Disney and the last day.

We left here about 10:30, having packed a lunch. Sandy had originally wanted to eat lunch at the SYC but switched that to dinner at same. I cannot keep up sometimes with all the changes in plan :).

We putted northwards, as usual, and headed out to the ocean, as usual. A large fishing boat anchored in the inlet waved us off and we could see all the breakers ahead. The surfers were having a ball but there was probably a small craft warning posted somewhere. I'm sure that we'd have been ok, but we would have had to shift some weight -- not have everyone sitting in the bow -- and probably would have gotten wet. Oh well ... we headed for the island.

This time we were hitting the island right at low tide. The wind was from the west, so we dropped the front anchor and I backed into the shallows and set the stern anchor. That worked out well because I pulled us in with the anchor so that we, well they, only had to step out into one foot of water. Emma had a blast on the beach and naturally, so did Abby. She ran and ran (both of them) getting good exercise. Making our way back to the boat we re-boarded and ate our lunch.

As we were eating we watched this girl/lady swimming out to a large center console, dual outboard motor fishing boat (22-24') that was clearly adrift. She started up the engines, made a large arc and then brought it back into the beach. Everyone cheered and this time the group set the anchor. They had arrived after us and must not have realized that the tide was coming in.

Abby couldn't believe her good fortune -- we went back to the beach. I sat on the sand and had some fun with Emma burying my foot and then her feet. Abby ran around like the fool that she is but eventually we went back to the boat. Jeffrey held Emma and told her that the entire ocean was a potty and she could go ... she did ... and we headed back onboard. I gave Abby a shampoo bath before we left our mooring. Emma fell asleep on the way back ... we cruised down to the SYC and then turned around again and went to the marina. Al promptly moved me to a work rack and I washed and flushed while everyone sat in the gazebo. Emma had awoken so they waited, otherwise Sandy would have driven everyone home.

By the time we got home it was late afternoon; we hung out for a while and then went over to the club. A band was playing -- actually a two-man group -- oldies but goodies -- and the waitresses brought out some playdoh etc. for Emma. It was the same pair that seem to be there every Sunday night (the servers that is) only this time we left by 7:30 instead of arriving at 7:30.

It was a warm night and there were some no-see-ums around but they brought out some bug juice and that did the trick. Sandy had the pulled pork sandwich special (loved it); Sara was adventuresome and had the Philly Cheesesteak -- adventuresome because we're a bit south of Philly and they come from Philly); Jeffrey had fish and chips; Emma had a cheeseburger and ate 1/2 of it -- wow; I had the cheeseburger with mushrooms, onions and jalapenos -- rare this time -- it was all great.

The highlight was yet to come though. As Emma was eating her potato chips that came with the cheeseburger, Sara set her free from the high-chair to walk around the table. This is outside at the Tiki Bar, other tables were occupied with groups but it's all very casual. Well, Emma started dancing to the music. The guys sang to her, we laughed, people at the other tables laughed, it was priceless, one of those times that cannot be recreated.

Eventually we ate everything except a little bit of Emma's food, each had our two drinks/beer/glasses of wine; we walked around and looked at the large boats in their berths. There were a couple that were occupied, people in them for the weekend. We recognized one boat that we'd seen on the water during the day. The night was done ... almost.

Back home Sara put Emma to bed and I put on "Wild Hogs", a DVD that I'd ordered from Amazon. My brother Philip had recommended it. It was very funny, with quite a cast of characters. It even had Peter Fonda reprising his Easy Rider role in a cameo close to the end. It is worth watching. Was it worth buying ? Will I ever watch it again ? Who knows, but it's still cheap entertainment. How good was it ? Well, I didn't fall asleep ! Sandy even commented as I put it on that I'd probably only see the first 1/2 hour (it was 8:30 at the time).

The night was over. Sandy and I went to bed, late for me and early for Sandy. Jeffrey and Sara were still sitting up with their laptops with the TV on when we went to bed. This morning they have packing to do and then it's off to the airport. I expect Sandy to take them; I'll probably go for a bicycle ride ... the last one before late January.

We got an email from Bonnie -- there is 8-10 inches of snow on the ground up there; she wanted to know our travel plans because Jim will clear the walk. Our driveway has already been plowed twice. South of us they got 24 inches in one go ... so we missed the worst (or best depending on your definition) of it.

Today and tomorrow we're supposed to have great weather. 82+F and sunny ... a last gasp of enjoyment before we head north. We always said that we'd never spend Christmas here, but I could see it happening at some point.

Today ... Sandy's off to the airport ... tomorrow, she has an appointment in Ormond Beach and will take the X5 to the dealer on the way back to replace that engine trim piece that they broke; somewhere in there I might get the X5 over to the tire dealer to get the rear wheels balanced; bicycle and motorcycle riding; packing; dinner with Norm and Patti; the two days will go very quickly.

Life is going quickly !

Onward !