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!

Focus

This lifestyle is an adjustment.  I've said it before, but it's not all sunsets and rum.  It is hard work and planning~ both to get here and to sustain it.  Living on  a boat has many challenges.  Living on an old boat has more.  But we have done it.  This very first adventure has taught us so much about what we are capable of and what we really aren't.

We know now what type of cruising family we are.  A lot of the illusions have been shattered.  Some of them have been tempered, and a select few have been illuminated.  I personally, am grateful for all the ways in which this life has presented itself (some more so in retrospect). 

Now that we have finally, four months later, worked out the kinks... it's time to head back to our home port and take the next steps.

We have decided to haul out Airabess here in the Keys.  For a few reasons.  She needs it.  It has been almost 3 years and she needs a new bottom job.  We could take her back up north... but that just does not appeal to anyone in the crew.  The ICW, while a good way to get our feet wet, is  not the way we want to travel.  It's at times very narrow and the opportunity for actual sailing is very small.  Plus, the bridges.  I NEVER want to do that again.  EVER.  We all agree on that point as well.

Another reason to go on the hard here is that Airabess won't be a distraction to our planning.  We have tons to do when we get home.  And we have done the 'work on the boat on the weekend' thing for too many years.  We need to focus on getting our family and financial repsonsiblities in order there~ so we can get back here.  We already have a list of projects and purchases that we need to get through.  But this time, Airabess will get our undivided attention... it's just going to be a few months from now. 

We will be in work mode for awhile.  And that feels good too, because we have a clear objective and timeline. 

That is what is going to get us back down here more quickly I think.  We don't want to leave her on the hard for longer than necessary.  And that is just long enough to take care of things back home.  If we took her home... we might not be as focused or in as much of a hurry to get anywhere.  Plus we would have to do the ICW AGAIN.  I did say that wasn't going to happen.  Bonus, we will be super close for the hop to the Bahamas when we are ready to go. 

So, this crew is in transition mode again.  I feel like it will be a very different this time around.  We know what to expect.  We know what we need.  We know what we want out of this thing.  So, we are headed back to make it happen.  A few months of landlubbing for an indefinite adventure... I'll take it! 

I sure am going to miss the sunsets though.  

Now

Birthday sunset... I'll take it. 

Over the last few days we have been vacillating between going big and heading to St. Thomas. We went so far as to purchase an airline ticket for a friend to come and help us make the journey. 

Then, reality set in. We do have to deal with that sometimes. 

We still have some major responsibilities keeping us locked into the continental United States. And, as much as we want to be irresponsible.... We are just not those people. 

Plus, we are still newbies at this boat thing. 

So, change of plans... Again. 

For now, and of course this might change too, we are going to be kicking in the Keys. Hubs is going to rent a car and go home to get our car. That way we have more flexibility.  If the weather isn't exactly what we want or need for taking out Airabess, then we can hop in the car and explore the Keys like everyone else. 

Work is on the horizon. It can't be avoided (for me anyway, I don't do too well without that energy outlet). We are going to continue to take care of our responsibilities and then make the journey to the islands a few months from now. 

There's a good chance we might actually have an amazing time doing it this way too. 

Hubs and I are planners. We are goal oriented. Now we have a plan. 

Ironically, now I can really relax.