Note To Ourselves -
We have a lot of fun the past two years; this year more so than last. We learned so much and met so many great new people. But it's not something we should do again. The boat prep, 26 hour drive each way, getting the boat in/out of water, unpredictable FL weather, and unpacking is too stressful and time consuming. So next year at this time when we are wearing rose colored glasses DO NOT do this trip again. Next year, sitting on the beach in the Caribbean and exploring all it has to offer for a month sounds much more relaxing and much less expensive!
Lastly, thanks to all of you have followed our blog the past two years! I can't believe there have been 1,643 page views since I started the blog two years ago.
Monday, December 19, 2016
Sunday, December 18, 2016
Heading Back to MN
We arrived at Harbour Towne Marina in Dania Beach by 9 a.m. and got the head pumped. Then we called an Uber to go pick up the trailer at American RV and Marine. We thought all went well with the trailer until we discovered the rear driver brake light wasn't working after we got the boat off the water and we were back at the hotel. So we went back to the repair shop and they fixed it right away.
Taking the boat off the water went pretty good....better than last year!
We left at 3:30 a.m. from the Motel 6 on December 13. We wanted to miss out on morning rush hour in South Florida and evening rush hour in Atlanta, GA. We drove in fog and rain a lot of the way and caught up in an accident outside of Nashville about 5:30 p.m. We went about 5 mph for over an hour and then it just looked like a fender bender.... frustrating. Corp drove over 17 hours from Dania Beach to Oak Grove, KY. I got to try the Waffle House for the first time. Hash browns and egg sandwich hit the spot after our long travel day.
Another long driving day on Wednesday with lots of wind, but we made it home about 9:30 p.m. after driving another 14+ hours. Corp was beat!
Last year, we were on the water 17 days. This year we increased to 21 days.
Last year, we went about 400+ miles on the ICW. This year we increased to 652 miles.
Here are a few more truck related details after we got home.
We came home to temperatures below zero. When we unpacked the boat it was -16 degrees. Last year when we got home it was in the 40's. We didn't realize how lucky we were.
We couldn't believe all the stuff we had packed in the boat. The photos don't even include all the cushions.
At the beginning of this trip, we questioned if we were gluttons for punishment or it this would be a redemption trip. We definitely redeemed ourselves!
Taking the boat off the water went pretty good....better than last year!
We left at 3:30 a.m. from the Motel 6 on December 13. We wanted to miss out on morning rush hour in South Florida and evening rush hour in Atlanta, GA. We drove in fog and rain a lot of the way and caught up in an accident outside of Nashville about 5:30 p.m. We went about 5 mph for over an hour and then it just looked like a fender bender.... frustrating. Corp drove over 17 hours from Dania Beach to Oak Grove, KY. I got to try the Waffle House for the first time. Hash browns and egg sandwich hit the spot after our long travel day.
Another long driving day on Wednesday with lots of wind, but we made it home about 9:30 p.m. after driving another 14+ hours. Corp was beat!
Last year, we were on the water 17 days. This year we increased to 21 days.
Last year, we went about 400+ miles on the ICW. This year we increased to 652 miles.
Here are a few more truck related details after we got home.
We came home to temperatures below zero. When we unpacked the boat it was -16 degrees. Last year when we got home it was in the 40's. We didn't realize how lucky we were.
We couldn't believe all the stuff we had packed in the boat. The photos don't even include all the cushions.
At the beginning of this trip, we questioned if we were gluttons for punishment or it this would be a redemption trip. We definitely redeemed ourselves!
Thursday, December 15, 2016
Surprising Finds in Hollywood
Kent and Holly's last day was again rainy and windy.
Another Windy Video
We were so bummed the weather wasn't better when they visited, but there was nothing we could do about it and it didn't stop us from having a great time!
Before Kent and Holly arrived we locked up our folding bikes right next to the Miami Beach Police Station to give us more room on the boat. When Corp took the dinghy to go get them they were gone. Someone cut the lock and stole them..... clean cut....nasty thieves.....I. hope karma is a bitch for them!!!!!! We used them so much during our trip. Glad it didn't happen at the beginning of our trip.
We decided to head north to Hollywood and anchor at North Lake. We have never anchored there before, so it was a new adventure for all of us.
We jumped in the dinghy and tied up at Somewhere It's 5 O'clock restaurant. We walked along the boardwalk and discovered some fun bars. This is definitely a placer I would like to visit in the future!
Also a great place for some photos. The waves were pretty big!
Kent's great restaurant/bar seeking skills found us our favorite find of the day...Saloon LeTub. It's an funky outdoor bar/restaurant that is decorated with everything tub related so there were great photo opportunities!
Another Windy Video
We were so bummed the weather wasn't better when they visited, but there was nothing we could do about it and it didn't stop us from having a great time!
Before Kent and Holly arrived we locked up our folding bikes right next to the Miami Beach Police Station to give us more room on the boat. When Corp took the dinghy to go get them they were gone. Someone cut the lock and stole them..... clean cut....nasty thieves.....I. hope karma is a bitch for them!!!!!! We used them so much during our trip. Glad it didn't happen at the beginning of our trip.
We decided to head north to Hollywood and anchor at North Lake. We have never anchored there before, so it was a new adventure for all of us.
We jumped in the dinghy and tied up at Somewhere It's 5 O'clock restaurant. We walked along the boardwalk and discovered some fun bars. This is definitely a placer I would like to visit in the future!
Also a great place for some photos. The waves were pretty big!
