The Cruising Adventures of Wild Blue and crew...

Just for Pat - it's been a while, so here's a shot of a momma and baby that were swimming around the boat...

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We had lunch at anchor, listened to Radio Margaritaville, and chilled out. Well, Joan did clean out the window tracks (tip: use vinegar water), and I got in the water to check out the boat bottom...

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The water temp here is currently around 82º... sounds pretty warm, huh? I still had to inch my way in. I shoulda brought my wetsuit. :wink: The bottom is in great shape, after a couple weeks in the warm water.

Lots of traffic out and about. The temp on the water was about 85º; back at our dock, it was 88º; go into the Valley and it was pushing into the upper 90s. Easy to see why everyone from there comes to the island for the weekend.

Here's a look at one of the ships that went by while we were at anchor...

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Always fun stuff to watch on the water, and a comfortable "ring side seat."

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
The water temp here is currently around 82º... sounds pretty warm, huh? I still had to inch my way in. I shoulda brought my wetsuit.
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Awww, you sunflowers are such a bunch a wimps!
Come on up to Michigan and we will fly the Apache up to Thunder Bay where we can enjoy a brisk swim in the Gitchegumi, or better yet we'll go North to Nipigon where we were still breaking ice in the morning in the wash basin in the 3rd week of May - no gnats...

denny-o
 
denny-o":2qpnsc3q said:
The water temp here is currently around 82º... sounds pretty warm, huh? I still had to inch my way in. I shoulda brought my wetsuit.
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Awww, you sunflowers are such a bunch a wimps!
Come on up to Michigan and we will fly the Apache up to Thunder Bay where we can enjoy a brisk swim in the Gitchegumi, or better yet we'll go North to Nipigon where we were still breaking ice in the morning in the wash basin in the 3rd week of May - no gnats...

denny-o
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I prefer to think of myself as: candy-ass. I'm not a big fan of cold. And I especially do not like getting INTO cold water. The only ice I want to break is in my margarita. Now, before you think "He just doesn't know any better...", I spent most of my adult life in the frozen northland. I shoveled snow, I scraped ice off windshields, I chained up tires, I even skied and played in the snow... but I NEVER intentionally went into cold water. You say "wimp", I say "smart." 8)

This morning, we walked the beach...

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We didn't have to break the ice to do it. :wink:

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
OK, one last sunrise for a while...

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The top one is my favorite - the silhouettes in the middle of the frame are fishermen on the jetties... I'm not the only one out there enjoying this time of day.

The palette Mother Nature uses to paint these scenes each morning seems to have a wealth of warm colors. It's a great way to start each day.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Jim,

Thanks for the sunrise pictures. for most of my life I have been up at sunrise, and love to watch the light and colors play. Never the same one twice, and always signals a new day. Always figured it was a blessing to see and a blessing to be,... (up, and able to be that way, for the day.)

Have a great one,

Harvey
SleepyC
 
Jim,
On my trip to the Florida Keys last fall I saw more sunrises in the 10 days we were out then I had witnessed in the previous 40 years. It was one of those things everyone should experance but Sunset is still my favorate time of the day...excluding the "noseeem" period.
 
Mike, ol' buddy,

I've always been an early riser and a light sleeper. Since at our latitude (and yours), we don't see ol' sol until about 6:30 or so this time of year, it's pretty easy. This morning, I had Wild Blue heading east in the dark before 6:00 am. Almost makes me wish I drank coffee. :wink:

When we were still working, I could get a couple hours in the lab before opening for clients in the morning. That was the secret to our success: only working half days... that's 12 hours for anyone keeping score. 8)

The schedule is a lot easier these days, but getting out early is a great way to start the day. And I can always get an afternoon nap in, if necessary. :mrgreen: Joan had cinnamon rolls ready to go when I got back to the dock. It totally doesn't suck.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the sunsets, too. Perfect time for a toast to cap off the day. But on our side of the Gulf, the sun comes up on the Gulf and sets over land. It makes for better morning photo ops.

