Nana and Nandad in Newport Social Distancing

Nandad looking really good at Newport National

Nana looking a little cold on our bike ride in Colt Park Bristol RI.

Well Nana did not get back to NH due to the current restrictions of the Coronavirus Pandemic. Nandad decided that driving back was the safest option so he is now back and together we are riding out the storm. Like everybody we are being creative in how we communicate with family, friends etc. We pray every day that you all will stay virus free, healthy, and optimistic. We will embrace the virtual social life while we must and be happy we don’t have a house full of kids, teenagers, and college kids! Hang in there everybody. 

March 8th Blessing of the Fleet

What a beautiful day for the Blessing of the Fleet. A little windy but quite a few boats weathered the winds and participated in the parade. Nana is ready to return to Franklin to spend a little time with kids and grandkids. Will resume blog upon return on St Paddy’s Day. ☘️Tonite the 🌚 is almost a full Worm Moon. 

How lucky Are we to be able to appreciate Mother Nature at her best. Good night to all. Codladh Samh 😴

March 7th LBK Garden Club 44th Home and Garden Tour

A wonderful sunny windy day to participate in the Longboat Key Garden Club Tours. Nana and Nandad toured five very interesting homes. All on LBK. Ocean front, waterfront, and  golf course views each home had its own character. A great day.

The perfect day for lunch right on the sand at the Beach House in Bradenton.

March 6th Friday returned to SYC

Nana took the helm this morning and almost left the Captain on the dock ! On our cruise back to SYC Nana and Nandad finally witness a family of dolphin frolicking along NH starboard side. One never tires of watching these playful mammals. A very pleasant cruise back with the wind picking up just as we were pulling into the dock for diesel. A strong gust whipped the soft chair right from the stern seat! An attempt to rescue failed as it floated by with a very fast current and shallow waters! A very pleasant dockhand kindly took the launch out and chased the floating chair all the way over to Bird Key.

Preparing for the Blessing of the Fleet which takes place on Sunday. Nothing like a boat all dressed up. 

(Temporary Backup) March 4th and 5th Cruising to Bradenton Yacht Club & St Pete’s

Monday March 2nd . After the Nevins returned to Newton MA Nana and Nandad had some quite time. While still having the rented minivan we decided it was a good time to explore the options for storing New Horizon over the summer months. Now that is the thing about boating one never truly knows what way the day might go. As it happens Nana and Nandad drove to our favorite spot on Gasperilla for lunch and then went to Safe Cove Marina in Port Charlotte which would provide sheltered coverage during the hottest seasons. Ireland’s Eye did well here in 2018-  so we will see.

Tuesday March 3rd was a busy morning for Nandad getting his bicycle organized while Nana played golf, afternoon by the pool ( without grandchildren- not quite the same), evening was cigar night for Nandad so Nana went to a wonderful yoga class - oh what a life. 🧘‍♀️

Wednesday March 4th Nana and Nandad decided NH should leave the dock and head out for Bradenton Yacht Club. We anchored ( first time on NH )  at Jewfish Island and had a wonderful lunch. On our cruise to Bradenton Nana took a picture of sea tow towing sea tow seemed rather ironic. 

A very serious looking Nana outside BYC! 

Thursday March 5th -  while taking our morning walk we discovered the wonderful Emerson Point Preserve right at the tip of Snead Island. A special place which has witnessed extensive human use for over 4500 years.The Portavant Temple Mound fascinated Nandad . The preserve contains a variety of native ecosystems of which we were privileged to watch - vulture turkey, herons, egrets, tortoise, and osprey just to name a few. The preserve overlooks the Manatee River and the 1200 year old Indian mound is the largest in the Tampa Bay Area. How lucky are we to be able to explore such history.

Mother Nature at her best.
Quite the windy choppy ride across Tampa Bay. In the horizon we noticed what looked like very large birds only to find, as we approached a little closer , lots of Kitesurfing activity. It looked like lots of fun.

NH arrived at St Pete’s just in time for a wonderful lunch onboard while watching the beautiful skyline of the city. The perfect afternoon to sit outside relax and enjoy boating at its best. A stroll downtown to purchase some postcards at the Museum of Fine Arts where we returned that evening for a wonderful performance with piano,flute and voice. What a treat. Dinner top deck onboard was excellent .

The Nevins arrive Feb 26th to Mar 1st

Ailish, Aveline, and Ollie pack up their bags to have a sleepover onboard NH. What a great way to spend time with your family sharing all that SYC has to offer and despite that the weather was a little colder than expected we even took a short boat ride over to Marina Jacks.

Nandad has a fun time teaching Alish, Aveline and Ollie how to play dominoes. 

Three more crew members recruited.

Monday February 24th Renea and Nicole visit SYC

A fun day with Renea and Nicole who drove all the way from Bonita Springs to spend the day with Nana and Nandad. Although the club was closed, and the winds were too strong to go for a boat ride we were able to show them around and introduce them to St Armand’s Circle. Always a fun spot to explore and of course there’s always the beautiful Lido Beach.

Nandad really enjoyed this piece of art while onboard another members boat. Nana has promised she will pay attention to what it states! 

February 19th return to NH & SYC

New Horizon with her new lettering and hailing port Newport RI which is hidden by the dingy. Nana and Nandad return after celebrating February birthdays in MA. Feb 20th through Feb 23rd wonderful cruise to St Pete’s where the weather was a little cool however a fun time with lots of boats cruising from SYC. A wonderful trip to The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art - a must - and of course The Dali is always a most interesting visit.

Nana and Nandad looking quite at home at The James Museum.