Sadly HCC Departure

Island Spirit's home Dec/Jan 2011/2012

This is a first time experience for Radeen and me, that being one of sadness to depart a harbor, to press on, to leave the comforts of home. We have been moving about aboard our sailboat for 10+ years and never have we felt more at home than here at Harbour Cay Club in Marathon, Florida. There is really something special about this place, yet I can't properly describe it.  We have traveled by boat from Maine to Marathon and many points in between and nothing compares to this unique place.

Sadly, we have nearly completed the preparations for heading out to sea. The power cord is stored, the dinghy motor is serviced and stored, the fuel is topped off as well as the water tank. Provisions have been bought and stored and all systems: fuel, oil and coolant all serviced, changed and checked. We are ready, yet we really do not want to leave. It is a very odd feeling, one that we both have never felt before. Most places you visit, you explore, and discover and then you are ready to move on to the next place. Here, there is a feeling of community, family, friends, and close neighbors. We were like visitors in a friends home, welcomed and invited to stay as long as we liked. We booked a month, the longest we have ever stayed anywhere and now, it is hard to leave.

Thank you HCC owners for sharing your home with us

So, thank you to everyone who is an active owner at Harbour Cay Club in Marathon. You all have built a special place here and we are fortunate to share in this secret paradise. Radeen and I already are planning our next winter trip to stay longer.

Our next planned trip is to explore the West Coast of Florida from the Everglades up to Pine Island Sound and Cayo Costa. After 2 weeks there, we will sail overnight south to Key West where we will share a week with good friends. After Key West, we will move north to Biscayne Bay where we will spend 2 weeks in prep for our Bahamas trip.

Every day, we wake and recognize how lucky we are to be: healthy, happy, and able to live this cruising dream. Thank you for following us....

GOOD BYE PHOTOS...

Good Bye Christmas Breakfast with Moet

Good Bye Sunset Grill vistas

Good Bye TiKi Hut "Cone of Knowledge" happy hours

Good Bye HCC Sunsets

Good Bye Lenny the pet Iguana hidden in the tree

Good Bye Shuffle Board Challenges, we will return

Good Bye Pet Manatees...we wanted to swim with you

Good Bye daily bike rides to the store, home depot, friends in other marinas, post office, dive shops, etc.

Hello BAHAMAS as we prepare for our first trip!

HCC, Harbour Cay Club is home...it is a great community, it is a place we plan to return to next year. Thank you, for making us feel at home.....See you next winter!