Best wishes,
Jim
 
Those sunrises over the Gulf are fantastic. Thanks for the photos. When we were at Isla Blanca for winters, we saw one every morning as Jake was ready to walk on the beach about daybreak. We have a great sunrise where we are now, but those on the beach are tops.

Clouds over the King Ranch obsured the sun this morning for us. Breakfast at the Sarita Rest Area. The border guard asked about our pets for the first time. Now for a break at Refugio.
 
Reflections...

Another sunrise cruise. Here’s what 3 foot waves look like out in the Gulf. They were widely spaced, so very little rockin’ n rollin’.

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From the Gulf, I ran up the Laguna and into the Fingers area in Port Isabel, just sight-seeing. On the way back home from there, the water in the Laguna was calm... almost mirror-like. It makes for some pretty reflection images.

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Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
What a difference a day makes...

Most mornings the past few weeks, I see very little traffic out on the water. The holiday weekend has kicked in - this morning there were dozens of boats out there. Most were the flat bay skimmers with about 6" of freeboard... and plenty of those heading out into the Gulf. As I was coming back in, it looked like an armada coming at me. :wink:

Here's my favorite shot from this morning's outing...

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Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
We took Steph and Dan (yes, the Captain Jim cartoonist) out on Wild Blue for an on-the-water fireworks show...

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It was a relatively short jaunt from our place to a good spot for viewing. We tossed out the anchor in about 5 feet of water, pulled back the bimini, and sat out in the cockpit to watch the show.

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The fireworks were launched from a barge out on the water, making it good for viewing from land... and even better from the water. The line of traffic heading onto the island was backed up for miles. Many of the folks in cars were caught on the causeway, not making it onto the island in time for the fireworks display. And then they had to wait to finally get on the island, turn around, and wait in bumper to bumper traffic for another couple hours to get back off the island. LOTS of people. This was being billed as "the biggest fireworks display in Texas"; it lasted 25 minutes and was very impressive.

There were more people anchored out in boats to watch than I've seen before, but it was nothing compared to the land traffic. All the excursion boats had full crowds for the viewing. And for us, it was a short ride home, through the swing bridge, down the canal, and tie off to the dock.

All in all, a great way to celebrate America's birthday!

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Sometime in the next couple days, we plan to hit the road with Wild Blue in tow, heading for the New York Canal System. We really enjoy the traveling, but I gotta tell you, this moving in and out is tiring. Since last summer, we've gone from one RV to another, back into the house, to the boat, back to the house, to the RV, into the house, and now back into the boat. Whew! :wink: We may have to rethink this whole house thing.

We're bringing bikes to be able to get around on land once in the Erie Canal.

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Trying to decide whether to strap 'em up there or keep them in the cockpit. Everything I read about traveling in the NY Canals talks about the interesting small towns along the way - the bikes should give us the opportunity to explore more.

If any Brats want to offer suggestions for must-see stuff on the NY Canals, the Trent-Severn, and eventually Kentucky Lake and the TennTom Waterway, we'd appreciate the local information.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Wild Blue is out of the water, loaded, and ready to roll. While getting the trailer at the storage lot today, I took a shot of this C-Dory in there...

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It's been sitting there for 2 years now; there's mildew on the cabin sides, the insulation that they put in the windows has fallen down, the jack stand wheel has rusted off... this poor boat could use some TLC.

Back home, I took a power washer to the bottom... amazing how much slime and critters can build up in just 5 weeks. The water is warm and salty here, and even a refreshed bottom job from last fall didn't keep it all off. But, she's looking good and ready to go now.

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All that's left is to close down the house, grab the cat, and we're off.

