Back in St. Petersburg: An Overdue Update

On the date of our last blog post (December 13th), Todd dropped me off at the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International airport around noon to catch a flight to Missouri.

After waiting more than eight hours at the airport for a “rescue” flight crew to arrive (ours was stranded elsewhere), we finally got underway and landed in Springfield shortly before midnight. Thankfully, our faithful friend Everett was there to provide transportation, food and lodging after a very long day!

Tuesday morning Everett drove me to Mansfield where my nephew Greg and his wife Crystal met us and took me the rest of the way to Bucyrus, a very small town about five miles west of Houston (also a small town) where my niece, Jennifer, lives.

The primary purpose of my extended visit to Missouri was to help my recently paralyzed niece adjust to life at her trailer after having spent the better part of the past five months in the hospital and in various rehabilitation centers undergoing therapy.

Jennifer had just returned home Monday afternoon and had a number of medical appointments lined up. So our first week was spent traveling to various appointments in Houston, Springfield and Columbia; dealing with the new healthcare aids and their schedules; and learning to cope with the many issues associated with Jennifer’s paralysis. All in all, it was extremely time-consuming and totally exhausting!

Todd, on the other hand, took off from St. Petersburg on Wednesday, December 15th, to surprise his parents with an early Christmas visit to Colorado. While there he spent time with nieces Shannon, Sara and Kirsten, as well as older sister Cindy who celebrated a birthday on December 16th.

Lunch with Todd’s dad, Bill (on the left), and “the guys,” a weekly event for Bill.

From left to right: Nieces Sara, Shannon and Kirsten.

Kirsten and Bill.

Todd’s sister Cindy and mom Marilyn.

Celebrating Cindy’s birthday.

Kirsten and Cindy going through storage bins in the basement.

On December 22nd, Todd joined me in Missouri. Everett picked him up at the airport and then I drove to Springfield to meet them for a Missouri State Bears basketball game. Everett’s wife Nila got a couple of extra tickets to the President’s suite and invited us to join her. While there we enjoyed seeing and visiting with several former University co-workers. Among them were Bob & Linda Eckels who took this photo with Bob’s iPhone and sent it to us.

Posing with the Bears mascots. Growl and Boomer. A lovely shot – NOT!

After a short reprieve, it was back to Bucyrus the next day to help Jennifer get things organized in her trailer. On Christmas Day we all met at my brother’s house (Dewayne) where his wife, Pennie, prepared a wonderful holiday meal.

From left to right: Greg’s wife Crystal, sister-in-law Pennie, niece Jennifer, and my mom.

Time to open gifts!

Nephew Greg on the left with his two girls, Lily and Emily; and Pennie’s daughter, Nikki, with her boyfriend Derrick on the right.

Two-year-old Emily.

And four-year-old Lily.

Crystal helps Jennifer open her gifts.

My dad and Greg.

And my mom.

On Wednesday the 29th, the weather warmed up so my dad and Todd took off to spend a few days at Lake of the Ozarks where they ended up catching over a hundred crappie! But by Friday the weather turned cold again and it was time to come home.

Jennifer wanted to go out on New Year’s Eve so we went to the Eagles Lodge with my younger brother Jimmy and his friend Mike. Like Jennifer, Mike was paralyzed in a diving accident when he was twenty-seven, twenty years ago, and has learned to manage quite well on his own. Hopefully he will be able to offer Jennifer some guidance.

We were also joined at the Eagles by Dewayne & Pennie on their way home from a gathering at a friend’s house. Unfortunately, midnight came and went with no countdown, no announcement, no champagne, nothing. Pretty lame venue overall but it was nice spending the evening with family.

On Thursday, January 6th, we decided to say our good-byes. We had pretty much done all we could do for Jennifer and it was time to see if she could manage on her own, with the assistance of the healthcare aids who come in a couple of times a day. It will be a challenging, on-going learning process for Jennifer and only time will tell how well she will be able to cope.

Greg & Crystal drove us to Mountain Grove that afternoon where Everett met us and took us on to Springfield. We then met Nila and friend Kelli Teale for drinks at Marinades followed by dinner at Big Whiskey.

