The Cruising Adventures of Wild Blue and crew...
- Thread starter JamesTXSD
- Start date
Christmas Day, 2007. Our daughter and son-in-law are here to visit for the holidays. The only thing more special than having them here was taking them out for some dolphin watching today on Wild Blue. The day was absolutely beautiful: 76º, sunny, and light wind. Less than 2 miles from the house, we started seeing dolphins... and it went on for a couple hours!
Our daughter is not a big fan of boats (easy victim of motion sickness). In the past, we have had to "guilt" her to go out on our sailboats; this was her first time out in the C-Dory, and it couldn't have been a better experience. The water was smooth, and she was excited to see all the dolphins. We even took a short spin out in the Gulf (Joan's idea).
I've kidded our daughter about her "bad karma"... bringing crappy weather and not seeing the dolphins when she visits. I can proudly say that we have broken that streak today.
Truly, a joyous day!
Merry Christmas!
Jim B.
Our daughter is not a big fan of boats (easy victim of motion sickness). In the past, we have had to "guilt" her to go out on our sailboats; this was her first time out in the C-Dory, and it couldn't have been a better experience. The water was smooth, and she was excited to see all the dolphins. We even took a short spin out in the Gulf (Joan's idea).
I've kidded our daughter about her "bad karma"... bringing crappy weather and not seeing the dolphins when she visits. I can proudly say that we have broken that streak today.
Truly, a joyous day!
Merry Christmas!
Jim B.
Baby steps, Steve. :wink: She knows we are careful out on the water and trusts that we won't take her out in anything beyond her comfort level. When Joan suggested we poke our nose out in the Gulf, I saw the raised eyebrows... the last thing we want to do is make her uncomfortable so she wouldn't ever want to go out again. I think it's mostly in her head... she isn't a big fan of flying commercially, either, even though she flew all over with us in her younger days. Her idea of adventure is a condo with a nice view of the beach. :wink She thinks what we are doing with our cruising is... "Nice that you enjoy it," but the look on her face is more like this :disgust .
When she was little, we hauled her all over... on the back of motorcycles, slept in tents, all-weather travel in small planes (slept under the wing at Oshkosh), skiing all over the Rockies, riding a mule down the Grand Canyon, walking beaches from the Bahamas to Hawaii; she is our one-and-only and went where we went. Somehow as she's matured, her taste for adventure never materialized. She would never consider traveling with us on Wild Blue (yes, we've invited them).
Remind me next time we're together and I'll tell you the story of when we first learned about her fear of the water. :roll:
Have fun with your daughter and her fiance at Catalina!
Best wishes,
Jim
PS I know she wasn't switched at birth, 'cause she looks like both of us and has my sense of humor and her Mother's stubbornness. :twisted:
When she was little, we hauled her all over... on the back of motorcycles, slept in tents, all-weather travel in small planes (slept under the wing at Oshkosh), skiing all over the Rockies, riding a mule down the Grand Canyon, walking beaches from the Bahamas to Hawaii; she is our one-and-only and went where we went. Somehow as she's matured, her taste for adventure never materialized. She would never consider traveling with us on Wild Blue (yes, we've invited them).
Remind me next time we're together and I'll tell you the story of when we first learned about her fear of the water. :roll:
Have fun with your daughter and her fiance at Catalina!
Best wishes,
Jim
PS I know she wasn't switched at birth, 'cause she looks like both of us and has my sense of humor and her Mother's stubbornness. :twisted:
After some island cruising (on land), we visited the Sea Life Center, run by the folks who do the best dolphin watch cruise in the area. A great hands-on place where the "water concerned" can see stingrays up close and personal, get face-to-face with a big eel, touch a starfish, and just generally get a feel for what's under the water we cruise on around here. Then out on Wild Blue for some local sight-seeing. And there seems to be a genuine smile...
She may become a water-baby yet.
For those needing some warmth... it was 72º today, sunny, and a bit breezy.
Best wishes,
Jim
She may become a water-baby yet.
