EVEN NOW; WITH A THOUSAND LITTLE VOYAGES UNDER MY BELT.
I STILL FEEL A MEMORIAL CHILL ON CASTING OFF.
-E.B. White

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS & HAPPY NEW YEAR 2020

We decided to drive back to Minnesota for the holidays, to spend time with our family and friends.  The marina at Marco Island has been going thru some changes regarding live-a-boards (against our wishes) so the marina was pretty much empty of people and celebrations, i.e. happy hour docktails.  


Enroute to MN, Izzy seems to know we are heading north to snow, her favorite!!


The girls from the hood at Murrays' annual Xmas party.  Also lots of Christmas caroling with Rautenbergs and lots of snow time for Izzy.  



WEEEEEEE!!!!!


Darn, back in car - but instead of heading back to Florida we decided to take a side trip to Arizona house for a quick visit with friends at the wrinkle ranch, some golf and then back north for some skiing in Colorado.  We left on Christmas day - turned out to be a good day for no semi- truck traffic on the roads.


Christmas evening - Wichita, Ks.  Lucky for us restaurant across street from our hotel (Dave & Buster's) was open for dinner.  Wine & Burgers, perfect!


Meanwhile back at the hotel - Izzy enjoying her bed pillows after a long day on the road.


Pretty little golf course at the base of Superstition Mountains.  Looks like rain in them there hills.


Touring Canyon Lake from the steamboat "Dolly"



Then north to Pagosa Springs, CO for some skiing.  Rick with Susan & Rich Hampton.

Then it was back to Minnesota - unpacking ski gear and golf clubs and making plans to return to Broulee in Florida.


Jan 13th - Birmingham, AL - long day on the road for everyone.  Should be back to boat tomorrow.


Of, course, more projects on "this old boat".  Rick decided to refinish the pilot house floor.  Once, again, nothing is as easy as it seems.  We first thought just a quick sanding and refinish - 


Not a very good pic - but Mr. perfectionist decided the floor needed to be completely stripped  



A few more coats and it should be good. 

We decided to take a break from projects and will get back to final coats before we put Broulee into storage, or will we?????  We had originally planned on taking a trip down to Key West on Broulee to visit friends Vince & Mary at Stock Island Marina, but we couldn't get a good weather window so we loaded Izzy into the car, again, for a trip down to Key West. 



Key West Sunset - yup Key West is still Key West.


 Rick & Izzy enjoying wine & popcorn around the fire pit at our $400.00 a night hotel in Key West. (It's a long story)  Anyway, fun to spend some time with Vince & Mary.


  For Deb, it was back to MN Feb 8th - 11th.  Just some Dad time and getting caught up on paperwork.


Deb returning to Broulee just in time for a Minnesota reunion with Doug & Robbie, Mary & Mark and Jane & Dean at Isle of Capri Fish House.  Good food and good friends!  Also we were surprised with a visit from former Krogen owners, Wayne & Carol.  They decided to venture out of cold/snowy New Hampshire and spend some time in their old stomping grounds of Marco, very fun to see them!

We are now back in MN deciding to Shelter-In-Place in a state with low covid-19 stats and a level headed governor.



Everyone stay safe!!!!!


roh, roh - stay tuned (El Paso, Tx - March 16th)