It's Official

Boy how time flies. It's hard to believe a whole year has gone by. On August 30th both Harley and I start back to work. Our leave of absence is officially over and reality is setting in. I'm quite sure that, by the end of next week, this past year will just feel like a wonderful dream. Thank goodness I kept a journal and took lots of pictures. They may come in handy when the mid-winter blues hit.

Vacation Time!

The trip south was amazing; there is no doubt about it, but now we are on vacation. The North Channel is just like we remember it......breathtaking!!!!!!

Killarney

It was a lovely trip up to Killarney on Wednesday. Our original plan was to stay in the Parry Sound/Pointe Au Baril area for a few more days but, given that we had perfect weather, we decided to make a run for it. Lucky we did because today is overcast with off-and-on rain.

We motored for at least half of the eleven-hour trek as there was very little wind, but in the afternoon it picked up and we had a lovely sail; the bay was absolutely flat. It's not very often we see that! We pulled into Killarney around 6:00 just in time for Fish n Chips. Anyone who has been to Killarney knows how we couldn't pass up that!

Stuffed to the gills, we waddled back to Blue Blazes and motored her over to Covered Portage Cove where we dropped the anchor. I can't believe I'm saying this after just returning from the Bahamas, but this is one of my favorite places. We are now in the La Cloche Mountain Range. The scenery is breathtaking with the windswept pines set against the white quartz mountains and tall cliffs right up to the water's edge. (Big breath) Life just doesn't get much better.

Picture:

Covered Portage Cove

God's Country

It sure feels good to be back cruising Georgian Bay; the land of wind-swept pines and granite rock....or as Harley affectionately calls it "God's country".

So far we have enjoyed beautiful weather and, believe it or not, very warm water. In Port Rawson area, for instance, the water was a toasty 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Today we are heading into Parry Sound to do a small reprovision and stretch our legs. From there we head north.

Picture:

Huckleberry Island, Parry Sound

Come Hell or High Water

Tomorrow morning we leave for the rest of the summer....come hell or high water.

I know. I know. The last time I wrote I said we were leaving; going wherever the wind blew us. Well it seems as if the wind blew us right back on the dock. (not literally) We've had a bit of a set back but, what can you do....**it happens. Everything is good now however and we are more than ready to take off.

On the bright side, with all the extra time we've had on our hands while ashore, we managed to clean and declutter Blue Blazes from step to stern. That is a good thing! It also gave us time to go car shopping. We are now the proud owners of a 2010 Toyota Prius.

On the down side, if we don't get on the water soon we are going to go broke. This land living is way too expensive.

Time to go Sailing Again

I bet you thought I was finished with blogging. So did I but, like it or not, I think I might have an addiction.

We've been home for 18 days now and today, for the first time in almost three weeks, we found ourselves looking for things to do. Our days have been PACKED with moving back into our house, getting the boat put back together, and reconnecting with friends and family...so much so that it's felt more like a whirlwind.

While on the subject, moving is one of our least favorite things (yet you'd never know it with how many times we have moved over the years) and even though this, technically, isn't a move it sure feels like it with all the painting and unpacking we've had to do. Also, getting Blue Blazes reassembled and ready to sail again after her road trip was a lot of work as well. Needless to say, we are ready to unwind.

But putting all that aside, adjusting to our life and getting our "land legs" again has gone well. Having said that though, we are anxious to get on the water again where life is much simpler. In the short time we have been back we can already feel the stress that land life holds. We find ourselves stressing over whether this picture looks better on this wall or that wall.....and we really should have our driveway redone because it's looking pretty shabby compared to the neighbor's. But the biggest stress comes from the fact that we have to buy a car. Unlike many people, we dislike cars and think of them as a necessary money pit. (much like most people think of boats...lol)

So it's confirmed....we are weird. Georgian Bay is calling us. We plan to set sail again the day after tomorrow and stay out until the end of August. There is no itinerary, no sail plan....we are just going where the wind takes us. I may post pictures along the way. See you in September.

Until Next Time

When we started out on this trip nearly ten months ago we thought we were pretty smart. We carefully planned every detail from renting the house, preparing the boat, making a cruise plan, and studying charts, to learning about weather, and tides and currents. Yup, we were all wise...we were prepared for anything. I think it was about day two of the trip that we realized, heck, we know nothing. It was then that the learning began.

I, for one, learned that cooking a meal while standing on a 30 degree angle is no big deal, it is possible to wash dishes in a cup of water, hot water and fresh water are luxuries, and sleep is over rated. I also learned that my head and shins are much tougher than I thought, and I am way stronger than I could have imagined. I proved to myself that I can live for eleven months in something smaller than a jail cell. As well, I will never underestimate the power of salt, will always check the bottom of a tin can before I set it on unvarnished wood, and forever keep a firm hand on my wine glass. I learned these lessons first hand, and so many more like them, and if you asked me if I enjoyed myself I'd say "you betcha!"

If anything, what we both have learned is how important it is to work as a team and keep smiling. Attitude truly is the difference between an ordeal and an adventure. Sometimes it is the passing of time that turns the ordeal into an adventure. Like when we go to tell the story of the horrible squall we sailed through. At the time that was an ordeal but after, well, it's a great adventure story. Even the story about the toilet backing up is fun to tell, but let me tell you at the time that was no fun at all.

The knowledge that we are bringing home with us goes way beyond boat handling skills or weather predicting but, rather, has much more to do with learning about ourselves and what we can handle.

There were times before we set out on this trip that we would sit back and dream about what it would be like to wake up every morning surrounded by clear blue water and a warm breeze. Now, that's going to be our brightest memory. It's sad to see this all come to an end but we were prepared for this and therefore feel so fortunate to have had this opportunity. What an experience.....What an adventure.......When can we do this again?

Blue Blazes is being picked up on the 8th of June. We fly home on the 9th.

Ten months.....gone just like that.....but the memories.......they will last a lifetime.

It's been a blast.

THE END