Fun with Sails

Finally, the weather has cooperated and we've been able to get out the past two days.

Yesterday we worked for nearly an hour to get bait.  The pesky hornbellies were really a pain.  We pull in 6 baitfish at a time and two out of three times would put them back because they weren't the right kind.  At the end of the time, we had 3 baits!  Ugh!

Off we went in search of sailfish.  We barely got the baitfish out and BAM!  One of the lines got hit.  Soon after that, the other line got hit!  One fish spit the hook right away.  But Frank fought the other for a while.  Sadly, it too was in the "early release program".  :o)  We relocated, switched to dead bait and trolled for a while but couldn't raise anything.  So we headed in a little shallower and put out our one last live bait.  And waited and waited.  Nothing was even remotely interested so we called it a day.

Sunday promised to be a better day.  The winds laid down during the night, meaning it was supposed to be a little calmer than the day before. 

We left the dock early and we were anxiously looking forward to getting lots of bait.

 We thought we were early!  But the "bait spot" looked like the Kmart parking lot when there was a blue light special!

We loaded up the livewell and headed offshore.  We started in relatively shallow water and again, barely got the baits in the water when the balloons started bobbing and the little baits were up at the surface.  We had a double strike!  One fish went after the bait, but cut through the line of the other to get to it.  But one was hooked good and I got to fight it! 

It was BEAUTIFUL!  There was so much jumping and air-time!  What amazing creatures!

This is the "zoomed in" version of the sailfish!

 We retraced our path putting out new baits, but no luck.  So we relocated to a different area.  There were so many Portuguese Man O War!  We have never seen so many!

Baby Man-o-wars

 We came into what looked like a very productive area!  Smooth water for a long stretch, filled with weeds and all sorts of flotsam.  We drifted around it, through it and beside it, but no luck.  (Then again, based on the radio chatter, nobody else was having much luck either.)

 We tried a different strategy and sure enough, it worked!  There was so much excitement!  Two more sailfish were interested in our bait.  Again, one got hooked, but only after cutting through the line and his buddy getting a free lunch.  Frank was on tap to fight this one! 

Bill to the left, tail to the right! 

More sailfish action

Frank's fish was pretty feisty and thrashed about quite a bit as it got closer to the boat.  Very exciting!

We still had a few baits and after trying for another hour in shallower waters, we decided to call it a day. 
All though we didn't have any fish to clean when we got back to the dock, we had a great day!

Spaghetti and Linguine

The weather on the east coast and our schedule finally coordinated!  We did everything we needed to the afternoon before in order to shove off Thursday morning. 

We left the dock into a thick blanket of fog!

 After clearing the fog, we were greeted with a closed railroad bridge!  Ugh!  Fortunately, it didn't take long for the train to pass and the bridge to open.

We headed out to the "bait shop" and had good luck!

On our way out, we saw a free-jumping sailfish in about 70 feet of water.  We got the baits out, but just couldn't get his attention.  So we motored out to about 150 feet and started another drift.  About an hour passed without a bite and so we made our way toward the Hill.

A few birds, but none of the usual flotsam and jetsam we normally see.  But all of a sudden, something was scaring one of the baits and it started scurrying around.  

 Then something hit the other bait and took off!  ZIIIINNNNGGG went the reel and the fight was on.

Click on picture and zoom in to see the sailfish!



Frank would reel, reel reel, getting it close to the boat and then it would take off!

This was quite a lively fish and we spent quite a bit of time, chasing it down.  But finally, he got tired and Frank was able to get him to the boat.

He was about 5-1/2" long and put up a great fight!

Rest assured, the hook is in the corner of his mouth, not the eye.

 Whew!  That was a great way to start the fishing season!

But wait, there's more!

We spent another 3 hours drifting around, following birds and some scattered weeds.  We were ready to call it a day and gave the "Five Minute Warning".  Shortly thereafter, something a became curious about one of the baits and like the last time, went after the other bait!  Oh boy! 

I was beginning to worry that fish was going to take all the line!

Reel, reel, reel!

More reeling and chasing

 

Still there!



Finally!  It got tired out and gently came close to the boat. 

About 4-1/2" long.

 We are not fans of trying to bring sailfish into the boat. 

Amazing how this fish stayed hooked! (The hook is in it's bill!)

Hers and His

We haven't had to chase sails as much as we did those two!  They both put up a good fight and our arms felt like noodles afterward - spaghetti and linguine! 

It was a long day, but a very rewarding way to start the new year!

Our training manual

One of our loyal followers took a recent post to heart and recommended a book with a pretty crazy title:  Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer by Warren St. John (WSJ). 

While WSJ is a Alabama fan (the book title comes from a 'Bama chant), it sounds like we could learn a lot from his forays into the RV world.

So, guess we'll need to work a little harder in finding that perfect RV!

(Thanks, PDX Rich!)

Research

For the past year (or more, it seems), we have been researching various motorhome options.  Yes, we're strongly considering giving the RV lifestyle a try.  Now if only the townhouse in Tallahassee would sell, we'd be just a bit more motivated to get something.

Frank has done lots of research and we are best buddies with Steve at our local RV dealer (which is a lot like going to a mini-Disney World).  We've sorta, kinda, almost narrowed down the manufacturers, floor plan, amenities, features and most importantly the color combination.

Our game plan is for the first year is to use it primarily during football season, which will allow us to get our feet wet and then venture out on the open road.

This week there is a humongous RV show, right in our back yard (the fairgrounds)!  We planned our strategy and identified the booths we wanted to visit.  (It's way to easy to get caught up in all the "stuff" a million different vendors are hawking.)

