12/9/2010 BRADENTON (CORTEZ)

Image by psyberartist via Flickr12/9/2010 BRADENTON (CORTEZ)

THURSDAY

TOTAL MILES TRAVELED TODAY:   0 NM





There are sea birds all around us! The downside to this is that they are leaving evidence of their presence everywhere. Gulls, pelicans, osprey, heron and cormorants are all perched around our slip. The gangly cormorant is an excellent swimmer but looks so awkward on land, often setting with its wings opened as if drying them out or conducting a symphony orchestra. They are always good for a laugh when they take flight. “Are they going to make it? No, no, maybe, no liftoff!”

QUITE THE DASHING FELLOW

CONTINTED JUST TO LAZE IN THE SUN



THE OSPREY WITH  HIS CATCH



ALL TOGETHER NOW

Dan and I wandered around Cortez, the village right where we are docked. In the 1880s North Carolina fishermen migrated to these shores in search of the plentiful mullet. Originally know as Hunters Point, the name was changed to Cortez when the US Post Office arrived and the settlement incorporated In 1895. There are still fifth generation descendants of those original fishermen working and living here in Cortez. This picturesque little town is the last “real” fishing village on Florida’s Suncoast.

Image via Wikipedia

John picked us up and whisked us off to their lovely home for a relaxing evening spent visiting with good friends and indulging on the Hull’s famous chow. John has developed into quite a cook and prepared us a beautiful rib roast, complete with scrumptious gravy. Joann had prepared creme brulee and we all got to participate in the torching process. Thanks for the lovely evening and great chow!!

JOANN AND  JOHN'S BEAUTIFUL KITCHEN

12/8/2010 TAMPA TO BRADENTON

WEDNESDAY

TOTAL MILES TRAVELED TODAY:   39  NM

TAMPA SUNRISE

Time to travel again! Even though we were only moving to Bradenton, a distance of only about 39 miles, we were both ready to be on the move. We walked into town for some sweet rolls for our breakfast and found Lucy, a lady we met at the fruit stand over the weekend. She asked us to give her a call when we were leaving so she could walk out her door and wave to us. Sure enough, there she was waving up a storm and wishing us a safe journey. So long Lucy!

LUCY SENDING US OFF

While zigzagging our way through the greater Tampa Bay we sighted a manatee off in the distance. Since our visit to their warm water habitat at the power house, we now know what to look for. A few dolphin and the ever present sea birds escorted us out of their bay as we passed under the beautiful Sunshine Skyway Bridge. This brought us out of Tampa Bay and back into the Intracoastal Waterway.

THE SKYWAY BRIDGE

APPRECIATING THE BEAUTIFUL LINES OF THIS MAGNIFICENT BRIDGE

By 3:00 we had entered Anna Maria Sound and were approaching our night’s destination, a slip at the Seafood Shack. Reconfirming our reservation and seeking instructions to dock, we found that the dock master had already gone for the day and were told to where to tie up. Again, some nice folks grabbed our ropes and soon we were secured and hooked to power and water.

Bradenton is John and Joann Hull’s winter home and they graciously meet us at the dock and whisked us away for an enchanting evening at Sarasota’s Halley Hall for a performance by the Sarsota Orchestra. The program was delightful, the venue intimate and the orchestra fabulous. All this was followed by a wonderful seafood dinner and lots of good company. Thank you so much John and Joann!!

Image by Timothy Valentine via Flickr

 In our driving around Sarasota with the Hulls, we passed by this 25'
tall plastic and aluminum sculpture called Unconditional Surrender.  The original, life sized sculpture is by john Seward Johnson and was inspired
by the Life Magazine photo taken by Alfred Eisenstaedt on V-Day, 8/15/45.









We were especially happy to see Joann up and about after her recent medical set back. After her hip replacement she developed an infection, had to have the new joint removed and a spacer inserted then had to stay off her feet for months while the infection cleared up. She just had the surgery to remove the spacer and reinsert the new hip joint about three weeks ago and is now attending PT. I couldn’t believe how well she was getting around after being grounded for so long.

