Monday, March 28, 2011

80° 06.764’ W

26° 03.393’ N

The Dania Beach Marina

Dania Beach, Florida

Today to keep amused we did many different activities, including eating!

Huen now owns the 46 foot Maxum. He has hired two lady specialists to get it in condition. One is a certified diesel mechanic that should finish up in a week and the other will be his first mate as she is now his hired crew. He’s planning to join us on our trip to the Bahamas early in May.

Ken picked up his newly modified dinghy that will keep BOB his 170 pound dog from falling overboard. As big and agile as he is - he doesn’t swim! Barb drove Ken’s truck to the marina and boat launch before Ken, Carl and I launched it and drove it to back to Ken’s boat.

Barb and I contracted to have the new canvas shade made and installed. I am sure we will enjoy having the aft cockpit in the shade which will keep the whole boat cooler! With luck it will be done in a week or two!

Ricki made meatball sandwiches for lunch which was enough food to last the rest of the day. That lady sure can cook! There is a joke about being a looper ---- on completion of the loop you join Weight Watchers and AA!

Late in the afternoon, the weather turned to rain and lighting as it rained the rest of the day and through the night! I’m sure we had multiple inches of rain during the night.

Every one stayed in their boat during the storm, unless checking lines, adjusting fenders or bailing water from their dinghies.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

80° 06.764’ W

26° 03.393’ N

The Dania Beach Marina

Dania Beach, Florida

The biscuits and gravy cook off was worth attending! The air was heavy with excitement as the chefs served up their special secret family recipes! Not one word of trash talk was spoken by the contestants as every one was busy enjoying the breakfast! One recipe was made with butter and the other was made with half and half. Other than texture the taste was identical and delicious! For our second serving we blended the two together and enjoyed it again! I take my hat off to Ricki and Ken both winners in my book!

After breakfast Huen had a cooking class for Barb and Ricki on how to make the crab stew! His crab stew is the one that I like so much. Some people call it stew, soup or bisque I call it delicious! The girls wrote down the recipe and instructions on how to prepare it. Until now it was a hand full of this and a cup of that season to taste plus six shakes of hot sauce!

Dinner was another treat! The crab bisque was served along with Huen’s platter of fried shrimp and blackened salmon. For a side dish he prepared spicy unpeeled cold shrimp. Some where in his past he must have been a chef for he sure can cook!

Tomorrow I have a canvas shop coming to give an estimate for a piece of canvas that will shade the back of the boat. When the boat is not moving and the sun is shinning on the back of the boat it’s almost impossible to lower the temperature inside without the AC on and working hard.

The 90 degree temperature today tied a record high! Florida is experiencing a hard drought and a good bit of rain would be appreciated by the locals. Tomorrow should be a repeat high of 90 degrees not helping the situation.

Thursday, Friday & Saturday, March 24, 25 & 26, 2011

80° 06.764’ W

26° 03.393’ N

The Dania Beach Marina

Dania Beach, Florida

Not much to report from Florida! The weather continues to be flawless. We have fallen into a routine of walking on the beach reading a book or two, enjoying happy hour and possibly watching a movie before turning in. Sleeping on the boat doesn’t get any better, with gentle ocean breezes and the boat rocking from side to side

Ken, Ricki & Carl, Barb and me drove to the boat show in Palm Beach. I have never seen so many $1,000,000. plus yachts in one place. There was plenty of eye candy to lure one into a boat that was for sale. One yacht had a sign that you could lease it for $1,000,000 a week plus expenses! There were smaller boats there ----- but they were off to the side of the harbor. We took some time while there to check on the Bahamas Islands at their tourism booth.



Huen and his dog "DOC"



I finally installed a transducer cable that took several hours to install from the engine compartment to the fly bridge. Its amazing how much of the boat had to be disassembled to get that one wire from point A to point B. I still have a few hours left to complete the project but that should not be too difficult.



Huen invited Ricki & Carl, Barb and me for a three hour cruise to see the Miami sky line from the ocean side. It’s very similar to the Chicago sky line less the Sears, Standard Oil and Hancock buildings.



Fort Lauderdale beach



Ricki and Ken are going to have a cook off tomorrow at 10am to determine who can make the best biscuits and gravy! As a judge I can say here and now every one will win especially me!



