Happy Easter – See Lake Dora Through The Eye Of Alex Watson!
One of our new favorite spots. ” When I saw this, all I could think of was… “In the tiki tiki tiki tiki tiki room In the tiki tiki tiki tiki tiki room All the birds sing words And the flowers croon At the tiki tiki tiki tiki tiki room.”
Well, you saw all the fancy photos of magical water craft dancing on Lake Dora for the past week. Today we get to see it all through the fun eye of Alex Watson. One of the great things about the show, and many shows is when talented photographers show up and we can all see the same event through others eyes..eye.. Here ya go. Have a great Sunday!
What could possibly go wrong? Who is driving here?
Never seen anyone use a dead dog before as a boat prop. Unless of course it’s not dead. Either way, if it makes a boat look better at a show, it’s fair game.
Interior of Palm Garden, which one only sees to pay a bill or get out of the rain. Why leave the canal vista, right? Anyhow, note the sagging ceiling. Don’t want to know what’s up there. Anyone remember the opening sequence in Pixar’s Ratatouille? Seriously though, this is old Florida here and the best boatwatching / whatnotwatching spot I’ve ever visited.
This boat was at the Field of Dreams. Many people found it to be unique. Actually, ALL people found it to be unique. It was the subject of much discussion later that night. Since the top is fixed, I think it would be perfect for a family with rear sloping heads.
Ahh, a 25′ Sportsman. And it was for sale. This was the view Mike Mayer and I had from the bar, as we both contemplated it and tried to rationalize it. It made more sense as our conversation progressed. This, my friends, is called WoodyEnabling. It’s like playing with wooden dynamite.
The Easter Bunny came to the show. I put in a good word for my kids and requested organic chocolate.
In Tavares, you can get bailed out AND fantastic ribs, from the same parking spot!
A Canadian boat (a Duke) sporting an American flag. The boat looked like it was floating in beer.
If Jackson Pollock had a boat, it would be this one.
Shannon Knight’s incredible hands. Er… nails. (FYI, I’m getting a breakdown of what they signify from her – stand by for that.)
Jim Frechette, owner of Cin City, a 25′ Sportsman, and Matt Smith, owner of THIS 25′ Sportsman, WECATCHEM, tying her up. Meanwhile, Paul Harrison, owner of Barnwood, a 25′ Sportsman, looks on. Photo take by Alex Watson, owner of 2 25′ Sportsmans, Marion E and The Majestic. Total coincidence we were all in/at the same photo!
The Harrison’s Skiff, Kabot’s Habit, tied up with line thinner than an extension cord. While their other boat had no lines at all. Guess what the Harrison’s are getting for Christmas?
Shannon Knight played good sameritan (and good engineer) and fashioned this cushion around the Harrison’s line to prevent it digging into the covering boards. Smart move, Shannon!
GATOR! No, it’s just a bird. Clyde, thats just a bird. WHAT? A Turd.
Home? Boat? I am so confused? Jealous?
WECATCHEM’s stern pole. Notice the missing stern line. Did the Harrison’s swipe it? Cause you know, they were short a few.
Mike Mayer enjoying a 25 Sportsman ride
Another whatnot (whatknot). This one is called WINNIBOATO. Top marks for appropriate naming! I could live on one of these for a month down here. Seriously. And look. It even comes with its own dog and resin chair with bistro table. What more could a married man with three kids at this juncture wish for?
Entering the Dora Canal
WECATCHEM re-entering the Dora Canal. Yeah, that’s a speed trap. I noticed water officers (wofficers?) in the area nod back, but don’t wave or talk. Gotta keep up the all business impression I suppose. In central Florida, bet they see a lot of whatnots in whatnots.
The Boatress and Mike Mayer enjoying the nice slow run!
What a wonderful trip through the Canal African Queen was shot
Life is good!
Future Winter Memory shot
One of our favorite sights to visit. Gnome Village
Sons Of varnish Headed through the canal!
back to the show and the fun of Lake Dora.
Dinner at The Copacabana in Mt. Dora. Fantastic, authentic, Cuban fare. A highlight of attending this show. No Cuban beer there …yet.
Thanks Alex for a fantastic fun day on Lake Dora. To think its been a week since these shots were taken. Wow, time flies.
Great photos! I love the shot of Palm Gardens. This place would also fit in somewhere in the St. Clair flats. Boat bars have a petina as great as old wood boats.
