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To catch us up to date we've written a couple of posts. Our first post dealt with the repairs/maintenance of the Summer Wind during the month of January. We wanted to get as much accomplished as possible because we were anticipating Katie and Dave's (Elle's daughter and boyfriend) visit to the Summer Wind. January proved to be a very cold wintry month for Florida. There were days that barely crept above 50 degrees and that was in Ft. Lauderdale. However we have to say that they picked the 10 best days of January and February for their vacation because those were the only days that reached 70 and above. Needless to say we were thrilled that they were coming to spend 10 days and we made plans to show them just what southern Florida was all about.
Their day started at 3 am to be picked up by 4 am at home by the shuttle. Their flight out of Toronto was a little bumpy and delayed because Mother Nature's winds were howling. They left with temperatures just hovering at 28 degrees and landed in 80 degree weather, windy and very humid. Off came the winter clothes and out came the shorts and tees,(even though it was great seeing the Toronto Maple Leaf socks Dave). We showed them their accommodations for 10 days, showed them how the 'head' flushed and the do's and don'ts, and of course told them about Navy showers! There was a lot of information to bestow on these land lubbers. By the time we finished our 'little information session' we were lucky they weren't ready to start a mutiny!!! That day they wanted to hit the malls for sandals, and so enjoyed the Saw Grass Mall. For those that don't know, its a huge outlet mall over 1 mile long! Later that evening all four of us joined Craig and Kathy Briggs to surprise Stuart and Barbara Rogan for dinner at a wonderful little Italian Bistro in Boca Raton. Poor Katie was exhausted. We were wondering if her lasagna looked like an inviting pillow to her, she could barely keep her head up, but she was a trooper
We planned many activities for their visit to give them the feel of Florida. This included trips to the ocean, although sunny too windy and cold to swim, but there were a few die hards in the water. We walked the riverfront, and Las Olas boulevard. Our first surprise excursion was an airboat ride through the Everglades., which was exciting skimming across the water through the foliage at tremendous speeds and stopping close to the tall grasses where we did manage to spot a few alligators. We also enjoyed the 'alligator show'. If you ask us, its, lets watch the crazy guy get too face to face with a very smiley face with lots of teeth!!! That afternoon we took a tour of a Seminole village half way across Florida that had a small wildlife zoo. At dusk the park workers were trying to pen some of the animals in sheds because there was a local panther that comes looking for dinner. We enjoyed a spectacle of a goat that just had other ideas than being penned.
Part of the plan was also to give Katie and Dave an idea what boating was all about. So we planned a two day trip north to Stuart. Early Thursday morning we untied the lines and headed down the New River. Both of them were eager to help out, so when the captain gave out the instruction to uncover the flag. Well something was lost in translation, because we turned around to find that Dave had taken down the American Flag. Who said there isn't mutiny aboard a boat???? Needless to say, Dave isn't living this one down!!!! That first evening we anchored down in Lake Worth and relaxed to a nice glass of wine and a good chuckle. We were going to make this a 3 day trip, with dinghy visits to shore, however the weather was changing so we decided to make longer days to beat the weather.
Early Friday morning we weighed anchor and headed for our stop in Stuart Florida. The trips were pleasant each day, however because the weather had been so cool in January, there were no manatees to be found or dolphins swimming in our wake. However, the two of them enjoyed the scenery and each took turns at the helm. Katie showed her calm skills. We tied up at the Harborage Yacht Club and marina and toured our new digs. It has a pool, hot tub, sauna, gym room and restaurant. On Saturday, Dave's grandparents drove down from Indiantown. they brought their dogs Ellie and Amy along as well. What great fun! Sunday morning the weather did change, really cooled down with heavy winds and the boat rocked quite a bit in the marina even though we had a break wall beside us. Poor Katie was a trooper , unfortunately with being tightly closed up she spent a very uncomfortable night aboard the boat. When she was feeling better we planned shopping trips and an excursion to Jensen Beach. Being Canadian they were trying to decide if they would go into the ocean, it was a balmy 65 degrees!! Well instead we went to the Oceanographic museum on Huthinson Island and enjoyed petting the stingrays and hand fed them gourmet calamari, shrimp and delicate fish . They also had a fantastic nature walk. We later learned that day that a man had been killed by sharks out in the ocean, near where we had been.
Our surprise treat in Stuart was to travel to West Palm Beach to see the hit show," The Chorus Line." Wow we had a fantastic time!! Even though some of the days barely crept to 70 degrees the two of them made trips to the outside pool and hot tub! Are they crazy!!! To sum it up their trip finished with mother nature's biggest snow storm across North America. They were trying to decide whether to change their flights or take a chance because their flight wasn't direct. They made the right decision because that afternoon, everything shut down for days in North Carolina where they would have stopped. Said our goodbyes and with tears in our eyes they flew off. Hopefully they will join us again in the near future.
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This update is dedicated in honor of Katie and Dave's visit, and to my wonderful husband for making it a wonderful experience. I LOVE YOU!
to be con't.