For those needing some warmth... it was 72º today, sunny, and a bit breezy.
Best wishes,
Jim
Our daughter and son-in-law are back in Phoenix and we have been out and about on Wild Blue. There are plenty of people here in the Tropical Tip for the holidays, and the excursion boats are full. The dolphins are in fine form and the weather has been closer to normal for this time of year: daytime highs in the low 70s.
This morning I was going through my log while preparing the paperwork to renew my captain's license... and found that we spent 204 nights on Wild Blue in 2007. Some of those were on land, using her as a camper while trailering; the rest pretty evenly divided between at anchor and tied to a dock. Coast to coast to coast; islands, rivers, lakes, sounds, bays, straits, inlets, the Gulf, and a couple oceans; anchored, at a dock, beached, on a mooring, in a couple campgrounds, several driveways (thanks Bob and Marie, Mike and Judy, Brent and Dixie, and Casey and Sandy), and a Wal-Mart parking lot. Four C-Brat gatherings. Lots of new friends. Some beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Anchorages where we were the only ones, and cities teeming with planes, trains, automobiles, and boats. Wild Blue has been a champ, and we've had a great year!
It's been a bit of a tradition with us to spend New Year's Eve out on the boat to watch the fireworks. That's our plan again for Monday night.
Thanks for the nice comments and encouragement this past year... we're looking forward to 2008 and more adventures.
Best wishes,
Jim & Joan (and Molly the cat)
This morning I was going through my log while preparing the paperwork to renew my captain's license... and found that we spent 204 nights on Wild Blue in 2007. Some of those were on land, using her as a camper while trailering; the rest pretty evenly divided between at anchor and tied to a dock. Coast to coast to coast; islands, rivers, lakes, sounds, bays, straits, inlets, the Gulf, and a couple oceans; anchored, at a dock, beached, on a mooring, in a couple campgrounds, several driveways (thanks Bob and Marie, Mike and Judy, Brent and Dixie, and Casey and Sandy), and a Wal-Mart parking lot. Four C-Brat gatherings. Lots of new friends. Some beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Anchorages where we were the only ones, and cities teeming with planes, trains, automobiles, and boats. Wild Blue has been a champ, and we've had a great year!
It's been a bit of a tradition with us to spend New Year's Eve out on the boat to watch the fireworks. That's our plan again for Monday night.
Thanks for the nice comments and encouragement this past year... we're looking forward to 2008 and more adventures.
Best wishes,
Jim & Joan (and Molly the cat)
We shoved off with perfect timing to make the bridge opening on the hour... and about a half mile from home, Joan said, "The steaks are on the counter in the house." She suggested that we'd be fine without them... yeah, nothing like just a side dish for supper to celebrate. :? I turned Wild Blue around and we went back for the steaks. We don't need no stinkin' bridge opening - we can always go around the island the other way. It was an absolutely beautiful day and we had no schedule... 76º degrees, warm sunshine, and very little wind; somehow, taking the long way around didn't seem like a hardship. :wink:
Circumnavigating our island (a six mile trip), then north into the Laguna Madre, under the causeway. The causeway is an interesting dividing line: south of it the water is deeper and busy with excursion boats, parasail boats, and bay fishing head boats; north of it the water is shallow and generally less populated. We picked our spot to anchor, about 3/4 of a mile from the fireworks barge... and the only other boat out there. We dropped the anchor in about 3' of water and settled in... only 7 hours 'till midnight and the fireworks.
We listened to satellite radio, read, played some games, watched some local weather on tv... and mostly just kicked back. Here's a look at Joan settled in with a book...
And the last sunset of 2007...
The local weather sounded ominous: an arctic front is supposed to blow in sometime around midnight, with dropping temps and winds gusting above 35. Reporting stations north of us were already feeling it.
