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I spent my last day in St. Augustine having lunch with a dear friend followed by a concert with my kiddo and another dear friend. Not a bad way to say goodbye to our hometown. There was, of course, a ton of running around finishing things up. That's not what I will remember though. 

I will remember the farewell hugs and dancing my booty off. 

The following 2 photos courtesy of Jana Vallone. 

Friday morning we woke up early and mopped our way out of the house. Someone else lives there now. So strange and I obsessed over it the WHOLE way down to the Keys. Once here though I had other things to focus on, adjust to and obsess about. 

FYI you can pack all of you necessary belongings into a shoebox size car and move. It's not exactly comfortable, but we did it. 

So we are here and plugged in so we can put everything back together. 

We had planned on doing a few things pre-splash.... But the boatyard launched it earlier than they were supposed to. We will see how that effects us moving forward. Probably going to have to beach it, unless Hubs can do the chores underwater. Time will tell. And now we have that in abundance. 

Ready to Live

We have almost emptied out our house.  What is still here either has a home to go too, or is up on the garage sale block next Saturday.  Hubs left this morning to take most of what we have kept to Airabess and do to a couple of pre-splash projects. 
SURREAL, to say the least.  
You talk about something for so long, you plan, you make the decisions to get to that goal... and then it's right in front of you .  It's kind of hard to wrap my brain around it.  

I have been having trouble sleeping.  I'm sure it has everything to do with the anxiety that comes with this change.  The whole family is a little on edge (even Ms Willow).  There have been quite a few what the hell are we doing's happening around here.  Not that we have any regrets.  It's just overwhelming, and a little sad too.  

I went to a friend's house to drop some things off yesterday and when I pulled out of their driveway it hit me that I wouldn't be going back for at least a year (if all goes as planned).  
I hugged my very best friend good-bye a couple of weeks ago (she lives in New York and we only get to see each other a few times a year) and I was balling the whole way home.  I don't see her often enough, but I always knew that I would get to see her smiling face every few months, but not this next year.  
We have no idea where we will end up.  We don't know if we will come back to our hometown, or set up shop somewhere else.  We might cash in and buy a bigger boat in a year.  We might find a new place to call home.  There are thoughts and pipe dreams of maybe here or there... but anything is possible.  It is the first time we have not had a solid 5 year plan.  The very first time since Hubs and I have been together, 14 years,  that we don't really know what direction we are headed in.  We have a loose sailing plan, which could change based on any number of things we can and can't control.  

Our planning and saving and dreaming have brought us here, to this moment, and I don't know what is going to happen next.  It is so awesome and so daunting at the same time. 

Regardless, the time is upon us.  It's time to start living.

Sailing Camp

Last year she didn't want to go.  What she wanted out of sailing was... that we would do everything and she would just sit back and take in the scenery, or read a book.  

Well, after our shakedown last winter she changed her mind.  She wanted to learn.  She wanted to know everything she could about how Airabess worked, and why?  Always with the questions... and finally she wanted to get her hands dirty~ she was ready to DO something.  

She was a little nervous the first day.  But, by the end of that first day... she was stoked.  It didn't hurt that some of her friends were also attending the same week. 

My girl, who never sleeps and never has, passed out by 8:30 because she was so exhausted.  But she loved it.  For the first time ever she wasn't fighting bedtime.  She made no excuses.  She wanted to go to sleep so that tomorrow would come. 

 

 With her buddy John.

 

 Now we are all even more excited to get back to our boat.  Bring on the adventures!

School Daze

This year Coco is a student of The Florida Virtual School (and has been since kindergarten). When we were still at home, on land, it was the best fit for her and our family. Flexible, but still traditional. 

Now... Not so much. For several reason:

1- We have to have an Internet connection on a pretty regular basis. This usually isn't a problem, but in the event that it is, it effects what and how Coco gets her info. 

2- Because of #1 we aren't able to move around the way we would like. Every Monday we have to be still and connected. 

3- The curriculum is designed in much the same way as a brick and mortar classroom. For some that works , for us, not really. There have been so many times this school year, especially now living aboard, that actual real life learning opportunities have presented themselves... But we had to log in, or it wouldn't fit into our day because of what was required. 

