Keyswench After BLUE MAX ADVENTURES: 2014-9-4 to 9/12

Beautiful Stump Pass off Lemon Bay

We were anchored in Stump Pass by 1:30 on 9/4. We went to the beach in search of bait, got some, but no fish! Of course, no one around us got any either. I kinda felt better about that. Tom & Sue surprised us with a visit. The used to live on their boat in a small marina right next to the condo, but, a few years ago, moved just south of here to Cape Haze Marina. They brought snacks, wine & yummy shrimp. That was our dinner.

Tom & Sue on their fishing boat

Another surprise visit on 9/5, Pete & June pulled up on their fishing boat with Darrel in tow (not literally). They live in Punta Gorda & towed their boat close to where we were. Wayne decided not to join us. We got a few bait fish then went on the Gulf side. Running out of bait...I looked over the side & we were surrounded by my favorite, shiny little buggers. I threw my cast net out &, I'm not kidding, there must have been 100 fish in my net. It took us 15 min. to get them out of the net & into the live well. YIPPEE!!!!
Too busy to take pictures. I caught 2 mangrove snappers & kept them. Fun day.
Time to check into the Condo @ Englewood Beach & Yacht Club. I may have explained before, but, I'm old, I forget. We exchanged one of our Time Share weeks for this resort. Very old Florida! but in a great location. People who come here year after year come to fish & enjoy the beach. They don't come for luxury. However, we loved it. Old, comfortable furniture; a large & comfy 'family room' with games/books/TV/Internet; balcony; 2 BR/2baths; kitchen. We picked it because of its' close proximity to our friends in Palmetto, Cape Coral & Punta Gorda.

Our condo is on the very left-2nd down from the top

We tied up the dinghy to the small dock you see in the picture. Blue Max was anchored out not far away. We found out at the last minute - dogs not allowed. Now what!? Well, I do what I have to...I snuck them in just a few nights. Tom & Susan were supposed to check in that Sat. but they got a last minute request for a sunset cruise that night. They came down on Sunday (9/7). We walked to Flounders for dinner then a few hours of dominoes. It seems the four of us don't get to play unless we're together. On Monday, 9/8, Tom & Sue came over. It's been several years since the 2 Toms & 2 Susans have seen each other. They both used to live on their boats at Regatta Point Marina in Palmetto. Happy hour & small talk at the condo then crossed the bridge to Farlows, very nice restaurant AND they had what I was longing for - Lobster tail.

Tom, Sue (Melton), W&W, Susan & Tom (Hanchett) - yes, it gets confusing sometimes

Tom Melton is an engineer at Tervis Tumblers - he's the one that helps create all the neat 'glasses' you have. (if you didn't know, they are truly guaranteed for life) A wine glass is next to come out. Sue Melton is a nurse so we have lots in common, many times talking over every one's head...but we don't mean to. Tom & Susan have a beautiful tour boat on the Manatee River. Tom is Captain & Susan is a certified, master naturalist. And W&W? hell, we're just boat bums.

SEND MONEY!

Tuesday, 9/9 - FREE breakfast in the meeting/game room at 9:49 am. Fresh scrambled eggs, bacon, OJ, bread & coffee. Unfortunately for us but fortunately for Tom & Susan, they got a call to book a sunset cruise for that night. They were packed up & home by 9:30. We enjoyed breakfast. Mickey & Kathryn arrived early afternoon, sans Trixie. I think they may have been a bit shocked to see how old FL this really was. Mickey was anxious to see the snook swimming around the underwater lights on the pier. Pete & June arrived. Mickey made his famous Quacamole (yummy) with other snacks & happy hour, of course, we were soon having a great time.

June, Darrell, Wayne, Pete, Mickey & Kate

Mickey, bless his heart, brought this amazingly, potent (70 proof) rum drink called 'Apple Pie flavored Rum' - distilled from sugar cane & made in Cape Coral. WOW! I quickly learned to mix it with something instead of drinking it straight which I did before going out to dinner.

Twins!!

Mickey brought his guitar & serenaded us with a few tunes.

We walked to the Lock & Key, another local place with a nice menu.

The next day we took BLUE MAX south to Stump Pass to try to 'catch' fish. Unfortunately, once again, we got bait but no fish. We dinghied Kathryn, the pups & our fishing equipment to the beach. Scupper & Jack were excited to be ashore...however, 'no dogs allowed'. Bummer. Mickey & I took the dogs back to the mother ship & continued on our quest to get fish for dinner. Skunked again. We decided to eat in with a sort-of Thanksgiving dinner. The boys went to the pool. I cooked a turkey breast; boxed stuffing; cranberry sauce & left over rice c& beans & chicken wings & it was a fun meal.
Mickey & Kathryn left the following morning & worked the rest of the day. We checked out of the condo with Donnie telling us that we can come back & use the pool anytime. He also was in lust with BLUE MAX. We went a bit south to Cape Haze Marina, where Tom & Sue live on their boat, to get pumped out. Typically, the pump out is located on the furthest "T" dock...not here - it was way in the back part of the marina where small boats are pulled for dry storage.

That's Tom Melton on the dock & Wayne on the boat

When Sue got home from work, they took us to a locals restaurant- just what we like. I got a Philly cheesteak 'hoagie' - that would be the steak / cheese cooked, mayo on the roll & topped with lettuce, tomato & raw onions. That order really threw the kitchen for a loop. The first sandwich came out with 'their' way (steak, cheese, cooked onions, mushroom, peppers) then they topped it with the raw veggies-it was huge! With a full belly, we went to Walmart for a few things.
The marina staff were kind enough to let us stay overnight on the "T" dock...I'm sure Tom had something to do with that decision.