Heather
10/21/2009, Boston, MA

From Summer/Fall 2009

Well I'm thinking it's time to make an update and let all of our cruising buddies and anyone else who's been following our travels know that we'll be busy making money this winter rather than cruising. We'll be making a passage to the marina next door in Boston harbor- should take us about 20 minutes, less if we have a tailwind; then we'll be tucked in for what will certainly feel like a long, cold winter. It may be that we're being too conservative about careers and money or maybe it IS the smartest decision but given that our heads are still set on more cruising in distant oceans, we felt like we'd rather work now and then try again for the big plan once we feel ready. As much as we love the Caribbean, we want to sail to other places. But like Jon says, each time we leave and come back to work again it gets harder and harder to be happy...

I got back in to MGH and am working in internal medicine and Jon is programming at a company in Cambridge- we're both still able to walk to work from the marina which is what we like about living here. Plus we can scoot up to Vermont any time we want. It's been great to catch up with family & friends and we're looking forward to the holidays too. We both felt a little rusty at work to start, but now it feels like we never left! My head is filled with all of our adventures and that's what's keeping me going I think.

It was sort of a crummy summer weather wise but we did get a good amount of camping, running and biking in. We did the half marathon in Portland, ME on Jon's birthday this month, which I love- great course, friendly people. We got all of our stuff for backpacking & camping and just got back from a trip to the Smoky Mtns last week. We had a wonderful time (no bears on the trail) and I can't get backpacking out of my head now. I'd like to do the AT or Pacific Crest trail- the question is just WHEN? I don't know, but it's gotta happen.

It was so great seeing a bunch of our sailing buddies at the Newport boat show but really hard to say goodbye- knowing we won't be in Guatemala this winter. We'll miss all you guys badly! But... we won't miss the food! Or the giardia! Pendragon & Dragonfly are back from sailing and in the area too so we've got company.

We kind of put our major boat projects on hold for the summer since we were capitalizing on the long weekends and trying to have fun. But now things are settling down and we can start focusing on replacing all the broken stuff from the cruise. Still have to buy the windlass too.

Well that about wraps up the news from here. I don't want to wish my life away but I feel a little like it's on hold for the moment. Maybe I should start playing the lottery... but then again, I'm too cheap!

We hope to still stay in touch with everyone and we'll let you know when we shove off again. And for all the boaters... have a fun and safe season! We'll be with you in spirit!

Heather & Jon

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06/29/2009, Boston, MA

From The trip North

We had a fine trip from NYC to Onset, MA except for the usual rain and fog that seems to be the norm up here. This ain't no Caribbean, that's for sure! We ended up getting together with both John & Cindy on Tashmoo who are back here for the summer and also with Mark & Judy on Windbird who are more than halfway though a circumnavigation. They are back for the summer too. It was so nice to hang out together and sort of wrap up this cruising season. We sailed in to Boston on Friday afternoon. It was like coming home with all the people we know here at the marina. It's hard to believe we've been gone for nearly two years.

Mom and dad came and got us on Saturday and brought us to Vermont so we could get our truck out of storage, check on our land and pull out some clothes for work, and then we came back on Sunday so I could start work today! Our lives are as hectic as ever.

I feel like I was here in another life. One day of work down, a "few" more to go..... and hopefully in the end, another chunk of money in the bank to continue our waterbased travels. Maybe the economy will turn around.....

I guess it doesn't make sense to keep everyone apprised of our exciting lives right now so I'll wait to update the blog until we get going again. It's fun to write it and also to hear from those who read it. Much better than a diary, and a great way to stay in touch with everyone. I look forward to resuming it!

