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Back in early May, I was an Insights Speaker aboard the one-of-a-kind
Queen Mary 2,
a classic and classy ocean liner on a transatlantic crossing from NY to the UK.
| I met an array of fascinating passengers and guests on this last voyage. Above, I'm standing with Richard Ostrowski, a former career U.S. Merchant Marine Officer. His kind wife, Mary, sent me the photo. They, and many others aboard, shared magnificent sea stories along with tales of adventures of their travels around the world. I hope to put together another Reader Rendezvous on the QM2, like we did back in 2008, and will provide details as soon as I can .... | |
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IN PETER'S WAKE
Pensacola, FL
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I love Florida’s coastal towns; one of the greatest is Pensacola! Lieutenant Peter Wake was stationed there in 1866-69 with his 1st wife Linda and their toddler daughter Useppa. Wake’s son Sean was born there in 1867. Wake returned there briefly in the 1890s. I’ve been to Pensacola many times and hope you can take a couple days to visit and see what Wake would’ve seen in his era. Spend a day visiting (1840’s) Fort Pickens on Santa Rosa Island and its outlying early 20th century gun batteries, (1830s) Fort Barrancas and the (1780s) Spanish Water Battery west of town. Don’t forget the soldiers/sailors cemetery near Fort Barrancas. In the Old Town, stroll through Seville Square and the other oak-shaded parks. Go on Historic Pensacola Trust’s fascinating guided tour: the Lear/Rocheblave House (1890), Christ Church (1832) and the Lavalle House (1805), along with other homes and buildings. Here’s the link for the
tour: HistoricPensacola.org/Plan-Your-Visit/Tours-/
I highly recommend you stay near Seville Square at the Oyster Bay Hotel, overlooking the
bay. It’s an extraordinarily comfortable boutique hotel with wonderful service. StayOysterBay.com
And there are many intriguing restaurants to enjoy within a couple of blocks. I always
enjoy dinner at Dharma Blue, in an old 1800s house only a block north of the hotel at the corner of Seville Square. Delicious food and great wines ~ enjoy! DharmaBlue.com
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Here is Wakian Rich Rolfe donning his Onward & Upward hat in Cozumel, Mexico. Rich is actually one of the S.M.A.R.T. [Subject Matter Advance Research Team] Wakians. If you have any of my Honor Series books handy, check out the Acknowledgments, and you'll often see Rich's name mentioned for the many times he's provided important research for the telling of Peter Wake's adventures. Thank you Rich - your loyalty is always appreciated.
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Have a photo of a Wakian wearing
our hat or t-shirt or using our koozie?
Send it by email and we'll post it
in an upcoming newsletter.
[Robert.Macomber1@gmail.com]
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CLOSING THOUGHTS
Peter Wake's Birthday
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June 26th is Peter Wake's birthday (born in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts 1839; died July 4, 1920 in Key West, Florida). This is the 26th year since his character first entered my mind on June 26, 1998 [yes, that's really how that happened], and it's the 22nd year since he first entered the minds of my readers, the legendary 'Wakians', through my published novels. It's been a fascinating and long voyage of discovery for all of us courtesy of my 17 books; 7,100 pages; and 1,785,000 words describing the triumphs & tragedies of Peter Wake's life, and those of his descendants, set in five continents and dozens of islands across the globe.
On this coming Wednesday, June 26th, let's hoist a glass toward the sunset & toast Peter Wake, who brought us together. This can remain a festive tradition year after year!!
Onward & Upward my friends,
Bob
Robert N. Macomber
Distant Horizons Farm
Pine Island, Florida
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