Bob and Carolyn's Visit
09 March 2010
Those of you who have followed our Blog since last year and fellow Frederictonians will recall this wonderful couple who have not only been great friends but also, along with Harold and Ann and Helen and Ray, helped us immeasurably during our tragedy last year. We're so anxious to have them join us.
Last year they spent two separate week or so times on board Sea Sharp. Unfortunately we were not able to do much sailing during either time and with the weather forecast, we think this time aboard will be similar. Notwithstanding, we have lots of things planned for their visit. True to form, we had a series of incessant cold fronts with high winds and cold temperatures one right after the other. But you wouldn't want to have two more accommodating and flexible folks on board. Judy loves to play the hostess and one evening over a great meal she says, "I love cooking on Sea Sharp", quickly Bob retorts, "we love eating on board Sea Sharp".
So a few of the things we did in the too short week they were on board.....
We went to the Turtle Hospital, just up the road. This former motel was purchased by a philanthropist who turned it into a place where injured or ailing sea turtles from near and far can be brought and rehabilitated; some of which will be returned when they are cured; others will have to spend the rest of their long lives here in what was once a luxurious resort. It was an impressive tour and even more relevant 'cause Lisa, former co-owner or our boat works here. They purchase "stuff" for their wonderful grandchildren Sophie and Avery who we understand are quite taken with this notion of a hospital for turtles.
On Saturday night there's a dance at the marina for cruisers as a fundraiser for Cure for Cancer. Bob and Carolyn, like us love to dance; in fact we took lessons with then ten years ago in preparation for a fancy ball for the Millennium celebrations. This is a casual affair but the best thing is that it respects "cruisers'
Hours"; the dance is fro 7 to 9 - and it ends promptly at 9! Then we're all off to bed, exhilarated but exhausted.
We take a trip to Key West but I'm saving this for its own blog...
I'm determined to take Bob and Carolyn sailing so during one interlude among the vigorous fronts we find two reasonable days and I plan an overnight mini-cruise to Bahai Honda, a scant twelve miles from Marathon. We are torn somewhat because this is the night of the now famous final Olympic hockey game but I don't think I could ever face my yacht club friends from home to have had Bob and Carolyn on board once again and not do any sailing so off we go. We have a great two hour sail in twelve to fourteen knot winds to Bahai Honda, a nature conservancy just south west of Marathon. We anchor between the former Flagler railway and the "new" overseas highway (A1A) and have a superb evening. Judy cooks stuffed salmon, Champagne compliments of Carolyn and then to top it off, Key Lime pie. And if that were not enough, a spectacular sunset, for us seemingly between the two bridges and a full moon climbing up from the east. We check the internet and find Canada has won! It doesn't get better than this.
Next morning we hike this park before heading back to Marathon. And, of course, the wind is on the nose so we really can't sail - but at least we had yesterday to keep us happy!