hanging out at Gasparilla Marina

There is something very special about sunset at a marina. The sky is light blue with pink above the western horizon. The ospreys perch high on sailboat masts and the corners of building tops while the egrets and herons stand frozen in time on the floating docks and rip rap. All hoping for that last fish catch before night fall. A dolphin cruises the marina fairway looking to corner a mullet against the concrete bulkhead. A manatee family lounges between the boats in slips to avoid the traffic of the center console fishing boats that come and go. The fuel dock attendant and mechanics have gone home. The last of the fishing guides have dropped off their day charters who in boisterous voices confirm the old adage about fishermen returning home from the sea. It’s so quiet we unconsciously whisper to each other as we talk about our day exploring by dinghy the islands nearby and the unexpected discovery of 6 roseate spoonbills and the hidden canoe trail tunneling into the overhanging mangroves.When I last posted a note on the blog we had just pulled into a marina at the north end of Charlotte Harbor; east side of the ICW just south of the swing bridge. We had discovered fuel in our engine oil that day – not a good thing. Monday, the 26th a mechanic give us the bad news. A high pressure fuel pump was leaking and this caused fuel to be mixed with the lubricating oil which created a risk of severe and expensive engine damage. We’ve been at Gasparilla Marina for over a week now waiting to have the pump rebuilt. We certainly can’t say we’ve been “stuck” here. For starters, our marina neighbor is a nice couple from Houston; immigrants 10 years ago from Argentina. A fun loving couple a full of energy and anxious to get back to Houston to their grandchildren. Before their departure on 5/3 they cooked a steak dinner for us complete with white table cloth. It was a reward for my lucky guess in fixing their marine radio. We also enjoyed a weekend of hospitality from our neighbors at home who own a beach house on Gasparilla Island which is only a few minutes from our marina. We spent 3 lovely days with them walking the beach, helping with the inevitable second home projects and touring the island. Paul and Erma are the most generous of friends. We have also taken dinghy trips to the beach and explored some of the small islands near the marina. Shelling for Diane has been a success. There are several bags of her precious cargo now stored on board. I should also mention the little restaurant/bar on the marina property which has been a source of entertainment; some of it from the musicians. We have also spent some of our time reading and doing low priority maintenance projects that always seem to fall to the bottom of “the list”. Tomorrow, Friday 5/7 we will rent a car and decide what to do for the next few days. If the mechanic gods appear favorable we will just spend the weekend exploring the area by car. If we have doubts about prompt return of our fuel pump, we may drive home to get are car and return to the marina with expectations of spending much more time here than planned. I am attaching some photos that I hope you enjoy.
Oops - it looks like the internet connection won't allow too many photo uploads at once, so I will try to send my photos in 2 or 3 posts that will preceed this one.

Photo 1 - a sign at Widdens Marina (I hope I spelled that right, but somehow I don't think they would really care)

Photo 2 - different sign, same place. Would you believe the G. Bush family vacations here

Photo 3 - our dear friends Paul and Erma at the Boca Grande light house. A pastel painting of this lighthouse is on the main bulkhead of Sea Breeze.

Photo 4 - manatees in our marina at Gasparilla Marina