Back On The Water Again

We're baaaaaaack!!

Yes, we're back on the water again.  This is our second cruise day after leaving Apollo Beach, FL yesterday morning.  We're currently anchored off Useppa Island.  This anchorage is a bit exposed, but the forecast calls for mild weather tonight.  Useppa you ask?  Why are you South you ask?  Wern't you going North to the Tennessee River you ask?  Yes, we were.  But, thanks to BP, our esteemed government, and the rest of the incompentent bandits responsible for that disasterous oil spill, we must ESCAPE.  Our intended route across the Gulf of Mexico to Mobile Bay and up the inland rivers was "scrapped" in favor of safer environs.  While we might have beat the oil to Mobile Bay, we're not sure it won't be there when we try to return to the Gulf later.  So, we'll retrace out steps down to Ft Myers, across the Okeechobee Waterway and up the East coast to the Chesapeake for the summer.  As most of you know, our insurance requires us to be North of Florida's hurricane season before July 1.

The powers of suggestion are alive and well,   Yesterday, as we cruised down the Intracoastal Waterway Norm thought he saw a "tar ball".  Of course it was only a bag in the water.  We got a laugh out of that.

Also, many of you know we were in Apollo Beach much longer than expected.  Our hosts there, Ron and Charma Owens were awesome.  They allowed us to dock Tide Hiker at their place while they docked Waypoint (thier boat) at a neighbor's.  We were only supposed to be there while Ron did some work on Tide Hiker (he's an accomplished carpenter and electrician, among other boat maintenance skills) while we completed some previously arranged travel.  But, when Vicki's mom unexpectantly required assistance, we needed additional time. Even though we were planning to move over to the local marina,   Ron and Charma accomodated our dilemna with smiles, generousity.  We will never forget their kindness and friendship.  And, the work Ron did on Tide Hiker, was supurb!  Thanks Ron and Charma!

Being in Apollo Beach had some additional benefits.  Norm's aunt and uncle live in Sun City Center, just 5 or so miles south.  And a friend he worked with in NYC in the 70's lives just an hour north.  Norm was able to visit his relatives several times and get reacquainted with his friend after 30 years.  Awesome!

That's all for this update.  Thanks for tuning in and come back from time to time, see our progress on Google Maps when we enter them and read about our adventures.