Happy Christmas

Coc'nuts roasting in an open fire
Green moss tickling at your toes
Warm tidal farrows meet the sun by the mire
And folks dressed up in summer clothes

Everybody knows
A surf beach and has a mellow tan
Coast line stretching far and wide
Briney spots serving shrimp upon a wire
Won't find it hard to eat tonight.

We know that life in the F.L.A.
Is loaded with joys and goodies by the way
And every lover's wild is gonna sigh
To be in paradise for a while

So we're offering you this simple phrase
As we jump into our pool
Although it's been said
Many times, many ways:
Merry Christmas to you.
   (sung to Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)

We made Jacksonville Beach on Thursday December 17th.  By the numbers, we have now traveled 970 miles down the Chesapeake and Inter Coastal Waterway.  We've been 65 days on Second Wind, and been underway 26 of them.  We've averaged  37 miles a day at 6.2 mph.  And, for the real boat geeks, we have averaged 1.33 gals/hour in fuel consumption over 156 hours.

Cece and I have spent almost 1,600 hours togeather, nonstop.  We are still talking to each other.  And, yes, we've had a wonderful time ..... but it's time to get off the boat and celebrate the holidays with family.  And, possibly, spend a couple hours apart.

We start with a few days in Ponte Vedra, FL with my 92 year old father and Keith his wife.  It has been many years since we've celebrated Christmas with dad, and much to be thankful for in celebrating this year with them.  On December 22nd we fly to New Orleans to spend Christmas with our daughter, fiancé, son, and his significant other.  It will be the first Christmas we spend away from our home without entertaining the kids around our own tree.  Another in life's milestones. 

Finally, at the end of the month we will fly back to Annapolis to spend some time with family, friends, our oldest son, daughter in law, and grandchildren.

But, as the Holidays approach, we want to wish all our friends a very Happy Christmas.  And, remember we have an extra berth waiting as we start a new year.   
 
  Joy, to all, Happy New Year .