Kent's great restaurant/bar seeking skills found us our favorite find of the day...Saloon LeTub. It's an funky outdoor bar/restaurant that is decorated with everything tub related so there were great photo opportunities!
The food was fantastic! The seafood salad sandwich, 13 oz. burger, chicken sandwich, and huge steak fries were a definite hit!
And then our last photo together.... we were sad to see them go! We had such a fun time.... so many laughs and memories! They were great guests!
Happy Birthday Corp!
Happy 44th Birthday to my best friend and favorite adventure partner!!!!!!
Unfortunately, his birthday was rainy and windy, but we made the best of it.
The day started with a shower off the back of the boat. He was actually taking a shower in the rain. You can see the rain drops in the photo below.
Then we were off in the dinghy in the wind and rain.
Holly and I were glad we had ponchos.... we were pretty wet after the dinghy ride.
Before photo... we forgot to take an after photo.
We were off to the Burger and Beer Joint for lunch/drinks. Great food! Even with all the foam on his beer, his beer mustache was pretty tiny.
Then we headed down to South Beach. We couldn't walk on the beach... way too windy!
Windy Video
We stopped at Senior Frogs for yard drinks and funny balloon hat and signs.
Hat Video
Then the staff surprised us with singing happy birthday and whipped cream surprise. I'm so bummed I couldn't get my phone out fast enough so I missed most of it, but Corp was really surprised and said he could smell the whipped cream in his nose for hours... lol
Whipped Cream Face Video
Then Kent found the Club Deuce bar, which was a great dive bar find. The people watching/drama unfolding around us was fantastic!
Then we were back to the dinghy and headed back to the boat. Holly almost went off the end of the dock when she was chasing her hat.... it was so windy!!!!
Corp's favorite gift was Kent and Holly coming down to spend his birthday with us!
Friday, December 9, 2016
The Benieks Arrived!
On Thursday morning, Kent and Holly arrived about 6 a.m. Their first dinghy ride was before sunrise....brave!
Video of Their Arrival
Video of Corp Popping Champagne Celebrating Their Arrival
Photos on the ride to Key Largo. No wind... the water was like glass.... when the sun came out it was a perfect boating day! So fun to share with such great friends!
We stopped at Gilberts and ordered their awesome chicken wings. Lots of photo opportunities there.
We were joking about trading up to the boat on the right (red boat) in the photo below. We need to win the lottery or work three jobs a piece.
Corp was able to get his street vendor corn that he loves to much at Senior Frijoles.
Enjoyed the Michael Trixx show again! This time at the Big Chill.
On Friday we returned to Miami because the winds were 15 mph from the NE. It was a choppy ride across Key Biscayne. It was hilarious when Kent started playing Christmas music.
After we got anchored south of Belle Island we took the dinghy to shore and walked around the Lincoln Mall area.
Kent was sitting on the white concrete box in the front right of the photo when the palm branch came crashing down and fell on the car. We all screamed and jumped when it happened. Crazy!
Tomorrow is Corp's birthday, so we are going to hang out on Miami Beach and go to South Beach to celebrate!
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
Back in Miami
We woke up this morning to the calmest waters we have ever seen in Florida. The water was beautiful... it was like glass.
The water was so clear! It's hard to see but in the center of the photo there is a jellyfish about the size of a dinner plate.
Today we traveled 60 miles north across Biscayne Bay back to Miami/Miami Beach. I can't get Will Smith's Welcome to Miami song out of my head...... lol.
Again I drove part of the way today. I guess now we have photographic proof.... lol.
We are anchored on the south side of the Venetian Islands this time. We are trying this location because when we return to Miami on Friday the winds will be from the NE at 20 mph making our first anchorage north of the Venetian Islands during Thanksgiving not a good choice. The winds will be howling across Biscayne Bay and we expect waters will be very choppy.
There is more day time boat traffic with waves at this anchorage, but the skyline view is beautiful at night.
We visited Flagler Memorial Island in the dinghy, which is only a few minutes from our anchorage. Not much to see, but it has a pretty cool obelisk monument.
Tomorrow our friends Kent and Holly arrive at about 6 a.m. We are excited to share with them all we have learned and the great places we have discovered the past two years!
They will be here until December 11 and then we are off the water and heading back home December 13 or 14. Keeping our fingers crossed the trailer will be done on December 14.
The water was so clear! It's hard to see but in the center of the photo there is a jellyfish about the size of a dinner plate.
Today we traveled 60 miles north across Biscayne Bay back to Miami/Miami Beach. I can't get Will Smith's Welcome to Miami song out of my head...... lol.
Again I drove part of the way today. I guess now we have photographic proof.... lol.
We are anchored on the south side of the Venetian Islands this time. We are trying this location because when we return to Miami on Friday the winds will be from the NE at 20 mph making our first anchorage north of the Venetian Islands during Thanksgiving not a good choice. The winds will be howling across Biscayne Bay and we expect waters will be very choppy.
There is more day time boat traffic with waves at this anchorage, but the skyline view is beautiful at night.
We visited Flagler Memorial Island in the dinghy, which is only a few minutes from our anchorage. Not much to see, but it has a pretty cool obelisk monument.
We just beached the dinghy and tied it to a tree. Pretty low tech!
Tomorrow our friends Kent and Holly arrive at about 6 a.m. We are excited to share with them all we have learned and the great places we have discovered the past two years!
They will be here until December 11 and then we are off the water and heading back home December 13 or 14. Keeping our fingers crossed the trailer will be done on December 14.
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