Happy Easter to all our WoodyBoater freinds!
Happy Easter sitting at home this year listening the the ice covered trees cracking and falling to the ground after this ice storm. These photos are reminding me to not do that ever again go south and have some fun.
Matt or Alex who ever put in the captions if the transom says Seabird in the company’s logo its probably not a Duke, more likely a Seabird a competitor of Dukes on the other side of the locks. Cheers from the icy north were last week we were in a convertible and this week we can get the doors open on the truck.
From where Alex shot the photo inside Palm Gardens he had to be backed up to one of the trees growing inside. No shots of them?
A special treat indeed!
Thanks Watson
Mike Mayor: two hands, two beverages. Coincidence?
Happy Easter everyone. A great day to eat chocolate for breakfast…with your bacon.
What you can’t see in the photo m-fine are the 5 other beers, because they’re already in him.
HAPPY EASTER!
He is Risen!
The only trouble with looking through the eyes of Alex Watson is that you don’t get to see Alex Watson.
So this is through the eye of Troy looking at the left eye of Watson while the left eye of Sandi makes sure you all dont wreck.
STAY TUNED TOMORROW FOR A TOUCHING SHORT STORY FROM ALEX WATSON. BRING TISSUES!
Here is a little fun with WECATCHEM and the gang!
So who is driving? Oh, other than Matt who is doing his best nervous owner backseat driving.
Who do you ever see driving Matt’s boats?
Jimmy of course!
Sometimes I think he is Matt and Suzy’s personal boat chauffeur.
HA, I am always shooting pics! I love driving. LOVE IT!
Look at that, Matt does drive.
The engine makes the vide sound like you watching home movies on an old projector. Love it!
In our defense, we had to take all our spare lines from Kabot’s Habit, as we found the lines and fenders with the Continental had mysteriously disappeared between Gull Lake and Dora. Plus, we used lots of lines tying that Skiff up – 4 big ones I think, leaving the little anchor line as the last choice to hold the stern in place – worked well enough but inarguably looked feeble.
Great shots, Alex.
Just messin’ with ya Paul.
Since your boat came from Disney, you can always blame Mickey for the missing lines. I hear Minnie likes to get a little goofy.
Loved the photos and captions, Alex! Here is the decoder ring for the nails…
From left to right:
1. Kabot’s Habit,
2. Our XK-19 bow
3. Lock-pat II (a favorite from Woods and Water)
4. Needs no explanation 😉
5. Early 70’s XK-19 stern badge
6. Mariners ‘s flag
7. 1957 20’ Chris-Craft Continental bow (Greg and Marianne Lewandowski’s boat, our first ride in a wood boat)
8. Chris-Craft burgee
9. ACBS burgee
10. Mahogany decking, represents Wecatchem. 😉
My latest edition:
Shannon, thanks for the decoder ring. But now I’m dizzy from scrolling from it to Alex’s photo. Nice!
So glad I met you while at Palm Gardens.
Best header I’ve seen in a long time…Makes me want to go bacvk there right now…
HAPPY EASTER !
Wilson its one of my top 3 headers of all time too. Thats the perfect setting. It could have been shot in 1948
The Copacabana…Was there an old lady sitting at the bar with feathers in her hair?
As a matter of fact, yes. And two guys names Rico and Tony.
But Rico went a bit to far.
Tony sailed across the bar.
So we had to ask Tony to leave because we don’t hang with sailors.
Careful…you might exclude someone we know. Were you aware that Captain America (Charles Mistele of Miss America IX fame) was once on the USA Olympic sailing team?
I was on the University of Michigan Sailing Team which is almost the same as the Olympic team just with (a lot) less talent and (way) more adult beverages. At any rate, I will stand firmly with Charles and be deeply offended and hurt by Alex’s unwelcoming comments.
Did you see this guy at the Tiki Village?!?!?
A little older. OK, alot older. Its a Senior Village of Mobile Homes. Actually very cool. They have Shuffle board. No pets so we are no good. Thought it would be cool to rent a mobile/ Manufactured home there for the show.
acutally, Alex Watson is looking at JOHN IN VA in that shot….for the old fart was aboard that fiberglassic and holding on for dear life…..after spending an hour in the bilge of a century I had to put up with the hell ride back to Tavares….LOVED IT…butTroy forgets I am now a max 7 knot guy….
John in Va.