October 1, 2023

4/18/22 Captain’s log star date 1. Fort Lauderdale, FL 30o16’09”N 81o23’10”W. 92ft.
Roz and I are leaving JAX Beach today to go on a great adventure. Back here at home, in my “reading room,” Leopold and Stephen have been frozen in time- walking through Dublin in search of a pub- waiting for me to return home to find it; and, on my nightstand, Huck and Jim are also frozen in time helping the mountebanks- the duke and the king- mount the banks of the M’ssippi to fleece the town’folk in Arkansaw. I will thaw them all out when I return, and see how their adventures pan out. And Roz and I will resume watching Bobby Flay beat almost everyone.
We are also leaving many new neighbors and friends at the beach. Be safe until we see you again. See the JAX Beach Runners on August 10th at the Green Room and the Open Mic Night at the Legion on August 17th. Maybe drinks in the driveway on August 11th? To family and old friends: we love you and will have you in our hearts the entire time. Arlo and Franky- grow and prosper…
Several times we took a “trip of a lifetime.” Honeymoon in Biarritz, Paris and London, Roz’s 50th birthday in Paris, Eastern Mediterranean, Venice and Rome. Cruise from Vancouver to Hawaii. And, of course when we set out in the RV to travel the country and find a forever home. The pandemic shut that down, but we now live in a dream come true location, so it worked out.
This time it really is a trip of a lifetime. The challenges of taking no long flights, worldwide reactions by governments and people to COVID-19 (we didn’t clear COVID protocols until yesterday afternoon whew!), me turning 69 the day we return to the US, etc. This is the biggest and longest trip we’ve ever taken and may be the last of this type. Very scary. We are stepping out in faith; two slightly foolish pilgrims, still looking for “it.”
Now off to leg 1, driving to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Please keep us in your prayers…
…Captain’s log star date 1: supplemental. Challenging day all around. Driving rain on the ride down. Many safety protocols in place. Cruising has really changed. No buffet dining. Trying to understand the crew talking through masks. They don’t even have muster anymore. We will definitely sleep well tonight. Oh, and we upgraded our drink package to premium. Peace out.