Years ago I was working in the lazarette on a hot day when I glanced up and saw a red LED illuminated on the DC panel. Normally, the Mastervolt DC distribution units have only green LEDs. I could still see the green LEDs on as usual but we also had a red light. I stopped…
Tag Archives | trawler
Warning Lights
We love generator auto-start. It ensures a kicked-out power plug or power failure doesn’t take $6,000 worth of batteries through a deep discharge cycle and put thousands of dollars in frozen foods at risk. If a two-hour tender trip stretches out to the entire day, auto-start prevents damage to the battery bank. And auto-start avoid…
50 Tosses
Dee Dee definitely channels her great grandmother Dyna when it comes to swimming. Like Dyna, Dee Dee will retrieve the bumper until she drops – if we let her. Her dad decided 50 tosses is about her limit. Occasionally, she will start to slow down sooner.
But we’re pretty sure that most days, whether it’s 50 or 500 tosses, Dee Dee will keep retrieving.
University Cove
We spent the weekend at University Cove, just inside Baker’s Haulover inlet. It’s a good staging area for crossing to the Bahamas. The state park is delightful, lots of trails to walk. The weekend was very busy, the Baker’s sand bar as well as the cove are a popular weekend destination, LOTS of boats! No […]
University Cove
We spent the weekend at University Cove, just inside Baker’s Haulover inlet. It’s a good staging area for crossing to the Bahamas. The state park is delightful, lots of trails to walk. The weekend was very busy, the Baker’s sand bar as well as the cove are a popular weekend destination, LOTS of boats! No […]
The Next Generation
As the elder statesmen of the Red Head crew, Dylan has been passing along his coconut prowess to Dora. She has been a willing student.
Of course, she also has to add her own special take on coconut play. Once Dora found the small nut in the center, she went all badass on it. Or as her Dad stated, “Psycho, crazy.”
You can judge for yourself.
Dora kept it up for about 30 minutes, until the surf started to breach her hole to China. Hey, coconuts, you’d better watch your step!
Rotterdam
Unlike historic Amsterdam, most of Rotterdam’s buildings were constructed after World War II German bombers destroyed the central core. The city was rebuilt in a very modern style and although the traditional buildings visible through much of the Netherlands are beautiful, Rotterdam’s contemporary and unusual architecture is quite appealing. Rotterdam also is full of statues…
Texas Fun Facts
Our time in Texas is winding down. Spring will be here soon…we hope, and we’re looking forward to heading north to our summer home. I thought this would be a perfect time to share a few little known, very interesting facts about Texas:
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My Friend
As we go through life we cross paths with many people. Some we like. Some we don’t. Some who make a little impression on us and some who make a big impression on us. We make many acquaintances but only a few who we can consider as true friends. Donnie Schmeisser was an individual who I considered a true friend.
For most of my life I didn’t even know Donnie existed. But that all changed in 2008 when we pulled Tourist into a slip on B-Dock at Legacy Harbour in Ft. Myers.
The days passed while we got settled in. My parents wintered some 20 miles south of the marina and were frequent visitors. But when they weren’t there we got to know some of our dock mates. All were friendly but one guy stood out amongst the crowd. One that looked like he had been baking in the sun for months. One who spent his winters at Legacy with his wife Marilyn and dog Chloe.
Each day Donnie would pass by several times while taking Chloe ashore to do her business. (And catch up on marina happenings!) Each time stopping to talk if Pam or I were outside. I’m pretty sure that it was at one of these impromptu meetings that we learned about “Docktails”. Seems Donnie and I both had a liking for Rum!
Time passed and we got to know each other better, often times offering our limited knowledge to the other about life and it’s complexities. (Better known as bullshitting). On trips to West Marine or China Town (Harbor Freight) Donnie would ask if I wanted to ride along. He and Marilyn even offered their car for us to use if we needed it. Pretty nice and much appreciated.
