Lauderdale Marine Center (LMC) has been our home for the past 2 months while we killed time waiting on weather and preparing for our trip: provisioning (food and other supplies), testing boat systems and performing routine maintenance. LMC, 4 miles up the New River, is one of the largest yacht repair facilities in the US. Amenities include floating docks, lounge, showers and laundry facilities. Steve knows several employees and contractors from his days in 2001/02 when he had his office here for Freedom Fenders, the innovative fenders he invented.  Its been great meeting more new friends in the yachting industry and WhoCares is getting all needed maintenance and repairs.

Sightseeing around the Ft. Lauderdale/Miami area, lots of friends visiting the boat and many lunches and dinners with friends, have been our main sources of entertainment when we’re not preparing for our trip…Oh and many hours sitting with a beer on the fly-bridge or bow in the sun, trip planning.  We’ve had a blast even though we have been unable to head for the Bahamas, delayed by wind.  The forecast for tomorrow shows favorable seas through the Gulf Stream!!  Our plan is to be underway by 4:00 am tomorrow!!!!!  Yippee!! Let the adventure continue!!!!!

Mike and Lisa came to visit from San Diego (Cruise bound).  Another great dinner at Bravos on 12/26/14

Lauderdale Marine Center

Lauderdale Marine Center

The Jungle Queen goes by a few times per day

Abby navigating

Ft. Lauderdale Beach

They have Steve’s Freedom Fenders at BOW!!

Steve’s Freedom Fenders

Steve’s Freedom Fenders

Haul-out and splash at LMC 2/4/15-2/9/15.  They were very accommodating, we were still able to live on board, “on the hard.”

Haul-out on 2/4/15, more prep for trip

Steve and Chip discussing plans

Living “on the hard”

“Splash” day 2/9/16

Ready…set…splash!

Lauderdale Marine Center was our playground for the last two months…kept us out of the street!

One of many provisioning receipts

I have a thing about expiration dates. Steve told me to get paper and pen and started dictating. LOL

A big girl on the move

Our DMB summer concert tour tickets were confirmed! Party!!

Mother and baby! We saw lots of Manatees while at LMC

Where’d he go, where’d he go, where’d he go

Captain performing maintenance in the engine room

I’m manifesting cruising weather for crossing to the Bahamas!

Chip got a new boat!  Time for a cruise on the new river!  I got to captain the boat for a while…fun!!  Thank you for a great day Chip!!

Chips new boat, going for a cruise tomorrow!

Steve and Chip

Yippee!

House used in Scarface

Sitting under I-75 waiting for the RR bridge opening, watching the train go by

Here’s  a good example of the traffic on the New River…much less stressful in a small boat!

Steve said we should get this for our little grocery getter!

Its a travel lift race!

Same race. 75 ton travel lift gaining on a 500 ton lift.Check out the operator behind the left rear tire in the red shirt for prospective!

You need this:

To lift this

Fun in Ft. Lauderdale/Miami area!

South Beach, Miami with Lauren

Lunch at The DownTowner with Lauren…love this place

Me and Lauren at the DownTowner

One of our favorite places!

Yep…you guessed it. Lunch at The DownTowner

The New River from the DownTowner

A passing yacht with one of Steve’s Freedom Fenders!

Having dinner with a few friends at Runway 84 and look what kind of toilet they had!

I didn’t think they still had these anywhere

2/20/15 Really?! This is Florida, right?

We’re celebrating a chance for crossing day after tomorrow!!