It's Been a Busy Month...

Since leaving Marathon we have been on the move up the Gulf Coast. We have been staying in quiet anchorages like Little Shark River, Rookery Bay and Cayo Costa where it was just us (and our buddy boat!) and the dolphins. On the other hand we have also visited the popular towns of Marco Island, Naples, Ft. Meyers Beach and Captiva. Right now I am sitting here in Punta Gorda on a rainy, chilly day wondering where the last month went. We've been having a lot of fun, but more importantly we've had visitors!


Liz and Timmy came for a weekend!





We had a great visit with the kids, although it wasn't long enough. We walked the town of Naples, hit the farmers market, and introduced them to our friends and Farkle! 


Jack & Irene came to Captiva, Cayo Costa and Punta Gorda!


We also had a few visits from Palm Tree Jack and Irene, on Coconuts. Despite the cool weather we did plenty of fishing, shelling and walking about. Speaking of the weather, I know that NJ is having a bitter cold winter, and I feel bad for anyone who is unhappy there. I have received a few (not so nice) comments on Facebook in respond to a post that I made. All I have to say is that if you don't want to see any pictures or hear any comments about our trip, please feel free to unfriend me. Ninety-nine percent of our family and friends have been very supportive and happy for us, and that really means a lot. We are where we are because we planned and worked and saved, and above all we've been positive and happy people despite a few hiccups along the way. We will not let anyone's comments or negativity bring us down, or make us question our decisions. We are happy and that's the bottom line.

Another reason to be happy.....

Patrick and Jena welcomed Mia's little brother Lochlan 1/24/14 @ 3:02 pm 6lbs 7oz 20 inches long. We cannot wait to get home to meet him!

Well, I guess that's it for now. Here's a few extra pics of the last month!

 

 

Thanks for checking in, I'll try to keep the posts coming!

~ Jen & Bud



Our Month in Marathon

Boot Key Harbor, Marathon

We are coming to the end of our stay in Marathon. In another week we will be on our way up the Gulf Coast. We have thoroughly enjoyed our month here, yet our budget has not. It's just too easy to spend money. Every store we could need is just a bike ride away, and every Happy Hour a mere dinghy ride.

Being away for the holidays was hard this year. I think by the time April rolls around I will be ready to be home for a while. We did have two separate visitors this month, so that was a little bit of home. (Thanks Jack & JT!) We were also lucky enough to spend Christmas with good friends! And to top things off WE STAYED AWAKE FOR NEW YEARS EVE! I know, I cant believe it either, but we made it to midnight! Woo Hoo! Happy New Year!

Tim, Jill, JT, Me, Bud, John & Beth

We have also gone snorkeling 3 times out to Sombrero Reef, a few miles off shore. It was a bit swelly out there but the fish made it worth it!

 

 So that's pretty much what we've been up to this month. Now it's time to get the boat, and ourselves ready to move on. It will be a little sad to leave here because of all the great people we have met, but we are looking forward to moving on. So many people have made this their home, and I can see why. Here are a couple of photos to show the marina.

 

 

There is also a fabulous community park right next door with basketball courts, tennis courts, bocce courts, baseball & soccer fields, and an amphitheater. Seems like a great place to raise a family. I must say, all the kids we have met here (there are about a dozen) are extremely polite, friendly and they all love living this lifestyle.

 

I am gonna try to put a photo album together to upload onto the "photos" tab of the blog...but we all know how long that could take!

 

~ Jen & Bud