St. Augustine to Marineland – November 15, 2021

What a difference 6 months make.    When we first launched Mariposa, my days, hours, and minutes were filled with a level of anxiety that I have never really felt before and I have had a rather lively, adventurous life these past 52 years.   I spent my younger years learning to drive at age 5, my teenage years driving bulldozers, and bashing through the woods at speeds that make everything look blurry. 

Then you have triathlons, which allowed me to explore the depths of human discomfort.  I was never fast, but if my younger years taught me anything it was how to out suffer the typical person.  Marathons, Ironmans, then multi day stage races all pushed me to the limit of what I could endure, yet the simple task of launching and traveling the ICW had me almost paralyzed with fear.   I was not sure what I was afraid of.  I guess it was the “What Ifs.”    Perhaps it was different since Sally was right here along for the adventure.  I felt a huge amount of responsibility to keep her safe and not to sink the boat.   I have blogged about this trip before, but thought it was important to explain the difference between the first trip and how this time around I had no anxiety whatsoever.  I had some level of confidence, and not ignorant bliss, which got me through the first trip.  

We spent two very cold nights on the hard which was made possible with our new composting toilet and the ability to produce hot water for at least a hot shower.  This was the line of discomfort we could tolerate.  What we did not have is heat.  We need to be floating for the heater to work and well, let’s just say there were two very cold days!  

We spent those days loading what would fit from the car to the boat, moved a pile of shit from one place to another and we quickly realized we still have too much stuff and I was growing tired of constantly moving things.  

Launch day came and as the boat splashed.  We felt a huge sigh of relief knowing

we will at least have heat.   We just needed to travel down the ICW to Marineland Marina where we had a dock space for the next two weeks.  This was critical since it gave us power and a place to park our car while we provisioned for the next 6 months.   I had a few last-minute boat projects that I wanted to finish as well, since I had a car.

Ever wonder what a composting toilet is? It basically removes all the unplesant issues with marine toilets.   No smell, no holding tank pump out and no maintenance.  Oh and bonus added closet space

One last dance with the launch pit from Hell

Hilliard, OH – Oct 10, 2021

Ron resigned yesterday.  He is incredibly relieved and I don’t blame him.  I am definitely quitting too since it has become too difficult to navigate weather windows around my conference calls.  Internet or not, it isn’t working.  I will quit by the end of the year.  I may be eating cat food but I sure want to try this anyway.  I read a review of a book called “Die with $0.”  I sure hope we can manage to be close.  Essentially, it says any money left when you die is time wasted you could have been living instead of working.  I agree with that.

But let me ask you this, would you live on half your retirement to do this now?  One of the first things Ron asked me when we started dating was “Do you Dream?”  Not in the sleep way but in the do with the rest of your life way.  He said I don’t see you dream.  It has not occurred to me since I got married very young and had been told my entire adult life what to do.  I had been so busy my first couple of years post-divorce just keeping the wheels on the bus, I guess I had not gotten to that part yet.  Well now that I am well past that and this is the dream.  I am astounded at the gift this is.

We are lucky.  Make no mistake we worked for this, saved for this for 10 years, and prepared for this but, we are lucky.  At the end of the day, I am not afraid to be poor.  I can eat on $25 per week, I have done it.  We can easily live with one car.  We have done it.  Things that may be a sacrifice for others don’t seem to be for us.  Our kids are nearly independent, and we have already saved enough for their college time.  This feels like the right time to jump. 

Worse case we sell the boat and buy a floaty

No turning back now.

 St Augustine, May 7, 2021

The time has come to end this leg of our journey.   Hurricane season is quickly approaching and we have to get back to Ohio for adulting.   Afterall we have two careers to navigate, two graduations, perhaps a new apartment and another move to endure.  

First thing first we have to prepare the boat for hurricane season.  We opted to have her hauled out and strapped down to the ground.   Seems like the logical choice since we will be over one thousand miles away and can not check on her for the next six months.    How does one prepare for a boat for a hurricane?   Honestly we really do not know, seems smart to remove everything that can get blown off.  We randomly removed items from the deck in an effort to keep them safe in the event of a hurricane.   

