Ah Dolphinas!

We thought we would take another shot at the Dolphin Video we shot on the way down now that we have a better WiFi link.

They sure do like to have fun in our wake.  It's too bad they have been replaced with Manatees as we went further south.  Not much fun in the Manatee world - they just move as slow as they can and eat as much grass as they can.  However, all creatures great and small as they say.

Manatees Eating - always!!

Attack of the Teens!

Sue and I were very excited to welcome Kyle and Rebecca to Fort Lauderdale this week for a visit during Kyle's Reading Week from Algonquin College.  That would make it a double bonus for Boo as she got to skip a week of school to join - not to worry we made her do homework (at least a little).  We had a few alternate itineraries set out that would take them off the beaten path down the Keys, or to locations with access to more amenities. 

To test the concept we took a long run from Fort Lauderdale, past Miami and on to the Boca Chita Key.  BCK is a picturesque little island State Park that has lovely views and represents a fairly unspoiled view of what a natural key would look like.  While it was picturesque, it was also full of mosquitoes, so after a night and an early morning run and swim - we dropped lines and headed back to Miami, content in the attempt to go the rustic route.

Getting to and from Miami was an interesting challenge each time we got to West Venetian Bridge, where all the boats from the Miami Boat Show were filing out to sea.  The bridge was a natural bottle neck and the big boats would stack up on either side waiting to get through.  On the way back I was hailed by one of the Yachts on the North side - "small motor yacht on the south side - this is the motor yacht Last Chance."  As I was the only yacht on the South side I somewhat peevishly responded and when asked who would like to proceed first I said I would - thank you very much!  Then we came around the corner and saw 7 rather large motor yachts lined up on the other side.  I was a little busy trying the clear the channel and make a hole so we did not get a good shot of all the yachts, but you get the idea.

Both Kyle and Rebecca got to navigate and drive the boat, but Sue was teaching Boo on the way back from Boca Chita and we missed taking a photo - however we did get one of Kyle.

Captain Kyle

Enjoying the view from the Front Deck

Enjoying the view from the Top Deck

 We then got up to the Palm Bay Yacht Club where we found a lovely little marina with:

• A Pool
• Hot Tub
• WIFI
• Electricity (to facilitate watching movies)
• and the holy grail - Starbucks!

We found our home for the rest of the week!  We all enjoyed the facilities and managed a day trip to Miami Beach by bus, bridge, foot and cab - don't ask!



Miami Backdrop



Miami Beach



If You Have to do Homework.......



Butt - What!

Wiped!

Our week was over too quickly!  We really enjoyed spending time with the kids and were sad to see them go - they really have become fine young adults and it was great enjoying our adventure together!



Joan and Andre Stop In

My Aunt Joan and her husband Andre stopped in for a visit on Sunday - we had a lovely day together.  We started out with a quick tour of the boat and then dropped lines.  I don't think I would be exaggerating if I said every boat in FLA was on the water this Sunday - the ICW was jammed with traffic of all kinds.

We did some sight seeing for homes and Yachts, popped over to see the cruise ships and then went to Hollywood to anchor out for a BBQ lunch.

Joan Takes the Wheel Like an Old Salt!

Great Views from the Fore Deck

Once back at the dock we walked around and looked at some of the other yachts and then went out for a very nice meal.  Fantastic!!

Joan and Andre were our first FLA guests and we enjoyed every moment!

The Boats of FLA

So you think my boat is nice, well thank you very much, but allow me to provide you with a little context on the competition.  When money is no object - there are lots to choose from!

My Favourite - Classic!

This is a small cross section of the big yachts, however, there is one boat for every 4 people in FLA so you can be sure if it floats - you can find it here!

Aspire!

The Homes of Florida

I was talking to a guy in a bar one day a few years ago musing about all the very expensive homes in FLA and Fort Lauderdale in particular.  He commented, and I take this as a possible reason - we were in a bar after all, that FLA is a "Homestead State".  Essentially, the point is that if you declare bankruptcy in FLA they can take everything of value save your home.  In essence then, if you are in the pink financially and want to shield yourself from possible future financial problems, buy a big house in FLA for $10-$20M and even if you take a bath you can sell your home later and not worry about starving.

