Getting PUMPED UP for the West Palm Beach Show!

Hello again!

Things have been BUSY!  A trip down to Miami for the Cruise Shipping Miami Event and now onto West Palm Beach. I felt like a big time celebrity in Miami - some great photo ops at the entrance of the harbour to the delight of the crowds on the waterfront. I loved to be surrounded by all the tall buildings and see the art deco streets of South Beach. It was a quick stop though, as I had to get ready for the Palm Beach Boat Show. It was back to my usual spot in Fort Lauderdale to have a bit of work done, and then back up the coast for the show.

I have been getting acclimatized to the warm water and tropical breezes that Southern Florida offers. A few nice evening showers to cool me off before turning in also helps to rinse all the salt spray from my decks.  I am getting back to looking his best and am very excited to open my doors for the public.

I'm feeling quite confident representing Tourism Nova Scotia and the Waterfront Development Corporation to all the mega yachts and crews around me. I will be letting everyone know how fantastic a spot Halifax is and is looking forward to seeing some of my new friends back at my dock on the Cable Wharf.

 Bye for now!

MIAMI BEACH!

Toot toot!

My month of vacation is officially over! I have arrived in Miami, Florida, one of my favourite places! Beautiful weather and lots of fun people! This week I am taking part in Cruise Shipping Miami! As the official Ambassador to Halifax Harbour, greeting cruise ships is a big part of my job. Meeting with cruise ship people today at the event is fantastic. I am very excited for the 2012 Cruise Season.

Next weekend I am very exctited to announce that I will be attending the Palm Beach International Boat Show. This will be my first visit to West Palm Beach. The boat show will be incredible and I can't wait to see all of the beautiful boats! I will be taking lots of pictures and will be sure to update my blog with the photos. I am working with Waterfront Development Corporation at this event to showcase the beautiful marinas in Nova Scotia. I will be wearing my Nova Scotia banners!

I will be blogging soon!

Hello from Florida!

Hello everyone,

It has been a little while since I have posted! Things are going well for me in Fort Lauderdale. I'm really enjoying the warm weather! Not too much going on with me until I gear up for my next journey. I will be heading to Miami in the next little while for Cruise Shipping Miami! I have always loved Miami Beach and can't wait to see it. A special thank you to everyone who voted for me in the Winterfest Parade awards. I won a BIG prize! I'm sure my Nova Scotia tartan scarf and thousands of special Holiday lights helped me do it. A BIG thank you to everyone who came onboard or came to see me during the parade.

 JOE MILLSAPS AWARD (Going above and beyond) and Best in Theme for a Commercial Entry 60+
Theodore Too

In the meantime, I have spent my days getting to know the wonderful people of Fort Lauderdale. I have lots of visitors! Today I had a visit from some of my friends from Murphy's back in Halifax which was great. I miss my family back there! I am also getting to meet lots of beautiful vessels ranging from sailboats to giant mega yachts! Have you ever heard of the Jungle Queen? It is Fort Lauderdale's version of our Harbour Queen - with a twist! I also love the water taxis... that would be a great addition to the growing Halfiax waterfront!

 I am still sporting my Nova Scotia banners. I miss my home city but still have lots of work to do before I come back with the beautiful tall ships. The Summer will be a wonderful season in Halifax and Nova Scotia.

Thanks for following and I will be in touch soon! Don't forget to find me on Facebook (Official Theodore Tugboat) for more photos and my Twitter @TheodoreTugboat for more updates!

Bye for now...

THE BIG PARADE

HI EVERYONE!

I was all decorated in my best Christmas outfit all ready for the Winterfest Parade. Streaming lights of red and white lined my flag halyards to support my country of residence. The Nova Scotia tartan scarf wrapped around my neck kept me looking very traditional, and possibly a little too warm in the Florida climate! I was shined up and glowing with Christmas cheer as I made my way along the inter coastal waving and blowing my whistle.

I had lots of help to get prepared for the parade! The crew were hard to work as usual, and I had some special appearances from some close friends back from Halifax to take care of last minute preparations. During the parade, my decks were occupied by some special guests who helped me out during the long trip down from Halifax.

