Sorry I haven't posted for awhile but ever since the boat show I can not get on line from Shannon's condo and have to go to the library and use their desktop. So no pictures as they are on my computer. Our time in Fort Lauderdale is quickly coming to an end as we leave Tuesday. The boat show was overwhelming. We did get on the new boat built in Gibsons BC and we did go on the new Grand Banks. I do not have my notes with me so no remember.

October 27 Wednesday 2010 Fort Lauderdale

First time we wake up to no cruise ships in port. We usually have 3 -5.

Today we decide to do the water Taxi thing again and learn more about the up coming boat show. There will be 3 thrillian dollars worth of boats in the boat show. The largest boat is Cakewalk a 281 foot yatch. The largest boat built in the USA. A 210' Felicita West sailboat, the 196' Barcarella and 124' Sea Owl built by Delta are just a few. We get off and have lunch at the Irish pub. Very good food. We walk around before heading back. Hudson and Dina go for a swim before happy hour. They do the taxi thing at night again. Sherri phones and we try to Skype but my signal is not strong enough.

REMEMBER-A friend is someone who knows all about you and loves you anyway.

It is getting crowded

October 26 Tuesday 2010 Fort Lauderdale

We watch more boats arrive for the boat show. It is getting very packed. We walk down by the beach and do a small shopping at the CVS just around the corner. My internet was down all day but is back in the evening. Shannon phones and they have arrived safely . They will be exploring the Raja Ampat region. Seram Island and the western tip of Papua -Spice Islands. I have only skyped twice so will try again tomorrow if I can get on line and I will try to take pictures of Carter and Madison.

REMEMBER-A friend is one who believes in you when you have ceased to believe in yourself.

October 25 Monday 2010 Fort Lauderdale

Today we decide to drive to Everglade National Park. We leave at 9am. It takes us 3 hours to get there. The ranger at the park said it should of taken only one and a half. Obliviously we took the long way. We take the Ten Thousand Island tour-$26.50 ea for 1 hour 30 minutes. We see many birds including a pair of eagles. We go for a quick lunch before taking the Mangrove Wilderness tour-$35 ea for 1 hour 45 minutes. The most exciting bird is the Roseate Spoonbill. We do not see any Manatee's or alligators. The ranger tells us where to go to see alligators H P Williams roadside park and we see lots. We drive down a good dirt road and see many catching the last of the sun. The ranger tells us the short way home on hwy 75. We do not get back home until 8pm a long day . I have chili already made. We find all the large boats for the boat show already put in what a disappointment we missed the docking. Oh well next time we will not leave Fort Lauderdale. .

REMEMBER-We are not here to see through one another; but to see one another through.

17 boats in all tie up in front of us. It took all day from 9-5

October 23 -24 Saturday Sunday 2010 Fort Lauderdale

Lots of action boats and docks moving everywhere. Sunday was a real bonanza. We watch from the balcony. Some make it easy some need help. The weather cooperates in the morning as it is cloudy so we can stay on the balcony without getting baked. We have the VHS on so listen to some instructions. A large sailboat get grounded in the pass and needs help to get pulled out of the mud. The last boat arrives by 5pm. It rains off and on all evening.

REMEMBER-A good friend is hard to find, hard to lose and impossible to forget

October 22 Friday 2010 Fort Lauderdale

We sit out on the balcony and watch boats arriving for the show and docks being jockied around. I lost my sunglasses while on the Fast Cat so go and buy another pair. Bill stay back and listens to his Bill Good show on my computer. He is a happy camper. Hudson ,Dina and I go for a swim in the pool before happy hour. Bill and Hudson barbecue tonight.

REMEMBER-True friendship is like sound health; the value of it is seldom known until it is lost.

a widows walk is where the wives went up to see if their men were coming home

October21 Thursday 2010 back to Fort Lauderdale

After a good breakfast I walk around and take more pictures of Simson Court. I would really recommend this place check www.simontoncourt.com

We leave by 10am for an uneventful trip back to Fort Lauderdale. We are back by 3pm. There was not much difference in boat show preparations that we could see. So we didn't miss the big boats that will be coming in.

REMEMBER-Friendship is the only thing that will hold the world together.

October 17 Sunday 2010 Fort Lauderdale

Today is farmer's market day. Nothing much there so we walk to downtown and get the Sun bus back. Lots of shops and restaurants. Not as hot today as its cloudy and it does sprinkle a bit but not enough to get wet.

REMEMBER-happy is the house that shelters a friend

October 16 Saturday 2010 Fort Lauderdale

We wake up to more sunshine . A super cruise ship arrives this morning. What a difference in size. We both ( Hudson and I) check and answer e-mails .

After lunch we walk down the South side of the sea wall. We walk for 3 hours before stopping for a beer. Happy hour on the balcony. What a hard life.

REMEMBER-A hug is the shortest distance between friends.

October 15 Friday 2010 Fort Lauderdal

After an early lunch we decide to take the Intracoastal waterway taxi $ 11 for all day with off and on privileges. We really enjoyed going past multi-million dollar homes. Our tour guide commented on who lives in many of the homes. Very interesting. I will take notes next time as I can not remember all as too much information. We stop and have a beer at Bootleggers. After supper we do the same trip at night. Shannon phones while we are out. Bill got to talk to her as he didn't come. They are in Singapore and they think they will be in Indonesia for Christmas then New Zealand.

REMEMBER-He who finds a friend finds treasures