Friday, January 11, 2008

Carla and Fredrik's Wedding Jan 6 08














































Carolina from Bonnelly Productions http://www.bonnellyproductions.com/ was nice enough to pick us up at Miami Yacht Club. She is pleasure to work with and she also works for Clau at http://www.clauphotography.com/ a great photographer and friend.

I never met Carla and Fredrik before the wedding, we only talked over the phone. She said it was just a small wedding with 40 friends and family at a friends house on the shore. It was a beautiful home and the decorations where done by Jose Graterol Designs. In spite of the small wedding status, we where blessed with beautiful decorations an ocean view and a fantastic venue to work with.

We where a little pressed for time because of the early sunset but we got alot done. Everyone was fun, which makes my job much easier and the bride and groom where full of love.

After the ceremony we got a few fun shots on the beach, but as always, I wish I had more time.

Even though I never met Fredrik before the wedding, something seemed very familiar about him. Fredrik is from Sweden and lives in Monaco. I should have picked up the clues.

The next day we sailed back north to Ft Lauderdale. The winds where from the east at 18-20 so we where flying along at up to 9.4 knots, the fastest we have gone so far. We reefed the main so we could have gone faster, but it was a little rough and wet.

That night we where anchored in Ft Lauderdale and Fredrik called me asking if they could have a few pictures for their website. http://www.carla-fredrik.com/









As some of you know, I raced cars for almost 30 years. Specifically Pro Rally, I have even won a couple championships. When Fredrik e-mailed me, he included this work website http://www.raceofchampions.com/. Then it hit me, that I did know him. He and Michelle Mouton, the worlds greatest woman rally driver, have been putting on an event since 1988 that puts the best drivers in the world in similar cars to find out who is the best. It is a huge event that is shown world wide.










Keep up the great work Fredrik!





Freezing in Miami?

After Jamie, Dino and Don left, Marty and I had a day to chill and catch up on work. We also went to South Beach to shop for groceries and do a little walking.

The next night we had Rev Sean Alexander http://www.wedding-officiant.org/links.htm for the evening. We had a fabulous time and some very great spritual talk. We me him at Dawn and Brian's wedding in South Beach last year.

Saturday, January 5, 2008

Kristin and Calin's Wedding and Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!







We have been very busy, Marty came down to Florida on Dec 19 and Nicole came the same day.we have been on the boat ever since. Nicole has been in Ft Collins Colorado and we haven't seen her in a long time. We miss her alot.

We had Christmas with my Father and Viv. Dinner was great.

The next day we had a great sail to Miami, we had to motor sail but it was a beautiful still day. We anchored for the night at Miami Yacht Club on Watson Island. We were checking it out because we had to stay there for the wedding (Carla and Fredrik) this weekend in Miami Beach. We are here as I am writing this.

On the 27th we went to Key Biscayne and anchored off the "Rusty Pelican Restaurant" where Kristin and Calin's wedding reception was going to be. This anchorage has one of the most beautiful cityscapes in then world.

Kristin and Calin where a great couple, I knew they where fun from the engagement portrait. The wedding party was very fun also.

We spent New Years anchored off Dinner Key in Coconut Grove. Coconut Grove is a great place to shop and eat but the anchorage is a little exposed to bad weather.

We were joined by Jamie and Dino, Olivier and Don for New Years. Jamie and Olivier work for Marty and Don is a Photographer from Buffalo who I used to race against years ago. The weather on New Years was very still and pleaseant. We were able to see fireworks in every direction and shooting stars above since we were laying on the trampoline on the front. We talked to the wee hours.

The next morning I go up early to fetch our second anchor which I accidentally dropped overboard when we got there. Dino made a waypoint on the gps when I did that, so all I had to do was dingy to the waypoint and reach down with a boat hook to grab the chain that was still on it.

We wanted to sail for a day or so, but a major cold front and high winds were predicted for the next few days and we didn't want to be there. So went back to Watson Island. Only a few hours later the front came in and the winds went to over 20 knots and the temps went into the 30's one night. Not so bad for Pittsburgh, but try a 10 minute wet dingy ride in that weather.

It's up to the 70's today and I am just relaxing and getting ready for the wedding tomorrow.

Seeya!