We’re Spending Time in Venice

NautiNell lit up for Christmas at Longboat Key

Sweet Pea and NautiNell at Moore's Restaurant



Hey hon, Look what I caught!!



Sunset at Marker "4"

Jim "our driver" trying to round up the laundry crew

New Year's Eve gathering on Snake Island

Beautiful sunrise in Venice



Parking lot at the Island

We are spending some time here at Venice, Florida.  We left Moore's Restaurant on Longboat key somewhere around mid-morning on Thursday, Dec 29 and headed on down the ICW. Moore's turned out to be a great place to stay and an even better place to eat. The food was wonderful.

We reached our destination "Marker 4" early afternoon along with Sweet Pea. We plan to stay a month and Sweet Pea a few days. The marina is new and still not quite finished. However, they gave us a good deal to stay there a month and it's really close by to everything in town. Just over the bridge…… In fact, the owner of the marina loaned us his "car" so we all could go to the Laundromat. Now, when I say "car" – I have to say this is no ordinary "car". It really sets the bar when it comes to courtesy cars. John's car is a Hummer! Can you imagine the looks we got when we all piled out of a very nice Hummer in front of a little ol' Laundromat and unloaded all our dirty clothes! Hey you Marinas out there- this beats an old pickup truck any day! LOL!!

This area is also the homeport of Jeff and Linda of Jeremiah. They crossed their wake now and are going to stay home for a couple of months. It's really good to be close to them. We'll get to spend time with them more than ever! In fact for New Year's Eve, they invited us all to a beach party/cookout on Snake Island. This is a local hangout for Jeremiah and their friends. They all welcomed us in like family and we had a great time sitting by the fire and chowing down on all the food! There had to be close to 60 people there and at least a dozen dogs. It was great! Even the dogs had a great time. I have to admit though – we didn't make it to midnight – but it was close! We had traveled over to the island by dinghy and of course, it was dark coming back. No need to worry – when Capt. Chappy is at the wheel or should I say tiller! We made it back safe and sound and in time to see the ball drop in New York City. In Sarasota, they drop a pineapple! That would be a sight to see! Maybe next year! Or in Key West, they drop a huge shoe with a drag queen sitting in it. Now that's weird! But funny!

And the tradition of eating black-eyed peas on New Year's Day is not known around these parts. I couldn't go without them! So I made a big crockpot full and shared them with Sweet Pea and Jeremiah. Now we'll all have a good 2012. I'm sure of it!

Jeff and Linda are great hosts. One day they piled all of us in their camper/van to take us to West Marine, Sam's and an overall scenic tour! What a road trip! This whole area is really pretty. Sarasota is a little artsy-fartsy but I like it. In fact, there's a bike rally there this next weekend. Mike and I have to check that out. However, we may look a little out of place in our boater garb. Oh well….!

BTW – I mentioned that we are staying a month here. Well, here's the whole story – I'm going to fly to Dallas from Sarasota in a few days to see our new Grandbaby!!!!    Allison Marie Rabe was born on
December 29! She is beautiful, of course! I am leaving on the 10^th and will be gone for ten days. Mike will be on his own for ten whole days! HA! I'm sure Jeff and Linda will take good care of him. When I get back I'm sure he will be ready to head on down the coast. In the meantime, I believe he plans to fill our freezer with fish. Take a look at the picture I included – he's got a good start on it! Yum!

Venice is known as the Sharks Teeth Capital of the World. Aren't you surprised of the things you learn reading my blog! LOL! Jeff says that Snake Island is usually a great place to search because the Venice Inlet is right close. I'm going to check it out hopefully in a day or so. It's been really windy here the last couple of days so I'm waiting until I can take a comfortable dinghy ride over to the island and check it out. Wish me luck!! Hope they're easier to find than arrowheads! Sheeh!

Say hello to Allison Marie Rabe



Only minutes old.......!

 Till next time!

Admiral "C"