Living in Florida Archives

February 22, 2026February 22, 2026

Miami International Boat Show 2026

Scott and I attended the Miami International Boat Show, also known as MIBS last weekend. Luckily for me, I don’t have to actually work this show. This year was totally new in regards to the locations. Since 2016, the main yacht display has been at Herald Plaza off of the causeway and the sailboats were just down the road from there. Back in 2015, the yachts were displayed at Collins Avenue, which ironically is when Scott and I attended the Miami Boat Show. Apparently, the organizers of the show back then, sold the group to the current organizers and this year, they tried something new.

Getting to the Miami International Boat Show

Getting to MIBS is not as easy as you think. First Scott and I took Brightline from Fort Lauderdale to Miami. The boat show, did offer shuttle buses from Brightline, so we took a shuttle to Sailor’s Cove at IGY Marina to start our tour.

At Sailor’s Cove, they had about 30+ yachts, and all, but two of them were catamarans.

Our first tour was a Heysea 50′ sailing cat. They will be making this same model in a power version and we actually loved this yacht. You can watch the full tour in the coming weeks on our YouTube channel.

Then we took a quick peak at their 60′ cat. It was huge and had six staterooms!

In Search of Collins Avenue

Scott looked at one monohull sailing boat and we’ll bring that tour to you on our YouTube. I wasn’t really into jumping on any monohulls, so after about an hour at Sailor’s Cove we headed to Collins Avenue. Once again, there was a shuttle waiting for us and these are nice shuttles! Not school bus shuttles at all. The drive took about 20 minutes and they dropped us off at the halfway point. One thing I noticed right away was there were no food vendors inside the show, nor any portable restrooms. They had only a handful of very small restrooms (still the luxury kind) on the outside of the show.

Our first stop at Collins Avenue at the Miami International Boat Show was Sunseeker. My former employer as they always welcome us. On display they had a gorgeous Sunseeker 80 Enclosed Yacht and only those with brokers were being allowed on. We had the VIP tour all to ourselves and you will want to tune in to that tour! At only 80′ she has the volume of a 100′ yacht.

Looking for a Loop Boat

Well, the Sunseeker 80 certainly is not a Loop Boat, so we were on a mission to find a boat with a flybridge. Low and behold we come upon a brand new boat to the market called Northman 1300 trawler. Shockingly, the price brand new was only $562,000 all in (but without a bimini). These are diesel powered inboards and really perfect for the loop.

Still in Search Of

The sun was getting hotter than we expected and we were in search of another trawler with a flybridge. We did stop at Jeanneau and looked at one model, but at the end of the day, it had gasoline outboards and really steep steps. Not my thing at all.

So we kept on walking in search of something. But Collins Avenue and the Miami International Boat Show is not the place to look for a trawler.

This yacht comes with a side garage for your matching jet ski!

Did We Find a Loop Boat at the Miami International Boat Show?

When we were down at Jeanneau, they recommended we take a second look (we’ve looked many times in the past) at the Swift Trawler. First one we looked at was the 41 Fly which came with twin diesels and a price of $1m new.

But soon the 54 Fly caught my eye! I loved the spacious salon and galley. The staterooms were roomy with lots of storage and the flybridge was easily accessible from the interior with easy to walk up steps.

But unfortunately at $2.3 million this yacht is out of our price range. Maybe we’ll just buy one of these cute tenders and cruise up and down the New River?

Off to the Miami Convention Center

Since we didn’t find anything (yachts, food or restrooms) at Collins Avenue, it was time to head to the Miami Convention Center. Once again, a shuttle took us there in about 25 minutes. Once you arrive, the first thing you come upon is Pride Park with all of the water toys.

It was almost 2pm and we were absolutely starving, so the first thing we did was go straight into the convention center to look for a food vendor. We found a Cuban stand and grabbed a couple of empanadas and croquettes. Time to walk around and see if we might find anything with a fly bridge.

Regal 42 FXO

Low and behold, we actually stumbled upon a 42′ Regal with a fly bridge. It was very narrow and did not look very comfortable. Plus it had gasoline outboards, but it was worth the look.

Looking down on the show from the upper pavilion reminded me so much of the Seattle Boat Show and the Union Marine display.

The upper pavilion has all of your suppliers and vendors. Everything from life rafts to wooden surfboards – you will find what you are looking for here.

The irony of the day, was we noticed a huge sign on the wall that said “Food Court”. So we decided to check it out, and we entered a very large food court. They were selling anything from hamburgers, tacos, salads, pizza, noodles and sandwiches. Who knew!?

That’s a Wrap

After seven long hours, we were done for the day! Gosslings Rum had a nice open air bar (where again you could order more food! LOL) and we sat and enjoyed a cold glass of wine before heading back to the Brightline station. At the end of the day, it was pretty productive. Be sure to tune in and watch our upcoming tours.

As always, thank you for following our journey! Be sure to subscribe to our channel and on social at @BoatingJourney #BoatingJourney.

