Capn's Log

RELAXIN', Texas Style!

2012-02-03T17:33:00.000-05:00

Oh.
Man.
Have I been waiting for this day!

The traveling is over.
The rig is parked.
The big projects are done.

The old analog televisions have been replaced with new flat panel HD TV's. The roof has been sealed.
Tire covers have been ordered, received, in place.

Everything has been organized. Heavy things have been moved lower, lighter things higher.

The basement actually makes some sense. All of Whopee's things are together. Lew can actually find a tool if he needs to. There is room for the folding chairs, in the proper easy/access locker.

I've even had time to play the piano.

The lots/sites/slips are BIG.
Texas Style!

We have trees, even a couple of palms, just in case we were getting homesick.

We have space to spread.

We have salt water maybe a quarter of a mile away - right down to the end of Stingray (our street). There you will find Ozo Bay, a bit shallow for sailing Whopee, but great for Bailey to run.

The price is right.

The park is wonderful. We have good friends here from our 'old marina' back in Michigan, so the transition from a Keel to Wheels has been easy.

There are people here are from all walks of life... just like we found on the water.

The rigs come in all sizes and colors! With as many variations and configurations... just like on the water.

And it seems like everyone has a dog! And I swear they are all named 'Boo'...

We have our routine, just like 'retired folk'.

We wake up in the morning.
I take my shower.
Bailey gets his morning walk around the block.
Lew has his shower.
We have our breakfast...

And then we all adjourn to the 'front parlor' with our coffee -
where the blinds have been opened -
either the sun streams in -
or we peer through the misty fog -
and watch the world go by...

Yup.

All of us!

Reminds me of those mornings in Boot Key Harbor...
The routine pretty much the same...

Coffee in the Cockpit
Watching the World go by!

Daddy's Little Boy, Mama's Little Baby

2012-01-22T12:11:00.000-05:00

BAILEY HAD A BIRTHDAY!

HE'S ONE!

(doesn't look spoiled, though, does he?)

3000 Miles!

2012-01-18T20:20:00.000-05:00

A Marathon!

We finally made it to Marathon after many miles! Including lots of stops at gas stations along the way!

We shared breakfast with Pam and Art in Northern Florida. They had just left Michigan, heading south to spend the Holiday break in the lower latitudes, with a trailer in tow!
How fortuitous for us! Out of the blue it was decided that certain items currently located in our Florida storage unit (not needed in the RV) would be transported by Pam and Art and taken to Michigan - to await our summer sojourn north. What a lifesaver!

One more testimony to the value of friendship, of the tightness of the boating community!

Not only did Pam and Art come to the rescue, but Arlene and Jim were quick to step up to the plate!

You might remember the post about moving our storage from Fort Lauderdale to Marathon... well now it was time to give up the 5x5 air conditioned second story hurricane safe space and re-align what we could to the RV.

Lew and Jim made the trips from 'Jolly Roger' RV park on Grassy Key to the storage unit and back, filling the car with stuff to be stacked and stored both inside and out of the rig... stuff we needed, stuff we didn't, stuff we hadn't seen in years, stuff we didn't ever need to see again!

Arlene and I decided which boxes needed to come inside, which would be stored in the 'basement' compartments, and proceeded to find a space for each and every thing. Much like a boat, all things need to have a spot they belong in... "everything in its place"... before the 'shore power' is unplugged and the voyage begins! Of course things have been misplaced, maybe even 'lost for good', as the unpacking unceremoniously progressed.

A couple days later and Pam and Art arrived, the last of the storage was emptied and their trailer was loaded.

Whopee was retrieved from her storage space at Eric's Shoreline and secured to the roof. My bike was folded and found a space in the car.

Hiliary and Charles (on Ship of Fools) organized and hosted a Christmas Potluck at the City Marina (So Very Nice of them to schedule our 'Goodbye Party'!) on Christmas Eve. It was well attended, as expected, the food great and the camaraderie even better!

It was with a heavy heart and a sense of adventure that on Christmas morning we topped off the tire pressure, severed the power cord, re-attached the dolly, locked down the Cute Little Kia Soul and headed north-bound on US1 out of The Heart of the Keys.

Some quiet time in our 'home on wheels' we headed out of Florida and west on I10. Eventually we came to the Mississippi River, and our new life officially took a new turn!

Soon we entered Texas and headed to Brother Bill's place in Houston. He and Janice had promised a place for us to park our rig while we took the car and drove up to Kansas for new plates, a mailbox and a place for Lew to establish residency.

And finally we reach our new HOME.
Shawnee, KS 66217
You are NOT going to believe this.

IT IS A WALMART PARKING LOT!!!

THIS IS NOT A BOAT!

2011-12-19T23:25:00.001-05:00

Well.
We made the drive.
We made the decision.
We made the offer.
We transferred the money.

And then came the wait.

Buying our new Free N Clear from an independent party took longer than buying it from a dealer... a lot longer.

First there was the loan company who had to get paid off... then there was the wait for the title to be released...
Not bad I 'spose, spending a bit of time on South Trail in Michigan, visiting with the family, watching Buddy and Bailey making friends... feeling the temperatures drop... the threat of snow/ice on the horizon...

Had we been thinking we would have/should have grabbed the manuals to occupy our time. But we didn't.

We took possession on a Friday afternoon. Made it to the Secretary of the States for temporary tags before closing. Made it to Acme Bedding for our new mattress before closing. Opened the slides to assist the old out/new in... and... couldn't close the slides. Didn't have any tools, or the right tool (storage-Florida), it's dark, it's a bad area of town, it's Friday night. Called my brother, and of course by the time he arrives - with the necessary tool for the manual over-ride - the slides are in and we practice our best ''chagrin''.

Mike's phone rings, he answers, he says "Yeah, they are trying to operate it without reading the manuals."

The next day we accessorize! Batteries, a ladder, sheets, comforter, a can opener - you name it, we had to have it! Close inspection revealed some broken welds on the trailer hitch, so that needed repair...

Finally, Tuesday morning we load up the last of the bags, attach the tow dolly, strap on the Cute Little Kia Soul and at 11:45 we head out of town.

Anticipating rain for the next 4 or 5 days I asked Lew if he thought the wipers worked.
Hmm.
Turned them on, and yes, they did work!... as we watch the rubber peel off... A quick stop at NAPA, first time use of the new ladder, and we were on our way!

Remembering that we are heading south out of Michigan, in December, where the temperatures are close to (if not there already) freezing... the rig has been winterized. All the tanks and tubing have been filled and flushed with 'the pink stuff'. In Michigan all the RV parks close in November... which means no hot showers until we reach the lower latitudes!

First stop: WalMart in South Bend Indiana!
It's raining.

Next day we make it to Grandma's RV Camping in Kentucky where we fill and flush all the water tanks, hook up the electricity, turn on the heat, turn all the switches on and off.

It's still raining.
Next morning we start out again.
Still raining.

Thinking about our next WalMart...
stop for lunch...
and NO WATER!

What???
(One might not notice the tanks draining almost as fast as we are filling them if they are emptying on already saturated ground...)

Cherokee Campground -- Here we come!
Located 'just off' of I65 just south of Birmingham Alabama, they have room for us! An easy 1 1/2 hours left on the road!

Except...
Rush hour stopped traffic through Birmingham.
The GPS gives the wrong address.
A wrong turn ends up heading us higher and higher up a winding mountain road surrounded solely by gated communities (read that as not a single block to turn around). Higher and Higher (remember that we are 38 feet plus a tow dolly [as in don't back up] and a car). Tighter and tighter the curves.
We're stuck. We un-hook the car. We finally squeeze out a turn.
I'm in the car. Lew is in the rig.
Another wrong turn and we are heading down a narrowing one lane road.
It's still raining.
I see a couple of gents sitting on their porch shaking their heads. I roll down my window.
Are you lost? Oh yeah, I'm lost! Is that big bus with you? Oh yeah, he's with me. Well, you know this here's a dead end street and there's no turn aroun's and that lady at the end has some bad ass dogs! OMG! I start flashing my lights, Lew stops! We un-hook the tow dolly. The gents help. Lew backs up. It's still raining.

The story goes on.
It involves passing the same Chevron station about 5 or 6 times, turning around in a small (occupied) church parking lot, missing the left turn before the hill, the right turn after the pink and blue daycare building (did anyone notice the sun set a long time ago?) (and it's still raining!)
But we arrive.
At last.
Southern Hospitality, you gotta love it! The man at Cherokee offers us a free night for our troubles.
We stay an extra day.
We read the manuals.

The RV version of Free N Clear

2011-12-05T11:54:00.001-05:00

So, what's in a name?

Free N Clear, the RV!

It's a 2002 Newmar Mountain Aire 3778 and it is OURS!!