Huen, has made a counter offer for the 46 foot boat now in our harbor. He and the current owners have a few loose strings to tie up before the boat will transfer to him! The day that happens there will be a party!



Cruise ships leaving port





Other than that all is well as we continue to enjoy Florida at its best. We plan to spend another month here with a side trip home for two weeks. May 1^st is looking like our time frame to go to the Bahamas! At last count there were five boats planning to cross together.

Tuesday & Wednesday, March 22 & 23, 2011

80° 06.764’ W

26° 03.393’ N

The Dania Beach Marina

Dania Beach, Florida

The weather continues to be perfect which is a perfect umbrella to execute our routine of walking on the beach sitting on the dock swapping stories and possibly having a beer when it gets to happy hour!



Huen's new boat



Carl and I drove to West Marine to stock up on boat supplies then found a liquor store to restock.

On the morning of the 23^rd we drove our boat to a different marina for a pump out and mini cruise before returning to Dania Beach Marina. As long as we stay here we will repeat this process every 7 to 10 days.



On the way back from the pump out





Tuesday we ate at an Italian restaurant that we will probably return to.



Wednesday we had another dock party with hotdogs, beans, potato salad and all the trimmings for everyone to enjoy.

Other than that all is well --- as we enjoy Florida at its best.

Monday, March 21, 2011

80° 06.764’ W

26° 03.393’ N

The Dania Beach Marina

Dania Beach, Florida

Today felt like everyone is shifting gears. Diane, Ken’s wife flew home to tie up loose ends with her job before returning to the boat as a retired person in five weeks!

Huen has started a process to purchase a different boat! He is getting ready to have the 46 foot boat surveyed Wednesday so there’s lots of activity at the end of our dock.

The remaining people were cleaning or working on their boats most of the day.

Happy hour was held on the dock from 5 to 6 before we drove to a local restaurant for a light dinner. A great way to close out another perfect day in paradise!

Sunday, March 20, 2011

80° 06.764’ W

26° 03.393’ N

The Dania Beach Marina

Dania Beach, Florida



Roy carving the turkey



The weather continues to be flawless! Temperatures are in the low 80s with breezes coming from the ocean. The evenings cool down to the mid 60s, which makes sleeping as good as it can get.

 
Patty & Paul from Canada deep fried a twenty pound turkey for the boaters at the marina. Every boat attending the dinner brought a side dish that turned a dock party into a feast.



"BOB" Ken's dog checking things out!



30 second video of sunrise March 19, 2011

Saturday, March 19, 2011

80° 06.764’ W

26° 03.393’ N

The Dania Beach Marina

Dania Beach, Florida



Sunrise



Going to lunch



We were up early to watch the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean.  Later in the morning a flotilla of six dinghies cruised down the Intracoastal Waterway to Fort Lauderdale to Southport Raw & Restaurant for lunch. The ride was an hour each way past mangrove lined banks into one of the busiest ports filled with cruise and container ships.



Dingy dock


 

The gang at lunch

The restaurant has a dinghy dock that we filled to its capacity. As usual the food was good and the company even better.



Returning from lunch



 

One of many yachts along the way



On return to the marina our motor sputtered to a stop probably bad gas! Once the motor was restarted we limped into port to see our companions getting ready to enter the waterway to rescue us. They were not sure if we were in trouble or enjoying the scenery.



Watching the pot boil!



Later in the day we enjoyed the shrimp boil. This is a first for me and it was fantastic! 

 

Supermoon rise



We all walked to the beach to join a very large crowd of people to watch the moon rise. The moon was at its closest distance to the earth in 18 years. With clear skies and nothing to obscure our view except the ocean a huge orange moon popped over the horizon for all to see in all of its glory!



Tomorrow a Canadian boat will deep fry a turkey for the dock. 



Friday, March 18, 2011

80° 06.764’ W

26° 03.393’ N

The Dania Beach Marina

Dania Beach, Florida

Barb and I are enjoying another perfect weather day in south Florida with clear skies and temperatures in the low 80s. The tides are extremely high due to the full moon. We are now using a three step ladder to access the boat and it’s still difficult to climb over the rail!

There are seven looper boats in the marina that are enjoying each others company plus other boats in the marina that have joined in the fun which makes the time fly.

