What can I say about the most exciting experience in my life so far, except that it was equally as thrilling as it was scary at times. My comfort level on Adventuress is being tied down to a slip unlike Quetzel who rides the ocean as it was meant to.
My fear began at a little after 12 noon on the 16th of April as we set out on our adventure to the Bahamas, the Atlantic Ocean is rougher than the Bay and it made it's presence known right away. We covered the route we were planning on taking knowing it could change due to winds and current, then on to MOB (man over board) info. . .I made up my mind right then no spontaneous swimming for me! With that said we were off like Christopher Columbus looking for the Bahamas.
Lunch, Captain's hr. and dinner as we continued our first day of sailing, I was going to go below and watch Captain John prepare meals but knowing I get sea sick when I leave the cock pit in rough water I planted the biggest part of me right in the seat and stayed put until night watches were beginning. Papa and I had first watch 8pm -10pm, 2 hr watches between 3 couples and the Captain. The time came when I had no choice but to go below to prep for a night of sailing, bad move on my part. . I grabbed what I could harness, jacket, tether and boat shoes as quickly as possible to no avail. the meals of the day were trelling me they did not want to go on this passage with me but would wait to exit once watch was over and they did. First watch was uneventful, nothing on the water as far as boats went so I played with my tether to see how far I could go and where in the cock pit, that ttok us to the end of our first watch. I did learn to plot a course which is important to know incase your GPS goes out. A little sleep then before our next watch from 4am -6am, that watch had a little company on the water along with the moon and gorgeous stars. Our destination was a marina in Lucaya, when we started our 2nd watch we could see Freeport on the left or as sailors refer to it as Port side.
Our visit to Lucaya included a non head visit, a little shopping, lunch at a rest. with Captain John, Deb,George , Papa and myself. Next plan of attack was the beach, a little sunbathing then back to the boat for Captain's hr., which I might add has never been missed on Quetzel no matter where she travels and we did not break the tradition either. Dinner again cooked by the captain was delicious, a little wine then off to bed for an early departure in the am. I slept in the Starboard cabin just as I do on Adventuress so I felt quite at home.
Day 3 took us around the northern Bahama's, Hoffman Cay. Perfect winds for sailing day 2 & 3, we anchored then went for a swim off the back of the boat. Since we were on the hook we dingied in to the beach, swam had Captain's hr and went back to the boat for dinner. Hoffman Cay has a Spring with a cliff for jumping into what they call the Blue Hole, Captain John, Rick and Papa jumped, George did a back flip from a lower ledge. . .very impressive. Deb and I went to the lowest ledge and swam for a bit then it was time to return to the boat for another incredible dinner.
Day 4 found us departing early again to make it to the Berry Islands in a leisurly fashion but catching wind also. We passed Big and Little Stirrup then came to Frazier,Hog and Chub Cay. . .The Berry Islands. . .combined population of 60 people. This stop we Moored which was another good lesson, Captain John and Rick dingied in to the Berry Island Club which consisted of a shower house and a quaint building which was a bar and rest. A minor mishap with the out board motor in the dingy due to bad gas purchased in Lucaya, details will be held forever in our memories as not to incriminate involved parties. We made our plans for dinner in the rest. to find out the 4 employees that work there were going to a seminar in the morning and were closing early so no dinner there. Captain John did find a driver who was willing to take us to Chub Cay by personal vehicle for dinner. After a quick beer at the bar , a non head stop and quick rinse off it was time to dingy back to the boat for Captain's hr and prep for dinner out on the island. With 7 people it took 2 dingy trips, going in was a little rough but not bad. We loaded into the driver's Excursion, 5 inside 2 in the bed for a 6 mile drive that took 45 min. due to the road and the wrong tires for the roads. Back up was called, his brother who came in a white ford pick up with Texas tags. Our driver graduated from Oklahoma University with a basketball scholarship then back to the Berry's to live where his father was the Controller of the Island. Dinner was a treat for all from Janie and Rick. . Thank You Rick and Janie. I sat quietly through dinner knowing the ride back to the boat in a dingy was not going to easy with the winds and the current and my apprehension did not let me down. I was in the first load, the motor kept cutting out as we were being tossed like a Martini, finally the motor kicked in after many feeble attempts, we literally zoomed back making a crash docking on the side of the boat. I can tell you I have never boarded a boat as fast as I did and thanked God and King Triton( as they do at award shows) for my safe return. A good wife would have stayed topside to make sure her husband also made it back safely in the 2nd group. . . Nope. . .All men for themself ! A shot of whiskey and bed.
