Been a long time coming, but I need to catch up on some of my trips for bluepalmtree.

Currently I am in Madison, WI this week – and will probably post something for Madison soon.  Then next to Freeport, IL this weekend for my cousin’s wedding.  Freeport is the town I grew up in, hence I will definitely be taking many pics and giving an update on here.

However, I figured it best to back up a bit to some of my adventures earlier in the year.  I need to ad some posts on my trips to California, Captiva Island, Phoenix.  But this time, I will share a bit about the 3 weeks I spent in Ft. Lauderdale.

As many of you know, my long time friend Josh Edler & his family have lived in Lauderdale.   It’s been fun visiting Josh over the years (last 20 or so) and meeting some great people.  Also fun to watch Josh become a father.  Will leave it at that, but will say that it is a good thing he found Sabrina!  Without her, i probably would have already joined Josh somewhere on some yacht in a much warmer climate.  Wait, thanks Sabrina!!  Another person that Josh introduced me to has had a significant impact to my journey.  While I was searching for a short term rental to stay in Lauderdale,  Josh took me over to his friend Frank’s house on the water, just over the bridge on the beach.  Frank Gernert has been a good friend of Josh’s for some time.    Through that intro, I was invited to come live at Frank’s place for the 3 weeks I was there.    I could not have asked for a better place to stay.  Was able to keep the boat right out back and even use some of his tools to do the needed work.  I promise i put all the tools back, Frank.  Had some great times at that house!  Even had a built in bar right outside my room.   If you have ever seen the golden girls, it felt kinda  like that (except for the obvious) – Myself, Frank & his brother, Chris all lived there.  Both really great guys!!  Always great finding new friends – the good kind!!   And great guys to just sit on the dock with and try to figure out life.  Although, i am not sure we every really did figure it out.  Did we?  I can’t recall.  But i do remember many great drinks and cigars – and great conversations.

Hold on, maybe we did figure it out!!

(left to right – myself, Josh, Stella, Chris & Frank)

All single guys over 40 (or 50)  sorry Chris.  And probably the best part – the house came with a built in dog. Lucy is probably one of the best trained golden retriever’s i have come across.  Although, she did make a habit of overseeing the construction down the road.  I do know that she was fully aware of what she was doing down there.

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While staying at the house, I was able to accomplish much with boat.  Most of work i needed to do was all done there.  Can’t thank Frank enough for the opportunity to stay there.  And thanks to Josh, Chris and the others that helped.

 Frank’s place.

But as you would expect, it was not all work on the boat.  All the boat pics on this post were taken right near Frank’s house.  Loved taking many cocktail cruises around the waterways.  My opinion – the best place to stop on the water is Coconuts.  Great seafood!!  But overall just a great vibe!!!  Along with it’s sister bar, G&B Oyster Bar next door.  Ok, i admit it – we probably spent more time in G&B’s.  Must have – get the salted shrimp or the Philly lobster cheese steak.

http://www.coconutsfortlauderdale.com

http://www.gandboysterbar.com

And to be fair, i don’t think we even came close to stopping at all the places on the water.

I could go on & on about my time spent in Lauderdale, but I will just include some photos with brief descriptions.

l  Had to pass all these boats heading out of the house to the main waterway.  The boats in Lauderdale are simply amazing.  It fun just cruising the waterways checking all the different boats out.  Sorry, i probably should be calling these boats yachts instead.  The blue one is Stephen Spielberg’s boat.  Had to lend him a few bottles of rum, because he kept running out.  It became rather annoying passing his boat every time we would go out as they kept stopping us for more rum!!  I mean i always carry enough rum, but come on Stephen – if you can afford a boat like that – you should always carry enough rum.  I know i do.

    the Grady White docked at the house.  kinda looks small now.

   Sabrina, Stella & Finn on the way to Finn’s Bday party.  Finn’s favorite present was the pringles – as you can tell by his excitement in the pic.

  Front yard at Frank’s house.  The car made it all the way from one corner to the other corner of the country – without any problems. I love my rack and basket on the car !! Can’t tell you how many people had to comment on my rack.  In all honesty, it was awesome be able to throw anything up on/in the basket –  beach chairs, fishing poles, coolers or anything with sand on it.

Sidenote – So far, I have driven it from Portland to Palm Desert, CA to Phoenix.  Then shipped it from Phoenix to Naples.  Most recently have driven it from Naples to Chicago to Madison. Overall, i have put a little over 2500 miles on the car so far.  It has been a great car to drive long distance!!  But thinking my next car might have to be a VW Eurovan or a mid 2000’s Caddy.  Yeah, i know.   You would understand if you spent any time in these cars.

    This pic was taken my first time taking the Grady out on the ocean.

From the world famous Treasure Trove.  I would bet that between the Gernert’s and the Edler’s, the owners were able to put all their kids and grand kids through college.  Must stop when you are in Lauderdale.  Great wings!!  Also great Taco night!!  i can’t really remember what day they had it, but i think i am safe to assume it was on Tuesday??  The days all kind of ran together on this journey.

p.s.  Spielburg did not really run out of rum.  Story sounded good though.