The biggest issue we have been told was to combat mold and insects.   A quick trip to the store allowed us to purchase as much vinegar, damprid and roach traps that we could carry.  This prepared us for the next two days of 100 degree tourture.    Apparently, mold is worse then a hurricane, it leaves you with a black gross mess while a hurricane just removes the boat from existence and you get a nice insurance check in the end.  The next two days we just spent cleaning and then covering every surface of the boat with vinegar.  If you want to experience this level of torture take a huge cardboard box, place it in the middle of the yard in direct sun  on a 100 degree day.  Next crawl inside said box with a spray bottle full of vinegar and a rag and randomly spray the sides until you can no longer see, smell or taste anything other then vinegar.   Do this process over and over from sunrise to sunset for two days.    

We orginally planned to stay on the boat on the hard each night after working all day.   That idea sounded less appealing after the first day so we opted to get a hotel instead.  It was after all located right beside our favorite taco place.  As luck would have it our hotel only provided a hot water shower.   After taking cold showers most of the last two months a hot water only shower was not so appealing after spending the day in 100 degree heat killing ourself.  Yeah – true story.  So, after two scalding showers, we were off to grab our tacos only to realize it was closed.  Our lives really are insane.  Anyway, most couples spent a week doing what we crammed into 2 days.  It has taken us a couple days to recover.  We are hoping this is enough to keep the mold at bay through the season and if not we can always hope for a hurricane.  

Back to the haul out pit from Hell

Hope it is here when we come back.

All secured until November!

May 3, 2021, St. Augustine Municipal Marina Moorning

We have had a great time so far on this trip and I have learned to tie us off to a cleat, catch a mooring ball, and I am now the Vanna White of anchoring.  However, I have failed since I have yet to drive the boat.  The currents and tides have been insane in Georgia & northern Florida so Ron has literrally taken the helm for all of this.  We have traversed the intercoastal north to Jekyll Island, stayed and hiked Cumberland Island, stayed in Fernandina Beach, then worked our way back to haul out the boat.  

I am grateful we have done well since when we saw a boat came in last night they were completely de-masted.  From what I now know, when you get demasted, you must cut the mast off and let it go into the water, remove the sail first and try to save that, and apparently, we own the tool to do that in case it happens to us.  I cannot imagine but I know Ron was very afraid of this as we traversed the intercoastal bridges since we were VERY close on a few.  In fact, one we scrapped our antennae!  It is a $30K-$50K repair and they had a 42 foot Lagoon.  I felt so bad for them…until…they took the only place we could have taken our boat this evening to get our haul out done tomorrow.  Ugh.  Of course.

Ron is very stressed about the haul out and frankly, I don’t blame him.  Guess we will just see how it goes.

Demasting sucks I bet.

We ran out of beer and made a sign

 April 28^th?  St. Augustine Municipal Marina Mooring

That was the big question yesterday.  That is perhaps one of the best things about this trip is we have seen SO many dolphins.  They usually come in groups of 2-3 and play during happy hour.  We would sit at anchor mostly and see them.  It is the coolest thing.  I may end up being a dolphin aficionado.  That would be something cool to add to my resume 😊. 

Our trip down to St. Augustine was good at only a few hours since we did not have a mooring available last night but anchored instead.  I love being at anchor for the record.  Anyway, Ron and I took a few lumps on this trip.  He slipped on the steps and badly bruised his knee and I ripped the skin off my thumb picking up the mooring.  Oh well – it just makes the beer taste good and I won’t think about it till I shower tomorrow.

For the record, dolphins sleep with one eye open and only ½ of their brain sleeps at a time called unihemispheric sleep.  I know so much useless information there is just no room for important stuff.

Last anchorage before St Augustine

Sunsets never get old.

 April 22nd^, Fernandina Beach, FL

I swear it will never happen.  Just when you think things can’t get any weirder, we sat next to a gentleman when having dinner at “The Salty Pelican” the first day we got here (Tuesday).  He was sitting closer to Ron, wore a brand-new white t-shirt, smelled of baby powder, and preceded to order a cup of hot water.  He had two very large bags with him and got out his own tea, opened a brand-new bag of sugar, then get out a plastic spoon to measure it out for his tea.  He interrupted our conversation twice.  The first time, he asked for directions and asked if we were new to this place.  When we said we had just gotten here, he then told us of three restaurants close by we had to try.  So…if he needed directions was, he now from here?  One of the restaurants was closed due to COVID and do they all just serve him water?  If he has not eaten there, how can he recommend?  So many questions.

