Dec. 23: Artsy photo for the day – a dew covered web against a blue boat cushion.
Foggy mornings seem to be the norm.
Oscar the osprey wakes us up every morning.
Fortunately the fog burns up pretty quickly. The current in this anchorage is pretty squirrelly, everyone is facing a different direction!
Dec. 24 : No fog this morning! Looking forward to our wake crossing later this afternoon.
Nearby family (sister Deb, friend Jim, nephew, girlfriend, niece and fiancee) arrive and gather on the foredeck. Love their Christmas clothing!
Red boat icon on the chart plotter approaches Marker 240 where the OWW crosses the Atlantic ICW. This adventure started nearly 16,000 miles ago on 9/11/11 when we left Clayton, NY and went down to Lake Worth and over to the Bahamas and back to Clayton. We repeated this trip again in 2013-2014 with an additional mini loop (Clayton – Montreal – Ottawa – Kingston – Clayton) in 2016. Then on June 20, 2017 we started the western segment of The Great Loop. And now here we are, closing the Loop.
Our Christmas wish was to celebrate the crossing with family so I guess you can say we do believe in Santa Claus!
Celebrating with a bit of bubbly.
Went out into the ocean via the St. Lucie Inlet for a pleasant afternoon of leisurely cruising with a stop for swimming.
Back at anchor we celebrated Christmas. Just had to turn on the fireplace for that down home upstate NY feel. Really great day!
Dec. 25: Christmas morning! Merry Christmas everyone. And so we end one chapter of our travels and start a new segment – off to the Bahamas in a week or so, over to the Chesapeake in the Spring, visiting home/St. Lawrence River for the summer (via car), then back to Florida – and then who knows? At this point forward since I’ve over-photographed the Bahamas and the Atlantic ICW, I will post a monthly update as to where we are. Thanks to all of you who have followed my blog. Wishing you a happy, healthy New Year!!!
Islandia Grabo's Blog 
Congratulations !!!
You guys and that GOLD FLAG look very good.
MERRY CHRISTMAS YA’LL
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Thanks! We trust you had a nice Christmas. Happy new year to you too!
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Merry Christmas and best wishes for a great 2018!
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Thanks! And happy holidays and new year to you too !
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What a wonderful conclusion to the 2017 Loop in conjunction with that chapter of your blog and lives on board Islandia!! It was a good run with few hurdles for the boat once you could get her into the water last spring!!
Sounds like “full time” boating may be on your minds. May I wish you a Happy New Year and all the best adventures on board Islandia this year!! She has carried you well!!
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Thanks so much! Hope you also enjoyed a nice holiday week. Currently in Fort Lauderdale, awaiting a weather window to cross over to the Bahamas.
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Have fun in the Bahamas and don’t be shy about posting too many pictures!! You’re a phenomenal photographer with a poetic flare and with such beautiful subject matter why not share!! We get to live vicariously through you two!! Enjoy!!
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