WELL......WE THOUGHT WE WERE MOVING ON...... ;(
We were up and underway around 0800 this morning.  Our first stop was across the Caloosahatchee River at the City of Fort Myers Yacht Basin Marina for fuel.  About half the way there (about 1 mile) the port engine stalled.  Tim tried to get it to stay running, but it would only fire and stall.  Since it makes docking SO much easier...using both engines, Joe went down and changed the fuel filter, hoping that would fix the problem.  But, alas.  Not to be.  The good Captain was able to pull into the fuel dock on one engine and we filled up the tanks.  Both the guys looked over the situation, tried a few tests and finally determined that the fuel pump was bad.  In the mean time, we are taking up space at the fuel dock and being Saturday we need to move out of the way.  So, Tim pulled her up on an angled dock just in time to get out of the way of a very large 55'+ Hatteras.  Now, remember we are still in Fort Myers and we just happen to know someone who lives here (thank goodness - Dave).  Tim got ahold of him and pulled him away from a guest bathroom toilet repair to come haul Tim to West Marine for a new pump.  He also determined, before he left, that the bad pump had allowed fuel to get into the engine oil, so that needed to be changed as well.  Plenty for Joe to do while Tim was retrieving supplies.  Fuel pump installed, oil changed and we are again underway.  It is now 12:30.
About an hour later, Tim is at the helm and he notices the starboard engine temperature is rising.  He watches it for a bit and Joe checks to make sure water is pumping out (and therefore cooling/circulating through the engine), and it is.  Joe looks in the engine compartment and there is a small line of transmission oil underneath the repair that was made Wednesday.  Not enough to worry, but enough to keep an eye on.  Well, the engine temperature continues to rise and Tim decides to shut it down and continue on one engine, but not too far.  It's now after 2 and we can't make our original destination, so we start looking for marinas in the next 5-10 miles.  I take the helm and Tim goes down to grab something to eat.  In short order, we hear him holler.  He reappears and informs us that the starboard engine transmission shaft has fallen out!! Not a good thing...not at all...  So, we decide to turn around and try to get ahold of the original repairman, Dan.  After all, he has the 1 3/4" socket that is needed.  Long story, not so long (can't say short at this point)..we are back at the marina where we fueled.... for tonight at least.  The guys pulled apart the transmission (kind of) and determined that the breakage is in the reduction gear, which will not require the entire transmission to be pulled.  They are going to remove it tomorrow and we will likely move back across the river to the Marinatown Marina. Dan has an office there. I'm not sure at this point if he is going to get it repaired/rebuilt for us or if we are going to rent a car and drive to Fort Lauderdale to swap our bad one for a good one on Monday.  Either way, this has altered our schedule enough that we may end up coming home before we get to the Keys.  Since Tim is part owner (wink) of Southwest Airlines we only fly out of cities that they service.  In this case, Fort Myers or Fort Lauderdale. 

This little cutie is showing everyone how an official Army push up is performed.  Adorable!!

 City of Fort Myers Yacht Basin Marina where the fuel pump was installed.

 Joe, inspecting the broken fuel pump and getting ready to withdraw the bad oil with the oil sucker.

 On our way to dinner tonight we walked by this monument.  Paratrooper's monument.

 More signage.

 The sink inside the ladies room at Ford's Garage. Ingenious!

 The broken shaft.

 Eating really good hamburgers at Ford's Garage!!

 

Daylight savings time tonight!  We best remember because we have a breakfast date tomorrow at 0800, sharp!  Happy sailing...................

TRANSMISSION SEAL REPLACED...
NOW.....WAITING ON GOOD WEATHER

Last time we spoke I believe the starboard side transmission seal leak had just been discovered. Tim found the part ($6 and some change) online and had 2 delivered overnight to the marina.  That meant delivery on Wednesday and, you may recall, with the marina being closed on Wed (?) and Sun, special arrangements had to be made.  Thank you Scotty. Dan, the repairman came early Wed. morning and got things taken apart and ready to receive the new seal.  It arrived a very short time later and it was repaired. The guys say we 'dodged a bullet' on this finding it while in port. Could have been a little dicey if underway when things went awry.

