We returned to SCYC, joining Tonto’s Reward to commence Part II of our Florida tour. A departure on June 6 at 7:00 am yielded a spectacular sunrise, for Dave Lubs. To our surprise, PC Gary Ralph left the dock before we did, a rare occurrence for that late riser.
Buttercup has settled in
In the salon we have fresh violets for Maureen, it reminds us of a certain small town hardware store during an anniversary trip to Canada. Thanks Craig and MO for the sweet memory!
First stop on the new route was Naples City Dock. Boater’s Tip – this location is a reasonable (doable) walking distance to downtown. Sending happy thoughts across the rainbow bridge for Mike Gillespie and Chris Occhino, good memories at Bleu Provence.
To our delight, PC Gary Ralph joined us in Naples!
Buttercup (on the floor, hoping for crumbs)
Naples Yacht Club
We had an interesting dinner at the Club
Gail ordered the Veal Chop – Milanese (not a familiar cooking term for Gail or me). The dish was massive, to say the least.
We now know what “Milanese” style means … It’s made by bludgeoning the veal cutlet to an even, thin thickness (about ¼ inch), coating the heavily clobbered meat in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs, plus Parmesan cheese and herbs, then frying the pummeled carcass until cooked through. Gail usually orders her meat rare, so this was NOT what she expected. She had hoped for something more like this
Eating very little of the miserable mega milanese, she said the best part of the dish was the arugula salad, leaving LOTS of left overs for David.
Naples Sailing and Yacht Club
We had a lovely Sunday brunch at NSYC (highly recommended). Grandpa Rick said the yogurt with M&Ms is for Tyler. Ynot.
Marco Island Yacht Club
It was a beautiful run from Naples to Marco Island! With PC Gary Ralph in the lead boat, Knot Dreamin’ NP44 Sedan, Exhale second, and Tonto’s Reward taking up the third position. Gary had just reported, “It’s so smooth out here you do not need stabilizers or a SeaKeeper today!”
Wait, what’s that bobbing in the water nearby? The fin of some sort of large fish? Maybe an unmarked hazard to navigation?
Before answering that question, let’s step back in time, just a few short minutes, when Capt Rick found himself in shallow waters, with immediate results. Now then, I’m Feeling a little Jimmy Buffet Vibe – from “It’s Five O’clock Somewhere”. Go ahead, click to listen with me!!
Jimmy Buffett: “Alright, we just want to make sure you can keep it between the navigational beacons.”
Alan Jackson: “Between the buoys, I got it.”
Good advice boys.
Extending our thanks to the fishing family in the center console who pulled Exhale free from the sand bar, and who retrieved the floating object. So sorry I did not take any photos of the effort.
Are you still wondering, what exactly was that thing bobbing in the water?? Answer: Exhale’s sheared off stabilizer. Sigh. Oh, and thanks, Gary, hopefully you are right, we “don’t need [no stinkin’] stabilizer[s]”.
Running Aground – Good News, our experience was not as crazy as Past Commodore Greg Rocque – you might recall the slide show from the PC’s roast, even more insane – this boat on the rocks is a North Pacific :-) For real!
As we have said before, if you claim you have never run aground in Florida, the question is, “has your boat ever left the dock?”
Seriously though, it has been a long while since Capt. Rick decided to sand surf, or clean the barnacles from the keel. Good news, Exhale is still operable, we did not take on water, and we got off the sand bar before Tow Boat US arrived.
Although it was NOT 5 o’clock, yet, it was definitely time for a stiff rum drink – thanks David and Gail for the arrival/survival drink delivery!
Hey PC Gary Ralph, thanks again for joining us. It was a lovely evening in Marco. Look have smooth that water is.
Zoom in to see the Local Youth about to take a plunge!
We are happy to report that last night we got a free boat wash, we say, bring on the rain! Fill up Lake O, please.
FCYC Update: Marco Island Yacht Club marks club number 17 for Exhale and Tonto’s Reward.
Celebrating Milestones
Birthdays: June 2, Sue Gillespie; June 3, Lorrie Swink; June 9, my younger sister Frances Straley; June 10, bonus cousin Debra McDaniel McGhan; June 15, Heather Rutherford
Anniversary: BELATED congrats to the beautiful Carly and Brandon Maurer, celebrating 17 years :-), June 14, Paul and Celeste celebrating 51.
Next up:
We will anchor for one night at Cape Sable, and then head south towards the Keys. Welcome back, Caryl and Ray, we hope Sideways is on the water soon.
Exhale on the Water 