Arrived in FL; loving it already

We had some nasty snow and ice one day, but otherwise an uneventful
trip from WA to FL. Boat didn't fare as well. Truck was delayed picking up
the Morgan almost a week, then delayed a couple more days due to snow
storms in the PNW. So we ended up staying a week in a motel here,
eating up boat refit money, but what can one do. A hatch blew off the
Morgan in Idaho and it snowed and rained in it all 3500 miles, on top
of the diesel and road dirt. I'm back scrubbing again, probably will
take months. But we're moved onboard and loving the scenery on the river.

Fort Lauderdale is beautiful, and I'm loving having palms and
blooming plants everywhere. When I look out the temporary makeshift
hatch up forward I see palm trees over our boat. Very pretty. Ended
up getting into the city marina downtown along river walk; best price
we found (about one house payment), and we're on the New River. A
never-ending parade of yachts outside our 'back door' on the river.
In slow moments, we always have the newbie boaters trying to launch
boats on our starboard side, as we are right next to one of the
ramps. It is hilarious sometimes.

Our portside dock neighbor is from New Hampshire, and he and the wife
just returned from a 5-year cruise. They went places like Fiji, New
Zealand, the Bahamas, and are doing some repairs before heading up
the coast home to get real jobs again. What a life. They imported a
couple of neices for some of the legs of the trip, homeschooling them
in their parents' absence at those times. What a hoot.

Back to our marina. We live along River Walk, in a city park; it's an
area the city is reclaiming from blight. It is nicely landscaped,
well-groomed (no mowing for us!), and we have a large gazebo right
outside our 'door'. The city provides free wi-fi in some areas, and
I'm told I can pick it up in the gazebo. Right now I'm piggybacked on
an open connection. Also, basic cable TV is included at every slip at
no additional charge. The other half hooked up the TV the first night onboard, of course.

I'm trying to learn my way around town between making the Morgan
habitable. First things first, like finding bank, post office, a
grocery store, and such. Found a nice little neighborhood bar for a
couple of frostys, where we can kick back on their patio. It's quite
a show, with all the expensive cars, and those Vespa scooters
cruising the town nightly. Also went to the beach the first weekend
and had a nice brunch. Stuck my feet in the warm water, very warm
after living in WA. Saw our beloved pelicans again, silly,
entertaining birds. My cactus is living on the dock right now, til
get told to remove it, anyhow. It's loving the sun and heat.

The A/C on the Trailblazer decided to quit day after we arrived here,
and is going back in for diagnostic follow-up today, to trace the
leaks. One car once again. I have to go to the storage unit and
unload winter clothes from our WA days today.

Been trying to get the A/C guy out to look at the boat, but they're
short-handed, due to a boat show right now. Hope they don't put us
off any more, once it ends. Can't live here without it, ya know. But
the plus is that there shouldn't be the condensation problem in the
boat like we had in WA.

Off to catch up on postings and pics here. Hope all are doing well
and gardens are starting to peek through the soil.

Hoping to see some of the local gardeners' gardens once we get a handle on things here. Maybe even dig in somebody else's garden?!

girlsaylor

Darling I think it only fitting I be the first to WELCOME to Dave's as you start this new adventure in Florida.
Ladies and Gentlemen please Welcome girlsaylor to this lovely place.

gs,
This group will help you remember what old timeFamily and Friends were like.
It's 'exiles' times 10,000.
They will give you the shirt off their backs (sometimes literally) or all the space you need.

I see the Galloping Gardeners have already started lining up.
Man I wish I were down there! LOL

May this Florida chapter of your lives be all you are hoping and MORE!

Have fun My Friend!
Ric

I lived on a boat in Alaska for awhile - still remember the sound of the rain - gl & there are lots of neat peple in fla. - yell at sidney

hello and welcome to daves garden from upstate new york. sounds like ou are living a dream each of us have.

Wow, I really feel all warm and welcome now. Thanks for the intro, Ric, and your well-wishes.

Dyson and Herbie, thank you for the greetings. I'm totally in awe of the kindness of all these people at Dave's, and the Florida group is already family, from their postings.

Girlsaylor

WOW, life on a boat, good for you. Welcome to Dave's, you sound like a nice addition!

jeribelle...

Where are you.? Thought we would get together....

Hap

Hap
I heard from her a few days ago.

They are busily getting the boat ready for sailing.
A LOT of work.
Plus there is a saga of major proportions w/ her car.

I'm sure she'll be popping in soon.
She is LOVING it down there.

Ric

I am so glad. I sure would like to have her joing our little group.

Hap

Very cool! Snow will be the last worry here! lol

your on the other side of me! I'm on the other end of theAlly! off I-75.

Welcome to Fl!

I was wondering how things were going too. Shoot, once they are off sailing we'll not hear from them again for a long time.

Molly
:^))))

Hey Molly-

I've been offline more than online for awhile. Combination of intermittent internet connection, 3 weeks of 2 granddaughters visiting, and of course, the sailboat refit. Been stalled on the mast due to the hot weather making it difficult to work on it for more than a couple of hours early in the AM on the weekend.

Anyhow, I'll try and get back into the forum soon. Thanks for asking 'bout us.

Randy

Wow, Randy,

You have been busy, and even after living in Fla for 30 years, I know the value of working in the morning and staying in for the heat of the day. We just painted our roof in 2 1/2 hours this morning. Had to beat the heat on that or waste a whole lot of paint.

Happy_1 asked Ric about you yesterday. Your ears must have been burning.

Well, I do have some other minor projects to piddle on today so I better get a move. Come back and see us soon,

Molly
:^))))