After dark, I fired up the grill (since we had something to put on it now); I frilled steaks while Joan made cheesy hashbrowns on the Wallas. We listened to a replay of a Jimmy Buffet concert from 1977... back when it was more about the music than the Parrothead experience. It was nearly calm at anchor, but we knew that wouldn't last. Fireworks are as much a tradition here as pinatas for celebrating, and we had a show on both sides of us (Port Isabel on the west, South Padre Island on the east); not as big as the midnight display, but constant. From my perspective, fireworks are like big sailboat racing: best done on someone else's nickel. 8)
Just before midnight, we watched as a steady parade of excursion boats ran in the channel, their only option. We still had the whole Laguna to ourselves. And right on time, the show went off...
The fireworks are just an excuse - I just really like having this night out and away from the crazy people on the roads. By the time the show ended, we could feel the drop in temperature and the wind clocked from east to north. We decided to head for home, since there is no protection from a north wind where we were anchored.
When we got to the swingbridge and called for an opening, the response was, "There is an ambulance on the island, I can't open the bridge until it leaves." We waited on the bayside of the bridge, and as the wind began to build, it took more work to keep us centered in the channel. Just after we decided to take the long way around, the bridge opened; a call on the radio from another boat alerted us to that fact. We rotated again and made our way past the bridge just as the first big gust hit. It tried to turn us like a weathervane, but a bit of power kept us on our track. Less than a mile to go. Turning into our canal, an even bigger gust hit... Joan kept a spotlight on the pvc marking the shallows while I gave the boat more power and a sharp turn to crab us into the opening. Once in the canal, we had some protection, but still needed a bit more power. We could see an odd glow on the nature side of the canal up ahead... yep, a small grass fire. Knowing that I wouldn't rouse anyone else on the radio at this hour, I called the swingbridge (they are able to contact security on our island). His English is plenty adequate for handling the bridge openings, but he wasn't sure what I was saying about the fire. I gave him the location of the fire and asked him to call security. Strong wind, small fire - not a good situation.
When we got to our dock, we tied Wild Blue off and I called security on our phone to report the fire (it was now about 2:00 am); the guy on the phone said, "Yeah, we know about it; some guy on a boat just reported it a couple minutes ago." We brought the essentials in out of the boat, I double checked lines, and we called it a night. In the house; with a bed that wasn't rolling. Good timing.
Happy New Year!
Jim & Joan
Circumnavigating our island (a six mile trip), then north into the Laguna Madre, under the causeway. The causeway is an interesting dividing line: south of it the water is deeper and busy with excursion boats, parasail boats, and bay fishing head boats; north of it the water is shallow and generally less populated. We picked our spot to anchor, about 3/4 of a mile from the fireworks barge... and the only other boat out there. We dropped the anchor in about 3' of water and settled in... only 7 hours 'till midnight and the fireworks.
We listened to satellite radio, read, played some games, watched some local weather on tv... and mostly just kicked back. Here's a look at Joan settled in with a book...
And the last sunset of 2007...
The local weather sounded ominous: an arctic front is supposed to blow in sometime around midnight, with dropping temps and winds gusting above 35. Reporting stations north of us were already feeling it.
After dark, I fired up the grill (since we had something to put on it now); I frilled steaks while Joan made cheesy hashbrowns on the Wallas. We listened to a replay of a Jimmy Buffet concert from 1977... back when it was more about the music than the Parrothead experience. It was nearly calm at anchor, but we knew that wouldn't last. Fireworks are as much a tradition here as pinatas for celebrating, and we had a show on both sides of us (Port Isabel on the west, South Padre Island on the east); not as big as the midnight display, but constant. From my perspective, fireworks are like big sailboat racing: best done on someone else's nickel. 8)
Just before midnight, we watched as a steady parade of excursion boats ran in the channel, their only option. We still had the whole Laguna to ourselves. And right on time, the show went off...
The fireworks are just an excuse - I just really like having this night out and away from the crazy people on the roads. By the time the show ended, we could feel the drop in temperature and the wind clocked from east to north. We decided to head for home, since there is no protection from a north wind where we were anchored.