We spent some time on campus Friday, visiting and putting out feelers for job opportunities, and then went to another Bears basketball game that evening. After the game we met up with the Hayes, the Eckels and the Marty’s (also former co-workers) at nearby Ebbets Field for food, drinks and conversation.

Saturday afternoon Kelli Teale joined us at the Hayes’ residence for a fish fry featuring some of the crappie dad and Todd caught at Lake of the Ozarks the previous week, accompanied by fried potatoes, cole slaw and Nila’s homemade garlic-cheese biscuits. And to top it all off, we had strawberries and Everett’s freshly made piecrust for dessert. Mmm Mmm Good!

On Sunday we picked Kelli up on our way to Avanzare, a local Italian restaurant, to meet up with another friend, Greg, who was hosting a private gathering to watch the Kansas City Chiefs Wild Card game against the Ravens. Unfortunately, the Chiefs did not prevail but it was good to see Greg again. Greg used to be the University’s Vice President for Administration & Finance and is now the City Manager for the City of Springfield.

And then came Monday, January 10th, time to return to Florida. After a four-hour flight delay, including de-icing the plane before take-off, we made it back to St. Petersburg about 10:45 p.m. Cathy was gracious enough to pick us up at the airport and bring us home to “Life’s2Short.”

Today is Friday, January 14th, and both Todd and I have spent the week nursing colds and trying to stay warm. The day after we returned to Florida, a cold front moved in and it has been unseasonably cold since. But the forecast is looking up for the weekend with sunshine and daytime highs in the mid- to upper 60’s, which we are very much looking forward to!

A Chilly Start to December in St. Petersburg

Wednesday, December 1st, turned cold and windy with morning temperatures on Thursday in the low to mid-40’s. And, of course, the heater in the boat decided it didn’t want to work! But we dressed warm, plugged in the space heater and survived just fine.

On Friday we rode to Tampa with Cathy, who was on her way to work, and were then picked up by Lisa who took us to her & Steve’s home in Lutz, north of Tampa, to spend the weekend.

Late that afternoon we drove to the ranch where Steve & Lisa board their two horses, Dakota and Ireland, for a brief ride. Todd grew up around horses and was quite comfortable on his horse, Derby (on loan from another boarder). I, on the other hand, was never really around horses and haven’t been near one in something like 35 years, so Lisa put me on Ireland who was very well behaved.

Getting Derby saddled up and ready to ride.

Doesn’t he look like a natural?

Ireland patiently waits while the novice climbs aboard.

After the horses had been fed and put to pasture, we stopped at Vallarta’s for some great Mexican food and margaritas. Then it was back to the house for several games of Catch Phrase where the girls definitely ruled!

The Captain wraps up to try and stay warm.

Saturday it was back to the ranch for more horseback riding. Lisa is on Sara (also on loan), Steve is on Dakota, Todd is on Derby and I am on Ireland.

Mounted and ready to go.

Out into the field.

First they eat…

…and then they poop!

Into the ravine we go!

Steve catching up on e-mail while Dakota eats her dinner. Is this what they call a “Modern Day Cowboy?”

Lisa prepared chili for dinner Saturday evening and then Todd proceeded to kick all our butts in a game of Uno.

Can you tell that Alabama fans live here? Roll Tide Roll!!!

Sunday I rode back to the ranch with Lisa while Todd and Steve hung out at the house, working (Steve) and napping (Todd). That evening Steve ordered pizza for dinner, followed by another game of Uno.

The happy couple relaxing on the couch.

Steve took off Monday morning to catch a flight to frigid Chicago and Lisa brought us back to Cathy’s on her way to conduct a store visit in the area.

Even though it had warmed up over the weekend, a cold front hit Sunday night, bringing with it more north wind and cold temps. So we spent the remainder of the week hanging on the boat, working on a variety of projects, and trying to stay warm.

On Saturday Cathy and I went out to do a little shopping and she treated me to my first ever manicure and pedicure. What an unexpected treat – thank you, Cathy! That evening the three of us went over to Gulfport to watch the boat parade. The parade didn’t amount to much but we had a fun evening and some great food at O’Maddy’s.

