On April 16th, the Barters led a group of boats to Port of the Isles, later followed by the Doggetts with two more boats.  The waters were smooth and the skies were crystal clear with perfect Spring temperatures.  The Barters had their daughter and three grandkids on board, so they must have looked like dangerous drug runners or some other criminal type as they are now campaigning  for contributions to pay the HUGE fine they got for going too fast five feet past the no wake zone.  The rest of the boats just idled past and waved.  Thanks Jack,…. you not only saved the rest of the group, but gave us a topic of discussion for Happy HourSSSSS.

After enjoying drinks and snacks around the pool, the group moved to the screened chickee for a pot luck dinner, where we all ate so much that we had to retire to our rooms at Marco Midnight.  A buffet breakfast, with the chef cooking our eggs and omelets to order, was provided by the resort.   Here’s a plug for the Port of the Isles restaurant:   They do this every day and only charge $6.50 for those not staying at the resort!!!  GREAT VALUE!!!

Saturday was a little cooler with some drizzles, but that didn’t cool our Mah Jongg ladies who set up a game in the chickee.  The men also communed to “solve all of the world’s problems”.  They seemed to be ineffective, since many of those problems still existed when we returned on Sunday.

More boaters arrived for our pulled pork lunch, complete with all of the yummy side dishes, wine, beer, and soda.  (Hey, it was 5 o’clock somewhere) We finished off the day with dinner at the lodge.  (I don’t think anyone went hungry this weekend)

Since Port of the Isles is such a nice boat or car ride, we had members coming and going all three days.  It was wonderful to have so many friends joining us.  I am going to attempt to remember all, even though I’m afraid I’ll miss someone.  Barters and family, Dave Besuden, Al and Linda Saunders, Al and Ginny Rapp, Larry Skelson and Nina, Jim and Litha Lane, Jim and Leanne Thomas, Dan and Lucille Dotterweich, Larry Oswald and Betty, Joe and Sue Anzalone, Hal and Carolyn Edgar, Steve and Phyllis Ostrow,  Bill and Cea Horton, Randy and Shirley Southard, Dan and Deb Lowell, Bob and Jo Ann Herndon, Dick and Nancy Gady,  and Joe and Sharon Doggett

The weather on Sunday was a little “iffy”, but we were all able to make it home without incident.  (Some may have gotten a little wet as it was drizzling.)
All in all, we had a great time and have requests to repeat this cruise often.    If you weren’t there, make sure you get there next time.  The rooms were great and so were the resort folks, fun and food.