Valentine's Day Cruise to Boca Grande



IYC Cruisers/Bikers pause for a picture on Boca Grande Beach


Valentine's Day - Time for Cruising!   We led a cruise of 11 boaters (24 people in all) from the Isles Yacht Club to the newly renovated Boca Grande Marina.  What wonderful spring weather and fun motor sailing on a gorgeous day!  We ate dinner at the Eagle's Grill, their newly renovated restaurant. We dined under a full moon on their beautiful weather-protected porch area.  We also led a  bike ride through the island enjoying the golf carts, tourists and sights along the way.  Clayborne Young paid us a visit as he did research for his website, Salty Dog Cruiser's Net.  Clayborne is also the author of books about cruising the Florida coast and it was a pleasure meeting him.  Check out our photos at https://picasaweb.google.com/100014425150092582097/IYCCruiseToBocaGrande#

Clayborne Young



Sunrise over IYC Boats at Boca Grande Marina





Joanne - President of Friendship Force of SW Florida

Joanne on a Friendship Force Exchange in Australia

We joined Friendship Force of Southwest Florida a few years ago when our friends, Sue & Rob Linehan, told us about this neat travel exchange club.  Guess what?  Joanne recently became its President in a landslide victory!  (OK, so not many people wanted to run, but Joanne lept at the chance to lead this wonderful group.)

Sure, you can book a cruise or a trip with a travel agency or on your own...but why not, have a deeper experience by actually meeting the people of the country you are visiting? Friendship Force (FF) makes this a reality!  

Here's how - You travel with your club members or go on-line (to find other clubs) that are traveling to a country that you may want to visit.  You'll stay with a club member at their home and their club will take you to see the sights of their local area. 

For example, when we visited FF's 2 clubs in Australia, we saw kangaroos in the wild on club member's land not available to the public, unless of course you are in FF.  One club member even took us for a ride in his private plane.  These experiences don't happen with a travel agency! 

The lifelong friends you make and the experiences you have traveling with FF are unique, memorable and unbeatable.  You have the opportunity to be an "ambassador" for the US as you talk about our country and come to a deeper understanding of their homeland.

What else? Our FF club hosts exchanges (people coming in from countries outside the US and from other states in the US).  This spring we are welcoming 12 people from Costa Rica and this fall, a group from Nebraska is scheduled.  Our club members volunteer to let them stay in their homes and other club members take them to see the sights of SW Florida.  We host a Welcome Party and many events for them.  It's fun for everyone and gives you an appreciation how others view our country.

Check out our club website at www.friendshipforceswfl.org  Hope you'll join our club if you are in Florida or if not, check out one in your area of the country.  There are 380 clubs worldwide.