Fishing Expedition

This weekend our friend, Joe, took us fishing. It was such a great experience.  Emily caught the first fish, Anna the biggest fish and Thomas has the most interesting fish tale...or head.

First, he caught a fish and started to reel it in, then he said, "Dad I lost it"  So Tom reeled it in for him and pulled up just a head of a yellowtail snapper. Apparently, a predator had decided that our fish would make a tasty lunch for itself.  Can you imagine our surprise when we pulled up just a fresh fish head?
Then, Thomas pulled in a real fighter.  He and Tom and Joe worked the line to pull it in-  it was an eel!!

We had such fun weekend fishing, seeing old friends, and meeting new ones.  We are all thankful beyond belief to God for bringing amazing new friends into our lives and also bringing some old friends back into our lives that we have not seen in a while.

As Thomas' favorite song goes..."Our God is an Awesome God..."

Lil Lizzie

Yesterday, the girls and I took Cookie for a walk.  They squealed in sheer delight when finding this baby lizzard.  They, especially Anna,  have always had a special fascination with reptiles!! It is fun to be where they are plentiful.

Thin Blood

It has been cooler and cloudy here in South Florida the last few days.  We have gotten caught up on our schoolwork and today we went out for a ride in Yankee Doodle, our inflatable boat. You can tell we are used to those warm days, because we are all bundled up and it is 70 degrees!!

We were treated to an impromptu dolphin show at the mouth of the channel into Ocean Reef, and the sunset..... spectacular!!

Lorraine today

Friday Nov. 5.
We visited with some friends of Tom's pilot friend, Saul. They were so welcoming and fun to see again.
We had met them a few years ago and rented their home in Ocean Reef. They built a beautiful new home here and they invited us over for a swim.  We showed up just as they were eating a  late lunch.  She insisted that we join them- there is no refusing a meal!!! She grew up in Greece and to decline lunch, although we had already eaten, would have been a true offense. About halfway through the day, I realized she thought my name was Lorraine. She must have thought I was dumb, or deaf, because she had to call me multiple times before I would answer.  We were laughing about it and one of the kids said, Mom why didn't you just correct her?  I answered, she offered us her pool, her car , her house for laundry facilities- she can call me whatever she wants!!  It isn't so bad to be named after a  yummy quiche!

We have Arrived in Key Largo

We made it to Key Largo.  When we pulled into Ocean Reef Club, it felt a little like home. Our dear friends , the Veneklasens, were at the point as we pulled into the channel to welcome us and take a few pics. That was no small task, considering the rain!!  

We are so excited to be here and are thankful we could celebrate with our friends on our arrival.

I can't believe we are here, and on our boat!! Wow!!  We have been protected and provided for this entire 

journey!  What a gift of a lifetime!!  Every good gift and every perfect gift comes from above.!!

Miami

We have had an eventful 24 hours! Last night when we returned from our friends' home, we found a mess. Our glass shower door had spontaneously exploded sending glass shards all throughout the galley of the boat. After the reality of what happened set in, we were so overwhelmed with gratitude that it didn't happen while one of the kids was in that bathroom, and secondly that we had just gotten a crate for Cookie and did not leave him in his usual spot,  the bathroom. That would not have been a good thing!

Today we travelled partway in the Atlantic and it was quite rough so we tucked into the inter coastal. We are currently in Miami and so close to Key Largo. We are looking forward to reaching our destination tomorrow.

Tom and I continue to marvel at God's protection and provision.

Palm Beach- still

We must be really enjoying this spot since we have not moved.
Boat show and school and pool, oh my!!  We have been busy these few days.
I am overwhelmed with the kindness and generosity of people we have met along the way.
A friend let us borrow his car while here in town, it is so helpful to be able to get groceries and boat supplies and not have to rent a car or take a cab.  Also we are going to a friend's house for pizza and a swim tonight.  It will be a land based oasis for us all!! This has truly been a gift and a highlight for me;  getting to know such wonderful  people!! I am thankful to the Maestro that orchestrated it!!

Palm Beach, FL

Yesterday we rode on the boat for 9 hours on the intercoastal waterway.  The kids had a great day wearing pajamas all day and playing their DS. We saw plenty of dolphin again- I love those animals! I read a book the whole way- poor Tom was the only one working!!

Today,  when we left the Marina, Tom and I saw a manatee!! How fun!! Then, we rode the boat on the intercoastal for a while and were eventually able to get out into the Atlantic Ocean.  My husband was so excited!! He was like a young bull being let out of the pen for the first time!! So, I DID work today and make myself productive- I gave the boat and the kids a thorough cleaning!  They all needed it!

When we arrived in Palm Beach, we went to the pool and swam. Afterwards, we had a great dinner at the restaurant at the end of the dock.  The kids trick or treated to one another and had the ultimately important "trade meeting" .  This is where negotiations of the highest order take place. Stand back UN.  They negotiate the trading of candy and it is intense!  I have to do much bargaining for the ever important reeses, jolly rancher and rolo!!

