1/26/15:  As the NE prepares for a major winter storm the west coast of Florida including Ft. Myers is experiencing double digit high winds. For most of today we have clocked 20+ knot winds inside the marina. Thanking God for a safe dock at the Ft. Myers Yacht Basin Marina.

Our plans had been to leave Ft. Myers after a month and head south to the Florida Keys. However, we have been having such a great time here in Ft. Myers we have extended our stay. Russ went home and retrieved our vehicle so we have transportation to explore.

Loopers continue to come and go. We had a chance to spend some time with Barb and Ross on Attitude Changer. They came into the marina for a few days, leaving yesterday heading south to the Keys. We had originally met Barb & Ross at the 2013 Joe Wheeler Looper Rendezvous. Our wakes crossed many times along the Great Loop route. We consider ourselves fortunate to have met such a great couple and hope our wakes cross again.

So here is a funny dock story. Today Russ’s baseball cap fell into the water and was drifting towards the dock behind us. A couple just happen to come out of their boat so I yelled to them “My husband’s cap fell into the water, can you grab it for us?”  They replied yes and with boat hook in hand they both got off their boat & onto the dock. The woman began to rally occupants from nearby boats to assist in the retrieval of the cap. By the time we got around to the other dock the cap had been retrieved. It was really nice of her to solicit so much help… she did so because she thought we had said ‘the CAT had fell into the water.” There is never a dull moment at a marina. LOL.

Life is good. We serve an amazing God.

January 10, 2015

For the last 2 years since we purchased Twelve Stones in January 2013, we have been planning for and then doing the Great Loop.

So what do you do after you cross your Great Loop wake (December 2014) and become a Gold Looper? You tie up to a dock at a great marina, sleep late, shop, and share stories with other Gold Loopers.

We are currently at the Ft. Myers Yacht Basin enjoying the leisure of grilling out, hosting Shrimp Boils, and catching up with our Loopers as they come and go from the marina.

Enjoying a nice steak dinner.

Russ and John - from Captains to Cooks

What A Feast!

Ike the Sea Dog

The Canadians enjoying their first Shrimp Boil.

We traveled with three other boats on the Trent Severn Waterway through Canada; Miss Hadley, Chesapeake, & Endeavoer. The four Captains, Russ, John, Joe, & Steve were given the nickname the “Shaft Brothers” as a result of them being able to repair any and all shaft problems encountered along the way. Shaft Brothers shirts just seemed appropriate. 

Here are 3 (Russ, Joe, & John) of the 4 ‘Shaft Brothers’. Steve was unable to join in on the picture as he was in the panhandle moving Miss Hadley.

Ft. Myers as seen from a rooftop lounge.