Fighting Reality

Your goals in life seem to change as you age.  That I suppose is normal.  Fleeing reality is not a common goal but has evolved into mine.  I continue to push for my reality to be travel exploring new worlds.  I just know the country and world is awaiting the explorations of this aging fellow.
View Bend of the Rivers condos in a larger map


I suppose I am fighting writers block. I do not want to talk about my daily things, but offer enlightening thoughts along our way. Alas, we have not been underway in several weeks.   This thought leads me back to my original fleeting thought of changing reality.  We have worked hard in recent years to acquire out beloved "Phaeton" motor home, our trawler "0 Regrets" and now a new haven at Lake Barkley.  Yes, another location.  We are scheduled to close next week on our condo at the lake.  Now let us consider the geography of this.  Our boat is 10 miles by land from the condo or 30 min. by water, out motor home can be stored at the lake within 5 miles of the other 2 locations.  Our current home is located 45 min. east in Madisonville, KY.  Let us do the math.  That would work out to an average of 7.5 days per location in a given 30 day month.  Everyone needs 4 locations.

Our hope is to relocate to Lake Barkley and Green Turtle Bay area within a couple of years.  Letting someone else own the "big house" in Madisonville and we can enjoy the travel option.  The little condo is so easy with a small maintenance fee and all we have to do is lock the door and drive or sail away. 

I finally know my emotions.  That only took 62 years.  I hate to store the motor home or boat for long periods of time when they are meant to travel.  That really applies to me.  The challenge will be using the motor home and boat while residing in the condo.  Not a problem for me but my loving wife has a "real" job and feels the need to commute to work.  Our long trips can be via water or highway but long trips will be ventured.  Just imagine Columbus saying to his wife "honey I will sail away for the weekend but will return by Monday."  NOT.

I do not long to be the explorer but I want to explore my world, dying exhausted.  I want to sail, feel the wind and water on my skin, wonder what lays ahead over the rolling ribbon of road and all the new souls I will share this world with.  I do not want to do this alone.  If I cannot share the journey what fun is to be gained by seeing the constellations at sea, mountain wonders of the west and seas yet sailed.  I feel that clock ticking and the time is now.

I feel the next two years will open up the opportunities we need to expand the horizons and make the break. Just a feeling in my bones or maybe the wine.  Who cares?   So if you see us watching the GPS looking for a Wal Mart to camp, or on the fly bridge of "0 Regrets" give a wave and wish us fair sailing.   I know the wind will be at our back.

Barry, Denise, Bella, Bailey,
"0 Regrets" and the Phaeton.

Culinary Delights

I do not typically write about eating, although that seems to have become a passion in my later years.  However, the culinary options at Lauderdale By the Sea are almost limitless.  I suppose this writing should be posted as "Gluttony".  While what we eat or details of each day is not my purpose in writing this Blog, I sometimes make an exception. 

This is my conception of a picture perfect Italian restaurant.  Looks like my stay in Sicily many years (decades) ago.  There wine was $2.50 per 1.5 liter bottle, food was about $3.00 a plat and the language was music to my ears.  Our new friend at Correlli's is Joe the owner. He came to this country with $2.00 in his pocket in 1968, later owned 5 restaurants.  Now with a growing wine importing enterprise, olive oil importing and his own sauces, he is a joy to visit with and he will get your $$$ for buying his product. After all, we did buy a case of his Italian wines, now shipping to Madisonville, KY.  YES!  Kentucky finally agreed to allow all to ship wine products to the great Commonwealth.  That only took 200 years. 

Now for the food.  We have experienced the Rigatoni, Egg Plant Parmesan and now the famous Correlli Pizza.  We should have purchased by the slice but this jewel was 18" of pizza dreams.  All ingredients are local or imported, including spices.  Joe makes his own sauce and the cheeses are right of the wagon. 

No franchise stuff here.  Joe sat and visited with us for an hour each visit.  His wife's family history and pics are plastered all around the restaurant, looking like the classic Italian family we might picture in the movies. Their children work in the restaurant and wine business and soon in the olive oil importing enterprise.  Grandchildren are learning the work ethic with 9 yr. olds busing tables in the summer.  Now that work ethic we need so much more in our next generation.  I doubt you could pluck a 20 something out of the US and drop him or her in Italy or any other foreign country and look for them to be a success in year later.  They may be have their hand out when they get down to $2.00.   If you find yourself in the Ft. Lauderdale area, Lauderdale By the Sea to be specific, drop by Correlli's and ask for Joe.  You will not be disappointed.  Please save time for that nap you will need after the meal. 
http://maps.google.com/maps/place?q=correli's+restaurant,+lauderdale+by+the+sea,+fl&hl=en&cid=17240288508832155581

Enough about food.  Friends we make along the way are most important.  Remember, "all who wander are not lost". 

