I have to admit—I was never really drawn to still-life paintings. But that all changed when I saw Van Gogh’s Sunflowers. Something about those bright, joyful blooms bursting off the canvas completely changed my perspective. I was smitten.
Sunflower on a lovely summer day at a friend's farm in TN
Van Gogh's artwork on a house in Mount Dora, Florida
That same vibrant energy came to life at the St. Pete Saturday Morning Market. The sunflowers there were so cheerful and radiant, it was impossible to walk by without smiling — or wanting to take a bunch home.
Saturday Morning Market
Feeling inspired, I decided to try growing my own sunflowers. I picked up a pack of Mammoth Russian seeds from the Dollar Store and planted a few in a large tub. A few weeks later, I was thrilled to see little seedlings pushing through the soil. When they finally bloomed, I was amazed - these sunny giants were absolutely stunning. What a rewarding experience! Sunflowers are not only easy to grow, but truly breathtaking once they reach full height.
One year, I even documented the life cycle of a sunflower by taking a photo every day and turning it into a time-lapse video. At the end of the season, I carefully cut off the flower head and placed it in a paper bag to dry out for seeds. A perfect plan — until my well-meaning hubby unknowingly tossed the whole bag! 😢
This video below shows a butterfly on the sunflower.
From my Florida garden
If you’re ever in the Tampa Bay area, I highly recommend spending time in downtown St. Pete. It's such a charming spot, filled with cozy restaurants, local art galleries, and museums. In fact, the city just had a Free Museum Day two Saturdays ago —and it was a great way to explore without spending a dime.
And don’t miss the Saturday Morning Market, which kicks off its season on October 4! There’s live music, friendly vendors, fresh produce, and that laid-back Florida vibe that makes it such a fun way to start the weekend.
And for all you beach lovers—you’re in luck! The stunning Gulf beaches are just minutes away, offering the perfect setting for sunbathing, shell collecting, a barefoot stroll along the shore, or simply soaking in one of Florida’s breathtaking sunsets.
Have you ever been inspired by art to try something new?
Whether it’s planting flowers, picking up a paintbrush, or just pausing to appreciate the colors around you—I’d love to hear your story in the comments!
Well… sort of. It still feels like summer here in West Central Florida, with daytime temps lingering in the mid-90s °F. Thankfully, the early mornings and evenings have started to cool down, dipping into the low 70s, which feels great.
This past weekend, St. Pete hosted a Free Museum Day, with eight local museums participating. You can check out the full list here.
The Imagine Museum offered free admission for two days instead of just one. We decided to skip the Saturday crowds and visit on Sunday instead—and it turned out to be a lovely day.
The Imagine Museum offers a truly breathtaking collection of contemporary glass art. Featuring works by artists from around the globe, the museum showcases a wide range of styles, techniques, and creative expressions in glass. We were amazed by the artistry and innovation on display — as you can see in the photos below.
Before our visit, the only glass artist we were familiar with was Dale Chihuly. During our time at the museum, we learned a little more about him and his mentor, Lino Tagliapietra — a Venetian glass master whose influence can be seen in the exquisite glass boats that seem to float from the ceiling at the museum's entrance. These delicate, gondola-like forms are a stunning tribute to Venice’s rich glassblowing heritage and set the tone for the incredible experience that awaits inside.
glass boats hanging in the ceiling greet you at the entrance
Japanese glass art
Venetian glass
Chihuly's signature blown glass
Amazing number of Buddha heads
Next time you’re headed to the popular Clearwater Beach, consider making a quick detour to nearby St. Pete for an arts fix — the city is packed with amazing museums, including the Dali Museum and the Florida Holocaust Museum, just to name a couple. If you’re a fan of glass art, you’re in for a treat: the Imagine Museum and the Chihuly Collection are both must-visits. They’re just a few blocks apart, so it’s easy to see both in one trip.
Fun fact: the Chihuly Collection is less than a mile from downtown St. Pete, and you can either walk or hop on the free Looper Trolley to get there.
In May, we set out on a road trip from Chattanooga, TN to New England. Our mission was threefold: reconnect with friends and family in the Boston area, attend a college reunion, and eat—specifically, Chinese food and seafood.
