Dania Beach, FL - 3/29/11 & 3/30/11

Tuesday - 3/29/11 Another wet day so not much happening outside the boat. I guess the best part of it was that mother nature washed the boat really good. We did clean the inside of the boat today. For dinner 8 of us ordered ribs from a local restaurant and had a feast (again). Wednesday 3/30/11 Our chores from the job jar today was supposed to be touching up the teak rails and a few minor gelcoat chips, however the weather report was for scattered showers and both jobs require a dry day so it didn't happen. Ricki spent most of the day looking for some snaps she had bought to put on the curtains. She forgot to ask for help from St. Anthony or she could have found them sooner. We had Ken, Huen and Bev over for dinner this evening. After dinner a new couple on the dock, Linda & Randy stopped by the boat and we enjoyed adult beverages. Linda carries her dog around in a purse. We found out that she came to Hebron, WV as a child for vacations. Small world! We are starting to discuss our potential trip to the Bahamas. We have been hearing reports that the water going over has been a little nasty and I for one am not willing to tackle bad water. That could be a spring issue because we have also been told that May is normally a perfect month to cross. Guess we will have to see when that comes. We have also discussed making this adventure cover not just one year but maybe two with spending the summer in the Chesapeake then either put the boat up for winter or turn the pointy end back south. Time will tell. Tomorrow the Cummins Diesel mechanic will be here to see what is going on with my tach on the starboard engine.

Dania Beach, FL - 3/28/11

While laying in bed this morning watching the news and weather report, a strong storm warning was posted with winds gusting to 70 mph. It has really been hot and dry in Florida so I guess it is a good thing but it sure keeps us inside. We had breakfast then put a few more lines on the boat just in case and added additional straps on the dinghy on top of the sunroof so it didn't become a kite. The downside of all this is that our holding tank turned red this morning and we need to go for a pump out. Long story short .... it rained ... it blew ... then the clouds parted about noon and we took off to pump out. The genset wouldn't cooperate so Ricki couldn't watch her soap on the way but I don't think she will miss anything because you can miss these things for a year and catch up with the next issue. When we turned off the AICW into Dania Cut we encountered this big boy being pulled out. Then after we passed we saw another tug hooked to the stern which must be a way to keep it straight in the canal should the wind kick up again. As we left the canal we heard a securite call from Glaze and there she was. I don't know if you can see the hull color but it is the color of a casket! When we got back Ricki fixed meatball sandwiches for the whole crew and then the rains came again and lasted most of the day. After dinner we watched Dancing with the Stars and retired for the night.

Dania Beach, FL - 3/27/11

This morning at the designated time of 10:15 a.m. the competitors (Ricki & Ken) presented their biscuits & gravy dishes for the invitees to judge. Skip & Barb, Huen, Ken and Ricki & I sampled each dish and they tasted so similar that we ended up combining them for the second round. What a feast! A couple nights ago Huen had prepared a crab bisque that everyone agreed was the best ever. Ricki & Barb convinced him to have a cooking class to teach them how to make it. Problem was ... Huen didn't measure any of the ingredients and instead it was a pinch of this or a hand full of that. The ladies decided to have him use his method but allow them to measure his "pinch of this or hand full of that" so they could duplicate the bisque. Huen showed up on Quest with all the ingredients necessary for the project plus wine to drink while cooking. What a treat. The bisque turned out great and was part of the evenings meal, also prepared by Huen, of fried shrimp, boiled shrimp and salmon.

We have to stop eating like this or we will weigh a ton before we get back to WV.

Dania Beach, FL - 3/26/11

OK here's the deal .... I know I was supposed to wash the top part of the boat today but by the time we got breakfast and showers, it was too hot ... well into the upper 80's. So ... the three guys (Skip, Ken & me) decided to go for an early afternoon bar hopping tour since the ladies were going to the laundry and grocery store. At the designated time of 2 p.m. we left the marina, as did the ladies, and walked to the nearest watering hole but it was too crowded with weekend sun worshipers so we walked on over to the AICW to another bar. It was nearly full as well but the entertainment wasn't as loud. As we were sitting there a scantily clad lady paddled by on a wake board and as she went by the bar ... fell off. The guy singing gave her a 6.5 on the dismount but the rest of the place gave her a 10 on the remount! After wings and adult beverage we felt compelled to check the tide ranges on the beach. As we were walking back we noticed different modes of transportation and thought they should be shared.

We noticed the small kids playing in the surf ...

And admired the shrubbery around the marina building. That's Tiffany the lifeguard on the beach that ruined my photo ......

Since it was getting close to "docktail time" we gathered on Ken's boat to await the return of our lovely brides.

And there they are with the groceries and ....

