[Ed.note: Sarasota/Marina Jack for May 6,7,8 summarized from original blog.]
Wed.May 6/Day67: Leaving Tarpon Springs, forgot to pull up a fender but recovered it shortly after it floated off! The FICW is crowded with homes, apartments, docks, etc. and speed limits are posted on markers. Lots of markers with confusion at times due to side channels – chartplotter maps help tremendously.
The channel markers are standardized: green is always a 'square' with an 'odd' number; red is always a 'triangle' with an 'even' number. They are numbered usually from the beginning of a particular channel, in sequence, until the 'destination' is reached - from G1 and R2 up to G 101+ and R 102+, etc. Going East or North on the ICW, the 'red' is always port [L] side, 'green', always on starboard [R]. Unless you are going up a river, then they switch!!! So we have a stick with one end taped red and the other end taped green, at each helm, and position them correctly to remind us if we change channels. Bridges now frequent and we have to radio them to be raised if they don't have at least 20ft clearance above the water.
The most stressful period was crossing Tampa Bay with some wind [10-20kn] and waves [1-3’] and a particular cigar boat that played chicken with us; Miss Margaret said his lower opening was connected to the base of his brain and the bacterial growth normally produced fouled his thinking!!.
Arrived at Marina Jack at 4pm for a face docking. A five star marina with 4 restaurants, dockside pumpouts, store, etc! Staff masking and distancing; no inside eating.
Thurs.May 7/Day 68: We identified a new condition: Anticipated Docking Bladder Urgency Syndrome - ADBUS. It occurs whenever we are planning to dock. Symptoms include: 'oh,oh, gotta pee'; 'oh crap, already too late' [little dribble]; 'you take the helm NOW cuz I gotta go urgently'. This condition favors both sexes, occurs almost always beginning 15 min. before docking, but fortunately can be ameliorated by ensuring that all parties involved visit their essential room before the 15 min. deadline. :) Relaxing day; washed salt off boat; repaired a light; napped; ELCI working – range CB tripped again. Photos of marina and view of downtown Sarasota. Described our daily monitoring routine of boat pre-travel. Made reservations for next two stops.
Fri.May 8/Day 69: The BIG event of the day was me cutting Margs hair!! :) I have never cut anyone's hair before. We had been planning for this day and knew it would eventually come. She did her coveringthegray thing, shampooed it, then sat on a stool in the galley and gave me clear instructions, which I followed. I did not do her bangs! We both agree it actually turned out great, considering the hairstylist involved. She is pleased it doesn't feel so long/bushy - even though I only hacked off about a 1/4 to 1/2 inch. The main thing is - she's happy about it!
Cleaned diesel stains off transom/swim platform; cleaned a/c in V.Berth.
Marg took Uber to Publix. She also did her daily load of laundry - we have a Splendide Combo unit which is vent-less and both washes and drys, using a spray of water outside the drum to cool the drum and condense/pull the heat and moisture out in the drying cycle, and pumping the water out of the boat - but one load takes several hours. The sheets and towels are borderline efficiency and she usually does them in a coin laundry at a marina. Happy hour as usual – Boddington’s for me, Sierra PA for Marg.
Comments:
Jon • 07 May, 2020: love following you. call my friend Bob. 941.371.7490
Susie and Jim • 07 May, 2020: Well underway now - all that golf Marg has played definitely prepared her for hooking that fender!
Dick • 08 May, 2020: Glad to see you made Sarasota albeit a bit late for our planned rendezvous. Too bad, it would have been fun. But this year will be remembered among other things for a lot of planned activities having been missed, delayed, or cancelled. Continued safe travels for the two of you.
Jack - 8 May 2020: Well done identifying the reaction!!!! Stay Safe!
Dd - 8 May 2020: Are Depends on your shopping list ?
Jon - 8 May 2020: Did you call my friend Bob?
Rob - 8 May 2020: Jon, sorry I missed your message earlier. We have decided to forego any group contacts except for groceries or boat necessities until we see if there is going to be a covid resurrgence in the next 2 wks. Hope you and Robin are staying well.
Don - 8 May 2020: Good Morning finally your trip is under way . everyone safe here in Calgary even though this is hardest hit part of Alberta. Started at the golf course a week ago record golfers everyday
Janice - 9 May 2020: Good for you Margaret.... it’s not easy being at the cutting edge with hubby in charge is it. I’m almost ready for my 2nd hair cut by hubby.... I bet it’s easier!
Janice - 9 May 2020: By the way, it snowed here all morning.
Dd - 9 May 2020: Right on Rob!!!!
Tom - 9 May 2020: Very ballsy of you Rob to take on yet another task as hairdresser for the Admiral. Enjoy reading your daily exploits of how to survive on the water - not sure I could be so calm under fire ! As Janice pointed out, it looks like Christmas morning here so enjoy the warm and humid air on your faces