Wishes

I wish each of you could or would have visited us in Key Largo. We have decided to depart tomorrow (Sunday); since we have all our prescriptions filled and can't think of any reason to tarry longer. What a sad/jubilant thought to move off the dock and head North. This anchorage has been the best of our sailing lives; since Nanc's good news. Joe and I killed the last Mount Gay bottle (ladies are into the red wine), and we are getting ready to grill lovely steaks our last night. Candi, our super dock master, came by for final hugs, and we plan to move North at 0730 at the latest. Water tanks are full, distilled water for Nanc is on board, and the dingy is hung on the stern with care in hopes that St... no wrong story. We should be in Miami/South Beach tomorrow evening by 1500. How easy it would be to steer a little East and go to Bimini. South Beach Crazies tomorrow night. We have to make the higher tide in Angle Fish Creek by 1100 hours or 21 miles North , 54 total. Only 1143 miles left to go until Norfolk mile marker 0. S

Passage Prep on Sat

Good Mahi Mahi at Sharkey's last night; couple of stiff rum and cokes and bed. Sailed out this morning to check systems, had the Sirus Wx reconnected, and filled the fuel tanks. We are ready to head North. I waited for the glass bottom to pass an got a few pics of Cathy and Joe plus some of Norma, Barb, Nanc, George, and Ed the night before we departed for Houston and Nanac's latest round of tests. Chilling out till Monday. S

"Hey it 's good to be back home again" on Marcnicliz

John Denver said it best, but we are glad to be back on Marcnicliz. We departed Houston Hobby at 1030, flew to Atlanta, and then to Ft Lauderdale. We arrived at 1630 where Cathy and Joe met us, and we drove back to Key Largo and had a super dinner at a local restaurant. Nanc, Cathy, Joe, and I have been telling funny stories, laughing, and riding the high of our good news. We will reprovision the boat tomorrow, and get set to throw off the dock lines on Monday morning and start the three week trek back to the Chesapeake and D'ville. Spoke with Tom to tell him the good news, only to find out he and Shamus are laid up South of Charleston with a possible bent prop strut. He thinks he wrapped a crab pot around the shaft. Easy to do, and sickening when it happens. Candi, our dock master, went around on Easter in a bunny costume, handing out Tootsie Rolls. We missed that, but have put in a belated request for our share. S

Good News Continued

Dr Araujo walked in and said "I only have good news!" A great short visit. We have decided to do the next tests in Richmond in three months, and then back here in Oct. We had delicious Texas BBQ for lunch and sat outside and enjoy the breeze. I then fixed some items for Chris and washed his cars and filled the gas tank, so we can depart for Ft Lauderdale in the morning and leave him better than we found him. Tonight was outside at the best Mexican Restaurant ever, that we found back in Oct when we were here. As I remember how bad things were last year when we were here and contrast it with now. Nanc now can walk, taste, and is feeling good. Thank God for our blessings. Now back to sailing. We had planned to sail the Chesapeake last summer; it should be a go for this summer. See you out there. S

God does answer prayers and work miracles

The CT scan on Nanc today did not show any changes from last time! My title for this post says it all. Nanc, Chris and I went to Quin Dynasty for dinner to celebrate the good news. We still need the Xray and MRI results, but believe the CT of the lung is the most important. With cancer, the tension builds until you finally get the report on the studies. You feel the weight of the world removed from your shoulders for a while and then it starts all over, but each extra day is a gift to be savored. We are trying to live each day to the fullest, and both of us love being on the water. It is the sights, sounds, smells and feel all together. We are very happy tonight. Living with a doctor got us a sneak preview. We meet with the case doctor tomorrow and fly back to Ft. Lauderdale Thursday. Kath will post to the Caring Bridge site. Joe told me this evening that he has Cathy cleaning the outside of Marcnicliz up. S

