“O hushed October morning mild, “ – Robert Frost

 

October 1, 2021
 

“O hushed October morning mild, “ – Robert Frost

I can’t believe it is October already, this year has seemingly been flying along and already the Fall is here in full swing. It marks the conclusion of Kathy’s bicycle ride through Canada as she completed the 500 or so mile trek and returned to the United States, stopping to see some friends as she drove south before reuniting with me at Reagan National airport in Washington DC, where I would join her for a leisurely drive back to Key West.

As Kathy was completing her Canada trip, I was here in Key West keeping a mostly low profile. I did venture out for the local Friday Night Lights excitement of Key West High football. The team is only average this year, though the game I saw was a massive victory for the home team over Miami International Academy. The Conchs crushed their opposition 47-12 and evened their record at 2-2 on the season.

It is always fun going to games, which are being played in the tighter confines of the backyard field located just behind the high school as their regular stadium is set for major improvements for the next couple of years. I always see a lot of friends at the game, a lot of our friends have kids at the school, playing on the team, members of the Conchettes, the cheer squad and band.

After not having seen my wife, Kathy for over a month as she bicycled around Canada, we were finally able to get together when I took a one way flight to Reagan National airport and there she was waiting to pick me up, being in the process of driving home from the Northeast. It was so great to see her and we immediately drove down to Old Town, Alexandria, Virginia where we were staying for a couple of night.

We choose the location because it was just across the Potomac river from National Harbor, Maryland where we were scheduled to see a concert featuring two of my favorite all-time bands, Counting Crows and Frank Turner. We stayed at the Hotel Indigo on the waterfront and right in the heart of beautiful and historic Old Town.

Neither of us had ever been to Alexandria, though at one point in my life I was offered a job working for the retail company that was opening a new location in the Torpedo Factory. I did not take the job and made my first visit to the Torpedo Factory even though the shop has long since shut down. The city was established in 1749 and is still full of historic charm, especially in the old town section.

Old Town is Alexandria’s beloved downtown and nationally designated historic district on the Potomac River waterfront. The King Street Mile and surrounding brick-lined sidewalks are studded with centuries-old architecture, historic attractions and independent businesses. Old Town is the heart of Alexandria, located just minutes from Washington, D.C., and named a Top 3 Best Small City in the U.S.in 2021 by the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards and one of the South’s Best Cities in 2020 by Southern Living.

We enjoyed it immensely as there are all sorts of quaint shopping opportunities, great restaurants and the waterfront is really beautiful along the river. There are also a bunch of urban parks so the natural areas combine nicely with the downtown and historic areas. I am really glad we choose to stay there rather than the more commercial side of the river in Maryland.

https://www.visitalexandriava.com/old-town-alexandria/

Happy Birthday Caitlin

 

September 30, 2021

Happy Birthday Caitlin

Living on an island, you would think that I would get out on the water a lot, but it seems to go through phases. Last year, during the height of Covid, it seems that we were out on or in the ocean a lot. But as the tourists began to return and the crowds kept getting larger, we just scaled back to the point that it seems as if it has been months since I was on a boat, which is sort of crazy.

Thankfully the birthday celebration for our friend Caitlin offered an opportunity to change that as her family had chartered the 54’ Irwin sailing vessel the “Floridays” to take Caitlin and her family and friends out for a wonderful sunset sail. Since Kathy was still off bicycling around Canada, I joined the festive group solo at the docks of the Hyatt resort downtown.

It was about perfect weather, it had rained earlier in the day and there had been concern that it might impact the sail, but the sunset was great and the only rain that fell was just far enough away to create a magical rainbow that made the sunset sail doubly rewarding.

It is so nice to have a virtually private sunset sail aboard such a beautiful vessel, especially when the company is so great. We have known Caitlin since she was born and she marks the third generation of the family that we have been friends with. Her partner Kat and friends and family are all so nice and it was just a great feeling being among such great people and celebrating.

There was plenty of food and beverages and the two- person crew of the boat was just terrific at keeping us all happy and our drinks full. The sunset cooperated, as it generally does in Key West, and we were treated to yet another beautiful reminder of why it is so great to live here.

The ”Floridays” charter is an excellent choice if you want a less crowded, more personal and intimate sunset sail. They also offer snorkeling charters and I am guessing they would be a good choice for that as well. Getting away from the cattle boats that pack as many people on board as possible is always preferable to a smaller option and you pretty much can’t go wrong with this charter company.

It was a fantastic evening out with friends and an enjoyable return to the ocean for me and it makes me want to take more advantage of the place where we are so fortunate to live.