St Augustine, FL

This is a really cool town.  The kids told their Dad that they had had enough history for the year, so can we please do something fun?  We compromised and went to Castillo de San Marcos, an amazing Spanish fort , and then we played putt putt.
We all really enjoyed the fort, despite the kids' protests on the frontside. America's oldest city has some great things to show its visitors!
 Putt Putt was well, awesome, as putt putt always is. Flying clubs and balls, what could a mother not love about this scene? I am  thankful that we escaped injury from projectiles!!


The town was busy with all the Florida and Georgia fans, and my kids proudly announced that we were LSU fans!  OOPS!! Perhaps I should have warned them to keep quiet in enemy territory!!

Georgia on my mind

We left Hilton Head Island with a beautiful sunrise near the lighthouse. We were again treated to many dolphin sightings. I can never seem to get my camera fast enough.

We were following a boat out to sea in the Atlantic today and Tom commented, "Wow, I wonder where that guy is going, he is weaving all over the place"  Thomas piped up, "I bet his wife is driving!"
Tom and I looked at each other and our jaws were on the floor!! Where does he get this stuff?

Unfortunately, we did not stop in Georgia . We have been told that due to budget cuts, they were not maintaining their waterway. It is really too bad, we would have loved to have seen it!!  We are somewhere in North Florida.  We are in the state of our final destination!! Yeah!

Hilton Head Island

October 27
We had an afternoon off today. We finished our schoolwork and we headed to the pool. We were all delighted to swim and enjoy the nice weather today.
Last night Emily and I were walking Cookie and we met some interesting ladies. One of them told us all about the history of Daufuskie ( the first key) and wow was it interesting. She told us all the ghost stories too.  This is the island that Pat Conroy based his book The River is Wide  and she says they are not happy about it.  I need to re-read that one I guess.
We also saw a comet!! Hilton Head is an interesting place at night, or it hosts interesting people for sure.

to Hilton Head

Today we arrived at Hilton Head Island.  We saw dolphin on the way again, and I just cant seem to capture those wonderful mammals on film.. Here is a pic of my wonderful mammals searching the waterway for them.

Beaufort, SC

October 25
We arrived in Beaufort today, it is spelled the same as the town in NC, but is pronounced differently- (Bewfort) .  Along the waterway in the intercoastal we saw wild dolphin swimming along with our boat. It was so much fun. The kids and I all squeal with delight when we see these amazing creatures.  One cannot be sad when looking at the perma-grin that God placed on the faces of these delightful animals.

I loved the view of the salt marshes along the Intercoastal Waterway.  It was a beautiful ride.

Tom and Thomas (and Cookie) sat on the back of the boat and grilled dinner.  What a great day.

Charleston,SC

Sunday October 24
I really love this town.I could honestly live here.
Being a southern girl myself, I love to eat grits- especially garlic cheese grits. These S. Carolinians have kicked it up a notch and DEEP FRY them. Top it with shrimp and a Parmesan Alfredo sauce, forget about it!
We also visited a store that only sells cupcakes. Yummmy ones too!!
If it sounds like all we do is eat, that is pretty accurate in this town. Eat and shop, shop and eat. It was so much fun.

Fort Sumter, SC

October 22
It was a nice day. The sun was shining and we took the Atlantic Ocean to Charleston, SC.
It was a little rough, but we all did OK. Thomas had a bucket experience, but he has such a good attitude and bounced back so quickly, it was not such a big thing.
We saw Fort Sumter as we pulled into port and that was exciting, as it is the first battle of the  Civil War and we are studying just that right now. History comes alive!!

I am thankful for Emily 's gift of noticing the "small stuff".  We arrived mid day and walked the dog down the dock. Emily noticed the marshy area that was full of thousands of snails.  As we went into town for dinner, she noticed the tide had come in  and the same place was filled with water and fish feeding on the snails.  Her keen observations caused us all to pause and give thanks to the Designer of the ecosystem.

Bald Head Island, NC

October 21

I really love this place. The beach is spectacular and the  island is beautiful.  We can't wait to return.  We spent some time at the beach and everyone had a great day. My hubby was able to recharge his batteries, the kids and Cookie ran like the wind, and I loved watching it all. We saw some dolphin playing nearby off shore and some pelicans flying over the water.  It was a peaceful , beautiful and relaxing day.  I am thankful to have had a day of rest. The kids loved catching the sand crabs. They begged to bring them on board, but Mom and Dad  are avid catch and release fans!!

Cape Fear

October 20

We arrived in Cape Fear , NC today. We came through the intercoastal waterway, or "the ditch". It was a gorgeous day and a nice ride. We docked at Bald Head Island and we immediately fell in love with the place. Emily immediately said, "Ok, this is my favorite stop!!"

