On Mon, 18 Apr 2005 10:35:21 GMT, Short Wave Sportfishing
wrote:

That last part read like a Tom Clancy novel. :)

===================

Thanks (I think). One of the highlights of the trip home on Sunday
afternoon was spotting a green object floating in the Gulf of Mexico
about two miles south west of Sanibel Island. Every once in a while
the wind would get under it and flip it over a few times as it sped
downwind into open water. We altered course to investigate, thinking
it could possibly be an overturned boat or kayak. When we got closer
it turned out to be a floating pool toy, an eight foot inflatable
plastic alligator to be precise. We immediately rescued the gator,
saving him from near certain immigration difficulties at the Cuban or
Mexican border within a few days.

The gator will be named in due time and officially adopted as ship's
mascot. Meanwhile he's resting comfortably in the pool outside my
office as a reminder of a windy, fun day on the Gulf.