Cruisin the Hood

Between the weather and the flu The Kid and I haven't had many opportunities to get out on the water since our return to Florida.  Saturday would have been a perfect day.  It was sunny with temperatures in the 70s.  (I don't mean to rub that in, really I don't.  Well, okay, maybe just a little.)  But we got busy doing things around the house and didn't give the boat a passing thought.  Sunday it seemed, was the next best thing.  Even though there were clouds in the sky and a chill in the air, we were anxious to cruise the neighborhood and see what changes had taken place since our last outing in June.



The Judge Jolley bridge which connects our island to the mainland is undergoing a face lift of major proportions.  A second span is under construction and for the moment it is a blemish on the usually beautiful landscape.



They say construction is on schedule and the new bridge should be open for business by fall 2011.  I will be happy to see the barges and cranes disappear but the thought of two lanes of traffic zipping across that  long span of concrete reminds me that living in paradise does have its down side.



A short while later we spotted this little gem.  It appears a flock of pelicans have taken up residence in the abandoned South Wind.



In the off chance you may be interested I'm fairly certain one could get the South Wind for cheap.  Just sayin.



These love birds were spotted setting up house keeping on one of the channel markers in the intercoastal waterway.  Osprey are magnifent birds of prey that don't take too kindly to boats drifting too close to their nest.  (Isn't that right CJ?)  But these two were down right friendly.  I thought they were going to invite us in for coffee.

And then a little closer to home we got our first look at the shiny new Antithesis II.  This little sweet heart is so big that the owners had to purchase the house next door just to have enough frontage to dock her.  At 125 feet in length she replaces the original Antithesis who was a mere 109 feet.



We're going to christen her next week and you're all invited.

Happy Monday everyone.  Stay warm.

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