Chapter 13. March 2014

In early March Leslie and I drove hours north to watch small track stock car racing, which runs deep in the Captain's blood.  The Captain, his Dad, two uncles and one cousin have all raced at one time or the other.  No championships, or even close brushes with fame for that matter.

As you might surmise from the hooded spectators, it was COLD that evening.

Later in March we were treated by a visit from two more Ocean City friends...

Allison on the left, and Judy on the right. (Opie far right, lower corner)

One evening we had a very nice dinner with Rick and his beautiful wife Beverly.

Stan & Bev.  (Rick was originally in the picture, but Photoshop cleared up that problem.)

Beverly lives near Annapolis and raises alpacas.  I asked her if they taste anything like beef.  Bev does NOT find your good Captain at all funny!

Alpacas.  They look kinda cute don't they?  (Rick was in this picture too.  Ain't Photoshop great!)

Oh, fudge...a rare moment of guilt is consuming your noble Captain.  Having expunged Rick previously, it now seems overly harsh.  Accordingly, we shall make him reappear.  Look below (at your own peril)).

The Rose among the thorns...

On March 23, we pulled up stakes and took the coach to Key West, Florida for a short vacation from our hectic life as the idle lower middle class wastrels that we'd become in Naples.  The trip was a scenic 258 miles each way.  We stayed at Blue Water Key RV Resort.  This is a small, but elegant park with boat access, and Tiki bars at each site.

Tropical Blue Water Key

The Beast backed right up to the Tiki Hut.  Inside the open hut is a refrigerator, stove, table, etc.

The last week of March, the Captain was called upon to move a brand new 52 foot Riviera Sport Yacht from Palm Beach Gardens, FL. to Annapolis, MD.

The Riviera 52 Yacht.  This is produced in Australia.

Last sight of land before heading out of the Jupiter Inlet.  In the background is the Jupiter Lighthouse 

Radar shows large storms building off the coast of Cape Canaveral. We are about 20 nautical miles offshore.

Visibility is dropping rapidly...

At this point, we are flying on instruments only.  The seas are angry and growing, which you cannot tell from this shot.

Yippee Ki Yay, we're in it now.  Good thing we are in a Riviera.  These yachts are among the toughest I ever operate.

Past the weather and heading into the inlet at St. Augustine.  All aboard are ready for an adult beverage.  Here at St Augustine, the Conch House Bar serves a killer Goombay Smash.  The Captain and crew decide to ingest several...

This is a Goombay Smash.  

Recipe:

One Part Each

Gosling's Black Seal Rum 

Coconut Rum

Pineapple Rum

Captain Morgan's Spiced Rum

Orange Juice

Pineapple Juice

Dash of Grenadine (for color)

A touch of Sprite, Ginger Beer or Mountain Dew ( for a slight fizz)

Garnish with a generous orange slice ( which will likely be the only solid food you will have that evening)

Remarkably, there is little hint that you are drinking alcohol.  (Don't worry about driving drunk.  After several of these you'll never, ever find your car.  Hell, you can't even find your feet...)

Looks like the storm likes your trusty old Captain, and followed him in.  Doesn't look any better from outside than inside it.  We topped off the fuel just before it hit.

The Conch House Bar on a quieter evening.  This is your humble Captain's favorite watering hole on the Boston to Key West sea route.

And so, March ends with Captain and crew safely ensconced aboard a great yacht in the St. Augustine Harbor.  

But wait, there's more...