Since Magnolia has returned to Galesville we have been running in a 100 different directions taking care of a 100 different things during our short visit “home.” One of the surprises was a package the Admiral’s Niece (lives in our condo) had collected over the winter. It was  stack of Christmas cards that had arrived over the winter. It was a real treat to read them here aboard. Thank you very much for thinking of us. Know we are out and about up and down the coast but there are so many family and friends we think about and wish could be here to experience the gift of opportunity we have been given.  That includes sisters (MS&DS)! Sure hope you read this….. 

Last winter heading to the Bahamas we did not know what to expect and how to tell people to find us or where we would be when. Traveling on a sailboat it is still not a guarantee of where we will be when but below is our best guesses:

Early January – Mid-Late February – George Town Exuma – Though we do not expect to be there that whole time we “should” be able be there during this time frame. Information about the location and lodging is located here:                                        http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g2059452-George_Town_Great_Exuma_Out_Islands_Bahamas-Vacations.html

Early February  – Late February – Cat Island Exuma – Same as a George Town we do not expect to be there that whole time we “should” be able be there during this time frame. Cat Island was one of our favorite stops last year. We will definitely be back this year. Information about the location and lodging is located here:                   http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g147427-Cat_Island_Out_IslandsIt _Bahamas-Vacations.html

March  – Early April  – Hopetown Abaco – We did not spend enough time in Abacos last year and as it was one of the Admirals favorite stops, we will be back next spring.  Information about the location and lodging is located here:                                        http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g676267-Hope_Town_Elbow_Cay_Abaco_Islands_Out_Islands_Bahamas-Vacations.html

If you have the desire to meet up with Magnolia please let us know because we would love to meet up with you!

From our last post you know we installed a Single Side Band Radio (SSB) and in addition the Admiral and I passed our FCC granted licenses that give us additional access to frequencies set aside for Amateur Radio. We have made contacts up and down the east coast from Mystic CT to Melbourne FL. This morning we made our first contact inland to Branson MO!

As we have been making great progress on our maintenance list it has allowed us to start thinking about getting back underway and making plans for the summer. We had intended to head “north” but had not defined what that meant. After studying the charts we have set our sights on Arcadia National Park Maine. We will be making stops along the way to visit with friends and looking very forward to getting started!

Annette and I have no kids of our own, but between the two of we have 15 nieces & nephews along with a godson and a couple of non-related nieces which we are grateful for and the next best thing to kids of our own. I am happy to report the second of that group will be getting married week after next. We are thinking of you and wishing you and your husband the very best. We are, and always will be here, know that! Off to visit with some of the nieces & nephews this very afternoon!