4- The above requirements don't always really apply.  For example, Coco is an avid reader... More so than most adults. So, when I'm testing her on 2nd grade phonics, we both get a little frustrated. It's a total waste of time. 

Other times~ its not enough. This mostly occurs in Science and Social Studies. The unit is over before it even gets started and its time to move on. 

The curriculum is a one size fits all, but it no longer fits us. 

(Coco doing an online presentation... Monday requirements)

Next year I am going to approach it a lot differently. There are some subjects we will purchase (math) and others we won't (probably science and social studies). There are so many opportunities for real, practical, life-experience learning that is completely applicable with 'school standards'. 

I'm super excited about it too. The possibilities are endless. 

Grrr...

Well, we are in Sebastian through the weekend.  
 Not everyone is on our 'hurry up to get south' schedule.  The folks that work here already had things to do.  We are the extra.  
 
I am sure if we had had the time to take Airabess out while we were still at home we might have avoided some of the issues we are having.  Or maybe not.  
It doesn't really matter though because this is where we are and we are waiting on a guy to bring us a part. 

So, going to make the best of it.  There are some spoil islands we can dingy over to, snook to be caught, and I will be on the paddle board.  It could definitely be worse.

We should, hopefully, be making our way (at least to an anchorage) by Monday afternoon.

Reality happens.

So, today wasn't so smooth sailing.  It was a crash course in... this is what could happen.  So, tied up at a marina for the night, hoping the prop guy is able to help us tomorrow. 
And it's okay because if something big was going to stop working, the best place for it to stop working is when you are at a marina fueling up, right?!....

We have had the most amazing couple of days.  The weather has been perfect, making good time as we make our way south, rocket launch, sundowners in the most ideal anchorage (deep water, no wind, no current), basically all of us were starting to relax.

Well, about that.  Maybe we should have waited a little longer, or maybe it was time for the universe to shake things up a bit... and so it did.

We pulled up the anchor this morning about 8 and motored back onto the ICW.
I should have known that the bliss of the last couple of days couldn't last because, well, it just doesn't.  You take the good with the bad.  I thought we had already dealt with the bad for awhile... not so much.  It was waiting for us in the channel to the fuel dock in Sebastian.

At the same time the the dock hand threw me the line to tie off, Hubs shouts, "We lost reverse!"  Of course he is joking.  He has to be joking, because why and how did we all of sudden lose reverse.  Then he shouts, "Nope, not just reverse, our prop spun off."  Mind you he is not freaking out as I would have been.  He just says it, like, hey look at that bird over there.  Like it's no big deal. 

I didn't realize that he was serious because, well, he didn't sound serious.  And, he has a tendency to not be serious. 

Well, he was.  Serious.  And I think he was freaking out a little bit, but well... Our prop spun off.  Damn.  Damn, damn, damn.

Fun times here on Airabess today.  Great fun.  And tears.  Because then Hubs says, "That's it ladies, dream over,"  Well, I took him at his word because I have no idea what the hell is going on.  I'm good in the galley.  I can throw some lines, but I know absolutely nothing about engines and propellers.  NOTHING. 
Then, well then he disappears into the office with the marina guys and I am sitting in the cockpit crying afraid to go in and see Coco because I don't want to upset her...

Finally, Hubs comes back and informs us all is not lost (this family leans toward the dramatics when we there is a loss of control)... it's just going to be a day or two to fix us up.  And we should be on our way maybe tomorrow.

Thankfully the whole prop falling off happened where it did and not while we were making our way under a bridge. And while Hubs and the marina guys moved the boat and got us situated Coco and I watched a dolphin feed, then later she was able to get face to face with a manatee. 

There is always a silver lining.  Today was so super stressful.  It was trying.  It was not all sunsets and clear water.  It was hard.  But, we are going to make the most of it... .like we always do. 

Taking a beat...

Finally~ we are back in shorts. Still sporting the long sleeves in the mornings, but the days of doubling up our socks and layering is OVER!