When we got to the swingbridge and called for an opening, the response was, "There is an ambulance on the island, I can't open the bridge until it leaves." We waited on the bayside of the bridge, and as the wind began to build, it took more work to keep us centered in the channel. Just after we decided to take the long way around, the bridge opened; a call on the radio from another boat alerted us to that fact. We rotated again and made our way past the bridge just as the first big gust hit. It tried to turn us like a weathervane, but a bit of power kept us on our track. Less than a mile to go. Turning into our canal, an even bigger gust hit... Joan kept a spotlight on the pvc marking the shallows while I gave the boat more power and a sharp turn to crab us into the opening. Once in the canal, we had some protection, but still needed a bit more power. We could see an odd glow on the nature side of the canal up ahead... yep, a small grass fire. Knowing that I wouldn't rouse anyone else on the radio at this hour, I called the swingbridge (they are able to contact security on our island). His English is plenty adequate for handling the bridge openings, but he wasn't sure what I was saying about the fire. I gave him the location of the fire and asked him to call security. Strong wind, small fire - not a good situation.
When we got to our dock, we tied Wild Blue off and I called security on our phone to report the fire (it was now about 2:00 am); the guy on the phone said, "Yeah, we know about it; some guy on a boat just reported it a couple minutes ago." We brought the essentials in out of the boat, I double checked lines, and we called it a night. In the house; with a bed that wasn't rolling. Good timing.
Happy New Year!
Jim & Joan
Looking at weather this morning, I saw the 10-day forecast for the Seattle area: rain, showers or rain/snow every day. :| I thought maybe you could use some sunny images...
Yesterday (Jan 3rd), coming back in from the Gulf...
Here's a look at the Blonde at the helm. I pulled the Nikon out of the case for the first time in months and spent some time getting some stock images. I tell her what angle I'm looking for, and she puts the boat where it gives me the best vantage point...
Coming back in the ICW, we came across the pelicans and sea gulls sharing some shallows...
The sun getting low...
Best wishes,
Jim
Yesterday (Jan 3rd), coming back in from the Gulf...
Here's a look at the Blonde at the helm. I pulled the Nikon out of the case for the first time in months and spent some time getting some stock images. I tell her what angle I'm looking for, and she puts the boat where it gives me the best vantage point...
Coming back in the ICW, we came across the pelicans and sea gulls sharing some shallows...
The sun getting low...
Best wishes,
Jim
Jim,
Thanks !!!!
EAST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA-
254 AM PST FRI JAN 4 2008
...GALE WARNING NOW IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT...
TODAY...SE WIND 25 TO 35 KT. WIND WAVES 4 TO 6 FT. RAIN.
TONIGHT...SE WIND 30 TO 40 KT...BECOMING SW 35 TO 45 LATE. WIND WAVES 5 TO 7 FT BUILDING TO 6 TO 8 FT. OCCASIONAL SHOWERS.
SAT...SW WIND 25 TO 35 KT...EASING TO 20 TO 30 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 4 TO 6 FT SUBSIDING TO 3 TO 5 FT. SHOWERS LIKELY.
SAT NIGHT...SW WIND 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT.
SUN...S WIND 10 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 1 OR 2 FT.
MON...S WIND 10 TO 15 KT...BECOMING E IN THE EVENING. WIND WAVES 1 OR 2 FT.
TUE...SE WIND 15 TO 25 KT...BECOMING W IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT.
Merv
Thanks !!!!
EAST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA-
254 AM PST FRI JAN 4 2008
...GALE WARNING NOW IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT...
TODAY...SE WIND 25 TO 35 KT. WIND WAVES 4 TO 6 FT. RAIN.
TONIGHT...SE WIND 30 TO 40 KT...BECOMING SW 35 TO 45 LATE. WIND WAVES 5 TO 7 FT BUILDING TO 6 TO 8 FT. OCCASIONAL SHOWERS.
