granddaughter coraline

granddaughter coraline

grandson mason

grandson mason

grandson jaxson

grandson jaxson

Tuesday, January 31, 2023

12-31JAN23 - Sultan, WA



Thursday 12JAN, was spent not doing much; Dan just recovering from his whirl-wind visit back to Stuart, FL, for the Interment & Celebration of Life for his Coast Guard Classmate/Shipmate Jim Spence.

Rest of month spent miscellaneous things like volunteering at local Food Bank, running errands (Dan discovers free hot coffee back at Lowes – first time since covid hit🙃), medical (Dan’s cardiologist retired, so first visit with new guy, no changes since last visit 6 months ago – which is good news), etc.

On Tuesday, 17JAN, we learn the property next door sold.  The five acres has a dozen abandoned vehicles on it (including a road grader).  Hopefully new ownwer(s) will clean it up.

Friday, 20JAN, great day of skiing for Dan & classmate Paul Iremonger.


Saturday after lunch we watch Mason’s soccer in extremely cold/rainy weather; then home to warm-up; meanwhile at a different game Jaxson ends up being goalie for first time for his team in the falling snow.



Thursday, 26JAN, Dan heads to Stevens Pass Ski with Paul Iremonger for half day of skiing.  Then back home to deal with “blocked” USAA credit card; and loss of all contact info on “new” cell phone.  Both emergencies taken care of after hours on the phone & visit to Verizon store.

Saturday, 29JAN, Corrie starts big clean-up of bonus room in preparation for guests in February.  Joe & Bethany visiting with there kids (Lily, Noah & Coraline), mother-in-law June Chiasson, and brother-in-law Zack Chiasson.

Sunday we head to Bellevue to watch Jaxson’s soccer game; sunny & cold/cold.  Great view of Seattle skyline.





Monday AM, 30MAY, Dan heads skiing with Paul Iremonger; great sunshine, no wind, but sub-zero temps; still excellent day.


Tuesday (last day of January) wake up to light dusting of snow which quickly melts.  Corrie runs errands, Dan works on taxes; grandson Jaxson gets his braces off🙃


Monday, January 16, 2023

01-11JAN23 - Sultan, WA & Stuart, FL (saying goodbye to a friend & shipmate)



Sunday (first day of 2023); not much done.  Dan starts prep’ing for his Wednesday departure to Stuart, FL.  Monday morning Dan finishes packing for his Wednesday AM flight to Fort Lauderdale, FL.  Then he drives to daughter Rebecca’s house in Silverdale, WA.  This is needed because grandboys are still out of school & parents, Rebecca & Raymond, go back to work Tuesday (ie they need a babysitter).

So Dan spends all day Tuesday grandson sitting.  One nice thing about the grandboys at this age is that they now sleep-in until about 0830😊  After breakfast is followed by video (as they call their computer pads).  Then it is off to Insight Climbing for indoor rock climbing.  After almost two hours of burning-off energy it was home for late lunch, outdoor activity, and vids before Rebecca & Raymond made it home.





Indoor rock climbing gym | Insight Climbing & Movement | United States

Wednesday, 04JAN, at O-dark thirty Dan got up, threw his stuff in the car, and headed to SeaTac airport.  The purpose of the trip is to attend a “Interment” and “Celebration of Life” for Dan’s good friend, fellow Coast Guard officer, & Academy Classmate Jim Spence who passed away in September.  Although a sad occasion, it will also allow Dan to spend time with his best CG friend Jim Van Sice and his wife Clarke, as well as visiting several other CG Academy Classmates who now live in the Miami metro area.  Everything goes well driving to SeaTac and getting to departure gate.  But due to heavy thunderstorms on the east coast of USA many, many flights diverted to Florida (no thunderstorms there?) to land.  So our departure is delayed for 8AM until 1:30PM.  Land at Ft Lauderdale at 10PM, picked up by Jim Van Sice, and get to Jim & Clarke’s house at midnight.

 

Thursday Jim & Dan have lunch with Jim’s son Wade at Charlie’s bar & grill.


 Charlie's Bar & Grill - Restaurant in Stuatart, FL (ilovecharlies.com)

Then Jim, Clarke & Dan drive to the Eldridge’s (kevin & karen) in Tampa for dinner, to spend the night.  Kevin Eldridge is another Coast Guard Academy Classmate and friend who we will free load off of for the next couple of days.  Great conversation till midnight.

Friday AM off to Jim Spence’s interment at Florida National Ceremony, Bushnell, FL.  As always these ceremonies at the Nation’s National Ceremonies pay due respect and honor the service of the deceased veteran.




















Then back to Eldridge’s before going to Jim’s Celebration of Life at Heritage Isles Golf Club, Tampa, FL.  Note - Spence was an unpaid worker at the golf club in return for “free” tee times.  Although a somber occasion, there was lots of reminiscing and fond tales of Jim and his adventures with everyone in the room.










Saturday AM we finally departed the Eldridge’s.


Then hit the road to have lunch with two Jim & Clarke’s friends Jackie & Billie Belden in Siesta Island, FL.  We had a great alfresco lunch around their condominium pool.  Back on the road again to Van Sice’s, arriving around 5PM.  Later that evening Jim & Dan hit the hot tub to recuperate and shoot the breeze until bedtime.

Sunday, 08JAN, somewhat a day of rest.  Jim & Dan spend most of day sightseeing around the Stuart area; Hobe Sound Beach; Stuart Beach & Sea Side Café (great Cuban Sandwich); plus Stuart during “snow-bird” season has live outdoor music on Sundays; last stop was St Lucie locks; and home to BBQ dinner with sides.


Seaside Café | Martin County Florida

Jacksonville District – St. Lucie Lock and Dam (army.mil)

Monday 09JAN, Dan & Jim meet another CG Academy Classmate Guy Motzer at Loxahatchee Blueway for four hours of kayaking (over four miles).  Great day on the water and then home for BBQ burgers and sides.










Tuesday late AM Jim takes Dan out on a “powerboat” tour of local intercoastal waterways.  Turns out Jim belongs to Freedom Boat Club where your membership allows you the use of different power boats on a reservation system (so no need to own your own boat).

As the ad says - Freedom Boat Club – the world’s largest members-only boat club – was founded in 1989 in Sarasota, Florida. Today, the Club's 360+ locations welcome hundreds of members to the docks each day to enjoy a day on the water while we take care of the rest including fueling, cleaning, maintenance, and more.





Freedom Boat Club

Then back to the house to rest up for dinner at Sailor’s Return Restaurant (Dan’s turn to treat).  Excellent local sea food restaurant for al fresco dinner.  NOTE – because this is high season for snow-birds almost all restaurants require dinner reservations almost every night of the week

The Sailor’s Return Restaurant in Stuart Florida (772) 872-7250 (thesailorsreturn.com)

Wednesday, 11JAN, devoted to washing clothes & packing to catch early evening flight home to Seattle.  Wake up to news that one of the  FAA computer systems crashed & is rebooting , causing thousands of flight delays.  Thankfully system is restored & Dan’s flight leaves on time; and he gets home to Corrie & dogs right before bed time😊