There were a couple of times during the first few days of this journey south that I was questing what we were doing. There was a nor'easter. So it was cold (the wet kind which is worse), gale force winds, and white caps in the ICW. Everything was wet. We hadn't prepared for the Arctic front that was making it our way.... Needless to say~ not exactly the adventure I had in mind.

I was miserable. But, didn't want to be the one to say it. Then, we found the leak that we had addressed a couple days before was still there. It wasn't a huge deal. Easy fix. Just tightening up a hose clamp. But all of the clean towels I had stowed away (yes, now I realize probably a pretty dumb spot) were soaking wet AGAIN. I kind of lost my cool and let all the angst of the weather and struggle out. It wasn't pretty.

Thankfully Hubs (who was also feeling a lot of the same angst) made and executive decision and decided that we tie up to a marina for 2 days. Not exactly the way we had envisioned setting out... but sometimes a mental health day is in order. And yes, fully aware we just began our expedition, but we also had been working our butts off for years to get to this place. We hadn't stopped to take a breath in a really long time. We just dove right in head first to this lifestyle... we needed a beat. So, we took it.

It was just what we needed.

Now, we are making our way down 'The Ditch” with clear minds, and realistic intentions.

So fresh and so clean~

We spent most of yesterday getting dirty. And it wasn't fun. (Re)found a leak that required us to pull up the floor boards in the galley. But, before Hubs could fix it, I needed to pump out the bilges and clean up the mess). SO MUCH FUN! :-/

So, while Hubs took Coco to fill water jugs and run around for awhile (it has been super cold and rainy) I addressed the prep of fixing the leak. Then I waited for them to get back.... and waited, and waited... When I realized that it was going to be awhile before I got my galley back I decided to do something productive~ clean the head. (I know you are so jealous of this boat life... you are totally missing out I tell you...) After cleaning the head I was on a roll. Finished up the laundry, wiped down the walls and floors, and then they finally pulled up.

I was feeling really, really gross. But with no hot water and it being so cold~ how that was going to get accomplished was the problem.

Hubs had the great idea to mix kettle steamed water with cold water and viola HOT SHOWER!

There is nothing like a hot shower after doing grimy boat work. Especially when you didn't expect to get said hot shower.

Clean boat, clean me. Feeling like a brand new person!

Summertime Sadness

We are not boat slackers.  We are not boat slackers.  We are not boat slackers....

I'm so sorry Airabess. But... Lately we have been. Summertime life. It has taken over.  And every time we plan on heading your way~ Life has its way with us.  

So sorry. 

It's not all fun and games.  Truly. It's yard work and jobs, and laundry. 

Believe me when I say...  I am ready to hang the laundry on your lines. 

Soon. Very soon, you will be tired of our "life". 

We are a fun bunch though.  

Are you ready?

I know we are. 

Independance Day

Hubs and I both decided it was absolutely necessary for us to be on Airabess for the fourth. There were a couple of reasons~ 
First, we wanted to.  I love the fourth of July.  It is one of my favorite holidays.  Everybody just wants to have fun.  There are no family expectations, or presents to buy.  It is just good old-fashioned hanging out fun. 
It was also important for us to be on the boat because we are moored right  next to the channel that leads to the local boat ramp... and it's really dark.  I created all kind of crazy scenarios where drunken revelers slam into Airabess.

But I digress....

Coco showing her patriotism.

Sailor dog... passed out.

 

Fishing fun with Daddy.  

 We had great seats for the big show.

 Such fun with my lovelies.

It was a gorgeous day!  

Low humidity, blue sky, light breeze.  

And no one ran into our boat.

But, apparently there was a price to pay for such a fabulous day.  They came in the middle of the night... the no-see-ums.  We have netting, but it's not small enough to keep those little devils out.  About an our after finally getting somewhat comfortable (we are working on making our bunk more conducive to sleep) I woke myself up slapping my own shoulder.  

I could give you all of the gory details, but if you live in Florida you know how pesky those things can be....

