Saturday, December 3

Alan is still working on electrical puzzles with the new generator and battery.  He's becoming a mole, constantly going down in the engine room with a new idea, disconnecting, connecting, and measuring voltage.  Finally had to get him away so we walked over the bridge to the beach and managed to spend the better part of the day walking back and forth on the beach, visiting beach bars to listen to live entertainment, and just doing nothing.  It was great.  Didn't get back to the marina and boat until dinner time.

Sunday, December 4

Alan was down in the engine room again this morning.  He serviced the generator (had 50 hours on it already), changed the oil, new zinc, etc.  It was a calm day on the Gulf and sunny and warm so we decided it was a good day to go out  in the RIB and over to Sanibel.  We really can't do that trip in the RIB if it's rough out there.  Around 11:00 am we loaded up the RIB with our new fishing gear, Alan put on his new fishing shirt and we headed over to Sanibel Island to explore.  The RIB is great when the water's flat - we really fly and the ride is terrific.  However the wake of other boats can make for a very jolting ride.  We found that in the areas where we're dealing with other boat wakes it rides much better if we stand up.  Alan stood at the wheel and I stood in front holding on to the line.  That way we were able to absorb the shock with our knees instead of our backs and it was a lot of fun.  We went over to Tarpon Bay on Sanibel and did some fishing (or practicing our technique anyway).  Managed to spend the better part of another day just chillin out.

After we got back to the boat we decked her out with our Christmas lights.  The boats at the marinas are all putting up lights and decorations.  This Saturday is the lighted boat parade.  We won't be in it but we'll have front row seats from our mooring.

                    Going to Sanibel in the RIB                                                                     Mystic Jitney's Christmas Lights

Monday, December 5

Went in to take a walk this morning and put some laundry in.  We're having extremely low tides and while at the dock I overhead someone say something to the dock master about never seeing the tides so low.  The dock master's response was that the tides are always extremely low in the winter!  I looked at Alan and said "that's pretty good - this is winter!" - temps in the high 70's today.  I can handle this.  We went over to the beach and walked all afternoon again, enjoying the sun and surf.  We're supposed to get some cooler weather and possibly rain tomorrow. 

Tuesday, December 6

Alan is still working on our electrical issues.  After a call to the generator people he figured we need a larger battery charter(50 amp) so we talked to Ray at Gulf Coast Electric and went over to West marine to order one.   We should buy stock in West marine!

Friday, December 9

Yesterday Alan installed the repair kit for the hand pump in the guest head.  We also spent some time bleeding the hydraulic steering system one more time to make sure all is ok after the installation of the newly repaired pump.  Had cocktails aboard "Coco Nut" with Ken and Kathy and their new puppy.

Saturday, December 10

Overcast all morning so we just hung out on the boat.  Sun came out after lunch and we decided to go do a little fishing.  I caught a sea trout in shore along the mangroves with a soft bodied casting bait!  Nice looking fish and sure was fun!

Joyce's Sea Trout