Our final day of sailing came and went without any mishaps and right on course, another night sail was facing us so I slept off and on during the day sail. Dinner and an early bed time since we had second watch. The first night watches ran 2 hrs per couple this watch was 3 hr. stints. The Gulf was throwing us quite a bit so sleeping was hard to come by as we were tossed by the water and wind continuing on at 7 knotts. For this watch I needed light foul weather gear as well as harness and tethers. We faithfully did our chart plots and watched for ships, I watched the huge waves that were carrying us through the Gulf to the Atlantic Ocean, just waiting for one to come crashing over the side. Again our watch was uneventful and beautiful, we saw every constellation and watched the moon come up a little past midnight. Believe this or not but I found out I have no sense of direction( I knew this but usually do not share this info).
We pulled into Ft. Lauderdale by 9am, proceeded to secure the boat, take showers , clean the boat for Captain John as a surprise then off to explore Ft. Lauderdale. Getting your land leggs back is a tricky thing and does not happen quickly. Early night for an early departure in the am.
What I got out of this amazing adventure is priceless, the feeling of the wind in the sheets( not the wind in the sheets land lubbers refer to) is breathtaking, the speed and beauty will last with me until we start these quests our selves. I am so proud of Papa and all of his sailing abilities. I got behind the helm a couple of times but had a hard time fighting the current. When we take Adventuress out I will be behind the helm when the Auto Pilot is on.
Thank You Captain John for sharing your experience, knowledge and for your extream patience. To Rick, Janie, Deb and George for friendships and memories that will bring smiles to all of our faces in tough times. . .
Fair Winds to All
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
First Sailing Lesson of the Season
As we head south to Ft. Lauterdale, Fla. I am riddeld with emotions. . most containing the letters S..C..A..R..E..D....I will actually be leaving the safety of a slip. As I read many books(which they say is our worst enemy) I understand I am no better than if I was standing on my old deck and looking through binoculars pretending I was on a boat. I am sure to seasoned sailors this has been the easy part. . .in reality it is not as easy as it sounds. It's beautiful in good weather and miserabe in foul weather, it's the foul weather that you will remember. As you lay on a bunk and think yesterday this was warm why do I feel as if I am laying on a block of ice?????? Water on the floor??????? Water in my bathroom cabinet????? water dripping on my head?????? All questions that require quick responses.
I have over come many obstacles in the past 7 1/2 months, laundry still being the biggest and cooking. . but. . . this trip has me shaking in my Flip Flops. Papa and I will be part of a hands on sailing trip to the Bahamas via Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Grand Bahamas, Lucaya, Berry Islands and back. We have sailed the Chesapeak Bay but Ocean Sailing is new to me, I have never even been on a Cruise ship to compare this to(which I am sure there is no comparison)
I enjoyed buying all of the new clothes for the 3 of us even though only 2 of us are going, Ava had to get new things also. We decided to drive to Fla. instead of fly to make the trip more of our own. I have my sailing gloves,harness and tether, new boat shoes,water shoes, bathing suit, new PJ's that match. . . I forgot the Depends which I am sure to need.
I will take pictures and post as many as the Gulf will allow me to send, I don't even know if we get cell service. I can quarantee an intersting blog full of mishaps. I am doing this so that I can become a knowledgeable First Mate( ok. . so I call myself that when I am scared).
