Return to Fort Myers

 Sunday, February 14, 2021. Day 68. Valentine’s Day.

When we got up in the morning it was overcast. Before long, the fog rolled in and we could see nothing. After a reasonably short time, the sun burned off the fog and it was actually clear and beautiful, but still really windy. So it is on the water: we are pretty much dominated by the weather.

We had hoped to try the SUP‘s today but the wind made that impossible.

Roland made me a wonderful Valentine’s Day breakfast: Nutella crêpes; delish! with sliced bananas (our nod to healthy eating). We were rather disappointed that, again, neither dinghy practice nor stand up paddle boards were possible.

Around 11:50am, we pulled up the anchor after four nights at “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge in Pine Island Sound, making our way back to Legacy Harbour Marina, slip C 6, in Fort Myers.

As was the case with every other time that we passed this way, it was enormously crowded. It was a Sunday, it was a beautiful day, and Monday was Presidents’ Day, so this was a long weekend. We passed every type of boat imaginable from the smallest to the largest fortunately, they all observed the “slow“ area requirement (it is a manatee zone”). 

I steered for a while. It was very windy as we approached the marina: the wind was 27 knots. Although we had been in and out of the marina once before, and were therefore, somewhat familiar with the zig and zag to get to C 6, the wind was really heavy and Captain Roland made his turn into the slip too tight for the first two tries. Fortunately, he was able to back out and the third time, his docking was perfect.

After our initial docking, we had to readjust all the fenders on both sides and retie the lines in a way that would enable me to embark and disembark on my own. It was not my favorite set up. MM was too long for this narrow slip. Sassy, the boat in the adjoining slip (we shared the finger dock), took up 90 % of the width at one point with their access ladder, and I had to hoist myself off the dock onto the boat and sort of jump off to disembark. Not really comfortable, but it is high season and the marinas are packed. After we retied the lines, I was able to get on and off.

We had been at anchor for four nights and five days and because of the strong wind, we hadn’t been able to get off the boat at all or practice getting the dinghy down or try the SUPs. I was looking forward to stepping on land, going to an outdoor restaurant, going for a run, riding our bikes, and walking around town.

When we call the marinas and/or the bridges and/or locks on the radio, the dock masters and lock and bridge tenders always address the caller as “captain”. It is interesting to hear them only use the title; names (except for the boats' names), are not relevant, and there is a certain panache to hearing the respectful reference to the title. Throwback civility that is missing in our casual world today.

My job, when docking and de-docking, is to be at the stern to make sure that there is adequate room for the various turns and maneuvers, especially when and if the captain has to back up. We wear headphones so that we can speak to each other in a calm and clear manner, although the Captain is at the helm, and I am in the stern, many feet away. The headphones are commonly called “marriage savers” (the reason for this nickname should be patently obvious!)

I do believe that I could be more helpful with respect to directions; as an example, I knew that Captain Roland's first two turns were much too tight; if the Captain were open to my input, he would have waited to make this difficult turn, and docked perfectly the first try. I stand prepared to assist when we get comfortable enough to exchange more information over the “marriage savers”. We have docked only 14 times, and just our luck, usually in heavy wind! It is not easy and the Captain is getting better and better.

After we arrived at the dock, we proceeded to address all the tasks, in addition to adjusting the fenders and the lines, that have to be made: the motor is turned off, the electrical and water lines connected, the breakers changed from DC to AC, the engine temperature checked, fuel tanks and water tank and holding tank levels checked, opening and closing of the sea cocks, and the time and hours noted of the engine and generator, if it had been on, etc., etc., and etc.

It was Valentine’s Day so we got ourselves together; I even applied lipstick, put on jewelry and a nice pair of shoes. We walked into town and stopped at the Twisted Vine courtyard hoping to have our Valentine’s Day dinner. Of course, we did not have reservations. But it was only 4 o’clock and they agreed that if we could would leave by 5:30, we could have dinner. The courtyard was totally empty, and we had a lovely dinner. 

The food was good (not great), and a little overpriced. We had a nice rose (we shared three glasses), and we shared seabass and short ribs. The dessert was perfect for Valentine’s Day: key lime pie, which was a little small, and a flourless chocolate torte, which was quite generous, and perfectly delicious.

All in all, a very nice Valentines dinner, and we were out of there at exactly 5:30, as agreed. We had started the day with Nutella crêpes, and ended with a very rich, dark, flourless chocolate tort with a lovely rose wine and a walk. What more could we ask?

Monday, February 15, 2020 Presidents’ Day. Day 69.

The day was very windy, even in the marina. I ran 3 miles to and around Edison Ford Gardens and Estates. It was hot and humid; okay outside, but not comfortable in a closed boat. The AC was necessary; it seemed to be working well enough. Thankfully. It is good to solve a problem so we have capacity for the next challenge! I finished listening to Dreams of My Father by Barack Obama, and continue d listening to Becoming by Michelle Obama.

