It’s Been too Long

I wish I could say I’ve been so busy I haven’t had time to post but I can’t. My last post on September 6th was too long ago.

So here I am sitting in a laundry in Deland Florida posting. I got back to Hontoon Island State Park just before Thanksgiving. And true to form I was greeted by a beautiful sunrise the third day back.

Prior to my return I was working on my boat at Acosta Creek Marina. I had pulled it from the water prior to heading up to Michigan for the summer. Now I was back and found the old tub to have survived Irma with just a little mildew in the pilot house. I had been away from May until November. This was the longest I had been separated from her.

So I put a new coat of bottom paint on, stripped and oiled about three quarters of the exterior teak and waxed and buffed out the hull. Acosta Creek is one of those great little family marinas Jane and Bob were great and 2 1/2 weeks I was back in the water.

Before I got to work on the boat is was visiting Berry and Denise in Ken-tuck-ee and prior to that visiting my sister Linda in Perrysburg Ohio.

After tearing down the Michigan outpost at Springhill  and my final unsuccessful attempt to do a rocket stove pizza oven I headed to Davison Michigan for time with Sam and his brother Walter. They were wrapping up the work on Sam’s “River Rat.”

Now comes a very interesting turning point. I somewhat tired of living in a tent for 4 months and going to Camp Walter to stay in the shop.

Could not help my self. I bought an $400 18 ft trailer to turn into an aluminum tent. I gutted it and this spring I will remodel it for one occupant.

Boy now I’m exhausted.

The laundry is almost finished and I need coffee.

Special shout out to Ron whose message on the blog prompted me to catch up. I looking forward to seeing him and his lovely bride in February.

This is Dr Brad standing by on 16.Stealling a quote from the Briny Bug.

” Go simple, go small, go now!”

St. Johns Update

 

Well I’m three weeks into a slice of river volunteer heaven. I can’t think of a better place to clean fire pits, toilets, picnic and campsite areas, and don’t forget I’m driving the ferry.

Got my grey volunteer uniform shirt. I am stylin’ and profilin’.

To other matters we have  living on the boat and traveling forever thing. Had to rally for an eye appointment- glasses broke- and I’m making up with the dental – cash pay- negotiating stuff. Had some problems with an Rx at the local CVS. Can’t transfer a prescription more than once. So I’m calling doctors trying to keep up the meds. And the doctors always want tests . Now I gotta get find a doc and so forth and so on , blah blah blah.

Hey, wake up Dr Brad, it’s a small price to pay unless you want to live in a stick house. Took a dinghy ride today, catfish pole in the water, listening to Motown on the XM. Maybe a Canadian and water, fresh veggies for dindin; come on man.

Dr Brad standing by on 16

todays tune ” I’m sitting on top of the world” by various artists

pick me a good one Mark

Off the Island

“I’m sitting in a railroad station got a ticket for my destination”

Waiting for the Amtrak to Tampa and then bus to Fort Myers. I’m getting my vehicle and heading back. I am now well and good at Hontoon Island State Park. I passed my safety test and will be able to drive the ferry.

There are no cars on the island and I tell you peace and quiet are ubiquitous. I volunteer twenty hours a week for free dockage. The rangers are great, the other volunteers are great,and the guests are great.

We refer to people being off or on the island. Isn’t that 😎. “Where’s Bradley.” “Well I think he’s off the island.”

I talk about how good showers and restrooms are at marinas I visit. Well guess who cleans them ” on the island”, go ahead and guess.

Dr Brad standing by on 16

Tune of the day “Cool Change” by The Little River Band