From Sea to Land

Now that we are settling in to this RV thing, I suppose I should explain why the quick change. 

First, I want to preface by saying that our boat was/ is solid.  Our decisions had nothing to do with the strength and integrity of our Prout, aka s/v Airabess. 

Our 'plan' was to cruise the Bahamas and make our way via Puerto Rico to the Virgin Islands.  That is what we have been working towards for the last seven years.

We crossed the gulf stream from Key Largo and checked in in Bimini.  We got stuck in Bimini for almost three weeks, after making several attempts to get across the Bahamas Banks.  This is not unheard of for cruisers.  In fact it happens all the time.  We were being impatient, but it was more than that. 

We were realizing that the Prout was not the boat for our family.  It was perfect for small day sails around the Keys, but once we got her out into deep water, it became clear that it wasn't working for us. 

Hubs is 6 foot 3, Coco is four foot seven and growing like a weed, I'm only 5'2.  But add all of us together, plus a dog.... we were getting super cramped.  We were not handling the passages very well, nor the waiting to make passage. 

That, and it just didn't feel right.  Hubs and I were constantly second guessing ourselves.  Did we read the weather patterns wrong, should we have taken the window early, did we take the wrong window. etc...? 

There was also the feeling of complete vulnerability.  You are at the mercy of the ocean and wind.  If you make the wrong decisions it could end horribly, or you could make it back to port with a great story.  The anxiety of miscalculations and over thinking and down right fear was getting to be too much. 

I will admit that I don't know that I am made of the right kind of stuff to be a blue water cruiser.  Not that we had planned on that anyway.  But there is no way to get to the island hopping that is in the brochure unless you traverse the deep blue. 

So, we had to make a choice.  Did we keep heading southeast towards the USVI, or do we turn back.  It took those three weeks in Bimini for Hubs and I to finally speak what the other was thinking.... we didn't want to do it anymore. 

I was suffocating on the boat.  The images of snorkeling off the back of Airabess in crystal clear water, laughing and playing on deserted beaches was not enough of a lure anymore. 
I missed fresh food and having a door to my bedroom. I hated being at the mercy of the weather~ to go, to stop, to choose what's next... I was humbled and humiliated by the whole experience.  

The joy that we had been working towards was still so very far away.  I didn't want to wait and work for it anymore.  Neither did Hubs.  Coco, well, she wanted to keep going, but only because that is what we had been promising her for years and years (um, yeah, no guilt there).

Hubs and I wanted freedom.  We thought that living on a boat and cruising would give us that.  In reality, we felt tied down by the weather and sea sickness (Coco, Ms Willow, and occasionally me when it was necessary for me to go down below)

We headed back.  We put Airabess up for sale and started looking at rvs because we realized we weren't throwing in the towel completely.  We just needed to change our vehicle to freedom and adventure.

There was a ton of interest in the boat, as we had it priced to sell and it was sold within a week and a half of our return to Marathon.  That meant it was crunch time to find a new 'home'.  Fortunatly, we did find one quickly.

So, less than a month after we set sail, we are on the road.  Admittedly the gas thing is a serious concern of mine. It is so completely not me or us.  After getting our carbon footprint so low living aboard to then pull up to a gas station as frequently as this rv traveling warrants.... it's hard to swallow.  The next adventure is going  to counter that.

Already we are feeling a little more in control and a lot more adventure.  We are going and doing and seeing.  We are showing our girl the world.  We are living a life extraordinary.

I hope that any readers that are out there still want to follow this family's journey to the elusive there even though we are traveling in a different way.  We are still Airabess. We are still dreaming.   #findingmywaylivingthisdream     

The Next Step

I haven't posted in awhile because we have been readjusting to being on land.  And I'm sad and overwhelmed by it all.  

A sad sight.  But it is temporary.

I am so very grateful to have a home to return too and wonderful friends to welcome us back.  But,  the novelty of a big bed, reliable WiFi, and unlimited water... it's kind of worn off.

We left Airabess patiently waiting for us in the Keys.  And when we return we have a ton of projects to do.   Some before we get her wet, but most we can do while aboard.  I never thought I would be so excited to work on her. 

Unfortunately, we have sooo much to do here at home.  We have decided to go big for our next adventure.  To do that we need to rent our house.  To rent out our house we need to sell most of our belongings and get our little beach cottage ready. It's going to take some time. It takes time to make time... wait that's money.. anyway.  We are busy, busy, busy... again.  

Hubs is in crazy work mode (we hardly see him anymore).  Coco and I are wrapping up this school year.  I am working with the nonprofit I started last year, Earth's Lifeline Global Warriors,  teaching eco-classes around our little town, along with the odd job here and there.  And, because I really don't have much to do, I am working on getting my yoga teacher training certification.  

We have our lists again.  The working ones, the planning ones, the things to go, to sell~ you get the idea. 

All of this and a summer to do it in.  

I'm not complaining though.  I am so very fortunate to have this challenge and the reward waiting at the finish line is even sweeter.  


If you are interested in Earth's Lifeline Global Warriors, Inc.~ what we do and how we do it~ click the link.  It is something I am very passionate about.  I plan on working on expanding it as we travel.  Let me know what you think.

www.earthslifelineglobalwarriors.org

Growing Gills

We have been gifted with an almost perfect weather window. Sunny, clear skies, and ideal temperatures (mid 70's- mid 80's). The nights have been calm with just the right amount of a breeze to be comfortable and keep the bugs away.  

The crew aboard Airabess has taken full advantage~ on land and by sea. 

The Marathon Community Park is within walking distance to the marina. So, on the windy days we dingy over. Coco and Hubs play basketball or run around the playground while I roll out my mat. Other times we will take Willow so she can run around. 

But because the water has been so calm we have been snorkeling and swimming our butts off. 

The other day we drove to Baha Honda State Park. I'm not as comfortable under the water as I am on it.  But, Bahia Honda was a great way to ease my way into our marathon of snorkeling. 

The next day we sailed to Sombrero Lighthouse Reef. Coco was in absolute heaven.  I wish (and will soon) had an underwater camera. Although pictures never do things like that justice...

Yesterday we took the dingy off shore to West Sister Rock and swam around there. The clarity and visibility wasn't as good as the previous 2 days... So, after I looked around under the surface for a bit I hopped back on the dingy and just watched my peeps. They are pretty cute those two. 

After rinsing off back on Airabess, Coco and Hubs wanted more water time~ so back on the dingy they  went. This time to fish their favorite spot. And yes, for those who are wondering.... They caught dinner, 2 nice size mangrove snapper (for myself and Hubs, Coco will catch, but she won't eat it).  Apparently they caught a ton more, but threw them back. 

Today is Tuesday. So that means homeschool PE at the city park. Have I mentioned how much I love this place?!  It is perfection for families like us who are easing in to this whole live aboard/cruising thing. 

More fishing for father and daughter once we get back to the boat. For me... I'm planning on rolling my mat out on the bow. 

Fingers crossed we have fish again for dinner.