We left Boot Key Harbor with us, Bailey the dog, and the rest of our possessions and headed northbound out of the Keys.

It was Friday morning, the day after Thanksgiving.

First stop was Fort Myers where we looked at a few potential future homes... and then we decided to head up I-75/I-65 to Sears Michigan where we had found a rig on the Internet that had all the little bells and whistles that we were looking for.

So, why not?

Maude (Lew's mom) always said that if things seem to fall sweetly into place then you are on the right path.
I think we are. From the sale of Free N Clear, the SV (sailing vessel) to the purchase of Free N Clear the RV (recreational vehicle), it has been smooth sailing in the HOV lane!

A Good Run

2011-11-23T21:37:00.001-05:00

After 12 wonderful years of 'living aboard' and cruising our Whitby 42 we are about to step off of Free N Clear for the last time.

Whoever said that it would be one of the happiest days of a boat owner's life was mistaken.
Bittersweet is a much better description.

For Jan and Orin it will be a day filled with anticipation and excitement as they embark on a brand new lifestyle. For Deb and Lew it will be a sad day.

It didn't seem that long ago, or maybe it was a lifetime, when we finally finished that seemingly endless 6 months of being 'on the hard' in Fort Lauderdale. Working daily on our refit of our then "new" Free N Clear, taking only the 4th of July off from the task, we launched in November of 1999.

On 11/18/99 we moved out the New River to our slip on Hendricks Isle. Lew suggested that we 'camp out' on our 'new' boat for the night. We headed back to the 6th floor apartment on the ocean in Hollywood to gather a few things, tooth brushes, maybe a bottle of champagne, or at least a cold beer or two... when Lew grabbed a big black trash bag, walked into the bedroom and rolled up our blanket, sheets, mattress pad and pillows, stuffed them into the bag - and said "That's it! We're moving aboard! Tonight!"

Yeah!

It was exactly 12 years later, on 11/18/11, that we printed/signed/notarized/faxed/and 'overnighted' the paperwork that took the label of "boat owner" out of our lives.

Whether we were 'flying the chute' or sailing reefed jib and jigger, whether we were motoring the ICW or silently easing through a flock of white pelicans at 2 knots with just the head sail, whether we were head down/ass up in the bilge or entertaining friends in the cockpit - every day we were blessed with the knowledge that we were leaving a small carbon footprint, that we were communing with Nature at her best.

But our lives have changed. Our needs are different. Our desire, though, for the 'wanderlust' remains strong. On Friday morning we will grab our blanket, sheets, pillows and toothbrushes, along with our newest member, Bailey, pile into the "Cute Little Kia Soul" and head north in search of a yacht with wheels instead of a keel!

We'll still be seeking out that quiet corner of the earth where we can be part of the night, a place where we will share a hot pot of chili with good friends, where Bailey can run chasing butterflies in the wind...

But... wait... what is that??? On the top??? Yeah, the Cute Little Kia???

Yup.
It's a boat.

You know, you can take the owner off the boat...
but you can't take the boating out of the owner!

;-)

Bailey

2011-11-02T17:14:00.000-04:00

It all started while we were on our extended Michigan sojourn this summer, and it was all this little guy's fault!!!

This is Buddy.

And through a long and convoluted story he found his way into the home and hearts of those on South Trail in Twin Lake.

The problem with Buddy is that he likes everyone, I mean everyone! What a little sweetheart he is.

And a smarty!

We taught him how to play 'fetch' within minutes, how to swim for just the pleasure of it, wading in from the steps as I uncovered the pool for the day. Collecting all the leaves that had fallen in, I would turn and there would be Buddy swimming his morning lap. And oh how he totally enjoyed getting all 'loved up' with the towel afterwards!

The one thing that he didn't learn very well was 'coming when called', but then maybe that was just a bit of his stubbornness, or his last stronghold of trying to be Alpha in nature.

Between Lew and I we would have packed him up for the trip south to live on Free N Clear without a second thought! In the bag! Ready to go!

But alas, Buddy had found his home on South Trail. And he had it made. Like I said, totally surrounded by people that love him.

And really, is it right to have a dog on board a boat? Is it fair to him? Those are questions that we have asked ourselves time and again. If the boat was sold and we had moved on into our next chapter, an RV, then maybe it would make sense... And when that time comes we will search for our own four legged critter... Decision made.

Lots of people do have pets aboard their vessels. Cats and Dogs and Birds and such. I'm not saying it is right or wrong. It's just a personal choice. One that we had made. And then discussed again. And made again.

Until just the other day.
Lew said "Let's stop by the shelter."

?

So we did.
But none of the little guys there really tickled our fancy, not really, not like Buddy.

But then the lady at the counter told us she had a call from someone looking for a good home for her pet... she passed along the phone number.

We called the number.
We met Bailey.
We fell in love.

We would like you to meet Bailey.

A little guy that is filling that void in our hearts.

Bailey is a 9 1/2 month old Lhasa Apso.
And he is getting used to 'living aboard' on Free N Clear.

This Is!

2011-10-28T11:06:00.000-04:00

This IS what it is all about.

Back home. On board. Back on the ball in Boot Key Harbor. The air soft. The sunsets gorgeous.

And the getting there!
Let me tell you...

It was a wonderful summer. Staying in a bit of northern paradise on the lake in Michigan, seeing the parents and the children, the grandchildren and the siblings, it is still nice to get 'home'.

Leaving at the beginning of October as the temperatures started to dip into the 40's, threatening a first frost, the leaves changing colors, we decided that a sojourn to the annual Whitby Rendezvous in Annapolis was just the thing to aim for. As we were driving through the higher elevations of Pennsylvania Lew asked "What is that on the windshield? My heavens, it looks like snow!" And then looking out past the thick flakes we saw the trees and ground was covered with the stuff!! (A good time to be heading south, yes.)

Along the way we met up with several of our boating buddies, in Annapolis, St. Augustine, Titusville. Pat and Scott and Jeanie and Bertha and Roy and John and Mary and Bess and Bill and Carole and Guy and Mark and Dee and Lee and Meghan and Bob and Joe and Peggy... and ALL the rest...

Good meals, good times, good accommodations...
Old stories, new memories... There is nothing like the boating community!

We had the boat painted and splashed for our arrival. All checked out, the motor started, the tide rising we left the yard and headed out, hung a right and came back 'home to the harbor'.

A bit of the reverse of what we went through in May when we emptied the boat, prepping it for that NEW owner that we await - all dishes and flatware, pots and pans, sheets and towels were packed away in storage and needed to be located and transported to the boat. The water tanks needed sanitizing, after sitting dry for 4 months. Things lubricated, batteries charged...

But NOTHING prepared us FOR THIS!


Bailey

Ding/Dong

2011-10-15T13:50:00.000-04:00

Lena Mae Parnell

Welcome Little Lena to the fold!

Kari and Matt became parents.

Barb and Bruce and Judie and Tom became grandparents - all for the first time.

Meghan became an aunt - a first.

Brother Mike became a great-uncle - another first.

Lew and I became a great-aunt/uncle - again.

Beep and Bump became great grandparents - not a first.

Wait.
Wait.
Back up there... Beep and Bump??? Now where, oh where did that come from?

Well, since you ask -- Here is the story...

Beep & Bump

Once upon a time, a very long time ago, before I was even a twinkle in my mother's eye, my grandfather (Harold) read an article in a magazine. In that article it said that if you had a nickname for your spouse that your marriage would last longer. So. He started calling my grandmother "Neep". And that became "Neep Neep".

Not to be outdone, my grandmother (Eva) started calling my grandfather "Nop Nop" (short 'o' sound).

When I became more than a twinkle in my mother's eye "Neep Neep & Nop Nop" were the names that I (and eventually my siblings) used for my maternal grandparents. "Grandma" and "Grandpa" reserved for my dad's parents.

When it came time for my first-born, having both sets of grandparents nearby, it seemed logical that a 'nickname' would be assigned one set. Following a tradition already in place, a search was done for appropriate monikers. Affectionately my parents became "Beep" and "Bump". Not just to the family -- the nickname reached behind that circle to include friends and neighbors!

Ding & Dong

Which brings us back to today.

What, oh what shall become the new name for my sister and her hubby. Brand new grandparents...
Oma and Opa are being considered, and may have already won the toss...

Bib and Bop?
I like that.
But think of pour Little Lena and her trying to sort out Bip Bop Beep and Bump!!!
Oh my!

I'm thinking "Ding" and "Dong"!
What do you think?
(And yes, Bruce, you can be "Dong".)

Changing Seasons

2011-09-23T23:10:00.001-04:00

The temperatures are dropping.

The lake is warmer than the air, the sea smoke is getting thicker, rising higher... it's time to think about heading south.

Today the team arrived and the pool was closed, the water drained to below the jets, the pump, the chlorinator. Antifreeze was added to the skimmer.
The winter cover was stretched, secured.
Kreepy Krauler was stored along with all the other hoses.