SAT...SW WIND 25 TO 35 KT...EASING TO 20 TO 30 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 4 TO 6 FT SUBSIDING TO 3 TO 5 FT. SHOWERS LIKELY.
SAT NIGHT...SW WIND 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT.
SUN...S WIND 10 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 1 OR 2 FT.
MON...S WIND 10 TO 15 KT...BECOMING E IN THE EVENING. WIND WAVES 1 OR 2 FT.
TUE...SE WIND 15 TO 25 KT...BECOMING W IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT.
Merv
Sunday, January 6th.
Upper 70s, sunny, breezy. For your viewing pleasure, here are some sunset images from onboard Wild Blue.
Coming in the Brazos-Santiago Ship Channel, we met this shrimper on the way out...
The sun at the horizon...
And sometimes what you see when you turn away from the sunset is just as pretty; here's a look at the pastel clouds...
And this fellow sitting on a daymark, with some of the highrises of South Padre Island in the background...
Turning in from the ship channel to the Port Isabel channel, we saw this big load of bull...
Joan said her "Iowa upbringing" made her swing the boat back around so I could get this shot. I just do what I'm told. :wink:
If any of this sunny stuff is getting old, say the word. We're gonna be out there on a pretty much daily basis, but I sure don't have to post it. I'll be working on stuff to get my captain's license paperwork ready this week (physical, drug test, Red Cross CPR refresher class), so some "water therapy" is going to be necessary after dealing with that.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
Upper 70s, sunny, breezy. For your viewing pleasure, here are some sunset images from onboard Wild Blue.
Coming in the Brazos-Santiago Ship Channel, we met this shrimper on the way out...
The sun at the horizon...
And sometimes what you see when you turn away from the sunset is just as pretty; here's a look at the pastel clouds...
And this fellow sitting on a daymark, with some of the highrises of South Padre Island in the background...
Turning in from the ship channel to the Port Isabel channel, we saw this big load of bull...
Joan said her "Iowa upbringing" made her swing the boat back around so I could get this shot. I just do what I'm told. :wink:
If any of this sunny stuff is getting old, say the word. We're gonna be out there on a pretty much daily basis, but I sure don't have to post it. I'll be working on stuff to get my captain's license paperwork ready this week (physical, drug test, Red Cross CPR refresher class), so some "water therapy" is going to be necessary after dealing with that.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
Steve Grover
New member
Jim
I love seeing how the other half lives. Here I am looking at Gizmo covered with 2.5' of new snow 
Can't go out side without a down parka. Spent the better part of the day moving snow. :thdown It will take me until spring just to dig Gizmo out. :evil: and for some reason your doing all the right things. How is your diet? Great pictures, thanks. You inspire me to return to Mexico just to lie in the sun and sit on a sail boat. Thanks for sharing.
Once again, the best to Molly :cat and Joan, Wild Blue and you... :thup Happy New Year
I love seeing how the other half lives.
Here I am looking at Gizmo covered with 2.5' of new snow Can't go out side without a down parka. Spent the better part of the day moving snow. :thdown It will take me until spring just to dig Gizmo out. :evil: and for some reason your doing all the right things. How is your diet? Great pictures, thanks. You inspire me to return to Mexico just to lie in the sun and sit on a sail boat. Thanks for sharing.Once again, the best to Molly :cat and Joan, Wild Blue and you... :thup Happy New Year
Hi Steve,
We thought about you and Gizmo with all the snow reports in the Sierras... sticking to the trailer isn't much of a problem when you can't find the boat under all that snow! :shock:
Diet? Hey, you don't get a body like this without maintaining it. :wink: We get less walking mileage in when we're at home, but try to get in plenty of beach time and bike riding. It's only a few steps from the house to the boat; not enough to burn off the Christmas cookies and candy calories.
As I recall, heading back to that sailboat in Mexico was part of your plan... still in the works? Nothing wrong with spending some time living like a Corona commercial. 8)
You take care, my friend, and keep us posted on your whereabouts. It's 70º at 7:30 this morning, and I'm heading out for a bicycle ride around the island.