Cheers, Scott and Ally

February 12, 2026February 12, 2026

Stuart Boat Show 2026

Last weekend, Scott and I headed north to the Stuart Boat Show to see what this long running Florida boat show is all about and what kind of boats and exhibitors it attracts. The drive from South Florida took us about an hour and a half on a Sunday which was an easy and scenic trip up the coast.

Where the Stuart Boat Show is Located

The Stuart Boat Show is held in downtown Stuart Florida along the St Lucie River. The event is typically centered around Flagler Park and the Stuart Riverwalk area which makes it very walkable and easy to navigate. With docks directly on the river and exhibitor tents set up on land it creates a nice mix of boats and products all in one compact location.

Stuart itself is often called the Sailfish Capital of the World and has deep boating roots with easy access to the Intracoastal Waterway the Atlantic Ocean and the Okeechobee Waterway which is why boating events like this are a natural fit for the area.

A Little History of the Stuart Boat Show

The Stuart Boat Show has been around for decades and has grown into a staple boating event on the Treasure Coast. While it does not compete in size with major South Florida shows like Fort Lauderdale or Palm Beach it serves a very specific boating audience. The show is geared toward local boaters fishermen cruisers and buyers looking for practical boats they can actually use in Florida waters.

Over the years the show has evolved but it has remained more of a regional community focused boat show rather than a luxury yacht showcase.

The Size and Layout of the Stuart Boat Show

Compared to Trawlerfest in Stuart, which previously only had about seven tents and roughly twelve boats, the Stuart Boat Show was noticeably larger. That said it is still considered a small boat show overall.

There were approximately

30 indoor exhibitors
30 outdoor tents and booths
4 docks filled with boats

Most of the boats on display were center consoles which clearly shows where the demand is in this market. Our main goal attending the Stuart Boat Show was to look for Great Loop capable boats. While there were not many trawlers or loop friendly cruisers on display we were able to tour one boat that really fit the bill.

Touring a 40′ Mainship Trawler

The highlight of the day for us was touring a 40 foot Mainship Trawler. This boat was a 2007 model and surprisingly it smelled perfectly fine which is always a big deal when stepping aboard an older trawler. Watch our Youtube episode (link below) for a tour of her.

Mainship trawlers are extremely popular for the Great Loop and for good reason. Mainship was known for building efficient comfortable and practical cruising boats that offered great interior volume without excessive draft or height. Many Mainship models can clear bridges handle inland waterways and still cruise comfortably on open water.

They were built with simplicity in mind and are often praised for their fuel efficiency reliable systems and owner friendly layouts. Even though Mainship is no longer in production their boats remain highly sought after on the brokerage market especially by Loopers.

Larger Yachts at the Show

We walked all of the docks and spotted about six to eight larger yachts in the sixty to seventy five foot range. One that stood out was a 65 foot Pacific Mariner. Unfortunately the weather had other plans.

When we arrived in Stuart the conditions were rough with winds around forty five miles per hour. The Pacific Mariner was being blown off the dock so aggressively that boarding was not possible. It was disappointing but also a reminder of how weather can quickly change plans at any boat show.

Food and Drinks at the Stuart Boat Show

One thing the Stuart Boat Show did very well was food and beverage options. There was a large barbecue setup operating like a portable restaurant serving hot food and drawing a steady crowd. Along with food, you had access to a number of lounges.

In addition there were plenty of liquor vendors offering samples including tequila vodka rum whiskey and hard seltzers. It definitely added a fun festival atmosphere to the show and gave attendees plenty of places to stop and take a break.

Final Thoughts of the Stuart Boat Show

Scott and I are glad we attended the Stuart Boat Show because now we know exactly what kind of boats and exhibitors are typically on display. While it is not the show to attend if you are shopping for trawlers cruising yachts or large motoryachts it absolutely delivers for a specific buyer.

If you are in the market for a 30 foot center console or a similar day boat or fishing platform this is your show. The selection and variety of center consoles alone make it worth the trip.

As always Boating Journey is about seeing the real world boating experience and sharing honest takeaways. The Stuart Boat Show may be small but it serves its purpose and now it is officially on our radar. Stay tuned for more boat shows boat tours and real world boating adventures.

Thank you for following our journey! Please be sure to subscribe to our blog and our YouTube channel (link below). You can also follow us on social @BoatingJourney #BoatingJourney.

Cheers, Scott and Ally

June 14, 2025June 14, 2025

Exploring Mt. Dora in Central Florida

In our last blog, we stopped in Sebring, FL on our way to Mt. Dora. Officially, Mt. Dora is about 3.5 hours from Fort Lauderdale, but we took the scenic route on our way there. This is a very interesting town and location. For most of the afternoon, we were on a small interstate Hwy 453, then we entered the metropolitan area of Orlando. Then Google Maps told us to take 46 and suddenly we were taken back in time to a small old town.

