Wanderers

June did not start out well and ended up being a whirlwind month. I (Sharon) had a non refundable plane ticket back to Maryland on June 1st because my son-in-law was scheduled to have major surgery. Guess what? His surgery was rescheduled. Not that big of a deal because I can change my flight.

In the meantime my kids call to let me know their grandmother (my ex mother-in-law) was not doing well. So I ended up just changing my original flight by one day and Rob purchased a ticket and we both flew back for Fran's funeral.

Our flight pattern took us by the Key Bridge -- very depressing.

Fran's viewing was held on June 3rd and the funeral was on the 4th. It was great to see people I hadn't seen in a very very long time but as always sad under the circumstances. May she rest in peace!

Thanks, of course, to Brenda and Florian for letting us stay with them. We checked out the USO Lounge at BWI before flying back to Florida on the 5th.

Back to reality. We had three days at home before our next trip (told you whirlwind month). Might as well do some yard work.

We originally had two weeks scheduled in Key West. One week at the Navy Lodge and one week at our timeshare at the Galleon Resort. Due to just returning from MD and the base not having a pool (that was open) we decided to shorten the trip to the Navy Lodge by four days.

Oh wait! Let's go to Key Largo, this only shortened our trip by two days. This was the beginning of Rob's 60th Birthday Celebration.

We arrived at the Reefhouse Resort & Marina for a two day stay. We were greeted with a bottle of Champagne and a beautiful view overlooking the pool.

I'm not sure what Rob is
going to drink

Our View

We ventured down to the Beach for sunset.

Our second day was very boring due to rain (it does happen). We still had a great time. As Rob says, "The sun is always shining in a bar."

Took the birthday boy for Pedicures. He even got a full body massage 💆‍♂️.

There is no shortage of Happy 😊 Hours. Martin's and The Boathouse are our favorites 😍.

Martin's

The Boathouse

Sunset Tiki Bar @ The Galleon

Key Lime Pie Martini's
@ The White Tarpon

We did get some pool time in!

Perry Hotel Pool

Galleon Pool

He wanted to hang out under
my chair

Sunrises

Sunsets

It's Rob's 60th birthday! I made a small attempt to decorate our room.

I treated him to a birthday
Mudslide

The big birthday dinner celebration was held at Bel Mare. We always start our birthday dinners off with a martini -- this was no different. Food pictures below.

Slightly Dirty Martini

Wow 60!

After all the birthday celebration it was time to head north. I was flying back to MD for the rescheduled surgery and Rob was heading home. To not inconvenience Rob too much, I had a one way ticket to fly out of Fort Lauderdale. This was going to be our first time apart in years.

I was able to meet David for lunch. You can see how thrilled he was to spend time with his momma.

Chris' open heart surgery went really well. So glad he is home on his way to a full recovery.

I even got to help with dogs.

Talk about logistics nightmare! Florian and Brenda had planned to come visit, arriving on the 27th of June which coincided with Rob's trip to Pennsylvania for a high school reunion. They originally were arriving in the evening but since Rob was leaving on the same day they changed their flight to arrive in the morning so I could pick them up. Because of the surgery reschedule I was going to be flying back on the same flight as Florian and Brenda. This was all coordinated so Rob would drop off the car and we would pick it up about 45 minutes later. Good thing we each have our own key fob and I remembered to take mine to MD with me because we didn't pass Rob in the airport. He did give us great directions to find the car.

Three Amigos

Rob was flying to PA to attend his 40th class reunion on its 42nd year. Prior to him heading to his reunion he was able to spend some time with his parents.

Rob's parents - Jean and Dick

Rob's old neighbor, Scott

Rob visited his childhood home.

The Reunion was held at the Wherehouse in Hamburg, PA.

In the meantime Florian, Brenda and I took Jett and Reed to Riverside Theater to see Shrek The Musical for Kids. It was cute. The entire production was performed by children. They did not allow photos or recordings

Our July 4th celebration was at Zach & Brianna's house with the boys, Zach's parents, nephew and Florian and Brenda. We had a really good spread and Florain smoked the best brisket I've ever had.

