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The 2007 Florida Trip

Members attending:

Bill and Ginni Houttikier- Double Eagle
John And Rosemary Gray- Double Eagle
Tom and Phyllis Earnest- Needs,Wants,Desires
Amir and Sandy Al'Naimi- Needs,Wants,Desires
Jeanne and Andy Dixon- Fun @ Sea.Calm
Cassandra and Gordon Earle- Fun @ Sea.Calm
Gay and Fred Wilton - Lady Kristen
Guests??? -Lady Kristen
Dawn and Bob Lang- Serenity
Bette and Wiley Harrell- Serenity
Chris and Tom Mills- Field Office
Evelyn and John Northrup- Makana

The Trip started for us on Monday March 12th when Sandy and Amir flew into Ft.Lauderdale to join us on the “Needs, Wants, and Desires.”  Our first stop was Miami Beach Marina at 6:00 pm where after cocktails on board we enjoyed dinner at Joe's Stone Crab Restaurant and then back on board for much needed rest.

On Tuesday we left at 8:15 am for our trip south to Marathon and the home of Bill and Ginni Houttekier.  It was a beautiful sunny day but got choppy closer to our destination.  Bill and Andy met us to show us the way through the many channels to Bill’s.  We tied up along Bill's “Double Eagle” at 6:00 pm.

Wednesday 3/14, The guys did some fishing, lunching, and lots of talking about their boats and boat stories,  while the girls got reacquainted, caught up on family events, prepared for Wednesday night's dinner at the Houttekiers (made Key lime pie, peanut butter ice cream pie, pre-breaded the yellowtail fish) and of course went shopping (Lazy Lizzard, Goofy Gecko, and Anthony's). Dinnertime reunited the group- the fish was outstanding.

Thursday was spent relaxing and dinner that evening was at the Dockside Restaurant in Marathon where we enjoyed live entertainment after dinner.

Friday morning there was a big thunderstorm but after it passed the guys washed the boat and went to lunch.  The girls did lunch and more shopping- (shoes and food this time) and got ready for the steak dinner and St. Patty's Party... Costume winner had to be Bob Lang, who was a perfect lepruchan.

On Saturday,  3/17 we left Bill's to meet up with the other boats docked at different marinas and cruise to the anchorage at Newfound Island.  The trip was very pleasant.  The colors of the water are wonderful, shades of turquoise and green.  Five boats completed anchorage:  Double Eagle, Lady Kristen, Field Office, Serenity, and Needs Wants and Desires.  The guys took the dingy out for races and ice cream and once they returned we settled in for dinner preparation of a candlelight dinner of baked chicken, mixed veggies, green salad, strawberry and cantaloupe fruit salad, and baklava.

Sunday March 18th:  After bragging last night via radio about all our exquisite dinner menus we again greeted each other with great (imaginary) breakfast menus.  The club itinerary had included "church on the water" which Bill described as visiting St. Mattress!!

We started out for our cruise to Key West- the skies bright and sunny with a cool nippy breeze.  We arrived at 12:15pm waiting for slip assignments at the Galleon Marina.  We had lunch aboard and just hung out until cocktails at Double Eagle and group pictures in our new blue shirts.  The group separated (to dinner on our own) our choice being Red Fish Blue Fish for a great dinner. We ended up with Ben and Jerry's ice cream, a short walk around town and back to the boat. Not to be forgotten was our afternoon guest on Sunday... a friendly manatee behind the boat.  We took lots of pictures as he came up to drink water as Amir held the hose.

On Monday 3/19 we had breakfast out and then rode the Conch Train for a tour of the island (a very popular event as most members did the same).  After the tour we did some shopping on Duval Street and lunch out.  After a bit more shopping we came back to the boat for some sun before going for 1510 club cocktails on Fun @ Sea.Calm.  Afterward twelve of us (Jeanne, Andy, Cassandra, Gordon, Bette, Wiley, Dawn, Bob, Tom, Phyllis, Amir, and Sandy)  went to watch the sunset at Mallory Square then via ferry to Sunset Key for a great dinner at Latitudes Restaurant and then the ferry back.

Tuesday 3/20:  Bob and Dawn Lang hosted their famous waffle breakfast on the dock at the marina while everyone planned their day ahead.  Most of the ladies opted for shopping (what else?!) for some last minute bargains.  The guys hung out and had lunch.  Afternoon was spent relaxing in the sun before getting ready for our farewell dinner with the whole group.  Bill Houttekier had arranged a lovely dinner at AB Lobster House right at the front of the marina.  We had a lovely meal with lots of laughs and fun and plan making for our upcoming trips. 

After dinner a large group of us walked to Ben and Jerry's and then to Mallory Square for our last image of beautiful Key West.

Wednesday 3/21 8:00am, as the boats set sail the "flyers" said goodbyes and waved off their friends and wished them bon voyage. 

By Sandy and Phyllis