Some time around 6 p.m. I managed to pull myself together and head out to begin my long list of errands. It was still too hot to consider riding a bike so I opted to walk and bring my little pull cart. Thankfully it was only a few blocks to the Piggly Wiggly. They are definitely proud of their food in the Pig Wig as I spent almost twice as much for the same amount of food as I had the week before. I learned that rather than using a shopping cart - it's better if I just put things in my little pull cart - that way I don't buy more than I can carry in one trip.
I ended up making a couple of trips to the store and by the time I had it all stowed away and finished laundry it was 11 p.m. It was way too hot to even consider sleeping inside the cabin - even with multiple fans. I decided to sleep in the cockpit although I was a little worried about it from a safety perspective. Just as I was about to settle in - my neighbor from a charter fishing boat came by to visit. He sat down on the dock and began to talk. I guess he must have been pretty lonely because he talked my ear off for about an hour. He had lots of interesting stories about fishing in the Gulf - his 17 grandchildren, and his farm in Alabama. Sounded like he was very homesick. Finally around midnight I found a polite way to say I really needed to go to sleep - and he left.
The wind was howling all night, the marina lights were bright, and it was hot. I managed to get about 5 hours of fitful sleep in the cockpit before getting up to resume my errands. It was finally cool enough to work in the cabin. I did that and filled the water tank, jerry jugs and washed the boat - all this before 6 a.m. My neighbor - Paul, had a left a little gift for me on the dock - a fillet knife - with a very kind note.
I headed back to the Pig Wig and the fishing store and was there by 6:15 a.m. I asked the folks in the fishing store to recommend some kind of lure that would not attract sharks. They just laughed - and said "good luck". This is just the shark time of year - when the water gets hot and they will go for anything. I ended up replacing my spanish mackeral lure and also bought a little tool for removing the hook from the fish - without touching it.
We'll see out that little $15 beauty works :-)
As soon as I got back to the boat I had a few calls and then fired up the engine and motored back to the anchorage! Was I ever glad to be out of that place. The wind was really blowing when I arrived and it was so much cooler. I spent the rest of the day working in a cool breeze. Then it was time for another snorkel lesson - which was well timed as just as I quit work the breeze died. It was too hot for anything but getting in the water. DJ showed me how to hold on to the anchor line while practicing diving with my snorkel gear. We then spent about an hour having fun snorkeling. I practiced diving and am getting a little better - although I still have a long way to go. I saw a few star fish and a sea urchin.
After a quick shower I cooked a nice feast - rib eye steaks, sweet potatoes, broccoli, sauted mushrooms and topped it all off with strawberry shortcake. Just as we were finishing the strawberry shortcake a storm blew in. Although really windy - not much in the way of rain. It cooled things down a bit and it was great to have a good nights sleep.
I am hopeful that I bought enough things that I won't need to go back to town for a very long time! It is so much nicer to be at an anchorage that a hot, hot marina - and the price is right too :-)