The laundry .......

A fantastic fish dinner was enjoyed by all on Quest. Tomorrow morning it is biscuits and gravy cook-off between Ricki & Ken. That should be fun.

Dania Beach, FL - 3/25/11

This morning we started the day with a nice breakfast prepared by the captain. I think the first mate just may be getting a little spoiled and is expecting this royal treatment more often than it is offered. After breakfast the first order of business was to complete the hull cleaning job. Even though the starboard side of the boat was next to the dock, it still required the dinghy to clean the back 1/3 of the hull. While I was hard at work, fellow boater Huen came by with his dog Doc to invite us to join him on an ocean run mid afternoon. Since the temps were in the mid 80's here today, Doc had his tennie pumps on to prevent his feet from burning.


















At 3 p.m. we joined Skip & Barb on Huen's 37 foot Cruisers and left the marina turning north on the AICW toward the Port Everglades pass to the ocean. On the way we passed this little yacht with neat toys. Enlarge it and you will see a sailboat on the port side and that really is a helicopter on the stern.

The Atlantic was a little choppy but the boat handled great as we went south toward Miami at full speed.

Miami Beach looks deserted now that the "spring breakers" have all left.

As we re-entered the AICW and turned south toward our marina, we passed two cruise liners leaving port and heading out to sea.

Several cargo ships were being loaded with shipping containers along the waterway. This is the emergency escape vehicle for a crew should it be needed. Bet that would be one scary ride when it gets released.

Tomorrow the top half of the boat will get a bath. Being so close to the ocean, less than 100 yards, the boat gets a frequent dose of salt and/or sand all over it but that is a small price to pay since the wind keeps the "no see ums" away.

Dania Beach, FL - 3/24/11

Wow ... another boat show day! We left the marina at 11:30 this morning and traveled up I-95 approximately 40 miles to West Palm Beach for their annual boat show. As we approached the downtown marina area, we started seeing boats, boats and more boats. Just guessing there must have been several hundred yachts all crammed into the marina. The marina was closed from March 11 to April 1 to allow for the movement in and out for all these mega yachts. The actual show was only today thru Sunday so you can see how long it must take to move these monsters. The first area you pass thru on the way to the docks was a large air conditioned tent that had hundreds of exhibits. Of course we purchased several "must have" items that included a hat with our boat name and some German Glue that the demonstrator proved would hold anything together. This Volvo Penta duo prop that fits on BIG boats caught my eye right off.









After leaving the tent we started down one of the many docks to the boats. A lot of the vessels could not be boarded without a prior appointment. Go figure ... how could I buy one without boarding!

This boat had an interesting swim platform area. It actually had a lounge chair in it.

This is the boat I decided I wanted .......

Until I saw the PRICE !!!!

Any takers?

Another interest swim platform storage area. All the toys you might want ....

Check out the fuel capacity ... 9,900 gallons!

Ricki took this one for all those wanting "Hot Hunky Guys" ......

This must be for the water cops ... 1,200 HP

No blog entry is complete without reference to food ..... this is where we put the food bag on.

Tomorrow is a boat cleaning day. I need to finish washing all the salt off the hull and plan to do the starboard side which will finish that job. Hanging on to the hull with a suction cup out of the dinghy while washing it with the other hand has created a whole new adventure.

Dania Beach, FL - 3/23/11

Ricki and I were semi- conscious watching the Today Show on TV when we heard a knock on our door. I had told Skip to let me know when he needed to go for a pumpout and this was it. He also has a tank tender on the holding tank and it turned red and was in need. We pulled out about 9:30 and headed for Harbor Town Marina since Skip did not have a clearance issue under the fixed bridge in his Carver. As we turned off the AICW into Dania Cut we saw a Sea Tow operator towing a very nice looking boat and followed it to the marina where the tow boat turned it around and into a dock. Skip handled the pumpout and we were ready to leave when I took the photo of the "special offer" of $500 worth of fuel for signing up for dry storage.

Approaching boats as we headed back down Dania Cut toward the AICW.

There were really BIG BOYS in the canal today.

The yellow boat is a fuel barge that anchors in the AICW for drive up customers. The fuel from the barge is usually about $1.00 per gallon cheaper than the fuel at the marinas.

Quest in the slip at high tide.

Low tide ..... the tide range is only about 2 1/2 feet in this part of Florida but you still need to be watchful of how you arrange the tie up.

More food ... we decided to grill hot dogs for dinner this evening and had about 9 boaters (7 loopers).

Tomorrow we are going to a boat show north of Ft. Lauderdale. Another chance to pick up valuable stuff that we probably don't need.

