Views from our Dingy: L'il Hope

Sunday, Jan. 5th, 2013 we took another Dingy tour prior to the installation of the new "after cooler" which arrived yesterday via UPS - Thank Goodness!! So much to see and do and of course, Ruth was fascinated by the Pelicans, again, and other critters on shore. Scott pulled the dingy up to a landing so Ruth could jump out and get pics of the Iguanas - there were at least 8 there basking in the sun. Yes, sunshine....all of you back North - remember what that is? We feel very fortunate to be here enjoying all the South has to offer and wish we could ship the warmth back home to you!!

Our precious part - new After Coooler. Delivered by Pelicans...safe & sound! One would think! Took sooooo long!

View of 17th St. Bridge from Dingy....soon, we hope....to go under in Esperanza to escape to Bahamas!

Local Regatta - Dingy view!

Lifestyles of the rich! "Let's just park both of our Yachts out in front of our mansion, Dear!"

Dingy perspective: "I feel so small and insignificant!"

Iguana paradise!

Love those Pelicans - what a life!

On the Move

The 17th St. Bridge, which we have driven over and now , finally, passed under....so close to getting away to the Bahamas.....soon......we hope!

Our gateway to the Bahamas - just waiting for weather window now.....

Returning to Lake Sylvia to await our weather window....so good to be anchored and feel the breeze all around us after being tied to a dock in the shade of a building for 3 weeks. Hallaleua!!

Today Esperanza was given a clean bill of health (after paying said bill!) and we motored down the canal and finally under the bridge to the channel that takes us to the Atlantic! We wanted to do a test run so we went to the mouth of the Harbour - so good to feel the salty breezes on our faces!! Everything seems to be running good , so now it's just waiting for that weather window.
I am still hoping to show Ruth the Bahama waters, let the Gods shine on us so we can get across before she has to leave for the cold north. Wish she could stay - she has learned so much, and has become an excellent first mate.

Day at the Beach

mama says Im special

lots of work getting done

work is getting done on Esperanza sitting in the boat yard. Wood work completed

five coats and sanding

lots of projects have been completed replaced the generator water pump again

its becoming a years repair

New Years Day

Well the day started off slow with two hang overs from last nights party at Waxy O'Connors Irish bar and grill. { Jeff you would love it} Had the biggest half rack of ribs that you have ever seen. I don't even think Lane could have gotten through them Ha Ha .
Ruth cooked the second best Jigg's dinner I have ever had { its close mom } and a bottle of wine a feast.
We got the second coat on the doors and upper wood work,  one more coat tomorrow and then back into the engine room for some long awaited job's - paint, sanding etc.
We will find out about the delivery of the after cooler tomorrow, and start resupplying the boat.
Ron and Jan may be arriving on the 8th so it would be nice to spend some time with them and hopefully do the crossing together.

                                         Jan. 1, 2013 - Happy New Year!

New Year's Dinner!

                                        Scott on Lea do Deck under full moon Dec. 29th, 2102.

Scott & Ruth's Dingy Adventures

With Esperanza tied up to the dock in the Boatyard while waiting for her precious "parts", we venture out on Dingy rides as much as possible. Today we went in the opposite direction from our favored Southport Raw Bar, and crossed the Bay to another Canal which led us to our former anchorage: Lake Sylvia.....then we passed through another channel and discovered a favourite Fort Lauderdale spot (apparently) the Bahia Cabana Bar where Ruth finally got a Pina Colada, Scott had a Corona, and we enjoyed Grilled Garlic Shrimp. Gotta love the Seafood dishes here!
Ruth was snapping pics continuously so you will see a collage of our day: the Bridge we haven't got under yet, which leads to the ocean and the Bahamas; Ruth is fascinated by the Pelicans; views of the canals, boats, and beautiful houses.
We saw an Iguana on one of the docks - what a hoot! Also,  as we were boating along, very often coconuts fall off the palm trees into the water and they are floating by so I wanted Scott to grab one for me....well, just before he reached for it I said...."No, it's a dead rat"...lol...I nearly fell out of the dingy I was laughing so hard!! It was a really big, dead, wharf rat - ugh! I guess we won't be gathering coconuts! And...we both need our eyes examined!
All in all another lovely day in sunny Florida. We're just waiting now to enjoy the Stuffed Crab and Beer Bread we have in the oven.....Life is VERY good!

View from Esperanza - you can see rain clouds rolling in yesterday

                                         One of many of Ruths pelican pictures

                                         Todays bar - the world famous Bahia Cabana

                                         Dingy ride back home - Lake Sylvia

                                         One of the many canals

After paying off the aftercooler this is my next purchase

The bridge we just can't seem to pass under to the "other side"!

Our future home - lol!

Christmas Eve and Day

 Christmas eve Ruth and I prepared a fantastic sea food chower ans she is always full of surpises comming out of the aft cabin in a red miss santa clas outfitt, funny funny but looking great.
Well the day started out with sun shining  upon the boat,  windows and doors, about 70 degs. Santa had found Experanza at her new home, and the stockings were stuffed with care. After a great breakfast eggs Mtl smoked meat, Bagels. We spent the rest of the day relaxing on the deck in the sun.
For dinner Ruth prepared stuffed Cornish hen. You would not believed how much stuffing you can get into that small hole. Roasted potato's, carrots, sweet potato and cramberry sauce.
 A feast

 
                            
    
                             

a great aftenmoon

 Christmas Dinner

Santa's Elf