Thanks to all my loyal readers, who have followed my tales of life in South Florida. Gator-Tales has run it's course, and like any popular TV series, must come to an end. We're back home in Colorado getting settled by the day. We're in the mountains for a few days as I'll head to Argentina on Sunday.
I'm not sure what a fitting end might be, so I'll just sign-off.
Catch me on "facebook" where if I decide to blog again I'll post the link!!
All the best,
Dave
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Home at last!!!
Well all, we returned to Colorado yesterday after 10 months in the sunshine state. The last couple weeks have been hectic as we plotted and planned our return. The packer came on Wednesday to box up the breakables and crate our TV and glass dinner table. The driver and crew arrived Thursday morning at 8:30 and had us moved out by noon. Dan (the driver) was very nice and he had two helpers, one of which we'll see again here in Colorado toward the end of the week. They had a couple more loads to pick-up and the major stop is Omaha, then on to Colorado with a couple stops here. The only part of the move that feels dodgy is the team that picked up the 4Runner. 1) they couldn't find our address 2) the truck description seemed off 3) they were Russian or Eastern European. I had to find them on the street, but they did have the proper paperwork, so I hope the car eventually arrives!!
As I mentioned in a previous post we've started to look at sailboats again. I've been going back and forth with a couple folks in Stewart that have a very nice boat for sale. We just can't agree on the price. We're pre-qualified for financing and low and behold that's the price they want to sell it at. Given the price point, we think we should continue to look and have a couple leads in the bay area we'd like to review. I don't think it can hurt. It's actually kind of amusing seeing these sales guys in action. They can be persuasive at times and use some techniques that make you feel good about yourself and your impending decision. I'll keep you all posted on our progress.
Given that this blog was about our adventures in Florida and we no longer live there, what should I do? I need some feed back...continue with "gator-tales" or start something new? or maybe do nothing?? how about the life and times of an over the hill ski-bum? or a sailing blog about the acquiring and fitting out of a boat for our next adventure? -- give it some thought and let me know.
As I mentioned in a previous post we've started to look at sailboats again. I've been going back and forth with a couple folks in Stewart that have a very nice boat for sale. We just can't agree on the price. We're pre-qualified for financing and low and behold that's the price they want to sell it at. Given the price point, we think we should continue to look and have a couple leads in the bay area we'd like to review. I don't think it can hurt. It's actually kind of amusing seeing these sales guys in action. They can be persuasive at times and use some techniques that make you feel good about yourself and your impending decision. I'll keep you all posted on our progress.
Given that this blog was about our adventures in Florida and we no longer live there, what should I do? I need some feed back...continue with "gator-tales" or start something new? or maybe do nothing?? how about the life and times of an over the hill ski-bum? or a sailing blog about the acquiring and fitting out of a boat for our next adventure? -- give it some thought and let me know.
Monday, September 7, 2009
winding down...5 more days to go!!!
Happy Labor Day!! -- Our last holiday here in South Florida!! -- Spent the weekend getting prepped to move. Boxes everywhere...kinda hard to navigate through the condo!! -- We're trying to do a few of our favorite things, beach, wholefoods, apple store, etc. If we didn't do or see something, oh well, it must have not been very important.
We are both looking forward to getting home to Colorado and back to a sensible routine, but the time zone challenge may be a bummer. I'll just need to be up and functional at an earlier hour. I think I can handle it. I'm also looking forward to a larger gym to workout in. Lisa likes the treadmill, but I can use a few more weights and machines.
Spent some time in the Apple store on Saturday. I think we're going to get a iMac for the mountain house...Lisa said she wanted one for the kitchen. We're going to go totally wireless, upgrade to "N" with printing and a big 2 TB for backup and streaming iTunes everywhere!!
Don't get me started on the CU game last night. What an embarrassment! The only upside to being in Florida, a small single paragraph in the paper, back on page 7.