A Charming Stay at the Historic Lakeside Inn

During our visit to Mount Dora, Scott and I stayed at the iconic Lakeside Inn for three unforgettable nights. The Lakeside Inn is not just a place to stay—it’s part of Mount Dora’s story. This historic and charming resort has welcomed guests since 1883, making it the oldest continuously operating hotel in the state. Nestled along the shores of Lake Dora, the inn has long been a favorite retreat for travelers seeking tranquility and Old Florida charm. Throughout its storied history, it has hosted notable figures including President Calvin Coolidge, who vacationed there in the 1930s. With its classic Victorian architecture, white verandas, and expansive lake views, Lakeside Inn offers a nostalgic glimpse into Florida’s past while continuing to serve as a relaxing getaway destination in the heart of Mount Dora.

There are no elevators, so prepare for a bit of stair-climbing, but it only adds to the authentic vintage experience. We had way too many bags and were not prepared for all of the stairs.

After we checked in, we headed to the pool bar to enjoy a cocktail before we explored Mt. Dora. The bar stays open (normally) until the sunset, but only if the bartender is busy.

Downtown Mt Dora

After enjoying a cocktail poolside, we headed into Downtown Mt. Dora, which is literally one block from the inn. We found Mt Dora to be very quaint and charming – in fact, it reminded me so much of my hometown in Snohomish, WA.

Scott and I stumbled upon a great tea and spice shop and almost spent our life savings stocking up on some favs – just kidding! If you are visiting Mt Dora, be sure to stop in the Spice and Tea Exchange!

You can walk Downtown Mt Dora very easily as it is about 5 blocks long and wide. The streets are lined with cute shops, restaurants and bars.

Scott and are were on the hunt to find a place to eat dinner and we stumbled upon a great pizza place! Shadrach’s Fiery Furnace Pizza Co had plenty of seating and great entertainment.

After dinner, we headed back to the hotel to watch our first sunset in almost a year. It’s one thing we do miss about moving from Seattle to Florida. Since we face east, we rarely see a sunset in Fort Lauderdale. The Lakeside Inn has plenty of seating at the poolside bar and at the end of the dock to watch the sunset. In fact, the following night the views were even more spectacular!

We wrapped up the night with a nightcap at the Tremain’s Tavern. They had live music and everyone was having a great time. Tremain’s Tavern, located within the historic Lakeside Inn in Mount Dora, is named after one of the inn’s original owners, J.V. Tremain. The tavern reflects the inn’s rich heritage, serving as a cozy and welcoming gathering place that has preserved its Old Florida charm for generations of guests.

Day Two in Mt Dora – Blueberry Festival

We thoroughly enjoyed breakfast on The Verandah, where sipping a great cup of coffee while relaxing on the charming porch made for a perfect start to the day. Dining on The Verandah is a casual and peaceful experience, whether you’re enjoying a sunny morning meal or a candlelit dinner in the evening. As Mount Dora’s only lakefront dining spot, it’s a favorite among both day visitors and overnight guests of the Lakeside Inn. With beautiful views, vibrant people-watching, and the soothing sounds of lakeside life, every meal feels like a special occasion.

When we booked our trip, we had no idea that Mt Dora was celebrating the Annual Blueberry Festival. Mount Dora’s Blueberry Festival is a beloved annual event celebrating Florida’s spring blueberry harvest with live music, local crafts, and plenty of blueberry-themed treats. Held in the heart of downtown, the festival features everything from fresh berries and pies to blueberry wine, making it a fun, family-friendly tradition for locals and visitors alike.

Before we headed to the festival, which was literally three blocks away, we decided to walk a few more blocks in town to explore.

I was shocked to see how many people were attending the Blueberry Festival and how many vendors there were. It seemed like they were everywhere! They had live music, tons of food and plenty of blueberry products. We ended up sampling jerky and salsas and stocked up.

Relaxing at the Pool

After enjoying the festival, we headed back to the hotel to relax by the pool. It is a pretty small pool and definitely not heated.

We spent about an hour or so, but it got a bit noisy with kids and we were done. So we headed back into town for lunch at Las Palmas. Here we enjoyed some authentic Cuban cocktails and small bites. It was delicious!

From Las Palmas, we stopped at one more bar on our way home, the Copacabana Cuban Café. They have both indoor and outdoor seating with live music. The drinks were fantastic and definitely worth the stop.

Sunset & Dinner in Mt Dora

Sunset was around 7:45pm, so we decided to relax in our room before getting ready for dinner. Then we headed down to the lake to enjoy the sunset before heading to dinner. It was an absolute fabulous sunset and the alligators enjoyed it too.

You don’t need to make reservations for dinner in Mt Dora (in our opinion), however, keep in mind that they do roll up the sidewalks by 9:30p or so. We decided to have dinner at the Inn’s infamous restaurant The Beauclaire as it had great reviews.

I didn’t take a photo of the restaurant, but if you picture yourself in an old banquet room with bright lights on, that describes it perfectly. It was a white table cloth dining experience, but not the service or the food (unfortunately). We waited over an hour for our food and my Chicken Pot Pie was cold (how can that be?). In addition, the server barely waited on us, but that was because we were the only table in the entire restaurant.