See you down the road.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
If any Brats want to offer suggestions for must-see stuff on the NY Canals, the Trent-Severn
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Hey Jim,

Here are some of the "spots" that we enjoyed on the Trent-Severn:

- Orillia
- Lakefield
- Burleigh Falls area

Basically we loved the entire trip but those were some of our favorite stops. Of course, the Peterbourgh Lift Lock and Big Chute are must-see.

We had a great time and certainly are not experts on the area, but let us know if you have any questions.

Enjoy your trip - wish it was us (someday we plan on following "your" path with too many rv's/boats/homes/transfering stuff -- all those wish we had that problem type of stuff!!).
 
Thanks, Robert; I appreciate the suggestions (and from those who PMed). We are on the road. Stopped for the night in a very nice RV park... they remembered Wild Blue ("You're the only one who has ever stayed here in a boat."). The first thing the lady at the desk asked, "You do have air conditioning in that boat, don't you?" It's in the upper 90s and the sun is hitting the port side in all it's glory... the little Frigidaire a/c is working its heart out... should get more comfortable when the sun goes down.

Izzy isn't sure (does that sound like a Fuzzy-Wuzzy poem?) about this boat stuff, yet. She road in the truck like an old pro, and has chowed a couple times in the boat. We're doing all we can to make her feel at home, but we have all the window covers on to help keep out the heat; and she likes to look outside.

This place has a nice pool and a hot tub... I think I'll head up for a little dip before turning in for the night.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

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Where is the RV park Jim - spread it around, we may need it on the way home !
 
toyman":3ecvq7e4 said:
Where is the RV park Jim - spread it around, we may need it on the way home !
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Hi Dave,

It's southwest of Livingston by quite a ways. It's the Lazy Longhorn RV Park in Victoria. Nice LONG paved RV sites, grassy areas between the sites, full hookups including cable, hot tub, swimming pool, beautiful showers, gated. And get this: $13.88 with Passport America.

We're at another PA campground tonight... out in the boonies near Texarkana. Not near as nice as last night, and $14. HOWEVER, it is a 30 amp plug in and we are living large in air conditioned comfort, with 3 whole digital channels on TV. :wink:

I checked out the aged shower house... maybe in the morning the bugs will still be asleep when I go shower. :disgust

We drove about 425 miles today, and Izzy was very patient... even on some of those crappy roads SE of Houston.

Best wishes,
Jim
 
You seem to have good luck finding the PA places, when we try it, it always seems that the discount day was yesterday & tomorrow, but not today.

Stopped late one night in Kulua Lampor in the Airport Hotel, the engineer traveling with me stayed up in his room all night afraid to sleep because the size of the roaches intimidated him - he was a city boy though.

425 mile day ? It will take all summer to reach cool weather at that rate - but drive carefully.
 
toyman":1r750npa said:
You seem to have good luck finding the PA places, when we try it, it always seems that the discount day was yesterday & tomorrow, but not today.
...
425 mile day ? It will take all summer to reach cool weather at that rate - but drive carefully.
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We use the Passport America book to see what's along our route. And there was a time we did 700 mile days regularly... in a diesel pusher coach with all the amenities available while going down the road, 150 gallon fuel tank, and just a tow car on the back. With the pickup and nearly 9,000 pounds of boat, we don't drive as fast and we take more breaks. Being retired, it just doesn't matter how fast we get some where... as long as we're enjoying the trip.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
You have the right idea taking bikes for the towns along the Erie Canal. We really like Newark and Fairport on the Western end of the canal. If you like greasy spoon, funky diners be sure to try the Newark Diner an easy ride from the free dockage. Also free showers, electric, water and washer/dryer. Look for our old boat a 22 CD now called SNICKERS at the Macedon Marina. Now owned by a nice guy, Jim Whitney. In Fairport try Donelly's Resturant a short walk from the docks. If you are there on Friday try the FISH FRY and drink a beer for me. Say Hello to our friend Tom Speedy one of the Dock Masters and a good source of all info about the town.

Have Fun

Fred, Pat, and Mr. Grey(the cat)
 
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