The leaves are starting - just starting to change colors. A vibrant splash of red here. A warm yellow there.

Autumn has arrived.

the party room

2011-09-19T16:52:00.000-04:00

Whether it's a birthday party, or a baby shower...

the party room at Barb and Bruce's is quick to fit the bill...

...if it's movie night with the Bose Surround Sound Home Theatre, or a Family Holiday Dinner, or friends over for vacation planning, or debriefing after another winter trip to Mexico or Aruba, or maybe even a quiet game of Scrabble between Sisters... the Party Room easily metamorphoses into whatever is required - in style!

Kari is having a baby (B&B's first grandchild) and so a Shower was hosted for family and friends. The 3 tiered cake was made out of 92 diapers, games were played, the punch could have been spiked (depending on your age) with Champagne.

And Ada had a birthday.
She turned 90.
It was a Surprise.
It was her first Birthday Party.
Ever.

Last Names Optional...

2011-09-13T20:14:00.000-04:00

Monday, September 12th, 2011

Life Aboard in the Keys: Where Last Names Are Optional
by Charmaine Smith Ladd

Down here in the Keys, boaters are very laid back and unassuming. Most never inquire about the past of others, nor do we often know last names. Nicknames such as “Diver Dave” and “Fiberglass Dave” serve to differentiate boaters and tout their trades. I am probably one of the very few boaters who doesn’t have a nickname. But Charmaine is a very unique name. My spouse, however, is known as “Charmaine’s Bill.” There are lots of guys named “Bill” in the boating community. LOL

A gentleman I have known for many years, “Ed on Old Broad,” is a delightful man with a kind heart. He and his wife, Sally, are more known for their gigantic feline ‘boatcat’ than probably anything else. Or so I thought. Another boater came by yesterday and told me others were gathering to watch CNN’s feature “Footnotes of 9-11.” He told me, “Ed on Old Broad’s interview is gonna be on there.” Not imagining the connection, my friend then enlightened me that “Ed on Old Broad,” before his cruising life, was Ed Ballinger, a Dispatcher for United Airlines in Chicago. Ed Ballinger handled 16 flights for United Airlines on that tragic day ten years ago, 9-11. Two of the flights Dispatcher Ed Ballinger handled were Flight 175 and Flight 93. Both were hijacked.

At the time of the interview, CNN came here to Boot Key Harbor (BKH) and filmed it while aboard Ed’s sailing vessel, Old Broad. Currently, Ed and Sally are just a few boats down from September Sea at a marina where we are enjoying the benefits of ample shore power for cooling off during the hot summer months here in the Keys. Last night, a number of us got together at the marina tiki hut bar, along with Ed and his wife Sally, to watch as planned. Ed was visibly shaken and cried during certain portions of the broadcast. We all cried along with him. We all consoled him. This was a real life truth to the adage, “You can’t judge a book by its cover.” We who live aboard and/or cruise full-time come from all walks of life. Our life aboard and sailing give us a freedom much yearned for, and needed for many differing reasons.

I hope many of you will share this with others, including landlubber friends and relatives. Just as there are those who live vicariously through we who cruise and sail, embracing the thought of such freedom; contrarily, many do not understand why anyone could give up a house or condo on land and opt to live aboard a boat. For my fellow cruiser and friend, “Ed on Old Broad,” who, for a brief time last night became Dispatcher Ed Balllinger once again, today he’s back to being “Ed on Old Broad.” I like it that way. I’m sure “Ed on Old Broad” does too.

Click the link to view the interview:
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/US/09/06/september.11.footnotes/

(Thank you Charmaine, for letting me share this heartfelt story.)

Pretty Serious

2011-08-28T14:21:00.000-04:00

Having mentioned before the competitiveness of my family... from water-skiing antics when we were kids to expensive (to us at least, as Lew has won only once in the 18 years that he has had the privilege of playing, and me probably twice) Sunday afternoon family games of Tunk... I need to update...

Since we have been here in Michigan my sister Barb and I have been playing Scrabble religiously! Maybe 2 or 3, sometimes 4 or 5 times a week, you will find us either out next to the pool, or at the game table, either at her house or my parents... always close to a supply of cold ones, either in a cooler or a fridge.

At least 3 games will be played at one sitting because it never fails that with the first two we will rack up one win a piece, necessitating a third tie breaker! Sometimes.

Usually the rest of the family heads off to bed as Barb and I continue on into the night...
Our longest session has so far lasted until 4 a.m., unsure of how many games were played.
I do know that it has been really enjoyable.

Official Sister's Day was the first Sunday in August.
It's really nice to have a sister!

Piece of Art, Revisited

2011-08-04T15:45:00.005-04:00

A man and his dream, '09

It has been a year since we have had the pleasure of visiting Art and Pam and their pet project!

Having met them in Boot Key Harbor during the winter of '08/'09, all of us being from Michigan and all of us sharing the love of sailing small boats in the Harbor we were destined to become fast friends.

After hearing Art's stories of his boat project we knew that we were going to have to do a follow up on their turf in the 'Thumb Area'.

2009

This is the 3rd year that we have visited them, the 3rd year that we have sat at their table, the 3rd post that I have blogged about the project and the progress. Feel free to click on the links below to see the real changes that have happened in just the past 3 years that we have known them!

The Vision, '10

A Piece of Art, 2009

Updated Piece of Art, 2010

Living On The Edge

2011-07-22T16:57:00.001-04:00

There are wonderful moments living on the Edge - the Edge that is - of the Manistee National Forest in the middle western part of lower Michigan.

The trees are green this time of year, and tall, dense and full of life.

But there are chores that come with living ashore, on the hard as we live-aboard/full time cruisers would say. My 'job' for the summer is being "the pool girl". Early morning finds me out surveying the roost, kicking on the pump, maybe vacuuming or skimming for fallen leaves, testing the waters. All in all, not a bad way to earn our room and board as we share my parents home in Twin Lake for the season.

There is also the "walking the dog" job. Buddy is the new member of the family - and what a little character he is! Smart as a whip, strong as a horse, a friend to all that enter... he is really a family kind of guy. Coming from the Puppy Palace, neglected in his previous place, this little pup is fast becoming man (and woman's) best friend!

Multi-tasking is always good. Many times as I perform my morning inspection of the pool Buddy joins me outside, jumps in for a quick swim around 'just for kicks', gets a frisky rub down with his towel and is good to go for the rest of the day!

There have been some pleasant surprises in my home town of Muskegon, Michigan. Located at Pere Marquette Park right on the sugar sand beaches of Lake Michigan, the south side of the Muskegon Breakwater, we happened one day upon this priceless newbie!

Accepting the credit card of your choice, with an optimum parking space right near the paved walk out to the breakwater, stands this battery charging device... the only thing missing was an electric car! No stinky fumes, no lines at the pump... and the view... spectacular!

But all isn't without mishap at this southern edge of the Forest...

Another strong summer storm came through about a week ago, wreaking havoc along its path. We were without power for a few days, without phone service for even longer. Clean up took awhile, and for some (good friends Dan and Nell from way back) will be on-going through the rest of the summer and maybe into autumn as trees fell in the wake of 65 mph winds.

Songbirds

2011-07-17T12:07:00.002-04:00

About 5:30 in the morning is when the songbirds start their wake-up calls.

After so many years of living in the Keys, surrounded by screeching gulls and 'kranking' cranes, I've forgotten how beautiful this sound can be.

Sweet music to the ears.

Situated at the southern edge of the Manistee National Forest, the bedroom floor to ceiling window faces east. With the slider open, the sun rising, the birds performing, waking up is a definite pleasure.

The sea smoke lifts and the day begins.

The Party, The Pool, The Pig

2011-06-20T12:58:00.004-04:00

Jenna graduated!

And what a VERY special thing for these grandparents to be in the same State for the graduation party!

One of the things that we miss the most, by being Boot Key Harbor residents in the Heart of the Keys, is watching the grandkids grow and being a part of their histories. But this year things are different.

Planning on spending the entire summer here on the west coast of mid-Michigan and even into the early part of the fall (hopefully departing before the first snow arrives but catching the autumnal colors as the reach down the state) we will have the opportunity to share birthdays, parties, and those 'oh so special' quiet evenings with family and old friends.

Staying with my parents, affectionately referred to by many as 'Beep and Bump' (a long story), Pool Maintenance has become our chore for the season. We arrived just after the pool was opened up for the summer and the first thing that needed doing was vacuuming.

After many accolades from Karen, Tom and others, Lew had done a lot of research about Salt Water Pools. Less maintenance, less chemicals, a better feel to the water -- the decision was made to make the switch.