WELCOMING COMMITTEE

HUGS ALL AROUND

Our weeks are filling up quickly. Steven will fly into Ft. Myers on 12/16 and leave from Key West on 12/27. Jan, Debi and Richard are joining us in Key West on 12/30 and skip out from Miami on 1/6 where Dick and Cheryl will come aboard either that day or the next. The four of us will head out for Bimini then on to Andros Island where they have rented Sissy’s little house for the last two weeks of January. During Barbara’s February break, the Wragas will join us in the Bahamas. That brings us back to FL for Dan’s two week schooling for his captain’s license. Then March brings tennis in MIA then we will start our trek back north. We are thankful every day for this opportunity to view the world from the decks of the Quest!

12/7/2010 TAMPA AND THE MANATEES

TUESDAY

TOTAL MILES TRAVELED TODAY: 0 NM

All right, that’s it; I want to see a Manatee! We piled into our Bug and headed for the viewing center at Tampa Electric, a spot we heard was well equiped for spying on the manatees. The manatee seek refuge around the warm water outlet at the power house and, since the day was nippy and the waters COLD, we hit the jackpot. There may have been as many as 100 of the enormous creatures slowly bobbing in the bay and we delighted in their plodding antics.

THE WARM, CHURNING WATERS FROM THE POWER PLANT

A MANATEE JUST COMING UP FOR AIR

These large marine mammals, also known as Sea Cows, spend most of their time grazing in shallow (3 to 7’) waters. They can be found in slow-moving rivers, estuaries, saltwater bays, canals and coastal areas where sea grasses or fresh water vegetation grows. Their closest genetic relatives are the aardvark, the hyrax and the elephant. Talk about three unlikely relatives!

Image via Wikipedia 

Image by Chadica via Flickr

HYREX

Image by photophonic via Flickr

AARDVARK

 

We found some interesting facts about the Mangrove Forrest, one of Florida’s true natives. These protected plants provide a valuable habitat, help prevent erosion and filter out pollution. Mangroves can live in both freshwater and saltwater. The white and black mangroves excrete the excess salt through their leaves and the red mangrove is able to block the absorption of salt at their roots. Pretty cleaver!

Image by afagen via Flickr

 TYPES OF MANGROVES

 Image via Wikipedia

I was also alerted to this interesting tidbit about Tampa’s Bayshore Boulevard. It boasts the world’s longest continuous sidewalk at 3.8 miles. The Bayshore Greenway starts in the north at Columbus State Park and continues down to Gandy Boulevard. Joggers, bikers, skaters and walkers enjoy this long expanse with its beautiful bay view.

Image by j.s. clark via Flickr

THE "BAYSHORE GREENWAY"

12/6/2010 TAMPA

MONDAY

TOTAL MILES TRAVELED TODAY: 0 NM

It was an early wake-up call today with Robert’s flight leaving at 6:00 AM. Dan graciously took him to the Tampa Airport by about 4:45 and was back before 5:30. Being a Jet Blue employee, Robert flies standby. He made both of his flights and was soon back in Vermont, greeted by a snowy day.

Dan and I buzzed around in our little Bug most of the day. We did some more investigating on the satellite TV systems and I think he has found what he wants to get.

We also paid a visit to Don’s Marine Salvage in Clearwater. Dan was like a kid in a candy store! It was kind of like the old Pick-A-Part auto salvage yards. We scrounged through packed building as well as various piles of “goodies” and came out with several treasures.

Here is an interesting little fact about the Bay Shore area here where we are staying on Tampa’s Davis Island:. In 2004 the Bay Shore Little League won the Little League World Championship. They defeated Hawaii to cinch the US title and then won the championship by reigning over Venezuela. I’m sure Dan watched it as he tries to catch the Little League Championship each year. The marina is right by the Little League field and we walk by their sign that proudly announces their victory.

