FORT LAUDERDALE to PALM BEACH

GURRRRRR........We apologize for the blog post delay :(

To make a long story short, we had to update our computer operating system and somehow during this process our blog was lost in "cyber-space" (Who can relate to this frustrating experience... 👽.... ???). Once we docked at a Marina with good wifi we were able to (thankfully) find our blog (and add emojis 😱).  So, we are ready to post again and share our Great Loop adventure with family and friends. 

Thank you for traveling with us♥️.

Yes, "Life got in the way again". Not really, we were honored to be invited to attend our niece's graduation from Temple Medical School in Philadelphia on Mother's Day weekend. We just needed to figure out a few logistics, like where to leave Thistle and what airport to fly from to Philadelphia....

After some research and discussion we decided it was best to stay another week at The Hall of Fame Marina in Fort Lauderdale. We feel Thistle is safe here and the Fort Lauderdale airport is close, with many daily flights to Philadelphia.

So, another week in Fort Lauderdale....What should we do?

Well, when we started the Loop 5 years ago Cuba was on our possible port list. With the United States changing political climate, Cuba was scratched off our wish list. But, we did find a four day "People-to-People" travel cruise from Miami to Havana. Without any hesitation we were off to 🇨🇺 Cuba and on to Philadelphia for 👩‍🎓 Graduation.

Havana and Philadelphia were both wonderful. Wait until you see the pictures below 😊!

When we finally arrived back to Fort Lauderdale we were ready to GO North...But the Florida ☔️ weather was not cooperating? With heavy rain predicted the next 15 days.

After a goodnights sleep we woke up early. With a favorable weather window we prepped Thistle and started North on the ICW to Palm Beach.

Looper Tip: Watch out Looper Friends we are on our way North trying to Catch Up with you⚓️.

We departed the port of Miami in the evening on the NCL cruise ship 

and arrived in Havana at sunrise. 

Sights of Havana from the ship.

With our Passport and Visas ready we cleared customs into Cuba ...

The young pretty security guards wear short skirts and embroidered fishnet stockings 

(I think it's the first ever Greg might have hoped to get frisked?)

It was fun to update MEETS to show fellow Loopers our Havana location.

Antique Taxi cars everywhere!

Beautiful buildings in Havana.

Colorful people of Havana.

Art everywhere 🎨. 

A typical City Street.

The elegant National Ballet Building.

Daiquiris and a show 💃🏼 at the Floridian.

Sights of Havana. 

"Havana" good day in 🇨🇺...🌸..

A quick stop at Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas 🇧🇸 then on to Philadelphia.

The first night in Philadelphia we were invited to Mark's home for dinner.

The dinner turned into a surprise engagement party 💍 We are very happy ♥️ for Mark & Natalie. 

They met four years ago on their first day of Medical School.

The next night Natalie, planned a Graduation Party at Vesper Boat House, on the bank of the Schuklkill River. 

There was a pretty tree with pink blossoms (cherry 🍒tree?) at the Boat House.

The Taylor Girls in a row! 

Happy Birthday to Reenie's Mom and Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms.

Natalie's and Mark's Graduation, with the proud family. 

Philadelphia ...♥️

Flying back to Thistle... 

Due to heavy rain in Fort Lauderdale, our original flight was delayed 4 hours, we decided to depart the following day. 

The next day in Fort Lauderdale we sat on the tarmac for two hours, due to rain and lightning! 

Not ideal boating conditions?

 Yeah, the next morning we departed Fort Lauderdale.

Thistle's mast down for the many bridges. 

Back on the ICW.

Nineteen bridges and about 48 miles to Palm Beach. 

We docked just before the rain started. 

FORT LAUDERDALE to SPAIN and BACK

We are both happy to be back aboard Thistle in Fort Lauderdale :)

Yes, we enjoyed an off the Loop experience, traveling to Spain for a couple of weeks!

Greg played with the Santa Barbara Masters Water Polo Team at The Spanish Cup in the Canary Islands. So, even though we are committed to completing the Great American Loop .... sometimes “Life Just Gets in the Way” (Really how could we not take advantage of this opportunity?). 

After traveling and finally over jet lag we are excited and reinvigorated to be back on our floating home and Loving Loop Life.

Looper Tip: It was a good idea to take a short Loop Life break. The break made us appreciate our Great Loop Adventure even more :)  It was also a perfect time for Thistle to get some minor cosmetic work done. 

Thistle docked at the Hall of Fame Marina.

We took the train from Fort Lauderdale to Charleston.

(Our flight to Spain was booked months ago from Charleston... We incorrectly guessed our Loop progress.) 

The famous Silver Meteor Passenger train ride was definitely an interesting experience? The route between New York City and Miami started in 1939 and is still in operation today.

We flew from Charleston to JFK then to Madrid. 

After traveling around Madrid for six days we flew from Valencia to Lanzarote in The Canary Islands.

We rented a small car for a week at the Madrid airport and returned the car at the Valencia airport.

While traveling we stayed at various Paradores de Turismo de Espana (Green circles). 

Paradores are a state run hotel chain to promote Spanish tourism. The hotels are very reasonably priced and are located in adapted castles, palaces, fortresses, convents, monasteries and other historic buildings.