400 lbs of Pool Salt was added and allowed to disperse.
Installation of the chlorinator was a breeze with only one small (easily fixed) leak. The pump was turned on and within 24 hours the test strip was coming up within 'normal' limits. The clarity of the water is better than it has ever been. The smell of chlorine is gone. There is no taste of salt in the pool. And 'Maintenance' will be a BREEZE!!!

In previous years we have always scheduled our summer sojourn to the 'Homeland' to coincide with the annual 'Pig Roast'.

Unfortunately this year, after 30+ years, the 'Pig Roast' (not a family reunion, but a family party) will not be happening. I mention this only for the benefit of friends that have not yet received their invitation...

You have not been deleted from the list...
or overlooked...
or slighted...

But that doesn't mean that you are excluded from stopping by and testing the waters!
You know where we live.
We would love to see you! Come on in, the water is fine!

Community Event

2011-06-08T11:19:00.001-04:00

Photo from Karen's iPhone

Or...
What are friends for?

It was Jim and Arlene's anniversary.
As we dinghied by their boat with the Walker Bay in tow, letting them know we were on the way to clean Whopee's bottom of barnacles (Sunday's 'To Do' list) I never thought they would say ''Yes'' to my best Tom Sawyer invitation of joining us in our labors.
They did!

Photo from Karen's iPhone

After a couple of hours of scraping, followed by some more scraping, some rinsing, more scraping...
Whopee was good to go.

Towing her to the City Marina, with Matt's help we got her up on the sea wall, and with the help of Rocky and Arlene and Jim and Karen we got her flipped, lifted and strapped aboard our Cute Little Kia Soul!

Photo from Karen's iPhone

With Whopee being wider than the car, it took a bit of engineering to come up with a safe solution for all - the dinghy, the car, us. Lew's idea worked great!

Some foam pads purchased through Amazon.com and a couple of 2x2's from Home Depot, a couple of found 'yoga blocks', several cargo straps and lots of help and Whopee was ready for the 1500+ mile trip to Michigan, the land of Sweet Seas!

The mother ship, Free N Clear, has been stripped of all personal possessions. After 11 (or is it 12 now?) years aboard of calling our Whitby 42 'home', with all 97 storage lockers filled or partially filled with something, it took a very systematic excavation, cataloguing and storage of 'stuff'. Some 'stuff' was stuffed into an already full storage unit. Some 'stuff' was carefully packed, tossed or crammed into the back of the Cute Little Kia Soul.

Free N Clear was taken to Driftwood Marina where she was hauled, power washed and blocked for the summer Hurricane season. She is now listed with our broker, Gary, at Whiteaker Yacht Sales.

We piled ourselves between the possessions, the mast/boom/toothbrushes/French Press/clothing (both summer and winter) and all the stuff and headed North.

Taking the back roads in Florida we figured out that the entire 1500+ miles would be made at 58 mph. Being overloaded in and out we searched for the best mileage, and finding it, we arrived in Michigan on June 3rd.

Feeling a bit 'homeless', we are giving our futures over to fate.

If Free N Clear finds a new owner, we will search out new horizons, start our new adventure.
If we still are proud Whitby owners in the fall, at the end of Hurricane Season, we will be back to Boot Key Harbor, our home for the last 5 1/2 years, a place where friends are already missed! A place where friends are as important as family.

What's the Haps?

2011-04-06T15:41:00.004-04:00

Well. Lew had a birthday. And a Party!

A trip to Miami AND Mr. C's,

With one VERY Happy Customer!

Aunt Linda & Alex came to visit!

A road trip to St. Pete and a sail on Tampa Bay w/ Joe & Peggy - two days in a row!

We went RV looking... and actually found something we BOTH liked!

An overnight at the Tofu Hut, bottle of wine inclusive.

We decided to put our beloved Free N Clear on the market.

AND, I submitted my resignation after nearly 5 1/2 years, effective the end of April.

It's been a busy time... but for the life of me I couldn't find a thing to write about!

A Heavy Heart

2011-03-06T22:07:00.000-05:00

It has been a very difficult decision to make, but one that we knew was coming. We have decided to put Free N Clear up for sale.

But once made, our future is anything but bleak. We are looking forward to spending this summer in Michigan with our family and friends, getting that "grandkid fix" that we all so love! Eventually, after the boat, our home, is sold we are looking forward to becoming 'full timers' in an RV.

There are new horizons out there that need to be discovered, new smells and sounds, flora and fauna. You just never know when we might be showing up in your driveway, looking to share a sundowner, maybe a meal, some laughs and create some new memories.

Click on the link - http://freenclearforsale.blogspot.com/ - to get a good look at the boat and all her amenities...

Nice Sink!

2011-02-21T15:15:00.004-05:00

I know, I know... you have got to be wondering what this title has got to be about.

Well.
Lew went and visited Jeanie and Scott on their Whitby 42, Joie de Vivre, and came back home exclaiming "You've GOT to see their sink!"

Quick to compare Whitby v Whitby, I said "OK".

But just walking up (or dinghy-ing in our case) to someone's boat and saying "Hey, I've come to see your sink!" just didn't seem like the right way to handle things. But I thought I would give it a shot.

So I did.
And 'lo, we got an invitation to dinner! (I need to try this line more often!)

The sink WAS a nice one, reminding me of the comforts of (land based) home, a little elbow room, actually having something big enough to handle a dish drainer if needed, room enough to scrub a skillet or dutch oven, able to accommodate a lobster tail or two.
Yeah, he was right. It is a nice sink.

Living in a boat, even one as big as a Whitby 42, is at times akin to living in an oversized doll house. All things within arms reach, all things in miniature. Like the size of the commode, or your shower area, or your oven, and yes, even the kitchen sink!

But I digress.

Dinner was great! The company and stories were wonderful!
Joie de Vivre is leaving the harbor this morning for new horizons.
We wish them "Fair Winds" and Beautiful Sunsets.
And thank them for their warm friendship.

They certainly rolled out the 'red carpet' for us - or in live-aboard language - their REALLY nice boarding ladder!

It Was...

2011-02-11T14:31:00.001-05:00

A Roadtrip, in the new Kia Soul. Breaking her in as we traveled up the Turnpike to do the post-op, post-PT with the shoulder/wrist surgeon.

It was pretty special, as we averaged 33 miles per gallon, and she isn't even broken in yet! The cruise control worked great. The complimentary Sirius radio was wonderful. NO overheating! NO blown head gaskets OR rear seals! NO leaky radiators! NO tow trucks!
We were happy campers!

The X-rays looked great!

The Doctor was so happy with everything that Lew was able to do, with his wrists AND his shoulders... calling Lew his "poster child", he took pictures which I am sure will be shared with other physicians at learning seminars!
GO LEW!!

But of course, NO road trip is complete without a stop at Mr. C's Ice Cream on the way home!!!

(I think we should do this again...)

Moving Up In The World

2011-01-31T16:07:00.000-05:00

From C-2 to F-1, upwind, due North, all the way!

A bit closer to the marina.
A bit closer to the north shore.
A bit closer to the mangroves.
And a lot more protection from those fierce North Winds.

All of this makes it a 'bit easier' to get on and off the mother ship (a 'side to' event) when the North Winds blow, much appreciated as continued healing and physical therapy takes place.

The cruisers have piled in, the mooring balls are full, a waiting list has been started. It is the busy season in Boot Key Harbor with numerous events slated for every weekend. Whether it be a movie or a play or a music festival or a farmer's market, or yoga or softball or bocce ball, or a search for propane or a craft group, there is ALWAYS something happening in Marathon.

Options include welcoming one as an observer, or as a participant.

Case in point, our next community theatre event has been written by a Harbor Resident, directed by another Harbor Resident with the cast including other Harbor Residents. Certainly this Harbor Resident will be warming a seat in the audience! Hope to see you there.

Wave as you pass us by on F-1, 'cuz you'll get a big wave back! Guaranteed!

On the Ball Again!

2011-01-14T15:49:00.000-05:00

THIS...

is what it is ALL about!

After a very long 6 months of being tethered to the floating docks at the City Marina, Free N Clear has relocated to the mooring field, specifically C-2.

Our location on the dock put us next to the Mangroves (yes, no-see-ums in the morning and in the early evening) on the east side of the boat, and in the shadow of the marina building on the west side. Which meant that the late afternoon sun would dip behind the building and the sunsets (along with the sunrises) were missed, our favorite gloaming period non-existent. (I intentionally didn't mention the rat 'poo' that has recently been appearing in the cockpit...)

Lew, understandably, is one VERY happy camper!

The clear windows are un-rolled in the cockpit, and when the sun is shining it feels like a little bit of heaven inside, certainly not the middle of January.

The temperature perfect.
The view spectacular.
A big sigh of relief, as...
we have 'come home'.

Welcome Grace!