While we were there, we were serenaded with Christmas songs by several foursomes who were passing through as part of a scavenger hunt. If nothing else, they were definitely entertaining!

Sunday brought rain, strong winds and progressively colder temperatures throughout the day. A good day to stay at home and knock out a few chores.

Brenda and Cathy doing a little mending and ironing!

Today is Monday, December 13th, and the high in St. Pete will struggle to reach 50. But it’s off to Missouri where the over night low was six degrees with a wind chill of minus six and a balmy daytime high of 20. Now that’s just brutal!!!

As we conclude this blog update, we want to wish all our friends and family safe travels and a very Merry Christmas! We hope to post our final blog update of 2010 after Christmas and prior to the beginning of the New Year. Happy Holidays everyone!!!

Okeechobee to St. Petersburg

On Tuesday, November 23rd, we left our anchorage at 4 Rivers Loop, west of Stuart, and traveled as far as Moore Haven, covering 67 miles and going through two locks. The first lock, St. Lucie, was 15 feet, but the Port Mayaca lock was only one foot and I don’t think the water even moved! Seemed like a huge waste of time and manpower to me.

Approaching the St. Lucie Lock.

The other side of the lock, entering the canal.

We had a nice, uneventful trip going across Lake Okeechobee on a calm, beautiful day. There were a few other boats crossing the lake at the same time, but I doubt we saw more than six boats all day. We anchored in the old canal just past the Moore Haven Lock and saw a couple of rather large alligators trolling for dinner!

Sites along the way on the Okeechobee.

We were through the Moore Haven Lock by 9:00 a.m. Wednesday and continued 57 miles, through two more locks, to anchor in North Fort Myers in front of the Legacy Harbor Marina by 4:30 p.m.

The Captain thought this was too hilarious to bypass without taking a photo!

Exiting the Moore Haven Lock.

Our good friends Jack & Susan used to have a sailboat named “Freyja,” so this one’s for them!

Approaching the Ortona Lock.

A beautiful sunset in North Fort Myers.

That evening we dinghied over to Joe’s Crab Shack for a fun dinner.

Thanksgiving Day we were up early again and spent the next seven hours getting to Englewood Beach (58 miles), leaving the Okeechobee Waterway behind and entering the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.

The porpoises were very active as we were leaving North Fort Myers Thanksgiving morning.

Approaching Mile 0 of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway in San Carlos Bay.

White pelicans on their own private sandbar at low tide.

Once the anchor was dropped, we dinghied over to the Crawford Cove Marina to visit Wayne (a.k.a. Bones) & Lynn on “Skinwalker.” We last saw Wayne & Lynn at Henderson’s Wharf Marina in Baltimore and had hoped to be able to stop and see them on our way to St. Petersburg.

Lynn prepared a wonderful Thanksgiving meal, which we stuffed ourselves on, before walking over to the beach to look for shark’s teeth.

Thanks so much, guys! What an unexpected treat!!!

A couple at the marina tied the knot Thursday afternoon as we were on our way to the beach.

Bones and the Captain search diligently for shark’s teeth in the surf. And they found several small ones!

A picturesque sunset on Englewood Beach.

Friday started with rain at the anchorage and turned into another long day of about 67 miles. Originally we had planned to split that distance into two days of travel but decided to suck it up and cover the entire distance to St. Petersburg in one day.

There were a lot of boaters out enjoying the holiday weekend, even though conditions were less than perfect with a strong southwest wind. Then a line of storms passed through just as we entered Tampa Bay, temporarily blinding us, but it moved on quickly.

By 4:30 p.m. we were tied up at Cathy’s dock and the Captain was stretched out on the couch watching Alabama football on the big-screen television!

Hanging in St. Petersburg. It’s good to be “home” again!

The weekend was spent catching up with Cathy and enjoying being stationary for a change. Now it’s time to start on the Captain’s list of boat projects!

Today is Monday, November 29th, and at this point it appears that the Admiral won’t be flying to Missouri for another few weeks. In the interim, we will try to find time for some fun between boat projects!