July/25/2009

Looking south towards the bottom of Penetang harbour was the familiar silhouette of St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church, the first shrine built in memory of the Canadian Martyrs. This spectacular church at the corner of Robert and Owen St. is sometimes referred to as "The Church of the North".
As luck would have it, the M.S. Georgian Queen was running along side our departure ... we moved out of her way as we both passed Magazine Island and Discovery Harbour. The Georgian Queen was out for her usual guided tour.
Around Asylum point, past Whisky Island and headed to the opening of the Minicognishene Channel as were we. Beausoleil Island to our starboard and Tombs Island to our port. Oh, we also past the Gin Islands before going past Osprey bank. Whisky, Gin... now you know why we love the waters of Penetang/Midland area.

Summer Holiday - Georgian Bay

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July/25/2009, Dutchman's Cove Marina

Well sort off. Just kidding...Not..well kind off..I'm so confused!
We are traveling the Bay one last time. Our only commitment is to be at Dan's 50th Birthday Party on August 8th 2009. And surprise... Thera is coming home from Dubai for a visit! We are going to pick her up form there and kidnap her. Looking forward to another family gathering on the boat.

Summer Holiday - Georgian Bay

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July/25/2009

Today I was up at 6 am to continue to download a few CD's (maps) from Cindy and George for the Capt'n Voyager program that we have installed on our computer. I gather (haven't tried it yet) it's a great back-up to the Navionics Maps that we have for the C-80 series GPS. We just need to get a GPS for the computer and it will work just like a chart plotter. Darn, I just poked my head out and it looks like "Copper Penny" has already left. They're off to Hope today. We'll have to catch up with them later.
Coffee time...Petra just arrived to hand over her car. We are going to do some last minute grocery shopping (for fresh veggies) and then we'll be heading out to Browns Bay to meet up with them. They have Mark aboard for the weekend. On Monday we plan to follow "Psyche" and "Zydeco", since it will be our last time together before going back to Parry Sound to pick up Thera in August.

Summer Holiday - Georgian Bay

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July/24/2009

What Day is It?
Oh ya...today is Saturday. Yesterday was spent cleaning the interior of the boat (Steve decided to do that) while I caught up with last minute internet access (emails, health insurance etc..). We managed to vacuum the canvas and fill the water tanks before being picked up (remember, we have no car) for an evening spent with Judy, Kai, Bob and Linda. I have a headache this morning... I gather I drank too much wine. It was Judy's birthday and we are leaving today, so it was a great dinner party send-off too. We have just recently met Judy and Kai and we are so happy to have met them. We get along famously... and we now have to add them to our list of sad good-byes. Hopefully, we shall bump into them on the waters of Georgian Bay before we head south. I believe a bunch of Dutchman's yachts are going to be heading up to the north channel area in search of summer winds and sun.

Before Sailing Away

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July/23/2009

We are Car-less! Ahhhh!

Before Sailing Away

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July/21/2009

Last sail with long time friends and neighbours from our first home in Burlington on Augustine Drive. We have known Kim and Marius since 1981. We sure know how to Party... lots of practice from our cottage days and more practice with our sailing faze.

Before Sailing Away

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July/20/2009

Steve and I are so lucky to have spent the day with Richard and his son Taylor. They are on vacation and arrived from Halifax, where Dick attended a University Re-Union. They reside in Calgary ... a little too far to come for a sail... I think not!
Actually, there wasn't much wind. However we enjoyed a WARM day!

Before Sailing Away

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July/16/2009

This past weekend, Steve and I hung up the hard hats and chilled a little. Yes it was a little chilly...and it's the middle of JULY! However, as you can see, that didn't stop us from having a wonderful weekend with friends, Lori and Jack.

Before Sailing Away

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July/12/2009

20 knot winds, Genoa only... 7.5 Kn
Not bad eh! Mostly Gentleman sailing, until Rhonda wanted some action..hee....hee

Before Sailing Away

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July/12/2009

We had a wonderful sail today with friends Rhonda and Ken.

Before Sailing Away

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July/11/2009

We had a wonderful dinner with friends Valerie and Glenn. And I will show you the flag Glenn made us as soon as I get it flying proudly aboard Lion's Paw.

Home Life

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July/10/2009

Bob and Linda Green - Dutchman's Cove Marina
Remember those names! The Very Best when it comes to managing a marina!

Before Sailing Away

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July/9/2009

Betty said that she would jump of if she had to cross the ocean. . . not for a swim. ha!

