accepted. We really should have made sure all systems were ‘go’ with the dink but ran out of time before the trip. We could only pray that it would work when needed. Richard (dated our friend Lexie) stopped by to say hi on their way out to fish. He looks much healthier than the last time I saw him. Also saw Wayne's prior girlfriend, Mary Jean at the docks and chatted aboard WOODJA (Pete & Geneva's trawler). They were making food for a potluck dinner.
Bar & Restaurant @ Bananna Bay Marina area - has a sand floor
Said they would try to meet us at the Village Cafe later (great Italian restaurant we frequented as often as possible). Tonight was reserved for dancing at the Village Cafe. Friends, Sue and Kevin, picked us up in their Mustang convertible so we didn’t have to hike it 6 blocks. Our favorite twosome was playing, Blue Byou, husband & wife, David on Guitar, Diane sings like a bird. They were playing at Dockside in 1999, the night Wayne & I met. They didn’t let us down - good tunes as usual. The room got changed around again - now more tables located near the stage. Good plan. Wayne danced flawlessly- but only a few dances. Pete and the gang never came, they saw lights on in the boat and figured we didn’t go cuz Wayne still not feeling well. Sunday, March 10th Had thoughts of leaving today but wanted
Cute little guy dressed for winter
to go to Dockside for the Sunday jam. Mary Jean said she would go &drive us over. Peaceful day on the boat. To shore about 5pm to meet up with anyone else going out. Next thing I know, people started gathering on the dock behind WOODJA for happy hour, sunset and story telling. Never did get to Dockside. I was disappointed. Monday, March 11th Leisurely morning with Chamber of Commerce weather. Wayne gave no indication of when he wanted to leave. I decided to get postcard stamps to mail my first ever, homemade, postcards. Also stopped at Boater’s World to pick up a teak magazine rack. Finally, there’ll be order in my life. Found Wayne and Pete lounging on the aft deck of WOODJA, in the shade, drinking a beer. Time check - 12:00. All of a sudden he’s antsy to leave and, somehow, it became my fault that we didn’t go sooner. Men, go figure! Lots of discussion. (Pete decided to stay out of it) The four of us walked to the dinghy so Pete could drop us off. More discussion. (Getting harder for Pete to stay out of it) Decided to stay another night. (Pete said he knew that all along!) Geneva and I took our digital 
Black moth
cameras on a photo shoot. The boys installed Pete’s new air horns, which Wayne lusted after. Lunch on BLUE MAX. Wayne returned to help Pete finish the 
Trumpet Plant
installation & visit Home Depot, I remained to work on the log. Plan - get me at 3:30 so the four of us can have happy hour & play Bocce. (I brought my balls and they have beautiful court) By 4:00 no dinghy - no one answered my radio call or frantic waving from the aft deck. OK, I can start happy hour all by myself. Wayne finally showed up at 4:30 and we played 
bocce ball until sunset. Walked to Black Fin for dinner. Never knew they had such a lovely open porch area in back of the restaurant. Very enjoyable day but probably too much wine. We bravely let Pete take us “home’. Tuesday, March 12th
We both woke up at 3:00am.
He said, she said...“You awake?” “Yeah...why?”
“Wanna leave?”
"Sure, I can always take a nap on the way"... We pulled anchor &underway by 4am. Wind & sea cooperating - not cold & tons of stars. What more could you ask for? We stayed together on the upper helm till about 5:30am then I took a nap for two hours then it was Wayne’s turn. Had some discussion about how long it would take us. Last time it took The POOH, 13 hours (my trawler in a prior marriage) from Long Key to Gordon Pass at no more than 7 knots. Wayne doubted it could be done. Calm seas & warm. Attempted to troll but a 'land mine' full of traps made it impossible - forget it! Passed by Marco Island about 2pm & we put the anchor down just off Gordon Pass at 5pm. Took 13 hours! hummm Amazing....”oh ye of little faith”. Naples, beautiful as
ever. Each house bigger than the next. Binoculars working overtime. But what I really wanted to do 
was take the dinghy to the pass and fish. No such luck...too late in the day. Sunset, dinner, games & bed. Wednesday, March 13th Anchor up at 9:15am. A bit hazy and cool winds from S-SW. Seas, maybe one foot chop. (but anything is better than work) Passed by familiar sites to me especially Bonita Beach. I do miss the beach but seeing the great hordes of people
reminded me why I moved to the Keys. I called my cousin Chick & told him we’d be cruising his way in about an hour so “go to the beach and wave”. Also suggested we meet in Ft Myers Beach. They said they would call. Uneventful until 11:30 when we both smelled something like burning rubber. Wayne went below and from the fly bridge I spotted smoke coming from the engine vent. 
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