MEETING PEOPLE

Been doing a lot of that over the last two weeks here at Camp Venice Retreat.  Sounds like summer camp.   We’ve met lots of folks like us here and the time flies by.  They have bike rides and canoe trips going out every week, as well as other get togethers.  Every afternoon someone blows the Conch shell at 4 PM to call all to the camp fire.  You bring your own chair and drinks and the socializing begins around the fire pit.  Finally took a picture today and they decided to forego the fire as it was too warm and there was no wind to dissipate the smoke.  This while Denver is hoping it will get above zero soon.

The folks here are super friendly, seems like a trend we’ve found at most camp grounds.  The Alaska plates on our rig and truck is a good conversation starter.  We’ve found a lot of them have made the trip and the rest are planning to.  We’ve found that sitting in our recliners over looking the canal is a great place for our morning coffee.  Some people are paying a fortune for the same experience elsewhere.  We’ve found almost everyone here says the same thing.  “You can look all over Florida and you won’t find a better campground”.  Many of them are here 4-6 months.  We plan to spend next January here.  Beyond that, don’t know yet.

Seems like the DeJeans always find a project for me.  This time Rog’s boat needed a little leak abatement.  We propped up the bow and lowered the trailer and did a little patch work on the keel.  Brought back memories of making and fixing surf boards in a high school friend’s garage.  Nothing like the sickly sweet smell of polyester resin, the biting bitter smell of MEK peroxide catalyst and the itch of glass fibers all over your body and in your lungs to bring back the good old days.  After a few days of scratching and coughing we were as good as.....well whatever.  Teri made me promise to use the appropriate safety gear next time.  I made me promise to not have a next time.

Looks like a good beginning to another classic submission to thereifixedit.com check it out here

Troy taking Troy

Nice 19" sea trout, click on photo and note the front tooth.

Yep, Troy taking Troy

Troy learning to feed himself forever.

As you can see, the boat made it back into service and we resumed harassing the fish.  This time with help from Rog’s son Troy.  While we fished, Teri and Claire put the top down on claire's car and spent the day exploring a local island.

Last night we gave Snook Haven one more chance.  Much better.  We stayed with sandwiches and chips and tea.  This time we sat outside along the Myakka River, rather than inside with the over 60 Dixieland band.  Much better.

Starting to pack up today, leaving Friday for Tallahassee.  The migration will begin the reversal stage in March.  Much to do and spend before then.  Hope you are all surviving the winter up there.  I’ll admit that I’ve had bouts of guilt about dodging my first Alaska winter in the last 20, but these feelings usually go away after a few drinks with umbrellas in them.

Stay Warm