Before Sailing Away

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July/9/2009, Dutchman's

We came back into Dutchman's and prepared to have important visitors. Steve's dad, Jack and Betty came on board. Phew! They thought the boat looked great!~

Before Sailing Away

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July/7/2009, McLarneys cottage

More Canadian wild life.

Before Sailing Away

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July/7/2009

Oh we are going to miss our usual sail from Penetanguishene to Nobel. Friends forever! Best of luck with all your adventures too!

Before Sailing Away

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July/5/2009, Still at Dutchmans Cove Marina

Hi Lee,
I love your emails. You have such a way with words (concise and very true). I hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty of posting your email on my blog.

I too seem to have trouble getting my head around this adventure. What seemed to be such a great idea seven years ago is already a reality today. I'm wondering if I truly disliked my teenager kids back then (doesn't everyone) to have conjured up such a thought to leave the wonderful, normal lifestyle that our family was able to attain and enjoy.

Today I must remind myself that both Thera and Mike have also begun to follow their own paths and create a life for themselves (as they should), never-the-less I do and will miss them (and Benson) dearly. I have been told, countless times, that there is no real good time to go. I leave behind Steve's dad (whom just turned 85) and Betty, my recently widowed mum, our every changing and growing nieces and nephews, sisters and brothers, many good friends and wonderful people I have met through work and community. My life. . .previous life, has ended up on the free table at Dutchman's Cove Marina... along with Value Village and a variety of other places in the city (like schools and charity events). . . but it's all just stuff. I still have the memories.

Memories...during the past year I managed to scan each and every photo that I had taken over the last 31 years and these photos are now on an 8 Gig memory stick, now lying in a safety deposit box. I have a second copy on my computer. The original photos are in a box somewhere in Petra and Colin's basement, as are all the rest of the things from our life that Mike didn't want for his new condo. Kim and Marius are storing a few pieces of clothing for us (just in-case we have to come back during the winter months) and my bike and golf clubs have been lent to Heather (Mike's girlfriend). Someone might as well get the use out of them. Isn't it funny what you keep!

The unfortunate reality, now that I'm homeless, is that I don't have a home that ours kids can come home too, and the lack of contact with them is unsettling. I can rarely keep in contact with Thera (since the use of Skype is impossible surrounded by peering passer-by's) and I truly treasure the occasional phone call from Mike. Another reality is that I feel I have to justify the expense of such luxuries as a telephone or the internet and using a laundry mat has its own set of challenges too.

Throw in a menopausal woman and a newly retired male; put them in a confined box and take away a lot of their retirement income and you've got the picture! Such is the situation and that's why we are in plan c-d or is that plan x-y.

Here's another reality check...I am not the type of person who thinks that the grass is greener on the other side. In fact, I believe in my heart that Canada is truly a beautiful and privileged place to be. Will I enjoy this adventure?

I also have to address my fears, the biggest being that if something should happen to Steve while "out there", how will I cope? It has become quite obvious to me that I do not have all the skills and knowledge necessary to bring this baby home alone. I know very little about the troubleshooting of diesel engines. Funny, I know I can't do it all and yet I expect Steve to be able too. I realize that it's impossible to know everything there is to know, but it sure makes me feel so much better to be able to say that I can do everything. As a matter of fact, we both hope that we have the ability to navigate, trim the sails and do night watches, cope with the swelling seas and figure out the tides. One thing Steve does not have to worry about is the fear of being bored. There is so much for him to do (just keeping the boat in good working order), but he also can relax so easily. This is a skill I will have to learn. I hope I find some purpose as I travel down this new path. I hope it not only is a challenge (as it has bee so far) but also that I find peace and happiness while we embark on this voyage.

Anyway, we are going. You should see the grin on Steve's face when he speaks of his plans the sail south. I know how much Steve loathed going to work (especially the last 6 years) and I look forward to seeing him snorkel to his hearts content...and hope that he can even catch some lobster for dinner.

So here's hoping we sail your way. That's why I want to go. I want to visit all the places where family and friends reside. I hope to be able to stay long and enjoy the life that they have to share. If I can only see these places from a distance (from the water) and not embellish in the culture and surrounding nature of the place; then I will be a very disappointed sailing partner. Hum, maybe that's why I've kept my skis, bike and golf clubs. Everyone knows that Vancouver is the place where one can enjoy all of that. So, keep those extra bedrooms.
Please keep me informed as to what you and your three "young adults" are up too. Love to all.

Home Life

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July/4/2009

Typical girls weekend!

Home Life

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July/4/2009

Love the boots!

Home Life

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June/30/2009

Some of our wild life at Browns Bay, north of Beausoleil Island.

Before Sailing Away

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