Too funny to not post.

Click here for the Daily Show's take on the President's visit to Fort Myers. It's really funny.

Last night we attended the annual marina party here at Legacy Harbour Marina. The food was great and catered by our favorite restaurant, Sub and Pup. Prime Rib!
Our stay is narrowing down here. It about time to move on to the east coast to be ready for a jump to the islands. We can't say enough good things about this marina. If you're traveling by boat and in this area... it's a must stop.

Adios,

Istaboa

President Obama in Ft Myers

A nice story

Yesterday President Obama was speaking at the convention center next door to the marina where we are staying . I walked over at 8 as they were handing out tickets at 9. Thought I would get a jump on the crowd. WRONG!! There were probably 2000 folks in line; so I left.
Mel went at 9 to stand in line then at 9:15 they announced there were no more tickets. Folks were pissed. Some had been there since 10am the previous day.
So we resolved to watch it on CNN.com

Then a Kid (who lives on a sailboat close by-- that I had struck up a conversation with a few days earlier. He's a computer tech.) walked by and said he had 6 tickets because he, his brother, and his dad had camped out waiting since early the previous day. He said he worked on his customer's laptops while waiting. He's an independent obviously.

This is a pic our young friend John took.

Then late that afternoon the young fellow stopped by the boat to offer us one of his tickets. John said he had one he could give up and who better to give it to than a fellow technologist.
(I just smiled... I can't remember ever being called a technologist.) So Mel, the fervent Obama supporter that she is, got to go. You would have thought she had been given a ticket to see the Beatles. Then to top that off... she was picked out of line and escorted by an aide to a great seat in front. She was so excited.
The whole town was excited. I have never seen that many folks so enthusiastic and animated about a politician. This guy is special. You have to admit it if you like his politics or not.
We did get to see the famous Presidential Limo that is built like a tank and took an Iphone pic of it but it didn't come out too well.

An exciting day in Ft Myers.

Adios,

Istaboa

FT Myers ArtFest

It was a beautiful day Sunday; so the three of us walked downtown to Delicious Things . A really good brunch. Then we strolled thru the ArtFest to enjoy all that was there to see. I got these pics of some of the really nice art on display then came back to the boat and Photoshopped the crap out of em. I think I got some pretty cool looking stuff.

I alway ask permission before I snap.

Once again, Radar was the star, but alas, he's tiring of his fame. So many folks keep reaching out to pet him that he is becoming annoyed. Can't blame him really. He doesn't snap but he does grumble at bit. It's hard out here for a pup.
And there were pups everywhere.

I love digital photography.

Best laid plans...

Yes... we have said this before and yes... we, again, have postponed our departure from Ft Myers for a few days.
We really like it here and there are a few events coming up we'd like to participate in. The marina is having an appreciation party and they've been kind enough to invite us.
Yesterday we walked downtown to have lunch at Hideaway Sports Bar. The Carolina style pulled pork sandwich was really good. (We are sure our Memphis BBQ friends don't like to hear that.)
Radar was welcome to have a seat at this restaurant. He quickly became a star as Mel and I, along with our friend Jerrry from "Expensive Habit", had lunch. Jerry is a Man about Town here in Downtown Ft Meyers.
Lots of folks out on this beautiful day with the Arts Festival going on. We walked through the festival and heard a fellow, Bob Culbertson, playing a Chapman's Stick. A very interesting and beautiful sounding instrument.

Click the image to see and hear Bob play.
It's really beautiful.

So all in all... It was a very nice day.
Today is Sunday and it looks like another beautiful day. I am sure we will find something else interesting to get into.

More later.

Adios,

Istaboa

Here's a cause that needs no stimulus

The Delta Queen tied up in downtown Memphis

Click on the link to learn of her history and the present day plight facing the beautiful old Delta Queen. She needs no bailout money... just Congress's OK to keep on sailing our rivers and lakes.

Save the Queen

You will find a link to contact Congress.

Radar's buddy Uno

Mel, Radar, and Uno.
Puppy fest!

Uno

This is Radar's new buddy Uno. He is also a Havanese and as you can see the Havanese breed loves each other's company. It's very peculiar how they instinctively understand they are somehow related... who knows, maybe a they have a language others can't perceive. Radar has only played like this with one other dog and she was also a Havanese. He has lots of dog friends but they don't seem to connect quite this way.