Anyone recognize this boat?  I kept looking for Robert Diniro to pop out of it!!

Beaufort, NC

I love the South.  We arrived yesterday in Beaufort, NC and we have had such a nice time in this town.
The people are so friendly and the food is fabulous -  I love cornbread!! It has been a beautiful day and Tom and the kids were able to see some wild horses that live on the island here. What a treat!!  Anna is so funny, she keeps asking everyone where they are from. I said , "Anna why do you keep asking everyone that?"  She said, "I just keep thinking that the farther south we go the more accent everyone gets!!"

The Ditch

It is a strange thing to peer out the door and say, "Honey, where are we again?"...He tells me we are in Coinjock, NC.  We followed the intercoastal waterway today, otherwise known as the ditch.  It is beautiful marshy land and the day was spectacular.  Cookie is adjusting well to boat living, and the kids are delighted to have him with us.  We head to ??? tomorrow, and when that moment comes I will ask again- where are we?

The kids were out playing with a frog, and in her excitement, Anna ran out of her shoes to the boat.

She left her light up "glass slippers" behind in Coinjock.

Jamestown

October 16

We loved touring historic Jamestown.  It is a beautiful area, and amazing to think of what life was like in that first colony.  There are many ruins of old homes, the church and the fort.  It is an active archaeological site and we were able to view hundreds of artifacts recovered from the site.

It has been a happy birthday for my wonderful hubby!!

Williamsburg

October 15

We had so much fun in colonial Williamsburg today. The kids walked around town all day dressed in costumes from the period.  It was fascinating to see all the trades in action: silversmith, blacksmith, millner,bookbinder...the list goes on.


While touring the governor's palace, the tour guide was telling the kids all the reasons they were not allowed to dine with their parents until about age 15, and Anna said, "at least we are learning spanish".
She was trying to convince her that at least she could do something worthwhile!

Norfolk

October 14

We moved the boat to Norfork, Virginia today.  It was a fairly long boat ride and it rained a bit along the way, but due to my hubby's careful planning, we arrived and tied up the boat with dry skies.
As we pulled into the harbor, there was an active Navy warship on our tail. It was overwhelming to listen to them  call the boats in the area on the radio. The kids and I were intently watching the warship when Tom hails quite excitedly, "A whale!!"  We all missed the whale, but we are thankful to have seen the warship!

Back to the Bateau

October 13

We returned to Annapolis today after being home for a few days.  We loved being home, the fall colors are  spectacular this year. Thomas was thrilled to sleep in a bed with 3 covers, and the girls delight in the "naturey" back yard.  We loved seeing friends and just being on dry land!

As I was lugging 3 kids , a dog and bags through the airport, I questioned what little sanity I thought I may have possessed in my prior life.  

Once we arrived in Annapolis on the boat, it felt like home!! Primarily because Daddy was waiting for us with chocolate covered strawberries.

Walk the Plank

We have had a relatively quiet few days of school and catching our breath in Annapolis.

I really love this town!  Today Thomas provided us with a little excitement !

Tom and Thomas were walking down the dock, and Tom was watching Thomas look at all the boats. 

Tom said that Thomas was in complete awe of the larger boats in the marina.  He was so busy looking at the big boats, that he walked right off the end of the dock!! Yes , he took a long walk off a short pier.

He swam right to the surface and Tom helped him out of the water. He was surprised and a little frightened by the experience, but when it was all over and he had dried off and collected his wits, he said, "At least I was the first one to swim in the saltwater!!"

The kids and I are going home Saturday to get a few days of recharging our batteries!! Tom has to stay behind to supervise some boat repairs.  We will sign back on when there are new adventures to report!

ZOO

October 5

We had such a fun day at the zoo. It was cooler outside and the animals were all out and active. There were lots of volunteers around to tell us all about  the animals. One day when I retire from teaching, I may be a zoo volunteer-what a fun job!!

Emily's favorite was the panda, they have 2.  Anna and Thomas' favorite was the cheetah. They have 5 of them, but only one was there today.

Tom and I enjoyed watching the kids' excitement about all the different animals God created !!

Smithsonian

October 4
We visited the Smithsonian Museum of American History today, and since the girls are studying American History this year , so the timing was great.  Tom and I enjoyed and appreciated the museum way more than the kids did, of course, but we all enjoyed the day.  The girls loved looking at the first ladies' dresses and the star spangled banner- the actual flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem that became the song.  Thomas loved the boats, trains and all the weapons from the different wars.


We topped off the night by going to a spanish restaurant belonging to a family we met  in Grand Cayman last year, and wow- we loved it. It is a tapas restaurant, and I kept filling Thomas' plate with different tapas. He was a little confused by eating a bunch of small plates rather than one large one, but he adjusted well and ate like a champ, as usual.