This was to have been our first Christmas by ourselves, but we just couldn’t do it. We had been hard at work on boat projects in the work yard at Indiantown Marina for several weeks, and the plan was to launch Radio Waves on December 22nd and start our trek towards Miami on the 23rd or 24th, which would have had us spending Christmas by ourselves on the hook in Lake Worth. We’d gone so far as to buy a chunk of brie and a nice bottle of white wine for Christmas Eve and steaks with a nice bottle of red for Christmas Day. And then…we changed our minds. We were only a three-hour drive from our parents and if delaying our travels by a few days meant we could spend Christmas with them, then so be it. Now if only we could have somehow gotten our boys there from Michigan and California. That was the part that hurt the most (and caused extreme pangs of guilt) – knowing that because we were living our dream, they would both be spending their first Christmases ever by themselves.
Since we couldn’t be with the boys, we did the next best thing and reminisced, mostly about the great time we’d had with them earlier this spring in the Bahamas, a trip which had been our Christmas gift to them. And now, while we wait to see them again sometime this coming spring (our Christmas gift to them once again), I thought it would be a good time to share some pictures of last spring’s fun times!
They’re here! I was beyond excited to see their tiny little plane land! Kevin’s luggage somehow didn’t make it on this plane, however. We were assured it would be on the next plane, and we had our doubts, but sure enough, it arrived as promised on the next Flamingo Air flight from Nassau.We welcomed them with cold Kaliks, a local Bahamian beer. Can you see how happy we are to see them?!?The boys flew from Los Angeles and Detroit to Miami where they met up with each other for their flights to Nassau and then to Staniel Cay where we picked them up.There was a lot of rock climbing and a lot of picture-taking happening during their visit!The photographer…….and the photographed (on Compass Cay after visiting Rachel’s Bubble Bath).We did a LOT of snorkelingAll eyes on you…There’s the rest of him!I freaking love this picture of my boys! It was taken inside a cave that you can snorkel into at Rocky Dundas, and the sun was shining in through a hole in the rocks above them. It reminds me of something out of a Marvel superhero movie or something!This picture was taken inside the same cave as the picture above, but looking back out towards the opening.More cave fun.Boys will be boys!After a day of snorkeling in the salt water, he couldn’t stand the way it made his beard feel, so off came most of it!A story in blue.On Cambridge Cay (in the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park) in front of Bell Rock, which the boys were getting ready to climb. I would have climbed with them, but wasn’t wearing a swim suit and it was high tide, so the water was up to their waists! For the record though, I had already climbed it twice with Jim.On top of Bell Rock, looking back over Cambridge Cay towards where our boat was on a mooring.Hiking on Cambridge Cay. Notice the shoes he’s wearing….those are the ones we found that I told you about in a prior blog post! I knew they’d be put to good use some day!Using a towel to try to keep the brutal sun off his neck.Working on getting a nice shot in these cool layered rock formations on Cambridge Cay.I think we wore them out! They were happy to see these makeshift hammocks left behind by cruisers before us on Cambridge Cay.Enjoying dinner and the sunset back on board.Getting ready to grab a mooring at Warderick Wells, just like the good ol’ days at Put-in-Bay on Lake Erie.Another day of exploring, this time at Warderick Wells in the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park.I think if I’d have had Christmas cards printed up, this picture would have been a top contender!Trying to keep the sun off his neck againThe boys climbed down the rickety ladder to explore Murphy’s Hideout on Warderick Wells. I have no idea who Murphy was or what he was hiding out from….Kevin looks happy in this picture…but that’s only because our hike is finally almost over! It was very hot this day and he was ready to get back in the water and cool off.At the end of a long day!Sunset on Warderick WellsOne of my animal lovers feeding the hutia my failed attempt at a new corn bread recipe.
Relaxing as we sail from Warderick Wells to Big Majors SpotThe boys really wanted to meet the folks on the boats with all the cool toys!Family photo at Pirate Beach on Big Majors SpotAnd another one, because I just couldn’t pick between the two!Pig Beach on Big Majors Spot….…home of the famous swimming pigs!Petting the nurse sharks……and the rays off the docks at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club.Sigh….trying to use the free WiFi in front of the purple restaurant to check in for their flights the next day. I REALLY didn’t want them to leave!Dinner at the Staniel Cay Yacht ClubAnd a toast to doing it all over again next year!Reflecting on his trip?One last family pic before they took offAnd away they go…
Sorry to bombard you, dear faithful reader, with so many pictures of my boys, but it was Christmas time, I was sad, and it is my blog after all! I promise not to do it again…until next time!
For those of you who are also out there cruising or for whatever reason don’t get to spend time with loved ones at the holidays, how do you cope? Do you pull out pictures and reminisce like we did? What else do you do to make it easier? I’d really love to hear!
I feel your deep empty son void. SO hard when they are young adults to have that first childless Christmas. It was so odd and empty feeling this yr.
I enjoy seeing any photos you post, last yr or current. IT gives us a taste of what life is like for you.
<3
Of course I’m crying reading this. I was overjoyed and wonderfully surprised when you said you were coming for Christmas but really sad that the boys couldn’t be here. It just wasn’t the same. Know that you will have an awesome time when they fly in to be with you again this year. Love you both. Safe sailing.
Best blog post yet! Awesome! You guys are so awesome. This is wonderful. So happy it all worked out. Pictures are amazing. What an adventure. So proud of you! Love, the Thomas team
Sharon Holbrook
January 14, 2017 at 12:55 pmI feel your deep empty son void. SO hard when they are young adults to have that first childless Christmas. It was so odd and empty feeling this yr.
I enjoy seeing any photos you post, last yr or current. IT gives us a taste of what life is like for you.
<3
Chris
January 14, 2017 at 3:27 pmYup…I know you get it! Very odd when they’re not around, isn’t it?
Glad you keep enjoying our pictures! Love ya!
Kevin Walden
January 14, 2017 at 1:36 pmSo many memories and all the feels!
Chris
January 14, 2017 at 3:36 pmI know! I had so much fun (and such a hard time) picking out pictures!
Kathy Mercer Walden
January 15, 2017 at 10:43 amOf course I’m crying reading this. I was overjoyed and wonderfully surprised when you said you were coming for Christmas but really sad that the boys couldn’t be here. It just wasn’t the same. Know that you will have an awesome time when they fly in to be with you again this year. Love you both. Safe sailing.
Chris
January 15, 2017 at 11:59 amAwwww….Sorry! Didn’t mean to make you cry. We were very happy we decided to delay leaving for a few days so we could spend Christmas with family.
Angela Thomas
January 16, 2017 at 6:23 pmBest blog post yet! Awesome! You guys are so awesome. This is wonderful. So happy it all worked out. Pictures are amazing. What an adventure. So proud of you! Love, the Thomas team
Chris
January 16, 2017 at 8:36 pmAwwww! You are so sweet! Thank you! Sure hope we get a chance to see you guys this summer!
Karrie Poulter
January 16, 2017 at 9:05 pmThanks for sharing! Wonderful photos. You are truly an inspiration. Looking forward to the next post.
Chris
January 16, 2017 at 9:11 pmThanks! Glad you’re enjoying our posts!