They have played like this for a couple of days.

Uno was born in Budapest, Hungary then brought to his new home in the USA
What a cute little guy. Radar will miss him when we leave.

Which should be Saturday. We will miss Ft Myers like we miss all of our favorite places. We will come back here also.

Next stop somewhere along Lake Okeechobee.
Gators and Bugs!

Adios,

Istaboa

Downtown Fort Myers

Dave on his Albury Brothers 20

Back to blogging again...
As we rounded Sanibel Island and made way into San Carlos Bay; there was our old friend Dave from the Sea Spray days waiting for us. He is tied up at Sanibel Marina. So he took his runabout out to see us.
We are a little too deep drafted for that marina so we decided to head into the Caloosahatchee River and downtown Ft Myers.

The Caloosahatchee has a very narrow and shallow channel so we really had to pay attention.
Dolphin were jumping in our bow wave and I guess the tourist thought it was OK to stop in our path to take pictures. As I tried to wave them out of the way they just took my picture also.

But like we have always said... All's well that ends well.
After tying up we were rewarded with this beautiful sunset.

Downtown Fort Myers has recently been renovated and they did a fine job of it. Lots of good restaurants, bars, and art galleries. It's all within 3 blocks of the marina. Not to mention a brand new Publix supermarket just a couple of blocks away.
We have found this funky little place called Sub and Pub to be our favorite spot for lunch. Great burgers and Fries. A Grouper's Cousin Sandwich and Salad. (it's Talapia) It's Blackened and delicious.
The folks staying at the Marina all have dogs for the most part. So Radar is quite welcome.
Some of the folks here have actually kept up with our blog for the last couple of years. They all knew Radar and were aware of Sadie's passing. Very nice folks. Donnie and Marilyn aboard "Kasey's Choice" sympathized with us as they had recently lost their dog "Kasey".
There are even a couple of boats from Memphis. John aboard "Emery El" and Jerry's boat "Expensive Habit".
Another thing we have enjoyed is the Farmer's Market on Thursdays. It just next door and has fresh produce as well as fish and crabs.
So all in all... We really like Legacy Harbor Marina and Downtown Ft Myers.

Adios,

Istaboa

ps... Radar has a new little Havanese buddy named Uno. They have been wearing each other out for the last couple of days. Nan, Uno's person, lives in the Condos next to the marina. Pics to come soon.

What a game!!! Go Steelers!!!!

It was a great Superbowl game... one of the best we have seen.
And.... Our favorite won!!!

Congratulations Robert.

Adios,


Istaboa

Moonrise/Sunrise over the Gulf of Mexico

Ralph's toe nail

As we stated in our last post; it was a dark, dark night. The sky was clear, the stars were bright, and the Milky Way blazed across the sky like God's own Imax theater. The moon didn't even start to appear until after 4:00 am and when it did show it's face it wasn't much. Then after a bit the sun's twilight glow appeared and the colors were spectacular. It lit up the sky nicely and lifted our spirits as well.

a beautiful morning.

And shortly after that... the Sun.

We're weary from the all night run but even the lack of sleep can't stifle the pleasure of such a glorious sight. It's only out here, many miles from shore, that one has the opportunity to experience these fascinating seascapes. This is why we do it. This is our inspiration... we never tire of it.

So now we are in Ft. Myers, Fl.

We changed plans (as usual) and we're staying at Legacy Harbor Marina. A nice place that is right at the foot of historical downtown Ft. Myers. Nice folks staying here as well as a very nice marina staff.

More about this place later.

Adios,


Istaboa

Long time comin

It was a long run (260NM) to Venice Beach but it's done and over. It was a very dark night as the moon didn't rise until around 4:00am. Funny seeing the crescent moon just over the horizon with the twilight of the coming sunrise in the background.

We are now officially in the land of warm weather.

Today we left Venice early and heading to Ft Myer Yacht Basin for a few days. Dave and Shirley, our friends from the Sea Spray days of 2007, are at Sanibel island so we will be seeing them today.
Bernie and Pam from the same Sea Spray stay are coming over tomorrow and spending a couple of days with us. Radar will be happy because his girlfriend Maya is coming also. It will be like old times. Should be a lot of fun.

I have a couple of pics from the crossing that I will post soon.

Adios

Istaboa