Our Maiden voyage

Finally, FINALLY got to go out on a little ride on our boat!  We had the seller take us out so we could learn all the controls.  Jim had owned little center console boats before but this one was a little different and had an inboard which he had never used in previous boats, and he was nervous about it. I get it. We are old and like the saying goes, "can't teach an old dog new tricks".  If I had to ride a horse or drive a stick shift again I would be scared to bits, and they are both things I was proficient at.  But like another saying goes, "use it or lose it".  With lack of use goes any confidence or bravery you used to possess. And it does take a little while to get that back.

When the seller was sliding the boat into the water he told me that "Boston Whalers" are unsinkable!  ARGHHHH!!!  😟 OMG,  you didn't just say that did you?  That's what they said about the Titanic!!  He laughed.

Speaking of which he told us that we didn't need to buy any life jackets as it came with some. Okay, sounded good to me, till I saw them. EWWWW!!😒  They were filthy, ripped and so old looking I thought maybe they were left over from the Titanic!  Seriously I would rather risk drowning than wear that gross thing. So Tara and I went out and bought shiny new ones for us girls. The guys thought that was a waste of money, so if the guys want to wear the life rags let them.

Our first voyage was on the Weeki Wachee river an Indian name for Winding Waters.  It was like stepping back in time.  The woods were so thick and the oak canopies were looming over head, I half expected a dinosaur to come loping out of the woods!!

wild Florida 

We went over the very deep spring hole named hospital hole, which is said to have healing waters and the mama manatees like to hang out there. We even saw one.  The manatees were thought to be mermaids by ancient sailors. They are "cute" but jeez, exactly how long would a person have to be out to sea before they thought this creature was a beautiful mermaid?  I think there may have been a little delirium going on.

the mermaid model

We got our Florida boat numbers the other day and that with the life jackets and a new anchor are already for more adventures!  Hopefully we will get lots of use and fun out of it.  Florida isn't the boating capital of the country for nothing!