Monday, April 13:
We got up, had some breakfast at the hotel then made our way to the Hampton at Fernandina Beach. Wes had an MTOA board meeting and while he was doing that, I went and enjoyed a massage. The board meeting with still going on when I returned, so I sat in on the last part. It got heated a bit with some of the items that were discussed as they want to make some major changes. After the board meeting, we had lunch with several other board members then registered for the rendezvous. Then we walked the docks and visited with lots of members. Then back to the hotel for a mentor/mentee meeting. From there we went to The Crab Trap for the welcome reception where we enjoyed appetizers and beverages and met lots of MTOA members. On our walk back, we decided to stop at The Palace Saloon (the oldest bar in FL) with Ron and Audrey (Knot on Call), and Pete (Varlabania). The intent was to just have a couple. Then the karaoke started and we got stuck on that fun wheel again! Before we knew it, it was after actual midnight. We called it a night, drove back to hotel and finally went to bed around 0100.
Tuesday, April 14:
We got up (even though we both wanted to sleep more) and had breakfast at the hotel before heading to the Woman's Club for the MTOA rendezvous. I enjoyed the speakers. Mike Bell did a nice piece on batteries, then there was a short presentation on fuel tank maintenance and cleaning followed by someone from the submarine museum. Lunch was served, then they had EMT's, nurses and doctors there to go over first aid and what to do in case of emergency. After that we went to the marina and hung out on Ron and Audrey's boat for a bit before docktales. We visited with a lot of MTOA members at docktales, then we rode back to St Mary's where we met up with Don and Sherry for a nice visit and dinner. We got back to the hotel around 2230 and went right to bed.
Wednesday, April 15:
We got up and packed the car, then had a quick breakfast before hitting the road to head back to the boat. I worked in the car while Wes drove. We stopped at a Waffle House for lunch while I did a work call in the car. We made it back to Wacca Wache marina around 1600. We unpacked, then Mark and Diana from Ramble On where stopped by for a visit as they were at the marina as well. We all went up and had dinner and beverages at Outrigger at the marina. It was a great visit and we closed them down as well. We got back to the boat around 2200 and went to bed.
Thursday, April 16:
We got up and I started working while Wes did computer work. That was the majority of our day! We made a quick run to Walmart to provision, put all our provisions away, then stopped by Stella Maris and visited with Mike and Karen? for the bit. Then the four of us got in our car and drove to North Myrtle Beach and met up with Mark and Diana (Ramble On) again for happy hour and appetizers at The Marina Bar at the Barefoot Marina. It was another fun time! We called it a night around 2030 and drove back to the marina where we said goodnight to Mike and Karen and headed to the boat. Wes did some route planning while I checked a few emails. Then off to bed.
Friday, April 17:
Wes got up and started getting the boat ready to travel. Then he met up the Mike and Karen (Stella Maris) to take them to the airport on his way to return the car rental. I worked and "monitored" the filling of our water tanks until he returned. Then we finished the last items to get ready to travel. We dropped the lines around 1000 and headed to Barefoot Marina in North Myrtle Beach. We arrived at Barefoot around 1400. I finished working for the day, then we got the scooters down and went over to Ramble On (Diana and Mark) and the four of us rode over to Lulu's where we enjoyed some beverages and music. Then we went over to The House of Blues outside bar (The Deck) and enjoyed more beverages and music. It was a fun night! We rode back to our boats and called it a night. We watched a little TV to wind down, then off to bed.
Saturday, April 18:
We got up and Wes started getting things ready to travel. I walked up to the marina office, turned in our fob and grabbed a package for a fellow looper. Then we dropped our lines around 0810 and made our way to Southport, NC. I sat on the bow in my anti-gravity chair and enjoyed the sunshine and views. There was a pipe that was blocking most of the channel that was a little interesting, but we were able to get around it. We arrived at Morningstar Marina in Southport around 1400. We got secured, then we took the scooters for a little ride to explore. We visited with other loopers as we were making our way to town. We stopped and got some ice cream. Then back to the boat to get our cooler and snacks to take to Porchtales with Robert and Kay. There were 13 of us there. It was a nice visit! Then 8 of us (Ramble On - Mark and Diana, Thunderbolt - Will and Tracy, Revival - Brian and Jerri) went to Dry Street Pub where we enjoyed some pizza and beverages. It was another fun evening! Then we went back to the boat, watched a little TV, then went to bed.
Sunday, April 19:
Wes got up and started some computer work. I was lazy and slept in some. Wes did two batches of smoked cream cheese. I packaged up some of our provisions. Then we put some pork chops on the smoker and went to Robert and Kay's for Porchtales. There were 12 of us there. We shared our smoked cream cheese and it was a hit. We went back to the boat around 1900. Mark and Diana stopped by for a night cap and visit. It was an enjoyable evening. After they left, we watched a little TV, then went to bed.
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