We are both looking forward to getting home to Colorado and back to a sensible routine, but the time zone challenge may be a bummer. I'll just need to be up and functional at an earlier hour. I think I can handle it. I'm also looking forward to a larger gym to workout in. Lisa likes the treadmill, but I can use a few more weights and machines.
Spent some time in the Apple store on Saturday. I think we're going to get a iMac for the mountain house...Lisa said she wanted one for the kitchen. We're going to go totally wireless, upgrade to "N" with printing and a big 2 TB for backup and streaming iTunes everywhere!!
Don't get me started on the CU game last night. What an embarrassment! The only upside to being in Florida, a small single paragraph in the paper, back on page 7.
Friday, September 4, 2009
What a week...
Plan "B" seems to be on hold...The EU wants to review the Oracle/Sun transaction for competitive reasons. Geez, our Govt. approved and Mexico approved...come on EU get with the program!! A lot of us want this to be over so we can get on with our lives!! -- Lisa and I need to get re-motivated!! -- We are moving back to Colorado, so we'll be saving some money and I actually enjoy what I do. Just wanted to do it longer.
We don't know what the future holds but wanted some clarity and maybe finality. I was not ready for a life change a year ago, but after a health scare, living in Florida for a year, it just reinforces the notion that life's short. You might as well be having fun and enjoying life. Maybe turning 50 helps that along too!
We don't know what the future holds but wanted some clarity and maybe finality. I was not ready for a life change a year ago, but after a health scare, living in Florida for a year, it just reinforces the notion that life's short. You might as well be having fun and enjoying life. Maybe turning 50 helps that along too!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Planning for "Plan B"...
only 30 days left on our lease...but we'll be outta here in 12 days!!
Lisa and I spent the weekend looking at sailboats. There is a 44' Hunter Deck Salon in the bay area that's been for sale for a while. It's a used boat but with only 75 hours on the engine. We had been on a sister boat at the boat show a few years ago and really liked the look and the interior layout. The boat is no longer in production as it was replaced by the Hunter 45 DS. I went to the hunter website and asked for some info on the 45...a couple hours later I was getting a phone call from a dealer in Miami. One thing led to another and I had made plans for us to meet the gentleman in Palm Beach to look at the boat, a new 2008 Hunter 45 DS.
It was a very hot day with little breeze. Bob had started the air conditioning on the boat which was required. It was quite comfortable inside, the living space was awesome, with a very nice aft owners stateroom w/ensuite head and stand-up shower, the galley was ample, nav station had most of the required instruments (but lacked GPS) and the forward cabin had a pullman berth w/head in the fore peak. Cockpit was well layed out with twin wheels, bimini (for shade) and a nice table. We spent well over an hour and a half crawling through the boat. The price was within our range and it was a brand new boat. (but it was a 2008 and the 2010's are already out)...We went back to his office and they had a 41 DS also brand new and "on the hard" (i.e. it was in a cradle but we could still get on the boat)...Bob gave us lots to think about!
We then started to drive north up highway 1, past Jupiter, to Jensen beach and some coastal towns we had not really heard of. Bob had told us of a brand new Marina in Stuart, with cheap rates, great location amenities, etc. We found the new marina and a new Hunter dealership and some new boats to crawl through!!! The boat that caught our eye and was stunning was the 45' center cockpit. It has the same hull as the 45 DS but the layout is very different. The aft cabin was spacious...as in huge and tall!! and well ventilated. We talked to the sales guy and walked away impressed. We did choke on the price...as we left a huge thunderstorm rolled through and rained all 45 minutes back to Boca!! -- when we got home we immediately were on the internet.
On Sunday, we went to see some Moorings used boats from their charter fleet. They also had a leopard 46 and 40. brand new!! The 46 was way to big, while the 40 seemed manageable. The price is also a bit outside our range, but the the roominess was impressive and creates a lot of outdoor living space!! The best part...Saturday the 5th we're going for a test sail!! As we left the Moorings, we decided to head back up to Stuart to see the 45' center cockpit again. Our sales guy John, was not there but Rusty his boss was. We spent another hour with Rusty, kicking the proverbial tires and talking sailing. He was a good sale's guy and asked for the order with a presumptive close, but we didn't bite. He did give us more to think about...