Then the kicker to top off all top offs was he started clipping his nails at the table!!!!  I thought Ron was going to lose it.  Needless to say, we got the check and high tailed it out of there.  We prayed he was not following us.  Flash forward to today as we were sitting in the boat working, Ron saw him on the docks.  Yikes!  Well it good to know, there is always someone weirder than you!!

The Salty Pelican has some incredible views

April 21^s, Fernandina Beach, FL

It’s been a long couple of weeks on the boat and not quite what I expected.  Post-shakedown cruise, we’ve decided to go to a studio or one bedroom in Columbus for hurricane season.

As far as sailing goes, I now know how to help anchor and grab a mooring, wrap the dock lines, and tie off to the cleats.  That’s it.  I just spent a bunch of money on a boat I have not even driven.  The tides are a mess, current is horrible, and frankly I don’t know how Sailing Hubby is doing such a fantastic job.  He is at least getting some good docking practice.  I really need to start doing stuff but don’t think this may be the place to start.

In Columbus, we still don’t know where we will live when we get back after we haul out on May 4th.  If we stay, we have no plan for the summer.  With Ron’s company being bought out, he needs to talk to the new owners to see if he can continue to be remote or what his role will be exactly moving forward.  Because, hey, why not have both of us try to hold down a fulltime job while doing the rest too. It really is easy to see why we drink, I swear. 

I guess life requires some level of being uncomfortable for you to improve, change, or generally, exist.  Because, let’s face it, change is the only real constant.  I don’t want fear to hold me back.  In the past, in order to change locations, I never had to be uncomfortable…at all.  I just drove around with the air conditioning on.  Man, I am very out of practice.  This is only step one and I have a lot to learn and a lot of practice at being uncomfortable again.  It’s way harder than I thought it would be to start but I want to get to the point where I start to enjoy it more.

Expert level at mooring!

 4-20-21 – Ron’sView Cumberland Island

Our time on Jekyll Island was ending and the next passage was to the north end of Cumberland Island.  We wanted to spend some time hiking this island and it was a perfect place to practice our anchoring skills.  

The Georgia anchoring laws made this difficult since most areas are off limits to overnight stops.  With the help of the GPS, we found an area that was “approved” to anchor and hoped the currents did not swing us out of the boundary.  We have learned to love these anchorages.  No one around, other than a drive by from a local crabber checking his pots.  There are lots of incredible star views and a constant stream of dolphins making their way around the boat feeding.  Perhaps Buddy and Biscuit followed us?

The dingy access to Cumberland Island is pretty easy.  Pick a place and go to shore and tie up the boat.  No one is around so with luck the boat will be there when you return.  If your dinghy is not there, well, you either suck at tying knots or you got lost.  What we did not plan for was the 9 foot tidal swing so coming in at high tide requires you to drag the 500lb dingy back to the deep water once the tide drops.  

Hope it is there when we get back

Oops guess we have to drag it.

We took a 9-mile hike on the north end of the island, and it was absolute bliss.  It was truly untouched, no roads, no houses, no people.  Just amadillos and mini horses.     Words do not describe Cumberland Island so I will let the pictures tell the story. 

Wild horses?   Who knew

The trip to the south end was pretty much a nonevent, other than a confused area where the charts did not agree and I grounded slightly.  Lots of panic but a nonevent.  Perhaps my depth finder is not working correctly?    Next up the Navy submarine restricted area which I quickly ignored only to get a visit from the navy gun boat.  OOPS!  Oh well no holes in the boat and I was not arrested.

Submarina Degaussing station?

After a couple rainy days, we did get to take another afternoon and hike the south side.  We went to see Dungress Ruins.  Pretty and more crowded but still worth the trip.  We want to hike the middle part which is supposedly another old southern mansion.  I hope we get to do so since we are staying in Fernandina Beach Oasis Marina for a week due to weather and can dingy over from here.

Three days total at this anchorage.  Did I say these are free?  Ya, I like this part of cruising.  Next stop Fernandina marina to wait out yet another cold front.  This one will be shitty since it produced snow in the north. 