I am going to wish us. . . Fair Winds and always at our Backs
I have over come many obstacles in the past 7 1/2 months, laundry still being the biggest and cooking. . but. . . this trip has me shaking in my Flip Flops. Papa and I will be part of a hands on sailing trip to the Bahamas via Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Grand Bahamas, Lucaya, Berry Islands and back. We have sailed the Chesapeak Bay but Ocean Sailing is new to me, I have never even been on a Cruise ship to compare this to(which I am sure there is no comparison)
I enjoyed buying all of the new clothes for the 3 of us even though only 2 of us are going, Ava had to get new things also. We decided to drive to Fla. instead of fly to make the trip more of our own. I have my sailing gloves,harness and tether, new boat shoes,water shoes, bathing suit, new PJ's that match. . . I forgot the Depends which I am sure to need.
I will take pictures and post as many as the Gulf will allow me to send, I don't even know if we get cell service. I can quarantee an intersting blog full of mishaps. I am doing this so that I can become a knowledgeable First Mate( ok. . so I call myself that when I am scared).
I am going to wish us. . . Fair Winds and always at our Backs
Sunday, March 13, 2011
March Winds
I have never thought any thing of March winds before now, it seems every month has new meaning when living on a boat. As I was laying in my berth last night I could tell a front is coming in, the current under the boat was rough I could hear it on the hull and feel it as it rocked me to sleep. My senses are sharper as far as hearing the wind approach, panic sets in and the first thing I can think of saying is "CRAP". During sailing season these winds are greatly appreciated, however when you are just getting your sea legs and body adjusted it's not welcome.
I now dislike the fact it is harder to pull the boat over to the finger dock not that it has not been hard all along but March winds are getting the best of me.Today I will have Papa adjust the lines so that they are tighter port side, to many times I have been stranded either on the boat when I need to be off or vice versa.
Rain is just a nuisance, it leaves just as much debris as it washes away. The water on the dock is not on as of yet and the boat needs a good washdown, I honestly thought about vacuuming the deck yesterday but there were to many people around that I am sure would label me crazy and a bit cumpulsive.
For the second time since moving on the boat 6 months ago we ran out of water, this time it was 2 days before Papa got a chance to fill the 6 gallon jugs from the faucet behind the shower house and lug them down to the boat to refill the tank. There really is not much you need running water for except some cooking and washing dishes, I bought bottled water and did not do dishes. When he finally filled the tank last night we quickly went out to dinner! We do things back wards.
I am hoping after a challenging Winter, Spring will be good to us. As Ava and I walked down the dock the other morning we discussed the advantages to living on the boat so far : waking up to beautiful scenery every morning, watching Snow Birds play on bo,th the land and water, a boat covered with snow, our own little world in a small space,Gorgeous Sunsets, the smell of the water in the morning, the sound of the wind from inside the boat and how we have adjusted to it's force. We have also learned the most important lesson of togetherness, I am going to miss living on Adventuress when we move to the apartment but we all realise Maryland is no place for us to live on a boat during the Winter full time. It is a simple life but not a simple way of living.
I now dislike the fact it is harder to pull the boat over to the finger dock not that it has not been hard all along but March winds are getting the best of me.Today I will have Papa adjust the lines so that they are tighter port side, to many times I have been stranded either on the boat when I need to be off or vice versa.
Rain is just a nuisance, it leaves just as much debris as it washes away. The water on the dock is not on as of yet and the boat needs a good washdown, I honestly thought about vacuuming the deck yesterday but there were to many people around that I am sure would label me crazy and a bit cumpulsive.
For the second time since moving on the boat 6 months ago we ran out of water, this time it was 2 days before Papa got a chance to fill the 6 gallon jugs from the faucet behind the shower house and lug them down to the boat to refill the tank. There really is not much you need running water for except some cooking and washing dishes, I bought bottled water and did not do dishes. When he finally filled the tank last night we quickly went out to dinner! We do things back wards.
