Notes From the Gulf of Mexico

A Great Night - 4th of July

I had a charter that booked and was ready for a good time. A good family charter. Two adults and 3 kids, 5, 7 and 8. I also  took my wife Pat and my granddaughter Kayla. Well if you have sailed with me before, you also know that Maggie was with me too.

It started out at about 6:00 p.m. and we headed down the channel around Bowditch Point and then out for a sunset sail. Then at just 15 minutes before sunset, we dropped the anchor and I broke out my guitar as well as Jay.  We jammed for a while and  enjoyed the sunset. After the sunset, we cooked up some dogs and had chips and fruit.

Before too long, it was time for Fort Myers Beach's 4th of July fireworks and they were great.  Star of Orion just held us there and we 

enjoyed the celebration as it should be.

Tomorrow I'm going to try to connect with Alex Dorsey.  He's trying to get out of Fort Myers and head to the Chesapeake for the summer. http://projectbluesphere.com.  Go check it out. Register and enjoy the blogs.  In fact go to the beginning and enjoy the journey. He's a great guy and you really need to support this project.

It's a great life. Enjoy every precious moment.

I'll catch you up tomorrow.

Capt. Paul

Back Home in Florida on the 4th of July

Well we made it back home last night with a grand daughter in tow.  Kayla from San Francisco came back with us and will be here until the 25th of July when she will head back home and enjoy the rest of the summer as she gets ready for school.

It was a sweet and sour trip. I did  have a chance to see my daughter and her family it was a fast visit in Paskenta, CA. I drove up last Monday and spent a couple of hours with her before she had to go back to work. It was great to catch up and see the other two grandkids.  They are special and I'm in hopes I can get them back here with Pat and I so we can play on the ocean together.  Time will tell.

I also had the chance to spend a little time with my best friend Dan Palmer,  http://www.BrotherDanPalmer.com, http://www.NothingBetterThanThis.com.  He's a great guy.  We used to play together in the 80's at clubs in Tahoe, Reno, Vegas and Arizona. It was good times. Road trips. People, places and things. We've played since and I'm in hopes we will play in the future too.  He is battling with Hep C right now and needs a lot of help. I will be putting up a link for anyone that can pitch in a donation or two. I don't usually do things like this, but he is in treatment and is an entertainer. Which translates into no insurance. It's up to us all now to help where we can. I'll let you know about this in more detail later. I'm not sure how to do it myself. But I want to help. If anyone has ideas, let me know.

Then we got to visit my 87 year old Dad.  He's doing pretty good. Happy and comfortable. His kidneys are failing and is in Hospice. A good choice for him and all in all he's doing great. We love him a lot and I thank him for helping me get into boating. What a guy. Thanks Dad, you've cost me a lot of money and made my life worth living.

I've got to get ready for our annual 4th of July sail. We head out, catch sunset, anchor and watch the fireworks off the pier of Fort Myers Beach. It's a great night if the weather holds and we look forward to it every year.

If you want to catch the next 4th of July sail, just book early. I had a lot of people that wanted to go, but it's a first come first serve thing and a very special night.

The sailing is great down here right now. It's tropical, but nice. Just call and I'll get you on the books. Sailing in Fort Myers Beach. Sunset Sails, Half Day Charters in Fort Myers Beach, there all fun, all the time.

We are getting ready to pull Star of Orion out and clean and paint the bottom so there will be more tech stuff coming up on this blog, so keep on logging on.  I'll see ya'll soon...

Capt. Paul

The Trip Continues...

Well it's summer everywhere.  I've been to San Francisco it was in the 80's.  That's hot for SF and then Reno, NV for a day and a half to see Brother Dan.  It was a cooker.  Now I'm performing in Sacramento, CA and it's an outdoor show.  Just over 100 and no breeze...  Three shows a day for 2 days.  Hmmm... Just hot everywhere.  Tuesday I go visit my Dad in Palm Desert, CA.  It's only 108 there.

It's good to see everyone and get a chance to travel with my wife Pat.  We always change the world when we travel and this trip is no different.  We're having a ball.  I'll be back at the helm on July 4th for a great private sail for fireworks off the pier.

I'm making plans to have new bottom paint put on since the channel now has water in it and get the hull and decks all waxed up and pretty.  I'll let you know the dates she'll be down as soon as I have them together with Capt. Ron.