Oasis marina was a whole 5-mile transit.  These short hops are a nonevent since they do not require a bridge clearance issue.  Dock hands had me on an inside Dock which required me to come in do a 360 turn and wedge myself into the space.  Well let’s get out the extra fenders in case I screw this up.    Wish I had more to write it was pretty much a nonevent and went smooth.  Way better than the next boat that came in, and had no lines connected or line handlers.  I brought my boat hook down to help but the chaos took over.    This boat ripped the AC junction from the dock and lots of dents and dings.  Good news it was not me and not my boat.    Good experience to know what not to do. 

Sure is pretty at night!

Rummmmmm

And yet another storm.

 4-18-21 – Ron’s View Racoon Island Anchorage

As we left the marina the next stop was an anchorage off raccoon island for a day or so to test our anchoring skills.    See we never really anchored in a big boat.  The BVI’s are mostly mooring balls and well I like to sleep and not worry.    This area is a great place to gain confidence in the boat and anchor.  Tides are fierce and swap 180 degrees twice a day.  Then zero wind protection makes for a good test. 

No one around!    The anchor/tide dance

So far so good.  No dragging and this was night three.  Granted we are to get 25 knots winds opposite the current tonight so perhaps I should have a few extra beers just in case things go badly. 

Sally loves this.  It does not seem to be scared of a thing.  She ironically thinks I can either fix our way out of bad things or work some magic.    Me?  I love this but constantly second guessing myself just to be sure I don’t screw or up.   

I always said control is an illusion and comfort only held us back from great things.    Umm I might have been full of shit or maybe not as brave as I thought I was.    Regardless let’s live this life and see where we end up. 

From raccoon creek back Jekyll Harbor marina to wait out yet an front that is to come through and bring some wind.    This time things got much colder and required a shore power connection to heat the boat.  Morning temps were 40 and while that was not horrible it was a bit cold spending the day working from the table.  Days passed fronts rolled by and Sally and I try to adjust to our new reality of remote work on a boat.   Jugging work duties has been a challenge since more of Sally’s virtual meetings take place mostly when it is time to anchor or dock.    

Did I mention that Sally has two new pets.   Biscuit and Buddy, the two dophins that seem to follow us were ever we go.    

Buddy

Biscuit

4-17-21 – In Transit, Ron’s View

The state of day one could not have been more perfect.   The sunrise was incredible and the weather was dead calm.   First leason for the way was calling the bridge tender and ask for permission to pass during the next opening.    Seems easy enough right?   As we come through the bridge of lions the bridge tender wished us a safe passage.  What a way to start a crazy day.    We motored 10 hours to Fernanda Beach marina and picked up a mooring.  The journey to get there was an initiation of the ICW bridge clearance, tide and shoals dance.   Typicaly you time these passages with the tides to either give us extra clearance below the bridges or extra water in the shallow sections.     This captain(me) learned this on the fly the first day.   As each bridge crossing came up I anxiously looked at the tide boards making sure we had enough clearance to fit under.   Then reading reports that these boards are often ot correct,  I held my breath hoping the rig did not hit.   The shallow sections were another story, when the tide it low we can fit under the bridges no problem however there are sections in the ICW where we had to weave around the shoals to not run aground during low tide.   These sections were almost always either before or after a bridge crossing.    We made it minus a few more gray hairs safe to the mooring field which we spent two days.   

And we are off!

The first of many

Bridge of Lions

Tuesday came and it was time for the next leg of our trip which was to Jekyll harbor marina.  Sally’s parents have a place on the island, and it was nice to have a dock.  Oh a dock?  Yes, had to dock again and while each dock event causes anxiety it went smoothly.  Sally is doing a great job handling the lines and I somehow drove the boat away from the expensive boats and docked without embarrassing myself this time.   

Day two was full of rain.

Jekyll Harbor Marina View

We stayed at the marina for a week.  First it was three days to wait out a storm then I got lazy and as an attempt to reduce my anxiety declared we stay for a whole week since it is cheaper that way.  (Always looking for a bargain).

 4-8-21, Ron’s View

Launch Day, the day it all gets real!  We traveled from Jekyll Island, Ga down to St. Augustine and spent the evening on the boat while still on the hard.  We are to splash first thing Friday morning which is ironically our 8th anniversary.   