I am hoping after a challenging Winter, Spring will be good to us. As Ava and I walked down the dock the other morning we discussed the advantages to living on the boat so far : waking up to beautiful scenery every morning, watching Snow Birds play on bo,th the land and water, a boat covered with snow, our own little world in a small space,Gorgeous Sunsets, the smell of the water in the morning, the sound of the wind from inside the boat and how we have adjusted to it's force. We have also learned the most important lesson of togetherness, I am going to miss living on Adventuress when we move to the apartment but we all realise Maryland is no place for us to live on a boat during the Winter full time. It is a simple life but not a simple way of living.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Ahhhhhh Spring
To Meteorologists it is Spring, to Astrologists it's still Winter, to Live Aboards it's a nother day closer to sailing season. My Blogs are hopefully an insight to anyone who has the Dream of living on a Sailboat. I say sailboat mainly because that's what I live on with my husband(I refer to as Papa) and our 6 yr old grand daughter (whom we call Ava. . .because that is her name). I have many names which I will go into detail in a later blog. Oops was going down the wrong road there.
If you lived on a Trawler you would have more room to streatch out, optional seats for cruising and a warm view during the rainy or cold season.A House Boat is much the same, basically a condo on the water. A Power Boat I have no knowledge of at all so I won't even go there. A Sailboat is a challenge, many compare it to Trailer Living. . . maybe space wise they may be the same but it ends there. I remember when we moved on a little over 5 months ago how hard it was to get used to very little light and barely none in the evening. Lamps are not an option on Adventuress. You do adjust but it takes time, I have gone to many functions with Land Lubbers wearing the wrong pants color wise and style, along with the wrong color socks, I am not even getting into shoes. All I was thinking at the time was Great I won't see the dust and dirt! Not True,, it is muh like a Stink Bug. . .you know it's there!
Cooking. . . I have no skill in that area at all, Ava says I make the worst Mac N Cheese ever. At least now I can blame it on the propane stove. Once we don't have a need for the heating units I can use a slow cooker and a George Foreman grill. . Yeah! For 4 days I did not have hot water, nor sure why. . when I told Papa about this he went to check it. . .there was Hot Water. . I gained a new name. As I stated in the beginning a man must have designed this boat(it was), the pantry is right next to the Head(toilet). You can Melax(as Ava calls it) and pick your next meal at the same time. . .a new way of multitasking.
I will now talk about the Nav Station. . . .an over looked area on a sailboat duing the off sailing season. It is the largest flat space on the boat, by Summer it will be a desk for charts and sailing instruments, by Winter it holds a huge microwave, a basket of movies, pictures, snackes, and cook books and a 5x6 pic of Adventuress to keep us grounded to as what we are living on. Behind all of this is the Instrument panel, to use it something has to be moved constantly, naturally it is like a kitchen table it collects everything, soon to be finding a new home.
The cockpit is what I thought would be my Sweet Haven, a place to get away from life below. It is enclosed which is a must for this Life. It is great on a sunny day in the Winter, yesterday it got to 86 with the sun we had. I missed it. I have a thermometer that reads temp below and on the cock pit which we refer to as our reliable weather man. During the Winter it has become our auxilliary fridge, toy box for Ava and shoe store.
Long Story Short, I have never liked clutter ! I now over look it. Constant movement, I now know what Sea Legs mean, Vertigo, Live with it, Baseball cap, much needed accessory, some sort of Alcohol is not a ticket to AA but a must any time. I was even desperate once for a drink all I had was Peppar Absolute and Grapefruit, will not be that desperate again.
We are coming upon the Season that will make many look back and say, that was not a bad Winter. For Me it will be "Did I really do this "? It is not for every one ( me included) I made it but will not do it again unless we are South.
We will be renting an Apt. in June as a back up for rainy weekends during the Summer, a place to live this Winter while the boat is pulled for Hull cleaning and painting. It will also be a place for family to stay while visitng. We did give our furniture away so I will be decorating in Good Will finds and anything that is offered. Most of what is on Adventuress will be in the apt. to give more space for passengers and comfortable sailing.