Best wishes,
Jim
We thought about you and Gizmo with all the snow reports in the Sierras... sticking to the trailer isn't much of a problem when you can't find the boat under all that snow! :shock:
Diet? Hey, you don't get a body like this without maintaining it. :wink: We get less walking mileage in when we're at home, but try to get in plenty of beach time and bike riding. It's only a few steps from the house to the boat; not enough to burn off the Christmas cookies and candy calories.
As I recall, heading back to that sailboat in Mexico was part of your plan... still in the works? Nothing wrong with spending some time living like a Corona commercial. 8)
You take care, my friend, and keep us posted on your whereabouts. It's 70º at 7:30 this morning, and I'm heading out for a bicycle ride around the island.
Best wishes,
Jim
Jim,
Not getting old at all. We live at 5,000 feet elevation in Western North Carolina where the temps bounced off zero F. last week and there is lingering snow on the ground. I love it here but it is nice to see your great photos on the Gulf in addition to your great adventures.
By the way, you have inspired us to buy a Nikon D80 (18 x 135 and 70 x 300 lenses) and Photoshop Elements in an attempt to create some art during our own small adventures and beautiful everyday surroundings.
Thanks,
Harper
Hi Harper,
Thanks for the kind words. You will enjoy that D80. Often times,just taking a camera out encourages you to see your own environment in a new way. We'll look forward to some images from your area. I've motorcycled through that area (years ago) - beautiful!
Best wishes,
Jim B.
Thanks for the kind words. You will enjoy that D80. Often times,just taking a camera out encourages you to see your own environment in a new way. We'll look forward to some images from your area. I've motorcycled through that area (years ago) - beautiful!
Best wishes,
Jim B.
Got the physical and drug test (for re-upping my license) out of the way today. The physical was less than thorough, but after determining that my vision was still 20/20, my hearing normal (in spite of what the Blonde says), and my blood pressure normal, the doctor said... (and I just knew he was gonna say this)... "You're in good shape... for your age."
Aaaarrrrrrggggghhhhhh! :amgry Made me want to challenge the underweight, pencil-neck, geek to some arm wrestling! :twisted:
And then went from a moderately scruffy clinic in our town to a much more scruffy clinic in Brownsville to go pee in a cup. I know there are better medical facilities there, but this one apparently passes the security measures the CG requires (empty your pockets, here's a cup, there's the toilet, fill it to the line [the cup, not the toilet], you have 2 minutes, don't flush). Hey, after waiting for almost an hour, give me three of those cups, and I'll have 'em for you in 30 seconds! :roll: Um, probably more information that you wanted, huh?
Unlike what my buddy Mike Taylor thinks, I did not stay up all night studying for the drug test, nor was it multiple choice. The whole thing seemed like a big waste of time and resources to me, but it's part of the beaurocracy that "appearance of security" necessitates.
Oh well, it looked like winter outside with the gray sky, but it was almost 80º and windy (gusts around 40). Joan took me out for a late lunch. I didn't go out on the boat, or even get on the boat today. When I'm done writing this, I may just go out and sit in the cabin for a while. :wink:
Best wishes,
Jim B.
Aaaarrrrrrggggghhhhhh! :amgry Made me want to challenge the underweight, pencil-neck, geek to some arm wrestling! :twisted:
And then went from a moderately scruffy clinic in our town to a much more scruffy clinic in Brownsville to go pee in a cup. I know there are better medical facilities there, but this one apparently passes the security measures the CG requires (empty your pockets, here's a cup, there's the toilet, fill it to the line [the cup, not the toilet], you have 2 minutes, don't flush). Hey, after waiting for almost an hour, give me three of those cups, and I'll have 'em for you in 30 seconds! :roll: Um, probably more information that you wanted, huh?
Unlike what my buddy Mike Taylor thinks, I did not stay up all night studying for the drug test, nor was it multiple choice. The whole thing seemed like a big waste of time and resources to me, but it's part of the beaurocracy that "appearance of security" necessitates.
