2011 - 5/14 - 5/27 - Ft Lauderdale

Bahia Mar many years ago

In the meantime, Mickey met Wayne in Marathon on the 12th with the sole purpose to cruise the boat up to Lauderdale…OK, that probably wasn’t Mick’s sole purpose - he was ready to catch the BIG one.  Unfortunately, even with rigged Ballyhoo, good poles and favorable weather, he got skunked.  They ran into a pretty significant storm while trying to enter Caesar’s Cut that really shook the crap out of them and BLUE MAX.  They arrived at Bahia Mar on Monday, May 16th. Nice digs…pool side bar and across from the beach. Hired professionals to clean and wax the hull.  

W&W, Kathryn & Mickey on Lauderdale beach

On the 19th we moved out of the high-rent district over to Cooley’s Landing (Lauderdale City Marina).  We’ve enjoyed staying on the New River  and walking the River-walk since we met in 1999.  Now disappointed that at least 95% of the restaurants and shops are closed down.  The Downtowner and the Briny are still open.  Kathryn drove over from Ft Myers on Friday night.  Pleasant weekend.

W&W @ the Wayne Hyzinga fountain

I spent the week of Sunday, the 22nd in bed trying to fight a cold…happens every time I fly. Silly me, I thought taking Air Borne would prevent this.

2011 - 5/11 to 5/17 - Trip to Philly- family wedding

May 11th - Time to fly - I don’t travel well plus I’m a lousy packer. I had visions of being poked, prodded and patted down by TSA agents then seeing the whole event on U-Tube.  Or worse yet putting my x-ray results on next years’ TSA calendar…I’m hear to tell you that checking in was amazingly simple - OK, maybe I was a tad disappointed when they didn’t pat me down. 
I had the best visit with family and friends -ever!  I stayed 
 with

Sue, Loni & Dean

my cousin Sue in Hatfield, PA.  There was no being bored there and I loved it.  I finally met Hailey May, Sue’s grand-daughter, she’s 4 going on 40 - I swear and smart as a whip. (wonder what that means exactly?) I could write this

Hailey May Gadaleta

whole blog just about her.  I’m happy to report that I think Sue met her match with Dean and I'm so pleased to see that she’s finally happy. I had a lovely visit & dinner with my cousin Tom Day his wife Suzette, my cousin Chippy her husband Paul on the 13th.

Paul,Chip,Suzette,Win & Tom

The whole gang of cousins

The wedding reception on the 14th was wonderful as was my ‘suite’ at Normandy Farms Hotel (they upgraded me (?). Brunch on Sunday @ the Normandy was amazing.  Trips home are very emotional for me but seeing my family again brings peace and perspective back into my life. But the party wasn't over on Sunday. My dearest friends Paul, Carol, Tina (Carol's daughter), David, my cousin Charlie & Millie showed up. More food - more adult beverages and the chickens...

The party continues at Sue's

Tina & one of the Chicks (notice the paper towel)

Oh, did I forget to mention the 5 baby chickens living in a box in Sue's kitchen? (that's a whole nuther story folks)
Time to leave and return to Lauderdale on the 17th - it ended too quickly.

2011 - 5/1 to 5/14 - STILL in Boot Key Harbor

Finally, I got something done that I wanted - a fold down extension table in the galley. Wayne made the table. I gave a local artist pictures of some of our favorite places. He studied them, picked our brains and after several weeks came up with this beautiful art piece.

I think the boat grew roots. I can't believe we're still in Marathon-25 miles from our home...It was obvious a few weeks ago that we would not make to Nassau by 5/11 for me to catch my flight to Philly...so I booked a flight out of Lauderdale knowing we'd surely be there by then. NOT! Plan C…rent a car and drive to Lauderdale; stay overnight; Wayne returns to Marathon;  waits for parts; finishes the multiplexer/computer project and he and Mickey cruise BLUE MAX up to Lauderdale to pick me up by the 17th.  

However, we did manage to squeeze in one last Tiki party on the 7th.  Tons of food, booze was aplenty and the music extraordinary.We really  had a wonderful time in Boot Key Harbor.  It truly is one of the only really boater friendly harbors in FL.  Here are just a few incredible people we met while hangin' out there: David & Jen live aboard in the harbor.

David and Jen

She's a fabulous hair stylist and he, a computer guru who was instrumental in getting all things computer to operate on BLUE MAX.  Amy and her pirate husband, Jake. They are cruisers

Amy and Jake

on a gorgeous 44' Choy Lee Ketch. Jake has weapons of mass destruction on board...really loud canons. Picture it...sunset...all's quiet, suddenly, you hear FIRE IN THE HOLE! and BAM !! then from our boat you hear "TAPS" playing loudly from the fly bridge.  It is patriotic you know. Mike and Margey cruisers aboard BRAVE TURTLE. In a few short months, they managed to sell their (1st) Brave Turtle and bought larger & incredible new BRAVE TURTLE, got it ready to go and are now in the Bahamas where WE should be already.  Mary & her best friend, Ozzie...Wayne has known her since he arrived

Margey & Mike

in Marathon in the mid-90's.  Just a plain great person. Think she met her love this winter...we wish her all the best cuz she deserves it.

Mary & Ozzie

Just a few reasons why we love to be on the water, visiting new places and meeting new friends.