TIM PATTI RILEY BIG ADVENTURE

12/20/2017

Just realized how long it has been since my last post. Now that we are not traveling on an almost
daily basis, there does not seem to be as much to say.

We stayed at Punta Gorda for almost 3 weeks. As I said in the previous post, lots of company & a very nice marina. We met a live aboard that arrived 3 years ago & never left!

Riley went swimming with Cali, a yellow lab who is also on the loop. Cali chases a toy into the water, which Riley has never done. Well he did this time! Turns out he is very competitive. We had to pull him out & let them retrieve separately.

We arrived in Fort Myers Beach on 12/15. The trip was uneventful. There was a little confusion when we arrived at the marina. No one seemed to know which dock we were assigned. One of the dock hands did find a dock for us & said they would figure it out on Monday. No sooner were we tied up, when friends came knocking on the boat. They were in town for a short vacation.
The dock master did come to the boat the next day & said we could stay where we were. As with anything, it has it's good & bad. It is out at the end, so not crowded & a nice view. Also out at the end is a pirate ship. They can take 2 cruises a day & that can get a little noisy & busy, but it doesn't last long. It is a no wake zone, but not everyone adheres!

We have been using the dinghy almost daily. Looking for the best way to get to the beach. We have tried different routes. Using free dinghy dock & then walking or taking the dinghy all the way to the beach. We also walk to the beach & back to the boat every morning. It all works. Riley loves the beach & swimming. He really sleeps well at night as he is missing his naps!

Today we stopped on the way back to the boat for breakfast at Bonita Bills. They have resident cats. Very tough cats. There was a stand off & a confrontation. The cat finally left, but not before getting his licks in! Riley remained on guard for entire time we were there.

We have been spending time on the beach with friends we met there several years ago. Soon our usual Christmas buddies Toni & Fred will be here to celebrate Christmas with us.

Merry Christmas to all.