Austin/Houston

I called a friend on Sunday, and he wanted to know how I got Marcnicliz to Austin. Marcnicliz is still in Key Largo with Cathy and Joe babysitting, and Nanc and I are in Houston. Nanc is watching "Dancing With the Stars," which is no surprise to those of you who know her well. We arrived in Houston on Friday and drove to Austin. Sat. culminated in steak off the grill for my 67th cooked by older brother Ed. We all went to church on Sunday at Barb and Ed's Lutheran Church for an amazing Easter service. They had an orchestra that supported a full choir. We had lunch at the Raddison where the waiter spilled my au jus all over me. We are now in Houston praying for the best that God will allow tomorrow. Cancer never leaves your mind or thoughts. Nanc will have a blood test, cardiac scan, CT scan, and finally a MRI. Just doesn't get any better than that. S

Marcnicliz lives good

I spoke with Tom this morning and he made it to Lake Worth last night and is on his way to Ft Pierce today. He said Shamus is out of his box and eating after getting his "Sea Legs." Nanc and the ladies are out shopping after enjoying Islamorada and the sunset last evening. Cathy and Joe have landed in Ft Lauderdale and should be here around 1730. If you click on the images they will enlarge for you. S

Tom O'Connell and S/V Gambrjnus head North with Shamus the cat

You meet neat folks along the way, as I have said before. Today, one of those neat guys sailed off with his Siamese for points North. He left us his car to use until Friday when we drive up to Ft Lauderdale to fly to Houston for Nanc's test. I pray for clear scans all the time. Tom's wife died a year ago from cancer,and he has spent the winter here at Marina del Mar for the last 5 years. He turned 73 last week and is a lawyer from Chicago who practices on his boat via cell phone. He has shown us all the places to eat and on which day, and we have had him to dinner many times or drinks. Today we sailed out into the Hawk Channel to await his departure and then sailed along and took the pictures that are attached. We then returned and swam, went to Coconuts for drinks, free tacos, and we are getting ready to watch "Cadillac Records." Another lovely evening with relatives and friends. S

Moved

Slip 13 lived up to it's name, and we moved today. You read about the transmission problems; I didn't bore you with the head , air condition, or WIFI, issues. Barbara injured her foot yesterday getting on the boat and has spent all day in the emergency room waiting for a Doc and X-rays. Nanc has also had trouble getting on and off due to the wide tide range, so Candi, the Dockmaster, offered a new spot tied along side of the quay. I moved, and we are now waiting for George, Ed and Barb to return. Hope this is going to be better. It is in the shade most of the day, but further from the pool. Comsi comsa. You can see in the pics that Nanc has a better chance to stop stranges and talk to them. I went on line and made towel animals for everyone along with candy kisses. S

Palm Sunday and Alabama Jack's

I got up early to make the 0800 service at the St James Anglican Church. Due to George and Norma sleeping in the aft stateroom where Nanc and I normally stay, I tried to quietly get some proper church clothes and not wake anyone. No luck, but I was quick. I didn't get my socks or Jacket which was in Ed and Barb's stateroom. I was hoping to be the last one to enter the church, and not show off my inappropriate dress. Didn't happen. Fr. Stanton had everyone wait outside for the start of the service and take a palm fond into the church. While waiting I noticed I was about the best dressed with no coat and no socks. None of the others had socks, most where in shorts, etc. Key Largo and Islamorada are laid back; way back. Nanc, Barbara, and Norma spent the day at the pool, and then we drove to Alabama Jack's! Lot of motor cycles outside, lot of unusual characters inside. Couple ladies in their 80's were dressed "Country" and dancing with the live band music for the crowd. Norm and George knew them form previous visits. I told Ed that it reminded me of the Bill Peer Band practicing on thru nights up on Jefferson Ave in Charles Town, WV for the Brunswick Moose, and Patsy Cline singing with curlers in her hair. My mother, Uncle, and Aunt loved her both before and after she was famous. Nanc told a friend "guy in overalls with no underwear.....about 250 - 300 LBS. Now that was a sight!!" We returned to the boat and one of the fishing charters had caught a 60 pound Amber jack. Driving to Key West tomorrow. S