Our first meal was at Mulan in Cambridge—our longtime favorite for Taiwanese food. Big mistake! It was graduation week. Getting there was a crawl through stop-and-go traffic.
Driving through Kendall Square brought back a wave of nostalgia. I used to work there, just a stone’s throw from MIT. But with all the new buildings, biotech offices, and ongoing construction, it’s barely recognizable. Then again, it has been almost twenty-five years. One thing that hasn’t changed is the unpredictable New England weather. This spring was unseasonably cold—classic Boston. Still, the chill didn’t faze the college kids. Bundled up, they were out on the Charles River, tacking sailboats that bobbed in the wind-chopped water.
I didn’t think to take photos of the traffic mayhem, but I did snap a couple shots of the delicious food at Mulan.
Stir fry beef with hot peppers, our favorite dish at Mulan
Eggplant with basil
We enjoyed a leisurely walk around Boston one sunny day.
Public Garden, location of the 1970 movie "Love Story"
Swan boat in the Public Garden
Old South Church on Boylston St, Copley Square
Boston Marathon finish line, where the 2013 bombing occurred.
We spent a few days in York, Maine, devouring seafood: lobsters, steamers, and spiny crab. Everything was fresh and sweet —a feast we’re still thinking about.
our first time, and we were not impressed
Steamers, one of our favorite seafood
Reunion week was filled with laughter, long-overdue catch-ups, and wandering around campus and Boston. It’s always a little surreal to see how much — and how little — everyone has changed over the years.
Our favorite spot for dim sum and seafood dinners is Ming's Seafood in Malden, Massachusetts. It’s about a 40-minute drive north of Boston, a convenient stop if you're heading to or from Maine.
Good hand cut noodles at Kung Fu Kitchen, Coolidge Corner, Brookline
One of the things we really miss in Florida is good Chinese food. We haven’t found a place in the Tampa Bay area that we’d go back to again and again. So while we were in New England, we made it a point to eat as much of it as possible.
Here are some other restaurants we sampled on this trip:
Noah’s Kitchen in Brookline Village – if you're into spicy Sichuan food, this place is for you.
South Garden in Quincy – Classic Cantonese dishes. The chicken with garlic was especially good.
Dumpling Xuan in East Cambridge – great soup dumplings and excellent scallion pancakes.
Dynasty in Boston Chinatown - classic Cantonese cuisine and dim sum.
Every place had a wait (especially on the weekend), but totally worth it. If you’re in the Boston area and love Asian food, definitely check these places out. And if you have a favorite spot we should try next time, let us know — we’re always looking for new places to add to our list!
After nearly 25 years of cruising and living aboard our boat, our logbook is pack with memories. Some come rushing back with the sight of boats at anchor or a glowing sunset. In our last post, we shared a few of those treasured experiences. Here’s another that still brings a smile and reminds us just how grateful we are for this life afloat.
Manatees and Sunsets at Marathon Key, Florida
One February, we docked at Marathon Marina, just before the iconic Seven
Mile Bridge. While it doesn't have the buzz of Key West, Marathon has its own quiet charm
— great restaurants, reliable boatyards, and a friendly, laid-back cruising
community. Many cruisers stop here, waiting for a good weather window to cross
to the Bahamas or Central America. It's also an easy hop to Key West and nearby
islands.
During our stay, we tackled a few boat projects: added a second anchor and installed a Weaver davit system for the dinghy. But what we remember most from that stop are the sunsets… and the manatees.
Each evening, rain or shine, cruisers gathered on the docks with drinks in hand to watch the sky erupt in brilliant oranges, pinks, and purples. It wasn’t just a sunset — it was a shared ritual that brought everyone together.
And then there were the manatees.
One afternoon, while doing dishes, we felt a gentle bump against the hull. Curious, we stepped outside and spotted a manatee sipping from our sink drain! After that, we’d leave the water running just a bit — and sure enough, they’d return for another drink. Watching these peaceful giants float beside our boat was pure joy.
It’s these small, unexpected moments — the quiet rituals and wild encounters — that make life on the water unforgettable.
