Feb. 24 Chuck Visits RiverBend

            My old friend and Crew Chief from the Stock Car Racing Days stopped by to visit while
                            in the Fort Myers area.

          Chuck with his friends Bob and Janie enjoyed lunch at the River Club House patio
                     overlooking the Caloosahatchie River

        Chuck just couldn't stand it, he had to see some racing action while at RiverBend. Although, far
        from our old days of racing, everyone got a kick out of watching the Remote Control Race Cars
        battling it out at RiverBend International Raceway.

                                   More racing action at RiverBend International Raceway
           It was great having Chuck and friends spend the day with us at our Winter Paradise.

Feb. 9-14..Deliver Connie & Paula's Sundancer

                  Daytona Beach Boat Works dropped her in the water Thursday afternoon and we
                     spent the night onboard getting familiar with the systems before leaving out
                        Friday morning..

            Hey Jerry, what's this thing do? Looks like the "what-cha-ma-call-it)" that makes the gizmo
                work....looks hi-tech to me. Better ask Christine, she's the tech guru.

          Yes dear, I got the hang of now. Off we go...RiverBend, here we come.

          Stopped off in Stuart to visit Connie and Paula's friends...They were out on their boat but
          returned shortly so we spent the night...Joe and Mirka are awesome hosts.

     

             View from poolside, looking toward Stuart Mooring Field..Snowy likes her digs..(the dog).

       Mirka giving the girls a tour of her fabulous home. She made all the drapes and decorations. She
        is a very talented lady.

    View out the front door, property is surrounded on three sides by water with a very secluded
       driveway. Even secluded enough for a motorhome in a gated community. How rare....

             View of the pool and St. Lucie River from the kitchen. Sundancer in the background tied to
                    multiple deep water slips. It don't get any better than this.

Well, maybe it does get better. How about drinks and a hot tub to top off our first evening with Joe, Mirka and friends.

They say two of the happiest days are when you buy a boat and when you sell a boat. I think we just 
captured one of those happiest days for Connie and Paula.

Hospitality and Accommodations were first class thanks to our host and hostess.
Thank you Joe and Mirka..

Looking back at the living area from the hot tub..

And to cap off the last evening with our hosts, it's dinner at Sailor's Return. I think I could get used to this Captain thing.

After waiting for the strong winds to lay down it's time to get back on the water and cross Lake Okeechobee. 
Where else would you want to wait out the weather than Joe's Place...

Take a break guys, me and the Admiral have everything under control

Lake "O" dead ahead. Great trip, great friends, great hosts, and the Sea Ray ran perfect.

Feb. 7th..Off-Roading the Everglades National Park

Is this all there is to it, piece of cake....Would love to have a dirt bike about now

Now it's getting interesting....here gator, gator....

                                            OOPS......

                            Don't worry Dave.... We'll getcha outa here.

          Let's get out of here before the rain gets worse....A big thanks to Dave and Frankie for a great day in the Everglades...

Feb.2nd..Riverbender's Invade Everglade Isles

    35 Riverbend coaches arrive at Everglade Isles in Everglades City, Florida for the Annual Seafood Festival and fun with friends. Resort is located on the waterfront with a gorgeous clubhouse and first class boat slips.

 

 Fred putting the Riverbend Cruiser in the water at the Everglades Isles boat ramp

Let's take an air boat ride while we're here...Susan, Jim, Paula, Connie and Jerry..Christine had a tummy ache so we left her behind.

Speeding through the Everglades...

Everybody had a good time, especially the girls....They're both speed freaks

OK it's time to go back..this old gal looks mean

Loading the dingy for a trip around town......

Park the dingy, load the pontoon and head out to the Gulf by way of Indian Key Pass....

Two pontoon boats loaded with River Benders for a trip thru Ten Thousand Islands area

Then it's back to the Everglades Isle Clubhouse for a cocktail party before heading out to the Seafood Festival

I'll have some shrimp with those Tah Tah's

A Beetles Concert in Everglades City? What's the odds of that?

AND they were really good...A few more drinks and they would have been great

Saturday morning about 15 go -fasters showed up for the Poker Run