FINALLY------WE'RE OFF

Well----not quite, but we're close. It's been a long and hectic last couple of months as we've moved toward our departure. In addition to all the chart review and trips to Florida to do the work on the boat, we traveled to Colorado for Christmas with our daughter, Kristin, and her family (joined by son, Scott, in from China) and returned to Houston to make all the neccessary financial and mail and other personal  and business arrangements, move out of our rented condo in downtown Houston. (The latter involving putting all our furniture back into storage and moving a bunch of stuff to our other storage area in Humble)--then on to Florida where we moved onto the boat for a few days and began  preparations for our departure. On the 18th, though, we drove over to Ft Lauderdale to my cousin Jane's home for a brief visit. Jane then drove us to the port where we boarded a cruise ship for a much needed rest from all the commotion in our lives (our Christmas present to each other). We embarked on the 19th for an 8 day cruise of the eastern Carribean--St. Kitts, St Maarten, San Juan and Labadee, Haiti (Food, fun, food, rest, food, relaxation, food, king size bed, food, wine and pampering---Did I mention food?) It was great---great weather and a real good head start on our tans, Jane picked us up again when we returned and we enjoyed a truly wonderful evening back at her home with her daughter, Julie and son, Todd, his wife and new (7 month old) baby, Will. It was a very nice reunion as we haven't spent any time with Todd and Julie for quite a while and it was great to see them "all growed up".
Tomorrow we head back to Punta Gorda and the boat and a few days of final preparations--topping off water tanks and filling extra water cans that we carry on deck, filling extra fuel cans that we carry on deck, testing the dinghy engine, testing and stowing the generators, changing engine oil, checking and changing out all filters, provisioning and storage of all provisions including several cases of water and probably 4 or 5 cases of wine and assorted booze (can't sail without "boat drinks"). In addition I have a guy coming to replace the condensor unit of our refrigerator (freon leak) and an engine mechanic coming by to help me find and repair a very small fuel leak the site of which I have not been able to determine. Then we have to find somewhere to store our SUV which will be loaded with all the apparel we brought with us for our cruise ship cruise plus other stuff from the boat that we won't be taking with us. Then we settle into taking care of many of the business matters that need attending before we strike out into the world of limited and spotty e-mail and cell phone communication.
Right now the weather forecast is looking very good for our 3 day run down the west coast of Florida to Marathon in the Keys. The plan is to sail to either Ft Myers Beach or Naples the first day, spend the 2nd night at anchor in the Little Shark River in the Everglades and then on to Marathon. We hope to leave on Feb 1 or possibly the day before. We're on a bit of a schedule due to a very delightful change in the plans. Our son is flying in from China, via New York to meet us in Miami with a friend of his from New York. He is scheduled to arrive on the 8th, so we want to get to the Dinner Key Marina in Coral Gables before he gets there. The hope is that we'll get a weather window so that Scott and Adam can join us for the trip across the Gulf Stream to Bimini and, hopefully, on to Nassau before they have to leave us to fly home on the 15th. If the weather turns against us I'm sure we can find something to do in the Miami, Ft Lauderdale area, including attending the Miami Boat Show.
So----still much to do before departure --- but it's all fun.
On a more spiritual? note---We realize how truly blessed we have been--with good health, healthy kids and Grandkids and, overall, a truly loving family, and wonderful, supportive friends (You know who you are). WE also know that we have our own "weather window" to be aware of--we're not getting any younger and this is something we just have to do while we can. It's this loving family and these good friends for whom we write this blog and share the experience because we know they care for and worry about us. Those who may not know us quite as well may just like reading the blog because of a shared interest in what we're doing. When I write on this blog I always have this nagging feeling that what I'm writing is a form of bragging or that maybe I'm really writing it just for me. I don't do Facebook or any other social media stuff so I'm not really into telling the world what I'm doing on a regular basis so there is a bit of discomfort when I post our story---like, who cares?? But a number of people have told me that they enjoy it and don't view it in a negative light and I hope that you will feel the same way. I'll try to keep it more informational and hope that you'll enjoy our experience vicariously. We truly know that we are very fortunate to be able to do what we're doing. Every day is a blessing and we thank God for it.
Now that we're "into it" I'll try to post every couple or several days but there may be lapses because of internet access or the lack thereof. Please write back and let us know how you're doing or ask any questions you may have. Peace and Love to all!!
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