Vacilando

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More Than Just the Normal Noises.

March 2, 2016 by Chris

More than just the normal noises - what we've been up to lately. Greetings from the Bay!

As I type, “Spring is just around the corner, February is over, and spring training has begun here on the Gulf Coast,” the weather channel broadcasts an update for the winter storm that’s about to hit the upper east coast.

Sorry, friends. Down here, the cold weather has departed, the Boys of Summer are ramping up, and the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg IndyCar race kicks off next week.

And St. Pete’s not the only thing buzzing, Mel and I have been super busy working on some new projects as well. We’ll be spilling the beans shortly (I hope), but in the meantime, here’s what’s been going on.

Not to get off on a sad foot, but my father’s health has not been good. We’ve chosen to sit in St. Pete because it allows us access to Tampa International Airport, and inexpensive flights to the northeast. We’ve made some trips home to see him, and I’m sure we’ll be visiting again in the near future.

While we’ve been here, we’ve been taking advantage of all St. Pete has to offer. We’ve become members at the Dali Museum, discovered some amazing little pubs and eateries, and made some incredible friends.

Salvador Dali Museum - St. Petersburg, FL
City of St Pete – flickr/creative commons license)

We had a wonderful visit from some old friends from Nashville who sailed in on their way to the Keys. They stayed long enough to catch the Beyonce Bowl… I mean the Super Bowl. And that was awesome. The visit of course, not the half-time show. So nice to see folks from Harbor Island Yacht Club again.

Mel did some traveling to Portland, OR for a company trip, where she got to meet her co-workers for the first time (they all work remotely from around the world), and got to do serious work things like an NBA game, indoor skydiving, and an escape room.

Jet-pack (the dog), is as spoiled as ever. As I type this, he’s at his favorite doggy-daycare, running around, playing in the mud with several other pampered K9’s. His winter coat is quickly deserting him. All over our salon. Dog hair. Nothing but dog hair.

Then, a couple of weeks ago, we got to attend the gorgeous wedding of our dear friends, Will and Jessica. We flew to D.C., rented a car, and drove out to Virginia’s wine country. Nope, I had no idea Virginia had a wine country either.

creeks-edge-winery-va

But on February 18th, we gathered with many of our Chesapeake Bay friends at Creek’s Edge Winery, and sent Will and Jess off in fine fashion. The sun was beaming, the winds were chilly, and the vineyard glistened under a blanket of white, crunchy snow.

While there, we got to see one of our Fort Lauderdale friends, the legendary John Kretschmer, who is also Will’s uncle. You sailors probably know John from the many books he’s written, speeches he’s given, and trips he’s survived while sailing his Kaufman 47, Quetzal, around the world.

John Kretschmer, Chris, and Will
John, me, and Will. And no, that’s not a halo on John’s head.

John and I put away some scotch, and I believe my headache has finally subsided.

I know there isn’t much meat to chew on here in this blip of an update, so here’s a little teaser for you.

Book teaser alert

Stay tuned the next couple of weeks when we’ll let you know all the details.

Have a great day, and thanks for following along!

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Filed Under: Vacilando - a Cal 35

Comments

  1. Joanna says

    March 5, 2016 at 7:39 am

    Hey there Chris and Mel, where are you located. We’ll be in St Pete’s on Monday.

    • Melody says

      March 5, 2016 at 10:43 am

      Joanna! How long will you be here? We’d love to try to see you guys. Maybe we can get together for a glass of wine one night. ;)

  2. Ken & Sally says

    March 5, 2016 at 6:12 pm

    Always fun to hear from you Chris and Mel! Looking forward to the book. Fair winds

    • Melody says

      March 5, 2016 at 8:27 pm

      Hey guys! Great to hear from you – we miss y’all!

  3. Darla Smith says

    March 10, 2016 at 6:30 pm

    Sounds like yall have been pretty busy and I have been thinking about you all a lot!!!
    I miss you 3 more than you will ever know!!! I cant wait to see what this Teaser Alert is.
    Hahahaha Love you and Chris, thinking about your dad and hope all stays well!!!

    • Melody says

      March 10, 2016 at 9:43 pm

      Aunt D! I love and miss you tons. We need to plan a trip up to see you soon. xoxo

Trackbacks

  1. New book on doing the ICW coming out soon! - Vacilando says:
    March 18, 2016 at 12:03 am

    […] getting very exciting around here. The teaser alert a couple posts back was just a tiny hint at what’s coming and now I think I can let the cat out of the bag… […]

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ABOUT US

CHRIS: Singer/Songwriter and author from Philly, (and also the author of this blog), transplanted to Nashville, took a break from the music biz and somehow convinced his girlfriend (now wife) to live on a boat and began writing books. You can check out his music on iTunes or his books on Amazon.

MELODY: Thought her husband was crazy for wanting to live on a boat, but never one to shy away from an adventure, decided to play along and fell in love with cruising. She blogs about how to make money while cruising at Saving to Sail and helps solopreneurs build 6-figure digital product businesses at Soloprenista.

JET: Dutch Shepherd rescue who traveled more miles in his 14 years than most people do in a lifetime. Refuses to vacuum his own hair and instead insists on shrimp tails and belly rubs. (Update: Jet crossed the Rainbow Bridge on Sunday, May 23, 2021 but will always be our favorite crew member and is dearly missed.)

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