As hard as it is for me to believe, I just had a milestone birthday, turning 60 April 20th! For 3 years running, while cruising the Exumas on Freyja, we would walk the Exuma Sound beach on Staniel Cay and admire the few houses perched on the bluffs. When Jack asked me where I wanted to celebrate my birthday I immediately chirped “that rental house on Staniel Cay”!! So, we rented Blue Heaven, invited friends and family and wishes came true. We left from Executive Airport in Ft. Lauderdale on Watermakers Air, a 9 seat Cessna Caravan and arrived on Staniel ready to party for a week! Some of the people we love most in the world attended including cruising friends on their boats! I am blessed to have such an amazing array of friends and all of them went above and beyond to make me feel loved and special. There were homemade presents, birthday candles that wouldn’t blow out, a gallon jug of rum punch, pretty pink and black aprons, hats, visors, towels, totes, funny cards and loving wishes, Christmas ornaments, special made-for-me music (thank you, Ross – I love you!), a TIARA!!!!, wild rides on golf carts, long walks on the beach, a rental boat to see the Thunderball grotto, swimming pigs, sandbars at low tides, Compass Cay for burgers and sharks!!, a clandestine jog on the private island owned by
Johnny Depp, meals and ice cold Kaliks at the yacht club, snorkeling, hiking, sunsets and bonfires, even new friends as well as visits with local island friends. And, of course, lots of girl talk, giggling, laughter and love! Thank you everyone! I know it was an effort to get there for all of you and I can’t tell you how grateful I am for your love and friendship. Here’s to many more birthdays and days spent together!
Don and Carolyn with Chrissy at FLL Executive
Stop at Congo Town, Andros, to clear customs.
Final approach to land on Staniel Cay. I was lucky enough to sit in the co-pilot’s seat on this leg!
We found our rental golf cart!
The chickee hut on the beach at our rental house
Visors and hats to commemorate the day!
Grocery shopping at Isles General Store
My dear friend, Vivian. She and her husband own the market.
Arranging for Captain Wade to take us on an adventure
Heading to the beach
Looking back at our rental house from the beach
The first of many chit-chats with Holly
The girls! Some of them, anyway!!
On the boat with Captain Wade
Johnny’s island!
Walking on the sandbar at low tide
Whatcha’ doin’, Holly?
Dawnie ON Johnny’s island!
What’s that in your hands, Dawn?
Fun and laughter in the sun!!
Snorkeling the Aquairium
Compass Cay for lunch! Thanks, Tucker, for great burgers!
The sharks at Compass – check out that water!
Schools of bonefish at Compass
Susan and Tucker – he owns Compass Cay
Here come the pigs!
Hiking the Exuma Sound side of Staniel
Walking the beach
Up the hill for sunset
Note the tiara!
Alina and Don had the Blue Cottage!
Sista’s!!
Drinks at the yacht club
Happy Birthday, Susan – dinner at the yacht club
Our gorgeous godchildren!
Jackie and Tom off the M/Y In Your Dreams
Here comes that cake!
Dawnie knows there is a surprise coming for me!
A great gift from the Adairs
I love you, Ross – you brought tears to my eyes!
You can’t tell but that is a lighted wand to go with my tiara!
Lifes2Short’s burgee at the yacht club. We missed you, Todd and Brenda
The girls in their aprons! Thank you, Carolyn!
Hooray – No Bad Days!!
Donald and Jack, hanging out!
Love you, Dawnie!
Would that be a rum an coke??
Jack, tenderizing conch the way the natives do it – with a beer bottle!!!
When it is raining and you need to go to your cottage on a golf cart….a black garbage bag will do!!
Johhny Depp’s yacht - Odessa
Arriving for hot dogs on the beach with our boating friends, their kids and grandkids and their dogs!!
Anyone recognize these hats? Thanks, for letting us wear them, Bob and Stephanie!
Jackie watching the sunset with adorable Colby
Sea Pearl and September Song at anchor with Odessa
Bonfire!!
Tom, you look good in blue!!
Capt. Jack enjoying the beach, the fire and a Kalik!
Aw, Godiva – our favorite chocolate lab!
And Salty says - “to all a good-night”!!
