Getting Istaboa back in shape

After a long stay in the Chesapeake and a very long run south down the ICW, we're slowly getting Istaboa back in 100 point condition or as close as we can anyway.

Spent the whole day in the engine room. Having a white engine room is very impressive unless you haven't had time to keep it white. Everything shows up. After today's scrubbing, it's all sparkling white again.

Tom Sawyer (yep, that's his real name) is returning the exterior to a new boat shine. Tom is known amongst Nordhavn owners, especially here in Stuart, as the best one can get to restore a boats finish.
He has lived up to his reputation.

That's what we boaters do... Clean them up, then go out and mess them up, so we can come back from somewhere and clean them up again... vicious cycle, huh?

Anyway... found this today.

It's from a slide show that's full of very interesting old photos of days gone by.

Click here... Picassoswoman's slide show
Plus... you gotta do this, click here... Neave Strobe

Adios,

Istaboa

The difference between dogs and cats.

From their prospectives.... funny if you're an animal lover.
On page 2

So long 2010

And good riddance... remember last year when we all said that about 2009?
Here's to a happier, healthier, and more prosperous 2011
We're hoping there are some islands in our future.
Saw this article this morning....  Dave Barry is a funny guy. Article here

We on Istaboa hope you all had a good holiday. We certainly did.
Big night at Sailor's Return with old friends from Compass Cay. It was a nice time.


Adios,

Istaboa

Happy New Year

1-1-11
A brand new year has begun, let's make it a better one.

Home again

Ahhh... it's good to be back aboard Istaboa and amongst our friends here in Stuart.

The drive was not bad at all. Our new (used-2008) car performed very well. Bluetec diesel avg mpg was 34.8. Not bad for a luxury car. We Americans need to hop on the diesel bandwagon, these German diesels are far ahead of hybrids and fast too.

The John Grisham audio book was excellent; The confession. We're not finished yet, we almost kept driving, but we have another 2 hours left. Great story.

Oh!... the highpoint of the trip was finding a little butcher shop in Albany, Georgia (pronounced Awlbeany) named Carroll's Sausage and meats. Truly wonderful sausage. Must order more. All their meat looked very good.

Gonna get the Albury out tomorrow while the weather is so nice. We have some of our old Compass Cay friends coming by in their new boat and they are staying here at Sunset Bay for New Year's Eve.
Should be fun.

Soooo  good to be back. Hope we can stay (or leave and head to the islands) for a while.

Adios,

Istaboa

It's time to take...

control of our own destiny.

 Looks like airline travel will be snarled up for a while, so we've cranked up the car and hit the road. Tired of taking 2 steps forward and 3 back. We're on the way with John Grisham's new book on CD to keep Radar interested. He loves audio books. (he has no thumbs to hold books ya know)

Been a while since we have done a 1000 mile road trip in a car, but it should be easier than the AICW.

Thanks to friends who've decided to stay at our house for a while to make sure we have no freezing at Rocky Point; we leave with no worries.

Next stop Albany, GA, then on to Stuart and Istaboa.

Adios,

Istaboa

Christmas in Cuba

Looks like a blast... Come on President Obama and Congress, lighten up and let us go. We promise to spread more freedom than you guys have done in your recent ventures.

In Cuba, Christmas is often celebrated with festival-like celebrations known as Parrandas, especially in the town of Remedios. These celebrations include fireworks, elaborate floats, costumes, and parades.
This year's celebrations were marked by Egyptian floats, fireworks, and partying into the night.
Looks like our kind of celebration!

Cut from the Huffinginton Post... More pics here... Parrandas

Istaboa

So while we're stuck in Memphis...

Found an interesting YouTube video about dolphins and how they think.
Worth watching.

And we Homo sapiens think we're so smart. Maybe we've finally evolved enough to realize we have a lot to learn about our relatives from the sea.
Hopefully the crew can catch a flight out soon and be back to hanging out with these guys again.

And for those who think dogs can't reason, click here.

Smartest Dogs: Moscow Stray Dogs

Uh.... plans?

Of Mice and Men... And Airlines, go oft awry.
And seems they will stay that way for a couple of days.

If all goes as planned...

We have made it back to the newly polished Istaboa and sunny Florida... or at least in the airport and on the way.

Stay safe everybody.

Adios,

Istaboa