As March 4th was International Pancake Day and as there was an IHOP less than a mile away, we did our part and had pancakes! (I ate 5)

 These little fellas were hanging out at Sonic.  As soon as I rolled down the window to take their picture, they headed toward me. I'm guessing they probably are given an unhealthy portion of french fries or tater tots.

Tim periodically stays in touch with Bob and Debbie, pictured below, and found out they were going to be in our area overnight.  In fact, in the slip right next to ours. They are from WA and have completed the Loop once.  They are currently on their way around for a 2nd time.  They have a beautiful Fathom trawler named In My Element.  We first met them when we were both stranded in Carabelle last spring waiting for good weather to cross the Gulf.  After they arrived in Fort Myers, we all joined brother Dave and Patt for dinner at Three Fishermen.  It was good to see them again and hear their stories from their year on the Loop.

 Dave and Patt sitting on our new aft deck bench.  We had a few snacks aboard before heading up to supper last night.

 

Supper at Banana Joe's. Nice evening. Good company. Good food.

We are currently under a tornado watch until 7pm this evening.  It's been raining since about noon. Hope Bob and Debbie aren't caught up in the rough weather. We will likely stay here until weather improves, probably Sat. Thanks to Dave, we have been able to run errands in his car while here!

They guys worked on the under platform swim ladder until the rain started. It's almost done.

We started Season 3 of Downton Abbey last night. It's been pretty entertaining, so far. Tim's going to bake a ham this afternoon (good day for it). 

We'll see you soon......

 P.S. On a personal note.... Pidge, we love you!!

FINALLY.....FORT MYERS
We arrived safely at the Marinatown Marina, Fort Myers yesterday late afternoon.  Some history is required....Normal procedures has Captain Tim selecting the night's overnight location somewhere early morning, same day or late night, evening before.  He had been looking at locations in Fort Myers for a couple of days, knowing we wanted to stay somewhere closer to my brother Dave's house.  Dave provided us facts about some of them, which ones had restaurants near by, which ones closer to downtown, etc.  We normally look for marinas that have a restaurant, pool, laundry, etc.  And, price per foot is pretty important too.  After looking at the available selections, he chose Marinatown.  He called them.  Long story short, they said 'Come on in. Park where you want. We'll settle up in the morning.' So, when we arrived (after about 1/2 mile of very shallow, twist and turn driving) we finally found someone who lives on his boat and he told us to head on down to the end where the wider slips are.  We had no way of knowing the width or length of these slips, so settled on a slip next to a comparable sized boat. The wind was a'whipping, but the Captain got her in on the first attempt.  We did swing on a wooden piling that groaned a little under the strain.

Some new construction along the Caloosahatchee River.  Made for a narrow passageway.  Glad we were not meeting another vessel.

 Rene sent us a picture of her yard yesterday.  I'm sorry about the weather back home.  I feel kinda guilty (really) and wish I could bottle some of our warm, sunny weather and send it back.  Stay warm, Rene!

 Along the riverside.

 This is one of our favorite varities of palm trees.

 A swing bridge along the route.  The bridge master (a woman) had to lower the gates for traffic, and then walk to the middle of the bridge to operate it.  We took a picture of her, but I'm not sure where that photo is....

One of the many orange groves we saw.  Didn't see many east of the Okeechobee lake, mostly on the western side.

 This picture is for Jessica.  She loves llamas!

Unusual little island.

 Fort Myers in the background.

 Fort Myers. This picture is out of order.... ;)

Last night, as we walked brother Dave and his soon to be son-in-law back to the car/restaurant. The moon was exceptionally pretty. A little, bottom curve, sliver moon. 

 From home. A drumset that Jeremy made for his 3 year old son. He loves to bang on things!!

