TBIRDS Unite in Key Biscayne!

Alice Town, Bimini, Bahamas - Well, we now have officially started our great adventure after spending longer than expected in Florida awaiting a special part (motor mount) for our motor.  It all turned out well though because it allowed us more time in the Miami/Key Biscayne area to get together with a group of TBIRDS.  Imagine my surprise when out of the blue on Saturday I received a call from Janette and Jorge Uribe, who happened to be available to come visit us in No Name harbor on the tip of Key Biscayne in their boat.  Not only did they bring themselves and their 3 beautiful children, but Don Roberto and Daniel Maldonado (Andres' father and brother) and their families.  Janette had contacted Al and Polly Guerrero to give us a surprise visit as well, so they were aboard the Begonia with their 3 children as well.  I was floored when I saw my good friend Al pull up along side our boat in a little dinghy.
   The boat had never seen so many people... 21 total... all onboard to help us celebrate Benjie's 5th birthday.  Poor Benjie all along was thinking he would not have a big celebration, but we certainly did... and Sofia and I baked a cake on the boat for him too.  I was thrilled to know the TBIRD network is still thriving and even more thrilled that it seemed not a day had passed with all these great friends when in reality we all had not seen each other in about a decade.  We had a BBQ feast, which the Uribes brought and cooked.     
    The next day we were visited by Raul de la Renta and Renata and their 2 year old son Joaquin in the morning.  They had been kind enough to invite us to their home a few nights before and here we were able to return the favor onboard.  Renata always puts together a great spread and I was delighted to see their beautiful home, since lately we only seem to see each other in Chicago.  Poor Raul was a little concerned that he could not drop us off all the way inside the Park at No Name since it was already closed at the late hour .... instead he dropped us off at the closed guard booth and we climbed over with kids and walked back to the bay in the pitch black!  Luckily we had taken the path many times before and knew our way.... although I was a little concerned that a big iguana was going to fall out of the trees and onto my shoulders!
 Al and Polly also kindly had us over and Polly even offered for us to shower and do laundry while at their house.  I think next time, I might take them up on this offer.  I was just distracted eating the scrumptious food Polly cooked - that I don't cook aboard! - and doing the dancing competition through the Wii.  It was a fantastic weekend for us... a complete surprise to see everyone and made the goodbye even that much more special. Thanks to all of you who made the effort to see us... see Jorge?  You made the blog!!!!