Speaking of Capt. Ron...  He is sailing like crazy down in SW Florida, so keep that phone ringing.  Sure, we've had a few cancellations because of weather, but all in all sailing in Fort Myers Beach is alive and well.  We love doing what we do and it doesn't take much to get us on the water for a day of sailing.  Just a phone call will do it.  Sunset sailing, sailing charters, there all available now.  You can even take a dip from the boat and play in the water.

I'm looking forward to sailing with you all as the summer progresses.

Capt. Paul

Rum, Lime & Ice

You know I love doing what I'm doing. Life is a wonderful thing. I have this blog. I meet people everyday. I have a wonderful family. I have 2 great daughters. I have 5 grandkids. I've got a dog. And last but not least, I have a wife that has made my life worth living. She saved me 21 years ago and I've just been the guy that I've always been. Go figure why she loves me, but I'm grateful and thankful. She really does make me love what I am and what I do.

With that all said, I have some stuff that I have to talk about. It started a month and a half ago. My friend Ruthie decided it was time for her to make the big leap. She had a headache and went to lie down in the trailer. A friend  checked on her and she said she was doing fine. At that point she died. Just dropped to the floor and that was it. Never came back.

I then had a friend that wasn't talking to me because of a $200.00 debt that I owed him. I didn't remember it, but it was on his mind. He died. I can't pay it back. I'll think of a way.

I had a grand daughter that ran away from home to her real father. It was a mess and now I have a riff with my daughter.

My Dad was just told that he has 1/3 of his kidneys left and is now on Hospice. He was going on dialyses, but now, at 87 he is going to live out his life and enjoy every precious moment.

My best friend, Brother Dan, which I played with for a few years as the "Partly Brothers", has Hep C. It was under control and now it's back with a vengeance. I'm in hopes  that he can beat it again. You can listen to one of his songs on the "Captains Log" page.

Sure, I'm breathing deep. Wondering about life and knowing that this may not be the place to vent all of this, but as the title of this blog says, "rum, Lime & Ice." So as that surges through my body, I vent. Unloading all of this in a space that may scare customers away, but I also know that most of the people that read this blog are people that I've sailed with. People that I have connected with. And people that will understand.

You see, when you sail with me, we talk. We play. We get to know each other. It reminds me of when I get a massage.I strip down and lay under a sheet. When the masseuse comes in and begins the massage, well we talk. We get to know each other. Even if I've been therebefore. But there is that chatter the first 10 to 15 minutes of the massage. Then it settles into the massage.

So it is with a charter. We meet. We get to know each other. Stories are told. We connect! Then everyone settles into the sail. Some cuddle up on the bow. Some sit in the cockpit and we chat. Some lay on deck, but everyone settles in. We sail. We experience what the moment and sea has to offer. It's all good. I love what I do and I love Star of Orion. She is a wonderful vessel and is more than just a boat. She is an answer to peoples dreams.

Everyone that steps onto Star of Orion expects something different. Some like to sail and rip through the sea at the fastest point of sail that she can do. Some like to catch some sun and lay on the deck. Some like to pop a bottle of wine and cut a piece of cheese and sail into the sunset. Some like to laugh and play like in the movie Capt. Ron. It's a different thing for everybody.

I'm just one captain, but I do everything I can to make the dreams of everyone come true while they sail with me. Sure, I tell bad pirate jokes, but sometimes that's the thing that makes the cruise work. We leave family. It is a wonderful thing. We don't shake hands when we leave the dock, we hug and talk of when we will meet again.

I want to personally thank everyone, and I mean everyone that has enhanced my life by being on Star of Orion...

Wow, what was that all about. Thanks for listening.

Now I want to tell you about a friend. His name is Alex Dorsey. You can check him out at http://www.ProjectBlueSphere.com. Look it up. Sign up to read the blogs and then go back to the beginning. Read all the blogs. Buy the CD's. Support his efforts. You won't want to miss a blog entry. It's all great from a sailors point of view.

I went to a going away party for him, Sam and Gwen. It was a great bash  and I enjoyed meeting people that I wouldn't have met if it wasn't for them. A great group of people. I've been trying to get down and do a walk through of Splendid, but charter are rocking and I have to fly to California tomorrow. They leave on Wednesday too, so we will miss each other. It is what it is. I'll catch up with him in San Blas.