Barry, Denise, Bailey and Bella

THE MENAPAUSE LOUNGE

Characters never fail to asale me. Like Steve at the bar for happy hours., recommending Desaira' at Don's for evening meal.  The lounge entertainment where anyone over 70 is young and the 40's band.  Couple of 91 and 87 year olds swilling wine at the bar.  The black jigaloe working the bar.     Good food, wine and wide variety of friends makes for an eventful evening.  Do not forget "Bingo" our new friend after 30 plus years visiting the same bar and friends at lauderdale.  Seems he has acquaintances in Madisonville or he is lying.  Hummm.
So we have Desirae, Steven, Bingo, Steve and other unnamed friends met in just one evening in the confines of lauderdale by the sea.  More to come.

The "101 Ocean" club is a corner hot spot along Ocean Blvd. at Ft. Lauderdale Beach.  Happy Hour is 5-7 each evening.  Open air bar to streets creates a scene changing each hour.  Tonight we had a local with a large parrot friend hanging in a tree accepting treats all the while talking with each passing pedestrian.  Seems the owner has trained the parrot since birth and must spend at least 4 hrs. per day to keep the monogamous relationship.  The parrot "taboo" is a fixture along Ocean Blvd and the beach.  Couple this with many runners, surfers, joggers, walkers and street vendors.  The beach seems to attract all characters. 

We enjoy our Albin Trawler but could be convinced to trade up for this larger boat.  Seems the Ft. Lauderdale docks offer over 1000 ft. docking for world traveling yachts.   Our cruise captain indicated this yacht required over $100,000 to fill the tanks.  Now that is a fill up.

We continue to watch the "older folks" around town.  We do admire their tenacity with speed walking, pool exercises and best of all happy hour and good food.  It seems the older we or I become, the more important the food.  In fact we plan another visit to Carelli's Italian Restaurant for lunch today.  Our prior trip the owner insisted on opening 4-5 bottles of wine for our tasting all the while consuming large amounts of beer and pasta.  We did need a siesta after that meal.  We do plan to ship home a case of select wines from his warehouse in Atlanta.  He is quite the entrepreneur exporting olive oils and balsamic vinegars. 

Well off to the pool for a morning read, must rest up for our lunch date.  Pool boy is here now so we can anticipate good pool conditions.  Tomorrow finds me at the Trawler Fest seminars early then afternoon touring boats of many varieties.  Cannot wait.

Barry, Denise, Bailey & Bella

Boat Winter & Yacht Club Bar

Wintering aboard the "0 Regrets" poses many challenges.  While our little boat is more than comfortable, she must have water, and electric to be functional.

We are mostly camping on our little Albin.  While we have a covered dock, electrical service and all the amenities of Green Turtle Bay Marina, we do not have all the comforts of home.  The Commonwealth Yacht Club is closed till sometime in February, our typical gathering point for winter boaters.  However, the marina is inhabited with about 12 full time live aboard friends.  The hearty souls at Green Turtle Bay live aboard sailboats and trawlers.  Imagine living aboard a 31 ft. sailboat throughout the winter months.  Some of our friends live aboard trawlers and other style of boats.  The most elegant is a 97 ft. houseboat.  Lots of distance and space between 31 ft. and 97 ft. 

Our winter inhabitants batten down the hatches, cover the cockpit with canvas and keep winds out.  Water is not available at the marina, so some winter inhabitants are docked at the transient dock for access to working showers,  laundry and potable water.  These thoughts bring me to the yacht club bar scene.

Now I would not imply the yacht club bar offers any alien beings.  Just that the wide variety of characters seems to mirror the wide variety of characters presented above.  We have the 80 yr. old striper.  She is referred to this by better acquaintances than I after an appearance at a party with silver sequined dress well above knee length.     She is the life of the party, even at 80.  We have one patron who presents a case of beer each visit to be placed in an ice filled bucket for ease of consumption.  This partron is well known to inhabit the yacht club and any boat willing to provide a drinking spot.  Sounds like a typical sailor to me. 

We progress to the well dressed couple down the bar.  The female companion easily announced to all in attendance that he is her "Boy Toy".  Of course, he announced that they are not married.  He proudly proclaimed he knew that if you marry, the woman is paralyzed below the waist and he had paralyzed two women already.  I can only assume he is very confident.  Another patron is a former state prison wardon who has some great stories.  One of my favorite is a boat captain living aboard a boat similar to ours who makes part of this income from scuba diving to clean boat bottoms.  He is a former Vietnam pilot flying the famous "Snoppy" over dogpatch.  He is suspicion to be a pimp for the 80 yr. old stripper.  Hymmmm!

We must talk about the "Captains"  stationed at the marina.  Not many marinas have multiple boat captains. We have Capt. Jerry and Capt. Bill and must not forget Capt. Norm.  Capt. Norm know to pilot the "Miss Poo" boat as he pumps the holding thanks of uncountable boats during the year.  His best request is that one year he would like to not get "shit faced".  A modest request. 

