Goodbyes and Good Luck

Mike made a confession last night as we enjoyed our last evening with his parents in Orange Beach, AL.  It went something like this:  MIKE:  "I'm anxious about starting out again on the boat tomorrow." Mike's mom, MARLYS: "Are you anxious as in excited to get going, or are you anxious as in scared?"  MIKE:  "I think I'm scared!"

February, 2019 is behind us and as of today, we are "home" on Velsignet and back to cruising America's Great Loop!  We said goodbye to Todd and Jane Summerfelt in Seattle on Saturday morning and goodbye to Mike's parents and Gulf Shores/Orange Beach this afternoon.  The acts involve emotions beyond words can adequately describe.  Seattle, WA was our home for more than 13 years and we treasure the lifelong friends we have there and the fond memories we continue to make with them. We raised our daughters near Crookston, MN just down the road from Glen and Marlys and we treasure the years we farmed with them and their active involvement in our lives and our daughters' lives.  And to top that, Fred Henry--a new friend we made at the "Looping 101" conference in Chicago last March called us this afternoon while we were cruising toward Perdido Bay...just to say "hi", check in on our location, and to let us know he and his wife, Gayla, will be in Fort Myers, FL for an extra week; the goodbye was one that indicated we were most likely not able to make it there in time to see them.  Saying goodbyes like these leave us wondering what we've done in this life to deserve such love from friends and family.  We are grateful! 

So what scared Mike?  The simple statement is: What's going to go wrong?  We are anticipating the Gulf crossing and had it so good when we crossed last July; can we be so lucky this time?  

FYI, Brenda has her own trepidations about getting back on the Loop on Velsignet.  For example, we're anchored off the Gulf Intercoastal Waterway this evening listening to the creaking of the anchor lines and expecting a stiff north wind to persist through the night.  Will the anchor hold?

This was our sunset this evening from our anchorage.  It's hard to see, but if you look to the far left, there's a barge on the ICW.  In the center of the photo is the cityscape of Perdido Key.  To the right are nearby marinas.

Todd and Jane hosted Susan and Ken Trimpe and us last Wednesday evening for a Spanish-themed meal.  In 2017, Todd and Jane, Susan and Ken, and Mike and Brenda took a bike trip in the south of France (Languedoc region) with 6 others.  After the bike trip, the six of us went into Spain and spent a wonderful week exploring the Catalonia region.

Here are the guys:  Ken Trimpe, Todd Summerfelt and Mike

Last Friday, Jane and Brenda went to West Seattle, hiked Lincoln Park, drove past the home of Janet and Festus Shaunessy (Jane's daughter and son-in-law).  In this photo, Brenda is on Alkai with Seattle's skyline behind her.

This photo was taken at Lincoln Park along the Puget Sound with the ferry in the background. 
It was a beautiful (and brisk) day!

Here's Jane in front of one of Lincoln Park's magnificent Madrona Trees. Notice it's unique bark.

LuLu's and Homeport Marina are behind us.  We're back on the Gulf Intercoastal Waterway!

This is The Wharf marina and shopping area.  We enjoyed a dinner with Glen and Marlys at a restaurant here one evening.  The Wharf Marina is a favorite for many Loopers as boaters have easy access to unique shops, fine restaurants and entertainment.

Just another photo along the ICW.  We're out of Alabama and now in the panhandle of Florida!