Wrapping up 2021

Arriving November 5th at facility where Broulee has been stored since June of 2020.  Unfortunately we had to catch a flight home when we dropped her off so we didn't get a chance to see her bottom.  Looks like we have a bottom paint job in our future.

But, in the water, you are looking good "old girl".

Captain Rick, back in his happy place.

And Deb in her happy place.

Up early at Glover Bight for final run to Marco Island.

Good to be back, sunrise from Broulee's bow, red sky in morning, hmmmm

a few mornings of Pea soup fog 

Looks like today will be a perfect 10.

Crazy Irish girl, excited about mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving dinner at Minnesota friends, Jane & Dean's home.

Sharing some of our Raspberry Wine, Thanks Jane & Dean for the fabulous Thanksgiving Dinner!!!

The first week in December, Minnesota friends Steve & Kathy joined us on Broulee for a run down to the Dome Home at Cape Romano.

The cape Romano Dome Home is an abandoned house consisting of six dome shaped modules on stilts.  It was constructed in 1979 and abandoned in 1992.  Erosion to the barrier islands in this area has resulted in the home sitting out in the water.

Dome Home today.

 Besides a lot of food and drinks, we spent a beautiful sunset at the Naples Pier.  Thanks for coming guys!!!

Surprise Birthday party for Rick's Birthday on Dec. 21st with friends, the Stiefels and Schwankes at Bevy in Naples.

The Birthday boy, Deb, Robbie, Doug, Dean & Jane

Robbie even baked him a nummy birthday cake!

Broulee, all decked out for Christmas

We decided to head out of the trailer park and spend Christmas eve and Christmas Day at Izzy's favorite anchorage at Keewadin Island.  Izzy excited to dingy to the beach.  Hurry Up, Hurry Up.

Sunset  Christmas Eve, Ahhhhhh

Last sunset of 2021 - Naples Pier

Rick, Deb & Izzy, wishing everyone fair winds & calm seas for 2022.

That's a wrap for 2021!!!!

The Back Story

 Kind of left some of you hanging June of 2020.  After storing the boat in Florida, we were back in MN and Rick continued to have gut pain, seemed like we were in the ER every other week.  It took till mid July 2020, after another biopsy that they found cancer in his ampulary.  Of course, we were devastated, then we met with an amazing surgeon and oncologist and put a plan in place.  Ampulary Cancer falls under the umbrella of pancreatic cancer and requires a surgery called the Whipple Procedure, you will have to google it, too detailed for me to explain.  In September he had four rounds of of intense chemo and his Whipple procedure was scheduled for November 2020.  He had a recovery period after that, his surgeon called him a Rock Star.  In January of 2021 he started four more rounds of chemo, and trust me he is a Rock Star!!!!  Bottom line he got another scan in October and they found no evidence of reoccurring cancer and said "see you in six months".  We decided to carefully travel to Florida and hideout on Broulee.  Not trying to make light of this situation, cuz believe me, we've never been so frightened.  Of course, there are many more details and Rick will be happy to share his story next time he sees/talks to you.  We continue to stay positive and moving forward, and totally enjoying being back on Broulee.

2021 WHEW WHAT A YEAR!!!!!

In January of 2021 Deb lost her father (not to covid).  He was just two months shy of his 90th birthday.  He was a proud Air Force Veteran and was a tough, hard working man. Deb was fortunate to be with him when he passed. He was buried with military Honors in July at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN.

We miss you Dad!!!

His great granddaughter Elin admiring the flags after the ceremony.

Deb, Inspecting the engraving on the burial site. Her mom and dad were placed here together.  A military burial is quite impressive and very emotional.  

This was the first winter we have been home since 2000, we are all trying to adapt...

Izzy trying doggy booties again. She's like NOT!!!  

Fun ski trip with kids in March in Lutsen, MN.

AirB&B on Lake Superior

Three generations of Smiths on the mountain.

In June we celebrated our 20th wedding Anniversary on Drummond Island, Michigan.

Its a beautiful Island in between Lake Michigan & Lake Huron.

The Soo Locks at Sault St. Marie and bridge to Canada, no can go!

September we headed east to visit family in New York.  Our original plan was to travel thru Canada, but still not open unless you were an essential worker.

Visiting with Leslie (her son Macderra) and Brian at their dad's new art studio.

Also enjoying a picnic lunch on the memorial bench at Desmond Fish Library at Garrison honoring Rick's sister Sandra Smith Nice.

And, of course, the beautiful Hudson River, always our favorite.

  

Then heading  north to the White Mountains in northern New Hampshire.  Visiting the beautiful Bretton Lodge at Mount Washington. Just visiting, not affording the room fees.  

This was the site of the United Nations Monetary and Financial conference in 1944 which established a system through which a fixed currency exchange rate could be created using gold as the universal standard.  The agreement involved representatives from 44 nations and brought about the creation of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

Then headed west towards Burlington, Vermont and stumbled upon this cute covered bridge.

Then on to Lake Champlain at Burlington, VT

Lake Ontario, chilly but still impressive.

Sunset on the St. Lawrence Seaway, once again - Canada is just right there across the waterway, but still no go.

Lake Erie day fun

and beautiful sunset.

So, although we are not boating on Broulee, we got our water fix in, one way or another.

Then it was back home to start our raspberry wine, a bumper crop this year. Picking them until mid July and then freezing until time to bottle.

Looks like another winner!!!

Early October, in the vineyard getting grapes picked

A very good year for grapes also.  Looks like we will be busy making wine before we head south.

So hard to leave these loves of my life, but 

 on a crisp October morning we are leaving our beautiful lake home and babies to head south to Broulee, more to follow.

Happy New Year 2022

Hey, we are back on  Broulee and couldn't be happier.  It's been a year and a half (due to reasons beyond our control), more on that to follow.  Wishing Everyone a Happy New Year and hoping for an amazing 2022, well at least a good/positive 2022.

 

Waiting for fireworks at Naples Pier.

Again, Happy New Year to everyone and lets hope for better days ahead!!!