It's summer in Fort Myers Beach as it is everywhere, so everyone is keeping wet and playing in the water. In fact the water is in the mid to upper 80's now, so it's easy to take a dip from the decks of Star of Orion. Don't pass it up while you are here.

I also have an outdoor shower where you can rinse off and get wet to cool down. It's nice. Very nice.

Well I'm off for the night. I have my "Spot" with me, so if you see a spot in Sacramento, CA or Reno, NV or San Francisco, CA or Palm Springs, that's where I am.  Star of Orion is still in the Gulf doing what she does best and Captain Ron is sailing her while I'm gone.

Just call and make a reservation. Sailing on the Gulf of Mexico is great. Sailing charters in Fort Myers Beach are great. I'll make your dreams come true. It is what I do best. It's magic. Call for a Sunset Sail in Fort Myers Beach, I'll talk you into a half day charter in Fort Myers Beach.

Thanks in Advance...

Capt Paul

So Much to Say...

I've got to find some time to sit and let you know what's been going on down here in SW Florida.

It's been a great week. New friends. Old friends. Special friends. Great weather. Great charters. Good news. Bad news. It's been a whirlwind week.

I'm off for a morning half day charter right now, and a sunset sail tonight, but I'll get to typing in the next few days.  Check back.

Sailing in Fort Myers Beach is alive and well.  Join me.  Call me...

See you on the dock.

Capt. Paul

Up In Myrtle Beach, SC

It's good to be here with Brad & Stacie. The grand kids are keeping us busy and making us laugh.  The weather is wonderful and it will be a trip that is too short... Again.

We headed out last Saturday. In fact, if you guys want to check out some cheap airfare to our neck of the woods, check out http://www.VisitDirectAir.com.  Now they don't fly everywhere, but we get a flight from Punta Gorda to Myrtle Beach, round trip, for two, for $200.00. it's a good deal.  Anyway, check out the site and see if they get close to your city.  In fact you can save a bundle, if they get close to you by renting a car and driving the distance to the closest airport and then dropping off the car flying and doing the same thing back. Crunch the numbers and see.  Your tip of the week on travel.

Here's a small picture of my two Grand Daughters up here. Kind of a rare photo of both of them together and not knocking each others block off and smiling at the same time. Great kids. Well worth the travel time.

We'll be here until Wednesday afternoon and then back to Fort Myers Beach to keep those charters rolling on the Gulf. Sure I'm in my slow season, but it gives me time to sail and play as well as clean and maintain Star of Orion. She's such a great boat. I'm in hopes that the water is up enough in the channels to get her up for a bottom job here pretty soon.  She could use a few coats of fresh bottom paint. I amazed that the paint lasted as long as it did. Just over 2 years and that's with thousands of miles of water flowing under her keel. Not bad.

Just a note...  Alex Dorsey, (http://www.ProjectBlueSphere.com), is heading out from Fort Myers to go north to Chesapeake for the summer. There's a going away party for him in Fort Myers this Thursday. We talked the other day and I'm glad I'll be there to send him off. He's a great guy. Just go join his site and read his blog to catch up. In fact you should go back to the beginning and catch up with his life. Very interesting read and buy his DVD's. You'll thank me next time you see me. The plan is next November he's heading to South America. Follow his adventures at his site.

Well that catches you up for now. Call early for charters in Fort Myers. It's summer and it's the rainy season so I watch the weather closely and plug in the charters when we can get out and have some fun without having a light show. Sunset Sails in Fort Myers Beach are getting canceled a lot, so I have moved my half day sails up to 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It's a pretty good bet we an get out and get a sail in. It's tropical so we may even stop and take a dip while we are out. Sailing in Fort Myers Beach is still a wonderful experience, so call now.

Capt. Paul

Last Weeks Trawler Ride - Charlotte Harbor Florida

Last week Capt. Ron finished a bottom job on a trawler in North Port.  So he had to move it to Burnt Store Marina which is 3 or 4 hours through the back canals and through the lock out onto Charlotte Harbor.

                     

When he called, Pat and I had a day free and so we met up with him for the ride.  It was a great ride. Small seas about 2 to 3 and moderate wind.  Even though it seemed to be the way the vessel was built, we got pretty salty.