Manatees and Baby visit

Well, many things have happened since Sigrid and Eric departed. We had super hamburgers at Sharkey's on Monday, which is that days special for $5, however drinks always ups the ante when it is time to pay. Taco special at Coconuts on Tue, and we drove up to Ft Lauderdale on Wed to get Tom new rope and visit Cosco's. Time to replenish the Diet Coke supply for the trip home. Last night was Italian at a very good place with Tom to satisfy Nanc's desire and tonight will be all you can eat Mahi Mahi at Sharkeys. Mail arrived from Deltaville, via Richmond/Rich on Wed and 22 books of the Alexander Kent series about Bolitho on Thur. I have completed the Foster/Hornblower series and am reading Hemingway's "Islands in the Stream." Nanc still reads three to my one. Her new Kindle is keeping her happy most of the time. She is getting her hair back and feeling better as time marches on, and she gets sun and swims most days. The weather continues to be unbelievably nice. Temp in the mid to low 80's everyday with blue skies. There has not been any rain since Kath was here. Barb, Norma, George and Ed arrive tomorrow evening and will stay until we depart for Houston on the 22nd. We spoke to Cathy Davenport, our neighbor in Deltaville, who is retiring today and leaving for Memphis and here tomorrow. She and Joe arrive on the 21st and will baby sit Marcnicliz while we are in Houston. We will then head North to the Chesapeake. Finally, a Manatee family visited this morning. S

7 degrees of separation and Joe Brookerson

Friday our friends Sigrid and Eric Vollmecke came for a world wind visit. They arrived at 1630 and left this morning at 0300. They have had four vacations since the birth of their first child ( now have 5), all with Nanc and me. Friday night we were sitting in Sharkeys enjoying all you can eat Mahi Mahi which is unbelievably good, and I really don't like fish that much. The waiter tells me the next table has sent drinks for us to enjoy. I thought I was being pretty good, and couldn't believe someone was trying to put me to sleep. We then saw Col Joe Brookerson, DDS who had served under my command back at the 167th many years ago. He and friends were here bone fishing. They came down to the boat, and we enjoy telling ole lies and catching up.

Now back to Eric. He also served under me, and I pulled him along in his career to become a one star General or Brigadier. He is now the Chief of Staff of the WVANG and serves in my old job. He came to Qatar in 2003, while I was the Director of Mobility Forces for Iraq and Afghanistan, and served as my Exec for three months while paying someone else to work his civilian job during his absence. I took him to Baghdad and promoted him to Colonel or 0-6 at the Field Hospital being run by the 167 AMES at the Saddam Hussein International Airport. We then went to the Presidential Palace and sat in Saddam's throne chair. We took them swimming, to Everglades National Park, and then dinner at The Fish Company in Islamorada last night. I recommend it to you highly. Beautiful sunset. Nanc really enjoyed their visit, and our travels. We came back for drinks, then we got up at 0300, kissed good by, and they drove to Ft Lauderdale for their flight back to Dulles this morning! Unbelievable. S

Where do thing go?

Ever wonder where the human waste on a boat goes. Into the water you might believe; however you would be wrong most of the time. On the ICW almost every marina has a pump out station to empty your holding tanks. In the Keys, that is definitely true or they have pump out boats that come to you. I have 40 gals of storage which lasts about eight days. If the boat doesn't come here to Marina del Mar, then I have to sail off shore beyond the reef, by at least three miles, to pump overboard; since they do not have a pump out station here. The pump out boat is a great deal at $5.00 per pump out. You would spend that much in diesel fuel to go outside.

Today is eighty and clear blue skies. Life is still good. S

Barbara and Bob Welsh depart to Connecticut and Kath to Seattle

Friend are made and lost all along the waterway. We met Barbara and Bob our first day in Key Largo, and we have enjoyed their company ever since then. We had them on Marcnicliz for drinks last evening and dined on the best fried fish last night at Sharkeys, a Friday night ritual. They departed this morning to return home, with many friends assembled to say "Happy Trails to you, until we meet again."
We received an e-mail from Kath, who we dropped off in Ft Lauderdale yesterday, that she arrive back home. Her departure was delayed due to snow in Boston, her intermediate point, and she just barely made her connection. They held the aircraft for her, and she ran 30 gates to make her flight.
I am washing sheets and clothes and planning on a swim with Nanc when that chore is over. Sigrid and Eric arrive next Friday for a few days. Life is good. S