Blessing of the Fleet and "All that Jazz"

We have never in our 15 years on Broulee been asked to participate in a Blessing of the Fleet  - we were asked last weekend and how can you resist, especially when a yacht club member has a spare set of nautical signal flags and another trawler owner knows how to put them up.  They have convinced me they have spelled out Broulee KK42 MN Izzy and then some jibberish.  I believe them.

So, once again, we scrambled to get the pilot house cleaned up to go out of the marina to bless Broulee.  Helm is nearing completion and I might add, looking good.

20 some boats jockeying for position to pass by the Bridge Officers.  Picture taken by Kadence,  Kadey Krogen 44.

A few of the boats in the Blessing of the Fleet - Simply Grand - Grand Banks 42

Grand Pelican, a Grand Banks 36

Ok, just in case you get asked to participate in a Blessing of the Fleet - this is the proper way to display your nautical sign flags.  The front flags are supposed to dip towards the water.  We will hopefully get better at this, it took us 15 years to get this far.

After we got the invite, found out we needed to have crew outfits.  They claim everyone has kahki and white - not this crew.  The Admirals came from Chico's.  The captain always looks stunning in Goodwill.

  

Broulee getting in position behind Kadence for our grand entrance.  Lots of Pomp and circumstance.  Rick announced to the Bridge - Captain Rick Smith, 1st Mate/Admiral/ Wife Debra and our trusty Black Lab, Queen Isabella.

Sunday, after the blessing we decided to take a shake down cruise to Keeywadin for an overnight.  Reminder it is Sunday and every boater in Southwest Florida is out - this beach is at least a mile long and packed with beached boats.  We are lucky, we anchor out and will dinghy in to this madness.

I scream, you scream, we all scream for Ice cream.

The best part, come sunset - they all leave and we have the whole anchorage and beach to ourselves.  Sorry, no green flash tonight, but still awesome.

Morning is another favorite time for us.  No people and Izzy gets to be off leash.  She found one of her favorite toys, a coconut. Here she is  shaking it off after swimming for her prize.

Now I will shred this to pieces.

And now I must chase this dolphin.  Not sure what I will do with it when I get it, but, I will figure it out when I get there.

And last, but not least - they are back.  The burrowing owls (protected species) from last year seen on my daily walk.  Glad for their greeting every morning.  

Latest pics of helm to follow.