Our condo in Florida

Through other loopers, we learned about this condo that was for rent. It is very nice, and close to where Le rêve is being commissioned, so it is not only a nice place, but also very convenient.

Re Le rêve: What does it mean and why did we pick it.
For the longest time we did not know what to call our new boat, and various names came to mind but none that grabbed us.
When we where in Holland last fall, and attended a family reunion from Joanne's father side, one of Joanne's cousin told us the suspected origin of the name of the farm where Joanne's Dad was born and grew up.
The farm name is called "t' Reve" which is believed to be derived from the French word
"Le rêve" meaning "the dream" The family roots are traced back to the Huguenots and when they moved North from France in the 1700 one certain family settled in this place in Holland, and called the home stead Le rêve It was their dream to be free from persecution , and farm undisturbed. When we heard this we looked at each other, and we had the same thoughts, this is what the name for our new boat should be.
Is this Huguenot story authentic, and accurate??? ( all due respect for Joanne's cousin) we don't know. However we thought it to be a nice fit for the name of our boat, as we to have a dream.
So.... now you know what the name means, and how we came to choose it.

Le rêve in Kadey Krogen's marina

After a run of approximately 1 1/12 hr we arrive at the Waterfront marina. This is where the rest of the commissioning will take place.

Le rêve on her way from the yard to the marina.

Joanne and Christine are enjoying the ride on the very first voyage of Le rêve.

Launching of M/S Le rêve

On the 19th of Jan. the Kadey Krogen was launched and we took her to the marina where the rest of the commissioning will take place.

A picture of Le reve with arch installed

And the arch is installed. There are several other items to be attended to, but soon she will be ready to be lowered into the water, and taken to the Kadey Krogen marina where the rest of the commissioning will take place.

The work begins

And we are ready to install the radar arch.

Unloading the radar arch

Than the radar arch.

We have arrived in Stuart

when we get to Stuart first thing is to get the dingy unloaded.

At the Huggin's

On our way to Florida we have to pick up all the stuff we stored at the Huggins in Annapolis.
We had to drag it up 60 steps. so Peter and Christine,s help was much appreciated.

Getting ready to go

Heading for Stuart

Snow mobiling on the grass!?!?!?

Where is the SNOW????

Grandkids for Christmas

The grand kids were eager to open the presents

van Lenthe Family

We celebrated Christmas with our kids and grand kids on Christmas day.

It was good to be together with our family

Our new "BLOG"

After not reporting anything for some time we are now ready to start our new "BLOG" and keep you folks updated on our continuing journey. The journey so far took us around 3/4 of the American great loop.

The "Picobello" was traded in for a different style of boat, a Kadey Krogen displacement trawler.
Yes folks we have now joined the slow moving boater group. Perhaps we will be left in the wake of those faster boats, but we have decided that going slower is more enjoyable than racing through the water and have to have a sharp eye out for the next buoy, turn in the ICW, or fellow boater. So...... we will be moving at a maximum speed of approximately 9 knots ( 16km/hr) We further have discovered that it is not about the destination, but the journey.

On the 13th we hope to leave for Stuart Florida, and by mid Feb we hope to have the boat commissioned, and be ready to cruise.

We hope to keep you updated via this "BLOG" as to where we are, and what we are up to.