Stormy Skies Over Yorktown, Virginia
While docked at Tidewater
Yacht Marina in Portsmouth, we met new sailing friends aboard Kalaha and
cruised together up the York River to historic Yorktown. We anchored near
the bridge and took our dinghies ashore to explore the battlefield.
The day started out sunny and calm—but by afternoon, a
storm was rolling in fast. Waves were already building as we scrambled to relaunch the
dinghy. Battling the wind and chop, we pushed off the beach with all our
strength. We made it back, drenched —along with our brand-new cell phone, which
had been tucked in one of our pockets.
Back aboard, the
wind picked up quickly. Just to be safe, the captain let out all 250 feet of
anchor line. Thanks to that extra scope, we rode out the storm safely and
comfortably. Later, Kalaha radioed to report they had clocked the wind speed at 43
knots (47.3 mph). Wild!
When in doubt, let out more scope.
Mai Thai, anchored near the bridge, rode out the storm safely
Sweet Surprise at Shackleford Banks, Beaufort, N. Carolina
Visiting Cape Lookout had long
been on our boating bucket list—but the weather had other plans. After a
bumpy night at anchor, we decided to skip the lighthouse tour and head back
toward Beaufort in search of calmer waters.
After we cleared the Beaufort Inlet, we started scouting for a safe place
to drop the hook. That’s when we discovered Shackleford Banks—apparently a favorite with
local boaters. Small boats dotted the shoreline, beached in the soft sand. We
found a peaceful spot away from the crowd, dropped anchor, and settled in.
Mai Thai (far back, left) joining in the fun
Gorgeous sunset at Shackleford Banks
The rest of the day was spent people-watching and exploring. As the tide receded, sand patches appeared like little islands. We dinghied over and found several beautiful shells (whelks) — though we chose just one, as a special keepsake to mark our anniversary. The next morning brought an even sweeter
surprise: a group of wild horses strolling along the beach, passing a grounded
boat like it was part of the scenery. We watched in awe from the cockpit,
sipping our coffee.
What began as a detour turned into one of our
favorite boating memories. And sometimes the best moments are the ones you never planned.
Dolphins at Hilton Head, South Carolina
One April, we
stopped at Hilton Head and anchored in peaceful Shelter Cove. Kayakers drifted by throughout the day, and the calm surroundings gave us the perfect few days of rest.
Then one evening, just before sunset, we heard a loud splash.
We rushed outside to see what it was—and to our
delight, a pod of dolphins had arrived. They were swimming close to shore,
herding a school of fish into the shallows. We stood there, completely
mesmerized, watching them stir the water as they worked together to feed.
It felt like a front-row seat to nature’s
private show—no ticket required. Ain’t that nice?
When hurricane season rolled around, we needed a safe harbor to hunker down —and Daytona Beach fit the bill. We ended up staying there for about three months. We rarely ventured outside after dark. That changed one evening when we were invited to a potluck dinner at the marina lounge. As always, these gatherings were a great way to meet new cruising friends and swap tips on places to eat and explore. The evening was full of laughter, stories, and good food. We would run into these cruisers again and again as we navigated up and down the Eastern seaboard.
Potluck at the boaters' lounge
But the real story started after the
potluck. Walking back along the wooden dock in the dark,
we heard something strange: a crunch with every step. We slowed down and
glanced at our feet.
Roaches. Dozens of them. Everywhere. It was, without question, the grossest thing we’ve ever experienced on a dock. We practically tiptoed the rest of the way, trying not to think about it.
Back on the boat, our unease turned into paranoia: Could they climb aboard? We didn't see any. But just as we were settling into bed, I spotted something moving across the floor. I
let out a scream so loud my husband called it a "Memorex moment." The roach froze. I didn’t. I
sent him straight to Walmart—at midnight—for bug spray and a bomb.
The next morning, we took the boat across the
Halifax River, anchored out, set off the bug bomb, dinghied ashore and spent the entire day outside. They had used the dock lines to get aboard, so we treated them with bug spray.
Let’s just say, it’s one cruising memory we’ll never forget—and we will stay away from wooden docks, if we can help it.