All of this is a prelude to whatever Plan B turns out to be.
Lisa and I spent the weekend looking at sailboats. There is a 44' Hunter Deck Salon in the bay area that's been for sale for a while. It's a used boat but with only 75 hours on the engine. We had been on a sister boat at the boat show a few years ago and really liked the look and the interior layout. The boat is no longer in production as it was replaced by the Hunter 45 DS. I went to the hunter website and asked for some info on the 45...a couple hours later I was getting a phone call from a dealer in Miami. One thing led to another and I had made plans for us to meet the gentleman in Palm Beach to look at the boat, a new 2008 Hunter 45 DS.
It was a very hot day with little breeze. Bob had started the air conditioning on the boat which was required. It was quite comfortable inside, the living space was awesome, with a very nice aft owners stateroom w/ensuite head and stand-up shower, the galley was ample, nav station had most of the required instruments (but lacked GPS) and the forward cabin had a pullman berth w/head in the fore peak. Cockpit was well layed out with twin wheels, bimini (for shade) and a nice table. We spent well over an hour and a half crawling through the boat. The price was within our range and it was a brand new boat. (but it was a 2008 and the 2010's are already out)...We went back to his office and they had a 41 DS also brand new and "on the hard" (i.e. it was in a cradle but we could still get on the boat)...Bob gave us lots to think about!
We then started to drive north up highway 1, past Jupiter, to Jensen beach and some coastal towns we had not really heard of. Bob had told us of a brand new Marina in Stuart, with cheap rates, great location amenities, etc. We found the new marina and a new Hunter dealership and some new boats to crawl through!!! The boat that caught our eye and was stunning was the 45' center cockpit. It has the same hull as the 45 DS but the layout is very different. The aft cabin was spacious...as in huge and tall!! and well ventilated. We talked to the sales guy and walked away impressed. We did choke on the price...as we left a huge thunderstorm rolled through and rained all 45 minutes back to Boca!! -- when we got home we immediately were on the internet.
On Sunday, we went to see some Moorings used boats from their charter fleet. They also had a leopard 46 and 40. brand new!! The 46 was way to big, while the 40 seemed manageable. The price is also a bit outside our range, but the the roominess was impressive and creates a lot of outdoor living space!! The best part...Saturday the 5th we're going for a test sail!! As we left the Moorings, we decided to head back up to Stuart to see the 45' center cockpit again. Our sales guy John, was not there but Rusty his boss was. We spent another hour with Rusty, kicking the proverbial tires and talking sailing. He was a good sale's guy and asked for the order with a presumptive close, but we didn't bite. He did give us more to think about...
All of this is a prelude to whatever Plan B turns out to be.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
planning our move...
only 40 days left on our lease...
We got 4 bids for our relo back to Colorado - United, Allied, Bekins and Wheton (a smaller firm) The smaller firm was the low bidder. We liked the guy who gave us the quote, spoke well, dressed nice, explained the process etc. We think he underestimated the load size by about 700 lbs. Pounds yields boxes, so they were understated too. Boxes consume volume which is the balancer. We had used United on the way down and for our move to Colorado, so we were biased. We chose Allied based on price, JD Powers rating and general feel for Jay who was the sales guy that did the estimate. They will also be responsible for moving our car, though that will be on a car carrier.
We used a site called epinions.com to do a little online research. We had used something similar when we were trying to decide on a place to live. We think only disgruntled people use those sites to bitch...as there are very few favorable comments. The car moving data was even more disturbing.
I guess a lot of things in this world come down to trust and human behavior.
We got 4 bids for our relo back to Colorado - United, Allied, Bekins and Wheton (a smaller firm) The smaller firm was the low bidder. We liked the guy who gave us the quote, spoke well, dressed nice, explained the process etc. We think he underestimated the load size by about 700 lbs. Pounds yields boxes, so they were understated too. Boxes consume volume which is the balancer. We had used United on the way down and for our move to Colorado, so we were biased. We chose Allied based on price, JD Powers rating and general feel for Jay who was the sales guy that did the estimate. They will also be responsible for moving our car, though that will be on a car carrier.