Here's a quick clip from the helm on the inside.  Trawlers are a pretty bumpy ride on top so we stayed dry and comfy with the gen set running the air conditioning...  What a concept.

Capt. Paul

Catching Up With Ya'll...

I have to tell you, it's been almost "work" since I came back from our trip to Saint Pete.  The weather is working against me and is a little early to be in this summer pattern.  But it's here and so I have to be on the radar all the time and on the phone moving people from sunsets to half days and moving them from one day to another and canceling their sails and...  and... and...

So it's just weather.  I've been a street performer since 1974 and I know weather.  In fact, I know how to make weather work in my favor and make it fun.  But when it comes to thunder, lightening and squalls, I think the best thing to do is crack a beer or put a rum something in your hand and tell jokes and play cards until it just stops.  That's fun too you know.

So when summer comes the winds slow  down and it the water gets warm...  Now that's a good time to drop the hook during a sail, kick on some music and slip into the water for a while.  Hop out take a fresh water shower on deck and take in some sun.  What a day.

As you can see in the photo, everyone hopped in the water and cooled right down.

I put out a line with a life jacket tied to the end so that you can pull yourself to the boat. There's usually a current so it keeps you safe and helps you get back to the boat.

I got a sunset off tonight and it was wonderful. Ok, ok...  We couldn't really see the sunset, but it was a great sail and we had a wonderful time.  I don't get too many sunsets because of the weather, but when we can get out, we do have a great time.

So I go out early for the half day 9 to 1 and the sunsets are usually canceled, but the sailing is still great.  Sailing in Fort Myers Beach will continue.  Keep calling and getting your name on the books.  I'm here for you and it's a special time for me.  Let me share it with you.

Capt. Paul

Storms... Storms... Storms...

Well the title says it all.  Since last Wednesday, we've dropped into a weird weather pattern...  First we are in the summer pattern where in the afternoons we have a thunder storm or 5 and then we have this low that's bringing up moisture from the south which has a tropical wave that is loaded with water.

All that boils down to rain.  And lots of it.  I'm trying to get charters off and I'm doing a pretty good job, but it's really touch and go.  By the moment.

So that's really about it.  I'm strapped to the apartment and doing my lists and taking care of business, paperwork and marketing.  It's all good, and I'm glad I got in a good personal sail for a couple of weeks before all this began to happen.

Yes.  I'm trying to get a scroll bar on the YouTube page.  Seems there's videos up there, but it's really hard to get to them all.  I'll keep working with YouTube and see if there is a piece of code that I'm missing.

So keep doing what you're doing then drop it all and get down here.  Yea, I get a bit wet every now and then, but that's why I called it "Adventure Sailing."

Capt. Paul

Cabbage Key to Fort Myers Beach

After being blown into Cabbage Key, we decided to get up early and beat the weather to Fort Myers Beach.  I hate thunderstorms.  They are just a pain.  Flash high winds and water and then the horizontal rain.  Gets me soaked and then 20 minutes later it's calm with no wind.  I change clothes and then wait to do it again.  But it's summer in Florida.

So we left Cabbage Key at around 8:30 and put out the jib and motor sailed down the Intracoastal Waterway.  At around the power lines at the north end of Sanibel, we dropped the jib and continued the sail.  It was still a wonderful ride.  I really like that part of the Waterway.  It has a ton of islands, wildlife, dolphins etc.  I kick up the music or break out the guitar and enjoy the ride.

We pulled into Salty Sam's Marina at about 4:00 p.m. and cleaned up Star of Orion, pulled off a bunch of personal gear and got her ready for charters starting on the 16th.

I guess I'll just have to go sailing again tomorrow.  I have moved the half day to the summer hours of 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  It's just a smart thing to do.  So if you are ready to have a sailboat charter in Fort Myers Beach, just give me a call and we can make it happen.

Sunset sails in Fort Myers are at a stand still as the thunderstorms are coming in at around 2 or 4 p.m every day.  Sometimes, I can pull one off, but it seems that the summer pattern started a couple of weeks early and I'm doing what I can, but weather happens.

It's good to be home, but I have to say, the last couple of weeks have been wonderful.  I'll do it again soon.

Capt. Paul

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P.S. Photo's will be added within the next couple of days.  The cable is not with my computer.