The Cruising Adventures of Wild Blue and crew...
- Thread starter JamesTXSD
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dotnmarty":r8sag1ut said:
Joan and I had to chuckle when we read that. It's only taken my MIL 35 years or so to warm up to me. We promised we'd do this, and we follow through with our word. Yes, it's earlier than we anticipated, but understand there is another side to this story: we will be moving her 500 miles away from us and nearer to her other kids! :wink There will be lots more cruising (Joan and Dixie have been planning... Brent and I have been nodding and agreeing) in our future.
We said good-bye to Brent and Dixie this morning. I gotta tell you, that wasn't easy. They went north, we headed south. I did back out between those two big dollar boats (three, if you count the one sticking out past the end of the dock)... of course, with no one to see it. It looked like I knew what I was doing. :wink: We bopped around the Ft Myers Beach area some, then decided to run out past the three mile line and head for Naples. We are now in the Naples City Docks and have made arrangements with Mike and Judy to get our truck and trailer and haul out tomorrow. Neither of us are ready to do this just yet, but...
We've already started planning for what we will do and where we will go next month. :lol:
Thanks for following along with us on this trip. We have enjoyed the comments and encouragement.
Best wishes,
Jim & Joan B (and Molly the C-Brat cat)
Pandy Girl
New member
Hi Yall,
Enjoyed everthing Pic. and all of the info. on your travels, we would like to do that some day with another boater.
Jim & Sandy Jessup
Enjoyed everthing Pic. and all of the info. on your travels, we would like to do that some day with another boater.
Jim & Sandy Jessup
Jim and Anne
New member
Jim and Sandy,
As we're waiting for our 22 Cruiser to be built and then delivered some time in April, we have really enjoyed following your adventures. Your tales and photos have helped us get through the winter months here on Cape Cod with dreams of being on the water. Thanks for taking the time to share with us all.
Jim and Anne
As we're waiting for our 22 Cruiser to be built and then delivered some time in April, we have really enjoyed following your adventures. Your tales and photos have helped us get through the winter months here on Cape Cod with dreams of being on the water. Thanks for taking the time to share with us all.
Jim and Anne
Jim and Joan,
Thank you for your story and pictures. You keep the dream alive for a lot of us. For me, the Erie Canal trips have kept me going until I can fully retire. Then, if I am still healthy, I shall hit the "water".
Your story as well as the Anderson's Wanderer have shown me that Florida might be a great place to go during the long cold winters of New England. (Hit close to 5 degrees last night.)
Again, thanks for sharing.
Fred
Thank you for your story and pictures. You keep the dream alive for a lot of us. For me, the Erie Canal trips have kept me going until I can fully retire. Then, if I am still healthy, I shall hit the "water".
Your story as well as the Anderson's Wanderer have shown me that Florida might be a great place to go during the long cold winters of New England. (Hit close to 5 degrees last night.)
Again, thanks for sharing.
Fred
For those of you missing Jim's truly delightful post, here is a brief note to let you know he and Joan made it back to dry land and have been busy unpacking and cleaning the boat.
They joined Judy and I aboard "Papillon" this afternoon to see a Naples Sunset and enjoy a "Sundowner" in the process.
It is now pass their bedtime, so you might not hear from them until the rooster crows.
Here is a picture of Wild Blue after a good wash down and Jim fixing a few ruts he made in my driveway....some people.
They joined Judy and I aboard "Papillon" this afternoon to see a Naples Sunset and enjoy a "Sundowner" in the process.
It is now pass their bedtime, so you might not hear from them until the rooster crows.
Here is a picture of Wild Blue after a good wash down and Jim fixing a few ruts he made in my driveway....some people.
Our thanks to Mike and Judy for keeping an eye on Big Red and the trailer, and their wonderful hospitality. Mike didn't mention that he pitched in and helped us clean up the boat!
