Starting 2025 with a Bang! Now Plan and Wait - Pt.4 (#83d)

We started 2025 off with a spectacular bang!

We started the evening with dinner at the Villagio Grille with our friends on Ti Amo.

Afterwards we decided to try out the Speakeasy across the street that is hidden in the Frank & Co Jewelers. Each day the code to the Speakeasy is added to their Facebook Page.

April and Rio entered the code to get us in the Safe Door!

Inside was a beautiful quaint bar that we enjoyed with locals and tourists alike.

We took one last shot to memorialize our time.

Afterwards we readied ourselves for the evening festiviities at The Wharf. We have been staying in the condos above the marina for our time with the kids. We are on the fifth floor. The days before New Years, we were told we needed wristbands to get into our condo and we were allowed 6 other guests. At the New Years docktails we handed out some wristbands to interested Loopers.

As part of the Festivities, the Marlin drops at Midnight.

At midnight the street filled up to several thousand people.

The fireworks were spectacular and close - an amazing way to bring in the new year. The Marlin Dropping at Midnight!

The fireworks were spectacular.

The fireworks went on for a very long time.

And the Marina celebrated as well!

Several days later we went back to the Villagio to celebrate Rio's birthday before they head off for the crossing. We will be finishing out time in the condo and waiting for the next weather window at the end of January or early February.

Walkng around the Wharf in the evening is spectacular. We have around two weeks or less here before we start the next phase of our journey back to Virginia. This. time has been a wonderful break and time of reflection for this awesome time.

Once we start our next segments, the days will go quickly. We plan to head all the way down to the Keys before going up the East Coast. We are using this time to plan out our journey and watch the weather to find the best window for our big Gulf Crossing from Carabelle to Steinhatchee. Historically, January has the fewest days with good weather. Right now we plan, watch, and wait until it's time to go!

Happy New Year! from the Sparkling Star!