2011-01-12T15:32:00.002-05:00

Allyson became a Mom.
Jerry a Dad.
Jenna an Aunt.
Jacob & Jason became Uncles.
Jennifer a Grandmother.
Dan a Grandfather.

Lew & Deb - Great Grandparents!!!

Thank you Allyson for ALL of your work!

Ahhh, But What About Christmas?

2011-01-07T15:29:00.002-05:00

The Tables were Set.

The Dinghy Docks were Full.

The Food was Cooked.

The Lines moved Along.

CHRISTMAS DINNER FOR 300!!!

Road Trips X 2!

2011-01-03T22:51:00.002-05:00

We love guests.

On a lot of different levels.

It gives us a reason to clean out the v-berth as it is slowly trying to metamorphose into a garage. It keeps us in check.

It gives us the opportunity to share our lifestyle with others, the living 'out of the box and off the grid' (albeit we currently are still on the floating dock.) We are proud of our solar energy uses and our small footprints, the hard ice cream and cold beer that comes from the sun.

But mostly it is the warm hugs, the old stories re-hashed over a glass of wine, the new memories that are created.

I met Roxanne in the late 70's.
My God, I didn't know that I was old enough to have friendships that reached across that many decades! But reached they have! And believe me when I say, "it seemed like only yesterday..." - the conversations easy, the smiles full of warmth, the mutual comfort in each other's presence was, really, the same.

Roxanne brought a gift! And it wasn't just the good coffee...

She brought Carol.

Having been "out country" for the past 14 years, most recently from Beirut, Carol shared some great experiences. Starting out as a Peace Corps Volunteer and moving into a teaching career brought her to many countries with even more stories.

Nothing like ringing in a New Year with New Friends!

Bottom line was they were both great guests and are most welcome back any ol' time!

It was a long trip down from Michigan, and a long trip back and I, for one, am sure glad that they made it.

But they weren't the only ones making a road trip this weekend...

New Year's Eve we took possession of a brand new Kia Soul!
Gone are the days of automobile woes and break-downs! Gone are the days of repair bills and tow trucks!

So.

Other than a few hops 1/2 mile down to road to the Hurricane for lunch, or maybe a mile to Publix for some groceries, a road trip WAS in order!

Lew, being the wonderful husband that he is, suggested a drive up US1 to Mr. C's Ice Cream for a cone or two...

It Could Have Been...

2010-12-24T15:15:00.004-05:00

A day from Hell.

It turned out to be to be a day filled with Miracles.

After the past 15 months of 7 surgeries and a heart attack we have found it rather difficult to muster up any Christmas Spirit -- until yesterday.

The day started out with a trip to Miami in our cute little white Subaru, which drives like a sports car and functions as a dock box. We were on our way to check in with the Heart Doctor, and the first 'post-op check-up' with the surgeon.

On the way I needed to have Misty cover Yoga at the Chickee for me, and asked Al to pick up our UPS delivery of the only Christmas present that we decided on for ourselves, a Sirius/XM radio, which of course was getting delivered while we were in Miami, and we wouldn't return until after the Marina office closed (with the office being closed for the next two days). Nice to have friends!

We got to the Heart Doctor, where Lew got a glowing bill of health, along with the news that he can go off of the Plavix when the Rx runs out, and come back in 6 to 12 months for another check-up. Yes!

Back onto the Palmetto with the GPS saying 14 miles to the shoulder surgeon and 15 minutes to make the trip. Yes!

That was about when the high pitched screech was heard. Was it us? Stepped on the brake, stepped on the accelerator, nope, didn't think it was us... and Lew noticed the temperature gauge was pegged at "H".
Not good.

The Palmetto, for those of you not familiar with Miami, is a VERY busy Highway. We pulled off the Highway at the Flagler St. exit, turned off the car, turned on the flashers, and pondered...

Well, let's see. Lew needs to be at his appointment in 15 minutes. The car needs towing. We need transportation back home.

Luckily Lew had us sign up for towing on our car insurance. Good.
After calling them, it was covered for only 15 miles, the rest was our problem, and would have been over $300 to Marathon. What to do?
Then we remembered that 'Miami Tom' had a service garage in Miami, somewhere, but what was the name? A quick call to Jenn, to get her voice mail. But a call back gave us Tom's sister, who had his number, and the name/address of Tom's business. A quick call to Tom's cell got us in contact with Sue.

We haven't seen Tom or Sue in 6 years! Friends from the days when we had Free N Clear docked at Curtis Marine in Tavernier, Sue was more than willing to step up to the plate and give us a hand. She picked up Lew on the Flagler St. exit ramp, at the same time as the tow truck arrived. Lew arrived at the doctor's for the check-up, late, only to find the surgeon was having his own surgery. He asked to see Lew anyway, and Lew had his post-op check-up in the recovery room surrounded by the Doctor, the Anesthesiologist, the Doctor's Surgeon, the Doctor's wife and the Doctor's staff. Pictures were taken! Holiday Hugs were shared!

Then Sue drove Lew to 'Sunset Place', where I was waiting (after the garage closed). Deciding that renting a car just wasn't in the budget, I called the City Marina and got the bus schedule from Anne, Homestead to Marathon, and we headed South, rush hour, back roads in a race to meet the 6:30 bus.

We got to Walmart, just as the bus doors were opening, correct change, loaded and on our way down US1!

As we passed through Grassy Key, the phone rang, and Anne was asking if we would like a ride from the Bus Station to the City Marina, and if we would like to swing by to pick up dinner! Al had made a Calamari with Red Sauce, and we only needed to boil up some pasta.

Home to find a couple of packages in the cockpit, the Sirius Radio AND a box of treats from friends Tom and Sheryl from Harmony, who haven't been in the Harbor for a couple of years!

What could have been a very bad day ended up being filled with the love and friendship from many people. We can only say THANK YOU, and a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS to everyone.

Coffee In The Cockpit

2010-12-19T15:49:00.002-05:00

Photo by Jena McShane

My friend Roxanne is coming for a visit!

Hopefully she will bring some good coffee to share in the warmth of our cockpit.

She will be driving south from The Winter Wonderland of Michigan, and I felt the necessity of sending along directions. As you read along, I think you might understand why...

I'm wondering about giving you directions, as the address for the City Marina will not come up on any GPS thingy. Not sure about Droids or iPhones... in fact lots of times we have trouble filling in the blanks to have something drop shipped here, with comments like "that does not compute..."

Anyway,
the address for the Boot Key Harbor or Marathon City Marina is 800 35th Street Ocean, Marathon, 33050
If you punch it into a GPS it will take you to 35th Street Gulf, which is (obviously) the wrong side of the street, and about a block down from us.

So.

As you are traveling south on US1 in the Keys, every mile (from the mainland on down) is marked with MM (Mile Markers), which are little green signs along the side of the road. It starts with like 125 or so as you leave Florida City, and gets lower until Key West which is MM 0. We live at MM 49. Like exactly (by a few feet) of MM 49. As you are entering Marathon, noted as the highway becomes divided with a median, there are a couple of street lights as you are coming into town. Then up over a small bridge. Then a couple more street lights (one with a Walgreens on the right at the light). Then the airport. Then another street light with Kmart/CVS/etc on the left. (You are now exactly one mile away.) Then you will see a Home Depot on the left. Then you will see the City park on your left. And just at the end of the park, actually it will be the second driveway into the park, make a left. Go to the end. Make a right. First gravel drive, make a left. And come nearly to the end. I have a white Subaru wagon, which if you arrive on Wednesday - won't be parked there. Anyway, park. Walk down one of the ramps to the floating dock. Look for 'Free N Clear' (boat name). We have two masts, but not the boat with the two Black masts. Actually we are the 4th boat from the end (harbor end) of the floating dock.

How's that for convoluted?

As you are heading south in the Keys, be mindful of the speed limits. On "The Stretch" (18 miles between Florida City and Key Largo) the first half has construction (they are almost done) and says 45 MPH. You can do about 52. The last half of "The Stretch" is 55. Then up over the bridge it becomes 45 MPH as you are entering Key Largo. Don't go over 49. Then after about 10 miles it increases to 50, stay about 52-53. Then back to 45 for another 14 miles. Again, cruise with the traffic, but stay under 50. The police have nothing to do around here but give out tickets. Anyway, back up to 55 then down to 45 then to 55 and then to 45 in Marathon. JUST as you hit the 35 MPH sign (noted with red flags on it), that is where you make your left turn into the Park/Marina. You may note that you are turning just in front of a bus stop, complete with enclosure, bench, roof and lighting at night... only the bus won't stop there...

Gotta love it.

If you have some good coffee that you like... bring it!!!
We are, after all, considered "Out Island"! (And there is a reason for that.)