Dragging Anchor at Cocoa
Beach, Florida
We have a simple rule when anchoring: once the hook is set, we
stay aboard for at least 30 minutes to make sure it’s holding. It’s a simple precaution we abided by.
But not this day.
After several days on the move, we dropped anchor near Cocoa Beach. As we
went through our usual anchoring routine, we noticed a lot happening on
shore—music, people, a lively, beach-town buzz. It looked too fun to miss… so
we broke our rule.
We left Mai
Thai and went ashore to explore. And it was worth it—Cocoa Beach was charming and full of energy. After a couple of hours, we were ready to go back to the boat.
Cocoa Beach anchorage
When we glanced back at the anchorage, Mai Thai was in a different spot. She’d
dragged, and was dangerously close to other boats. Adrenaline kicked in. We ran, jumped in the dinghy, fired it up and raced
back to the boat. One of us tied off the dinghy, the other climbed aboard, unlocked the door and started the engines. We got the boat moved and reset
anchor just in time.
Lesson learned: never break your anchoring rules. They exist for a reason.
Sailing Zebulon – Newport, R.I. to Solomons, Md
While cruising the Chesapeake Bay the summer of 2001, we got a call from new sailing friends who needed an extra hand moving their 47' Catalina, Zebulon, from Newport, Rhode Island to Solomons, Maryland. We jumped at the chance—Newport is one of our favorite ports, and we had planned to spend the summer there. That’s why Mai Thai carries Newport as her hailing port.
The five-day trip was cold, fast, and unforgettable.
One of the most memorable moments came as we navigated the East River through New York City. We hit the current just right at Hell Gate, and Zebulon surged to 12.4 knots—a record for her. We were the only pleasure boat in sight, the river ahead wide open, and the view of FDR Drive—bumper-to-bumper with cars—felt surreal from the water.
Just before sunset, we reached the city. The Manhattan skyline, aglow in golden light, and the Statue of Liberty silhouetted against the horizon—it was breathtaking. We were busy snapping photos when a small Coast Guard patrol boat appeared, lights flashing.
We’d unknowingly entered a secured harbor—closed to recreational vessels from sunset to sunrise due to post-9/11 restrictions. Thankfully, we were near the Verrazzano Bridge, and after explaining, they allowed us to continue.
It was a powerful reminder that boating brings freedom, beauty, and plenty of surprises.
Exploring the South: Fun, Friends, and Finally Moving On
We spent 18 years tied up just outside Chattanooga, Tennessee—specifically in a rural town called Guild (population: around 500, last we checked). It might seem like an unlikely place to stay so long, and no, it wasn’t because of the marina—which, truth be told, was the worst marina we’ve ever stayed at.
What kept us there was everything around it: the beautiful stretch of the Tennessee River known as Nickajack Lake, the surrounding mountains, and the easy drive to the tri-cities of Atlanta, Chattanooga and Nashville. But most of all, it was the people—the warm, tight-knit community of boaters who made those early years unforgettable.
That first decade was a blast—filled with laughter, potlucks, impromptu dock parties, and a floating neighborhood full of good friends. But like all things, it changed. Over time, many moved on, sold their boats, or relocated to better marinas. Slowly, the community we loved began to fade.
We miss those days and the people who made them special. But we’re incredibly grateful for the memories—and even more glad to finally be outtathere.
Our legendary potluck dinners and parties, thanks to Glenda and Steve
Dockside vows, fishing tales, Fort Pierce, Florida
We spent a couple of months at Fort Pierce City Marina, just a short drive from our friend’s condo. The marina sits near the Fort Pierce Inlet, where strong currents sweep through, bringing with them a variety of marine life... including sharks!
Fishing is a big deal here. Local tournaments are common, and plenty of nearby restaurants will even cook your catch for you. On any given day, you can spot sheepshead and other fish swimming alongside the boat, making it feel like you’re docked in your own private aquarium.
Our neighbor reeled this one.
During our stay, we met all sorts of interesting people—including John Houghtaling, the inventor of Magic Fingers (yes, the famous vibrating motel beds). He was living aboard Magic Fingers, his Bluewater yacht.
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