Isle of Palm

Cats Cradle in Isle-of-Palm

Yes, it has been a looooonnng time since our last update. Sorry we have been slacking so much. A lot has happened since we left Jacksonville this past January, so we'll get you caught up. We had a great trip to Miami, most of it offshore and made some new friends on an Island Packet 440 named CHARMED. We did our usual routine in Miami & Miami Beach waters and met up with many old friends we hadn't seen since last year. Bernie did his usual at West Marine and the Miami Boat Show. Our very dear friends from Richmond and Isle of Palm came to the boat show, what a nice surprise. JD, Dale & Lillian (Richmond) flew in, rented a car and stayed at Lowes Hotel (swank) in Miami Beach. I got a chance to visit with JD at the boat show and Carol spent time with Dale & Lillian, but we never all got together at the same time. Arlene (IOP)hitched a ride with friends who were going to the Keys and spent 5 days with us on Cats Cradle and toured the boat show. We had a great time, glad we could get her out on the water, even if it was just dinghy rides to and from the boat and land. When the boat show work was over Bernie was offered a new opportunity at West Marine, called an MTF project. Don't know what the initials mean but basically it involves renovating existing stores, creating new stores and closing unproductive ones. This MTF was a renovation of the North Miami store, a three week project. Bernie thoroughly enjoyed it, but it was getting late March by the time it was over and we weren't sure how much cruising time would be left for the Keys. After getting a call from family in PA that Mom was going to need a heart cath we decided it was time to get moving north. On our voyage we had an unexpected stay in North Lake Worth, near Palm Springs. It was supposed to be an overnight stop but as we were preparing to leave the next AM the engine fresh water pump began to fail. So we spent an extra week to order, wait for delivery and install new pump. Proceeded to Jacksonville. While there Bernie got another offer for a store remodel in St. Augustine. Bernie has found a new calling at West Marine, he really enjoys MTFs. So now we are in IOP for a couple of weeks. Situation in PA is better so no need at this time to rush. All in all it has been another great winter and spring is doing well too. All of us are doing well and LIFE IS GOOD! The only regrets are we didn't get a chance to visit our many friends in the Keys and my brother and his wife in Tampa.