Monday, May 27, 2013

The" Return of the Tarpon"....

When Hurricane Charlie hit, he took our roof and left one of Brian's most prized possessions open to the weather....his Tarpon.  He caught it, by himself...no guide or direction.  However, we were sharking!  One of the F&B guys had caught a shark the night before, just past the red blinking marker next to the entrance to the Useppa Marina.  And, we were ready!  We had a gun...a bat....a five gallon bucket of rotten, frozen/refrozen bait, a jug of scotch and a cooler full of ice.

Brian had just started chumming with his oh-so-rotten chum when his rod was hit hard.  Shark!!  Nope...Tarpon!!  Exciting!!  There we were....anchored...by a marker...with our engines up.  Every time he had to take the rod under the engines, we were sure HE was going to be eaten by a shark...and he almost went swimming when he had to take the rod under the anchor line.

The Tarpon fought,...jumping man times.  It was a full moon and the term Silver King was clearly demonstrated.  With much hooting and hollering, Brian brought the fish to the side of the boat for me to measure....6 feet with eyes the size of saucers.  We let him go quickly.  With the measurements, I was able to have a replicate made which I gave to Brian for Christmas.

With the effects of Charlie, Brian wanted to preserve the fish, which had just had an after-death experience with salt water, sand and sea weed.  We took the Tarpon down to the Tarpon Bar and...you guessed it, hung him over the Bar for safe keeping.  It took three years to finish our house and, ever since, we have said we'd bring him home....and every time we got home after Happy Hour, we realized, again, that we should.

So....last week, we did it, with Evelyn's help.



On the way home, we stopped by the Collier Inn to share our newly recovered Fish Story...and Michael Albert gave it a very special welcome back greeting....
We then headed a procession to return it to it's original spot and together with a few friends, toasted it's return.

Anything for a party!!

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Back and Forth to Boca Grande and Sarasota.....and back and forth....

Things are picking up for us, despite our ever-so-slow start.  We've been visiting other MSC offices and as a result, are entertaining other Agents and Brokers....3 down, four more tomorrow with seven in the scheduling process.  It is FUN to look at Useppa through other's eyes.  The Island is absolutely gorgeous.



The weather has been absolutely fantastic...low 70s in the evening...constant breezes.  We've had more rain than over the winter but still need more.  Rainy season June 1st.  Bring it on!!  If bored....check out our web page  www.UseppaIslandHome.com....and you will see several of your neighbors.  Be sure to watch all videos!
Yikes!!  It's been 10 days!!

Lots happening!!  All in spite of the ongoing departures.  We "conched" the Lockharts and Sheldons off this past Wednesday...sad to see them go.  The Newbolds are out next....leaving the Shooks and Us!  Spooky, at night!









The Ligibels bequeathed us their Conch (Thank you, again, if you are looking) but Brian is the only one with enough hot air to get much out of it.  We take our "Conching Off" seriously but have been on and off the Island and missed some.  So....you guys, don't be surprised if you get something via email.


Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Just another Tuesday might.....NOT on the beach!

Not much today but work, work, work!  We have a chance at listing what  could be said to be one of the most desirable houses on Useppa...but we had to do a very formal presentation.  Interesting....in that I have done hundreds, if not thousands, of "formal presentations".  So, never let it be said that I follow a format!!
Except....this time.  We had the morning, of which we consumed every minute in preparation.  Neither of us are "computer smart"...meaning the ability to put together sexy looking documents...and both of us have had "help" on that end.  Suffice it to say that it looked pretty good, at the end....the air around us was darker than sky blue and we hope everything went...and stayed, as packaged.  One thing was for sure....we put plenty of  "Beef" on the table.  Michael Saunders & Company has so many programs to help us be as successful as possible, it is hard to make sure you are using the best.

On the fun side, we finally got the picture of "Kim's Catch" ...the 200-pounder we've been hearing so much about.  SEEING IS BELIEVING.  The story is, 204 lb, 72", 53" girth.  WOW!!!!  THE SILVER KING! 


Congrats, Kim.  And, so sad you guys are taking off on Tuesday.  You and your stories will be sorely missed, not to mention your laugh!!

Mother's Day Brunch Bunch!!

It was Mother's Day and a good time was had by all.  There were 12 of us for Brunch....not many more left on island and soon to be diminished by another four friends departing.  The food was great, the laughs were many and hearty and, as always, there were "the clowns". First, Bill Newbold, the last of the big gamblers, was oh-so-proud of winning a big bet....his actions quite in context with his nickname at his prior law firm.......

                      DOLLAR "BILL"  

 And then, Kim could not stop talking about his fight that brought his first Tarpon to the boat.... but, strangely, the fish did not grow with his stories....still 200 lbs.  We all know Kim's an honest guy!

Having been to lunch at CIYC the week before, Kim proudly wore his Captiva Island Yacht Club shirt...though did not bring the papers to join, that he'd picked up, previously.  Maybe next year.

Not many adhered to their diets, proclaiming "It's MOTHER'S DAY"....we're supposed to celebrate!  Bloody Marys and Mimosas were the first of the celebrations  .Second trips to the buffet for sunny side up eggs on thick slices of tenderloin were made by many...so no one could really throw stones  WOW!!!  "WHATTA"  MEAL!!!  Then....dessert....  Brian said the boat carried about 60 pounds more, going home than coming...divided by 12 equals about 5 lbs each.  Sounds reasonable....  What do you think??

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Useppa's Leftovers

Last night was Happy Hour at the Collier Bar.  What a crowd...24 Useppa resident "left-overs" and 20-some boating members and  guests.  And, we thought the Season was over!!!  Everyone was talking about Bob Stevens' new boat, a 46' Alden, jam up with everything to make the Skipper's life easier and safer and the First Mate's Galley-time, first rate.  Those who had the pleasure said it was beee-oooo-tiiii-ful!!  Nothing like a new boat to lift the spirits...though we did hear that the term "fill 'er up" has taken on new meaning for Bob.  Best of Luck, Bob!!  We all want a ride...


Saturday, May 11, 2013

Useppa's Tarpon Hunter!!!!

It's Tarpon Season and our friend and neighbor on Useppa, Kim, caught what his guide said was a 200 pound Tarpon...in the flats...which makes him a "Tarpon Hunter!!"  He also hooked into a couple of sharks, one of which he brought INTO THE BOAT (?!?!?!?) as well as some other miscellaneous fish.  He texted a picture of the Tarpon but I think his smile was Bigger

Tuesday's trip then Tuesday Night on the Beach

Today was a big day...our first "Road Show" stop to sell Paradise.  We visited the St Armand's Circle Michael Saunders office in Sarasota, today...55 agents.  It was a great experience...really high energy group. A fun group!  They were very receptive. We are offering a "Night on Useppa"' staying either in our Duplex or one of our Listing's....so they can experience Useppa, first hand.  We had three takers, off the top, and lots of interest and questions.  We shall see.  If you are interested in our listings, check out www.UseppaIslandHome.com.

Tuesday Night on the Beach...a tailgate party, is usually on the beach. Several of our friends and neighbors left this week with more to depart within days.  We issued an invitation for the "left overs" ...those  still on our sandbar, Useppa Island, at about 4:00, to move the party to our back deck. We were pleasantly surprised when two dozen showed up along with some new-comers dragged in from the marina. Lots of food...lots of laughs.  GREAT sunset!  We will be down to single-digit attendance, next week....more people leaving.  Sad......

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Another year!!

It is our 27th anniversary....AND...a new lifestyle.  Brian and I are now real estate agents on Useppa Island...selling PARADISE!!