On Saturday evening, February 7th, we joined Todd's sister and brother-in-law, Jennifer & Mark, for the downtown Orlando free outdoor concert featuring the band America. It was a pleasantly cool evening and we had a great time, both at the concert and afterward at a nearby bar called Latitudes where our friend Lisa's troll turned out to be quite the chick magnet! Sorry girls, the Captain is already taken!
It was a reminiscent night listening to America play all their hits!
The Captain with Troll comfortably nesting on Ms. Peru's chest.
Troll enjoying another bar patron - what a chick-magnet!
Sunday was spent on "Life's2Short" getting ready for our guests, Bob & Linda Eckels, from Springfield, MO. Bob & Linda arrived Monday afternoon and we all went to Limoncello's (formerly Oscar's) on the waterfront in downtown Sanford for a late lunch. That evening we wandered over to Gator's Riverside Grill at Sanford Boat Works for drinks, gator bites and onion rings. Nothing like a nutritious dinner!
On Tuesday the Eckels treated us to Disney's Epcot Center. We spent the day checking out the various attractions and touring the many shops and restaurants in the World Showcase. The day ended with a great fireworks show on the lake in the middle of the World Showcase area. What a fun time!
Arriving at Epcot for a wonderful day of fun. Thanks Bob & Linda!
Now, which way do we go?
One of the more interesting venues at Epcot was their display of Aquaponics. Here, pumpkins are suspended and growing in a "dirtless" environment.
This is the Aquaponics display featuring different types of lettuce. Very interesting!
The gang getting ready to head in to Mission Space. The trip to Mars was pretty intense and three of us got a little "spacesick."
Noooooooooo, not another photo!
One of the featured restaurant's in Epcot's World Showcase.
Admiral Minnie & Captain Mickey after a very long day.
Nighttime at Epcot - a beautiful view.
A postcard from the future, one of the "free" souvenirs from our day at Epcot.
The Eckels headed to Savannah on Wednesday to spend a few days with mutual friends Howard & Sue Berriman who we also visited when we were in Savannah this past summer and fall. Wednesday evening we went over to Jennifer & Mark's for Todd's niece's 18th birthday dinner. Happy 18th, Shannon!
The new 18-year-old with her younger sis, Sara. Anyone recognize the birthday hat?
Shannon with her Mamaw.
Shannon had requested crab legs for her birthday dinner, and what a dinner it was!
Enjoy it while you can, Shannon. You only turn 18 once.
Thursday was spent cleaning, washing and waxing various part of the boat. That evening we walked over to Luv'n Life, a beautiful 47-foot Atlantic, to meet Frank & Lorrain who live aboard their boat at Sanford Boat Works. Frank plans to retire in the next year and they are both ready to begin cruising full-time, especially Lorrain! We enjoyed chatting with them and hope to cross paths again somewhere along the waterways.
We made a run to Wal-Mart Friday to begin stocking up for the Bahamas. That evening Bob & Linda returned from Savannah and we had a nice dinner on "Life's2Short." Saturday morning (Happy Valentine's Day!) Todd picked up his niece Sara and friend Kristen and we shuttled them to Astor, FL to spend the night with Todd's parents who are currently staying at an RV park there. Our next stop was for a late, tasty lunch at 3 Bananas on the water in Crescent City.
The gang enjoying being tourists on land.
Honey, they shrunk the company...!
...and the hosts!
After lunch we went to the Maritime Museum in Welaka to admire the display of beautifully handcrafted wooden boats and other objects of wood art. We had stopped by the museum this past November on our way up the St John's River but, unfortunately, it was closed that day. We were sorry to learn of the recent passing of Dick Speas, the builder of these fine works of art; however, we were fortunate enough to have Rand Speas, Dick's son, give us a personal tour of the museum. Rand is continuing in his father's footsteps and we can't wait to see more works of art next time we visit! If interested, you can visit their website (coming soon) at http://www.welakamaritimemuseum.com/.
Rand talking about steam whistles and telling stories about growing up in his family.
Incredible works of art. Notice the prop made out of wood!
True words to cruise by...
A classic Dunphy on display.
A very large "vase" that Dick built - beautiful!
The "Linda B," a steam engine made of butternut and trimmed with walnut.
Outboard motors from times gone by.
We then made our way to New Smyrna where we enjoyed drinks and appetizers at Breakers on the beach overlooking the Atlantic ocean. On the way to New Smyrna we came across a large gathering of people in a muddy field on the east side of the highway and stopped to see what all the excitement was about. I'm not sure what they call what they were doing, but it was kind of like four-wheeling in a huge mud pit! No one seemed to mind getting themselves, their vehicles or the spectators totally covered in mud. It was so bad that mud was running out of the doors of some of the vehicles! Not my idea of fun, but to each his (or her) own!
Getting down and dirty in rural Florida.
Redneck Heaven!
Mud pouring out of the cab, yuck!
After a late Sunday brunch, Bob & Linda spent some time helping polish the stainless steel on "Life's2Short" while Todd did some more waxing. It was a rather gloomy, cool day so we broke out the dominoes that afternoon and actually played two full games of Mexican Train, with a break in between for dinner.
Bob working on the bow. You missed a spot, Bob!
The Captain waxing the eyebrow - again!
Linda polishing the stainless steel. I don't recall signing up for a working vacation...?
Enjoying another fine meal, compliments of the Admiral!
Todd took Bob & Linda to the airport early Monday morning and we spent the rest of the day doing boat projects and catching up on paperwork. Todd also spent some time putting away our stock of beer for the Bahamas. We were fortunate enough to find a local liquor store that was willing to cut us a deal and deliver it to us at the marina, which was very handy!
Fuel for the Bahamas!
Yesterday we ran errands and got caught up on laundry. Todd then spent a few hours washing the remainder of the boat while I worked on the blog. So much to do, so little time!
Today is Wednesday, February 18th, and we are going to Astor to spend some time with Todd's parents before heading to the west coast of Florida for a few final days of fun with friends Cathy and Lisa & Steve. We plan to leave Sanford Boat Works and start heading down the St. John's River toward Jacksonville on Wednesday, February 25th. Time permitting, we will update the blog again before we leave here. If not, our next update will likely be posted from Jacksonville sometime the first week of March.
