Anhinga

I came across this Anhinga a few days ago.  This guy was just begging me to take his picture.   The Anhinga  is also known as a Snakebird, Darter, American Darter of Water Turkey.  Anhinga comes from the Brazilian word meaning devil bird or snake bird.

It is not able to waterproof its feathers like ducks so its  feathers can become waterlogged when diving for its underwater prey.  However, this allows it to dive easily and the ability to stay down for longer periods of time. This anhinga that I came across was drying out its wings and feathers by perching with its wings spread.  

Joy

Bradenton Riverwalk

Taking the dinghy out early one morning we discovered a beautiful riverwalk area of Bradenton.  We of course enjoyed the free day dock at the riverwalk area.  We saw a skate park, beach volleyball, kids splash zone and an amphitheater on our short walk. Also on the path we found the tidal discovery zone and a botanical walk amidst the interesting artistic/scientific exhibits.  

Kids Splash Zone

Beach Volleyball

 

Joy

Emerson Point Preserve

Each day at anchor presents a challenge in that we must always find a place to walk Jack & Piper.  Today's discovery was a delight.  A free dinghy dock is provided by the Emerson Point Preserve for guests who choose to arrive by boat.  

Emerson Point Preserve protects an archeological site named the Portavent Mound. More than 150’ long and 80’ wide, this flat-topped hill is one of the oldest temple mounds in Florida, build ty Timucua ancestors more than 1000 years ago.  One can still see the remains of the home built here

A multi-use path showcases the coastal habitats.   There are overlooks and an observation tower to provide a view of the bay and in the distance, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.

Jack and Piper had a great time.

 

Bradenton

A few weeks ago we took off for the Manatee River which runs through Bradenton.  The river is 36 miles long beginning in the north eastern corn of Manatee County and flowing south into the Gulf of Mexico at the southern edge of the Tampa Bay.  We anchored out at an area along northeast side of Manatee River opposite DeSoto National Monument near the dingy dock for Emerson Point Preserve.  

After setting the anchor we were ready to take the dogs for a walk.  We decided to head toward the gigantic Cross we could see from the boat.  

This monument is in tribute to Hernando DeSoto, the Spanish and conquistador,  who landed in south Tampa Bay  1539 after he had set sail from Cuba on May 18 with five large and four small vessels.  He brought his army, priests, women, horses, engineers, craftsmen and farmers from Cuba, Europe and Africa.  They landed at Piney Point and made a camp at Uzita,  a native village on the northern shore of the Little Manatee River.  He named the area Espiritu Santo meaning Holy Spirit.  He met Juan Ortiz, a Spanish survivor from an earlier expedition, who had been living as an Indian.  Ortiz proved to be very helpful to De Soto because he could communicate in the native languages of the people. 

After walking the dogs through the park we headed back to to the boat to get cleaned up for an early dinner.  We don't like to ride in the dinghy at night.  

We headed to the Regatta Pointe Marina which advertises itself to be Florida's Premier Liveaboard Marina.  They have many amenities which seem great--but we were only interested in the restaurant named the Riverhouse Reef & Grilll.  I was impressed with the Mission Statement...

....and the food!

 The sun had fallen quite quickly before we could finish our meal so we headed out in the dark.  Thankfully Steve had an app on his phone that showed the charted waters and their depth.  Not just once did I have to adjust our course to avoid the shallows but we made it back safely.  

Joy

Home Again--Briefly

We went home recently to attend the wedding of a family member.  Steve's cousin  Scott married Megan on March 1 and we were delighted to be present.  Their wedding and reception was held at Fernbank in Atlanta.  The ceremony was was beautiful and the venue elegantly decorated.   Our girls were all able to arrange their schedules to attend the wedding making it even more fun for us.  Having all three together is always a treat. 

While we were home we had a few days of good weather and were able to spend some time cleaning up the yard after having the property timbered.  Steve worked for two days with a wood chipper, the chainsaw and the tractor chopping up felled trees.  He had help from Michael, and Nathan & Wes on one day.  On the next day I filled in for Wes.  It looks much better.  Nothing like hard work to give everyone a good night's sleep.

I tackled some inside projects while at home.  My first project was to refinish a table that had been my Grandmother's.  I have never stripped furniture.  This was to be a learning experience. Along with stripping and refinishing the tables- I painted a bedroom, cleaned out a bedroom, and stripped the wall paper from the basement bath which had been peeling off.

Pictures of the furniture: 

After much work and elbow grease, I got the varnish off of the round table.  The finish on the square table is stubborn and did not budge.  I have to come up with another plan for it.

After taking the round table apart- it became much easier to handle.  I learned to take one small area at a time and move to the next area rather than tackle the whole piece of furniture at once. 

I finished the table and applied a preservative wax.  It turned out beautifully. 

(Shaky)

Joy

New Electronics!

Steve has been working on the electronics of the boat for months.  He finished the work this week. Everything works perfectly--no crossed wires.  Now we have to figure out how to use everything!

Pilot House Before

Pilot House After

Fly Bridge Before

Fly Bridge After

The Removal Process

So what's new?

·        1.   Furuno 48 mile ultra high definition radar

·        2.   Furuno TZ Touch Black Box  navigation system which includes a  Black Box Depth Sounder,  and the Time Zero Touch Chart Plotter

·        3.  Nobletec Touch Screen Navigation System with Automatic Identification System giving us redundant nav systems which is beneficial if one goes down.

·        4.  Airmar Weather Station System including wind speed, wind direction, air   temperature, barometric pressure

·        5.  2- 10 inch touch screens on fly bridge, 

      engine gauges relocated to accommodate touch screens 


    Joy
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New Plaque for Meandering Joy

Many boats we have seen have beautiful wood plaques which display the name of the boat.  We made these ourselves for Meandering Joy.  Steve bought teak and had it routed and sized. 

We headed to all the local hobby shops to find paint--gold leaf and black. 

I worked on them on board, and then again at home

Sealed with varnish  on a snowy day in Georgia.

Signed, Sealed, Delivered & Installed!  (Pun Intended)

Joy