The Mighty Quinn Hits The ICE

One of the great joys of returning home is we get to see family. Especially our two Toronto Grand children. We miss the Denver connection, Nicole and Parker terribly, but it is wonderful to see Kennedy and Quinn grow up. No grand parents could ask for four better grand children.

The following video is of Quinn at hockey practice.

Better Late Then Never December 13 The Fort Lauderdale Parade of Lights

On December 13 Fort Lauderdale put on a fantastic boat parade. It went on for maybe 2 hours. The varidity was amazing from paddlers on boards to very large 100 feet + boats. I have tried to make a video which is not very good but will give you a sense of the show. each boat provided their own music, so it got a little loud every once and a while.

I have not had enough band width to perform this task until I got home. This clip is a very small part of the 2 hours but it serves to remind us of happier times.

Our Trip To The North Country

Last Tuesday we travelled home. The flight on West Jet was excellent despite not getting a wheel chair at first for Trish. Then when we did get it a porter came and said he needed it and Trish had to get out of it. The mess was cleared just in time for Trish to board without being force to use her walker to board.

It was Kelly's first flight and she enjoyed it. When we arrived at Pearson the wheel chair was ready and we were whisked through. Katie and Laughlin met us and my sisters joined us for dinner.

I will show you pictures of the transportation proved by the Hospital.

One Last Look

A Bad day in South Florida

Our Transportation to Miami Airport

Miami Airport

A view From the Plane

Home and cold

On Tuesday Feb 10 we flew home on Westjet. We had a couple of problems with them in Miacmi, but the flight was great. Upon our arrival they were all ready for us and within 30 minutes f our arrival we were in Laughlin's Hummer headed home.

While cold and windy we do get to see two of our four great and wonderful grand children.

Lunch with Stacy and Barry

Yesterday we arranged to have lunch with Barry and Stacy. Barry is the gentleman who fixed our pump arranged for the freezer to be fixed and change our oil and filters. In our absence he will check our batteries and arrange for a diver to change our sinks and clean our bottom.

In two days we will be back in the cold and snow. I say back but that is not really correct. we have not been in cold weather since last February. It is going to be a shock.

Black Point Grille in the distance

Barry and Stacy with Trish and Kelly

Irish Mist in the background

Lunch at The Fontainebleau

On Friday we travelled to Miami Beach. On the way we went through South Beach, but since we are not very mobile we did not stop. We decided to go to The Fontainebleau for lunch.

Not knowing where to park we went to the front door. We were told that there was only valet parking and it was $25. We said we only wanted lunch and did not want to pay $25 dollars to park. The kind gentleman said we could get our ticket validated by our waitress, but could only stay 5 hours. I said we would be much less then 5 hours so he could have the car.

Our dinner was very nice but over priced. At least we were not paying $25 to park. For insurance purposes a bell hop had to wheel Trish to the restaurant. I tip him at a rate of about $50 an hour. On the way back the insurance companies gave us a pass and I was able to wheel Trish to the car.

It was here that I found out the cost was not $25 but $12.00 for 5 hours. I was not happy but to get the car I paid. I told the gentleman who brought the car around I had left his tip with the lady in the booth. 

We drove home on another magnificent day.

On our way to Naples February 4th

We headed over to Naples but only had lunch so as we could get home before dark. We saw several Alligators, a snake and an Eagle.

Birds

Snakes look carefully

Alligators

Off to Fort Pierce

On Tuesday we decided to go to Fort Pierce and visit our friends Bill and Mary Mursel and David and Lynda Fletcher. These are the two couples we were to go to The Bahamas with. They had intended to go last week. but the weather did not cooperate. The trip with traffic was a little longer then we had thought but a wonderful drive. On the way back we avoided the traffic by going west to Lake Okeechobee then South. It actually took less time coming home then going.

Harbortown Marina Fort Pierce

We are still at Black Point Marina

The weather is great. We are safely tied up to a dock, but we are getting bored. There is nothing here except a very good restaurant which Trish can not get to. I go for walks and will get the bike out and go grocery shopping. There are not even nice roads to ride on nor are there any nice houses to see.

We understand that our climate should make up for any of the short comings of our situation and generally it does. Yesterday I went for a bike ride the day before we had a diver check our zinks. Today or tomorrow we will rent a car and get Trish out of the boat.

Barry organized a diver to go down and check our zinks. They were in pretty good shape. We agreed to have him clean our bottom and replace the zinks just before we come back.

The boat manufactures have to start making beamier boats to make room for another 350 horse power.

Manatee swimming past our boat.

An Alligator resting on a sand bank.

These fish were about 15 to 18 inches long.