A Day of Boating

On our third day in Mt Dora, we decided to rent a Starcraft CX 23 pontoon boat from Mt Dora Boating Center and explore Lake Dora. They were very friendly and helpful. The cost was under $400 for 5 hours, which was more than enough time to enjoy the lake. We picked up the boat around 10am and Dusty the manager, gave us a quick brief on how to operate the boat. He was very grateful that we were actual boaters and knew how to handle it.

Boating on Lake Dora offers a scenic and relaxing experience, especially when venturing through the charming Dora Canal to Lake Eustis. There are a number of canals and locks you can use to access other lakes. You could easily spend three days exploring all of them. The boating center does give you a map for reference and we also recommend that if you take one of the canals, be sure to take a photo of the exit, so you can identify it to make your way back. It certainly helped us!

We cruised through Lake Dora right away and headed to Lake Eustis. Here you will find a short bridge to pass under and a narrow canal lined with cypress trees and small homes.

While the canal wasn’t too busy during our trip, its narrow passages can occasionally feel tight when boat traffic picks up—adding a bit of adventure to an otherwise peaceful journey. We spent about four hours cruising across the two lakes, enjoying a simple yet delightful lunch of cheese and crackers on the water. To really get a feel for our day, be sure to watch our YouTube episode exploring the lake.

Here’s a great view of the Lakeside Inn and the pool from our cruise.

I highly recommend renting a boat for the day when you visit Mt Dora. This is what Mt Dora is all about and it really was great being back on the water.

Dinner Surprise!

For our last night, we had no idea where to eat. Scott and I had passed by a few restaurants in earlier days and figured we would try one of them. However, we found out that they closed up early on Sundays! Uh ho. As we were walking around town, Scott was searching Google maps and said “hey, there’s a restaurant down this alley way and I think they are open.” So we headed toward The Goblin Market, not knowing if it was market or a restaurant. To our surprise, it was a hidden gem and set up a bit like a speakeasy. The hostess took us upstairs to a library, where the bar was. The food and service was 5 Star (and so are the prices, but totally worth it). This is a must try restaurant when you are in Mt Dora.

We started with appetizers and I had the deep fried artichokes and Scott had the Escargot and they were phenomenal. The Escargot was prepared in a different style than usual and it was amazing.

For dinner had the peppercorn sauce filets and Scott had crabcakes, both out of this world. We finished with a slice of cheesecake that was one of the best cheesecakes we’ve ever had. I wish this restaurant was in Fort Lauderdale!

Conclusion

This was definitely one of the best long weekend trips we’ve had in a long time. Mt Dora is very accessible from most ends of Florida and we could have spent more days exploring. We highly recommend it and know we will be back!

Watch the full episode (link below) to really get a feel for the town. As always, thank you for following our journey and blog. Please take a moment to subscribe and leave your comments – we love hearing from you.

We are headed to the PNW in July and Portugal in August, so we have some great trips to share with you in the coming months. Cheers, Scott and Ally

May 18, 2025May 18, 2025

Weekend Road Trip Stop: Discovering Sebring, Florida

From Fort Lauderdale to Florida’s Heartland

Last month, Scott and I left our bustling home base of Fort Lauderdale on a beautiful Friday morning, eager to explore central Florida on a weekend road trip. Our destination? The charming town of Mount Dora—but first, we made a memorable stop in Sebring, Florida.

Nestled in the heart of the state, Sebring is a hidden gem that’s been gaining attention recently, thanks in part to a recent HGTV hometown makeover that breathed new life into its historic downtown “Circle.” Curious to see it for ourselves, we followed I-75 west and then north on US-27, hoping to take in the scenery around Lake Okeechobee. Unfortunately, our views were blocked by what seemed to be a never-ending dam wall—so the lake remained elusive this time.

Lunch in Sebring: A Hidden Culinary Surprise

After just about three hours on the road, we rolled into Sebring ready for a stretch and a bite to eat. We were pleasantly surprised by 301 Eatery & Brewery, a local favorite with an inviting atmosphere and a menu that truly delivered. The craft brews and flavorful lunch options exceeded our expectations—definitely a must-visit if you’re passing through town.

Unique Shopping: Sebring Soap Shop

With full bellies and time to spare, we wandered over to the Sebring Soap Shop, a locally owned business filled with artisan soaps, bath products, and warm small-town hospitality. We even had the chance to chat with one of the owners, who shared their HDTV experience and how the town is being revitalized.

Sweet Ending: Old-Fashioned Ice Cream & Soda Shop

No visit to a revitalized small town is complete without a little dessert. We finished our visit with a nostalgic treat from Sebring’s Ice Cream & Soda Shop, a retro-style parlor serving up classic floats and creamy scoops. It was the perfect way to wrap up our short but sweet visit.

North to Mount Dora—Stay Tuned!

After a couple of delightful hours in Sebring, we hit the road again, heading north on US-27 toward Mount Dora. The drive, however, had its share of challenges, with stop-and-go traffic slowing our pace considerably. Still, we finally arrived in Mount Dora around 4:30 PM, excited to explore another historic Florida town known for its lake views, boutiques, and small-town charm.

