Our cruise from St. Petersburg to Ft. Myers involved re-connecting with friends... long-time and more recent. We started in Sarasota with Judi and Alain on their Novi boat “Ramha”. We first met this sweet English/Canadian couple 3 years ago when we were both bouncing around on mooring balls at Marina Jacks. (This time was just as bouncy.) In late June 2016, we docked next to them at the Inner Harbor of Kingston, Ontario, their summer home. Then, as now, we had Looper stories to share and they had travel stories of their own. Wherever we meet, we seem to be able to pick up right where we left off!
Next stop....Venice. Yes, Florida. Long-time friends Dale and Paula have a home in nearby Englewood in the winter and a cabin on Bottle Lake in the summer. We’ve been friends since the mid-’80’s when Paula joined us on Deer Isle to work with students. On Dec. 2015 we joined them at their time-share condo in Belize for a week. So many stories... so much fun. To make that Venice stop even more lively, Tricia and Rob on “Linda Jean” docked behind us and we three Maine couples dined together and had a great time swapping stories. We met Tricia and Rob at The City of Fort Myers Yacht Basin last Feb. and again at Morehead City, N.C. late in April as we Looped up the East Coast. We “clicked” right away and have been keeping in touch ever since. In fact, they will be on a dock near us at The Yacht Basin for the month of February.
Moving down the coast we checked out the Burnt Store Marina with its condo community in Charlotte Harbor. Lots happening at The Patio of the Cass Cay Restaurant...live musical entertainment on Sunday night and Monday Night Bingo. Lovely paths meander around the complex for biking and walking...fast paced or strolling. The dog walkers had lots of company.
As we announced our intentions to begin The Great Loop on March 1, 2016, we also reserved a slip on C Dock at The Yacht Basin in Fort Myers to return to in February 2017 anticipating when we would cross our wake. After nearly a year, it’s time to claim that reservation. It is no surprise that between C-40 and C-35 there are four boats proudly flying their Gold Looper burgees. We have indeed arrived “Home”.
The ArtFest Fort Myers is in full swing. Thousands of people have flocked here for this event this 1st weekend in February. 900 artists applied for the 2017 festival; through a “jury process”, 208 have been invited to participate. Just 23%!` 46 states are represented. The canopied event is set up right off the stern of “Summertime” and continues down the Harborside and along the Caloosahatchee Riverfront Park. Wow!
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| Art Fest from our boat |
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| Sidewalk chalk painting |
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| Debbie and Debbie our fast friend lunch mates |
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| Wally with Marlow Gates his broom making instructor from John C Campbell Folk School days |
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| This weaver was weaving his own curtains! |
Super Bowl Docktails will be the attraction to bring the local boaters tonight from 4-6pm. Then we’ll settle in to cheer on our favorite team. Super Bowl 51 promises to be an exciting game.
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| A feast at Super Bowl docktails
Billy and Marion have been family friends for 30+ years. Hailing from Nova Scotia, they escaped to the warmth of Florida for a get-away even before they retired. When we visited Wally’s folks at the condo in Largo, Billy and Marion were always dropping by. They paid us a quick visit up in Gulfport, Florida close by Largo. Now that the condo has just sold, they did us the ultimate favor... they made good on their offer to deliver our Mazda, parked under the condo carport since last March, to Fort Myers. Once their car and ours were both safely parked, we sauntered together through the cafe district of Historic Downtown and ate at Ford’s Garage. Yum! Thank you dear friends, for going above and beyond the call of duty!
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Created By Darcy O Campbell
