December 7th 200l--What a day it was!! Thanks to so many of you; with your help I sailed into Fort Lauderdale to establish the world’s record as the “oldest person to circumnavigate the world solo.” It seems to me that everyone is entitled to one “special” day in their life--and December the 7th was mine. I’ll never forget it! I hasten to add, I’ll never do it again (that is, sail around the world alone at age seventy-five, seventy-six, and seventy-seven). But you all know how it is, records are made to be broken and one of these days, some little white-haired grandma is going to throw down her knitting needles, hop on her 26-foot sailboat, drag in the anchor, haul up the sails and head alone around the world. Just to prove a point, that “she ain’t dead yet!”

I knew there would be a big homecoming and was very concerned about heavy weather preventing me from crossing the Gulf Stream on that last day. If that should happen, and it certainly could with uncertain weather, the result would be several hundred people and bunches of media folks waiting for me while I would be fretting and stewing in Bimini (Bahamas).

It was a risk I couldn’t take, so I came in a few days early and laid over on the Intercoastal (south of Fort. Lauderdale). And then, irony of all ironies, after sailing completely around the world I find on the 6th of December, the day before the big homecoming, an engine problem had developed and I am unable to come in under my own power. What a bummer!!!.

I called my friend on a white horse named Frank Herhold of the Marine Industries Association of South Florida, and he saved the day with a tow boat. After being met by the United States Coast Guard shooting out spays of water, I was escorted to the Marriott Marina where the Coral Springs High School band was playing and I received a salute from the USCG honor guard. The lines of the “Mickey” were tied to the dock and I was finally able to greet Lynda, my brother, my family, the media, a big crowd and a welcoming committee that was second to none. What a truly unforgettable moment it was!!!

And now plans are being made for the future by my manager Ruchel Louis, President of Successful Images, Randy Avon, President, Greater Fort Lauderdale Sister Cities International, Jack Drury, President of the Wheelchair Foundation, Frank Herhold, Executive Director of the Marine Industries Association of South Florida Inc., and a number of very special Fort Lauderdale people. It is difficult to name everyone, but we want to especially thank Jim Naugle, Mayor of Fort Lauderdale, Johanna Glatz, Senior Catering Manager at the Marriott Hotel, Sarah Anderson, Marina Director, Portside Marina and Mark Pratt, Manager of Lauderdale Marine Center. Also Frank Rosso and Angela at the Down Under Restrauant. We appreciate also Gayle Gibson of Gibson Fine Art & Design, Inc. who will be helping us with our “dclark” website in the near future. We thank Pat Colyer and Dan at Cingular for the cellular phone and service they have provided, and two very special friends Milda Isenberg and Ruth Bronisas. Also, our thanks to Floyd Johnson, Jayne Just, and Lisa Scott-Founds. Thanks to the generosity of Jeff Shaffner, we were provided airline tickets, to return to California so that we were able to be here in time for Christmas.

I will be returning to Ft. Lauderdale around the eighth of January for more meetings with Ruchel and the other people who are helping me get going on my “new” career. Then, I will pick up my car with all my “stuff” and return to my home base in California.

Lynda will send you more details about the celebrations and some pictures of the arrival in a few days. We want to thank all of you again for your support, interest, and faith in this endeavor.. We will be sending out UPDATEs periodically to let everyone know how the new “career” is coming along and when the book is published. Please stay in touch with us—we consider all of you personal friends.

Good Health and a Happy New Year !!

David and Lynda