We made our way outside and started making our way through the bajillion acres of the fairgrounds (which had been transformed in THE Disney World of RV (trailers, campers, coaches and buses)!  But we stuck to our map and did our best not to get sidetracked.

Of course when at the fairgrounds, there is a certain obligation to eat the food of that "culture".  :o) 

(The sundae looked better in the picture than in person so we opted for the 'strami sandwich with the hopes of finding some other "traditional" fair food along the way.)

With some food in our bellies, we continued with our plan and found all the stops we wanted to make. 

 It was a bit chilly and breezy, but the pipe and drum corps didn't have a problem wearing their kilts.

After 4+ hours, all the coaches were starting to look alike.  But it was a productive trip and we've reaffirmed the makes/models that we think will fit us best.  Now it's a matter of finding "the one".  Fortunately, motorhome season has just begun and the snowbirds have made their way south.  So it's up to our buddy Steve to find it!

Did it myself!

I'm pretty proud of me....if I do say so myself!

For a while, I've been wanting to update one of the bathrooms.  Nothing major - new faucet, replace the medicine cabinet (with a mirror) and change the light fixture.

I'm in major cleaning/organizing mode and thought it would be a good time.  Frank and I have gotten pretty good at changing faucets so I thought I'd give it a try by myself.  Only 2 trips to Home Depot (the original to get the faucet and the second for supply lines.)  Not bad!  Got it all done in 2 hours (which included the second trip.)

Before

After  (including drain).  No leaks!

Part II
Medicine cabinet and Light Fixture

Taking the medicine cabinet down shouldn't have been a problem.  There were only two screws attaching it to the wall.  One screw came out pretty easy.  The other (fortunately the top one), wasn't as cooperative.  But I put a little muscle into it and down it came. 

The light fixture was pretty easy to take down** as well, but I probably should have taken it down before I bought the new one.  Unbeknownst to me, when the contractor installed the fixture oh-so-many years ago, he "tested" the wall every half-inch to find the stud.  So, it was a second trip to Home Depot to get spackling. 

**For the safety monitors reading this, I turned of the power before starting the removal process.

White to white, black to black.  Ground wire to green screw.  Lightbulbs. Power back on.  Voila! 

Overall it was a pretty easy project!  (Thankfully, Home Depot is just up the street.)  :o)

Bowl-game Weekend in Atlanta

The last few days of 2010 were spent with family and friends, having fun and enjoying FSU's Chick-fil-A Bowl festivities.

We opted to make the trip to Atlanta by car.  And good thing we did because we were able to meet up with Frank's brother, Richard, who was returning to Florida from Atlanta.  Rich's timing was perfect and called us when we were both within a few miles of each other.  :o)

Richard and Frank

Frank and Ray made arrangements to stay at the Team hotel, Marriott Marquis which has something like 50+ floors.  Sitting in the atrium and looking up offered a pretty cool sight.  (Looks like something you'd see in an action movie.)

 After getting situated, we wanted to see what was going on at the hotel. What better way to start a football/New Years Eve weekend with a cocktail in the atrium with Bonnie and Ray.

Several family members live in the Atlanta area and were willing to make the trek into downtown for lunch at Flip Burger. 

Jackie (Rich's daughter), Nick (Jackie's nephew), Ray, Bonnie,
Leann, Frank, Stephanie (Frank's niece) and Jermaine (Stephanie's husband)

 Oh my goodness!  The food was delicious!  Burgers of all varieties and just the right size.

A Krispy Kreme donut milkshake! 

 Thursday afternoon, more friends and family arrived!  The Astors from NC and the Hoffman's (Ray & Bonnie's daughter and son-in-law) from DC. 

Ray, Joanne, Rick, Rachel (from the FSU Boosters), Frank, Leann, Lindsay, Dan and Bonnie

 We were so excited because the Blackwells from Tallahassee were coming to the game! 

Frank, Leann, Janie, Duey, Ray, Dan, Lindsay and Bonnie

A few weeks ago, arrangements were made for dinner at Chops.  We were considering this our New Year's Eve celebration dinner (since we would be at the game, sitting in different locations.)  And all of us were decked out in our most festive NYE-FSU attire!

Rick, Duey, Ray, Janie, Leann, Joanne, Frank, Lindsay, Dan and Bonnie

 Frank's "new best friend" (the concierge) hooked us up with transportation to and from Chops.  That way we could all enjoy our time together!

Piling into the short bus.

 We had a wonderful dinner, toasting in the new year and the Noles, many times.

Friday was game day and there were lots of festivities and activities within walking distance.  The morning/afternoon started with brunch at the Highland Bakery.  Well, seems like all of Atlanta had the same idea.  We waited nearly an hour for a table  but the food was great!

The Atlanta Seminole Club was hosting pre-and-post-game events at Stats.  So we decided to make a visit there and met up with the Holley's!

Ray, Christopher, Chris, Leann and Frank

 Dinner plans for prior to the game had been made at Legal Seafoods.   Another great way to catchup with friends and ring in the new year before the game.  (The majority of the people had the last name Jones! Which made for a bit of confusion for our server.)

Things were quite busy at the restaurant and we had a bit of a walk to get to the Georgia Dome so we didn't get to our seats until right before kickoff. 

Since this was the Chick-Fil-A Bowl, their cows were everywhere!  Even parachuting in from the top of the dome!

Game on with the South Carolina Cockadoodle-doos.

Jimbo, right after his powerade bath! 

The score says it all:  FSU 26 - USC 17!

What a great game for the Florida State Seminoles and Jimbo Fisher!  So exciting to end the season and ring in the New Year with a w-i-n!

Chinese calendar say:   Year of the Nole.

Wishing everyone a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2011!