Stay tuned for our next post where we’ll share everything we experienced in Mount Dora and around Lake Dora—from scenic strolls and boating views to local finds and more.

Planning a Florida Road Trip? Don’t Skip Sebring

If you’re traveling through central Florida, Sebring makes for a fantastic lunch stop or half-day detour. With its newly revitalized downtown, great local eats, and welcoming shops, it’s the perfect way to break up your drive and discover something unexpected.

As always, thank you for following our journey! We have so many great trips coming up this summer, including a trip back to the Pacific Northwest and then Portugal this August. Scott and I are very excited to share those journeys with you.

Cheers, Scott and Ally

April 15, 2025April 15, 2025

Exploring Future Dreams at Trawlerfest Fort Lauderdale

Last month, Scott and I made our way down to the beautiful Bahia Mar Marina in Fort Lauderdale for Trawlerfest 2025, and wow, what a great event! This was our second time attending a Trawlerfest (our first was in Stuart, FL back in 2023), and while this one was still smaller than the Pacific Northwest version, it definitely delivered. With around 20 yachts on display and a prime location right on the iconic Fort Lauderdale waterfront, it was well worth the trip.

As many of you know, our long-term goal is to purchase a trawler and take on the Great Loop. So every boat show we attend now has a purpose—we’re no longer just admiring yachts for fun (okay, maybe a little of that), but really digging into the features that are important to us and how we envision living aboard for an extended period of time.

Yachts Toured

We toured a number of yachts, but a few stood out that we wanted to share:

🛥 Greenline 39
This compact cruiser caught our attention for its efficient design and eco-friendly hybrid power option. It’s a great example of how less can be more—plenty of smart storage, clean lines, and thoughtful use of space. But for our loop plans, it might be a bit tight in terms of long-term liveability.

🛥 Swift Trawler 54
The Swift Trawler series has been on our radar for a while, and stepping aboard the 54 confirmed why. The open salon layout and integrated galley gave us that homey feeling, and the modern touches didn’t hurt either. It’s a bit larger than what we’re aiming for, but we loved the up galley and easy access to the flybridge—no ladders, thank you!

🛥 Leopard 53 Powercat
Okay, catamarans aren’t what we initially envisioned for the Loop, but this Leopard 53 was impressive. The wide-open entertainment spaces and visibility from the salon to the aft deck were unmatched. Still, the beam was over 25 feet, which wouldn’t work for some of the narrower locks and marinas along the Loop. But it gave us great ideas for what we want in terms of layout and flow.

Important Yacht Features

As we continue the search, we’ve gotten really clear on what matters to us:

Up galleys that connect with the salon
No ladders to the flybridge (stairs only, please!)
Open entertainment spaces that feel connected
Asymmetrical walkarounds for maximizing interior space
Boats under 18’ in beam and no longer than 50’

Trawlerfest was a fantastic checkpoint in this journey—it gave us a chance to talk to other cruisers, brokers, and manufacturers, and to physically step aboard boats we’ve only seen online.

Be sure to stay tuned as we will be bringing you some more great tours from the Palm Beach Boat Show. Plus, we have some exciting summer trips planned, so stay tuned for more adventures and yacht tours.

As always, thank you for following our journey and for all of your support. Our YouTube channel now has over 21,000 subscribers and we are humbled by everyone rallying behind us. We promise you, we will be back on the water soon! Be sure to follow us on social media @BoatingJourney #BoatingJourney too!

Cheers, Scott and Ally

February 17, 2025February 17, 2025

St Petersburg Boat Show 2025

Last month in January, we had the opportunity to attend the St. Petersburg Boat Show for the first time, and what an experience it was! As always, we documented our adventure for Boating Journey, and you can look forward to some great yacht tours on our YouTube channel, including a Marquis, a Sunseeker, and a Marlow.

Exploring the Show

We arrived at the show on Friday around noon and spent the afternoon exploring until about 3:30 p.m. One of the standout features of this show is its walkability. At the entrance, we found an impressive display of boats on trailers, including popular brands like Axopar and various tenders.

On the water, the show consisted of around 150 boats, though only about 15 of them were over 65 feet in length. The majority of the vessels on display were center consoles and day boats, making this an ideal show for those in the market for a sleek, fast ride. Among the many impressive center consoles, we took note of stunning models from Intrepid, Mystique, and Valhalla.

The Marlow 53

Scott and I made an appointment to tour the Marlow 53 (see episode for the impromptu tour). This was an impressive yacht with great offshore capabilities.

One of the highlights of the show was our tour of a Marlow yacht. We were absolutely captivated by its craftsmanship, spacious layout, and liveaboard potential. The tour reignited our dream of finding the perfect boat to complete the Great Loop. The search is officially on!

An Unforgettable Evening in St. Pete

After wrapping up our first day at the show, we headed to Stillwater Tavern for dinner. Just as we were finishing our meal, something unexpected happened—St. Pete experienced a complete power outage! The entire downtown core went dark, bringing an abrupt end to our evening.