As I said, I don't know how much that factors into everyone's thinking when purchasing a home, but perhaps it goes some ways to explain the homes we see as we headed South.  One other comment, these are all custom homes, big or bigger we have not seen two alike.

To add a little context on price - we saw a small empty lot, about half the size of the houses pictured here for $1.3M.  You can only guess what the rest of these properties are worth!  Oh well - we get to float by and enjoy the same view for a fraction of the price.

FLA Dreaming!!

Back On Line in Fort Lauderdale!

It's been far too long since our last post - sorry there was very poor internet for the last couple of weeks.  however we have been keeping track of our activity and have a few post to share.   However, before I go back I would like to say we are at the Bahia Mar Marina and resort in Fort Lauderdale.  A year ago we were hear looking at boats during the Lauderdale Boat show - today we are back on our own!  It seems odd that only a year has passed - it feels like more, and at the same time less.  None the less, it feels very much like we have achieved the goal and the rest is gravy from here.

the weather is great and we are looking forward to having our Niece and Nephew join us in a couple of days for a week.  we have an itinerary in mind, and will see what they feel like when they get here.  In the mean time I'm doing a little cleaning/waxing and some maintenance on our day head.

Vero Beach - aptly named "Velcro Beach" because once you get there you find it hard to leave.  We spent 8 nights in Vero partly because we enjoyed the location and the town, partly because I was waiting for parts from West Marine and lastly because it was really inexpensive.

Happy Valentines Day!

Pelicans at rest in the Morning

View at Night

On the Ball in Vero

Neat Sky

On our Way!

Anchoring out was a new experience for us in FLA.  We met up with a couple that had a couple of good tips on locations and so we joined them just north of Jupiter, and then again in Lake Bocca Ratan the following night.  The only thing better than a cheap mooring ball is a free anchorage!  Bocca is a fairly ritzy place and we had to walk quite a ways to find a reasonably priced restaurant to enjoy that night.  Even at that, it was a very nice meal.

More catch up posts to come shortly.

Cheers!!

A Day With The Dolphins

Since we crossed over into FLA we have been greeted and kept company with many dolphin sightings.  They generally just swing by for a quick look and then disappear.  However, we have learned that if you want them to stick around you have to push the throttles forward to about 10MPH so we create a wake sufficient to play in!

We discovered this little treat when we were cruising between New Smyrna Beach and Haulover canal - Sue dubbed this lovely canal as Dolphin Alley.

They are fun loving speed demons and if you oblige them they are happy to hang out with you!

These pictures don't do justice to what we saw in real-life.  We got some great video footage, but until we can upload video using existing WiFi these will spur your imagination a little.  We especially liked how there was always one trying to show off just a little more than the others by torpedoing ahead and rolling on the belly and swimming on the backside or side.  I think one of them winked at Sue!  They are truly amazing to watch.  We never tire of the Dolphinas!

St. Augustine and Daytona Beach

Two classic Florida locations if you like history and the beach.  St. Augustine is America's oldest city founded in 1565 with even a few buildings still in place from near that time.  We spent 4 days moored on a ball in the harbour (without WIFI) but did get a chance to see how Reviresco would respond to prolonged usage of her house and inverter batteries.  She passed with flying colours - started right up after all that time without a single grumble and then recharged while under way to Daytona - Thank You - Finally!!

There have been many sights along the way over the last week so we selected a number of them.

Revi on a mooring ball in St. Augustine

St. Augustine Draw Bridge in Action

A Foggy Morning Departure

There was quite a range of real estate along the canals - something for everyone no matter how eclectic your taste.

Too Big You Say - Really!

More Reasonable? 

Too Reasonable?

Perhaps Wacky is More Your Thing

 Daytona Beach had the following to offer.

Bikes Bikes and More Bikes

Point lighthouse

Weather Forecasting - Simplified

Worlds Most Positive Bird - Pelli - can!!!

They can catch the feed in mid air

Self Serve Squirrel!

Clearly has a reputation!

Off to Daytona Beach

Can You Guess Who is Who?

The Classic Daytona Vista