We arrived back in Plymouth Massachusetts on Wednesday and were blessed yesterday with 20+ inches of snow in what is being called the Blizzard of 2009. Today the temps are ~10 degrees with wind to 20 knots. Reminds me a lot of the marina in Ft. Myers where JEJUDA is enjoying balmy breezes. You can all be assured that the marina in the picture IS NOT in Ft. Myers.

It has been great to see the kids, grandkids and all our friends. We stopped in Virginia on the way up to see Jessica, Sam, Abigail (3), and David (5). They are getting big fast. On Saturday we visited with Evan, Julia, and our newest granddaughter, Isabelle who was born in August. Perhaps we are a little bit biased, but our grandchildren are the best looking and most intelligent grandchildren ever.

Christmas will be the usual whirlwind of activity as everyone gets together on Christmas Eve at my grandniece's home in Chelmsford, north of Boston, and then to Judi's aunt's home in Squantum, south of Boston.

Christmas morning will be the usual havoc with the grandkids opening their presents in front of the tree and fireplace. Christmas is a great family day that is enjoyed by all.

Hopefully we will start our trek south on the 26th, arriving on the 29th or 30th depending on the weather. It will be nice to return to the warmth and the continuation of our adventure although we will be thinking of all we leave behind in the cold northeast.

Having never been or ever will be, "Politically Correct", Judi and I wish all of you and your families "Merry Christmas".

December 9, 2009

We are now docked until the 7th of January at Marinatown in North Fort Myers, FL. The weather has been in the high eighties the last few days but we have a very nice cross breeze that helps keep it cooler.

The marina is very nice with three on site restaurants, bars, pool, and laundry. It is very laid back with a definite south Florida tone. Actually more like the Keys than the keys as there is no real "tourist" presence other than the occasional obligatory Canadian snow bird.

We have been watching the news, and as I sit here in a bathing suit, I see the "dreadful" effects of Global Warming as a huge snow storm marches across the US. I am confident that it will not have any effect in Massachusetts as it is a Democrat State that voted for Al Gore.

We will be returning the "Yes We Can" State leaving here on the 15th. The last time we went back the sales tax had increased from 5% to 6.25%, are there any new taxes we must be prepared for?

We look forward to seeing you all at Christmas.

December 4, 2009

Much has happened since our last post while not covering a long distance. We made the crossing to Steinhatchee without great incident except the fact that the predicted 5-10N winds with 1-2 foot seas was actually 15-20N winds with 3-5 foot seas. We left the next morning and had a nice trip to Crystal River where the Manatees winter. This port was the beginning of two weeks of our meeting up with our old friends.

We were very happy to get together with my former business partner Winston Perry and his wife Andrea who now live in a lovely home on a canal in Homosassa, FL. We had a great day with them exploring the area and browsing their shop, “Ritzy Rags & Glitzy Jewels, ETC” in Inverness (check out their website www.ritzandglitz.com). The shop has a wonderful collection of “Eclectic” pieces, I’m sure they would be happy to ship. We had a great time.

From there we moved on to Tarpon Springs, FL. Tarpon Springs is like going into a Greek fishing village where they harvest sea sponges. If you like Greek Salad, olives, feta cheese, Greek pastries, and especially lamb this is the place to go.

We were graciously invited to Steve and Judi Aldrovandi’s lovely home in Marco Island for Thanksgiving Dinner. The Marco area has been a magnet for many of our friends from Plymouth who now live there.

These included, Pat Harrington, Yvonne & Don Gauley, and Heidi & John Asiaf. We spent the night with Steve and Judi and returned Friday to Tarpon Springs.

On the return trip to Tarpon Springs we stopped in Clearwater and visited with Karen & Roger (Roger) Montembeault on “Karen Ann”, friends we had meet in various adventures down the rivers to Mobile Bay. We had a great time.

Saturday, November 28th, we drove north to Cedar Key, FL, a place we would have liked to have stooped on our exploration of the “Nature Coast” but there is no public dock.

Cedar Key is an extremely laid back community with one main street with several shops and a separate waterfront street with the obligatory waterfront dives.

While walking down Main Street we came across a restaurant called “Tony’s” who advertised that they have won the “World Best Clam Chowder. From their website.

“On Saturday June 6, 2009 Tony's Cedar Key Clam Chowder competed at the 28th Annual Schweppes Great Chowder Cook-off at The Newport Yachting Center on America's Cup Blvd. In Newport, R.I. Thousands of Chowder lovers sampled chowders from all over the world. With all the votes counted, Tony's Cedar Key Clam Chowder was selected 1st and crowned Clam Chowder World Champion.”

The chowder was excellent. The world’s best New England clam chowder is in FORIDA!!

From Tarpon Springs we proceeded to Bradenton FL where we meet up with Brain & Irene Ward. Brian and I have raced and sailed for over 35 years. We have raced around the buoys, offshore to Halifax, NS and to Bermuda.

We left Bradenton on Wednesday (We have trouble remembering what day it is. Thank goodness for Verizon cell phones to keep us up to date). We then proceeded to Sarasota, FL.

NOAA, our great weather guru said no problem if you on the inside water, just a slight chop. Right, 5 plus feet with a wind gust to 43 knots on Sarasota Bay. To save the marriage a stay at Marina Jack was appropriate.

On Thursday we proceeded to Englewood Beach where we are now anchored and meet up with Greg & Di Tolonen who came out in their center console Parker and picked us up and brought us to their lovely waterfront home to have dinner, and a few “adult beverages”. Jen, their daughter, and her fiancée Jim came over to say hello, a really nice couple and we wish them the best.

On Friday we went again with Greg and Di and had a great day with lunch, shopping, etc. then returned to “JEJUDA” in a torrential downpour.

It was blowing 25 knots from the north, pouring, with the wind chill at 40 degrees. AL GORE WHERE ARE YOU?

Friday AM “Barefoot Shoes” arrived in the rain. Fear not Steve and Rai, the Christmas cards were mailed.

Today, Saturday, it is still pouring and 60 degrees. It is just like Plymouth with a nice New England “Nor’easter” in November. No wonder so many “Plymouthians” move here to retire, it is just like home.

Check out the sailboat. This is why you have to stay in the channel.

We will be moving south to Fort Meyers where we will leave the boat for our return to Plymouth for the family Christmas.

Stay tuned.