The Apt is in Newark, De. 23 miles from the boat a straight shot and easy drive. A nice drive to the beaches down Rt. 1 during the Summer, a college town by Winter ( University of Delaware is our neighbor) . Ava's school is in our back yard, so no more 50 min. ride one way.
The adventure lives on no matter where we put our head at night. I would not give this portion of my life up for anything! Fair Winds now has a new meaning for me also!
If you lived on a Trawler you would have more room to streatch out, optional seats for cruising and a warm view during the rainy or cold season.A House Boat is much the same, basically a condo on the water. A Power Boat I have no knowledge of at all so I won't even go there. A Sailboat is a challenge, many compare it to Trailer Living. . . maybe space wise they may be the same but it ends there. I remember when we moved on a little over 5 months ago how hard it was to get used to very little light and barely none in the evening. Lamps are not an option on Adventuress. You do adjust but it takes time, I have gone to many functions with Land Lubbers wearing the wrong pants color wise and style, along with the wrong color socks, I am not even getting into shoes. All I was thinking at the time was Great I won't see the dust and dirt! Not True,, it is muh like a Stink Bug. . .you know it's there!
Cooking. . . I have no skill in that area at all, Ava says I make the worst Mac N Cheese ever. At least now I can blame it on the propane stove. Once we don't have a need for the heating units I can use a slow cooker and a George Foreman grill. . Yeah! For 4 days I did not have hot water, nor sure why. . when I told Papa about this he went to check it. . .there was Hot Water. . I gained a new name. As I stated in the beginning a man must have designed this boat(it was), the pantry is right next to the Head(toilet). You can Melax(as Ava calls it) and pick your next meal at the same time. . .a new way of multitasking.
I will now talk about the Nav Station. . . .an over looked area on a sailboat duing the off sailing season. It is the largest flat space on the boat, by Summer it will be a desk for charts and sailing instruments, by Winter it holds a huge microwave, a basket of movies, pictures, snackes, and cook books and a 5x6 pic of Adventuress to keep us grounded to as what we are living on. Behind all of this is the Instrument panel, to use it something has to be moved constantly, naturally it is like a kitchen table it collects everything, soon to be finding a new home.
The cockpit is what I thought would be my Sweet Haven, a place to get away from life below. It is enclosed which is a must for this Life. It is great on a sunny day in the Winter, yesterday it got to 86 with the sun we had. I missed it. I have a thermometer that reads temp below and on the cock pit which we refer to as our reliable weather man. During the Winter it has become our auxilliary fridge, toy box for Ava and shoe store.
Long Story Short, I have never liked clutter ! I now over look it. Constant movement, I now know what Sea Legs mean, Vertigo, Live with it, Baseball cap, much needed accessory, some sort of Alcohol is not a ticket to AA but a must any time. I was even desperate once for a drink all I had was Peppar Absolute and Grapefruit, will not be that desperate again.
We are coming upon the Season that will make many look back and say, that was not a bad Winter. For Me it will be "Did I really do this "? It is not for every one ( me included) I made it but will not do it again unless we are South.
We will be renting an Apt. in June as a back up for rainy weekends during the Summer, a place to live this Winter while the boat is pulled for Hull cleaning and painting. It will also be a place for family to stay while visitng. We did give our furniture away so I will be decorating in Good Will finds and anything that is offered. Most of what is on Adventuress will be in the apt. to give more space for passengers and comfortable sailing.
The Apt is in Newark, De. 23 miles from the boat a straight shot and easy drive. A nice drive to the beaches down Rt. 1 during the Summer, a college town by Winter ( University of Delaware is our neighbor) . Ava's school is in our back yard, so no more 50 min. ride one way.
The adventure lives on no matter where we put our head at night. I would not give this portion of my life up for anything! Fair Winds now has a new meaning for me also!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Made It!
