DREAM COME TRUE!
This is my final post and I have (safely) reached the conclusion of my trip!!!. And - as the title of the post says - this trip has been a dream come true. The trip met and more than exceeded my expectations. Any of you who have been following my blog - I thank you - and I'm sure you already know how much I've treasured the opportunity and enjoyed every minute of this trip of a lifetime.
I thought I'd catch you up on what's been happening since my last post - which was a while ago.
I arrived back at my home port marina on Key Biscayne in mid-February after the trip down the Intra-Coastal Waterway. I then made a trip back to Chicago to see Janet, Penny, Megan and Mike. I also took some time to go to the West Coast and spend time with Richie, Kendra, and Carolyn...
I had planned to sail to the Bahamas but for a variety of reasons I opted not to go to the Bahamas. Instead, I spent time at the house in Florida. I got some much needed maintenance work done on the house and I also spent time with some family and friends here in Florida. I even worked on my golf game a bit.
Then I resumed the sailing trip with a cruise down through the Florida Keys and ultimately to Key West. The Florida Keys stretch south and west from Miami for a distance of about 150 miles and are a cruisers delight. I experienced great weather with fair sailing winds the whole time and an endless number of options for places to explore along the way. At times along the way I found myself sailing along in crystal clear water and able to see the bottom in 30 - 40 feet of water... I did a mix of anchoring out overnight and stopping at various marinas along the way. I also have a knack for finding local Tiki-Hut style beach bars and sampling each ones version of a tropical rum drink.
I left Key Biscayne for the sail down to Key West with Carolyn and Phil on board. Those two really know how to have fun and they really enjoy the boat - (has anyone seen Phil's phone?) They are also extremely helpful as crew. After they left, Janet joined me in Key West for a few days. Then Rich Z met me and we just finished sailing back from Key West finally arriving for the end of the trip back in Key Biscayne.
Perhaps the best way to share my last few weeks of the trip is with pictures...
These pictures are in no particular order but all show the variety of fun things along the way.
Getting work done at the house in Boca. Had the roof cleaned but only after removing two huge bee hives from up there.
Dinner with cousin Jeannie and Barry
Dinner with Cousin Joanne and George
Teeing 'em up with cousin Joe - NO we didn't coordinate our outfits!!!
Dinner with Paul and Teresa Hansen
Hanging out with BJ and Robert, Claudia and Michael, and Mayree. All former Chicago Harbor boaters who now call Florida home...
Skiing at Snoqualmie Pass with Rich, Kendra and Carolyn.
Taking a walk with Penny and Baby...
Playing blocks with Penny
At the Cubs game versus Marlins. For those who have a tough time getting tickets to Wrigley - come on down - there was only 8,000 fans at the game - most of them Cubs fans - Cubs won by the way...
Back at the boat - an eerie evening taken right out of an Alfred Hitchcock version of the birds... hundreds of birds lined the rigging on all the boats in the harbor...
Underway with my buddy Mitch harnessing the wind and a big smile on Biscayne Bay...
Diving with Phil on a wreck off of Cape Florida.. Diving is not as hard as we are making it look!
On the way to the Key West... This picture needs no words...
Carolyn and Phil explore Indian Key...
Drinks in Key West
Watch Carolyn enjoying a unique set of 'washboard' music at Hogs Breath in Key West...
Janet joins me in Key West and enjoys the famous Key West sunset...
Then we got out for a fun night. Have fun with Janet as she enjoys a jam session at the Green Parrot.
My buddy Rich aboard for the sail back to Key Biscayne - stops to dive for sunken treasure
Manatee are everywhere down in the Keys... Kendra - please feel free to insert Manatee song here.
Pelican hanging out in Key West...
I told you I had a knack for finding Tiki Huts and rum drinks...
I have a treasure chest filled with great memories as I conclude this trip. But as I wrap it up my thoughts are of Dad. In my first blog post I explained how he instilled in me the love of the water. The sea truly flows in my veins.
He is gone but his spirit lives on.
I conclude with this picture of a tree that grows in his memory in Del Prado Park across from the house in Boca. I know that he continues to watch over me and smiles down upon my good fortune. How else could I have made it without his guidance.