Eventually, I crawled over the dog (who was sleeping at the entry to our bunk) and made my way to Coco's bunk.  It wasn't ideal.  I rolled up in a ball at the foot of her bed and with the fan blowing right on me I managed to get about an hour of sleep.    

Did I mention that the humitidy that had been noexistant during the day reared its ugly head around the same time as the bugs.  Yeah, it did.  

I contemplated sleeping out in the cockpit... but I was afraid I would be carried away by the no-see-ums and lost forever. 

So the next time we slept aboard you better believed we came armed with some heavy(ier) duty fans.    

What they don't tell you....

Oh, yacht life is really grand.... Not.  Well, sometimes (most of the time) this boat thing is great.  It is getting better for sure.  It really is amazing the difference from the marina for our family.

We haven't been able to set out on even a little adventure yet.  Soon.  Hopefully. 
But, for the now, we are enjoying just being on the water.  Just us.  Just us and the bird poop.

It's surprising that the solar panels are still able to function,  Thank goodness for small miracles.  

Yep.  That's not in the books, or the magazines.  I'm sure (I hope) that when we actually do start cruising... actually moving around... it won't be such an issue.  And yes, I get that we are not able to stay aboard Airabess all the time.  Working on that too.  So, we are crossing our fingers that when we finally do get to spend more time on the boat, the birds will go somewhere else to take care of their business. 

Right now though... they have set up shop.  And it is disgusting. 

We have been trying (with the unpredictability of March weather) to spend more time on Airabess.  And every time we get ready to dingy over... we (Hubs) mentally prepare ourselves for the carnage that awaits.

We are also trying everything we can to deter them... owls, old cds, etc... 

Did I mention the smell? 

Nothing has really been as daunting as the excrement.  Seriously.  The heat of the summer on the hard, working with fiberglass, black widows, all of those things we got through with laughter. 
This,  this  might be what does us in.

Today was a good day...

Hubs and his nephew getting stuff ready. 

 She was so very excited.  I think she is more ready for a big adventure than we are.... but right now they are all big to her.  If only she really knew what was in store. 

Good-bye marina....







                                Hello wide open(ish) spaces!






We looked at Coco's photos when we got home (I really need to load some) and the view from her lens was priceless. She wanted to take everything in... and did.

 Yep, that's hubs and yes, the steering wheel is behind him.  We did not design it that way.  The guy who owned the boat before us came up with that brilliant idea.  And we had so many of his brilliant ideas to fix~ this one hasn't been addressed yet.  It is going to be really fun when it's my turn at the helm, as I can't even see over the electronics box.  It will be pretty funny to watch though....

Me and the nephew.  We were really glad he was there with the extra hands (and eyes).  I am a complete novice, and a blind one at that.   Not to mention I was jacked up on nervous energy.  I know it wasn't that far.  And I know that people motor under a bridge everyday... but I/we never had.  Plus, there was the excitement of actually moving on the water.  I can't tell you how much I prefer to not be tied up.   I really didn't realize how much until we were.

The following pictures are pretty self-explanatory.   Some very kind (boat friends) took the photos from the bridge.  

We had to circle around for 30 minutes to wait on the next bridge opening... good practice for the captain who hadn't had much chance to actually captain the boat.

 And, although he doesn't look it... my Hubs is really stoked.  Today was a good day.  It is a day that we will remember as one of many firsts.  I have said it before, but it bears repeating... I wouldn't want to be on this adventure with any one else. 

Splash Day

Finally! After all the blood, sweat, and tears (of laughter and frustration)... it was time to get her wet.
We were totally prepared to have to haul Airabess back out immediately. I mean nothing, so far, had gone the right way the first time.  So with fingers crossed and expectations low we ordered the lift to come and drop her in.

Just slightly intimidating.  Not to mention the fact that the wind picked up and our little dream was just swinging back and forth on the lift.

 

So.  We did it.  And she didn't have to come back out.  Super stressful, but so exciting.  Finally Airabess was wet, and she didn't sink.  All of that hard work really did work.  Such an amazing feeling!

 

Hubs and Coco enjoying our first sunset on the water.

Time to start enjoying the simple things.