Today the guys have been working on tracing antenna wire problems, opening up clogged air conditioner drain hoses, investigating fresh water pressure valves, etc.  You know, a normal day on the water.  At one point, Tim was down in the engine compartment working on something and noticed that there was transmission oil all over.  It appears that there is a bad seal.  A mechanic is coming first thing in the morning to render an opinion.  Originally, we were going to be here 2-4 days, but will have to wait to see how long repairs will take.  Our next stop is Marco Island and from there, weather permitting, we head straight to the Keys.
Another couple (also Loopers) that we met in Carabelle last spring are going to be here tomorrow.  They are on their second loop.  It will be nice to catch up with them.
The guys put our bench together. Dave ordered it earlier in the week and delivered it, along with his car, last night.  The bench will be a nice addition to the aft deck.  Joe even said that there's still enough room for my exercising :).
Not sure how much blogging will get done while here.  Stay tuned...... and stay warm!!



MOORE HAVEN, FL
RODEO NIGHT.....(I wish...)

We needed to fill our fresh water tanks before departing Stuart, FL.  Took this picture while monitoring the garden hose.  Very pleasant morning.  The waters were very calm. Knowing we had a long way to go and a couple of locks to navigate, we departed around 0640.  Just up river from the marina was a railroad bridge and the 'old' Roosevelt bridge (not the one from yesterday's pictures...it's replacement.)  The railroad bridge is normally open, unless in use.  Well, you guessed it.  It was in use as we approached.  There was another cruiser in front of us, so we both patiently waited, and waited, and waited.  Eventually 2 trains crossed the bridge and we were able to get through, after letting 10-12 smaller boats come through.  They were going down river, and therefore had the right of way. So, at about 0715 we made it through and were underway.  Geez.  We could have slept another 30 minutes. ;)

Took this picture of the sunrise, through the foggy eisenglass, as we were waiting for the bridge to open.

Remember these guys?? Yep, that's them, the Nina and the Pinta.  Haven't seen them since Fort Myers, last summer. Amazing.

This is the cruiser that was in front of us most of the day.  When we got to Lake Okeechobee, they pulled ahead.

Joe spotted these guys.  Buzzards everywhere!  Getting some sun, awaiting some unsuspecting victim.

Really pretty white heron. Hard to see.



Alligator.  We saw about 15 of them today.  This one was the only one that didn't sink down in the water when we got close.

The first of three locks today. St. Lucie Lock with a rise of about 8'.  They dropped us ropes so we didn't have to do much.  The lock keeper was kind of grouchy.  We guessed he was just having a bad day.

Some of the scenery from today's journey.  The whole day was beautiful.  Lots of wildlife, very little built up areas. Very serene.  Well, that is until we ran into a bass fishing tournament...

The second lock, Port Mayaca, let us drive through.  Both gates were open.  We were able to proceed once this small, center console cleared.

Our approach at the Port Mayaca lock.

On the otherside of the lock was Lake Okeechobee.  Miles and miles of water.  There was land to the north and south, but WAY off in the distance.  It was pretty windy so our ride was somewhat rough, but not bad at all.

Not bad enough for the Captain to get his daily dose of sun.

Joe has discovered that one of our red, plastic bowls, often used for chips or apple slices, etc, fits nicely right in the steering wheel. :)

A group of birds hanging out in the middle of the lake.

 

This is from last night, at the restaurant.  Blow it up and read it.  You'll like it, I promise.

 The entrance to the Caloosahatchee River (the other side of the Lake).

 Bass fishermen. EVERYWHERE!!!!!

 Big tournament, we figured.  The Cruising Guides say that Lake Okeechobee has some of the largest wide mouth bass in the country.

We're staying at the Moore Haven City dock.  We walked downtown (2-3 blocks) for supper.  There is a Mexican restaurant that 'Active-Captain' (an electronic tool for boaters) and the Cruising Guide both recommended.  Unfortunately, they are closed on the weekend.  Go figure.  So, we walked 2 more blocks (poor Joe) to Burger King... There were 2 older couples that we ran into down by the dock, who volunteered to take Joe back in their truck.  Tim and I walked.  We can always use the exercise.  Anyway, these nice people were the ones that told us about there being a rodeo in town tonight.  Think I could convince the guys to go, huh?  Yeah, you're right....no way!  So, I guess it's another night of Downton Abbey.  They're at war now....
Tomorrow we should make it to Fort Myers and family.  Until then....................