The end of another season

Great picture of Last Mango leaving Key West bound for Cayo Costa.
Courtesy of Greg Wright S/V Fracas.

Mango anchored at Cayo courtesy
Greg Wright S/V Fracas

4-15-19 Today is Tax Day and also what Karen and I consider the beginning of the end of the cruising season. While doing any sort of manual labor you quickly learn that it is time to leave Florida, it’s getting hot and the sun will burn even well tanned skin. Each of the last several years we venture aboard Last Mango up the Caloosahatchee River stopping in little town of Labelle to strip Mango down to her summer hurricane wear. It’s no easy task as she gets a new coat of wax which this year actually started earlier in Alva Florida, meanwhile Karen washes and oils all teak down below and gets everything organized to store and unload for the trip north. We both work to remove and wash her sails, dismantle and remove the solar panels, wind generator, wash and stow the dinghy and remove all running rigging so hopefully everything is as hurricane proof.

ML off of Fracas waiting for the dolphins to return. Cayo Costa.

Delicious Jalapeno  Margaritas

While discussing this past years cruising season I mentioned to Karen that it seemed somewhat uneventful. Uneventful can be a good thing. I have no real reason for my feelings and it’s not that I have been unhappy it just seems like I never got in a groove, whatever that means. I only blogged twice, I only read 1 1/2 books and never practiced the harmonica (Karen’s happy about the last one). We did have some great sails and get to visit with some old friends we hadn’t seen in a while and met many new friends. We were reminded that boating can be a dangerous. While in Fort Myers Beach 2 people we killed, one ejected from his boat as he hit the mangroves and a good samaritan died while trying to help someone push their boat off the beach. Link to news of accident While in Marathon we were reminded to keep all loose clothing and hair away from moving / spinning machinery. Link to news of accident We were reminded to not attempt to enter an unfamiliar harbor at night as a friend lost their boat on a reef in Cuba. We make decisions every day some not as smart as others but we like to think that we’re learning from our mistakes as well as the mistakes of others.

A nosey manatee wanting something from Karen and I.
Spent quite some time circling our dinghy.

Great Egret liked to perch on one of our solar
panels. Had a lot of close contact with birds this year.

There was a time we were amazed how many cruisers we knew. Today we were reminded how small the cruising community really is. This evening we met 2 cruising couples, one from Ottawa Canada and the other from Holland Michigan. It was like a mini family reunion as they both know friends and acquaintances from our cruising circle. We all chatted about remarked about how we met and the fun times we’ve had. Tomorrow is “Taco Tuesday” at the Quart House restaurant, so after chores we’re all off for dinner and drinks.

Lasagna dinner aboard Mango with good friends from S/V
Fracas and S/V Chapter 4

Karen seemed far too happy to be in this seat
on the big M/V Just Us

When it comes to sailing or boating in general everything is weather dependent and that’s even true of hauling the boat for the summer. Rain and storms are called for on Friday so Karen made a quick call to the boatyard and we’re now set to haul out Thursday at 1:30 PM rather than Friday at 9 AM. Last Mango is set to go for the most part as we only have a few items left to remove and store. We start motoring up the Caloosahatchee with the auto pilot in control, we only have 13 miles to travel. Karen is finishing up cleaning below decks as I’m on top stowing the remaining canvas, tying the stainless in place and removing the last solar panel. We arrived at the boat yard only to find all docks being used by motor cruisers with misbehaving engines. Fortunately a mechanic got the 70 footer up and running and soon I was changing oil and removing batteries (no easy feat in 95 degree heat). Karen hauling items to the car and paying our storage fees.

Beautiful Egret won't budge until approached

Small Cattle Egret even likes riding around
on the hood of the car.

Without issue Mango got hauled and a bottom power washed. Shortly thereafter Karen and I finished sealing Mango’s exterior from the many pests that will try and enter over the summer. We both are hurrying to hop in the boat yard shower to wash the dust off our sweaty skin and cool down. Even a Glades shower felt terrific. We said our goodbyes to friends and Mango as we took a last look at her, at least until next year.

We will spend a week visiting with Karen’s parents up in Viera Florida before heading home to another Illinois spring season. It looks as though we’ll arrive on Sunday with a possibility of 3 inches of snow. Learning this fact has Karen staring at me as though I’m crazy. She might be correct.

New sign in Labelle warning users after a
boater with Diabetic Neuropathy walked
around on the dock and didn't notice his
feet were burning. He ended up in the burn
unit at the hospital.

Great picture of Mango courtesy of Greg off of S/V Fracas