Vacation Part 1

Warning! Serious photo dump in process...

They say a picture is worth a thousand words so I have about 29,000 right here...

May 31, 2017...7:00 A.M.

At our first boat check station in Troy, Montana, I discovered this in my back window...at least we look like we mean it...

In Thomson Falls, Montana we experienced a great thud and grinding noises... We got off the road and two minutes later, God sent this kind gentleman to aid and assist. Pretty crazy of us, but we did not have the proper jack or tire iron to fix a flat, so this man was definitely a God send seeing he had the proper tools. Also we went directly to a tire shop and got better equipped after we got the spare on.

Lesson Day 1: God provides magnificently at all times. Why do we ever worry?

Out the window...all day was a pleasure...

1st night we slept in the boat off the road...then awoke to this sunrise and traveled country roads for a good part of the next day...

I love country roads...great spots for picnics...

Yes, there were moments of boredom...but selfies always help.

Bridges and Cities...

Fields and Forests...

Finally there! Sarasota, Florida...Pizza and ice cream...So good to be at a destination...

Downtown Sarasota has this beautiful statue...It has a name... I can't remember what it is...but I love their embrace. It spoke to me...not sure what it said.

Dave and Laura Shirk took us out on their beautiful boat on Sunday to get us acquainted with the bay in Sarasota...the kids got to touch manatees this day and we saw many dolphins. We finished our day at a restaurant on the water called Turtles.

Monday, setting up the boat...left for Tampa Bay by 11 A.M.

Thanks to Bruce's parents, we were able to set up the boat and put it in the water and leave...they took the vehicle and boat trailer back to their house for the duration. Their support and help was wonderful and made our vacation as good as it was. Amen!

This was how our time on the water went...overcast sky and cloudy water. Snorkeling and spear fishing didn't actually work out...

Father/Son moment..

Groggy faces...but we can...its vacation...trying to decide what to do this day...and then...

We see this manatee swimming closely by...

We decided on a walk on the beach...and it was good we did...it was the only chance before the storms hit.

The next morning we sailed up to Treasure Island after enduring a big storm of rain and wind. Both.
Bruce's parents were there in a hotel so we joined them and were real tourist for a couple days...

We had gator this night...

We enjoyed the beaches here outside the hotels where we stayed.

End of week... Friday...June 9...Bruce and I sailed the boat back to Sarasota alone...The kids went with their grandparents...

This day of sailing made it all feel worthwhile after all...But the kids missed out...Or not...they were with their grandparents, something they don't often get to do...maybe it was what should've happened.

Open ocean on our right... land on our left...10 hrs on the water...good day of sailing...little motoring.

That color though...Vacation Part 2 coming soon...