New friends/Old neighbors

Today we left Sarasota by CAR to head to Ft Lauderdale. We are on our way to "Rough Life" to visit with Larry and Ulla while also attending the Ft Lauderdale Trawler Fest. We want to see whats new in the boating world and I am certain there will be lots of vendors to tell (sell) us. This week has been loads of fun for several reasons.
1. We spent the week with our neighbors, Jim and Sue Swails from home. We've determined that they make great boat mates. They pitch in and help cook, clean and even scoop the cat box while also invoking rich conversations about things that people typically don not talk about.
Note: in our more typical lifes where they would be in their house and we in ours, there doesn't seem to be those opportunities.
2. We toured The Ringling Museum once again where THIS time, I spent nearly a half hour walking about Mable Ringlings Rose Garden. We had a big rain the night before so their were droplets still in the pedels. I will import a few photos later,,,,but I don't know how to import the sweet smells, you will just have to imagine.
3. We went through the Selby Gardens where we saw the most unusual plants and amazingly beautiful orchids. I wish my dear Uncle Rene could have been there with me; he would have such great appreciation.
4. We went to the Mote Marine Aquariam where we saw a great display of jelly fish, sea horses, sharks, weird fish I have never heard of, manatees, etc. Really neat!
5. One chilly but sunny afternoon we all four hopped in "Matey" (our dinghy) and took a ride to The Salty Dog for lunch. While there we laughed at a big snowy egret who was perched on a section of bar/table, we think waiting on his cold beer.
And of course, we ate and drank and told more stories. How fun!

We also met new friends, Steph and Paddy from Canada who liven a houseboat across the docks from us. We went to their boat one afternoon for a tour and drinks on their top deck/bar. Paddy owned an English Pub and Steph a bed and breakfast in a Victorian house that was built in the 1700s. They have a dog, "Jenny".

Next, we met new friends, Jorg (pronounces Yorg) and Mika Helssen. They live in Vancouver, BC and also have a home in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. She is a retired fashion designer and he a retired architect. They purchased the Nauticat sailboat from our friends, Steve and Lynn Kluz who return to the south from St Paul MN next week. We are anxious for their return. They have purchased an older Seahorse trawler which is in their old slip, a few down from Great Mates.

Jorg and Mika both have a great sense of humor. If Ed and I get to cruise West, we hope to stop to visit them in Cabos or if we get North of their, at their home in Vancouver.