Our new adventure will take us to warmer climes, as we head for Charleston SC, St. Augustine FL, Key West FL, Palm Beach Gardens FL, and then a lengthy stay with our friends at K-Dock at Shelter Cove in Hilton Head SC. We promise to keep you all advisedof the journey with blog entries and lots of pictures.

Our first night away from Stoney Creek had us visiting ADM Steve Abbot, whom many of you know as the affable CEO of the Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society. We had a wonderful dinner with Steveand Birdie (his dog, not his wife; Marjorie was attending to family matters and will have to join us next time), complimented by great stories and a great bottle of wine, both added by Steve. He also provided a fantastic bottle of port, that will bring back memories of Mess Nights Out of days long past, as well as of our new friendship with a true American Hero and Patriot. I will not go into all of the details here, but if you Google a bit you will find that Steve has served our country in an exemplary way as CO of a carrier, a battle group, a Fleet, and then was instumental as a civilian in our national defense effort at the highest eschelons in the days, weeks, months and years after 9-11. He continues to play an important leadership role in many matters of national importance. Amazingly, all of that is actually eclipsed by his genuine charm; and (for you actual or airchair passagemakers out there) by his enthusiasm for cruising long distances in comfortable privately owned boats.

What a great wayfor us to start our Winter journey of adventure and new friends!