We had a great sunset cruise on Papillion... but we all forgot to bring cameras!! :crook You'll have to trust me that it was a gorgeous sunset (and Mike even let me drive his boat); I thought it was going to be a "green flash" ending, but we had to settle for the beautiful view and the nice company. After the cruise, the four of us had a great meal out.
The cruising has been big fun; the best part: the friends we've made.
Best wishes,
Jim & Joan B.
We had a great sunset cruise on Papillion... but we all forgot to bring cameras!! :crook You'll have to trust me that it was a gorgeous sunset (and Mike even let me drive his boat); I thought it was going to be a "green flash" ending, but we had to settle for the beautiful view and the nice company. After the cruise, the four of us had a great meal out.
The cruising has been big fun; the best part: the friends we've made.
Best wishes,
Jim & Joan B.
FYI: Jim & Joan and Molly checked out of their S.W.Florida accommodations today around noon and headed north on I-75.
It was such a pleasure having them as our guest for a few days of their travels. We extended a helping hand to folks we only knew form this site. Our only thing in common was the C-Dory boat, until we met, and then we found so very much in common, like family, professions, and the desire to get to know each other and found not to anyones surprise that we have started what we all hope to be a very long and fruitful friendship.
So any of you who get a chance to cross paths with Jim & Joan, don't miss out on the chance.
Mike & Judy Taylor
"Papillon"
It was such a pleasure having them as our guest for a few days of their travels. We extended a helping hand to folks we only knew form this site. Our only thing in common was the C-Dory boat, until we met, and then we found so very much in common, like family, professions, and the desire to get to know each other and found not to anyones surprise that we have started what we all hope to be a very long and fruitful friendship.
So any of you who get a chance to cross paths with Jim & Joan, don't miss out on the chance.
Mike & Judy Taylor
"Papillon"
We can't believe this wonderful trip is coming to an end. This has been the funnest winter we have ever spent and that is due to the great friends we have met and the performance of Discovery in the beautiful Florida waters. We spent our last days with Wild Blue--Jim and Joan at Sanibel. What a beautiful place.
Discovery and Wild Blue at Sanibel Beach
We spent our last few nights on the boat in the Captiva-Pine Island Sound area. We spent a bumpy night on the hook off of Captive Pass and then traveled on to Punta Blanca. Much nicer moorage and got a good nights rest--however we were really missing our traveling buddies. The final night on the hook was in Cape Haze in Charlotte Harbor. We had a beautiful final sunset.
Sunset at Cape Haze
We made it back to the public launch ramp at Punta Gorda, reclaimed the truck and trailer from the storage yard, and after messing around with dead truck batteries, finally got Discovery back on the trailer.
Back on the trailer for Discovery
We are spending the night at James and Betty (Mollie Brown). They were gracious enough to let us wash the boat here, take us to dinner at a wonderful Italian Restaurant (with wine), charge our batteries, and provide us with a secure--and quiet place to sleep. What more could you ask?! We hope we'll get the chance to host them in Utah sometime. These C-Brat folks are really a great bunch.
We are leaving here tomorrow and going on to Wefings to have some service work done on Discovery before heading on to Utah.
What a terrific winter this has been-- Thanks to Jim and Joan and all the other C-Dory people that have helped make this so much fun.
Discovery and Wild Blue at Sanibel Beach
We spent our last few nights on the boat in the Captiva-Pine Island Sound area. We spent a bumpy night on the hook off of Captive Pass and then traveled on to Punta Blanca. Much nicer moorage and got a good nights rest--however we were really missing our traveling buddies. The final night on the hook was in Cape Haze in Charlotte Harbor. We had a beautiful final sunset.
Sunset at Cape Haze
We made it back to the public launch ramp at Punta Gorda, reclaimed the truck and trailer from the storage yard, and after messing around with dead truck batteries, finally got Discovery back on the trailer.
Back on the trailer for Discovery
We are spending the night at James and Betty (Mollie Brown). They were gracious enough to let us wash the boat here, take us to dinner at a wonderful Italian Restaurant (with wine), charge our batteries, and provide us with a secure--and quiet place to sleep. What more could you ask?! We hope we'll get the chance to host them in Utah sometime. These C-Brat folks are really a great bunch.
