Are we still in Florida?

On Monday the 19th, we left Boca Grande and went a little north to Gasparilla Marina in Placida where our new outboards were waiting. Of course our anticipated 2 day stay is turning into a week, but we don't have a time table so that isn't too much of an issue. What is an issue, however, is the arctic freeze we've been experiencing! I know, I know, those of you north of the Mason-Dixon line probably don't want to hear us whine about weather in the 40's. However, when you're well south of Tampa and have clothes equipped for the Bahamas, spending a night on an unheated boat when the temps dip toward freezing, I feel (a little) justified in being a baby about it! Fortunately, yesterday afternoon warmed a little and today is in the 60's.

I was very glad it warmed up yesterday because Sea Dog Second Class has decided she's a bird dog. Ever since Pensacola, she gets particularly agitated by Great Blue Herons, the Florida White Heron and pelicans. But, unless they land on the dock near our boat, she doesn't get excited, just watches. Other birds we have to point out to her when they land on the boat. Yesterday, I took her for a walk behind the marina where there is a retainage pond. There are usually a few ducks, an occasional heron and other aquatic birds. Typically I keep her on the leash, but decided she needed some excerise. About the time I released her, a bird landed in the water near the shore. She was off like a shot! I called to her and she stopped short of going in, but she was still excited. She proceeded to race around the pond, stepping in a short way to retrieve sticks and bark at the birds. In the middle of the pond are large reeds and other plantings that are tall enough to block the view of the other side. Well, as we rounded the other side, Nyla spied her nemesis and was off again. This time she made it into the water and was swimming madly toward her foe. When I stopped laughing I called to her and she turned around before she reached the bird. She swam back to shore but kept a good look out while she shook off. If she starts launching herself off docks, the boat or dinghy, we may have a problem. At least she doesn't mind wearing her life jacket.

Last night, we were relaxing with a dvd and a glass of wine when we heard something smacking against the hull. Our ever vigilant watch dog was fast asleep after her bird adventure and only woke when Morgan and I stepped outside to see what was going on. We thought there may be a manatee feeding around the docks. Last year we saw several of them right in the slips. It was not a manatee. It was a beautiful porpoise in the middle of a mad feeding frenzy! He was very large and very fast and looked silver in the moonlight. We knew where to look for him to surface next by watching the frantic jumping fish trying to escape! It was absolutely amazing to watch such a beautiful animal so close to the boat, though I had to keep hold of Nyla's harness to keep her from going in.

Because we've had no access to internet all week, we decided to break in the new dinghy outboard and head back to Boca Grande to catch up on email and take care of other business. It runs like a dream! I'm sure Morgan will not miss the upper body workout he got each time he tried to start the old one. We won't have time today, but we are looking forward to using the dinghy to explore little isles we can't reach with the boat. On the way from Gasparilla, for instance, there is a little isle full of what appears to be white pelicans. If we're mistaken on the id of the birds, I'm sure Bill will let us know! : )

The outboard project turned out to be more involved than anticipated and Morgan has been fabricating motor mounts, re-wiring, drilling and cursing for several days. However, he manages to figure out a solution to each challenge and keep a good sense of humor about it. (I love that about him!) We plan to leave Gasparilla by Monday (keep your fingers crossed; Alba, touch your nose!) and continue south. We met an incredible couple in the marina, Rick and Edyie, who are from Canada and are headed to Marathon. They have been together over 40 years and are two of the funniest and nicest people we've met on our travels. Their last night at the marina they invited us for sundowners and kept us laughing for hours. We hope to meet up with them in Marathon before we head to Bimini.

We're off to the post office and back to the marina so Morgan can continue the outboard project. My job is to keep beer and bandaids handy!!

Take care!