SO, we got back to Michigan to see our family......especially the newest member! Josie is such a good baby. Gramps Bob kept her happy an entire day, while mom Molly and I shopped and had nails done, etc. Then Grams did the same the next day while Molly went to work and Gramps fit in some consulting. As you can see, she is so easy.....and so beautiful! (my side of family.....haha)....actually she is a little Branham without a doubt. We enjoyed fun times also with Rob, Jennifer and boys... Had a great brunch with everyone all together. It was good to see everyone again....first time since Christmas.
Then, back to sunny Florida after 5 days in Michigan. We drove to Treasure Island to help friend Deb turn 60....all the help you can get after 60 is needed! We stayed in a beautiful Marriott on the ICW (as Rogers house was full of grandkids) I took this pic off balcony....the only "boat up" dock to a McDonalds that I know of! Pretty cleaver idea. Not sure if you can order off dock or have to go in?
What a treat to have a huge bed ALL to myself....we had 2 in room...AND a real toilet! Ah, the small pleasures of life. We had a great time, even getting in some Monday Bingo at the Legion. Ken was only one who won this time....oh well, there is always a next time. We love Monday Bingo!
On the way back to boat, we took a "side trip"....actually went north(east) instead of east....and drove up to Jacksonville to check out Ortega Landings Marina. We had tentatively pegged this as where we would leave the boat this summer, and wanted to see if it would be a good decision. We checked it out, talked to harbormaster, and put a deposit down for 6 months. It is a beautiful new marina and relatively safe from "storms". (I won't use the H word). We are anxious to get LeReve to her "temporary" summer home. SO ITS BEEN DECIDED.....to hold up in Florida, and next fall/winter go back to Bahamas, and Keys.....Then head up the east coast, next year this time. We feel good about our decision to delay continuing the Loop, and our Bahama buddy boats were happy to hear we will join them next season. I knew if we took boat back to Michigan and finished looping that we would probably never get back over (on LeReve, at least) and like (have I mentioned??) we really loved cruising the Bahama islands and have so many more to explore.
We plan to spend a few months with family in Michigan and also check out how it would be to spend summers in Jacksonville area permanently, if north Florida is where we decide to land. Some 50+ communities are intriguing to us......even though we are not yet 50 in our minds! (bodies tell a different story)
While on our driving trip across Florida, we got the news that our props were done and ready to be put back on. Back to Melbourne, returned rental car, got props attached, paid the bill and moved on! It felt good to be back on the water. Our first stop was Titusville....stayed at the municipal marina where the highlight is .....THE MANATEE.
They hang out in groups of 5 or 6 (some babies) and drink the fresh water that drips off the boats.....This group hung out next door for the 2 days we were there. It never got old watching them or hearing them snort! Bob has some great videos. He mentioned that I paid more attention to them as I ever do to him! (speaking of getting old)!!@@##
It rained in Titusville, thus preventing us from seeing anything other than the ongoing show in the marina water. We took off for New Smyrna Beach on Sunday, and have been here since.....in the rain. We did get to take in a mothers day meal at "The Garlic". We had to promise the Rogers that we would eat here and it didn't disappoint. Tons of great Italian food that we will be eating as leftovers for a few meals. Good thing, as it is still raining....hard.....so we play a lot of cards and read a lot of books. We hope the rain gives us a window to move north tomorrow.
No comments:
Post a Comment