Wow, It has been a long time since I have been on the blog and technical ways to accomplish what had become so easy has now become a new learning situation.  Hopefully you will be patient with me and allow me to stumble for a few pages.

2017 was an amazing year filled with adventures.  January was a trip to visit Clipper Telemed buddy Jen and make a week of musicals, plays, walking the dogs on really LONG but beautiful hikes in the countryside, visiting with Nick and Patsy in an incredible historic home from the 1700s I believe and topping it off with seeing friends in London and a Telemed reunion …..yes at a Pub!  Really great to see all the guys and girls that made it there.  And of course the picture is at home on my PC.  Brilliant Linda.

February was a trip to the Bahamas to visit with Kevin, Cheryl and Mr. Toast on their Leopard Catamaran.  Great fun and interesting times.  And of course the pictures are at home on my PC.  However I have found a way to possibly fool the computer….   wait til you see the giant lizards!! and all the fun moments.

March was the annual Bataan Memorial Death March in White Sands, New Mexico where Alan and I did our 15 mile walk….we tend to turn off at the 8 mile point rather than do the whole 26.

April was an amazing trip to sail in Tahiti planned by good friend Emilie.

May was the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Memorial Society convention.  Every year there are fewer of the POWs there.  It has become a very sad event for me.

June started my quest to participate in the 2017 Fastnet Race.  To do so we had to qualify by participating in the Morgan Cup Race, The Channel Race, and take the ISAF Offshore Safety Course.

July was the required Level 4 for doing the Leg 8 of the 17-18 Clipper Round the World race and helping with the pre race work on the boats before they departed for Liverpool.  July also included taking my Day Skipper practical and more training for the Fastnet.  A fun filled month.

August was the actual Fastnet race. and then eventually going home.

September was a trip to Orcas Island thanks to Fisher and his family.  What a relaxing time!

November a trip to Israel with Verda, peer band director friend.  History and culture very interesting and quite fascinating.

Pictures and stories will come later….just wanted to get started as 2018 has big things to come.