Saturday, April 21, 2012

SOUTH FLORIDA, FRIENDS AND FUN.......

Moon over Fort Lauderdale.....

Any cruiser can tell you that plans are subject to change instantly due to weather, health or boat repairs.  Our most recent change in plans was caused by our 40 HP Yamaha dinghy motor deciding it would no longer cooperate.  And again, any cruiser can tell you that without a dinghy (think car on land) you are pretty well stuck going anywhere, at anchor anyway.  We ordered a new motor…………..but it was going to take awhile to receive it.
In our last blog entry we planned on “heading south” for awhile, maybe to the Florida Keys and then over to the Bahamas.  Our longtime friends Arne and Judy from the Leavenworth, WA area made reservations to fly into Ft. Lauderdale.  After doing a bit of research about the Bahamas, we decided that making a short trip there with our friends would not make sense, because of their short time here, entry fees ($300+ for Serena Ray), and questionable weather fore casted for the crossing.  To top it off, without a dinghy to buzz around in, our activities would be quite limited.   Arne and Judy were the usual "good sports" about the change in plans and said they were just here to have fun and would go anywhere Serena Ray did.  (we love our friends – they make things so easy!!!)
Arne and Judy in Lake Sylvia

First time paddleboarding since John's surgery.....great!!

As it turned out, we had a wonderful time with them relaxing, kayaking, paddle boarding and enjoying John’s usual gourmet cooking on the ICW.  We spent most of the week at anchor and traveled from Ft. Lauderdale to Boca Raton and then up to Palm Beach Gardens where we would eventually pick up the new motor.
Sport Fishing - very popular pastime in Florida!!
Playing Chicken with a verrrrrry large freighter!!
                                    
We took Serena Ray with Arne and Judy from Ft. Lauderdale out onto the Atlantic for a little sight seeing before heading to Lake Sylvia anchorage.  This was our first cruise into the Atlantic.  The water was beautiful aqua blue....... but there was sure a lot of "traffic".
In the ICW you can have fuel delivered to your boat!!
                             
SOME INTERESTING OBSERVATIONS ALONG THE ICW..............................
ARRRRRGHH...........
                                          
Another pirate....."Keep a sharp eye"
Didn't see him catch anything!!
King Neptune guards the pool....
Palm Trees being planted .....a lot of new construction actually!

Quadruple decker tour boat......

Not a good day for this sailor.....

Our Coasties at work....removing a portion of a dock floating in the ICW

Woman's crew races in the ICW...... NO WAKE PLEASE!!

Colorful plastic Adirondack chairs.....
A bit of New Orleans!!

Lab Lover!!!

ICW Billboards......

Weekend Party Boat!!

Weekend Get-A-Way!

Water Taxis

Tall Ships....

More Billboards!!!

Sunset in Baca Raton
As of this posting, we are awaiting the passing of "severe weather" here in Old Port Cove Marina, Palm Beach Gardens.  The forecast for today includes strong thunderstorms and possible tornadoes......so we will sit tight until this system passes.  Tomorrow we will begin our trek north through Georgia and the Carolina's, and plan to be in the Chesapeake for the gathering of the "Tall Ships" in early June. 

2 comments:

m/v Buffalo Nickel said...

Bummer about your outboard! I remember how much dinghy envy Stan had in El Salvador when you guys took us around, your dinghy really MOVED. And that at a time when our 30 was out of commission. But, par for the course, ain't it?

Sandy said...

Wow! I remember when that motor was delivered in La Cruz...via Guadalajara! I guess you plum wore it out. Looks like you are having a great time! Miss you both.