It was a long night, but I was too excited to be tired. I had been awaiting this moment since back in October when I cast my lines from my familiar home at the Halifax Waterfront. After the long trip, tireless efforts from so many people, and a new acquaintances made along the way, I can't thank everyone enough for my trip to Southern Florida. I wish everyone a very warm Happy Holidays, and am looking forward to the New Year! I will spend Christmas in Fort Lauderdale with my new friends and then let everyone know where I am off to next! Toot toot!

My first week in Fort Lauderdale

Hello everyone!

I have had a very welcoming week in Fort Lauderdale. Entering Port Everglades, the little tug Hero escorted me up the river to where I would call home for the next month. I was met by cameras and reporters once dockside as everyone here were happy to finally see us! I was feeling very proud supporting Nova Scotia and wasn't shy for my spotlight on the evening news. I am located directly downtown Fort Lauderdale and have had lots of questions to answer about the trip and my plans for the winter.

The week consisted of more cleaning and preparation for the Family Day event this past Sunday. The crew is always busy keeping me looking my best and keeping me happy. Winterfest Family Day was a part of the build up to the Winterfest Parade. I was open for the public to come and look around my decks, and have a seat in the Captain's Chair. I went out for a short cruise with some close friends to have a look at the beautiful waterfront around Fort Lauderdale.

I have a little down time before the big event on December 10th. Some of the crew are going to take a short break, but will be back to have me looking my best for the parade. I will still be answering questions to curious passer-byes and chatting about the Port of Halifax and our beautiful province. I am also happy to just hang out and take in the tropical weather. Until next time. Toot Toot!

Sprucing up for the Parade!

Hi all!

I have been wanting to look good for my arrival in Ft. Lauderdale. When I woke up in West Palm Beach I wanted to get fit for a new suit. And for a tugboat, that means a new paint job. The friendly people at Cracker Boy Boat Yard were more than helpful getting me ready for the last leg of my journey. They had a lift to get me out of the water, and allow for the crew to get some work done on me below the water line! It felt good to get out of the water for a few days, and have some old barnacles and mussels scrubbed off, a good sanding, and some much needed paint after a 1600 mile trip.

The yard was full of boats, from small motor boats to some of the fastest sailing boats in the waters. I was excited to talk to the other boats and exchange stories on our recent adventures. They were getting just as much care from their crew as I was! In just a few days my crew was able to spruce me up, and I am now ready for my big debut in Ft. Lauderdale. Tomorrow I am happy to get back into the water and the environment I'm more use to!

I am going to stay the weekend in West Palm beach as the crew prepares for me to arrive in Lauderdale. I am getting very excited and the crew says it seems to be all I can talk about! My confidence is definitely up now that I am dressed and looking my best... Now if only the crew good look that good. I wish everyone well back at home. I will represent Halifax well!

Until next time!

En Route from Cape May to Fernandina Beach to West Palm Beach!

Hi everyone!

I was out to sea for the longest leg of my life.... 650 nautical miles from Cape May New Jersey to Fernandina Florida. I was in the grove, having good weather and fair seas, managed to navigate another large obstacle of the trip to Ft. Lauderdale. Cape Hatteras is a treacherous section of offshore shoals along North Carolina. Notorious for ship wrecks and also close to Cape Fear. There was no fear for me though as I happily made it into the warmer waters of the Gulf Stream.

There are still lots of dolphins along my bow as I pulled into Fernandina Florida for a much needed washing and re-fueling. I was met well by locals and kids coming from the area. I also had lots of friends from Nova Scotia who were taking their boats down for the winter. After the salt was scrubbed off and few provisions were taken on, the crew and I were ready to tackle some more southern distances of the trip.

The leg from Fernandina to West Palm Beach was the first time I had a head on wind to deal with. It slowed me down a bit and made for a little rougher conditions. I like riding the wind and the waves much more then slamming into them. I managed the 250 mile distance with little complaint. I've been having good luck and lots of help along the way. I arrived early Monday morning under the lights of West Palm Beach. Lots of curious onlookers wanting to hear my story, and I am always happy to tell them of the big harbour where I come from.

Until next time!