THE END...
Dad and Me sailing the Bay on board Green Ayes...
I thought I'd catch you up on what's been happening since my last post - which was a while ago.
I arrived back at my home port marina on Key Biscayne in mid-February after the trip down the Intra-Coastal Waterway. I then made a trip back to Chicago to see Janet, Penny, Megan and Mike. I also took some time to go to the West Coast and spend time with Richie, Kendra, and Carolyn...
I had planned to sail to the Bahamas but for a variety of reasons I opted not to go to the Bahamas. Instead, I spent time at the house in Florida. I got some much needed maintenance work done on the house and I also spent time with some family and friends here in Florida. I even worked on my golf game a bit.
Then I resumed the sailing trip with a cruise down through the Florida Keys and ultimately to Key West. The Florida Keys stretch south and west from Miami for a distance of about 150 miles and are a cruisers delight. I experienced great weather with fair sailing winds the whole time and an endless number of options for places to explore along the way. At times along the way I found myself sailing along in crystal clear water and able to see the bottom in 30 - 40 feet of water... I did a mix of anchoring out overnight and stopping at various marinas along the way. I also have a knack for finding local Tiki-Hut style beach bars and sampling each ones version of a tropical rum drink.
I left Key Biscayne for the sail down to Key West with Carolyn and Phil on board. Those two really know how to have fun and they really enjoy the boat - (has anyone seen Phil's phone?) They are also extremely helpful as crew. After they left, Janet joined me in Key West for a few days. Then Rich Z met me and we just finished sailing back from Key West finally arriving for the end of the trip back in Key Biscayne.
Perhaps the best way to share my last few weeks of the trip is with pictures...
These pictures are in no particular order but all show the variety of fun things along the way.
Getting work done at the house in Boca. Had the roof cleaned but only after removing two huge bee hives from up there.
Dinner with cousin Jeannie and Barry
Dinner with Cousin Joanne and George
Teeing 'em up with cousin Joe - NO we didn't coordinate our outfits!!!
Dinner with Paul and Teresa Hansen
Hanging out with BJ and Robert, Claudia and Michael, and Mayree. All former Chicago Harbor boaters who now call Florida home...
Skiing at Snoqualmie Pass with Rich, Kendra and Carolyn.
Taking a walk with Penny and Baby...
Playing blocks with Penny
At the Cubs game versus Marlins. For those who have a tough time getting tickets to Wrigley - come on down - there was only 8,000 fans at the game - most of them Cubs fans - Cubs won by the way...
Back at the boat - an eerie evening taken right out of an Alfred Hitchcock version of the birds... hundreds of birds lined the rigging on all the boats in the harbor...
Underway with my buddy Mitch harnessing the wind and a big smile on Biscayne Bay...
Diving with Phil on a wreck off of Cape Florida.. Diving is not as hard as we are making it look!
On the way to the Key West... This picture needs no words...
Carolyn and Phil explore Indian Key...
Drinks in Key West
Watch Carolyn enjoying a unique set of 'washboard' music at Hogs Breath in Key West...
Janet joins me in Key West and enjoys the famous Key West sunset...
Then we got out for a fun night. Have fun with Janet as she enjoys a jam session at the Green Parrot.
My buddy Rich aboard for the sail back to Key Biscayne - stops to dive for sunken treasure
Manatee are everywhere down in the Keys... Kendra - please feel free to insert Manatee song here.
Pelican hanging out in Key West...
I told you I had a knack for finding Tiki Huts and rum drinks...
I have a treasure chest filled with great memories as I conclude this trip. But as I wrap it up my thoughts are of Dad. In my first blog post I explained how he instilled in me the love of the water. The sea truly flows in my veins.
He is gone but his spirit lives on.
I conclude with this picture of a tree that grows in his memory in Del Prado Park across from the house in Boca. I know that he continues to watch over me and smiles down upon my good fortune. How else could I have made it without his guidance.
THE END...
Dad and Me sailing the Bay on board Green Ayes...
Tear jerker! Awesome Dad! Congrats on concluding your trip of a lifetime and cheers to many more adventures!
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