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06/23/2009, 79th St Boat Basin

When we decided to bring the boat back up North this year, we figured the season would be just right for smooth sailing and a settled weather pattern. So far, that couldn't be farther from the truth. Even though we pushed through the intracoastal from Beaufort to Norfolk, there was still bad weather on the other side so we couldn't leave the Chesapeake anyway. It gave us an opportunity to discover the city of Great Bridge, VA, just outside of Norfolk. The town provides free dockage to cruisers and everything you need is right there. We got reprovisioned and also did some nice walking and biking. Summer is in full swing and everything is so green and beautiful. Each day, a new batch of sailors tied up and we got to meet new people. Many were headed up the Chesapeake rather than offshore so the weather didn't matter as much. On the last day, we headed the remaining 13 miles to Norfolk and tied up to another free dock. Just as we were getting ready to head out for the day touring, one of our old boat surveyors came up to the boat- he was tied up to the dock too. The funny thing is, he surveyed our boat before the second cruise a few years back in Salem, MA and then when we were in the BVI, he came dinghying up to us there too. So that makes 2 times we've met up by chance in relatively far away places- very odd. That day, we did 2 great historic walking tours- one of Portsmouth, VA, then we took the ferry across to Norfolk and did one there. Both areas are full of naval history.

From The trip North

The passage from Norfolk to NYC was fine except that the weather is so unsettled. We do a fair amount of nail biting as conditions continually change. For that, we miss the Caribbean- trade wind sailing is raved about for good reason! We had lots of rain and fog on the second night and the low temps of Northern sailing really stink! This is the first time we've had to put a blanket on since I don't know when but out came the afghan that Mariette made us years ago so at least we were warm on our off shifts! We saw lots of seabirds and some dolphin and even a few pelicans at first. We're definitely out of pelican range now. On the last evening, this poor young osprey kept trying to land on our boat to eat a fish. He seemed desperate to eat but he just couldn't keep his balance once he landed on the bow pulpit with the boat moving so. He dropped 2 fish up there, so sad, then he got a third one and made several more passes trying to decide what to do before landing on our arch right above my head. Even then, he couldn't get his footing and dropped the fish into the cockpit beside me. I put the fish back in the water and the osprey disappeared. How sad. Every time he made a close pass by the boat he chirped some as if trying to communicate with me. I could see him looking and trying to figure out how to land. Every other bird has made it just fine to have a rest or meal but this osprey just couldn't. I don't know what was going to happen to him.

We arrived at the entrance to NY harbor in the fog & drizzle at 1am. The tide was against us so it took till 6am to get to 79th St Marina to pick up a mooring. But the harbor is well marked of course and even though the visibility wasn't great, it was still neat to come up the harbor at night and see all the lights, smell the city and anticipate exploring it for the next couple of days. The last time we sailed in here was 12 years ago on the Cape Dory; funny how the time goes. We had our coffee and tidied up the boat and then headed ashore. The rain had cleared for the most part and as usual, once you get on land after enduring crummy conditions offshore, it's a beautiful day! This marina is perfectly situated except for a persistent roll in the anchorage. I guess it would be better if we weren't having all this wind but still, there's a lot of current in the Hudson. Anyway, the bike path is right here and 3 blocks up is the edge of Central Park and Zabars. By the end of the day, we had walked about 200 blocks- oh yeah, we can walk with the best of them! We went by the WTC to check on the progress there (they're starting the new buildings and memorial but have a long way to go), had lunch in Chinatown, walked all over Central Park, all around down town and along the Hudson for miles. The new continuous park along the river is incredible. We love it here and would so enjoy living in NYC for a while; it's a great city. Needless to say, we were comatose that night. Like dad says, "I had trouble getting to sleep and then I shut my eyes".... we were totally OUT!

From The trip North

Yesterday, Monday, we did the natural history museum and went to Zabar's for lunch. I had to go back to the boat midway through the day to get more clothes since the museum was like an ice cube. We've both been freezing lately and I guess the continual North wind makes it worse. Anyway, it was another great day.

The forecast is downright humorous these days. The gale is stalled offshore and then there's another low on its way. Ridiculous! It is looking like Wednesday is the day to make the trip to Onset. But that means we can have another day here- we think we'll take out the bikes. There's always a plus side to everything. We will eventually get to Boston this summer... I think.

From The trip North

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