I am trying to think of a nauticle way to celebrate making it through a most unusual Winter weather wise. maybe just a dance on the bow. Many of the boat owners who said Good Bye to us in Oct. and said they would be down during the Winter to see how we were suriving (not once did we resort to Cannabalism) never showed up. Our next door boat owner dropped off some beer last weekend for us( I thought it was a tradition of Rum orat least Captain Morgan?) we found it in the cockpit with a note of Thanks for watching his boat and a couple who own a boat across from us who had it pulled for the Winter stopped by. Other than for them no sight of any one else, we were soon forgotten about as they sat in there warm homes. We did just fine!
I doubt anyone reading this is planning on living on a sail boat in Maryland in the Winter, we didn't either really. I for one knew I loved sail boats, enjoyed others boats and boat shows. I had no clue what it took to live on one, sunny days are undescribeable, rainy, blustery and snow filled days are just unbelievable. I can say most days I forgot there was water surrounding us, safety was our main issue. I also learned that cleaning is a day to day chore no matter where you live, more so on a boat. They are not air tight so dust,dirt and moisture blow in through crevices every moment, I can sweep twice a day and still have a dust pan full of sand and dirt. We wear no shoes below deck just slippers, I was under the impression this would save some work. . . not at all.
What I did learn was how much I did not know about a sail boat or living on one. . it's not just about Lifestyle but Survival ! I learned about tides and how much they affect us, I also learned I will never remember that high tide and low tide are an hour later each day. . .that's not a problem remembering when low or high tide were the day before is the problem. I am now sitting under the dock because it is low tide praying that it will come up before I have to get Ava from school. Prepareing a meal is quite a chore, having a kitty pan on board is a disaster, electric in the Winter is a blessed luxury. I could go on. . . but I did learn that a nice bottle of wine is greatly appreciated at the end of the day.
I am looking forward to an uneventful Spring! In 6 weeks we will be flying to Ft. Lauderdale to begin a 400 hr. on hands sailing course for Blue Water(Ocean) Sailing. We will leave the 16th of April from Florida and head to the Grand Bahamas via the Berry Islands, this will enable us to sail to the Carribean in the future. We will return the afternoon of the 22nd of April with another experience under our life vests.
I dreamed of living on a boat but never dreamed of learning how to live on a boat!
I doubt anyone reading this is planning on living on a sail boat in Maryland in the Winter, we didn't either really. I for one knew I loved sail boats, enjoyed others boats and boat shows. I had no clue what it took to live on one, sunny days are undescribeable, rainy, blustery and snow filled days are just unbelievable. I can say most days I forgot there was water surrounding us, safety was our main issue. I also learned that cleaning is a day to day chore no matter where you live, more so on a boat. They are not air tight so dust,dirt and moisture blow in through crevices every moment, I can sweep twice a day and still have a dust pan full of sand and dirt. We wear no shoes below deck just slippers, I was under the impression this would save some work. . . not at all.
What I did learn was how much I did not know about a sail boat or living on one. . it's not just about Lifestyle but Survival ! I learned about tides and how much they affect us, I also learned I will never remember that high tide and low tide are an hour later each day. . .that's not a problem remembering when low or high tide were the day before is the problem. I am now sitting under the dock because it is low tide praying that it will come up before I have to get Ava from school. Prepareing a meal is quite a chore, having a kitty pan on board is a disaster, electric in the Winter is a blessed luxury. I could go on. . . but I did learn that a nice bottle of wine is greatly appreciated at the end of the day.
I am looking forward to an uneventful Spring! In 6 weeks we will be flying to Ft. Lauderdale to begin a 400 hr. on hands sailing course for Blue Water(Ocean) Sailing. We will leave the 16th of April from Florida and head to the Grand Bahamas via the Berry Islands, this will enable us to sail to the Carribean in the future. We will return the afternoon of the 22nd of April with another experience under our life vests.
I dreamed of living on a boat but never dreamed of learning how to live on a boat!
Monday, February 7, 2011
4 1/2 months of Sailboat Living
I can either say," Has it been that short a period of time" or I can say, " Is that All! " There are times when I feel as if we have always lived on the boat then, , , ,there are times when we run out of water, can't pull the boat to the dock to get off, etc. that I feel as if we just moved on.
