Thursday, March 17, 2013 – Cocoa:

            We woke up at 7:30 a.m., and it was still dark outside.  That is the part of daylight saving time that I don’t like.  You get used to waking up to a bright morning, and then all of a sudden it is dark again.  It takes me awhile to readjust while the sun is adjusting too!  We were awake, so we got up anyway.  I made breakfast, and we took our coffee up on the fly bridge and planned the rest of the day.  This was not a difficult endeavor!  Basically, the most important items on our “to do” list is to go grocery shopping and take a shower!

            First we did some mundane chores around the boat, then Bob got out the bikes (ouch) and off we went.  We really don’t need much at all as we are trying to empty the refrigerator and freezer before we fly home.  But we needed some things like paper towels and propane for the little grill, and eggs and cookies.  It’s amazing, however, that when you actually get inside the store with a rather small grocery list, you seem to come out with ten times what you went in for!  I thought it might be a challenge getting the propane canisters and paper towels stored on the bike for the trip back to the boat, but we managed to stuff everything in Bob’s basket, but the paper towels, which went on the back of my bike fastened with bungee cords, and the only thing we smashed was the container of watermelon, which we promptly ate when we got back.

            I swear I think I am becoming numb to the bike seat or I have permanently damaged the nerves in my derriere, because I survived the trip to the store without as much grimacing as I usually do.  However, it is embarrassing to ride around here.  First off, I don’t have any cool bike duds or shoes, I don’t have a helmet, although I know I should have one (and wear it!), I have a bizarre looking folding bike, and I am a very slow bike peddler who probably always looks like I am on the verge of teetering off the road and crashing.   So it is very embarrassing to be riding along and have the “real” bike riders pass you at mach speed with their cool technicolor bike duds, their aerodynamically shaped helmets, and zippy little bike shoes, as they holler “left,” or “right” as they whiz past you.  Oh well…

We decided to take a break, play cards and have lunch when we got back, and while we were finishing up, a nice couple that has another Grand Banks in the marina came by to say hello.  We invited them up to the fly bridge, and we chatted for quite some time, and then invited them over for drinks tomorrow evening.  They have a 49’ GB, but they just bought the boat and are having some issues with it, but they are pretty experienced people, and I’m sure they’ll work everything out.

            After that Bob had to put the bikes back on the boat, and while he was doing that another neighbor came by to chat, and we made arrangements with them to come over next week for drinks and h’or d’oeuvres.  So our social calendar is getting a workout. 

            Well, that’s about it for Cocoa today!  I don’t think I can take too much more excitement (did I forget my mantra – “boring is good?”).  Tomorrow will consist of washing clothes, cleaning the boat, and maybe we will have to walk to the Amish market for some h’or d’oeuvres.  Phew!

            By the way – Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Yep - still here and in her slip!