Our Turtle Club Pond gathered virtually last night, and what a fun gathering it was.
We had Turtles joining from all over the country, including California, West Virginia, Texas, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Arizona, Florida, Michigan, and more. Not bad for a bunch of Turtles who started gathering online during Covid and somehow turned Zoom into a pretty lively Pond.
Of course, the big buzz is our upcoming first-ever in-person Turtle Club gathering in Marathon, Florida, October 9–12. The plans are starting to feel real now.
Pam and Tony Lyle will be taking the train to Miami, arriving on October 8, and they’re looking to share a ride from there down to Marathon. Sue and I are looking at flights so we can meet them in Miami and make the drive together through the Keys. Kay and Dante are also planning to make the trip, driving down from Georgia.
There’s just something perfect about Turtles migrating toward Marathon.
Marathon Gathering Details
Our host hotel is the Courtyard by Marriott Faro Blanco Resort in Marathon, Florida.
A room block has been set up for Turtle Club US Pond, with rooms available for our gathering dates. The current reservation cut-off date is 4:59 PM on Wednesday, September 9, 2026. After that, unused rooms are released, and any new requests will be subject to room and rate availability.
Use the hotel’s group reservation link to book under the Turtle Club US Pond room block:
Book your group rate for Turtle Club US Pond
We’re also planning a visit to The Turtle Hospital in Marathon, which feels like the most wonderfully appropriate field trip a Pond could possibly take. Details are still being worked out, but the plan is to schedule a group tour while we are all together in the Keys.
Turtles visiting turtles. It had to happen.
Turtle Race Winner!
We also held a Turtle Race on the website during the gathering, and congratulations go out to Christopher Carson of San Antonio, Texas, who won a Turtle Club t-shirt!
Christopher, your prize will be heading your way soon. Wear it proudly. Go forth and procure more Turtles.
First-Timers in the Pond
We had a few first-timers join the Zoom, which is always one of the best parts of these gatherings.
Jamie joined us from the Florida Space Coast, where she works for Blue Origin. She is a good Turtle and remains optimistic about their future launches. We like that kind of spirit. Turtles may move slow, but we understand big missions, long timelines, and dramatic countdowns.
Georgia Turtles on Parade
Kenneth Scott of Georgia and his wife shared their plans for the July 4th parade in Woodstock, Georgia, where their Turtle Pond will be enthusiastically representing Turtle Club with their Turtle Club US flag and goodies to toss to the crowd.
That’s exactly how a Pond grows: one parade, one laugh, one flag, and one confused but delighted bystander at a time.
A New Turtle Joins the Pond
I also managed to trick my friend Mike Brennan into joining the call. He passed the riddle test and was officially initiated into the Pond.
Mike, welcome aboard. A welcome packet will be coming your way soon. You are now part of something that is hard to explain, fun to belong to, and impossible to take too seriously.
Next Stop: Marathon
Every virtual gathering reminds us how much fun this group is, but this one made the upcoming Marathon gathering feel even more exciting. We’ve been gathering virtually since Covid, and now we finally have dates, a location, travel plans forming, and Turtles preparing to come together in person for the very first time.
Our Pond meets virtually on the third Tuesday of every month, so our next online gathering will be July 21st. It’s a great way to stay connected, welcome new Turtles, share a few laughs, and keep the momentum going as we count down to Marathon.
October in Marathon is going to be something special.
Until then, keep your shells polished, your riddles ready, and your Pond spirit high.
YBYSAIA!
Past Imperial Turtle Dave
