Bazaar

Another late night run after spending a fun afternoon at the zoo. Headed to the end of the canal and was delighted by a couple of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins chasing fish.

Tonight I headed through the west canal,and it turned out to run the length of the next island. Saw a couple of amusing boat names. A ketch named "floating point" with a legacy computer typeface, and another sailboat named "satellite office".

Woke up with energy today, and dressed quickly for the day. Even though I had to wear a suit for today, decided to risk a quick inspection of the island during the early morning light to assess whether we could bring anyone over. Heading back I saw ... [More] Darcy sitting outside enjoying her morning coffee substitute, and I can't think of a nicer sight. In the afternoon most of the family took naps, and then I pleaded with everyone to go for a quick island visit before dusk. We all piled on, including the two dogs. Some dogs on the canal bank started barking at some ducks, and daisy hopped in the water to join in. Cut the motor, the boat went over the dog, everyone stayed calm and we got turned around. Daisy was paddling in circles and we made it over and got her back in the boat. Arriving at the island everyone enjoyed walking around on the trails and seeing the mangroves and pines and campsites. Daisy dried off by rolling in the white sand. [Less]

Quite windy today, 12 to 15 mph gusts on the river. Small craft advisory and whitecaps. Headed out to the main channel around midnight to see how the Boston whaler skiff handled compared to our old proline with higher freeboard. Waves were 2-3 feet ... [More] and the skiff definitely couldn't take anything bigger. Little boat on a following swell is always a thrill as it goosenecks and swerves sliding into the trough and you look directly into the side of the waves. Wish I could see some flying fish. [Less]

Late at night before I made it out in the boat. Quiet, half moon and cloudy. The river was absolutely slippery with fish. Headed south, and saw the bioluminescence was stronger. Killed the lights and watched streaks of light through the water all around the boat as the schools darted and churned.

Intermittent heavy rains today. Vey glad I bought the hand operated bilge pump, handy to empty the bilge twice during the day. After we returned in the evening I finished provisioning the ubiqity network gear for our mobile network and went out in ... [More] the boat just before midnight. Then moon was just setting, and the mangroves were still dripping from rain. Headed past the nature preserve into the river, shut off the stern light and just looked at the stars. Stirring a stick in the water and still captivated by the bioluminescence. [Less]

5 day streak. Tonight after getting home everyone agreed to go with me, and we set out on the boat again north on the great canal. Incredibly calm night with a bright moon but many clouds. All the boat lights are so pretty and we saw several docks with underwater lights. One even had a heron standing near the light fishing.

Woke up at 6AM and recorded a time lapse of the sunrise at the beach. Then rushed back and headed out in the boat. Rushed too much and realized I left the keys behind after casting off. Tried to lasso a cleat and missed as the wind caught the bimini ... [More] top. Happily there was an emergency paddle in the anchor locker, so 15 minutes of paddling later I made it back to the dock and headed out to our Sunday appointments. After lunch tried another boat run with rhaiza. Brought the dogs and headed north. Many folks putting lights on their boats. After passing under the bridge one of the dogs got lost their footing and went into the water. Showed rhaiza the overboard procedure, threw out a floating cushion, and got the dog back aboard none the worse for wear. [Less]

Last night we found some battery powered clamp on nav lights, tonight after grilling dinner for guests I got the lights rigged and took a short trip North on the grand canal. Many docks have winter lights up, and plenty of sailboats home for the ... [More] winter. Lights worked well and nothing to worry about in the canal. Much work to do but this trip is helping my mind so much, I feel stronger than I have in years. [Less]

Boat didn't take on water overnight. Shortly after sunrise made some pour-over coffee and was about to head out, then thought it was worth inviting others. Rhaiza and Darcy were both up for a quick cruise. Got the bimini top installed, and drank ... [More] coffee while looking around the nature preserve. Dogs loved the boat. nice 30 minute cruise before the sun started beating down. [Less]