April 25-May 25, 2022 JAX, FL

 The Marina @ Ortega Landing has been our base spring & fall since 2014. We have loved our time here and have made many life long friends. The Marina itself is undergoing some big changes. It has been purchased by a large marine group that owns mostly rack & launches. This purchase has caused some staff changes. Cam who was the manager and Bruce the Dockmaster are gone. Bruce has been our constant since our first visit. He and Bill the Maintenance guy are who have made this Marina the great place it has been. Bill is still hanging in there. 

We were busy for the entire month between getting Day Dreams ready for our summer voyage and seeing all of our friends & family. Three of our good boating friends have moved on land in Jacksonville so we were able to spend time with them. We got our Dentist and Dermatology appointments done, Doug with a new filling and me a new crown. Our Primary Care Physician was injured in a fall so our appointments with him were canceled. We both did get our 2nd COVID Boosters from CVS. Every day was filled with chores and fun. 

We took Day Dreams to Lamb's for fuel but didn't fill up due to the current high price. The most we ever paid for diesel was back in 2014 the day we left Toledo Beach to begin our full time cruising. That day in Monroe MI we paid $4.00/gallon. This time in JAX, FL in 2022 we paid $5.30/gallon. We got 400 gallons-yikes! 

We enjoyed weekly dinner out with Larry & Lena-trying different places each week. We also enjoyed home cooked meals at Larry & Lena's, Steve & Julia's and Bette & Al's. Jill and Glen stopped to visit for lunch poolside one day and then we rode our bikes to Springfield to see them and their daughter Amanda's home which was part of a Home & Garden Tour. We were able to see Wendi and Tadd twice and even Samantha once while she was home from Gainesville.  Karen and David on Cenyth were in town for awhile so we were able to go out to dinner with them a few times.  

Doug changed the oil, replaced some parts and completed preventive maintenance. I cleaned the interior top to bottom. Doug cleaned the anchor cabinet. We hired the waxing of the hull. It already is up in the 90's, glad we will be heading north before too long. We did swim a few times in the Marina pool to cool off. 

It was a bit tough to leave, knowing we wouldn't be back with Day Dreams. Our friends will just have to visit us in St Petersburg during the long winter. Lena and Larry gave us a Good-bye dinner with Julia and Steve. Hugs all around!

And meanwhile, Hudson James Wendt keeps growing and becoming more and more

adorable!