Visiting Connecticut for Francesca's First Communion

While Bleu Kitty awaited our return in the Cat Cottage, we flew the affordable Avello airlines to the tiny Tweed airport in New Haven Connecticut.  Mary and Al picked us up for the drive to their home in Beacon Falls.

 Sunset in the Air on the Way to Connecticut

The next day Al motored us along  two lane highways through quaint New England villages and rolling hills forested and farmed.  We stopped at White Flower Farm before a mini pilgrimage to the Lourdes of Litchfield grotto. 

 Showing  Beacon Falls, White Flower Farm, Kent Falls, Hopkins Inn and Our Lady of Assumption  

 At the White Flower Farm

At the White Flower Farm

At the White Flower Farm

The Grotto at Lourdes of Litchfield

After a light lunch at Hopkins Inn  overlooking Lake Maramaug , we took a look at Kent Falls cascading down 250 feet through forested hillside.  Richard climbed the steps to the top of the falls..

Covered Bridge over Kent Brook

Kent Falls

Saturday morning, we joined Joanne's sister Mary,  brother-in-law, Al, niece Holly and husband, Andrew, and charming Francesca (Frankie) and Lucy at the Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church for Frankie's First Communion.

First Communion at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church 

Family on Left, Adorable Francesca on Right

Flowers Around the Church

Holly created this beautiful cake and it was delicious!

After the service, we had lunch at a local restaurant and a walk on the each before returning to Holly's home for cake, pizza and a board game. 

Lucy, the Beach Dancer

 

We had a wonderful time celebrating Francesca's First Communion and visiting my sister, Mary, and brother-in-law, Al, niece Holly and husband, Andrew, and charming Francesca (Frankie) and Lucy.   We were so happy to attend and get to see them again, after such a long time dealing with Covid Restrictions. 

Springtime in Connecticut is just beautiful.  We enjoyed the blooming dogwoods, redbuds and flowers.  We visited White Flower Farms, had a wonderful lunch at the Hopkins Inn and walked around the Falls.  Check out our pictures!

The gorgeous tulips at White Flower Farm

    

Looking Back

 

Looking back at our calendar this year, we participated in more events than I remembered. Late January, we played PopStroke Golf with the Islanders in Fort Myers. Due to high winds, we drove with the Kapins to lunch at Burnt Store in early April. April 8th, along with Marie, we watched, what may be last performance of the Stations of the Cross at Sacred Heart. The Islanders held a Getting to Know You Party at the Civic Center.

Canal Clean Up

Stan and Pam rode with us on Marty's boat for the Canal Clean Up with pizza after at the Civic Center Pavilion. 

We cruised across the harbor for a raft-up with the Islanders.

 

Raft-Up at Edgewater Lake 

 Richard attended a guided tour   of Fisherman's Wharf at Fort Meyers   Beach and hiked the Eagle Point   Trail at the Alligator Creek Preserve,   both with the Islanders. Joanne had   attended these events previously.

 

A Guided Walk On Eagle Point Trail

Along the Trail - Land Before Time

We entered the IYC Charity Bocce Ball Tournament with every expectation of losing on the first round. We didn't! We were matched with the unbeatable and legendary Armstrongs for semifinals for which we considered even scoring one point a victory. We won! We lost the final to a very hot younger couple. 

Richard volunteered for the committee boat for Harbor Twenty Races. We attended the SVdP picnic at Ponce Park April 26, a very nice day. 

Constance invited us to a delicious dinner for Joanne's birthday with a fabulous birthday torte.

We hunted plastic eggs filled with lottery tickets, candy, cigars and other assorted items at IYC's "first ever" Easter Egg Hunt. We rode bikes at Webb Lake with Marica, Michele, Stan and Pam. Joanne attended Garden Club events including a tour of Zimbabwean sculptures and a flower luncheon at IYC. Of course, we can't forget Bleu Kitty!  He always entertains us!

Blind Pass Beach and a Harbor 20 Sail

 

May 10 - We loaded our car for an afternoon break at Blind Pass Beach on Manasota Key,  Last year we invested in a beach buggy to transport our stuff from the parking lot to the beach. This was the time we tried it out. It easily rolls across hard surfaces but bogs down in the soft sand.  

Blind Pass Beach

May 11 - David and Ann Marie invited us to join them to sail one of IYC's Harbor 20 sailboats across Charlotte Harbor to the Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club for lunch.  

