Journey's End

All journeys must come to an end. After Eau Gallie, we cruised on to Titusville, then to Daytona Beach, then on to St. Augustine. We took a trolley tour of St Augustine including a visit to the fort and a visit to the local winery. Bev had an event while at the fort, she thought it might be a TIA signifying a possible stroke. The next day, we cruised on to Jacksonville where Bev had us booked into Port 32 Resort Marina. That night Bev had a significant stroke and was taken by the 911 crew to Baptist Medical Center in downtown Jacksonville where they performed brain surgery (via catheter) to clear the clot. After four days in intensive care and another couple in rehab, I brought Bev back to the boat. We had four more days together before Bev was hit by another, more severe stroke. They got her back to Baptist MC and operated again. She passed away several days later without ever regaining consciousness.

Kevin (the new author) decided that he did not have the heart to continue the loop - which would have required a new sleeping/boating partner. Journey is looking for a new owner. I am back in Puget Sound where I will spend some time finding a new boating partner and a new boat - I decided during my last days on Journey, clearing the boat of our personal belongings, that I just simply belong on a boat. Maybe someday I'll be too old or follow Bev's lead and depart in the middle, but until then, I need to get back on a boat and continue doing what Bev taught me to love.

On the positive side, Bev died in the middle of doing what she enjoyed most, yet another boating adventure. It's an ending she can be proud of. Greetings to all the great people we met along the way. The end.