John & Nancy Golden

ADVENTURES IN PARADISE

The sun dropping from its fire lit sky into the diamond-like sparkles of the evening horizon.  The call of the seagull, a captain and his mate aboard their floating home experiencing nature's splendor in a way that most only fantasize about.  Meet John and Nancy Golden. 

If that first paragraph reminds you of the old TV program named Adventures in Paradise starring Gardner Mc Kay as Adam Troy or a Harlequin romance novel, then you'll enjoy talking to John and Nancy about their true life adventures in paradise. 

The scene opens with John, a former Marine and Viet Nam vet, now a New Jersey police officer training his binoculars across the canal on Nancy.  She was performing house chores and yard work.  Today, this kind of behavior may be interpreted as stalking, but in the innocent times of nearly a quarter century ago, it was called looking at the moon.  The peering across the canal didn't last long because John had calculated a plan to show Nancy his SEXtant...and it worked because, that's how it all began.

As the calendar pages flipped, these two converted an old 7-11 store into a successful seaside Tom's River gift shop.  Nancy ran the store full time and John continued his career with the police force, but worked with Nancy in his off time.  These were busy times, but they managed to enjoy their great white 1966 Corvette rag top that they still own today.  Back in 1975 when John bought the car, he had no intentions to purchase a Corvette, but at $2,900, why not?  This, too has offered many adventures...from cruising Route 66... to Nancy's first ride in the rain with the top down...to driving it to Florida from New Jersey on 24-year-old tires.  The Goldens' adventures were not restricted, or even dominated by land.

From the beginning, John & Nancy have always loved the sea.  They actually lived the life I alluded to in the first paragraph complete with the storybook wedding, a chartered sailboat and a few of your closest friends to witness your nuptials on the beach in the Virgin Islands.  I would be remiss in my duties if I didn't tell you that the Goldens added their own special flavor to this romantic setting.  Try to picture tuxedos, gowns, with flip flops and barefoot in the sand. 

The love affair continues with wintering in Florida, living on their boat, and better yet, having sailed from New Jersey and around Florida to visit and eventually, weigh anchor in Hernando Beach.  Although the casual 6 month sail from New Jersey to Florida wasn't without peril, it was nonetheless, romance at its best.  Ask John & Nancy about the 3 day storms that happened every 4 days.  Their 30-foot sailboat, Kokomo, was their home as their house, designed by John, was being built.  John & Nancy were hands-on during the build of their unique home. 

Entering the downstairs area of their house, you are welcomed by a tiki bar.  As you gaze through the glass sliders at the canal and the sailboat, it seems to transport you to the islands.  Also, if by chance, you have indulged in a bit of libation and need to relieve yourself, a short elevator ride takes you to the loo, equipped with a shelf to lean on and a urinal!  Why didn't I think of that!

John & Nancy can do almost anything.  Nancy is quite the artist.  John plays guitar and writes songs and can do just about anything else.  Certainly, I can spend another hour writing about the Goldens.  I mean....people who were married by a CIA agent can tell you a lot more, but if they did, they may have to kill you! 

Butch Uzzo, Your Roving Reporter