We made it to Florida

Trip Start Nov 10, 2010

Trip End Ongoing

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Where I stayed

Laila's House

Flag of United States Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Wednesday, November 17, 2010

So our trip officially started last week on Nov. 10th when I arrived in Ft Lauderdale. Over the next few months I'll be joining Pete Nate and Becca aboard the Strolla for a sailing adventure. Strolla is our boat. She's a 31ft long English sailboat Pete bought last winter in Mass. and spent the last winter months sailing it down the east coast. Pete is our captain. A fellow river guide out in Wyoming with me over the summer. He needed a crew, so myself along with Nate and Becca (also Grand Teton Lodge employees) signed up for the voyage.

We all arrived in Ft Lauderdale where the boat had been docked since the spring at a friend Laila's house. She's been putting us up until the boat is in tip top shape and we are all set to sail. The past week has encompassed us painting, cleaning, organizing, tinkering with the motor/electronics, and all that stuff we have to get working before we find ourselves 300 miles from the nearest land

Laila and us

. Laila has a good friend John who has been a huge help. Day one: the motor doesn't work. Luckily john was here to help us get it working. Maybe we'll keep him on speed dial from our satellite phone.

So today was our first real adventure. Our dinghy had just finished being patched and our new 2.5 hp dinghy motor was up and ready for a test run around the canals and harbors of Ft. Lauderdale. Before we left, I asked Pete if we should bring the oars or even a spare tank of gas fearing something might go wrong. "Only the beer," He replys.

So were off on our journey checking out all the mega yachts and trying to find a boat smaller than ours (not much success). A few yards after our turnaround point a good couple miles from Laila's. The motor dies. Yep, no more gas. No oars. We hand paddled our way to the closest dock and Pete and Becca walk back to the house leaving Nate and I to tend the boat. Its well after dark by the time Pete returns not with more gas but 2 paddles. We both paddle our way back through the maze of canals and return just in time for dinner.

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