It's time to setup and get ready for the main event of the day.

Zach put on a mega Fireworks Show.

We celebrated Brenda's Birthday a few days early by starting with dinner at Trattoria Dario, drinks at 21St Amendment, finishing the evening off with Chocolate Martini's and a night swim.

Pool Time with the boys! They all swim like fishes.

Time for us to head back to Maryland in July for Shae's Bridal Shower. We stayed with Florian and Brenda in Severn.

The Bridal Shower was held at Gramercy Mansion in Stevenson, MD. It was a perfect venue and Mary (Shae's Mom) and the bride's maids did an amazing job. Shae is going to make a beautiful bride.

Fun Games

Great Gifts

While I was at the shower Rob went to an Orioles game with Nick and Chip (Shae's Dad). It wasn't a great game (6-1 with a Yankee win) but they had a good time.

A Maryland Dog. There's some kind of crab
'something' under the potato sticks.

Pool Time and Crabs with the Langs. The crabs were so good. I do miss summertime crabs.

You never know who you will run into in an airport.

Brandon & Rob

Uneventful flight home.

I wonder who had these??

For my 60th Birthday our original plan was to visit Tony & Michelle in Vancouver Washington and then take a train ride across Alaska. That did not workout mostly because we looked into the train ride a little too late. So we decided to take a mini trip north. Our first stop was New Smyrna Beach.

We met friends for dinner at the Garlic (probably our favorite restaurant) and took a stroll on the beach.

Rob, I, Karen & Colin

I need to work on my poses!

The next morning we watched sunrise, hung out on the beach with Karen, Colin and their friends before heading to our next destination.

We arrived in Amelia Island and checked into the Ritz Carlton for three nights with club lounge access! Shortly after our arrival, Aman delivered a bottle of champagne and macaroons for my birthday celebration.

My wonderful husband had a special ring made just for me. I chose the stone back in December and Rob & Claude, the jeweler from Dickinson Jewelers designed the final product. The stone is a Montana Sapphire. I think he did really well!

We did several Beach Walks including sunrise.

Our Concierge told us to visit Boneyard Beach at low tide so we did. A nice little hike (full of mosquitoes) to a beautiful beach full of dead unique trees.

We strolled around downtown Fernandina Beach.

First Cross State Railroad
Fernandina to Cedar Key march 1861

Peg Leg Pete

Rob having a chat with David Yulee,
President of The Florida
Railroad Company

Amelia Island Welcome Center

The Palace Saloon
The oldest bar in Florida

We even had fun playing Battleship

Rob like a kid in a candy store
Yes his cup is full of candy

We spent time by the pool and around the grounds.

Definitely drinks in the lounge!

Sunset

Great hotel and it was fun to splurge! Maybe we'll do it again for my next birthday.

After returning back to Vero we met Dennis & Peggy from Herrington Harbor who now live in Vero Beach for lunch and a boat ride. They belong to a boat club and were able to reserve a boat for the afternoon.

Hard to believe but my Heather turned 40! We weren't able to celebrate with her but we did celebrate her in our usual style. We chose The Tides Restaurant for our dinner (pictures below). We sat outside on the patio and enjoyed martini's. A really good dinner and fine wine.

Happy 40th Birthday Heather!

We finally made it to the beach in Vero for an afternoon stroll. I'm not sure if there was a wedding ceremony or just a little photo shoot.

Where did we eat?

Gus' Grille, Key Largo

Broken Ceasar

Pan-Roasted Shelfish over Linguini

Jimmy Johnson's Fisherman's Cove, Key Largo

Chop Salad

Mahi Mahi Sandwich

Square Grouper, Islamorada

Sesame Seared Tuna

Cobia over Rice and Bacon Cheddar
Mac & Cheese

Martin's, Key West

Calamari Ceviche Martini

Summer Salad

Pate of the Day

Schnitzel Strips

Tropical Waldorf Salad

Since it was Rob's 60th I was treating him to dinner at two different restaurants that were not happy hour joints. Our first was at The Little Pearl, Key West it's a neighborhood restaurant & wine bar that focuses on local seafood. They offer a custom four course menu with three seatings. The service and food was phenomenal. It is a very cozy intimate restaurant and reservations are needed.

