Selling our Lido Drive Home and Moving Out!

 On May 1st we closed on selling our beautiful Lido Drive home.  It was on the market on and off for a year.  After 3 hurricanes hit in the summer of 2024, Punta Gorda became a "Buyer's Market" because of widespread flooding and hurricane damage (did not effect us), higher insurance premiums and generalized concern about global warming and climate change.

We lived in our custom-built "on the water" home in an active boating community for almost 16 years and enjoyed our time here immensely.  In 2011, it was an absolute thrill sailing Eagle's Wings, our 35 ft Catalina across the Gulf Stream all the way down the Exuma Bahama Chain of Islands to Georgetown.  We achieved our "Retirement Dream" of sailing by ourselves there in the company of other friends in their boats.  We treasure the tremendous adventure shared with Maureen & Tom in s/v Can't Agree and Marilyn & John Jorgensen in s/v Blue Goose.

Later in 2014, we returned in the company of Sue & Gene Fuller to visit the Abaco Islands of Bahamas.  We rejoiced that we completed all our exploring of these beautiful islands, snorkeling, beach combing, enjoying the conch and other restaurants.  We were so fortunate along the way to meet sailing buddies who encouraged us.

We had so much fun in the PGIslander Boating Group and we became the only couple to be Commodore (equivalent to President) of our club in different years - 2014 for Richard and 2018 for Joanne.

We also enjoyed the Isles Yacht Club and visited all 13 Florida Counsel clubs and received an inscribed glass plate award for it.  We treasure all boating adventures with the club, especially Jackie & Bob Whitaker, who showed us around the Miami area.  We particularly enjoyed the Memorial Day tributes, the Blessing of the Fleet and the Christmas Lighting of the Fleets, in which we participated fully.  Joanne also enjoyed water aerobics, Rhonda, the leader and all the lovely 'water' women.

Along the way, with our 'best buddies' encouragement (Sue & Rob Linehan), we joined the Friendship Force (FF), an organization that promotes world peace and understanding through home visits and home hosting of those from other countries and clubs.  We did not anticipate how much it would impact our retirement.  Joanne became the President, wrote the newsletter while Richard was Treasurer for many years.  We hosted countless 'ambassadors' (our name for visitors from other countries) and traveled to 24 different FF clubs throughout the world.  We made so many friends and still hear from them. Of note, our friends in Perth Australia (Linda & Colin) are very dear to us and every day after 14 years we still play "Words with Friends" with Linda!

Over the past 8 years we have been very active in volunteering with St Vincent de Paul affiliated with our local Catholic Church, Sacred Heart.  Joanne interviewed those in need while Richard worked in the warehouse, and took leadership roles as District President, Secretary and Treasurer.  We definitely received more than we gave when we saw the tremendous impact this organization has on the local community.  It is a lifeline for those who are food and housing "insecure", need clothing and housewares, furniture and emotional support.  What a treasure this organization is for those struggling!

When we visited the Sacramento FF Club a few years ago, we realized we met an extraordinary group.  Now, we will relocate there and have a 'built in' group of friends in our transition across the country.

We also so appreciate our Cousin Constance and Bill who helped us find Punta Gorda.  It was wonderful having family close by throughout the years to celebrate birthdays, holidays and other events.  We will miss them and hope to continue to visit one another.