“Time keeps on slip’n slip’n slip’n into the fuuuturrrre” Great lyrics…who wrote them? Anyway, applies so
well as we approach the end of this segment of the Loop. We have less
than five weeks before we leave the boat for a Spring/Summer back home.
More on that later. Yesterday and today finds us anchored off Cayo
Costa State Park. We’ve been kind of weather hostages on the
boat…yesterday it rained…today is sunny but it’s blowing 15-20 knots so we
aren’t inclined to leave. During the rain I thought I would get caught up
with the blog…but no. You can thank Eric for that as I’ve been reading
the “The Game of Thrones” he got me for X’mas. Ok, still have a lot of
Game to read but lets try to get caught up on recent events.
We were in Venice a month...like four weeks!!
No blog…but lots of good times to report:
Weeks One & Two - 1st We Work Then We Play!
After arriving
we were welcomed by Aunt Jeanie, Sarah and Anna with dinners and good
fellowship. As has been our custom in previous visits we asked what could
we do to help out. In past years there was polite banter around
extracting a "Things To Do List"...not this year...they were
prepared!! So we set to work. The list included outside and inside
painting projects, as well as, plumbing and electronic projects. All
completed and appreciated around. No pictures of Chris & Sarah
painting or of me on the ladder or under a sink…what’s the point.
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| This is the Venice North
Jetty - inlet or pass from the Gulf |
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Both South and North Jetties are full of people every day! |
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1920's Trumphy--second one
we've seen on the trip! |
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All wood = ton of work!!
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In the middle
of our work session we jetted out of Ft Myers to New York City for the Kelly
Holden Wedding!!! Been a while since I’ve been to the “Big Apple” even
longer for Chris. We arrived Friday to a reasonably nice sunny yet cold
(for Snow Birds) day. After checking in we walked over to Rockefeller
Center to see where the magic happens on the Today program. We toured the
“Top of the Rock” and got our fill of walking. WOW there are a lot of
people here! Also observed the average age is lower here than
Florida.
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| It's all mine!! |
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No Boone's Farm here!! |
Later that evening we attended a party for the
groom, Chris Cruz, and bride, Kelly, and met family and other Midland
neighbors. Great warm up for the main event!
The next day was spectacular! The wedding
at the Church of St. Monica was the prettiest I’ve seen (next to Jessie &
Corey’s). Bride was lovely, Groom handsome and Parents on both sides
proud!!
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Mike Holden & sibs
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Val & Mike Holden
(center) Ginny & Bob Donald (right)
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Sarah, Rick & Sue
Ellison
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Joanie & Chuck Mioke
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Looking like we did on our
wedding day!!
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The best to the Bride &
Groom!!!
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The reception was held at “The Loeb Boathouse –
Central Park.” What a grand venue it was. Beautiful decorations,
wonderful band and delicious food. The Holden’s know how to throw a
party. Shame they only have one single child left…but can’t wait to see
how they top this!
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Hang'n with the 'hood!
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Weeks Three & Four – Pigg’n out on Stacey!
Returning from New York gave us a better
appreciation for the cooler weather in Florida. It has been on again cold
with strong North winds with a couple of days of sun and warmer temps before
the next cold front passes. But at least we're not freezing!!!!
“It’s better than Michigan” as become a popular phrase. We had a stretch
of three nice days…two of which I used to wash and organize the outside of the
boat whilst the Admiral did likewise to the interior.
The third nice day we drove down to the “Second
Annual Isle of Capri Invitational Hogit Pigit Tournament”!! Organized by
Carol & Marge Schoenherr and dinner catered in from master fisherman and
chef Jerry Schoenherr this two day tourney was fast paced, competitive, good
humored and humbling. Last year’s number 1 & 2 winners, Mike and
Janet, returned to reclaim the coveted piggybank trophies. In the end no
one could match the genius play of Danny Schoenherr. He was
brilliant! Janet just oinked out Chris for the number two spot. All
vowed to return next year to unseat the King Hog!!!
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As the sun sets Hog'it
Pig'it begins!!
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| Pigpen!! |
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L->R Uncle Jerry, Mike,
Me, Janet
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L->R Aunts Carol &
Marge, Uncle Danny
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2013 King Hog!
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Chris got a Piggy Timer
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Mike
got a pig drain plug--what he always dreamed of!
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Janet got the Holy Pork! |
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I got a pork spatula!
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Danny traded for the plug...goes in the sink not your mouth!On second thought... |
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Better than winning the
Lotto!!!
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Uncle Danny...bring home
the bacon!!
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Janet with her "Holy
Pig"...Mike with his oinker nipple ring? |
Fun was had by all!!!
With our curly tails tucked between our legs we
headed back to Ft. Myers airport to pick up our nice niece Stacey
Burger!! It was a joy to have Stacey on board for a week. We all
took “Eat, Drink and be Merry” to new heights!! Unfortunately another
cold front blew threw Venice so we used that often repeated MI phrase.
Fortunately the weather cleared for a couple of days and we got to go SAILING!!
It’s the first time we got to put the main sail up!!! What a glorious
day!!! The week went by all to fast and we found ourselves
again returning to Ft. Myers airport to send Stacey back to frozen MI!
You warmed our hearts Stacey…we miss you!
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Chris & Stacey on the
Pier at Sharky's
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Cool Bird - sorry Cindy
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Cheers!!
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Out the Venice Pass for a
sail!!!
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All the people on the Jetty
wishing they were us!
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What's wrong with this
picture!!
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That's it!!!
Cheers!!!!!
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| That's what I'm talking about! |
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Bill is happy!
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Check'n out the Venice Craft Fair.
At least it's warmer than Michigan!! |
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| Chill'n on Fess Parker wine. |
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| Yum-YUM! |
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| Not as good as mine!! |
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| The best meal ever! |
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| Good Food, Good Wine, Good Fellowship |
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So Long to the Wine Swab!!
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We miss you Stacey!!!
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Our last week in Venice was busy getting last
visits in with family and friends. I’ve neglected to mention earlier we
have been fortunate to catch up with our old co-ed volleyball team…Jim & Lisa
Schmidt and Mike & Cathy Anderson. Both own condos in Nokomis, which
is five minutes North of Venice. Although we put out the word we were
ready to take on all co-ed VB challengers alas none came forward (guess you
have to do better than a note in a wine bottle tossed into the ICW…maybe
Twitter next time) so we had to settle for dinner and drink (not to mention ABC
Wine Store). It is great catching up with past (not old) friends!
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Cathy & Mike on
Catmandu
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Left side: Jim & Lisa
Schmidt, Cathy Anderson
Right side: Mike Anderson, Bill & Chris
Speaking of chance encounters with friends...we
returned to the boat after a day out and noticed a powercat tied up ahead of
Catmandu. The dock master told us the owners know you and the boat from
MI…really? The boat (named ION) has a NC registration…I don’t know anyone
with a cat from North Carolina??? About ten minutes later I see the owner
walking up the dock…J.R. Watson!! JR and his wife Barb had a boat just
outside SSYC until they had ION built and moved south for the winter.
Currently they are exploring the west coast of FL.
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ION |
Barb & JR
Before saying goodbye to Venice we have to say a
special thank you to Aunt Jeanie, Sarah and Anna. You hold a special
place in our hearts and we will miss you! So looking forward to seeing
you again!!
Morning of our departure.
They say "Red sky in morning...
...Sailor take
warning!!"
Actually turned out to be a nice day.
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