So now the "kids " have landed safely in Canada and everything is back to "normal." Here we are on March 12, back in Ft. Lauderdale after a whirlwind month . Let's back up a bit, because a lot has happened.
We found that our holding Tank had sprung a leak so had a mechanic come take a look. Well after many considerations, (take up the galley floor, put an expandable bladder inside, epoxy the leak, give up the extra water tank, or remove a bulkhead to cut the tank out) we decided to have a new custom tank produced. It will go under the generator and repiped. The old tank will be sealed and left where it is. the new tank is made and on the road from Texas. That decisi0n was a tough one but had to be.
Next we had a hail storm where the winds reached 65 mph and the hail the size of quarters. Well you know the story. Yep we had more damage. That's why we are here in Ft. Lauderdale. The hail punched holes in our brand new vinyl bridge enclosure. Looked into repairing in Stuart but not enough time and too much money, so back to Ft. Lauderdale where they were made. The company was here this morning and took the damaged units to his shop. OH WELL it is a BOAT (Bring Out Another Thousand).
We watched the rescue of a Manatee with "Cold Stress". This winter in Florida has been very hard on all the sea life. In talking to the Marine Biologists that came to the marina they said they have rescued many Manatees and Sea Turtles. This Manatee was in the shallows right near the sea wall trying to get warm. The Biologist estimated it was about 4-5 years old and weighed about 700 pounds. Very emaciated and lethargic. Their digestive system shuts down in the cold and eventually will die. They brought a boat around and lifted it on to take to Miami to an inside tank. Unfortunately the Manatee did not make it.
SAD!!!!
Not all is doom or gloom. We had a visit to the Summer Wind by our friend Tom Gilbert and his lovely fiance Diane Borkowski. They were looking for a spot for their wedding nuptials. Tom and his lovely mom Rose joined us for a great Monday night Rib dinner. While Tom was visiting he told us about the Elliot museum which is a wonderful place with great Jensen Beach history and classical cars.
During one of our Thursday night "Meet and Greet" we met Chuck and Mary. They had been explaining that they were looking for a trawler and we told them about our Heritage East. Their response was they had never heard of our boat. So, on they came for a tour. At that time it just so happened that there were 2 other Heritage Easts in the marina also, all friends of ours. They were able to get different view points and their search goes on.
Dick's brainstorm was to start a Heritage East Yacht Owners Association. So off went emails, talked to several brokers and through word of mouth, we now have 42 members in our group. A directory was produced and our first newsletter made the air waves!!!!!
Now the best part of the whole month was our flight home to New Jersey to attend a magnificent surprise birthday party for our daughter Judy!!!! All of her sisters came in from all parts of the country and it became a whirlwind weekend of partying, eating and reuniting!!!
Happy Birthday Judy!!!!