I read an article written by a woman who has lived on a sailboat for many years in Annapolis yesterday, the question she is asked the most is how do you keep warm? It seems to Land Lubbers that is a main concern, it's not to us. Heat is important but you will find a way to keep warm no matter what. Safety is the main concern, the marina this woman is docked at has many people living year round on their boats(in Maryland? yes), they attend far to many memorials because of people being careless and sliding off the finger pier from there boat and into the water not thinking of the conditions. This is the reason Ava has 13 1/2 days absent from school. . . SAFETY. We did put up a bungie cord on the back side of the finger pier so that if we slide the bungie will act as a slingshot and shoot us back on the boat or at least give us something to hold on to. In nice weather it doubles as a clothes line. We do have 4 methods of heating the boat, elec. (baseboard), central( which does not work when the water goes below 45 degrees), warming blankets and then the stove. The cock pit has been staying between 58 and 70 with the Winter sun , we had coffee and read the paper and felt we were somewhere secluded for the Winter. . well I did. . I am sure Papa was thinking how long before I can fit into a bikini!
We are looking for a town house in Delaware to move into the beginning of May, this will keep us close to the boat as we have her hauled out in early Oct for cleaning and painting and work we want to do inside next Winter. Our boat neighbors are asking if we have had enough of living on the boat. . our answer is "NO". I must say the walk to the bath house, trudging down the dock when it is full of ice, loading groceries on the boat, pulling a cart full of stuff on and off the boat does get tedious. Again I would not give up the view, the feeling of a casual lifestyle, the family arguments and no where to go after you lick your wounds in private, putting a baseball cap on to use the potty and make coffee in the morning(because your hair looks like Rod Stewart's but not on purpose). Watching Ava skip and sing down the dock is enough for me to say. ." What a Life"!
It's not for everyone! but it is for us. We still have February to get through, the 9th will be our 37th wedding anniversary and we are living our dream, March will throw heavy winds in our direction but May will bring the start of our first sailing season together. Even though we will have a home on land the boat will be our main home until Oct. Ava will start home schooling ( be good to me God) so that we have more time to do out side structured activities and visit family and friends with out having to worry about missing school.
"Some People say I'm a Dreamer" (Thank You John Lennon). . . and maybe I am. . . but I say "Don't burst my bubble and I won't burst your's". I will handle what comes my way good or bad.
I hope to see many smiling faces this Spring and Summer as the wind is blowing through there hair and thinking " You are not Crazy People" !
I read an article written by a woman who has lived on a sailboat for many years in Annapolis yesterday, the question she is asked the most is how do you keep warm? It seems to Land Lubbers that is a main concern, it's not to us. Heat is important but you will find a way to keep warm no matter what. Safety is the main concern, the marina this woman is docked at has many people living year round on their boats(in Maryland? yes), they attend far to many memorials because of people being careless and sliding off the finger pier from there boat and into the water not thinking of the conditions. This is the reason Ava has 13 1/2 days absent from school. . . SAFETY. We did put up a bungie cord on the back side of the finger pier so that if we slide the bungie will act as a slingshot and shoot us back on the boat or at least give us something to hold on to. In nice weather it doubles as a clothes line. We do have 4 methods of heating the boat, elec. (baseboard), central( which does not work when the water goes below 45 degrees), warming blankets and then the stove. The cock pit has been staying between 58 and 70 with the Winter sun , we had coffee and read the paper and felt we were somewhere secluded for the Winter. . well I did. . I am sure Papa was thinking how long before I can fit into a bikini!
We are looking for a town house in Delaware to move into the beginning of May, this will keep us close to the boat as we have her hauled out in early Oct for cleaning and painting and work we want to do inside next Winter. Our boat neighbors are asking if we have had enough of living on the boat. . our answer is "NO". I must say the walk to the bath house, trudging down the dock when it is full of ice, loading groceries on the boat, pulling a cart full of stuff on and off the boat does get tedious. Again I would not give up the view, the feeling of a casual lifestyle, the family arguments and no where to go after you lick your wounds in private, putting a baseball cap on to use the potty and make coffee in the morning(because your hair looks like Rod Stewart's but not on purpose). Watching Ava skip and sing down the dock is enough for me to say. ." What a Life"!
