PROVISIONING, LAUNDRY and (oh, did I mention....) rain!

As is normal, for me anyway, the first night back on the boat is usually a tough night trying to get to sleep.  Don't know if it's the excitement of being back on board, the gentle swaying of the boat, the size of the bed, etc.  As a result, some of us (ahem) didn't arise until 0800.  Joe and I took advantage of the free laundry facilities and washed the boat's bedding.  Sunday must be a very popular day to do laundry.  There were many people vying for 3 machines/dryers.  I was lucky, because Joe got up there first (not the one sleeping in....) and let me know as soon as his washer was done.  I hurried up with our bedding! Thanks Joe!!
The picture below is part of the main Ortega Landing Marina complex.  The pool was a little chilly for us, but the hot tub was perfect!

Part of today's activities included the relocation of the outboard engine mount on the aft deck.  The men tried several locations before finally deciding on the one pictured below. Starboard rear. It is about the only thing remaining on our aft deck, thanks again to Aletha and Rich.  We 'donated' several items (dock box, 2 step folding ladder, a somewhat rusty lounge chair and the aforementioned sewing machine) that they will either keep (ask Aletha in our comments...she may tell you about becoming a chicken magnet) or donate to others.

This picture is a 'panoramic' photo taken our last time down.  We had anchored out somewhere (it's been more than 2 days, you know?....) and the first thing I saw, when coming up from below, was the full moon to the west and the sun rising in the east.  Joe and I stood there, with our coffee and soaked it up.  Even though it was taken through the back eisenglass/screen, it was just too beautiful to pass up.  It may be difficult for you to see the beauty, but trust me, it was pretty awesome! God is good!

OK, another flash from home.  Elisha isn't eating solid food yet, but Pam says he loves to 'share' with his big brother.  Already miss them....

Always smiling, Joe making his bed, after laundry duty this morning. What a great friend!

We spent a couple of hours shopping this morning.  Target, West Marine, Publix.  We're searching for a particular bench seat, made by Suncast to put on the aft deck.  If you happen to see one, and are on our route south to the Keys, let us know.  K-Mart sells them at home, but most of their stores have closed in Florida, we have found out.

There is a rug that covers the aft deck.  It has had an ugly stain on it ever since we bought the boat.  Well, today we loaded it up and took it to the car wash.  Captain Tim did the honors and hopefully when it dries out, we'll have a stain-free rug.  If not, at least it will be clean!!

 Finally! Here's the picture I promised of Rich and Aletha, our Jacksonville angels, taken at dinner tonight. We dined at The Brick.  Thanks, SO MUCH, for all you have done for us.  Without friends like these, it would be difficult to say the least!!

 I guess this is the best place as any to insert a little unknown tidbit about Aletha's childhood.  She told us this little story, very eloquently I might add, while eating lunch yesterday.  Somehow we got on the topic of fried chicken.  It may have been because Saturday at Simply Sara's was 'fried chicken' day. Joe ordered it.  Anyway....while we were eating Aletha said she would 'never, ever eat chicken that had a bone in it!'.  Why, you might ask (I did, anyway).  As it turns out, when she was little and the family was served fried chicken, her portion was 1 chicken leg.  Her father made her eat EVERYTHING that was on that leg and the only, I repeat, ONLY thing that was to be left on her plate was that chicken bone.  And, it had better be dry!  As a result, I believe she hates even being near a chicken bone.  The best part of the story was witnessing Aletha 'tell it', in her humorous way.  What a hoot!!


My salmon (Joe had it too). Very yummy and very fresh.

Rich and Aletha both had baby back ribs. Fall off the bone, tender.

Tim's prime rib! Yum...

 After dinner, a little decaf coffee with dessert (no pictures).  When our server, John, asked Joe if he wanted cream in his coffee, Joe took it literally!  No, really, he said it was slippery :)

 Tim and I shared a very good slice of key lime pie. Don't we look full?

 Joe tried the carrot cake.  Needless to say, we were ALL full when we left the restaurant.

 

Tomorrow we leave for St. Augustine.  The Captain says we head out NLT 0830.  We have to wait for the office to open to return our 'key cards'.  Again, it's about 52 miles and we should arrive mid afternoon.  We have friends there, but are only planning on staying one night.  We want to get SOUTH to warmer waters!! Besides, we have a new under-platform swim ladder to install and you can bet your bottom dollar Captain Tim won't be getting in the water to install it until the water is at least 80 degrees!!  Hopefully, once underway, there will be more official boating news to share with you all.  Until tomorrow........