First Course

Pistachio Pesto Stuffed Burratta

Scallop Crudo

Second Course

Head On U12 Pink Shrimp

Tahini Ceasar Salad

Third Course

Maine Lobster & Squid Ink
Ravioli

Local Snapper

Fourth Course

Miso Banana Bread Pudding

Cheese Plate

Forgot to put his candle on
his bread pudding

On the night of his birthday, I chose Bel Mare, an Italian Restaurant overlooking A & B Marina. We had our own private balcony. The service and food was outstanding.

Hand Tossed Caesar

Veal Bolognese

Pappardelle Capri

We finished dinner off with Lemoncello's and dessert.

Key Lime Pie

Chocolate Bomb

Even though we stayed on the base and at the Galleon, we still had a few Home Cooked meals.

Michelle gave us some homemade pizza sauce so we picked up fresh pizza dough, mozzarella and basil from Public, it was fantastic. Thank you Michelle for the sauce it made the pizza.

We always get our fresh fish and shrimp from Eaton Street Seafood Market.

KelVin & Mary had a tradition of having Steamed Shrimp 🍤 and we have continued that tradition.

Our Galleon View Overlooking Marina

Cobia

With a view

Goldman's Deli, Key West. We had a Reuben and a Pastrami sandwich.

We can't go to Key West and not eat at El Siboney's. Rob always gets the #1 Roasted Pork. I choose something different every time.

Two Friends, Key West Great spot for brunch and Bloody Mary's especially with our Two Friends cups. As we said before, you purchase your cup and pay $6 for any refill.

Shrimp & Grits

Huevos Rancheros

Pepe's used to be our go to breakfast place in Key West but we hadn't been in a few years so we decided to give them another try.

BLT

Chipped Beef

Bread of the Day - Chocolate

Mom's Home Cooking, PA

Brenda and Florian took us to the Crooked Crab Brewing Company, Odenton MD for pizza. It was really good for a Brewery.

Riverside, Vero Beach they have the best Tuna Nachos.

We took Florian & Brenda to Mai Tai Bistro, Vero Beach. They were not as impressed as us and our drinks were lacking alcohol.

Papaya Salad

Boat for Two

Seaside Grill, Vero Beach

Seaside Egg Sandwich

Mediterranean Egg Sandwich

For Brenda's birthday we went to Trattoria Dario, Vero Beach.

Veal Parmigiana

Pasta Mediterranean

El Ambia Cubano Cuban Restaurant, Melbourne Fl

Rob said his roast pork was just as good or even better than El Siboney;s and he loves El Siboneys.

Roast Pork

Cuban

Post & Vine, Vero Beach

Meatloaf

Salmon

Taco & Tamale House, Vero Beach not really the name but thats what we call it.

C J Cannons, Vero Beach overlooks the Vero Beach Airport. The food and service was good.

Bloody Mary Sunday

Chicken & Waffle

Mexican Omelet

Bonefish Grill, Vero Beach for a drink and food pairing dinner.

First Course

Strawberry Rose Sidecar

Grilled Watermelon Salad

Second Course

Surfside Spritz

Roasted Shrimp Tostada

Third Course

Lunar Margarita

Orange Soy Glazed Mahi-Mahi

Fourth Course

Summer Cheesecake

French 75

We met Karen and Colin at The Garlic, New Smyrna Beach for dinner. IYKYK! The Garlic is our favorite restaurant in NSB. No reservations. First come first serve and your entire party must be seated at the same time.

Quattro Cheese Manicotti

Gnocchi Special

Rob, Me, Karen. Colin

Chocolate Martinis

We ate and drank a lot at The Club Lounge at the Ritz-Carlton

For my birthday, we celebrated with a glass of champagne in the Lounge and then dinner at David's Restaurant & Lounge in Fernandina Beach. The food and service was phenomenal.