It's not for everyone! but it is for us. We still have February to get through, the 9th will be our 37th wedding anniversary and we are living our dream, March will throw heavy winds in our direction but May will bring the start of our first sailing season together. Even though we will have a home on land the boat will be our main home until Oct. Ava will start home schooling ( be good to me God) so that we have more time to do out side structured activities and visit family and friends with out having to worry about missing school.
"Some People say I'm a Dreamer" (Thank You John Lennon). . . and maybe I am. . . but I say "Don't burst my bubble and I won't burst your's". I will handle what comes my way good or bad.
I hope to see many smiling faces this Spring and Summer as the wind is blowing through there hair and thinking " You are not Crazy People" !
Monday, January 24, 2011
Winter and staying in Sailing condition
After having several bouts of dizziness and profuse sweating I went to a Dr. for a physical, which should have been done before moving on the boat (no body is going to call me fast). It appears to be an inner ear issue which does not surprise me at all with all. Our systems have been given a challenge as well as our bodies.
Weight is good ( not in my eyes. . or should I say Papa's. . he still has visions of me in the crow's nest on look out duty in a bikin. . .we don't have crow's nest nor do I have a bikini), BMI good and again muscles where I did not know you could have muscles. This will only improve as sailing weather arrives. I do need blood work done however I have that done faithfully every year as well as a mammogram, the tricky one will be a colonoscopy(sp). . the prep will be tricky with the bath house being a walk and not somewhere I want to be for a long period of time with others using it also. . .this will take some planning.
As for Adventuress, her electrical system needed upgrading which was done yesterday and I blew it our this morning. When the hot water heater kicks in and I have both heaters going plus the coffee maker something has to go. . . in my case it all goes out. Papa had to make a trip from DC to check it out. . . remedy. . . turn the hot water heater off! I am learning.
I also learned never to let him tackle a job such as re wiring with out me being there to move everything in his path. I am surprised my blood pressure was not sky high. Another challenge facing us is condensation in the Captains bunk, the cushion is soaked on the bottom, I turned it on it's side with the fan blowing on it and Fabreezed the heck out of it. We know there is a little leakage in that area that will be tackled in the spring.
All in all , Adventuress and I are healthy and look forward to Spring. I am planning a trip to see Puxatawny Phil to explain the wonderful benefits of seeing his shadow and over come the urge to hide for 6 more weeks.
I wish everyone a warm and speedy February!
Weight is good ( not in my eyes. . or should I say Papa's. . he still has visions of me in the crow's nest on look out duty in a bikin. . .we don't have crow's nest nor do I have a bikini), BMI good and again muscles where I did not know you could have muscles. This will only improve as sailing weather arrives. I do need blood work done however I have that done faithfully every year as well as a mammogram, the tricky one will be a colonoscopy(sp). . the prep will be tricky with the bath house being a walk and not somewhere I want to be for a long period of time with others using it also. . .this will take some planning.
As for Adventuress, her electrical system needed upgrading which was done yesterday and I blew it our this morning. When the hot water heater kicks in and I have both heaters going plus the coffee maker something has to go. . . in my case it all goes out. Papa had to make a trip from DC to check it out. . . remedy. . . turn the hot water heater off! I am learning.
I also learned never to let him tackle a job such as re wiring with out me being there to move everything in his path. I am surprised my blood pressure was not sky high. Another challenge facing us is condensation in the Captains bunk, the cushion is soaked on the bottom, I turned it on it's side with the fan blowing on it and Fabreezed the heck out of it. We know there is a little leakage in that area that will be tackled in the spring.
All in all , Adventuress and I are healthy and look forward to Spring. I am planning a trip to see Puxatawny Phil to explain the wonderful benefits of seeing his shadow and over come the urge to hide for 6 more weeks.
I wish everyone a warm and speedy February!
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