LOOP Report 01/27/2005

Tierra Verde Resort Marina
Thursday, Jan. 27, 2005

Finally, back to putting down some history of the static, non communicative January Loopers Ted and Pat.

We have just completed connecting with all the invasive species of friends from the icy regions of the north. Last weekend on Saturday everyone arrived to noch on a great dinner of beef and buns, …. david (allen)and susan (smith),… allan and Darlene (leaver),….jim and pat (tucker)…How they all managed to pick on the same day to beam down to Tierra Verde, Florida is one of those events that can only be explained by a sci-fi super nova , nano sub atomic, explorer of another planet yet to be discovered.

We had a good two day visit with Allan and Darlene. Then we all dined at Billie’s bar around the corner after visiting someones beautiful jungle RV campsite just down the road from our dock. Just happens the someone was David and Susan.

But you must wonder what we did with all the days since getting here since Dec.31…. sightseeing and boat detailing.

Hired a diver to scrub the bottom after I scrapped off the barnacles that attached to our vinyl boot line. Pesky little crustaceans… we have done some exploring the neighbourhood in our dingy and found Shell Island, miles of sand and shells…no one around during the week, all to ourselves. Did some major repairs to our damaged swim platform (storm on Dec. 26 while away home) and got a Volvo diesel mechanic to service and then diagnose our failing turbo on our port engine. The lost power since leaving Georgian Bay has now been returned to normal by putting in a rebuilt. Have had very nice dinners with our boating neighbours including “Hornblower” a boat we previously met on the river trip, they live just up the street in a condo with a waterside slip.

We are now getting our warm weather back since having heaters on last week. And this is good since Pat’s sister Marnie and hubby David of Vancouver, B. C. arrived by a very cold (21 degrees below) Ottawa to Toronto connection. They are joining us for the next month (if they can pick off the icicles first and don’t want to go back to skating on the Rideau) of travel to points south and Key West, hopefully with weather on our side. Their dog “Shiloh” loves the climate here, makes it a little easier than doing the outdoor john thing back in Ottawa.

Took them on a side trips to Tarpon Springs and on to the State Wildlife Park “Homosassa Springs” to see Manatees and other beautiful birds and animals of Florida. I can’t get over the neon intensity of the orange/red colour of Flamingos. Is it real? Only their hairdresser knows…also went back to visit Sarasota’s “St. Armands Circle” for a lovely Italian lunch and look at the chi-chi shops. Actually bumped into a boating couple from the “ Caribbean Queen” walking on the street that we had met in a couple different marinas on the river coming south, small world again.

Came back into St. Petes Beach area and had an evening cocktail with Leavers in their (month) rental condo on the gulf. Real nice digs for nice real folks.

Today we are stuffing up all the little spaces and coolers on the Chinook with provisions as we are weighing anchor Friday morning. Marnie named our little inflatable dingy “Fast Fry” as baby Chinook salmon are called “fry” and with a 15 HP on it she probably got it right. With a smaller engine it would have been “Small Fry”.

I’m sure I’ve forgotten something in this rambling dialog but if it comes to mind we will add to our next installment. If anyone can suggest anchorages on the way to Key West from Tampa please advise….

On our Way…

Loopers, Ted and Pat with Pacific Coast deckhands… Marnie and David.

-and…Superwatchdog…Shiloh