Oh well, it looked like winter outside with the gray sky, but it was almost 80º and windy (gusts around 40). Joan took me out for a late lunch. I didn't go out on the boat, or even get on the boat today. When I'm done writing this, I may just go out and sit in the cabin for a while. :wink:
Best wishes,
Jim B.
Pandy Girl
New member
Hi Jim
Your post is not getting old at all, we enjoy each post and every picture you post. We read several post alot but don't post as much as we should.
We came to Tx last Jan. about the time you all were leaving on a Cruise. We have friends that are Camping down there for the Winter, they love that area. We stayed last year about 18 miles north of Edinburg that is where they are now. We hope we can come back next winter with our C-Dory. We are leaving NC in about 4 weeks for Fort Myers Beach Fl for about 6 weeks with the RV and Pandy Girl.
Take care Jim
Your post is not getting old at all, we enjoy each post and every picture you post. We read several post alot but don't post as much as we should.
We came to Tx last Jan. about the time you all were leaving on a Cruise. We have friends that are Camping down there for the Winter, they love that area. We stayed last year about 18 miles north of Edinburg that is where they are now. We hope we can come back next winter with our C-Dory. We are leaving NC in about 4 weeks for Fort Myers Beach Fl for about 6 weeks with the RV and Pandy Girl.
Take care Jim
Wednesday, January 9th. We made a run to Brownsville today; the results of my drug test are ready. Of course, the girl at the counter of the clinic said, “I don’t see it here.” I let her know that someone from the clinic had called to say the results were ready. “Do you know who called?” she asked.
“Does it matter?”
Another lady in the office said, “They are in the other room.” Whew!
And another whew: I passed the drug test. No “steroid scandal” for the Wild Blue crew.
Shortly after 5:00, I said to Joan, “Want to do a quick once-around? Probably won’t be a sunset.” There was a hazy overcast, and no sign of el sol. Joan said, “Sure,” and I went out to the boat to get the shades off the windows and the boat ready to go. Molly was at the door wanting to go out, so she got to go along, too.
“No need to turn on the dock lights; we’ll be in before it’s dark.”
We made our way out our canal and headed towards the ship channel. A TPW boat paced us (Texas Parks and Wildlife), but turned off when a bigger sportfisher went by. “No boarding for us,” I said.
We watched the dolphins play in the low light, turned back towards home and were greeted with a sliver of sun poking out at the horizon. Of course, we stopped for a couple pix. When I turned my head to clear the area, I saw a Coast Guard small boat coming right at us... “Um, maybe I was wrong about that boarding?”
They were firm, but polite when they came aboard. I knew we had everything on the boat in order, so no problem. They checked us over, took a "tour" of Wild Blue, petted Molly, gave us the “Good as Gold” sheet (stating that we passed the inspection), and we parted company. Of course, by now it was completely dark. Again, no problem... Wild Blue knows her way home. (Good thing I replaced that aft white running light on Monday).
Best wishes,
Jim
No photos of the CG fellows, but here's the little bit of the sunset we saw before being boarded...
“Does it matter?”
Another lady in the office said, “They are in the other room.” Whew!
And another whew: I passed the drug test. No “steroid scandal” for the Wild Blue crew.
Shortly after 5:00, I said to Joan, “Want to do a quick once-around? Probably won’t be a sunset.” There was a hazy overcast, and no sign of el sol. Joan said, “Sure,” and I went out to the boat to get the shades off the windows and the boat ready to go. Molly was at the door wanting to go out, so she got to go along, too.
“No need to turn on the dock lights; we’ll be in before it’s dark.”
We made our way out our canal and headed towards the ship channel. A TPW boat paced us (Texas Parks and Wildlife), but turned off when a bigger sportfisher went by. “No boarding for us,” I said.
We watched the dolphins play in the low light, turned back towards home and were greeted with a sliver of sun poking out at the horizon. Of course, we stopped for a couple pix. When I turned my head to clear the area, I saw a Coast Guard small boat coming right at us... “Um, maybe I was wrong about that boarding?”