Also part of the establishment is the local "yacht" broker Ms. Vebbie.  This young woman sells several million $$ of boats each year and her best description of each boat is "it's a pretty boat".  Go figure. That should make all potential buyers comfortable.  While Vebbie would not lie she does like all boats.  All should ask her about skinny dipping at midnight in Duncan Bay.  Hummmmm.  No pictures here. 

Back to the bar.  We have an unusual member who has the experience of being the Warden of the State Penitentiary on Lake Barkley.  Imagine, all the years keeping dangerous criminals imprisoned along the scenic banks of Lake Barkley, watching the scantily clad young women cruising the waters in front of their prison. Now that is HELL!  However, he does not seem in the least disturbed by this fact. 

Let us not forget the marina owners.  Mr. and Mrs. Bill have owned the marina for 24 yrs.  However, I am sure they have made at least 4 friends during this period.  Maybe it is normal for tenants to harbor negative feels for their the landlords.  But, after a few conversations in the Bar, it is apparent the owner attitude is somewhat like Darth Vader.  I can only hope, "may the force be with you" to my fellow tenants.  Do not forget, we have "free" water and cable.

The characters at the yacht club will evolve in the next season.  I am looking forward to meeting any of the
"aliens" descending on our little bar.  Fortunately, after an evening of drink and song we all can float to our respective boats.  I am told that in the summer several "dingy" races are planned.  See you there.

Barry, Denise, Bella and Bailey

Nashvegas New Years

Cruising the Cumberland River, December 31, 2011.  Now where can you beat the view and
 weather?  We plan to bring the "0 Regrets" down the Cumberland to Nashville in Spring of 2012 for a 200 mile cruise.  We have friends in the area to dock our boat and can dock at the Riverfront Park across river from Titan Stadium.  It is an easy walk from dock to downtown Nashville.  This will be our first long cruise since boarding the 0 Regrets.  A cruise from Green Turtle Bay Marina to Nashville is 160 miles.  That is 20 hrs. of cruising time for the trawler.  We plan to cruise to Old Hickory Lake to visit new boat friends and then return to Green Turtle after 3 more days on the river.  At 8 miles per your, time is slow, but the scenes stay with you.

The above Bridge is part of the greenway called Shelley Bottoms.  The above view is of the pedestrian bridge over the Cumberland River.  We hiked only a portion of the greenway which is over 16 miles round trip.   Beautiful park to walk, jog, bike, skate and enjoy the river.  All cities should use greenways to enhance the free joys of living.  We will cruise under this bridge during our Nashvegas Adventure. 

The Nashville area includes a number of greenway trails and these are available on the city web site.  Bring the children, dogs and bikes to enjoy the views and exercise along the trails.  During summer months the Shellby Greenway can be access via the Twin Rivers Water Park so you can cool off after a hike. 

LAST THOUGHT:  Just reading the 1,000 marble story.  I only have 676 marbles left if I live to be 75.  I hope to use each Saturday for my marbles without waste.  If you have not read the 1,000 marble fable, search Google and read.  It does make one think about our time on earth.  I spent a marble today with my wonderful Denise, played with wonderful dogs, hiked the above greenway  and met several new friends who enjoy the world of travel.  Beats being clued to television watching football all day.  I did enjoy a few of those "football" beers. 

Happy sailing,

Barry, Denise, Bailey and Bella

Last Thought

I suppose we all want our voice heard periodically.  I am no exception.  In fact I would to so far as to say I am a bit talkative.  Hummmm!!  Why do I feel multitude agreeing with me.  In response to my new found realization I like to talk, I though I should aways have the last thought when posting on this blog. 

For a beginning of the Last Thought I am musing about some of my particulars, quirks, habits and those things we and I cannot explain.  This may start with my lack of preference as to what I drink my milk from, ie. plastic or glass vessel.  Now, I do not drink from the plastic jug we now receive our milk.  But I do not have a care if the drinking container is plastic, glass or even wooden.  Just let me have my milk relatively clot free and little sour smell and I am good.  However, I do prefer my wine from a glass, but in a pinch, I really do not care.

I tend to be a bit particular about traveling in our motorhome.  I truly detest arriving to an unknown camp area in darkness.  This may stem from an early trip in our travels where we arrived at Paris Landing State Park and narrowly missed an over hanging power line.  Stumbling around in the dark is best left for when I have consumed too much wine.

I prefer my morning time.  My early morning coffee, after taking care of dog necessaries, is most important. I like my small breakfast and preferably at a local coffee spot for a little conversation.  Since I work much from home I like some outside visiting.  Imagine that.  I used to insist on my cappuccino but due to health concerns and waist line I am swearing off of the daily habit. 