Some of the hotels have pools (and Greg was anxious to swim in preparation for the water polo tournament) but way too cold!

In Toledo we followed the trail of Don Quixote. 

This is the Parador Alarcon, an 8th century castle.

Our hotel room was the “keep” or the castle top!

We felt like a King and Queen 

(Reenie soaked in the tub enjoying a bubble bath...truly a luxury after living on a boat). 

Beautiful Spain! 

 Wonderful food and wine.

The Spanish Sierras in the background.

Copa De Espana 2018.

Fantastic friendships new and old :)  

Santa Barbara 55 and older team was undefeated in the tournament.

After the tournament we toured the island with good friends. 

We visited the National Volcano Park, Timanfaya and had lunch at Cafe Gregorio.  

Back to Madrid for one night.

Then a one night stop in New York City, where we saw Mean Girls (excellent) and tea the next morning at Gregory’s :) Before our flight back to Fort Lauderdale.

Once back in Fort Lauderdale we finally had a chance to visit The International Swimming Hall of Fame Museum.

In the Museum we found a photo of Greg’s University of California Santa Barbara 1979 NCAA Championship Water Polo Team (some of his teammates were just in Spain with us). 

&

A photo of Greg with his teammates on the United States Olympic Water Polo Team at the Seoul Opening Ceremony.

Greg’s name plaque on the Hall of Fame Water Polo trophy. 

There were many interesting aquatic displays at the museum.  

Greg’s Aunt and Uncle visited us in Fort Lauderdale.

They got the “official” Thistle tour and then treated us to a nice lunch :)

Thank you XO 

There is always something happening in Fort Lauderdale!

This weekend we watched the spectacular Air Show ...until it got rained out :( 

Moon rise over Fort Lauderdale.

FORT LAUDERDALE

We have been docked at The Swimming Hall of Fame Marina in Fort Lauderdale for three wonderful weeks!

Fort Lauderdale is an extremely popular tourist destination with lots of sunshine and continuous events. They host over 15 million visitors per year. There is truly something for everyone to enjoy.

It’s best known for its beaches and boating (we have thoroughly enjoyed both :) The city is also bike friendly and lined with upscale outdoor restaurants, bars, boutiques and luxury hotels. It also boasts a local International airport.

Fort Lauderdale is named after a series of Forts built in this area by the United States during the Second Seminole War. 

It has been a great time to reflect on our Great Loop Adventure, plan our future Great Loop Adventure, schedule some minor Thistle maintenance, visit family, swim everyday, enjoy some warm beach weather and best of all welcome our friends visiting Fort Lauderdale for a Fabulous time!

Looper Tip: The water taxi is a great way to explore Fort Lauderdale. If you plan to be here for more than a week or two it’s best to purchase a monthly pass :)  It’s also a great location to schedule any boat maintenance (everything imaginable is available in this boat friendly city!) And a perfect spot to have friends and/or family visit. Easy airport, sunshine, hotels, restaurants and entertainment. 

FYI: For the next couple of weeks we have an off Thistle trip planned :) 

Greetings from Fort Lauderdale:)

We took advantage of our monthly Water Taxi Pass!

Spectacular homes along the Harbor. 

Every home has a unique story/history.

The Water Taxi Hosts are Happy to tell these stories to taxi riders over and over all day long

 (Including embellishment...lots of laughs?).

Every morning we check the America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association (AGLCA) App... 

To check what Loopers are near us on Meets.

(This is what it looks like on our mobile device.) 

Fellow Loopers... Please check in :)  

This Pirate Ship crossed Thistle’s stern about 5 times a day ... very fun to watch and listen!

Coconuts Restaurant is right next door to Thistle.

Tuesday is paella and half priced wine night :) 

Yes, you can find us there enjoying!

A stunning Fort Lauderdale skyline.

Our other favorite restaurants:

Sun Surf Sand - Beautiful view porch with fire pit. 

Louie Bossi’s - Excellent pizza.

Blue Martini- Great Happy Hour.

Casablanca- Historic!

Blue Moon over the Atlantic Ocean. 

Easter aboard Thistle.

The beautiful yellow daffodils are from Reenie’s Mom’s garden in Northern California.

The 2018 Tortuga Music Festival. 

We could hear both stages from Thistle’s flydeck.  

The Festival is a giant concert right on the beach. 

Greg is swimming laps everyday.

Reenie is participating in Water Arobics class or swimming laps. 

Loving Fort Lauderdale Beach! 

We hired Tommy to do some bright work on Thistle. 

She is looking really good :) 

Between Spring Break and the Tortuga Music Festival, there is a huge Police presence.  

They patrol the beach on horseback. 

Interesting sights on the Harbor:

The Famous kayaking Dog.

Yachts remotely refueling.

Giant Lizzards on our dock. 

Our friends Jamie and Fran, with their daughter Dani visited us in Fort Lauderdale:) 

So much fun!!!!! 

Thank you for the special visit :) 

 Cheers to our friendship!

This morning there was a gorgeous Fort Lauderdale sunrise. 

Thistle is docked at the Swimming Hall of Fame Marina.

Greg and Reenie are traveling on our side adventure:) 

Please stay tuned XO