Also, if you can coordinate making the trip down the Keys during the daylight, do so. It is beautiful. Lots of places where people pull off the side of the road, take a picture, and continue on. We laugh. People with their heads stuck up out of sunroofs, or hanging out of windows making their videos! Watch for people stopping dead on the top of 'look-arounds' (bridges) with cameras in hand!
Watch for motorcyclists with two hands on the camera and none on the handlebars!!
Yup, you see it all down here!

But hey. It is 'The Keys'!!!

SO looking forward to seeing you!
Coffee in the Cockpit!

Hmmm, might have to post this as a blog...

The Left, Now The Right

2010-12-16T16:03:00.000-05:00

Resting (somewhat comfortably) at the Hyatt in Doral (Miami, just north of the airport) after a somewhat easier (than the left) out-patient surgery.

A Hemiarthroplasty is what they call it.
Relief is the way that Lew will spell it!

Merry Christmas Lew! You got your wish!

Sometimes...

2010-12-14T11:55:00.001-05:00

Life in Paradise has its downs.

Sometimes it isn't all warm weather and cold frosties with cute little umbrellas.

Sometimes the reality of our precarious life aboard our fine yachts hits home with a vengeance.

Saturday night, after the Christmas Boat Parade in Boot Key Harbor, Odie and his Lady Friend were on their way back to Cloud Walker in his dinghy... maybe they were going a little too fast for the conditions... maybe it was all the extra lights in the Harbor celebrating the season... maybe close enough attention wasn't being paid... maybe alcohol was involved... I really don't know.

But for whatever reason the unlit stationary marker #20 wasn't seen. The dinghy hit the marker and ejected both Odie and his Lady Friend, and Odie hit the marker. The dinghy continued around in circles (which meant the prop was still turning) and somehow the Lady Friend (new to boating) was able to grab the dinghy and pull herself up and in. Not an easy task in an inflatable. And then somehow she was able to locate Odie (who was face down at this point) and turn him and held his head out of the water until help arrived.

AJ and Lisa aboard the Susan M Jackson heard the commotion and started rescue operations, a call to the Coast Guard, boarding their own dinghy and aiding in getting Odie/Lady Friend/Dinghy near the seawall and with the help of others were able to get Odie up and out of the water.

Not a pretty picture.
A list of injuries, including hypothermia, and the next day a ride in a helicopter up to the Trauma Center in Miami. Critical condition.

Odie has been in and out of the Harbor for a number of years. He has been a Cruiser's Net controller, and many evenings have been spent listening to Odie on his collection of percussion instruments under the Chickee. He has a wanderlust about him, and frequently pulls up anchor, drops his mooring lines and ventures to new horizons. But somehow he always makes it back to the Harbor.

He is an accomplished boater. He knows the Harbor. And still these accidents happen.

Turning this around to a 'learning experience'... slow down... be attentive... know your limitations.
Maybe wear a life jacket. Make sure you ARE able to get back into your dinghy. Boat safely.

Today is Tuesday, and the last report has Odie improving.

I don't know Odie's first name. I don't know his last. I know his nickname. For many of us, that is enough. We become one big extended family, with all the appropriate cares and concerns. We look out for one another, and are there when needed. And our emotions pour out, just like he is your brother.

It's been a hard year in the Harbor, what with our losing Bobby and Cliff and New York Tim, and yup, even 'Not Dead' Bill, among others.

We all look forward to a safe and healthy new year.

All He Wants For Christmas...

2010-12-08T23:47:00.008-05:00

Is for the right shoulder to look, and feel, like the left.

Doesn't seem like too much to ask for...

(Think that we could stuff it in a stocking?)

The "Home Doctor" says yes...

The "Surgeon" says yes...

The "Anesthesiologist" says yes...

So there you have it! Surgery is scheduled for the 16th, a night at the Hyatt, back home on the 17th, and feeling MUCH better by Christmas! And we promise that this WILL be the last one this year!

Double Digits!

2010-12-04T18:30:00.006-05:00

Miranda had a birthday.

She had a party.

She turned 10!

One of the nice things about living in a boating community is that so much is shared. Like the birthday of the Little Lady of the Harbor. Remember that time of life, between still being a kid and becoming a young lady?... Pierced ears and dresses and scooters and water balloons?

Dad pulled the whole thing together, with peers and adult friends in attendance. Decorations. Party favors. Hot Dogs on the Bar-B. Chocolate Cake with Strawberry Filling! Sparkling candles. (And a few lady friends to finish off the cake... something about women and chocolate and strawberries...)

Happy Birthday Miranda!

Turkey Day

2010-11-29T15:48:00.001-05:00

It was a community event, attended by mostly 'summer residents' from the Harbor, good friends all.

It was a great spread, organized by Tom with aid from many others, like 'Teach' prepping the gravy.

Here's hoping that yours was a...
Happy Thanksgiving.

The Post-op Wrap-up

2010-11-20T00:23:00.003-05:00

One week post-op and we are back at the doc's office for the wrap-up.

The surgery went well. The recovery progressing.

And Lew is chomping at the bit...

...when can I drive?
...when can I take this sling off?
...when can I have the other one done?

2 weeks...
today...
and maybe before the end of the year...

The special part, again, about joint replacement (even a 'half a one') is that immediately the RA related pain is gone! It is replaced with a surgery related discomfort that improves on a daily basis, something that the eroded joint can never do. And that is why this man of steel (er, titanium) is more than willing to undergo another round of cutting and stitching.

Today he was so amazed, as he related to me his day with his physical therapist, that his right shoulder went 'clackity, clackity, clackity' and his new left shoulder was 'as smooth as silk'!

Left Shoulder Hemiarthroplasty

2010-11-15T16:07:00.036-05:00

This is the "Before" picture.

The part where the 'arm bone' connects to the 'shoulder bone' is the source of discomfort and downright pain as the natural occurring 'cush' has slowly disintegrated.

But combine modern medicine and a great surgeon with a lot of support from our local primary care doctor you end up with one very happy camper!

(Hover your cursor over the bottom of the picture to progress through the slideshow.)

New Camera

2010-11-09T18:47:00.000-05:00

It's a birthday that is fast approaching, not quite here yet, but the gift arrived. Just like a kid at Christmas, I'm not one to be happy about waiting around watching the days slowly slip by...

Bottom line? I got my present early. A new camera with so many features I'm sure it will take the next year to learn how to use them all!

One of them is the 12x optical zoom, combined with the digital zoom thrown in with a little image stabilization, and voila! At first it looked like a black garbage bag hung up in the tree branches, but not!

Prehistoric looking, this critter makes me feel 59 years young!

Quiet.

2010-11-08T15:39:00.000-05:00

For the first time in a long time, there is NOTHING brewing in the tropics!
We like that.

Fury!

2010-10-30T09:11:00.001-04:00

955 mb

Red, Yellow, Orange

2010-10-20T16:19:00.003-04:00

It has been 11 years since we left Michigan.

It has been 11 years since we have witnessed the changing of the seasons, from Summer to Autumn and slipping into Winter.

Like Grandpa/Like Grandson

What better event than to fly home for a long weekend to witness Sally and Cameron's wedding in this wondrous time of year.

Just the flight in, with clear skies as the sun was getting low would have been enough...

Just seeing the grandsons thriving and exuberant would have been enough...

Just sitting in front of a warm fire place would have been enough...

But adding in the wedding of our youngest daughter and the wonderful man of her choice made the trip extra special!

Temperatures were moderate (quite a bit colder than we were used to, but tolerable) and the skies were mostly clear (letting the sun do its work on Autumn's palatte). Being wrapped in the joy and celebration with family and friends made the sojourn north cozy and comfortable.

The wedding and reception were held at Fallasburg Park, famous for the wooden covered bridge in Lowell, Michigan. The Shelterhouse provided both a visual and environmental synergy, with its huge stone fireplace and natural wood tones. Sally's decision to accent the room with black and white decorations was stunning!

The early evening rehearsal showed Mother Nature at her finest as the heat of the colors seemed to bless the soon to be newlyweds.

A little bit of heaven...

Sally made a beautiful bride.

Jenna played beautiful music.

Lew and Sharon were proud parents.

The wedding vows were heartfelt and sincere.

Presenting Sally and Cameron.

We wish you a long and happy life together!

Reunion '10

2010-10-13T15:44:00.002-04:00

And there you have it!

Guy (and Bear) and Carole (on Bluerider), Lew and Myself (on Free N Clear), Dave and Jan (on Evermore) - together again after 5 years!

In only a couple of days we managed to squeeze in Dinner (at The Wreck) and Lunch (at The Hurricane) and Dinner (at the Grassy Key RV Resort) again and Breakfast (at the American Legion, Post 154) and Sundowners (on the deck).

That's the way we cruisers operate. We develop fast, fun and furious friendships. Quick to bond, lasting a lifetime.

Once You've Had The Best... '05

2010-10-06T15:24:00.003-04:00

it's really difficult to settle for seconds.