I have asked the faithful wife for her input to my particular habits and annoying characteristics, but she has demurred for the moment.  She did say something about "requiring some thought". 

We are currently in Nashville, TN. more commonly known as "Nashvegas".  An extended weekend trip after all the holiday festivities and quiet time welcomed.  We did venture to the Zac Brown concert last evening and we can recommend the Patron Club for dinner and drinks and take in Zac in concert anytime you have the opportunity.  A great two hour show.  

We hope to see you all on the road or water. 

Barry, Denise, Bailey and Bella

2011 Update

The year is rapidly coming to an end.  What a year it has been.  Our travels continued with the month of January seeing our new motor home the Phaeton.  WOW!  What a start.  We have traveled about 8,000 miles this year aboard our trusted Phaeton without any major mechanical or injury issues.  As seen in these pages, we have traveled from Florida to home after our upgrade, with a stop along the way in Red Bay, AL. Followed by many excursions to Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake with a much longer trip through the southeast (1,500 miles) in early summer.  Again, the Phaeton rolled along caring for our every need in comfort we could not improve upon.  August say another voyage up north.  Pennysalvania, New York and Vermont were explored.  Lake Champlain became our favorite stop with a 4 day charter of a 32 ft. Grand Banks Trawler.  As written in these pages, do not miss Vermont and the Lake Champlain area.  Spring and summer must be awe inspiring. We hope to venture there in the next few years aboard "0 Regrets".

Speaking of our Trawler.  We have cruised "0 Regrets" since September along the shores of Kentucky Lake and limited travel on Lake Barkley.  We cruised to Paris Landing (80 miles round trip) with an overnight at the marina and one night on the "hook" on the Land Between Lakes side of Kentucky Lake.  Listening to the Coyotes sing each night is bone chilling and wonderous.  The skies are clear with more stars than though to exist.  Relaxing on the deck with a good glass of wine and the galaxy above reminds one of the smallness of our existence.  But,  I am glad to be here. 

"0 Regrets" has not disappointed us.  She has performed very well for the older lady she has become. We have not managed to run aground or hit docks with any force to create damage.  We have had our blunders of course but nothing to stop the cruising.  Like RV travel, boating offers the opportunity to make many new friends along the way.  Our Pier 7 group welcomed us with open arms.  We are the smallest boat on the Pier but one of the most famous.  Infamous will come in future months.    As we sale her we plan future cruises to Nashville, TN. and maybe Chattanooga, TN. along the Tennessee River.  Later, maybe next fall, a trip south for the winter with docking in some Florida port.   I have witnessed so many boats visiting Green Turtle Bay Marina this fall only to leave in the AM for ports in Florida, Key West and Bahamas.  Envy is the right expression as I waved to the departing boats.  We must be a part of this cruise in fall of 2012. 

Part of our boating experience has been our new dock mates.  PR, Harold, Linda, Kathy and Dick have welcomed and helped us along the way.  I find myself buying adult beverages in payment for help rendered.  One of the first events was the retrieval of our retriever.  Yes, Bailey fell into the lake and was swimming playfully around the docks.  PR fired up his Dingy and we made like the Navy Seals completing a water rescue.  Seems Ms. Bailey got too inquisitive and just let her ample but overload the balance and plunged to the depts.  This has occurred twice in the short time aboard the boat.  While she does swim well, here ability to climb the dock is lacking.  I am certain further adventures will be spilled on these pages in coming months. Standby.

The Commonwealth Yacht Club has welcomed us.  Yep, a yacht club.  Can you imagine.  The yachts vary from 20 ft sailboats to the 90+ ft. houseboats.  Everyone is welcome. Just bring you own adult beverage as the community is "dry".  The food is wonderful with a young chef offering new specials each weekend.  Not to be over looked, the monthy celebrations offer a good reason for a party.  The bar patrons do remind me of the Star Wars Bar scene as Luke Skywalker makes his way in this alien crowd.  Our crowd is not alien just a wide mix of real characters.  I fit right in. 

Our most recent major event, after purchasing the Phaeton and "0 Regrets" is a strong urge and consideration of moving to the lake area.  After spending considerable time at the Canal Campground and Grand Rivers area we have rekindled our love of the lakes and water life.   Therefore, we are earnestly viewing housing options in the area in anticipation of a major move.  We hope to relocate in 2012 calling Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake our home base.  This would require some commuting for work but not a great distance.  The new location would give use quick access to "0 Regrets" and our Phaeton.  I-24 intersects the area permitting rapid travel in any direction.  Both major lake offer hundreds of miles of cruising waters with good access to the Gulf of Mexico and beyond.  This just may be the year for another chapter in our life of  0 Regrets!

We hope to see you along the road or sailing into the sunset.

Barry, Denise, Bailey and Bella