Weeks later -- and one thousand miles away

Well, that certainly has been a break from blogging :)

Susan Russell re-joined Sonador in Cheboygan, and we made the trip from there to Charlevoix on August 18th.  A trip without big winds or buffeting waves, thank goodness.  Cleared the bridge at Charlevoix at 3:30 in the afternoon and headed over to Irish for dockage (downtown was packed and stayed that way as the weather deteriorated for boaters heading out onto Lake Michigan.)  We day tripped to see the inland lakes between Charlevoix and Cheboygan, dined with friends in Harbor Springs, went to Traverse City (in a downpour) and to Suttons Bay -- all by car.  Helped the local economy where we could.  Susan started south on September 9th and I began the task of putting Sonador away for the winter -- lots of cleaning (how can one boat get so dirty?) -- and sorting of things that should go back to Florida, and stuff that can stay on board.  Stayed with Donna and Lou in Boyne City for the last several nights, and finally watched the boat hauled out on the 15th.  The end of another summer.

I am currently in Annapolis, staying with good friends Grier and Mike, visiting with boating buddies, and catching up with friends from work in the D.C. area.  Arrived here five days ago, after a delightful stay at Fenwick Island, Delaware with Gail and Jack and Jackson (who is Sophie's oldest boy friend.)  Before that, stopped in Reading, Pennsylvania to see Susan Allen (formerly called Suki, but now too grown up as a freshman at Albright College to go by that nick name.)  A few more days here, and I'll repack the car and start south to Florida.

It hasn't been the long summer on the water that I had planned -- it's had ups and downs -- but, in the long run I've enjoyed myself, my friends, and just seeing the towns and cities I've passed through.  Now, it really is time to get back to Florida and return to helping out at SMART, the Circus, and participating in all the theater and arts that Sarasota/Bradenton has to offer.