Welcome to Smith Island.

Located in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay, claimed by Maryland, it is the home of the best Crab Cake Sandwich that we have ever had! Impossible to match, it's been so disappointing eating anything of lesser quality that I have pretty much given up on ordering the sandwich any place else. And since the only way that you can get to Smith Island is by boat, I haven't had 'the best' since our trip up the East Coast in 2005!

It was the end of June.

It was hot.

Very hot.

And the horseflies were buzzing.

A lot of them.

And they were biting.

The islanders have invented a device which they claim catches the flies, and one would presume, kills them. Or at least they 'disappear'. It is a flat black box with a lip, no apparent entrance or exit. The flies enter through a slit under the lip and are (supposedly) so happy to be there that they don't leave!

At the end of the day, back on board, we dropped our bug screens, got out the flyswatters, and a cold beer...
But I am getting ahead of myself.

We explored.

We explored by dinghy.

We explored by foot.

Smith Island is a special place where generations have survived the Waters of the Bay, both as their source of survival and their nemesis. You see, erosion is slowly eating away the edges and over the last 150 years the island has lost 3,300 acres of wetlands. Plans are in the works to save the island, but in '05 when we were there the water level was high...

It wasn't much later in the trip that Bluerider and Free N Clear parted ways. We continued north. Bluerider headed south.

Our trip included more exploration of the Chesapeake, New York Harbor, Long Island Sound, and Narragansett Bay. As we were on our way to Cuttyhunk from the Sakonnet River between Rhode Island and Massachusetts, the winds came in from the North. It was time to head south.

We left our marina in Tavernier on January 1st of '05. We arrived back in the Keys, Marathon, where we picked up a mooring ball December 9th. It was a year of firsts. And firsts are always the best!

The Tour, '05

2010-10-04T15:37:00.006-04:00

Side trips were made, as we criss-crossed the Chesapeake.

One of those trips took us far up the Potomac River where we anchored across from Mount Vernon in (reportedly) President Hoover's favorite spot.

I-95 was under construction with the new 70' vertical clearance drawbridge. During the construction access to Washington by a boat with a tall mast was limited to a pre-arranged appointment between midnight and 5 a.m. with the work barge. We opted to make the trip by 'mother ship' the next time around.

Although we did journey upriver by dinghy one day.
Then raced a BIG black storm cloud all the way back!
(BTW, that was a 12 mile journey - one way - in an open 10' inflatable, full throttle, with thin rain ponchos flapping vigorously in the breeze and fear driven smiles on our wide-eyed faces!)

A more sedate tour was taken the next day, as we dinked across the Potomac to Mount Vernon and tied up to the visitor's dock.

The plantation home of George Washington was filled with several innovative farming techniques that I found amazing, intuitive, and obviously productive...

And a photographer's delight!

The Chesapeake, '05

2010-10-01T14:43:00.002-04:00

June 11, '05.

After navigating the Dismal Swamp and a couple of locks we found ourselves at the end of the Statue Miles (or actually the beginning) of the ICW in Norfolk, VA.

In preparation we had all taken a turn reading Chesapeake by James Michener, hearing the call of 'Krank' in the back of our minds, in search of the 'Choptank'...

Having passed through the shipyards of Norfolk it was pretty pleasant to see some open water for a change, although the 'up close and personal' trip up the Intracoastal was absolutely beautiful - every day, every Mile.

It was about this time that we got a call on the radio from Bluerider. Keeping in close contact - sharing anchorages at night, the days usually in sight of one another - they hailed us on Channel 16 and we switched to our 'working channel'. Carole and Guy were proud to announce that since the beginning of our trip they had turned off their engine for the very FIRST time! No more narrow channels, no more navigating from day mark to day mark!

From now on our marks would be a bit bigger, a lot more majestic!

Special Event, '05

2010-09-28T23:57:00.002-04:00

Some very special places.

Like Oriental NC, where the 2000 census placed the town's 875 citizens as the largest town in Pamlico County. It remains one of those great spots on the ICW that every cruiser stops either comin' or goin'. It could be the free town dock, or the ice cream shop or the chandlery, or just the great people that one meets at the Tiki... but EVERYONE knows Oriental.

Another very special place is Elizabeth City, where The Rose Buddies , Fred and Joe started hosting a wine and cheese party for the cruisers on the ICW, complete with a rose for every lady that arrived by boat. Joe had passed on, but we did get to meet Fred while he was still alive, which included a golf cart ride to his house and a tour of his home.

And yes Fred, Elizabeth City is a little bit of Heaven!

There is something to be said about southern hospitality that is unmatched anywhere, as the tradition that Fred and Joe started back in 1983 of welcoming the boaters on their journeys continues on.

Fred told us all about the Dismal Swamp Canal that we were about to enter, and let us know (can you believe this???) that the canal was celebrating its 200th Birthday the very next day. What are the odds?

Never let it be said that we were ones to miss a party!

So Bluerider and Free N Clear continued north through the Dismal Swamp to the Welcome Center where we were greeted by the Center's Director, hoping that we would stay the night and join in the celebration the next day.

"That's why we're here!"

Cake and Ice Cream and politicians and clowns and magicians and vendors and boaters and drivers.

You see, the Welcome Center on the Dismal Swamp Canal is the only Welcome Center in the continental US that greets visitors arriving from both a major highway and a historic waterway!

We were interviewed by a local newspaper.
Our pictures were taken.
We never did see the article, as we moved on the next day, but we did carry away with us an electric fly swatter!

That and a lot of fond memories.

Georgetown, SC '05

2010-09-27T15:55:00.001-04:00

An old town with a new face, just one of the many jewels that we found along the ICW.

Filled with friendly people, as all the towns that we stopped in were, it was such a pleasure to touch base with the locals, wander their shops, hear their stories.

From our log:

We have left Georgetown SC, but not before one of those boater’s nightmares took place. We went to the grocery store with Guy and Carole and came back to find that our boat had dragged, and was picked up by TowBoatUS and taken to a dock! Luckily the boat didn’t incur any damage to anything or anybody else, luckily the boat didn’t get hurt, and luckily the service used was one that we had coverage for!!!

We headed up the ICW in the morning, after having been re-anchored in a “better” spot. We are going up the Waccamaw River, and man is it gorgeous. I think that we spent the night in what will become one of our favorite anchorages. Not good holding, but beautiful! Tall trees, turtles sunning themselves on logs, lots of bird music, just gorgeous! AND we found an American Legion, Post #40 WITH a DINGHY DOCK right along the ICW at MM375!!! Have marked that on the chart. If it wasn’t so early in the morning we would stop for sure!

From this point on we made it our quest - to locate the nearest American Legion post - and if possible to 'stop in', meet the locals, have a cold one...

Wildwood, NJ Post 184

City Island, NY Post ?

New Rochelle, NY Post 8

Mamaroneck, NY Post 90

Block Island, RI Post 36

to name a few. We were given rides to and from grocery stores, tours around the towns, and invited into people's homes by fellow Legionnaires.

What a great way to see the country, and meet the locals!

Further North, '05

2010-09-25T17:11:00.000-04:00

The further north that we traveled, of course, the landscape began to change.

Instead of vast expanses the ICW became almost like a tunnel between the forests. It had been a long time since we have seen deciduous trees of any thickness.

I really enjoy listening to the differences the wind sounds like between a palm, or a mangrove, or a pine, or a maple. Take a drive, stop the car, open the window, and close your eyes... I know that I am always pleasantly surprised!

For the first time in 6 months we paid $10 for dockage in Morehead City. Ready for a night with 'dinner out', we stopped at the 'Sanitary Restaurant'.

During the year that we spent out and about on the water I can still count on two hands how many times that we were attached by dock lines to land. Taking advantage of any City or Village that was offering 'free dockage' to cruisers on the ICW (and there are quite a few of them), whenever there was space available we would tie up. Still 90% of our nights were spent usually 'on the hook', or (very) occasionally 'on a ball'.

The dinghy is our connection to land, shuttling us from 'mother ship' to shore.

And yes, you can fit a lot of cases of beer between you, your knees and the other Guy when you find a real deal near-by!

Some Special Places, '05

2010-09-22T16:23:00.009-04:00

We didn't have many of them, but every once in a while a rainy day would appear. It was still beautiful, a moment to be quietly enjoyed, maybe even a 'lay day' in our travels... after all, we weren't in a hurry, we were 'retired' for the year.

Throughout our trip up the east coast, from Florida to the Rhode Island/Massachusetts border we were able to sail 80% of the time (as opposed to motoring or motor/sailing). Either our next anchorage was 4 miles up the ICW, or 40, depending on the direction of the wind, the winding of the route, the width of the 'road' we were to travel, the location of the next 'best' anchorage.

We would usually wake, breakfast, and wait for some wind to come up so we could set our sail.

