Hello from a Fort Lauderdale Newbie

[18Bravo]

Hello to all. I'm newly registered...been lurking here for awhile before I registered so please accept my apologies. This is a great forum that has helped me pass many a rainy day and sleepless night...and yes I'll admit, I get on in the middle of the day when I should be doing other things too. :-) I am impressed by the civility here as opposed to some of the other forums and I'm glad to be a registered member.

I live aboard and having been in that lifestyle for about 15 years I like to think I take things with a grain of salt and a dose of reality without being thin-skinned. I am "apolitical" which comes from 26 years in the military (retired now).

Unfortunately, my old girl has been a dock queen since the war started in '01 so I haven't had much time underway since then. Back-to-back military deployments are hell on cruising plans. I'm looking forward to getting back to my favorite Bahamas cruising grounds (Exumas) next summer once I put some extra cash in the slop chest. Well anyway, I'm glad to have finally come aboard the forum.

V/R
Dave

[flashmutt007]

Welcome. Thank you for your service to our country. I admire you for it. And good luck getting back to your favorite cruising grounds in an expeditious manner!

[scallywag]

Dave,
Welcome aboard and thank you for your service. The Bahamas have changed a lot over the past 26 years. Every time I return to a previous visited location, I am upset how the area has become modernized.
John

[imagine2frolic]

At least the change is slow, island time! Welcome, thanks for the service, and joining........i2f

[18Bravo]

Bill, John and i2f, thanks for the warm welcome. I really appreciate your kind words. I'm hoping to be ready and geared up for an extended voyage to the Exumas and other areas for the summer of 2010. I have heard that Georgetown just isn't the same anymore...but I'm flexible. Plenty of great areas in the general vicinity.
Dave

[Chief Engineer]

Is the noon opening at the 17th street causeway still at 12 o'clock

(from The Funniest Things I Have Heard on VHF by Chief Engineer

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Dave,
Welcome aboard! Thanks for your service. Only 26? Army?
regards,