On my way

The adventure starts this morning

Like Peter, Paul, and Mary sang I’m leaving on a jet plane. I fly New Bern to Charlotte and then directly to Havana. I should be there by noon if all goes well with the flights. My next post will be from Cuba.   

All ready to go

Less than two weeks to go before my big adventure visiting Cuba. Sue always said to me before I left on one of my adventures be prepared for anything and make sure you come home to me. Well I can’t come home to Sue anymore but I can be prepared. 

I’ve been to my doctors and got clearance to go.  I’ve got all my meds lined up. I’ve got someone who will watch the house and take care of MrA, our dog. I’ve got all the parts for the 1929 Ford.

Now all that is left to do is put everything in the suitcase and jump on a plane.  I can’t wait to see Nely and Roxy with their wonderful car and explore Cuba. Hopefully l can go to several car club meetings and meet the owners of some of the wonderful cars I saw the last time I was in Havana. I am looking forward to spending time with the citizens of Cuba and learning about Cuban culture. 

Planning

Well I am a little closer to leaving on my grand adventure.

I spent yesterday afternoon with my friend Richard from the AACA, Antique Automobile Club of America, ordering parts for my friend’s in Havana 1929 Ford. Today my travel agent and I went over my plans to do a little sightseeing in Jamaica before I head to Havana. The apartment I am taking in Havana is available on March 14th. I making lists of things to bring and starting to layout stuff to pack. I’ll up date you when I gat a departure date. 

The next chapter

Three and a half years ago Sue and I moved to New Bern North Carolina. I started this blog to chronicle my adventure of sailing Cachalot down from Boston. It was a grand adventure shared by my friends Richard Terry and Jeff Gardiner. 

Sue and I quickly adapted to retirement. Sue joining the garden club, an exercise class, and writing for the local paper. I joined several men’s clubs and volunteered at Tyron Palace both as a consulting arborist and the Town Crier. Both of us joined Fairfield Harbour Yacht Club and Cape Lookout Power Squadron. We lead a wonderful retirement both busy at home and traveling. As with any journey there were a few bumps in the road. I had both knees replaced. Sue had several hiccups in her medical health too. But there were wonderful vacations back to New England and cruises. Just one of the highlights of our retirement was sailing the Star Flyer from

Barbados and the western Caribbean then through the Panama Canal. 

This wonderful retirement ended six months ago. First I collapsed after a New England vacation and spent almost three weeks in the hospital with congestive heart failure. Fortunately I have recovered. Next Sue was diagnosed with heart disease not just the afib we knew about. Just two weeks later she was scheduled for open heart surgery.  The surgery which was scheduled for four to six hours and called routine lasted fifteen hours. Despite all the hard work of the doctors and round the clock care of the nurses Sue passed away December 15 2017.  I lost the love of my life and wife of forty-four years. 

Now it is time to start a new chapter of my life. For years I have been saying to Sue “let’s go do ......” and she said that doesn’t interest me but you just go and do it and I’ll hear all about it when you get back. Well I’ve decided to just go do ..... Hopefully Sue is watching and giving me her blessing. I won’t be able to come home and tell Sue all about my adventures but if you follow this blog you will be able to learn all about my bucket list. 

My first adventure is off to revisit my friends in Cuba. I’ll keep you posted about my plans and travels.