Boynton Beach Pirate Fest - 2015

 They grow up so fast these days. Not the people in my photos but the events. This is the 4th annual Boynton Beach Haunted Pirate Fest and Mermaid Splash.  An event that has quickly grown to be as big as it's name.

This was my third year of attending. It was not looking good for my schedule this year and really, how many annual events can one person attend. Well considering I took about 500 photos and most of them that were not crowd scenes and vendors were people I know. So I guess, yeah - a lot of people enjoy an annual event.

Speaking of crowd scenes, the first year I went it was tough to get a group shot. This year, it was hard to walk at the end of the day. I heard 70,000 in attendance. I didn't count personally but that seems like a fair estimate. The top photo was taken dead center of the event. There were an equal number of people behind me.


Throw in a beautiful South Florida weekend, exceptional entertainment, vendors, and food. Make it one of the most kid friendly events I attend each year and really, how can you miss.

I was pretty sure I was going to miss it this year but I made one day very last minute.... from before it opened officially till just about close. It is fair to say I missed half the shows. Very disappointing that I could not go both days. I did make a new friend - The fairy right there. It's great to catch up with old friends and make future old friends at the same time. They all fill my camera and my life with color.

If you want to relive the event or see what you missed, I have another 200 photos. Just [click here].  If you sat home this beautiful weekend, Why? There was a time not too long ago that events like this were struggling. Now they are happening around the calendar and overflowing their capacity. I'm hoping this event goes two weekends next year - I don't want to miss a thing.

Bathrooms(s) Renovation - One Month of Destruction.

I knew exactly what I was getting into with this project. Both financially and life disruption wise. It's been 30 days since I signed all the contracts and just a few days ago I finished destroying things. My entire house is covered in a thin layer of dust but I can finally see a little progress.




I had a ceiling vent fan to replace which required crawling through the attic. All 6' 4" of me. Broken drywall from old leaks. The removal of the soffit over the master shower. That one foot makes a huge difference but required moving the light, electric, and water lines. Had to call in a specialist but totally worth it. That 6' 4" thing again. Tearing the mirrors off the wall damaged the drywall quite a bit so there was a lot of patch and sanding.

I have worked on this project every day I have been here but I've also been out of town a few times. I have one shower and one toilet still working but I've had all the tile stripped from the floor. I think if I had someone living with me there would be a sizable conflict brewing.

Here's the kicker - I may still be 2-3 weeks from delivery on the units from Bath Crest. Until that work is done, the tile stays at the tile store, the cabinets sit in boxes in the garage, and the counter tops remain as a trip hazard in the bedrooms. I still have woodwork to paint but I am actually ready right now for the install.






I was most pleased to hang the lighting I bought over a year ago. Pretty much how long I've waited for all the stars to align to start this project. I may be a bit ahead on the parts I was capable of doing but I had no real clue how long it would take. I've worked in computers for the last 35 years. House renovations has always been a fun hobby but this time I have no help.



The next update may be a little while but I'm expecting great things. The rest of this project for me is just phone calls and check writing. I can take pride in the fact that I have now touched every square inch of this house in some way. This 3 year long rehab is weeks from ending. I'm looking forward to just kicking back with no to do list for a little while.

Margaritaville Hollywood - Now open

I would say open for business but it's like a party inside. A gigantic beach party. I've been waiting a long time for a resort such as this to open on Hollywood beach. About 37 years more or less. I just noticed this is my 100th post. What better way to celebrate than this grand opening.



When I first moved to Hollywood way back when, the beach was beautiful, the Broadwalk wide and busy with tourists. The shops and motels were right out of the 50's and 60's and would have been no loss if swept out to sea.



I didn't actually book a room. A bit pricy, but that's not to say I won't in the future. This was a soft opening but even so it was packed with people checking in and at the pool. I'm holding out till all the restaurants are open.



I did manage a meal at the Landshark. A better view can just not be had on Hollywood Beach simply by strolling up and asking for a table. Live bands at the bandshell and the crash of the surf make this the best seat in the house. Any of the seats. They all have an unbeatable view.



If you don't have time for the full meal experience, there is a very convenient bar right on the beach. This is the noon crowd. Good luck getting a stool if you wait much longer than this.  There is no doubt this place it going to put Hollywood Beach on the map. It's a shame I don't live here anymore or I would be a regular. I will certainly visit again when I come back.

High Tide in Stuart

Not just any high tide but the Super Moon King Tide. I know... I'm a little late with this post. I have a very busy life. I took a few minutes to document the highest tide there is likely to be on a clear day in Stuart. It was not much of a concern. I'm a firm believer in global warming. In the town I left recently, there was water spilling over the boat ramps and into the street on this day. I was there 35 years and water always rises to an annoying, street flooding point each spring and fall but this year it was just a bit bigger.



As I walked around my new town, it was pretty obvious it's going to take a whole lot more of the ice caps to melt before these city streets are swamped. It was still interesting to watch the river flow backwards. I'm sure it happens twice a day but since it rarely touched the bottom of the pedestrian walkway under the Roosevelt Bridge, it's not noticeable. On this day it sounded like a waterfall as water jammed up against the concrete.



I'm also working on my artistic shots. I've shot a lot of photos of this area but I'm finally starting to see a more interesting result. Interesting enough to print and sell??? I suppose not but that is one of the goals.





So far among my friends, the shot above is the winner by a landslide. It is the one I was going after as it can not be reproduced until the tide reaches this height in the spring. The photo below is from a while ago. Normally the grass is not covered in salt water.



I took a quick video as well so you can hear the rush of water heading up river. I really want to go back again in a few weeks at exactly high tide and see if I notice this time. I suspect that without all the sloshing noise I never would have seen a few leaves and bubbles heading upstream.