Day Two: Boats, Exhibitors, and Great Food

Saturday morning started with a hearty breakfast at Cassis—though at $84 for two people, it was definitely one of the pricier breakfasts we’ve had. Fueled and ready for the day, we made our way back to the show.

We spent time walking the docks, reconnecting with my former colleagues at OneWater Yacht Group, and exploring the exhibitor tents. Inside the tents, we found a diverse selection of marine gear and accessories, including paddle boards, life rafts, and boat club memberships. Whether you’re outfitting a new boat or just looking for fun water toys, this area had something for everyone.

After the show, we stumbled upon the St. Pete Farmer’s Market. After checking it out, we walked to the pier and grabbed lunch at Spa Beach Bistro and enjoyed pizza and chicken tenders.

Then we walked all the way to the end and enjoyed a cocktail at Teak, while watching the mini sailboats race. It was funny to see a Tiki Boat motoring by in choppy seas.

We wish we could have spent more time exploring St. Pete. There is so much to see and do. Just outside the entrance of the pier, across from the Stillwater Tavern, you’ll find this old Bombax Tree. It was impressive.

That evening, we enjoyed a delicious Italian dinner at BellaBrava—highly recommended if you’re in the area. To cap off the night, we visited the Dracula Bar, which turned out to be a fantastic experience. If you haven’t been, put it on your list for next time!

Final Thoughts

If you’ve never attended the St. Petersburg Boat Show, it’s definitely worth visiting at least once. It’s a well-organized, walkable event with a strong focus on center consoles and day boats. Plus, with St. Pete’s fantastic dining and nightlife, there’s plenty to do beyond the docks.

Stay tuned for our upcoming yacht tours on YouTube, and as always, thanks for following along on our Boating Journey! Please be sure to subscribe to both our YouTube channel and boating blog and follow us on social @boatingjourney.

Cheers, Scott and Ally

September 29, 2024September 29, 2024

Fort Myers to Daytona Beach

In our last blog we started our three day road trip and headed to Fort Myers. As I write this blog, yet another hurricane (Helene) has come through and devastated the west coast of Florida. Fort Myers is still recovering from Hurricane Ian and it got hit again. Luckily, it was not as bad as two years ago.

Scott and I started the day with a delicious breakfast at Ella Mae’s Diner in the hotel. This was one of the best breakfasts we have ever had. The service was outstanding and the food was delicious! I had the avocado toast and as you can see below, it was no ordinary avocado toast.

Our first stop on our way to Ocala was Sun City Center to visit Scott’s uncle Bob. We had a lunch at his community golf club cafe and then headed to Ocala.

Change of Plans

Scott and I were about 10 min into our trip to Ocala when we got a text from our friends that they suddenly had a family emergency. So change of plans – we’re heading to Orlando. We were about two and half hours from Orlando and decided to stay in Downtown. We booked a room at the Embassy Suites “on the lake”. This was a pretty old hotel, but we still paid close to $300/night! In addition, they don’t have on-site parking. In the photo below, I’m looking at the lake!

After wandering a few blocks downtown, we ended up at the Smash Burger restaurant. Scott liked it, but it was not my favorite. It’s the type of restaurant where you place your order at the window and then they bring your food to you. They have about eight specialty burgers and I just wanted a plain lettuce and tomato burger. I got it, but it was literally ice cold. (no joke – burger too, like it came out of the fridge).

Needless to say, we ended our evening in DT Orlando early, so we could get a good night’s sleep.

Daytona Beach Here We Come!

Daytona Beach is less than an hour from Orlando. We had reservations at the Hilton Oceanfront and I called to see if we could check in early. Luckily, they had rooms. This is also a very old hotel and it reminded me of Vegas.

I reserved an ocean front with a patio and this is what we got! Crazy! The drone footage Scott took turned out awesome (be sure to watch the video – link below).

Daytona Beach

After we checked in, Scott and I headed down to the beach to check it out. This sandy beach is as hard as a rock! This is why cars can drive on part of it.

We walked the boardwalk in both directions and came upon a very cool memorial, dedicated to the Daytona 200, a motor cross race on the beach.

Dangerous Weather

We soon noticed a squall was coming, so we headed into Joe’s Crab Shack for a light lunch. Joe’s is located on the pier at the beach.

Scott and I wanted to head to wear the cars drive on the beach, and thought had a weather window. Boy were we wrong!

We sheltered at the Landshark Bar and after an hour headed back home. First stopping at a souvenir shop to get some goodies!

Unfortunately, the rain never let up and we ended up as drowned rats. Because the weather never let up, we had dinner at the hotel. The sunset was beautiful although we could only see it from the hallway of the hotel.

Since we haven’t on the ocean before, we were excited to see the sunrise. Again, be sure to watch the video for the time lapse sunrise. Our three day road trip was over on Labor Day and it was time to head home. Would we go back? Probably not, but there are a number of places we do want to explore like Mt Dora and Crystal River Springs. So another road trip is in our future.