The launch pit from Hell.

She looks much bigger out of the water!

Splashing was interesting since there are strong cross currents which make pulling the boat from the launch pit a terrifying event.  My lack of experience along with a non-centered rudder basically made the boat impossible to control.  As I weaved my way between million-dollar yachts while embarrassing myself,  I finally sorted the rudder issue.  It’s not a mistake I will make again.  I pulled right into the dock with no issue.  That would be the first time I docked this boat.    We scoped out the area and decided to move up to another area and docked like a dream again.  Beginner’s luck? Lets be honest, we picked an area where a blind man withone arm could of docked, there was nothing around to hit.   

She floats

I have to be honest, docking scares the shit out of me.  As a control freak there is little control to be had when you consider currents, wind and the lack of experience on a large catamaran.  Good thing there are two engines to help matters along.

 We stayed two days at the SMAC dock. It was one more than aloud, but no one seemed to care.   We left early Sunday morning on our way to Jekyll Island.  The plan was to waste time in Georgia as a shakedown cruise until we haul out in May.  We are not sure where that will be yet but hopefully St Mary’s boat yard in Georgia but we will see.

Cumberland Island Anchoring, April 5^th

A friend and I were discussing the concept of “comfort” since I sent article to her this past week.  I told her I was looking to be a bit more uncomfortable to encourage myself to be more grateful.  I now appreciate flush toilets, easy to change TP rolls, hot showers, all kinds of stuff.  I decided to brave the marina shower facilities and now I even appreciate my own bathroom.  It is just like the bathrooms from camping as a child.  Not my most favorite memory.  I have not tried that hard to NOT TOUCH ANYTHING and balance getting dressed in a long time.  I stood on one-foot dressing while not touching the floor and my yoga is rusty.  It was like twister on steroids.  Yeah, dish that up to a girl who has no balance, thanks a lot. If I get cooties, I will be very upset!

Moving on the more tactical items.  Yeah – we are anchored (for the first time) near Jekyll Island, GA.  I love it here – soooo quiet, and there are dolphins everywhere! 

We left the next morning and I guess this is the trial run of us really doing this as we are marooned on the boat now except for the occasional dinghy ride.  That is fine by me.  Internet is great out here and it has not interrupted one bit.  I think we are staying for a few days then heading back to Cumberland Island to anchor again. 

Columbus, OH, March 28^th to Pick up the boat

To say it’s been crazy couple of weeks would be an understatement.  With ninja packing complete, we now have everything we own either in storage or on the boat.  The utilities are shut off, apartment rents paid, car dropped off to storage, vaccine appointments (#1 & #2) done, and so the list goes.  There is a lot more to this than either of us realized when we started the dismantling of our land life, and I am glad we started the selling and packing of our stuff early.  I am amazed how much junk you can sell on Facebook for way more than it’s worth! 

This morning we are heading through the intercostal waterway, which is way more terrifying than anyone will ever tell you & it couldn’t be more perfect (mainly since I am not driving, and my job is to just sit there and not tell sailing hubby how to).  Sunny, little wind & very calm.  My coffee on the trampoline was gorgeous.  Not too bad for a Sunday morning!  I’m glad we are finally doing this.  I’m excited & I suppose I should be more scared but I’m not.  I just feel bad for Ron since I know so little about sailing & the boat.  He’s been patient so far. 

Enjoy life every minute for all it gives you, even if we are crazy.  It occurred to me how unique this boating lifestyle is when I went to a doctor’s appointment.  We mentioned to the nurse what we are doing, and her comment was “that’s the coolest thing I have ever heard.”  Maybe, I am finally interesting?  Who knew?  Everyone I tell this to either thinks it’s cool or – we are completely nuts.  Maybe when I show them my new “office” in the Bahamas- I won’t be so nuts.  I never thought I would have the guts to sell/store it all & just leave, but apparently, I do.  Shit or get off the pot, I guess.

Does it make it easier to blow up your life if you have done it once before?  We both had a hellish divorce & still landed on our feet.  With COVID sort of under control, a well outfitted boat, a chunk of cash in the bank – I hope it’s hard to screw up. We have splashed the boat, docked & motoring down the intercostal for a whole hour. So far – good.

Stuff and more Stuff

I am sure this is legal