Our visit to Legacy Harbour Marina in Ft. Myers, was supposed to be just for a couple days but the forecast showed heavy winds for much longer. We talked to the marina about staying longer. Although it was not really what we wanted to do, it was the only prudent plan. I had plenty of paperwork to do, and bills to pay. We walked to the supermarket at least once a day, zoomed with friends and ate some very interesting dinners that Roland prepared. The highlight of the day was a call from Lee County; it is possible that we may be able to get our second shot through the county which would be a great relief.

Tuesday, February 16, 2021. Day 70 to Sunday, February 21, 2021 (02/21/2021).

The weather was not perfect, but certainly more tolerable than Texas, New England, Philadelphia, and New Jersey; we had no snow, it was overcast and windy, but the temperatures were mostly mild. The next few days in the marina were spent doing “housework” and “paperwork” and working on Wil and MAG (Mid Atlantic Angel Fund).

We took a walk each day or rode our bikes (taking the bikes off the boat and assembling them was a challenge). I attended a Wil zoom program on Khmer Villages, which reminded me of our visit to Cambodia in October 2019, which we loved.

One evening we went to dinner at 10 Twenty, in a courtyard around happy hour. Most of the customers went to the rooftop deck and we sat alone (thankfully), in the courtyard and had a great dark beer; I had a bison burger, and Roland had smoked brisket flat bread; very good. On the menu were two “Philly” variety sandwiches (we did not order them, but I was mildly curious).

We went to the supermarket frequently, and Roland was having fun with the air fryer and the Instapot. He made egg bites in the Instapot and fried chicken in the air fryer. Both worth repeating.

I got my first opportunity to buy Girl Scout cookies; always an important pleasure of mine. My personal rule is that whenever I see girl scout cookies for sale, I buy at least one box, and engage the girls is conversation. It has been important to me for decades. I bought one box of thin mints and one box of Tagalongs....my favorite!

Again, in the Florida tradition, we rode our bikes mostly on the sidewalk, which really goes against my grain. But apparently it is the tradition here, especially because very few people walk in Florida. Whenever possible I worked out, ran, stretched, and did yoga. I was eating and drinking way too much to ignore serious exercise.

At the suggestion of my next door neighbor boater, Janice, I went to the next dock to meet Susanne, a real character. Susanne and her husband John, live aboard their boat for five months in the marina. They are from Ocean City, New Jersey, about 5 miles from our house in Ventnor. We had a fun discussion, and exchanged boat cards (that's what boaters do). I hope Roland puts a picture of our boat card in the blog. She and John have sailed the world she told me. Maybe we will get together this summer in NJ, after we all have been vaccinated.

Most of the time, there were thousands of these little teeny bugs all over the boat. Our neighbors said that they’ve been in this marina for five years and they’ve never seen it this bad. It was bad. I blamed these bugs for my itching problem, but nobody else seemed to be bitten by them.

On one of our walks, we stopped and had lobster rolls at Masons; really good, almost Maine quality! On one of our bike rides we stopped at Kings Table which turned out to be a Cuban restaurant, and it had a Philly version of a Cuban sandwich. Old home week! We didn't order it, but it was the second restaurant in Ft Myers to feature a Philly style sandwich.

Captains note: we did find some fantastic lobster rolls at a new restaurant in town.. Mason's Maine Lobster roll.. they where fantastic..

Another Kadey Krogan 44 (very new) stopped in the marina for a night (this marina is the marina with the closest supermarket), and we met Jelles, the owner. I immediately had door envy when I saw the entrance to the back deck; it was twice the depth of Magic Moments's door; so sensible, so easy to get on and off, so sad that KK didn't think of that back in 2007 when MM was under construction! Getting off and on the boat with doors like that would be 10 times easier than what we have. It was a kick to meet him in person; I had read a lot of his commentary each morning on the KK site where people share ideas. He’s a frequent contributor. It was almost like meeting a famous columnist.

Ft Myers has several murals and sculptures scattered around town, creating interest during our walks, even though, due to Covid, we weren't shopping or going into art galleries.

While in the marina, it became apparent that our refrigerator was not operating properly, (surprise: a problem!), so Roland defrosted both the refrigerator and the freezer. It took a while, it was a pain, but it seemed to have solved the issue. I am thrilled that the refrigerator/freezer, doesn’t have to be replaced. But we will have to defrost the freezer and refrigerator more frequently. We also have to be very attentive to closing the refrigerator door, which is a bit tricky, if we don't pay attention and take our time. It’s so great that we solved a problem without having to call our guru, Scott.

While in the marina, I watched some very large boats come in and out of the slips. The ones with stern thrusters as well as bow thrusters had a much easier time. I developed my fantasy list for MM: I would like a water maker, solar panels, gas stove, stern thrusters, drawer replacements, quiet heaters and A/Cs, and deep doors to enter and exit the decks. This is just a fantasy, MM is great, just the way she is.....But, if anyone wants my 2cents, those are really great things to have. There is an item that next week will jump to the top of the list.......hang in!

We are leaving the marina tomorrow, Monday, February 22. Winds: please be gentle, we HAVE to practice getting the the dinghy on and off the top deck, and find out if the repaired motor works!