As always, thank you for following our blog and be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel. Follow us on social media @BoatingJourney #BoatingJourney.

Cheers, Scott and Ally

September 22, 2024September 22, 2024

Road Trip to Fort Myers

Over Labor Day weekend, Scott and I took a three day road trip and our first stop was Fort Myers. We have never been there before, so we were excited to see it for the first time. We only stayed one night, as we were staying the following night in Ocala and then onto Daytona Beach the third night.

Fort Myers is about two hours from Fort Lauderdale, taking I-75, known as alligator alley across the state. The weather started getting darker and darker as we approached the west coast and we ended up in a huge squall. Watch our YouTube video for the full footage of the trip. (see link below)

Luminary Hotel

We stayed at the Luminary Hotel right on the water and two blocks from Downtown Fort Lauderdale. The hotel was fantastic and our room was even better! I would highly recommend this hotel and wish we had stayed longer.

Look closely and you will see that the marina is empty. This marina was severely damaged by Hurricane Ian and still has not re-opened.

Downtown Fort Myers

You may recall that when we first moved here, Hurricane Ian hit Florida hard. We were not sure where it was going to hit, until it landed and unfortunately, it hit Fort Myers the worst. Here’s Downtown Fort Myers during the hurricane.

Walk just a couple of blocks and you will find First Street, where restaurants, bars and shops line the streets.

Fort Myers Pub Crawl

Scott and I found downtown to be very quaint and not touristy at all. Since we were walking, we decided to turn our evening into a pub crawl.

Honestly, this blog doesn’t do the trip justice (sorry!) We first stopped at The Lodge for a drink and yes, this is the chain and the same Lodge that’s in Seattle. There’s also a museum right downtown and if we had more time to explore, this would have been a stop.

Next stop was 10 Twenty Five, where we grabbed a drink at the bar. Great service and fun bartender.

Before dinner, we made one more stop at Ford’s Garage. We sat at the bar, but there was a family behind us and the kids were screaming the entire time. Time to head to dinner!

Dining in Fort Myers

There are plenty of options when it comes to restaurants in the downtown area. Since Scott loves pizza, we had to try Capones Coal Fired Pizza!

We sat at the bar and met the nicest guy! He moved to Fort Myers when he graduated high school from Michigan! He didn’t have a job and got a hotel for a couple of weeks. He ended up at Target and now three years later he’s a manager in training. He was so polite and proper and an absolute joy to talk to. The image below is not ours, but Scott and I sat in that same spot.

Since it was a Friday (work day), we were pretty beat and we headed home early in the evening. Tune in to our next blog, as we head to Sun City to visit with Scott’s uncle Bob and then to Ocala to stay with our good friends from Seattle.

As always, thank you for following our blog! Please be sure to follow our YouTube channel and on social media @BoatingJourney #BoatingJourney.

Cheers, Scott and Ally

May 26, 2024May 26, 2024

Visiting the Bonnet Museum & Gardens

Last month Scott and I needed to get our truck detailed, which would take about three hours. Luckily for us, one of Fort Lauderdale’s top visitor’s destination was right around the corner – The Bonnet Museum and Gardens. The Bonnet House and Gardens is a historic estate located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, notable for its unique blend of art, architecture, history, and ecology. What is amazing, is the fact that it is surrounded by condos and sky scrapers.

History

The Bonnet House was built in 1920 by Frederic Clay Bartlett, a Chicago-born artist and art collector, as a winter retreat for his family. The estate occupies 35 acres of lush, subtropical landscape that includes beach, dunes, and mangrove wetlands.

Frederic Bartlett’s wife, Helen Louise Birch, originally purchased the land in 1919. However, Helen died in 1925, and in 1931, Frederic married Evelyn Fortune Lilly, a socialite and philanthropist. The couple continued to develop the property together, enriching it with an array of art and personal touches that reflect their eclectic tastes and love of nature.

The house was used only during the winter, when Frederick and Evelyn came down from Chicago to escape the bitter cold. So it was more of a “summer house”, than a mansion.

Start of the Tour

Once you buy your tickets, you cross over the small bridge and enter the grounds. They have guests watch a short film in the “gallery” before taking the self-guided tour. In the gallery, you will find many art pieces that both Frederick and Evelyn painted.

After the preview, you then come around the corner to enter the “house”. However, this is nothing like our Vizcaya Tour. Instead of an opulent mansion, you will instead find a courtyard style building with rooms on all sides.

The first room we entered was the music room. Still preserved just as it was before Evelyn died.

Architecture and Art

The Bonnet House itself is a vibrant example of Caribbean-style plantation architecture, characterized by its open-air loggias, wide verandas, and whimsical decor. The house is adorned with murals, painted ceilings, and a variety of unique furnishings and art pieces collected by the Bartletts from their travels around the world. Frederic’s artistic influence is evident throughout, with his original paintings and murals decorating the interiors.

The Dining Room and Kitchen

Our next stop was the dining room, the pantry and the kitchen. Ever day Evelyn would select her dishware to use for service and she never used the same matching pieces. She loved to mix and match.

