Ah, Retirement!

Julie threw me a surprise party on Thurs night for a few friends and family members.  Wish we could have had more but room codes did not allow for more guests.  I was completely surprised and it was a wonderful time.  Thank you to all who came and I wish it could have been more.

Just had to get going on Sat morning and it turns out that was not the best decision.  All is well but a lesson learned....we have lots of time and no need to rush!
So there were thunderstorms way over in western Wisconsin at 6 AM when we departed Muskegon. Over the past few weeks they had fallen apart as they came across the lake.  So given the warnings were over there (and none here) we thought let's go and they will fall apart.  Got caught between White Lake and Pentwater.  First fog rolled in, then rain (lots of it!), lightning, and wind.  4 or 5 sailboats were around us too.  Probably good it was foggy so we couldn't see the dark clouds coming!!  We were blessed with a safe weathering of the storm.  We will wait next time....

So as I (Tom) write this we are in Manistee slipped along the river walk.  A real nice spot.  Went for a dinghy ride around Manistee Lake yesterday.  Very industrial and only saw 2-3 other boats out.

Went to BlueFish restaurant last night.  Wow, excellent ribeye, augrautin potatoes, veggies and a nice cocktail selection to start the dinner with.  They surprised me with a special dessert for my retirement!

Last Days at the Office...I Retire on Friday!

So I (Tom) am spending my last few working days finishing up loose ends and packing the few things to be stored ashore while we are gone.  Julie is busily making trips to goodwill, packing the few things she will store ashore and coordinating our move out of the downtown condo (which we will miss...it has been a wonderful place to live the last 4-1/2 years.)
Our good friend Fr. John Geaney joined us for lunch and a short ride on Monday afternoon.  We sort of made history together in that in his over fifty years of priesthood, he had never blessed a boat, its crew and journey.  But he kindly did that for us as we drifted with the wind for the short ceremony. We will miss Fr. G personally, but plan to catch his Sunday words on sat TV or the internet as the Cathedral Mass is broadcast each Sunday.  This will be a little bit of "home" we can take along!

We attended a wonderful dinner on Monday night honoring Tom's retirement.  It was a very nice event and helps one reflect on the great comradery and successes we were able to achieve as a team. I will truly miss working with all the great people here at SpartanNash.  It has been a quick 14-1/2 years with all the activities we completed over that time!
We will spend next week at the Great Lakes Grand Banks Rendezvous in Sturgeon Bay, WI. We then move out of the condo at the end of July, fly to Florida to register to vote/drivers licenses/register boat, make any last minute necessary repairs to Sum Escape, sell both remaining cars and cast off on the Great Loop sometime mid August to first of Sept.  We will go when the spirit moves us.....and the river flooding forecasts are favorable!
Stay tuned....