January 8, Day 197 – In Clearwater

This morning the temperature was still quite warm (50’s), but the sky was dark with threatening clouds. After a breakfast at the marina café, Gerry started his task of installing seats. If there is anything we don’t like about our Monk 36, we would have to say it’s the bench seats on the flybridge. They are quite uncomfortable, especially after several hours of sitting in them. Gerry has been thinking about replacing the bench seats with more cushy chairs for the past couple of years. We bought the chairs and associated hardware a couple of days ago with a plan to install them on the next “rainy” day. If we decide we don’t like them, we can always take them off and go back to the cushions on the wood benches. Gerry started that project while Linda loaded up the laundry and headed for the laundromat. By the time she returned he was finished – well for now anyway. Both of them are currently installed at the same height, but Linda doesn’t think she wants hers that high. We’ll try them for awhile and see how we both like them. It could be a work in progress.

We spent the rest of the day doing a few odds and ends and then went out to dinner at the Island Way Grill. We had received a gift certificate from our friends, Steve and Karen, and have been looking forward to using it. We both had incredible meals which included appetizer, salad, entrée and a shared dessert. We were both stuffed. The restaurant is very popular and the place was packed by the time we left. It was a very nice evening. Thank you very much Steve and Karen !!

We woke up this morning to a nice sunrise, but shortly after this picture was taken, the skies were full of dark storm clouds.

This is the Captain's new seat -- plus he put one of our little tables beside him to hold "stuff", but it's probably not too secure in rough seas.

... and this is the Admiral's seat. The post may need to be shortened, but she'll try it out for now.

Here we are at dinner with a shot of our appetizers: wok fried calamari and seared tuna. Both were yummy.

And here's a shot of us with the main course. Our waiter was very attentive and entertaining, the restaurant was very nice and the food was outstanding (as was the wine). A great night out.