The Spring of the year makes for wonderful northbound travel up the Intracoastal. Not only are the warm temperatures beckoning us north, but the winds are often from the west, east and southeast.

Using the headsail predominantly we were able to jibe the foresail around, following the sometimes very narrow channel that makes up "the ditch", making the trip quiet - without the smell of diesel and exhaust; the trip slow - allowing us to soak in our environment; non-invasive - letting the wildlife become one with us.

Open protected areas would become the anchorage for the night, just out of the marked channel of the ICW. There we would share a meal, maybe a glass of wine, maybe a sunset with our cruising buddies, Carole and Guy.

Or maybe just a quiet afternoon to ourselves...
maybe a book...
or a nap...
or...

From our log:
Then we moved along and anchored off of the Edisto River. We had a pretty rough storm come through, with warnings of winds 60 to 70 mph and hail up to 2 inches. I don’t think that we ever had any hail, but we did have some pretty fierce winds. At one point we looked out of the port ports and saw only water! Then only seconds later we were looking out of the starboard ports – and saw only water!! It was an oppressive thing to watch coming in over the radar screen! We spent the entire morning and part of the afternoon the next day stitching up the bimini where it had torn (at the points where the threads had been exposed to the sun). Lew and I sewed it by hand, so that we could match up the holes. Later we had sundowners and dinner on Blue Rider with Guy and Carole.

Up the Ditch, '05

2010-09-17T16:38:00.002-04:00

Lowlands of the Carolina's

Bluerider and Free N Clear continued north 'Up the Ditch', amazed at the vistas, the flora, the fauna...

But then you just never know who you are going to pass, what kind of a vessel they might be in, or even if you have met them before in a former life...

Enjoyin' the Ditch

Doin' the Ditch in 18'

Workin' the Ditch

Rendezvouin' in the Ditch

When 3 Becomes 2

2010-09-12T16:22:00.000-04:00

SV Evermore

Bluerider and Evermore left a couple of days before us in Vero Beach and we didn't catch up to them again until New Smyrna Beach.

Several short stops along the way with memorable experiences...

like the first time I saw a pink flamingo...

or the shrimping off the seawall in Titusville...

A passage from our log -

The sun set and the moon came up and we noticed that a lot of people were hanging out on the bridge, getting ready to fish. They had big lights that they were dropping into the water and had nets on long poles that were hanging over the edge. Turns out that they were shrimping. It all looked pretty cool. Reminded me of when my dad used to take us to Duck Lake Channel to watch the guys catching smelt during the smelt runs. You could buy milk cartons that would have posted on the side where the smelt were and when you could expect them to be in your area. It was beautiful to watch. All the guys had on their waders and they were really far out in the water. They each had a lantern and a bucket or net and were catching the smelt. One of those special memories.

Sunken Boat near Cement Factory

We caught up with our friends again in New Smyrna Beach, and passed them by, and met up again in St. Augustine. It truly is a small world, where we bumped into my sister and brother's old junior high art teacher, an old racing buddy from Michigan, and an old co-worker from 'Bluewater Books & Charts' days in Fort Lauderdale.

But that is all part of the magic of the ICW, a place where new friends are made, old friends are found.

That, and the Roseate Spoonbills and Wild Horses on Cumberland Island and the Nuclear Submarine siting and the Right Whale siting, the raucaus Cindy Dean the Porno Queen in St. Mary's, the savannas, the immense tidal ranges, the sunsets...

It wasn't long before it became apparent that the voyage for Evermore was going to end. With bothersome engine problems, that just didn't seem to go away, a very hard decision for Jan and Dave was to bite the bullet and cash 'er in. We had all travelled together from Marathon, in the Heart of the Florida Keys, all the way to Brunswick, Georgia. With a heavy heart Bluerider and Free N Clear continued on up 'The Ditch', wishing our good friends on Evermore the best of luck.

ICW ('05)

2010-09-08T15:10:00.012-04:00

Now that things are back to normal...
The Saga Continues!

April, 2005

The east coast of Florida from Lake Worth (Palm Beach) south to the Dry Tortugas are familiar waters that we have sailed before, but we have never "Done the Ditch."

Snowbirds normally start their travels in the early Autumn, in search of warmer weather as Winter chases them further and further south. Come Spring when the northern cold fronts stop working their way across Florida, or maybe returning from the Winter season spent in the Bahamas, the ICW becomes the main thoroughfare for vessels heading back north. Again in search of perfect weather "The Ditch" becomes a highway of cruisers!

The Atlantic ICW (Intracoastal Waterway) starts in Norfolk, Virginia and continues on to Key West, Florida. Constructed by the Army Corps of Engineers from funds allocated by Congress in 1919 it is a protected waterway offering smooth sailing from potential ocean hazards, be it wind, waves or warships. Northbound it follows the Gold Coast of Florida, the Savannahs of Georgia, the Lowlands of the Carolina's, the Dismal Swamp, and all the way up to Navy Yard in Norfolk at the southern end of the Chesapeake Bay.

Marker 139

All new waters for us!

Trailing behind Everymore and Bluerider, we make our way north.

One of the places that we catch up to our buddy boats is in Vero Beach, a very protected mooring field and city dock that really caters to cruisers. Because of the protection from weather, and the demand during "high season", boaters need to raft up to one another, up to three at a time. Luckily, and through Carole's calls to the dockmaster, we are able to join Evermore and Bluerider on their ball, sharing advice, a wrench or two, stories and sundowners!

Vero's City Marina is an easy place to be for a boater, offering ample exploration by dinghy to the beach for a walk or an ice cream, bars and restaurants for dinner, and the city dinghy dock for more than easy access to amenities. There is a FREE bus that comes several times a day to the marina, with stops at Publix/Winn Dixie/West Marine/Liquor and Wine Stores (even a connecting bus to the local American Legion). On site laundry and a very comfortable "boater's lounge" makes Vero an easy place to hang for a few days, or maybe even a week or more. Those who have been there, either at the dock or a ball, know what I am talking about!

In a couple of days our friends push on after their 3 week stay, as we patiently await parts for our generator (the highest maintenance item on our boat!)

PS - Post Stents

2010-09-03T14:18:00.003-04:00

Lew is doing well, looking good, walking around without stopping for a breath of air!!!

Home At Last...

2010-08-31T22:56:00.002-04:00

Home at Last.
Thank God Almighty we are Home At Last!

He looks great! He feels great. His eyes ARE a prettier shade of blue!
His color is back. His stamina has increased.
Now the challenge is to keep him resting so his heart has a chance to heal.
(Any suggestions?)

Thank you one and all for your thoughts and prayers, because they certainly did the trick!!!

Time Out For Modern Medical Miracles

2010-08-28T16:12:00.004-04:00

Well.

Friday I went to work and Lew was going to fill the water tanks on the boat (the days project) and it was hot and he felt weak/not good, went below to chill in the AC. Then repeated the process. He has his daily lunch date with Pete at the Hurricane, so he makes his way to the restaurant, taking the closest seat inside of the door. A bit later Pete sees that he is there and rushes over... and at the same time Bob (a Detective) comes over and asks how he is doing/he looks like shit/pulls out his phone and calls 911. The EMT's come, assess, offer him a ride to the Fish, but Lew says he is feeling a bit better... and opts for lunch instead.

So.

He orders soup, takes one slurp, and ech. A bit later Pete says, "Well, you certainly aren't driving... do you want to go back to the boat or to the hospital?" Lew opts for the hospital, and once there, in response to Pete's question about a Wheelchair or walk, Lew responds with "gurney".

Nurse/Friend Scottie is there, and once Lew mentions the "elephant on chest" syndrome, people start hopping and he eventually gets his free helicopter ride to Miami!

Meanwhile.

I am in Homestead with my dialysis clients (work), and coordinate with Babs (work) to get our car keys (Pete), and Lew's list of meds and bring the car to me in Homestead and she'll make the drive back with the bus. Waiting to hear from Scottie about the destination of the helicopter, I maximize my time, grab some dinner, update the phone numbers to the iPod, wait for Babs, worry...

Eventually.

Everything has come together, the destination decided, the transfer made, the gas tank filled. As I am taking the corner into the hospital (Baptist/Kendall) the helicopter is landing. Finding a place to park and transferring Lew to the ambulette, takes the same amount of time and we both enter ER together, although from different sides.

Quickly.

An assessment, paperwork filled out, and he is whisked off to surgery to relieve 100% blockage of his right coronary artery (stent). Successfully. He is scheduled on Monday to have two 85% blockages repaired with a couple more stents.

The miracle of modern medicine!

Lew is staying in the Step Down CCU at the hospital, hooked up remotely to monitors, up and about the room, scrinching his nose at the hospital food, but he has a private room, he is much more alert, and his eyes are a prettier shade of blue!