May 30, 2021

Tortuga Tour Day 41: Family and celebration

Tortuga Tour Day 41: Family and celebration

5/30/21

There is no boat destination today.  This morning after pancakes for six, we will do some chores.  The remainder of the day will be family time.  I will share some highlights/excursions briefly.

Today is the Admiral’s birthday.  I mixed up the promised pancakes, but the Captain cooked them, and Adriane set the table.  They were the best ever (I got to eat the first off the griddle!).  The family presented me with a beautiful yellow rose, a large bag of my favorite brand of potato chips, a crossword puzzle book, a cookbook for two with scrumptious recipes, a gift card, and a beautiful and very meaningful birthday card.  Last night I was treated to a birthday dinner ending with a rendition of “Happy Birthday”.  This morning they sang “Happy Birthday” again.  I was overwhelmed!

family and celebration

Morning chores:

  • Grocery Shopping – women
  • Boat washing – men
  • Lunch – fix your own if you are hungry.
  • Put away the groceries – teamwork got it done.

Afternoon entertainment:

  • Run for Matthew.
  • Sombrero Beach for the rest to try snorkeling – It was too crowded, too hot, too much seaweed on the beach near and in the water, and the water too roiled.  Miriam and Phoebe did swim for a short time, but all in all it was unsatisfying.
Part of Sombrero Beach
The other half.  There were also lots of folks picnicking behind the dunes.  The pictures don’t give a clear sense of how many people were there.  Memorial Day Weekend!  We should have known!
…and it was hot.
  • Stop at a thrift store to buy extra set of flippers.
  • Use the marina pool – very satisfying.
  • Quick Showers
  • Dinner at Seven Mile Grill – homier and more delicious for less money
Must be dinner time
Waiting for our dinner at Seven Mile Grill
The fish didn’t join us for dinner
“But why is the rum gone?” Captain Jack Sparrow
  • Key Lime Pie for six, (great substitute for birthday cake) and “Happy Birthday” one more time!
  • Celebrated Father’s Day.  Matthew and Adriane gave Fred a bottle of rum from the Hemmingway Rum Distillery.  We emptied his other bottle of rum with our “tea” times.  They also provided a six pack of tonic.  He opened the bottle and gave everyone a taste.  Phoebe was definitely not impressed.  Miriam’s reaction was so-so.
Long day needs a short nap
The Captain happily shared his gift of a new bottle of rum for a toast
She did not like it!
We didn’t take a ride on the Tiki-Bar-Boat…
We sat on the flybridge, instead.

We went to bed early.  Adriane and Matthew had to drive the next day all the way to Atlanta and planned an early start.  It was the best birthday ever!