Mike and Brenda on "Velsignet"

Parrot Key Bar & Grill (on the east side of Estero Bay in Fort Myers) is next to the Original Shrimp Dock Bar & Grill, down the bay from Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grill, Dixie Fish Company and Bonita Bill’s Waterfront Café, and overlooks Salty Sam’s Marina.   Its buildings (Gift store, ship store, indoor and outdoor eating areas) are painted in Florida blues, yellows, pinks, and oranges and offer tourists Caribbean fare, t-shirts, photo-areas, nightly live music and Pirate Ship tours.   Because the loud touristy Parrot Key was closest to Velsignet’s moored location, and because one didn’t have to bold the creeping bumper-to-bumper traffic across the bridge to the “even more so” touristy Fort Myers Beach, it became our rendezvous point with visitors. We’ve learned that nothing happens (especially when it's boat-related) without concerted efforts, flexible attitudes, and elements of risk—and this past week,  friends made things happen .  We got togeth...

With good humor and laughter as they assessed their wet conditions from splashing waves, our guests clumsily maneuvered themselves off the dinghy onto the boat deck (this is no reflection on them--there's no graceful way to make the transfer!).  "Welcome Aboard!" Brenda said to Rene and Ardis Hofstad (passengers on the first dinghy ride) and Joy and Dave Johnson (passengers of a second dinghy ride).  We were having a "New Salem" reunion! "New Salem" is the name of the church near Bemidji, MN that we all attend, but ties to these folks are more complex than that.  All six of us moved to Bemidji between 2010 and 2012.  Rene and Ardis moved from Oklee, MN where they grew up and lived until retirement. Joy (who grew up in Bemidji) and Dave moved from Crookston, MN.  Rene and Brenda share the Hofstad ancestry (Brenda's grandmother, Margaret, was a Hofstad).  Joy and Brenda have known each other since their Crookston days and served as board members...

We awoke early yesterday morning to find a dense, heavy fog surrounding Velsignet.   Because we are not equipped to safely maneuver in darkness or fog, our plans for pulling anchor and taking off towards Sarasota would be postponed until visibility was restored.   Our world had become a temporary bubble with about a 56-foot circumference of clarity under a dense dome of fog.   The first winter we lived in Bemidji, we signed up for a curling class through the Bemidji Parks and Recreation.   It was through this curling class that we met Mike and Erica Ellis and we became fast friends.   U ntil a few years ago when they moved to Florida, we had a monthly dinner date with Mike and Erica.   This morning, Mike and Erica met us at Marina Jack, downtown Sarasota, and over breakfast and time on Velsignet, we talked diet, movies, family, Florida, pets, boats, Bemidji, Sarasota….and not at anytime , curling! We are appreciating Florida’s coastline beauty wit...

Last evening as we were sitting on Velsignet’s   top deck admiring yet another sunset, we heard a voice say “Excuse me. (to which we looked over the railing to the dock below)   We’re Loopers too and we also have a Mainship with a navy hull like yours!”    After a too-quick-and-too-short-of-visit with Sharon and Mike (MV “Scout”) with their 2 pooches (one of which DOES NOT like boating) and having shared plans, inspirations, challenges and boat cards (as much as 4 fast talkers can accomplish in 45 minutes), we bid each other goodbye with “See you again on the Loop!” The lovely town of Dunedin is located 10 miles from Dave and Colleen Forte’s winter home.   Dave and Colleen also live on Long Lake near Bemidji, MN and we were delighted when they agreed to meet us in Dunedin for brunch and catch-up conversation.   The rest of our day included giving Velsignet a second washing, a relaxing dinner (after our visit with Sharon and Mike), and a walk downtown ...

As we left Saint George Sound by Dog Island off Florida’s panhandle near Carrabelle and entered into the Gulf of Mexico, knowing we had at least 20 hours ahead of us before reaching land again, we wondered if we were making the right decision to make the Gulf crossing.  We questioned this "weather window" and yet knew we'd studied our weather resources as best we could.  We felt very alone in our decision-making as we ventured out into the big water toward Clearwater, Florida. Taking a last look towards shore, Mike excitedly told Brenda to look back.  Following in our path  were 3 (T-H-R-E-E) other pleasure trawlers!  In short order, “Dry Martini” hailed us on the VHF radio, introduced us to the other two boats, “Last Call” and “Margarita,” all of which were also destined for the Clearwater area.  YES!  We weren’t alone in thinking today was our day to cross!   Crossing the Gulf of Mexico from Carrabelle to Clearwater was ...