Over the years I learned a lot from Donnie about the surrounding area both on land and water. I’m not sure who was happier about the times we were able to get away from the dock and anchor out at Cayo Costa, Keywadyn Island, or travel to the mooring field at Ft. Myers Beach and bitch about “Capt. Poop” who somewhat managed the moorings and ran the pump-out boat.
Every day better than the last and every day ended with “A drink of Rum” as Donnie would say.
We had some good times for sure.
If you didn’t take the time to get to know Donnie he could be misconstrued as somewhat of a curmudgeon. And I’m sure to this day that a few still hold that impression. He suffered no fools.
But once you got to know him you realized that he was just a big teddy bear hiding behind that gruff façade. I think Pete, one of our dock mates said it best when describing Donnie.
“I’ve never met a man who tried so hard to hide a tender heart”.
I could go on and on about the good memories that Pam and I have about our time at Legacy. And when I think about those times most of them include my friend Donnie.
B-Dock and Legacy will never be quite the same for us without you.
Waldorf & Astor (Muppet Show) solving the world’s problems.
Marilyn, Donnie, Mary, & Harry @ Legacy X-Mass Party
Always posed well for a picture!
Gordy, Donnie, & Mike deciding the days agenda.
A rare family picture.
Gone but not forgotten.
Rest In Peace My Friend
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Marilyn, Chloe, and the family and friends who grieve your loss.
My Friend
As we go through life we cross paths with many people. Some we like. Some we don’t. Some who make a little impression on us and some who make a big impression on us. We make many acquaintances but only a few who we can consider as true friends. Donnie Schmeisser was an individual who I considered a true friend.
For most of my life I didn’t even know Donnie existed. But that all changed in 2008 when we pulled Tourist into a slip on B-Dock at Legacy Harbour in Ft. Myers.
The days passed while we got settled in. My parents wintered some 20 miles south of the marina and were frequent visitors. But when they weren’t there we got to know some of our dock mates. All were friendly but one guy stood out amongst the crowd. One that looked like he had been baking in the sun for months. One who spent his winters at Legacy with his wife Marilyn and dog Chloe.
Each day Donnie would pass by several times while taking Chloe ashore to do her business. (And catch up on marina happenings!) Each time stopping to talk if Pam or I were outside. I’m pretty sure that it was at one of these impromptu meetings that we learned about “Docktails”. Seems Donnie and I both had a liking for Rum!
Time passed and we got to know each other better, often times offering our limited knowledge to the other about life and it’s complexities. (Better known as bullshitting). On trips to West Marine or China Town (Harbor Freight) Donnie would ask if I wanted to ride along. He and Marilyn even offered their car for us to use if we needed it. Pretty nice and much appreciated.
Over the years I learned a lot from Donnie about the surrounding area both on land and water. I’m not sure who was happier about the times we were able to get away from the dock and anchor out at Cayo Costa, Keywadyn Island, or travel to the mooring field at Ft. Myers Beach and bitch about “Capt. Poop” who somewhat managed the moorings and ran the pump-out boat.
Every day better than the last and every day ended with “A drink of Rum” as Donnie would say.
We had some good times for sure.
If you didn’t take the time to get to know Donnie he could be misconstrued as somewhat of a curmudgeon. And I’m sure to this day that a few still hold that impression. He suffered no fools.
But once you got to know him you realized that he was just a big teddy bear hiding behind that gruff façade. I think Pete, one of our dock mates said it best when describing Donnie.
“I’ve never met a man who tried so hard to hide a tender heart”.
I could go on and on about the good memories that Pam and I have about our time at Legacy. And when I think about those times most of them include my friend Donnie.
B-Dock and Legacy will never be quite the same for us without you.
Waldorf & Astor (Muppet Show) solving the world’s problems.
Marilyn, Donnie, Mary, & Harry @ Legacy X-Mass Party
Always posed well for a picture!
Gordy, Donnie, & Mike deciding the days agenda.
A rare family picture.
Gone but not forgotten.
Rest In Peace My Friend
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Marilyn, Chloe, and the family and friends who grieve your loss.
