We finally got back to the east coast to visit family and friends. Our intention had been to visit much sooner, but COVID changed those plans. We had so many places we wanted to visit and people to see which required a carefully choreographed travel itinerary. The trip involved multiple plane, train and automobile arrangements. First stop Seattle. We had an early flight and didn’t want to get up at 2:30 am which would have been required had we left for Sea-Tac airport directly from Anacortes. We spent a day being tourists in the City, such as visiting Pike Place Market where they have the famous fish stand that involves staff throwing giant salmon through the air to each other to package up your request.
Our first flight was to West Palm Beach where we visited our friends Susan and Wayne in Jupiter. It was fun catching up on old times and we were wined and dined by our great hosts. We went for our first swim in the Ocean since leaving Florida which as a treat. Susan and Wayne are amazing people and we had a great time.
We were happy to be able to get a visit in with Cathy and Bob Burdett before leaving Palm Beach County. Cathy and Bob have been our inspiration for our newly launched bird watching career. So glad to see them for lunch. Unfortunately, I failed to get a picture. Next time!
Then it was off to Central Florida to see my parents. We had a nice visit. They are embarking on a new adventure of moving to a new condo villa in a different neighborhood. It was fun getting a tour of their new place and having a toast to celebrate the finalization of a moving date.
Then off to the Tampa area to visit my sister and her family. Both Susan and her husband Mark are now retired and it was fun to be able to visit and celebrate the non-working life. Their three kids have either just graduated from UF, are at UF, or about to go to UF. Very exciting.
We took a bus from Tampa to Miami to visit friends and our old stomping grounds – the Coconut Grove Sailing Club. We had a fantastic time and were so glad to have been able to catch up with so many people. Special thanks to Janice and Alyn as well as Carol and Randy for providing accommodations. We were able to go sailing and participate in a super fun raft up. A big thanks to friends for taking us out on the bay and organizing such a fun time. We didn’t get to see everyone, but will be back again sometime.
Next stop, Connecticut to visit Erik’s mom. We hung out at her cool house, spent lots of time visiting and managed to complete a difficult 1,000 piece puzzle. While sitting on the back deck, a bear payed us a visit. Looking forward to coming back again.
We were able to get a much cheaper flight out of JFK compared to Hartford, so we took the bus to New York City and spent a few busy hours touring the city and having lunch.
Then back to Sea-Tac and home to Anacortes. It was an amazing trip and we look forward to doing it again in the future.
5 Comments
Anne · June 16, 2021 at 1:39 pm
Hey Karen and Erik, you can come back ANY TIME! It was great to see you and I still can’t believe the number of chores you accomplished. Also, the bear misses you.
Kevin · June 19, 2021 at 8:15 pm
Hi guys, wow! Trains, planes and automobiles, huh? Glad you pulled it off safely, and with so much adverse news about travel hassles. Sounds like the proposed Virgin train link between Tampa and Miami will be a godsend. I took it to and from West Palm, and it is superb in every way. Heard it was suspended during the virus.
Thanks for the pics and putting names and faces together. You are welcome wherever you travel, including here in Denver. We did have three days at 100 degrees, but it’s “a dry heat” (hehe)
Missing your company, and the CGSC crew, but not hurricane prep for once.
Good on ya’ mates,
Kev
Susan · June 22, 2021 at 2:47 pm
Wow, what a trip! So great to spend time together again. Look forward to visiting you all and getting the VIP tour of the PNW!
Jeff · July 6, 2021 at 6:10 am
Hi Karen…..How are your parents? I didn’t see photos of your mom and dad? Your sister looks great. I wonder if she’d remember me after all these years.
Karen Arndt · July 7, 2021 at 5:09 pm
Hi Jeff – It is great hearing from you! Hope you and your family are doing well. Mom and Dad are doing fine. Their pictures are posted in a couple of the photos in the “visiting the east coast” post. They are still living in Central Florida and enjoying the retirement life. Hope you are getting outdoors and enjoying all Upstate New York has to offer. Living again in a northern climate has me nostalgic for Rochester.
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