Huen is a single gentleman two boats away from ours, cooked dinner for the dock tonight. He prepared blue crab soup which was the best seafood soup I have ever tasted! Tomorrow he is planning a shrimp boil! He will furnish the shrimp and the rest of us will furnish the corn on the cob, carrots, onions, potatoes and polish sausage! I was told it all goes into the same pot before it’s done! It’s the seasoning that makes it work and he has that also.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

80° 06.764’ W

26° 03.393’ N

The Dania Beach Marina

Dania Beach, Florida

HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY!!

Today was a full and fun day. First we went to a marine flee market advertised as the biggest in the country. We didn’t need anything so we just looked around for a few hours.

Our canvas was finished so after the flee market Ken, Carl and I drove over to the shop and picked it up. It’s back on the boat and looking good.

The fiberglass man finished his work on our gel coat, so that’s looking good also.

By dinner time there was lots of corn beef and cabbage prepared and every one in the marina shared in the celebration - another great meal with excellent food, drink and company!

Jim & Brenda, Carlton & Becky arrived in time to join in the fun. Jim touched the bottom on his approach to his slip. He said he will need a diver to check his props!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

80° 06.764’ W

26° 03.393’ N

The Dania Beach Marina

Dania Beach, Florida

I’m having a little fiberglass work done where I removed an antenna some time ago. If all goes as planned the project will be completed tomorrow. I’m still waiting for a call on the canvas repair.

Ken’s wife Diane arrived this evening which lead to a welcome back to the boat party! Diane has decided to officially retire and join the fleet.

I heard a roomer that two looper boats are coming into the harbor tomorrow! The unofficial word is its Dream Catcher (Brenda & Jim) and Seamoore (Becky & Carlton)! Considering everyone that’s here I think Bade Boomer (Chris & Bruce) should return from the Bahamas and join the party then cross over again when we all plan to go in May!

Hey little brother --- are you getting the message!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

80° 06.764’ W

26° 03.393’ N

The Dania Beach Marina

Dania Beach, Florida

The boat is now sitting in its slip without any canvas on it. It looks naked with the stainless frame showing. With luck we will get the repaired canvas back before the weekend. If bad weather is predicted we will cover the fly bridge with our winter storage cover now packed away in the forward hold.

We have decided to stay here for the next couple months. There is a major cost saving when you rent marina space by the month. I am not sure if we will stay for the whole time but will stay until we return from our trip home. Today Barb purchased tickets for us to fly home on April 14, so we will be home for Easter, returning to the Florida on the 29th.

Monday, March 14, 2011

80° 06.764’ W

26° 03.393’ N

The Dania Beach Marina

Dania Beach, Florida

Today was a busy day. We moved within the marina into a slip between Ken and Roy’s, and across from Carl’s boat. I call the slip -- party central! I changed the oil and filters then flushed both engines. The holding tank was pumped out and the fresh water was filled. Tomorrow I will attempt to find a vender to repair our canvas.

Ken drove us around town to show us where all the stores, watering holes and parks are located. We stopped for lunch on the water then returned to the boat.

Serious consideration is now being discussed to stay here a month or longer and enjoy the beaches and sunshine. Barb is checking into air fares to get us back to Illinois to visit our families and complete our taxes.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

80° 06.764’ W

26° 03.393’ N

The Dania Beach Marina

Dania Beach, Florida



Ricki - Colleen  - Stan - Carl
Barb - Mary - Skip - Steve

Colleen & Stan, Mary & Steve (friends of Colleen & Stan), Ricki & Carl, Barb and I met for brunch at a local restaurant over looking the ocean walking distance from our marina. After brunch we said our good byes and they departed for their trip to Cocoa, Florida where the final touches will be done to complete the airboat.

The rest of the day was spent trying to figure out what we will be doing for the next few months.

Beach on the Atlantic Ocean

Later in week we will probably take an all-inclusive cruise boat to the Bahamas for a day.

Tomorrow I will look for a canvas shop to repair our canvas damaged in the gale force winds a few days ago. With luck Barb and I can remove the canvas, have it re-sewn and reinstalled prior to moving on.