We are leaving here tomorrow and going on to Wefings to have some service work done on Discovery before heading on to Utah.
What a terrific winter this has been-- Thanks to Jim and Joan and all the other C-Dory people that have helped make this so much fun.
Jim,
Like many others, I really looked forward to your daily postings. For me personally it was the highlight of the forum for the past few weeks. I have family in Florida and have spent quite a bit of time there, and especially love the keys. Most of my time there has been diving or fishing, and am familiar with many of the place you visited.
I especially enjoyed hearing about your challenges.
Thanks, and great job!
Like many others, I really looked forward to your daily postings. For me personally it was the highlight of the forum for the past few weeks. I have family in Florida and have spent quite a bit of time there, and especially love the keys. Most of my time there has been diving or fishing, and am familiar with many of the place you visited.
I especially enjoyed hearing about your challenges.
Thanks, and great job!
Hey Jim!! Great time for sure it looks like and for sure ...made better because of other C-Brats along the way. Now...when you get to Marc's place, tell him, Lee and the gang Byrdman said Hey.
Another thought....would be of course just leave the boat at Wefings, go move the MIL... drive back over and join us on the Cumberland River cruise in TN the last weekend in Apr.... Hummmm
Byrdman
Another thought....would be of course just leave the boat at Wefings, go move the MIL... drive back over and join us on the Cumberland River cruise in TN the last weekend in Apr.... Hummmm
Byrdman
Brent and Dixie - sorry to hear you had a problem with the truck batteries, but glad to hear you're up and rolling. Thank you both for making this a most memorable trip... and we're looking forward to seeing you soon.
We are in an "upscale" RV park right now (as in: more expensive than a marina in Islamorada, but less than in Key West :wink: ). The woman checking us in said, "I've never heard of anyone RVing in a boat."
"Well, you won't be able to say that anymore." :lol:
Thanks again for the kind words, folks. We have enjoyed sharing the daily events... and more to come.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
We are in an "upscale" RV park right now (as in: more expensive than a marina in Islamorada, but less than in Key West :wink: ). The woman checking us in said, "I've never heard of anyone RVing in a boat."
"Well, you won't be able to say that anymore." :lol:
Thanks again for the kind words, folks. We have enjoyed sharing the daily events... and more to come.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
Hi Bob,
Yeah, we have corresponded with Gene for several years on a sailing forum. When he told us he had friends in Pensacola who have a C-Dory, I asked, "Bob and Marie?" We both about fell over... small world, indeed.
Mike and Judy took us to a place in Naples that apparently puts heroin in their chili - so good, you HAVE to keep coming back! This may be the next adventure: in search of the world's best chili dog! :wink: Man does not live by ice-cream alone.
Best wishes,
Jim
Yeah, we have corresponded with Gene for several years on a sailing forum. When he told us he had friends in Pensacola who have a C-Dory, I asked, "Bob and Marie?" We both about fell over... small world, indeed.
Mike and Judy took us to a place in Naples that apparently puts heroin in their chili - so good, you HAVE to keep coming back! This may be the next adventure: in search of the world's best chili dog! :wink: Man does not live by ice-cream alone.
Best wishes,
Jim
We are nearing the Texas border, overnighting in Louisiana. Today while in a rest area, I took Molly the C-Brat cat for a walk on her leash. She is not a big fan of the truck, and when I headed her back towards Big Red, she instead turned towards the boat. She jumped from the trim tab to the swim step to the cockpit and meowed at the door of the boat... she did not want to go back to the truck. I relented and let her ride in the boat most of the day. Each time we stopped and checked on her, she was laying comfortably in the v-berth. The kitty does have good taste. :wink:
Best wishes,
Jim B. (on land with the boat, wishing we were back on the water)
Best wishes,
Jim B. (on land with the boat, wishing we were back on the water)