Welcome!
As I write this I’m just a day removed from a seven-day cruise – and working against a tight deadline.
My wonderful graphic designer, Renee Culpepper, and I joined a fun group of Snowbirds from Destin, Gulf Shores and Dauphin Island aboard the Carnival Dream out of New Orleans, La. The seven-day journey took us to Montego Bay, Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, Mexico.
To say that we were looking forward to this journey is an understatement. I’ve been on numerous cruises in the past 25 years and thoroughly enjoy the pampering; opportunity to visit several destinations in just a few days; great food; and a chance to just chill out without having to be anywhere.
We took in a historic plantation tour in Jamaica; toured a beautiful 300-year-old church ; and were entertained by our local guide, Maxwell, who was recommended to us by a daughter’s friend, who is a Jamaica native. On Grand Cayman, we went to “Hell” and a world-class turtle farm and sampled a rum cake. Great day! We both had been to Cozumel several times and chose that as a work day and stayed close to the ship.
Our Snowbird friends seemed to all have a good time aboard ship. We met many potential Snowbirds who were spending their winter vacation time sailing to find warmth.
This month our cover couple, Iowans Myrna and Kenneth Bertheau, and their daughter, Sarah, share their story of being second- third-generation coast Snowbirds to spend the winter on Okaloosa Island/Fort Walton Beach, Fla. And next month, the Fort Walton Beach Snowbird Club marks its 40th anniversary with a luau. How fun!
This past month we marked an early Mardi Gras celebration followed by many Valentine’s Day events and the completion once again of countless Snowbird-led fundraisers.
Be sure to check out our “Snaps” in this edition. Some were provided by Snowbirds and we appreciate that very much. If you are staying through March and April, be sure to check out the many upcoming events in this edition. It’s a great time of year to be outside enjoying good food, live music and fun, fun, fun!
We hope you have had a good winter with old friends, new friends and have entertained many visitors.
We want to thank Tammy’s Journeys of Fort Walton Beach for coordinating the Snowbird cruise. There will be several opportunities to sail next year out of Mobile, Ala., on four and five-night journeys via Carnival Cruise Lines. Be sure to check out their ad on our index page.
Be sure to sign up for our e-newsletter called “Seasons” to stay up-to-date with us. We will be working on a redesign soon and also will communicate via our Facebook page “Snowbirds Gulf Coast.”
Your support is invaluable as we mark our 10th season to serve the Snowbird market.
As always, we’re glad you’re here. Snowbirds make winter fun for us all!
Read our Online Edition of Snowbirds Gulf Coast Online NOW!
All the Best,
Sincerely,
Karen Harrell
Publisher@SnowbirdsGulfCoast.com
850-291-1266
