Halloween with Friendship Force

 Halloween at Linda's Home

Our Friendship Force Club had a wonderful pre-Halloween Party last evening at member, Linda's home, in Punta Gorda.   Jack & Jo costume's were great with honorary Dottie, as black cat, witch and Dottie's surfer boyfriend, complete in a pokka dot surfer briefs!  We had a fabulous Cleopatra with her own doctor, Beetle Juice, Witches, Black Cats, Dracula and Cat in the Hat with his personal "things."

The whole Friendship Force Gang posting in their costumes

The Cat in the Hat is Back!  

The more that you read  The more things you will know  

The more that you learn  The more places you’ll go  

With more friends to greet  With Friendship Force More people you will meet 

 

With more friends to greet  Life will be sweet  

New faces  New places  

New cultures to learn  

But not on our own  

By new friends we'll be shown  

Oh, the places we'll roam  

Asheville Vacation with our friends

 Asheville October 26-29

We had a fabulous time visiting our dear friends, Betty & Richard, and her sister, Margaret, at their second home in Asheville, N.C.  We really enjoyed our drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, where we were treated to gorgeous fall leaves scenes in the mountains.  We stopped along the way for a country lunch and also visited picturesque Linville Falls where we took an easy hike through the woods.

We visited the Biltmore, where we had drinks on their Veranda overlooking scenic views of the property.  The gardens were very vibrant this year with large displays of Chrysanthemums.  Betty & Richard are such wonderful hosts and we thoroughly enjoyed our time with them!

Linville River along the Blue Ridge Parkway

  ....

Linville Falls

My friend, Betty and Me

Along the Blue Ridge Parkway

...

Asheville

Biltmore Gardens

Sunset at the Biltmore Inn

Blessing of the Fleet at Isles Yacht Club

Joanne is Fleet Chaplin of the Isles Yacht Club this year.  

In this role, she provided the Blessing for the boats participating in IYC's annual Blessing of the Fleet. Richard rode on Ken and Mary's beautiful boat Cash Flow along with friends, Jackie & Bob Whitaker.  A fun day and dinner was had by all!

Headed Toward IYC on Cash Flow

Joanne Blessing the Boats

Fall Cruise to Legacy Harbor, Fort Myers, with Isles Yacht Club

We were on the Waiting List for this wonderful fall cruise to Legacy Harbor in downtown Ft Myers. This marina was a first for us.  We've often admired it from the bridges going into Ft Myers.  We didn't think we had a chance to "get in", but unexpectedly space opened up and were were off cruising down Charlotte Harbor.  Nineteen boats participated - quite a large cruise!

Legacy Harbor Marina

There was a pot luck Happy Hour at 5 pm at their Chickadee Hut.  Everyone had a great time getting acquainted and discussing their sea journeys and adventures.  

The next day started with breakfast at First Watch, a short walk in the downtown area. We strolled all around the area and visited the local library.  We took a dip in the pool and Bleu Kitty walked on his leach and made friends with some young girls who live in the marina.  

At 5 pm, we rendezvoused at the Luminary Hotel roof top bar for drinks and a magnificent water front view.  Later we ate at Joe's and enjoyed some great fried and coconut shrimp.  Next day we headed for South Seas to our next cruising destination. 

View from the Luminary Roof Top Bar

Fall Cruise with PGIslanders

 

We had a great time with 9 PGIslander boats at beautiful South Seas Resort.  Here is the cruise report:

Red Fish Pass from beach at South Seas

PGIslander Fall Cruising Season has returned with 9 PGIslander boats at beautiful South Seas Resort & Marina.  Led by Cruise Captains Nan and Kevin Lee, we enjoyed 2 beautiful days with our PGIslander friends.  It was great doing something normal.

Four of the couples arrived at Sourth Seas after 2 nights at Legacy Harbour with Isles Yacht Club - Mary & Gary Anderson on Merry Sea II, Joanne & Richard Collins on Lickity Split, Mary & Ken Eitenmiller on Cash Flow and the Lees on Leeway.

Cruising weather was perfect, and all boats arrived by early afternoon.  The 5 other couple were Dede & Dave Commens on Kai Lani, Rhoda & Matt Ezra on Sweet Freedom, Iwona & Igor Kapuscinski on Dutch, Debbie & Dave Porter on Wind Swept making their first PGIslander cruise, and Diann & Bob Ufer on Summer Thunder. 

Lickity Split at South Seas Marina

Weather was sunny and hot, though a gentle breeze made for nice conditions at the beach and pool.  On Wednesday evening, we had our customary docktails and lively conversation.  We were having such a good time, we never made it to the beach to watch sunset!  Afterwards, most cruisers headed back to their boats, but a few of us relaxed on Merry Seas II and continued the conversation.

Thursday, some went to the beach, some to town, and other relaxed around the pool.  At 5:30, we gathered for cocktails before heading to Doc Fords for a great dinner.  On Friday, all but one boat left South Seas.  The Ufers on Summer Thunder added 2 days to their stay.  We all had a great time and are looking forward to another great season with our PGIslander friends.

Admiral's Fall Cruise October 18 -19, 2021

 Joanne organized an Admiral's Cruise for the Isles Yacht Club down to Pelican Bay.  Fortunately, it cooled off and everyone spent a pleasant evening "on the hook."  

We had 8 boats participating with 2 of them new members.  We had a very nice Happy Hour on m/v Peacock and some of us took dinghies over to Cabbage Key to enjoy a delicious, but expensive, lunch!  Check out pics below by clicking on link.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WqsPGqmyxA3TbC3DdOBWQ5OhQq7zbWEN?usp=sharing

Here is a great picture of all the Admiral gals who participated!

      From upper left, Sue Fuller, Patience Berger, Me

      From bottom left, Anne Peltier with dog, Mary Anderson, Kaaren Burkhart,

                                and Pam Weyrauch