Thanksgiving 2008 picture of our family. So happy to be back with them!!
Friday, January 9, 2009
Monday, December 29, 2008
Post-Adventure Events and Christmas
It was somewhat shocking to go from the temp in the 80's to this Winter scene in our backyard overlooking Prior Lake in MN. But we adjusted quickly as friends and family welcomed us home.
This beauty stops for a picture with her father-in-law in the middle of preparing Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve. Our homecoming was made all the more enjoyable when, as we entered our home after being gone for 9 months, the place was fully decorated with all our Christmas things. The three daughters-in-law (Lisa, Sara and Becca) had taken everything from the attic (about 15 boxes, including the big Christmas tree) and fully decorated our home for Christmas. Even the temperature had been turned up so the house was warm and inviting. We feel so blessed!
Saturday, December 13, 2008
What's Next for Us?
We will stay here in Ft. Myers for the next week to get organized to return to Minnesota to be with our family in time for Christmas. Plans are to sell the boat here in Southwest Florida. It has performed flawlessly for the entire trip and was, without doubt, the best choice we could have made for this adventure.
We are so thankful to God for His protection for this entire trip. I was also able to gather some great interviews of first generation Christians. I plan to continue those interviews till I have about 50 or so and then hopefully work with another author to write a book on the topic.
Others have encouraged us to write about this trip as well. Given the interest in the adventure, we may just do that. Many books have been written on the Great Loop Adventure but most are several years old.
We are so thankful to God for His protection for this entire trip. I was also able to gather some great interviews of first generation Christians. I plan to continue those interviews till I have about 50 or so and then hopefully work with another author to write a book on the topic.
Others have encouraged us to write about this trip as well. Given the interest in the adventure, we may just do that. Many books have been written on the Great Loop Adventure but most are several years old.
Friday, December 12, 2008
WE FINISHED THE LOOP!!
....or, as fellow loopers say, we crossed our wake at this spot where we began our journey 8 months and 11 days ago and over 6000 miles. This works out to 36 weeks and 4 days. So we stopped the boat and drifted for a few minutes to take these pictures before moving up the Caloosahatchee River where our boat will be docked.
I finally got the camera to work so we could both be in the picture. But I like the other one much better. She honestly deserves so much of the credit for making this adventure a success. To say that I couldn't have done it without her is an understatement. In this, our 43rd year of marriage, it only gets better every year!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Triple Play
Amazingly, on this 9 month cruise, we have managed to see Sara, Troy and the kids at three different concerts; first in New York City at the Teen Challenge 50th anniversary celebration, again in Chicago at their fall tour, and last Sunday night at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, Fl. on their Christmas tour. Aaron Fabrini, Sara, and Troy put together some great Christmas sounds off their brand new album just released. Go to their website (www.saragroves.com) to order your copy of O Holy Night. You will like it!
Friday, December 5, 2008
Bradenton, Fl and the Manatee Museum
If you've never heard of a Manatee then you haven't spent much time in Florida. There are about 2700 of them in Florida waters and they are highly protected. Weighing in the area of 600 to 800 pounds, they are docile mammals who sometimes get in the path of boaters. So they put up special signs on waterways to slow us down to avoid hitting them. We learned more about Manatees at this museum which has one of the few Manatees in captivity. The one above, named Snooty, was born in 1947 (age 61). Most, however, only live for about 20 years. That white stuff on the surface of the water is lettuce, a main food they give them.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Clearwater to Gulfport
The good things about this adventure are made even richer through being able to see and visit with great friends from the past. Marlene spent her growing up years in Canton, Ohio where her dad was a pastor. So she remembers her Canton years very fondly, particularly all the great people she got to know while there. On that note, we really enjoyed being with Barbara (Ciokan) Jacobs (above) who moved to this area about 30 years ago. Barb is an Assistant State Attorney with the State of Florida, celebrating her 29th anniversary with the State Attorney's office yesterday. Congratulations Barb, and thanks for sharing with us about your wonderful family!
Have you ever had Cuban food? Hint: It's not like Mexican food. Barb took us to this great little Cuban restaurant in Gulfport. We had a delicious pork dinner with all the trimmings and topped it off with an award winning desert: Flan made with cream cheese. This was clearly the best food we've had since that fish dinner at Bobby's Fish Camp.
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