Monday, May 15, 2006

Vacation Day 3

Day three of my vacation dawned bright and sunny, though just a bit breezy.  Our plans for the day were to launch Ken’s larger boat, “Kelly’s Girl.”  Ken has owned “Kelly’s Girl” since 1986 and we used it as the base for many an adventure together in the Tampa Bay area of Florida where we both lived at the time.

 

Ken’s wife Joyce was able to take the day off and join us.  Our plans were to go find a nice beach protected from the breeze and enjoy the day swimming and walking the beach.

 

Ken is meticulous in how he cares for his possessions and “Kelly’s Girl” is no exception.  This boat looks as good today as it did when it came off the showroom floor in 1986.  This boat features a classic style design by Wellcraft and was one of the more popular ”pocket cruiser” designs of it’s day.  Boats of this era are hard to find on the East Coast of Florida still in this good of condition and Ken gets admiring looks and stares every time he launches “Kelly’s Girl.”

 

In this first shot Joyce, ken’s wife, and Ken welcome me aboard “Kelly’s Girl.”

We are in the Ft. Pierce inlet and Ken has chosen our beach location for the day just up ahead.

It doesn’t take Ken long to expertly set the anchor with the boat lined up perfectly with the beach in just the right depth of water.

Joyce and I have known each since their first date.  She is a wonderful lady with a good wit and a sharp mind.  Always looking to improve herself, Joyce takes night courses at a local college in accounting.  She’s been working in the accounting field for many years and I admire her resolve to keep abreast of her career field.  Here we are together saluting Ken as he snaps this picture.

This next shot takes me back twenty years.  Whenever I think of the island camping trips, fishing adventures, diving experiences, or lazing at a beach outing, I always have this mental picture of Ken hanging off the swim platform of “Kelly’s Girl” as you see him pictured here.

Joyce and I took the opportunity to walk the beach and chat.  Here you see us on the return trip to the boat.

We tried to get into the Ft. Pierce City Marina so that we could eat at the Tiki Hut Restaurant.  We ate there on the first day of my trip and had some of the best cheeseburgers I’ve had in years.  The Dock Master would not let us tie up for lunch because the Southern Kingfish Association was holding a tournament nearby and all boat slips had been reserved.  He did let us stay long enough to place to-go orders, though and Ken and I sat at the bar and people watched while we waited for our order.  Here’s a shot of the crowd.

Joyce and I were sitting in “Kelly’s Girl” while Ken was checking on docking accommodations when I noticed the America Flag standing straight on the pole over Joyce’s shoulder.  I quickly got the camera and snapped a shot.

We pulled out of the marina in search of an island to tuck into while we ate our lunch.  We noticed some commotion at a county park nearby and realized that that was where the Southern Kingfish Association was holding the weigh-in for their tournament.

There was a big stage and bleachers had been erected on each side of it.  These events draw huge crowds and we happened by as one of the very earliest boats had pulled into the dock to weigh in.

If any of you remember my very first posts last April, you may remember a fellow by the name of Woody who set out to sail a tiny boat from Savannah to Charleston in some extreme weather conditions.  Woody has been by again on a new adventure and I’ll be posting about it soon.  In the meantime, I have one more day to share of my vacation.  This day we did no boating, but had a great adventure.  ‘Til then be safe and take care!

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your photos are always so good Sam! I'm glad you enjoyed the trip, it's great fun for all of us to go along with you through the photos! Jeannette.

Anonymous said...

Wow. Such great photos and wonderful story telling. I felt like I was right there with you. Great job Sam!

Anonymous said...

Hi Sam!
your vacation sounds so good
we went to Las Vegas April 30-May 5
have you ever been there?
it was our second time :)

Anonymous said...

I can feel that warm Florida ocean water ..... and I want to go back!  Today, preferably.

Anonymous said...

Ok... great pictures... looks like so much fun... and you look burnt... I am still freakin jealous!!!  It's dark and raining and I want that warm weather!  You worm for rubbing it in!!  LOL  
Thanks for sharing
hugs
d

Anonymous said...

Great pics!  Glad to see you are becoming a regular in Journal Land again! You've been missed.
Sam2 or is that 1?

Anonymous said...

Hi ! Your trips always are wonderful to read about. I wish I could have been there out on the water. I really liked the boat my dad sure would love to take a ride in a boat like that. He used to go fishing a lot but he hardly does now that we have our pop up camper. He stopped going fishing. Thanks for sharing your trip with us here at J-Land. The water looks amazing. Here's my hello to your friends "HI !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

I'm glad your here at J-Land. Take care.

Anonymous said...

Again, I'm in envy :)

Wishing I could be close to the water every day....

I remember those posts about Woody!  Where's he off to this time around?

I love your vacations, Sam.  One day (when I grow up ;)  I'm gonna take some just like them!

Great to see you...

Cat

Anonymous said...

Dear Sam,
Nice job! way to go!
love,natalie

Anonymous said...

Sam you never disappoint us with your Picture's "Kelly's Girl" looks immaculate especially when you know she is 20 years old ~ and Ken's wife really does look like a lovely lady ~ the memories you and Ken share of your fishing trips diving and lazing on the beach days sound great ~ glad you managed to get a take~a~way at the Tkii Hut restaurant those cheeseburgers sounded delicious ~ I had not heard of Woody but look forward to knowing what adventure he is doing now ~ Keep well Sam ~ Ally

Anonymous said...

Hi Sam, what a great time you obviously had.  Beautiful weather, a boat, and with such nice people too.  What more can you ask of a holiday! :o)

Sandra xxxx

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great trip. Relax and enjoy, you deserve it. rich

Anonymous said...

The pics ARE awesome.  I'm looking forward to my first vacation in 6 years next week.  Wish our boat was in the water, but alas, still being repaired after theives stole all of the electronics while we were having it repaired at the boatyard. Sigh.  Even so, when it is back in the water post Katrina, it will be that much sweeter.  I'll find something to do on leave!!

Anonymous said...

This looks like the perfect vacation:  Water, sunshine, and cool breezes.  And a cheeseburger at the Tiki Hut ! Mmmm...... now that sounds yummy.  Glad you had such a great time.  Oh, and I want to hear what happened to Woody on his adventure.   Tina

Anonymous said...

Looks as if you had a great time! I am jealous....I love the ocean....never see it...but love it...lol. But I could never stand in the water like you guys are....I would freak if a fish swam against me...even in lakes I get kind of creeped out if a fish touches me...ok, that makes me sound like a big baby...lol..

Tracie

Anonymous said...

THANKS FOR THE ENTRY, IT APPEARS YOU ARE HAVING AN ENJOYABLE TIME.
                                                                                                    SAM

Anonymous said...

What I like so much about this type of vacation is that it is really a relaxing one. You get to be with friends, enjoy the weather and location, and not feel hurried. Perfect!

Nikki Ü

Anonymous said...

Hope everything is okay.

Anonymous said...

Vacations are the best, and you have some mighty fun ones!  I'll bet partying with you is a moment no one ever forgets!  ;)

Dona

Anonymous said...

Nice journal you have here!  Loved the pics......I could almost smell the air.  Read your sidebar.  Made me think of that song, "If that Cat could talk, what tales he'd tell...."  Nice to meet ya!  -  Barbara