Fairfield Inn And Suites By Marriott Sarasota Lakewood Ranch Bradenton

... folks had made huge sand sculptures including one for the kids to see Santa. Sadly by the time I got my camera out there the rain was starting to ruin all the hard work.
The local Walmart Super Centre has seen us nearly every day for some item or other. We bought a “no contract” Samsung cell phone there and used the Internet to activate it. It’s only 10 cents a minute for the US or five cents to text and 15 cents a minute ...

Awoke to thick fog this morning but it burned off quickly and they’re forecasting a high in the low 80s. We’re very thankful we had the carpets cleaned and were able to stow our gear last week as the weather has deteriorated this week. Still it’s not as bad as what we’re seeing forecast everywhere - and I mean everywhere - else.
Yesterday I managed to remove the old name and port of registry from ...

... was preventing my sleep. We have two other heaters so simply used them to warm the cabin before breakfast. It only made it into the high 60s today but the forecast promises better temperatures next week.
This truly is a “power” boat. We have two stereo systems, a 12 CD changer and player, a flat screen TV that picks up HD channels now that we bought an adaptor (great for up-to-date weather). We even watched “The Bishop’s ...

Today was "splash" day and we're in the water. The good news is the boat didn't sink and the bad news we're still trying to figure out all the systems. After agonizing over why we didn't have fresh water yesterday Jimmy pointed us to a black switch that we'd either not seen or mistaken for something else. One of the engines started but we're having trouble with the second and the generator. The frigs ...

... sitting for four plus months. This morning a local lady who is experienced with canvas came to give us a quote on new windows in the fly bridge cover and a couple of extra awnings. The boatyard staff have just been fabulous and so helpful. The bottom has a fresh coat of paint and Richard buffed the waterline yesterday with colour restorer and wax. I've started to remove "The Baron" name and port of registry from the transom so we can put ...

... too). Next on to New Orleans which is of course Jazz as well as Dixie. We really liked NO but have headed south to Florida and the sun! The beaches are lovely but are busy in comparison with OZ.
Nice to be back in sunshine
had problems uploading pictures but here is a taster

Chris and Angela
ps - weather really nice here in Florida

... Wednesday but there’s a severe weather warning for Cortez just now - high winds and water levels and severe thunder storms - so we’ll see. Tomorrow we ditch the U-Haul and pick up our rental car at the Sarasota airport. We’re exhausted tonight but enjoyed the adjacent Tiki Bar and watched huge White Pelicans as well as their brown brothers before the sun set.

... of the hotel. We picked up nuts, salsas, relishes and sauces in Georgia taking advantage of Georgia’s bounty - peaches, Vidalia onions, pecans and peanuts. I even saw cotton and cotton plants up close.

The Thanksgiving weekend traffic really slowed us down and reminded us of Hwy 400 at its worst. We were so happy to see the familiar territory around Tampa. As Richard remarked we have now traveled I75 from end to end (Sault Ste Marie - Miami) and everything in between.

Visited Fort San Marcos.,an old Spanish Fort.The guards have Spanish costumes.
Some of the walls are made of coquina.(shells and lime)
Visited again the Lightner Museum and visited the floor we missed yesterday.
Drove to Sun City,Florida.Ate at Sonny's Barbecue restaurant.
Stayed at Dr T's house in Sun City,Fla.

... Fish living. Happy, tired and full Andy and I went to sleep in Crazy Fish parked in the driveway. How great it is to bring our own house to dinner!! The morning broke clear and sunny and still a bit chilly. Sass, Allan and I took off to the Beach for a long wonderful walk. The air chilly and the sun warm! Absolutely divine. They all took off to explore the Islands and we took off to get settled into the next park a little north...Little Manatee River State Park....