We used a site called epinions.com to do a little online research. We had used something similar when we were trying to decide on a place to live. We think only disgruntled people use those sites to bitch...as there are very few favorable comments. The car moving data was even more disturbing.
I guess a lot of things in this world come down to trust and human behavior.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Hurricane watch and other matters...
Only 43 days left on our lease!!!
We had a "date night" Friday night!! Went to Max's Grill in Mizner Park, just a short walk from here. It was a balmy evening with a threat of rain. The restaurant was fairly crowded for our 7:45 reservation. Lisa had made the reservation here. They are running some pretty good specials in the Summer when fewer people are here. They had fixed price menu of appetizer/salad, entre, dessert for prices ranging from $18-$27 AND 1/2 off bottles of wine. Food was awesome. We had "firecracker" wanton's, I chose scallops and Lisa had Ahi tuna and we both skipped dessert. We chose a nice Chardonnay (Ferrari-Carano) and at half price bought a 2nd bottle which we corked and enjoyed Saturday night too, when we had Swordfish from Wholefoods!
Saturday was mostly chores (Hoovering the condo, Costco, Wine store, Wholefoods) but we did sneak out to have Starbucks and go to the beach. It was nice with a breeze, some small waves and good people watching. We hit a "Kojac" parking spot, you know the kind, very crowded street and there is the one open parking spot with time left on the meter!! A small "Tropical Wave" was passing through...
Sunday was a lazy day, reading the paper, workout, Starbucks/Beach, buying a few "Hurricane Preparedness" items and a quick stop at Publix. Oh and we walked to "Baskin Robbins" at 9:30 pm for some ice cream and the $%#! store was put away. The sign on the door said open till 10 but the kid had pretty much closed down. The only things available were small cartons, which we grudgingly bought and left.
Did you here about Tropical Storms "Ana" and "Bill"?? -- Bill is the one we are watching...at this point, we are in a fairly wide "Cone of Uncertainty" -- Kinda of exciting don't ya think?!?! -- Plus we're learning some new terms...
We had a "date night" Friday night!! Went to Max's Grill in Mizner Park, just a short walk from here. It was a balmy evening with a threat of rain. The restaurant was fairly crowded for our 7:45 reservation. Lisa had made the reservation here. They are running some pretty good specials in the Summer when fewer people are here. They had fixed price menu of appetizer/salad, entre, dessert for prices ranging from $18-$27 AND 1/2 off bottles of wine. Food was awesome. We had "firecracker" wanton's, I chose scallops and Lisa had Ahi tuna and we both skipped dessert. We chose a nice Chardonnay (Ferrari-Carano) and at half price bought a 2nd bottle which we corked and enjoyed Saturday night too, when we had Swordfish from Wholefoods!
Saturday was mostly chores (Hoovering the condo, Costco, Wine store, Wholefoods) but we did sneak out to have Starbucks and go to the beach. It was nice with a breeze, some small waves and good people watching. We hit a "Kojac" parking spot, you know the kind, very crowded street and there is the one open parking spot with time left on the meter!! A small "Tropical Wave" was passing through...
Sunday was a lazy day, reading the paper, workout, Starbucks/Beach, buying a few "Hurricane Preparedness" items and a quick stop at Publix. Oh and we walked to "Baskin Robbins" at 9:30 pm for some ice cream and the $%#! store was put away. The sign on the door said open till 10 but the kid had pretty much closed down. The only things available were small cartons, which we grudgingly bought and left.
Did you here about Tropical Storms "Ana" and "Bill"?? -- Bill is the one we are watching...at this point, we are in a fairly wide "Cone of Uncertainty" -- Kinda of exciting don't ya think?!?! -- Plus we're learning some new terms...
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