Friends, Music and BIG BIG NEWS

Our whirlwind time continues here in South Florida. We spent time with friends and checking out the local music scene. Most of our time has been running around and dealing with the BIG, BIG NEWS.

We were out looking at a condo in Stuart when we heard someone calling our names. It was George and Nan who were looking at a condo in the same plan. We met them at Betty's and have crossed paths with them several times and it is always a fun time.

They recommended we check out the Pelican Cafe and Beach, a funky little place on the river in Stuart for music and food. The band was Nouveaux Honkies, a great band that played a nice variety of music. All seating is outside so if it is cold, windy or raining they are not open. 

If it's Sunday we like to go to the Jupiter Jazz Society jam at the Double Roads Tavern in Jupiter. George and Nan joined us for an evening of music, food and conversation.

You never know who is going to be performing, but the music is always great.

George and Nan swaying to some smooth jazz. We had a great time with them. We were sad to get a call from them the next day that they had to go to Connecticut as George's mother was ill. Unfortunately, she passed away soon after they got there. We send our condolences at this difficult time. 

On Friday Nanc and I went back to the Double Roads to hear a band lead by George Lilly, "New Orleans Legend," who we had heard at the jam session. He played a great variety of blues, funk and jazz. They announced that the sax player, Jeff Watson, had played with James Brown. We talked to him and it turned out he knew Wash High grad Erik Hargrove who also played with James Brown.  

Sunday Nanc and I did the jam session again. This week's featured performer was Mickey Freeman who started her career in Boston. She has toured with Dizzy Gillespie, Woody Herman, The Pointer Sisters and many others.

We love the music of Libra Sene who is a regular at the jams. If you want to hear great jazz the Double Roads is the place to be on Sunday.

BIG BIG NEWS

All of the great music is one reason we really like this part of Florida. From Jupiter to Stuart there are several venues that have live music and great food. That was a big factor in our decision to put down roots here after nearly 12 years of living in a house on wheels.

Here it is our new home in Stuart with a big four car garage. No not really, we are buying a small first floor condo in this building so we are soon going to be living in a stix and brix for the first time in nearly 12 years.

This condo really fits our needs with a nice master suite with a huge shower. There are two smaller bedrooms, a guest bath and laundry. The living room and kitchen have tile floors while the bedrooms have carpet. 

The kitchen has nice wood cabinets and granite counter tops. The appliances are newer and everything passed the home inspection with only a couple maintenance issues we will need to have taken care of.

The happy new owners. Another big plus for us is the sellers did not want the furniture and sold it to us at a very reasonable price. They are even leaving all the dishes and utensils in the kitchen.

We were also very happy to hear George and Nan are buying a place in Stuart so we will have friends in the area.

While we will no longer be full-timers after we close on the condo, we do plan on continuing to RV as part-timers. More details on those plans in a future post.