A 30 second video along the Intracoastal Waterway on March 12, 2011

     

Saturday, March 12, 2011

80° 06.764’ W

26° 03.393’ N

The Dania Beach Marina

Dania Beach, Florida

Leaving our slip at Sunset Harbour

Today we cruised slowly through the high rent district! Our cruising time to cover 22 miles was three and a half hours! Most of the waters are posted as idle speed no wake zones. There are plenty of water police to give out citations if you push a little bit too much.



Some shallow water



The reduced speed gave us an opportunity to see some of the biggest mansions that I have ever seen. Many of the homes also had large yachts tucked away on their property! I saw more wealth in three hours than any other time in my life. We are now back to reality and comfortably sitting in a marina a very short distance from the Atlantic Ocean - less than 100 yards away.





North Miami Beach







 When we arrived we were greeted on the dock by Ken and his dog “Bob”. Ken offered his truck to us if we needed it for any reason. We took him up on his offer and drove to Davie, FL about 8 miles from here to the Broward County Airboat Show & Festival to see Colleen and Stan. Diamondback Airboats in Cocoa, FL that built their new airboat have it there. I am not sure a picture truly shows the amount of engineering and workmanship that went into the boat. All I can say is WOW! Stan out did himself on this venture!



FOR SALE!



Under the bridge to Dania Beach Marina










Stan's airboat



Colleen - Carl - Skip - Stan



 

Friday, March 11, 2011

80° 08.741’ W

25° 47.762’ N

Sunset Harbour Yacht Club

Miami Beach, Florida

Today was our last night in Miami Beach. Tomorrow we will move the boat to Dania Beach, Florida via the Intracoastal Waterway.

We had a fun filled day walking on the beach, eating lunch at a sidewalk café while watching all of the spring break kids spend their parents’ money.

Looking south on Miami Beach

Looking north on Miami Beach

Skip

Barb

Thursday, March 10, 2011

80° 08.741’ W

25° 47.762’ N

Sunset Harbour Yacht Club

Miami Beach, Florida

HAPPY B-DAY BARB….. AND DAUGHTER JILL!

We have extended of stay here until Saturday. From here we will move up the east coast to Dania Beach Marina.



View from the marina



View from the marina



View from the marina



Linclon Road Mall



Before visiting the city of South Beach we experienced one major storm with gale force winds. The 150 foot mega yacht that was blocking our view and also the wind had departed port a few hours before the storm hit. With out the mega yacht in place we experienced the full force of the storm with major seas rolling under the dock that we are secured to. The good news is the wind held us off the dock instead of against the dock which could damage the boat!



Today we took a city bus ride that looped South Beach. The driver and some of the passengers kept us entertained while telling us where to eat drink and people watch! We then boarded another bus and rode to

Lincoln Rd.

where all of the action is! All I can say is it’s a diverse culture that one needs to address with an open mind! The four of us dined at a side walk restaurant, one of many on the strip. I can truly say that this is one of the best people watching cities I have visited. Barb and Ricki did a little shopping while Carl and I continued people watching over a couple of cold beers!

Later in the evening each of us dropped a quarter in the slot and rode the bus back to the harbor five minutes away!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

80° 08.741’ W

25° 47.762’ N

Sunset Harbour Yacht Club

Miami Beach, Florida



Sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean



Moor Stuff leaving Boca Chita Key



We said our farewells to our Looper friends and pushed off for Miami at 10am. The wind was blowing with a nice chop on our beam. The result was we didn’t have a very pleasant ride in Biscayne Bay. Once close to land everything got better and the view coming into Miami is breath taking!



First view of Miami



Miami Skyline



Once in our slip I gave the boat a thorough wash down with fresh water to get the salt off! The boat was starting to look like the rim of a Margarita glass!





Where is Moor Stuff??



Approaching Sunset Harbour



The harbor we are staying in is filled with larger yachts and a few mega yachts in the $20,000,000 and up class! Everything a boater would want is available here! The yacht club also has an Olympic size pool. If space is available we will stay here three days.



South Beach will be a great place to celebrate Barbs B-Day tomorrow!

Skip and Carl deciding on which one to buy!

PICTURES - March 8, 2011

View along the way

Arriving at Boca Chita Key

View from Moor Stuff at Boca Chita Key of Biscayne Bay

Key for sale - should we buy it??

Boca Chita Key lagoon

View at top of Boca Chita Key lighthouse

View from lighthouse

Sunset on Boca Chita Key