Well, we didn't get off to Miami on Friday. Many reasons, but fortunately, all our choice. We decided:
1) the weather seemed almost too perfect
2) we didn't want to part with our new friends on Las Sirenas
3) we calculated that 12 cases (only 288 cans) of beer wasn't enough, so needed to make another run to the package store
4) we needed to go to Home Depot to pick up a few more padlocks and security cables,
5) and on, and on, and on.....
So we made good use of our time and got the last few errands done.
Thursday, I rode with Scott (from Las Sirenas) to one of my favorite marine supply stores, River Marine Supply down in the heart of Miami. I had my eye on a little 2hp Honda outboard for some time now, but never had the courage to splurge. Well, I reasoned with Carryn, that since we have 2 dingys, we should have 2 outboards. So we will have his and hers dingys. We were even thinking about putting a BMW logo on one and the Range Rover logo on the other, but decided that may be a bit pretentious. Scott was finally convinced that having a Honda 2000watt portable generator was the ticket, so off we went to River, who has the best price by far.
Friday, we borrowed their car to hit a few last spots, including the package store and Publix for meat, chicken and fresh fruits and veggies. We are vowing that to be our last big provisioning run.
To end the day/week on a high note, we decided to make good on previous plans to take the dingies up the New River into downtown Ft Lauderdale to have dinner and drinks at the Pirate Republic Bar. So once we had everything broken down, repackaged and stowed, we jumped in the dingy and went by Las Sirenas to hook up and head out. It was a great ride over, cruising through the neighborhoods of unbelievable homes and over the top yachts. the Pirate bar was dead, so we diverted to the Briny Irish Bar and Grill and it was rockin. Had a great dinner and continued to swap stories and share history with Scott, Esme, Haley(13yo) and Alana(9yo). They are a wonderful family, and we really enjoy hanging out with them. Bella and Reina(their Australian Shepherd) got to go as well, but they are still working on their friendship, so they keep their distance from each other.
So we got up this morning, with a general feeling of preparedness. It was nice. No more running around, trying to think of all the things we "need". We did a few loads of laundry, filled water tanks, refueled the dingy and just knocked around. I actually had a "celebratory" rum and coke well before 5 o'clock!
So, here we sit for another few days. Looks like Monday is a good day to make the short jump on the outside to Miami. We will tuck in on the SW side of Key Biscayne, or we may spring for a mooring ball in Dinner Key. Honestly, I've got to get off the mooring balls though. They really eat away at the cruising kitty.
Wishing Ben Westbrock a very Happy 7th Birthday with a big lick from Belly Boo!
We should be able to post again tomorrow night.
1) the weather seemed almost too perfect
2) we didn't want to part with our new friends on Las Sirenas
3) we calculated that 12 cases (only 288 cans) of beer wasn't enough, so needed to make another run to the package store
4) we needed to go to Home Depot to pick up a few more padlocks and security cables,
5) and on, and on, and on.....
So we made good use of our time and got the last few errands done.
Thursday, I rode with Scott (from Las Sirenas) to one of my favorite marine supply stores, River Marine Supply down in the heart of Miami. I had my eye on a little 2hp Honda outboard for some time now, but never had the courage to splurge. Well, I reasoned with Carryn, that since we have 2 dingys, we should have 2 outboards. So we will have his and hers dingys. We were even thinking about putting a BMW logo on one and the Range Rover logo on the other, but decided that may be a bit pretentious. Scott was finally convinced that having a Honda 2000watt portable generator was the ticket, so off we went to River, who has the best price by far.
Friday, we borrowed their car to hit a few last spots, including the package store and Publix for meat, chicken and fresh fruits and veggies. We are vowing that to be our last big provisioning run.
To end the day/week on a high note, we decided to make good on previous plans to take the dingies up the New River into downtown Ft Lauderdale to have dinner and drinks at the Pirate Republic Bar. So once we had everything broken down, repackaged and stowed, we jumped in the dingy and went by Las Sirenas to hook up and head out. It was a great ride over, cruising through the neighborhoods of unbelievable homes and over the top yachts. the Pirate bar was dead, so we diverted to the Briny Irish Bar and Grill and it was rockin. Had a great dinner and continued to swap stories and share history with Scott, Esme, Haley(13yo) and Alana(9yo). They are a wonderful family, and we really enjoy hanging out with them. Bella and Reina(their Australian Shepherd) got to go as well, but they are still working on their friendship, so they keep their distance from each other.
So we got up this morning, with a general feeling of preparedness. It was nice. No more running around, trying to think of all the things we "need". We did a few loads of laundry, filled water tanks, refueled the dingy and just knocked around. I actually had a "celebratory" rum and coke well before 5 o'clock!
So, here we sit for another few days. Looks like Monday is a good day to make the short jump on the outside to Miami. We will tuck in on the SW side of Key Biscayne, or we may spring for a mooring ball in Dinner Key. Honestly, I've got to get off the mooring balls though. They really eat away at the cruising kitty.
Wishing Ben Westbrock a very Happy 7th Birthday with a big lick from Belly Boo!
We should be able to post again tomorrow night.
6 comments:
Great talking and catching up tonight...Tom is using his iPhone to locate your Irish Pub.
It's entertaining him--it sure sounded like fun. As you I mentioned tomorrow is dinner at our house for family -- not sure what Tom will have up his sleeve.
Stay warm, safe and in touch.
Love always, Me
reat up-date. Irish pubs are always busy!
Dad
Wow what a huge hassle it is to upload a photo! But, at last a single photo of the Evan's family, super fun to hang out with! Rainy and windy ran out of water. Brandon is jerry jugging 24 gal back to boat in poopy weather.
The picture of the Evans family was great -- wow what homes in that area--you were not kidding. Sorry for poopy weather..we had the same as you know here. Tom is busy working away in kitchen on shrimp etouffe and big mamou's chicken over pasta. Crew coming over later tonight. Miss ya..keep the posts coming.
XO
Brandon/Carryn,
Great blog!! I read all of your blog notes and laughed at several of your comments. Your christmas gift was especially heart warming considering how stressful it is to pack up and get going that was real nice. I also love the pictures and I do want to see the poop deck... Have fun and keep us posted, I see a best seller in the works. Take Care,
Solmate Engineer Henry.
Checking your blog daily now to see if you made the big move. Last night Ben asked me where you keep all your food for the long trip. I explained, but post a pic of your provisions if you think about it.
Thanks for the b-day shout-out to Ben-he had a big time bowling! Keep safe!
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