Hello Everyone,

We're BACK on the boat............

We arrived in Marco Island on January 23rd expecting balmy south Florida winter weather. However, FL was experiencing a cold front followed by two days of torrential rains keeping us boat-bound. After enjoying several days of mild, sunny weather (70-s and 80s), another cold front with gusty winds arrived today.

We are settling in to "life on our sailboat" after a hiatus on land. Thanks to Captain Jim, who checked the boat weekly while we were gone, Marco Polo was in excellent shape upon our return. We immediately got started on our "to do lists". My list involves frequent visits to the grocery store as we are determined to keep up with the healthier habits i.e. main meal at lunch, juicing in the evening, etc. we adopted after our bouts with pneumonia in Nov./Dec. Pete has lost about 20 pounds and needs a new boat wardrobe! Weather has limited our biking somewhat but conditions should improve next week.

While I focus on food, Pete has begun working on his" to do" list of jobs that need to be completed before we set sail for Key West (tentatively Feb. 19th). First priority was installation of the staysail furler. He figured we could do this job together. Although I was not sure what all was involved I knew it involved attaching a very long pole to the mast.

Throughout the discussion, my captain insisted the two of us could do this job without additional assistance! Skeptical but trying to be a good 1st mate I went along with his plan.

All went well on day #1; donning our headsets (AKA marriage savers in the boating world) he talked me through using the winch to lift him up the mast in the bosun chair. On Day #2, he finished connecting all the segments of the 40 foot furler on the dock. Looking at it, I thought "there is no way the two of us will be able to get this off the dock and on to the mast without damaging something or someone! " Fortunately, Captain Jim and a fellow sailor Greg (S/V Jana) kindly volunteered to help. Thanks Capt. Jim and Greg! Day #3 we easily attached the sail to the furler. It worked out perfectly.


In preparation for cruising out of the country, we applied to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection for participation in the Small Vessel Reporting System. This program expedites your re-entry into the U.S. with a telephone call rather than a face-to-face inspection. This was easily done online followed by a visit with a U.S. Customs agent at the Fort Myers airport.

This week, the Marco Island Yacht Club sponsored a safety demonstration on the use of fire extinguishers and emergency flares. You hope you never have to use either of these but it was helpful to get the "hands on "experience of putting out a real fire with the extinguisher and shooting several types of flares in a controlled situation.

In between boat work we have had time to enjoy the local entertainment scene.

One of our favorite places is Goodland, a small quaint fishing town, about 7 miles from the marina. We spent the last two Sundays there eating delicious seafood and dancing to great bands. Since this is prime "snowbird" season these places make for good people watching.

Please click on PHOTO GALLERY (right side of screen under our photo )to check out latest pictures.

We are having a wonderful time and hope all is well with friends and family,

Barbara, Pete and Cody