Fla West Coast Tour

...Sharon and Greg drove to visit Island Spirit...

What a welcome break from boat work! A few days of seeing friends and relaxing together gave us a real mental boost and a physical rest...much needed!

First of all, Greg and Sharon IP40 Dream Catcher visited Island Spirit to see our boat projects and to discuss future plans. We shared a really delicious dinner at The Sailor's Return next to the Sunset Bay Marina here in Stuart. Thanks for coming!



The next day, we had a casual cookout with locals and guests including Terri IP38 Sailbatical, Trish and Bill IP 40 Island Bound and their friends Kurt and Sharon aboard Byrd Ketcher and Matt and Nonnie of Sophia Jean. The evening was capped off with music by Bill, which everyone enjoyed around the fire pit. We hope to see you all again soon!

The Sunset Bay Marina fire pit is FUN FUN FUN

Next, it was a real thrill to see Tom and Lesa aboard their boat IP35 Panacea. One year ago, Hayden was their broker as they shopped for an Island Packet. She is a real beauty now! We loved seeing the many substantial upgrades they have carefully planned and accomplished, while enjoying wine, cheese and the breeze together. Someday, we will share an anchorage!

Hayden, Radeen, Lesa and Tom, IP35 Panacea

That night, it was our pleasure to meet our friend, Nicholas and his girlfriend, Caitlin for a delightful dinner. Believe it or not, they are not IP owners! He is a Ph.D. student at USF and she is a nurse at a children's hospital. Then, onto Craig (former IP 440 Charmed) and Liana's for their customary kind and comfortable hospitality and many laughs. (Sorry! no photos of the fun we had together shopping and at the Fish Camp restaurant.)

Doc Junior Nicholas and Caitlyn

After a visit to our Florida dentist (who is a Temple grad), we drove to IP420 Flatlander's beautiful new house for lunch. Alan and Kathy took a break from the condo they are renovating - their winter tenants will be delighted with the results! Alan grilled burgers and baked for us and then they gave us a lively neighborhood tour.

Bahamas Buddies IP 420 Flatlander, the Kansas Kids

The fun was not yet over! Onward to see John and Nancy, formerly IP40 Larking About, now IP420 Adventuress. After a lovely evening of delicious dining and dancing to excellent live music, we spent the next day touring their complex by bike, swimming, talking about sailing, and enjoying a sunset buffet meal. Ever the perfect hosts, John provided the cigars for a golf cart tour with Hayden, while Nancy and Radeen enjoyed visiting.

Gruet Champagne when we visit, Thank you!

On the way back, we stopped to see Jim and Loretta of IP380 Plan Sea. They made a yummy lunch for us of grilled mahi by their pool. We discussed our Bahamas plans and are talking to them about tagging along with us as we push into the Caribbean Sea. We hope they continue south with us.

We always have so much fun with Team "Plan Sea"

We arrived back in Stuart at dusk and borrowed a dinghy from a happy couple celebrating their completion of the Great Loop, which is a voyage along the East Coast, through the Great Lakes and down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico. Our fast and fun "vacation" concluded with a visit from former IP 38 Oceana owner, Kathy, who just returned from an amazing Habitat for Humanity trip to interior Guatemala, where her team built latrines, ovens and friendships!

World Traveler Kathy stopped by for a visit, thank you!

Here are more photos of the fun time.......

A hand made angel brought to us from Haiti by Hayden's cousin, Sherry, is mounted at our nav desk

Alan is a great baker and chef, and he made this carrot cake. We hope to be together to celebrate Alan and Radeen's
March birthdays once again, but Alan made the cake now, just in case that doesn't happen.

The carrot cake was 4 layers thick. WOW....delicious!

John and Nancy taking a break from the dance floor 

Our room's lanai, overlooking the golf course

Biking where the speed limit is 20 mph makes Radeen happy!

Nancy and Radeen always take a great photo.

Bad Boys will smoke cigars....

Bad Boys will drink too much scotch....

 

Our new Delorme InReach tracking system tested on land. This was our route.

We are indeed fortunate to have so many wonderful friends who live in such interesting places and who do the most fascinating things. Thank you for making us feel incredibly welcome! Our apologies to those we did not see...we had to hurry back to show an Island Packet for sale near Daytona. We hope to see ALL of you somewhere wonderful in 2017!