They were firm, but polite when they came aboard. I knew we had everything on the boat in order, so no problem. They checked us over, took a "tour" of Wild Blue, petted Molly, gave us the “Good as Gold” sheet (stating that we passed the inspection), and we parted company. Of course, by now it was completely dark. Again, no problem... Wild Blue knows her way home. (Good thing I replaced that aft white running light on Monday).
Best wishes,
Jim
No photos of the CG fellows, but here's the little bit of the sunset we saw before being boarded...
Well, I could tell you about Friday, but I'd definitely be accused of gloating... mid 70s, clear and sunny, low humidity, and very little breeze. We took Molly to the beach in the morning so she could play the part of a Christmas character: Sandy Claws. (insert groan here) Back home, Joan packed a cooler and we headed out to spend the rest of the day on Wild Blue. Lounging, dolphin watching (even saw a couple sea turtles), grilled burgers, I even got something I haven't had on the boat in a while... a sunburn! (That is what you were thinking, wasn't it? :embarrased ).
Today (Saturday, January 12) I spent the afternoon renewing my CPR and first aid certificate. Now there's another important thing to have onboard (besides a generator, a reference from another thread) - the knowledge of how to care for each other in an emergency. I had never worked with an AED (Automated External Defibrillator), so that part of the training was all new to me. I was the oldest... um, most mature person in the class and received a nice compliment from the trainer: when I was done with my CPR demonstration, he said, "Now, that's how it's supposed to be done. If I had a problem, this is the guy I'd want working on me." It wasn't tough... I have socks older than most of the kids in that class... and they giggled their way through putting their hands and mouth on a mannequin. :roll:
One step closer to getting my captain's license renewed.
Today (Saturday, January 12) I spent the afternoon renewing my CPR and first aid certificate. Now there's another important thing to have onboard (besides a generator, a reference from another thread) - the knowledge of how to care for each other in an emergency. I had never worked with an AED (Automated External Defibrillator), so that part of the training was all new to me. I was the oldest... um, most mature person in the class and received a nice compliment from the trainer: when I was done with my CPR demonstration, he said, "Now, that's how it's supposed to be done. If I had a problem, this is the guy I'd want working on me." It wasn't tough... I have socks older than most of the kids in that class... and they giggled their way through putting their hands and mouth on a mannequin. :roll:
One step closer to getting my captain's license renewed.
While going through my logbook to determine sea time for my captain's license renewal, I decided to take the test for a Masters upgrade. I hit the books for a couple days... scored 100%. Heading north to get fingerprinted on Friday, and that should be the last of it.
We get to see Brent and Dixie this weekend, in Rockport... looking forward to some time with our buddies! Wild Blue will stay home, we're heading out with the Leisure Travel.
In the meantime, it's raining in the Tropical Tip today... first rain we've had in a couple months - and we need it! Maybe not what you folks in the rain forests of the PNW want to hear about, but this is a big event here.
Time for a celebratory drink here! :cocktail
Best wishes,
Jim
PS - Everybody wish Dixie a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! :cake I don't know, I didn't ask, I'm guessing 32ish. :lips :moon that's as close as I could come to a kiss-ass smiley)
We get to see Brent and Dixie this weekend, in Rockport... looking forward to some time with our buddies! Wild Blue will stay home, we're heading out with the Leisure Travel.
In the meantime, it's raining in the Tropical Tip today... first rain we've had in a couple months - and we need it! Maybe not what you folks in the rain forests of the PNW want to hear about, but this is a big event here.
Time for a celebratory drink here! :cocktail
Best wishes,
Jim
PS - Everybody wish Dixie a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! :cake I don't know, I didn't ask, I'm guessing 32ish. :lips :moon that's as close as I could come to a kiss-ass smiley)
Not For Hire
New member
Congrats on the ML. Happy Birthday Dixie!!
Mark
Mark