Dania Beach, FL - 3/20/11 thru 3/22/11

Sunday - 3/20/11

We kinda slept in late today and I spent the day with NASCAR racin'. Ricki worked on the computer all afternoon sorting pictures and other stuff. The late afternoon was adult beverages on Ken & Dianne's boat Savannah II along with super dog Bob. The menu this evening was deep fried turkey prepared by Canadian boaters Paul and Patti. The spread of dishes prepared by all the other boaters was magnificant. Canadian looper Roy (Spendido) carved the bird and helped himself to the leg.

Monday - 3/21/11

This was shopping day for Skip & I. We borrowed Ken's Tahoe and went to West Marine, a BIG wine & spirits shop to replenish the ship's store with the proper stuff. We were gone most of the afternoon so by the time we got back, rewarded ourselves with beverage, it was time to think about dinner. Concensus was an Italian Restaurant in town. The place was so ethnic that the owner and staff spoke english with a very strong accent and nothing american was served. We topped the evening off with cake and ice cream on Quest.

Tuesday - 3/22/11

Woke up to bad news this morning. The holding tank is FULL! We have a tank tender with several lights from green to red and we really don't need to see the red light since it is very obvious when you enter the salon area. We go to the sister marina Harbor Town which is a short ride on the AICW then up the Dania Cut for about 1/2 mile to pump out. We have to wait on low tide to leave this marina so we can clear the 18 foot bridge so I spent the late morning washing the port side of the hull using the dinghy. In the heat here you can only stay outside a couple hours so the starboard side will have to wait until the sunburn cools off a little. After a social hour(s) on Savannah II, we all went to a local Joe's Tikki Bar for snow crab claws and a hoggie. Another great day is done. Even though Ricki claims to be 37 years old, we all are aware that she is the youngest person we know that can access her 401K! Now that we have established her age, her suggestion to do this blog more often so she can remember what she has done may be accepted.

A little trivia ... we have had around 19,650 folks read our blog since we started this trip.

Dania Beach, FL - 3/18/11 & 3/19/11

Friday - 3/18/11

Another lazy day in paradise. I did call a Cummins repairman to come take a look at my starboard tach which is not working and as a result it affects the engine synchronize function. Haven't heard back yet when he will be coming so I had to stay close just in case and took a couple shots of the marina property. The marina office is the first picture with the second being part of the marina slips. there are about 43 fixed slips like we are in and a bunch of floating dock space but in the shallow end of the creek. Normally we sit in about 6 feet of water with a little over 2 feet under us at low tide. The projected tide range with the mega moon is higher than normal and also lower than normal. We may find ourselves in the mud come Sunday morning.
















Friday evening we had a crab bisque type dinner for all the loopers prepared by one of the guys. Talk about good .... very rich but fantastic.

Saturday - 3/19/11

Two of the looper boats (Seamoore & Dream Catcher) left the marina this morning and headed further north. The other 5 boats will probably stay here thru April then head the pointy end north. We are planning on returning to West Virginia sometime around the middle of April for a couple weeks before heading north and over to the Bahamas.


Last night we decided to go a few miles north in the AICW toward Port Everglades by dinghy to a raw bar for lunch tomorrow. At 11 a.m. six little rubber boats headed out into the AICW to brave the weekend traffic and boy was there ever traffic. We had always heard that you do not want to be on the AICW on a weekend due to all the inconsiderate Florida boaters and now we know it is true. The AICW outside our marina is a manatee zone and they do patrol it closely we are told but that doesn't stop the big wakes of big boats.

We passed by the terminals where container ships were being loaded.

The Ft. Lauderdale airport is close and the planes take off right over our heads.

Our flotilla headed up the AICW.

Many large personal boats were along the waterway. Enlarge this one and check out the 40+ foot boat hanging on the side. It also has a helicopter on top. I don't think this dude works at WalMart.

Many cruise ships were in Port Everglades. This is the main channel out into the Atlantic for large boats and it is very busy. The port cops make sure you don't get very close to them and are quick to remind you to get your boat back into the marked channel if you stray too close.

The sign coming into Port Everglades from the ocean.

More cruise ships. We didn't actually count them but there must have been at least six or more that we could see.

Nice homes were along the way.

This one was especially nice. Check the next photo ... IT'S FOR SALE!

Going up the canal to the raw bar. More big boats.

The dinghy dock at the raw bar.

Our friends on Splendido, Roy & Bev (AKA the crazy Canadian). Can't figure out why he liked to drive his boat standing up especially with all the wakes.

This is what it looked like when a big boat passed in a no wake area.

I stayed on course by looking through these lovely things.

Back at the marina we had a "Low Country Boil" before heading to the beach to watch the moon rise.

The beach and parking area was packed.