THE PROUD 2004 LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD CHAMPIONS

12/5/2010 TAMPA AND THE CHRISTMAS LIGHT BOAT PARADE

SUNDAY

TOTAL MILES TRAVELED TODAY: 0 NM

Today was dedicated to lighting up the Quest for tonight’s Christmas Light Parade. Robert and Dan worked hard creating their masterpiece and the Quest looked grand with her illumination. Just after the two cruise ships exited the Tampa Harbor and darkness began to envelope the day, the 13 participating vessels gathered and began cruising the parade route. We loved the large tug boat that showed off her amazing maneuverability by spinning in circles. The sailboat with the three red dolphins was a huge hit with all the children. After our little adventure we re-docked in the darkness and I was most grateful for Robert’s competent help.

CREATING THE LIGHT TREE

NICE JOB!

TEAM WORK

CAREFUL NOW

THE QUEST ALL LIT UP AND READY TO GO

LOOK CLOSELY AND YOU MIGHT SEE THE 3 RED DOLPHINS

Since Robert had an early morning flight on Monday, we made it an early night and all crashed soon after

docking.

12/2/2010 THROUGH 12/4/2010 BACK IN TAMPA

THURSDAY THROUGH SATURDAY

TOTAL MILES TRAVELED TODAY: 0 NM

THURSDAY

Busy, busy day on the Quest today! The ugly, old rug is gone and we now have a much more practical, eye pleasing and inviting carpet throughout the boat. The guys did a great job laying it and I love it! By the way, we pulled out the disgusting old ice maker so we have another project to find something to fill the empty cavity.

OLD CARPET OUT

Just as the carpet layers were finishing up, Richard and Barbara Feingold arrived in their snazzy new Audi convertible. Cute car! They were on their way to Miami for the Hanukkah Holidays with their family. They now hold the title for most visits to the Quest. We walked to 220 for a lovely dinner then played a rousing game of Farkle that they brought for our amusement. I didn’t win.

FEINGOLDS' CUTE AUDI

FRIDAY

Friday morning brought the service man for the heating and air-conditioning units, Richard and Barbara’s departure and the guy to measure for the mirror replacements in the guest stateroom. Hopefully we will have those installed on Monday.

SO LONG FEINGOLDS

Afternoon Dan picked up our weekend ride from Enterprise, a cute little VW Bug. They have such a great weekend deal you can’t afford to pass it up. You can rent from Friday, have to return by Monday and it is $10.00 per day. Sweet deal!

OUR WEEKEND RIDE

Robert arrived at the Tampa Airport around 4:00 PM and we welcomed him with hugs. We all laughed at the reunion for this makes the third time we have seen him in the last week and a half. “Larry the water taxi guy” picked us up for a ride to That’s Amore for another yummy Italian dinner then, later, we introduced Robert to the Farkle game.

SATURDAY

Boat Show in St. Petersburg today!! We hopped into our cute little “Bug” and joined the horde in St. Petersburg. This was a busy weekend there with a parade (going on just as we were trying to maneuver our way around town), a man made ice-slide for those poor, snow deprived Florida kids, the weekly Farmers Market and the Boat Show. We saw more boat stuff than I thought possible. We did investigate the satellite television equipment a little more and that may be Dan’s new project.

BOATS, BOATS BOATS!

SAMPLING AN COLOMBIAN AREPAS AT THE BOAT SHOW

Our immediate project took us to Target where Dan and Robert stuffed the cart with Christmas lights to adorn the Quest. Tomorrow morning we will all participate in rigging out the boat with the newly acquired illuminations. Photos for you later!

Robert found, after much searching, the perfect Mexican restaurant for dinner. Our journey took us through backed up traffic for the Lightning Bolt hockey game in down town Tampa and out through some of the less desirable areas before we found the little Taco Bus restaurant. We had yummy tacos, burritos and brought home some tamales for tomorrow. Good job Robert!

OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY

GOOD JOB, ROBERT!

THE TACO BUS "T" SHIRT

OK, tonight’s rounds of Farkle found me almost skunked in the first game but victorious in the second!!!! Stay tuned for Farkle updates.

11/23/2010 THROUGH 12/1/2010

OUR TRIP FROM TAMPA TO VERMONT FOR THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS THEN BACK TO TAMPA

Hope you all had a most wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday!

Tuesday morning we battened down the hatches, left a Quest key with the dock master and scurried off to the Tampa Airport for our 9:45 AM flight. Expecting chaos, we were surprised to breeze right through both check in and security. I heard the earlier flights had long lines at all points but we were lucky. After a long layover in JFK, Jet Blue got us to Burlington without a hitch. We picked up a rental car then met with Robert for a quick dinner before driving down to the house in Middletown Springs. Brrr!!!! Thankfully Brenda had turned the heaters up in anticipation of our arrival.

BAILING OUT FOR OUR THANKSGIVING TRIP TO VERMONT



Image via Wikipedia

MIDDLETOWN SPRINGS CHURCH AT THE VILLAGE GREEN



There were Vermont sunrises over the hills, meetings at work, quick trips to nearby Poultney and routine doctor’s visits to fill the days then dinners with good friends to occupy our evenings. We enjoyed a couple of dinners with our great friends, Craig and Alexis Porter and dined with the Hanson’s the night Dick got home from his trip to China.

SUNRISE OVER THE BARN

POULTNEY STREET BANNER

What a fabulous trip Dick experienced, visiting the school that his grandfather established as a young missionary there. It was even more special because Dick was accompanied by both his son, Eric, and his grandson, Alexander.

ARRIVING AT THE SCHOOL IN TAI'AN IN THE PROVINCE OF SHANDONG

GRANDSON ALEXANDER,SON ERIC, DICK, DEPUTY PRINCIPAL LIU,
 COUSINS OLIVER AND JUDY THEN TRANSLATOR TYLER
THIS IS AN ORIGINAL SCHOOL BUILDING THAT DICK'S GRANDFATHER BUILT

Each Thanksgiving, Janet and Charles open their home to a flock of us “odd ducks” (I dare not call us turkeys) for a pot-luck feast to rival the best. This year we celebrated and gave thanks with about 45 other folks. We do have so many things to be thankful for.

Saturday, while doing some catch work at the office, we glanced out the window to the sight of fluffy snowflakes drifting down upon our cars and covering the ground. Needless to say, the Corvette did not make the drive back to Middletown Springs that night.

LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW!!

Steven came in from his trip to Maryland on Saturday night and Sunday morning we finally got all his furniture moved to his apartment at Landmark College. He was so excited to have a bed to replace his blow-up air mattress! We also got to meet his two new kittens, Karen and Jack.

WELCOME TO STEVEN'S WORLD

SWEET KITTENS KAREN AND JACK

Image via WikipediaTuesday night we drove back to Burlington, had a fun dinner at Sky Burgers on Lower Church Street with Robert then retreated to our room at the Doubletree for a short night. Robert got us non-revenue, stand-by reservations on his Jet Blue and suggested we make the 6:00 AM flight for the greatest flexibility. It went like clockwork! We got on that early flight, breezed into JFK, walked off the arriving plane and onto the next possible flight to Tampa and were landing in Florida before 11:00 AM. It couldn’t have gone smoother, we got on both the flights we wanted and had no wait time in JFK. Thanks Robert. Nice job jet Blue!

Having subsisted all day on Jet Blue’s famous Blue Chips and a bag of their cookies, we were famished and sought nourishment at a great little restaurant, Thai Island, within walking distance from Quest. Any of you Loopers that might end up here in Tampa, give them at try at 210 E. Davis Blvd. on Davis Island (813-251-9111). The Panang Curry with eggplant was scrumptious.

We had a wonderful time visiting with our great friends and family but it sure was nice to get back to our home on the Quest.