As we were touring the historical kitchen, the tour guide showed up and gave us a very detailed history of the kitchen and Evelyn. As he was doing so, he was moving us out. Turns out the door that said “Staff Only” had been left open and Scott and I walked right in.

The Grounds

Unfortunately, we were not able to tour the second floor where the bedrooms and bathrooms were located. So from there, we toured the rest of the gardens and grounds. The first building we came upon was the caretaker’s building. Evelyn took very good care of the caretakers, treating them like family.

Next, we came upon an “art workshop” – there was a tour going on, so we didn’t stay long enough to learn all of the history here.

The /Greenhouse

The next building we came upon was Evelyn’s greenhouse and Tiki Bar. She collected shells and displayed them all over her house. In the Tiki Bar, there was a clock that was permanently set at 5:00pm. LOL!

The gardens of Bonnet House are a botanical marvel, featuring a diverse array of tropical and subtropical plants. Visitors can explore different sections, including a desert garden, hibiscus garden, and orchid display house, which boasts hundreds of varieties. The estate is also home to native wildlife, such as swans, monkeys, and manatees, enhancing the property’s natural beauty and ecological significance.

Preservation and Public Access
Following Evelyn Bartlett’s death in 1997, the estate was preserved as a historic house museum. Managed by the Bonnet House, Inc., the property is open to the public, offering guided tours that provide insights into the Bartletts’ lives and their contributions to art and culture. The Bonnet House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, ensuring its protection and continued enjoyment by future generations.

Today, Bonnet House and Gardens stands as a testament to the artistic legacy of Frederic and Evelyn Bartlett and serves as a serene oasis amidst the bustling city of Fort Lauderdale. It is a cherished cultural landmark, celebrated for its historical, artistic, and natural significance. Next time you visit Fort Lauderdale, we highly recommend you visit Bonnet House.

As always, thank you for following our journey! Please be sure to follow our YouTube channel (see video below) and follow us on social media @BoatingJourney #BoatingJourney.

Cheers, Scott and Ally

May 5, 2024June 17, 2024

A Day of Joy and Compassion: Cruising with Freedom Waters Foundation and 26 North Yachts

We recently had the incredible opportunity to volunteer with Freedom Waters Foundation for a day that was not just about cruising the New River but also about spreading joy and making a difference in the lives of some remarkable individuals. Joined by my company 26 North Yachts, it was a day filled with warmth, camaraderie, and unforgettable moments.

Marina Bay Marina

We departed Marina Bay Marina in Fort Lauderdale where 26 North Yachts is headquartered. Four yachts donated their time and vessel, accommodating four families. While I had the privilege of being aboard the graceful Nautor Swan 43, Scott embarked on the sleek Formula 48. It was a sight to behold as our parade of boats glided down the river, a symbol of unity and shared purpose.

Cruising The New River

The journey took us by Safe Harbor Marina (LMC) and then through the residential route of the South Fork River. Our group cruised through Downtown Fort Lauderdale about 20 minutes into our cruise. Freedom Waters Foundation had organized a delightful lunch for all, providing not just nourishment for the body but also nourishment for the soul.

What truly made this day special, however, was the opportunity for the kids to take the helm and become captains of their own adventures. Despite their battles with cancer and other health issues, their spirits soared as they navigated the waters, their laughter echoing across the river.

Two Hour Magical Cruise

From Downtown Fort Lauderdale, we headed to the infamous sandbar where the New River meets the ICW. Our parade of boats circled around the sandbar and headed back to Marina Bay Marina as we had now been cruising about an hour and fifteen minutes.

Special Bond

But the magic didn’t stop there. On Scott’s boat, something beautiful blossomed. Captain Ben’s daughters struck up a friendship with the kids from Freedom Waters, proving that kindness knows no bounds and that friendships can emerge from the most unexpected places.

Thank you for your support

We are immensely grateful to Starboard Yacht Group for donating the expertise of Captain Marco and their 35′ Everglades, to Captain Mark for generously offering his time and the 28 Scout, to Captain Ben for his dedication and the 48 Formula, and to Captain Mike from 26 North Yachts for his unwavering support and the Nautor Swan 43. A big thank you to Robin of Freedom Waters Foundation for making it all come together! It’s these acts of generosity and compassion that truly make a difference in the lives of others.

As we reflect on this incredible day, we are reminded of the power of community, compassion, and the joy that comes from giving back. Our hearts are full, and our spirits uplifted, knowing that for a few precious hours, we were able to bring smiles to the faces of those who need it most. If you are looking to give back, Freedom Waters Foundation is a wonderful organization whose efforts are immeasurable. It truly was a moving day for all of us involved and we are looking forward to doing more with this amazing group.

Thank you for joining us on this journey of compassion and camaraderie. Until next time, may your sails be full, and your hearts even fuller.

As always, thank you for following our journey. Please be sure to subscribe to our blog and our YouTube channel (see link below). Follow us on social @BoatingJourney #BoatingJourney.

Cheers, Scott and Ally