The sailing was great with 12-15 kts of Northeast wind! 

However, while we enjoyed conversation with Harbor 20 sailors and the wonderful view of the harbor from CHYC's club house, we waited for over two hours for our lunch!

Easter and Mother's Day

April 17 -  We took Joanne's mom, Marie, to Mass after which we enjoyed Easter brunch at the Isles Yacht Club.   

May 8 - At Mass, Father Jerry recognized Joanne's 101 and 1/2 year old mom, Marie, on Mother's Day. Marie responded with her classic wave as the whole congregation applauded. 

 

 Easter at IYC                                       Mother's Day

Cruise to the Riviera and Grassy Point

 May 3 - We led a lunch cruise to the Riviera on Alligator Creek for the PGIslanders. Actually we were the only boat. The rest of the crew came by land yacht.

Lickity Split tied up at the Riviera's new floating dock.

  

 Lunch at the Riviera

May 5 - A short four mile cruise across the harbor found us a Grassy Point for hamburgers and brats courtesy of IYC's commodore Rose and her husband, grill master Rudy.  

 At Grassy Point

 From Our Home to Grassy Point

Spring 2022 in Punta Gorda

 Time in wonderful Punta Gorda Isles flies by and this year is no exception.  

In February, I (Joanne) finished my year as Fleet Chaplin at IYC.  I was happy to pass the role onto the capable hands of our friend, David Pflantz. 

At the Change of Watch

Farewell Party on Michelle's lovely lanai

Also, in February, our Friendship Force Club welcomed its first Inbound Journey visitors since before the pandemic.  We had a great time time with mid west clubs - Detroit, Ohio, Wisconsin and others.  Although we did not house any visitors this time, we had fun attending events.  We will especially remember the FareWell Party at Michelle Kemps because we took our visitors there via pontoon boat.  They were delighted to land at Michelle's Peace River Dock and walk up to the festivities on her expansive lanai.

Farewell Party ride on Pontoon

At Welcome Party in Ft Myers

In March, I participated in the St Vincent de Paul Fashion Show.  Dr. Jonelle McDonnell asked me to dress as a character from the Outlander's Series.  That certainly was novel and fun!

Me and Jonnelle in our Outlander Costumes

We had a sensational time hosting our friends, Pam & Stan Sackett from FF of West Michigan.  They stayed for a week and we became educated about Tesla cars.  Stan made a terrific video of my Mom riding down Lido Drive in it. (Search utube for Marie, Stan and his Tesla) We also took them on Lickity Split to a Kite Flying Contest in Pelican Bay where I received the Women's Trophy!

Joanne won trophy for kite flying

Richard and I placed second in a charity contest at the Isles Yacht Club.  We had very stiff competition and we were delighted to advance to such bocce heights!

We were surprised to win this bocce
competition & advanced to the Finals

Contance made a gorgeous birthday cake!

I celebrated my birthday at Cousin Constance's home.  She treated us to a fabulous chicken dinner and cake.  Later, I enjoyed dinner at Carmello's.  We entered Bleu Kitty in the local newspaper's Pet Palooza's contest.  He certainly received a few of the votes.  

Bleu Kitty is 11 yrs old now

In April we had a wonderful Easter at Isles Yacht Club and enjoyed a first ever Easter Egg Hunt and a delicious buffet.  

Mom with Richard & I at the Isles YC Easter

We also cruised with IYC to Useppa Island for a fabulous weekend there.  It's been over 4 years since we visited this special cruising destination.

Lovely Useppa Island

Evening sunset over Useppa Dock

                           Mother's Day with Mom at Easter Buffet at Isles Yacht Club

Useppa Cruise

 Our Yacht Club sponsored a cruise to the wonderful private island of Useppa.  Members of IYC, Janie & Steve Duke, hosted us for cocktails and appetizers at their gorgeous home on the island.  Needless to say the conversation and food was fun and wonderful.  Below are some pictures of this special place.

Cat Boats Moored in Pine Island Sound - picture by Joanne

 The Historic Collier Inn where we had a wonderful lunch with the group

At the Pool, recently redone, water was warm and inviting

Joanne on the Pink Path hiding in the azaleas

Along the Pink Path that winds around the gorgeous island homes

Storm Approaching Over Pine Island Sound

Storm Approaching Marina

Richard on the Island                                    Grilling After the Storm

 Sunset After the Storm Moves West