Back From Fort Lauderdale......

What a wild fun week it has been. We arrived in Fort Lauderdale around 11:30 on Tuesday January 21st. to spend time with some Canadian friends. We stayed in a lovely little Inn that had only 5 rooms, each with private entrances. It was  lovely and quiet and had fabulous pool right outside our door. The pool temperature was 88 F.. Perfect!!! Our friends rented a 7 seat  van to drive everyone around which was a great idea . Our plan was to go to a brewery tour and eat supper there but when we arrived they did not have a tour that day so we opted to go somewhere else. After a tour around the area we settled on a Greek restaurant recommended by the owners of the Inn. It was a unique place with doors that opened all the way to a outside patio which gave you the feel of eating outside even if you were inside. The food did not disappoint! The Greek salmon I had  was very delicious and everyone else said they enjoyed their meal immensely, so I guess the restaurant lived up to its reputation. Besides the bottles of wine were on special for only $10.00.

Day 2 we visited the Bonnet house and learned some interesting history of the area. This was followed up by lunch by the ocean at Casa Blanca. A great mahi sandwich did not disappoint, although the others said their burgers were delicious. Another great recommendation by the inn owners.  Although the day was chilly we did manage to wander out on the beach and walk the shops along ocean drive. We returned to our rooms for cocktails followed by a late evening supper. We were all ready for bed early after a day in the fresh air.
Day 3 was an  early start to the river front to start our water taxi cruise. We boarded at the back of the  Hilton hotel and began our day. The water taxis run through the canals of Lauderdale and have a hop on hop off feature much like the buses do in other cities. There is a guide that points out the special yachts and  homes of the rich and famous along the route. It is unbelievable that someone would have that much money. It is almost sinful when you look at the poverty around the world.

Los Olas Blvd

American social Pub

Wet Duckies

We chose to hop off at the Las Olas stop which is a famous blvd. filled with shops,galleries , and restaurants. First on the agenda was lunch at a pub that was fashioned after the Cheers pub. Both the food and the atmosphere were great. How can you go wrong with Mahi tacos. Yes, more fish for me! lol. Our time was tight but we managed to sneak in a few shops and the National Geographic gallery before heading to catch the water taxi home.  Just after we boarded the boat it started to rain,completely out of nowhere and not predicted. I will include a lovely picture of our bright yellow  rain attire.

It was a quick trip back to our rooms to get ready to leave for the evening river cruise. The jungle queen was a large river boat that took us up through some canals showing us the lights and home along the way. We arrived  at a  private island that was set up for dining and  evening entertainment.

The boat we went on for our evening boat cruise

It was an all you can eat BBQ ribs chicken and
shrimp plus coleslaw ,beans, fries  and buns. No one left hungry. Following the dinner was a live variety show that provided some good entertaining acts.
The trip back to the dock along the canal was pretty with all the lights but the rain picked up and the plastic window coverings needed to be lowered distorting the view somewhat. It was a a great evening and we were all tired so all was good. I think everyone was get to get back to our rooms and get to bed before our big adventure to the everglades the next day.

The trip out to the everglades Billie Swamp compound was about an hour and a half drive . The everglade tours were run by the Seminole nation. We arrived just after noon and booked our swamp  buggy for 3 pm. this gave us time to have lunch, explore the trail around the area and take a look at the animals and birds and reptiles the had set up much like a small zoo. There was 2 bus loads of kids from a school that day as well who seemed to be really enjoying themselves. We heard lots of squeals as they took off on an air boat  or swamp buggy. Our trip out in the swamp buggy was just the 6 of us so it was like our own personal tour. It was very bumpy but we saw lots of wildlife and different tress, grasses and swampy areas. We received info on how the Seminole Indians lived and used all of the surrounding nature to survive. It was all very interesting and fun. Our return home was quiet as I think we were all tired. Supper was sandwiches and then a swim in the pool followed by a couple of cocktails and then we all said goodnight and it was off to bed.
Roger and I had a lazy morning on Saturday. Breakfast was delivered to our room and then I had one last swim in the warm and silky pool. It was time to pack up and head for home. We said goodbye to our friends, wished them well on their cruise and headed back to home to Harbour isle. We had a very fun few days and it was great to see people from home. To Gary, Ronna, Clint and Betty ...Bon Voyage!

We now await our next adventure with our two oldest grand kids, Gavin and Greysen,  that arrive January 28th.  We are so looking forward to their visit and have some fun times planned. Stay tuned....who knows what we will have to post.!!!!
Take care everyone.

Beautiful orchids at the Bonnet House

Fort Lauderdale beach

Loving the pool day or night

Moving on in January...

