"Freedom" visits Ft. Myers

The beautifully restored 1926 MotorYacht "Freedom" stops off at Fort Myers Marina on her way to Naples, Florida. Freedom is a 104 foot Mathis-Trumpy fantail motor yacht built in 1926 and resurrected from 2004 to 2009.  http://vimeo.com/10210862

"Freedom" had all the camera's clicking as she pulled away from the fuel dock at Fort Myers. For details on the restoration of the yacht click the site below.
http://www.jamestownpress.com/news/2007-02-08/news/049.html

Jan 21/23..Hanging at Ft. Myers Beach... "Salty Sam's"

Sunrise at "Salty Sam's" in Ft. Myers Beach.  We brought Connie and Paula down to get "Just Right" out of storage and ready for the season. Hung out for a couple of days, moored out the second night and cooked steaks aboard "Happy Ours".

"Just Right" and "Happy Ours" snuggling at sunrise.

"Just Right" being taken out of the "High and Dry" storage. Going in the water with a fresh wax job.

Paula's a happy camper now. Putting her boat in the water and getting ready for some South Florida cruising.

Boat Cruise to Venice Boat Parade..*follow on tracks

First day out we anchored in a small bay at Cape Haze, Fl.  Great weather and beautiful surroundings.

Docked on the inside at Crow's Nest Marina to watch the Lighted Boat Parade.

Taking a walk along the beach the day before the parade. Venice Inlet jetty in background.

Christine and a little bird looking for shark's teeth along Venice Beach.

Some of the many boats anchored across the channel waiting for the parade to start.

Just one of the 38 boats decorated for the Christmas Boat Parade.

These folks must be optometrists or just think everybody should take the eye exam.

Pictures are terrible but the boats were beautiful. Most all were heavily decorated with thousands of lights and animations. Some had singing Santa's and live music.

Some very creative boat owners. This was a small center console fishing boat.

Annual "Toys for Kids" River Party

Beautiful sunset over the Caloosahatchie as we get ready for the Annual "Toys for Kids" Party. Everyone brings a toy and several bring homemade desserts. The toys are given to the Hendry Country Sheriff's department for distribution to needy children for Christmas. This 16th Annual party ended with a spectacular fireworks show over the river.

Must be time to get in line for the desserts. Beer on tap, chilled wines, coffee, soda, and water were furnished by the hosts Mike and Patty. Monica and Dale have been hosting this event for years but due to health issues had to cut back so they teamed up with our friends "The Harders".

Dessert table was packed with homemade treats. Another table behind the ladies. Beautifully decorated Christmas tree in the parlor and about 100 people attended the event.

70 foot Hatteras River Cruise

                      Fred's Hatteras MotorYacht at RiverBend Dockside

            Don getting a walk through before departing RiverBend..note the BiG screen TV

                     View of the Aft Deck..in Kentucky we call it a back porch

            I was very honored when Fred said....Hey Jerry, take the helm for a while

      Matt, our deck hand and Fred as we lock through Franklin Locks on the way to Ft. Myers

And I continue motoring down the river, grinning like a "possum eatin' persimmons"

Ft. Myers Marina Party

             Just gazing out over the Caloosahatchie River at the marina party

                                           Must be time to eat

                         Chef "Leif" our dock master cooking up the burgers and dogs

                      Christine cleaning up the leftovers in the galley


BIKE NIGHT IN FORT MYERS

Bike Night In downtown Ft. Myers ....The place looked like a little Daytona by nightfall.  So many bikes you could hardly walk the streets.
    

Soup-In Party at the Chafton's

Soup and Salad party for some of our neighbors. Great weather, really good soups by Christine and friends a plenty.

Christine and Dave discussing world problems before dinner

And the party continues up into the night.......