Hello friends and family from sunny windy Florida. This year will certainly be remembered as the year of the never ending winds. The temperatures have been reasonable but there have been very few days where we have not encountered gusty winds. This unusual phenomenon has wreaked havoc on the tourist industry especially with fishing and boating in general.  Many bars grills and restaurants are suffering as most have outside seating which can’t be utilized due to the winds.  On those rare evenings of calm people are out in full force taking advantage of the beautiful evening air.  I know this is nothing compared to our Manitoba winters and we are thankful to be here but it has certainly brought a change to our usual life and routine around here. I must admit I have still been able to get a great tan!

Monday was my day to try Yoga…..ummmm….I think I like swimming better is all I will say. I am sure it has good benefits but my knees hurt like crazy during and after. The afternoon at the pool was a welcome relief.

This past week we wandered over to the clubhouse to play bingo. I was not keen on going but Roger wanted to so I went along. I am sure glad I did because I was a lucky winner twice to the tune of $111.00. Woohoo!!! We had a lot of fun and it filled a Monday evening.

Tuesday we were out for supper with friends to a great seafood restaurant. The Mahi was delicious as it was fresh caught that day. You can’t beat the fresh fish around here. Roger had some kind of seafood gumbo bowl which he said was also delicious. A little too spicy for my taste, but the guys seemed to like it.

My meditation class was good this week with the addition of some new mediators. I have really come to enjoy the group and our weekly guided journeys.  In the evening it was Y- Not -Wednesday at the clubhouse with a potluck and lots of chatter.  We met some of the new people that have arrived at Harbour Isle and caught up with some people we have not seen for awhile.  Another 3F evening, Fun, Food,& Friends!

Thursday was a full pool day as the temperature was 33C. . There was a wind but with the heat it was perfect. We did not leave until after 5. It was just one of those days you can’t leave the water.

Windy Friday was crazy but a group of us ventured to the pool as one of the ladies who used to come here was down for a visit. Some of you may remember Laura from Kentucky. We lazed away the afternoon and then gathered for happy hour and some good laughs. Rita and Bob were great hosts and were able to show off their new floors and designer area rug.

Who knows what the rest of the weekend will bring. On Tuesday we are off to Fort Lauderdale for a few days to meet with some Canadian friends who are down in Florida for a week before taking off on their cruise. I am sure the six of us will have a blast exploring the area. It will certainly be good to spend some time with some good old Canadian friends.

We think of Manitoba often and time is flying by very quickly. Take care all!

Carol

Oh, the holidays.....

The holiday season has come to an end and we all take a deep breath and prepare for another year.  We have had parties and BBQs, small gatherings and big ones to celebrate the Christmas season. There was no lack of celebration as we approached the end of the year. Of course, we missed family and friends back home, but since all five grandkids had the flu over Christmas ….well let’s just say I did not need that!

Christmas Eve was lovely and with our friends Karen and Terry as we nibbled on salmon, flatbreads, wings, meatballs, and cheeses. Christmas carols filled the background as we ate, reminisced and toasted the season with a bit of good cheer. Christmas day was a pool day followed by a BBQ supper of steak and chicken and various sides with friends. After a couple of rousing games of Euchre we called it a night, walked home to our condo, and that was Christmas for 2019.

The weather has continued to be very fickle here with rain and wind. Sun, cloud, rain and wind seem to cycle through every day. The temperatures have been sitting around 25C -27C , but the cloud cover has been persistent.

As we moved toward New Years Eve the sun has decided to shine! Yahoo, what a good sign for the coming year.  Sun bathing at the pool was a great way to finish off 2019.

New Years was fun with about 20 people here at our condo. We started at 6:30 with a huge potluck with the most delicious food brought by all. The talking and laughter continued until 10:30 when we had our first toast to the New Year. Champagne flowed and cheers erupted after our false countdown to ring in the New Year.  Over the next hour the crowd dwindled a bit as some headed home to bed.  The rest of us continued our festive celebration laughing our way until midnight. Yes, then it was round # 2 to ring in the New Year.  We watched the ball drop, toasted with more champagne and it was officially 2020!  The fireworks started immediately and we had a wonderful view from our Florida room. We opened up the curtains and the patio doors and watch a spectacular display of colour over the water.  By 1:30 the last of the revelers headed home. A couple of people stayed to help with a quick clean up and one last toast with champagne, (you can’t let it go to waste), and then it was off to sleep.

Morning seemed to come early. The annual New Year Turtle dip started at 9 sharp at the pool followed by aquasizes, coffee and breakfast. A little rest was needed before heading back to the pool for the afternoon.  We had a supper with our friends Karen and Terry, a quick game of cards and we were ready to call it a night. Sleep came easy and the first day of the New Year came to a close.

We never know what the New Year will bring but we can enjoy every day as it comes. That is my promise to myself this year.  Taking each day and living it fully engaged, the good ones and the not so good ones. I guess as you get older you realize that sometimes life is just what is. We can hope for better things but we must not miss the moments at hand.

We hope you all have a great 2020 with many truly special moments that make this year one to remember!

Carol