Almost aboard!

 I will try to answer some questions now.
We don't have to do a lot to her to get her ready.  We will install new GPS, add some bumpers to protect her from bumping into docks, need an antenna for our TV, a little wax/polish/cleaning, etc.  The big things are moving aboard, learning to handle it, USCG documentation, selling our camper and truck and stepping down the mast.  We can't have the mast up when we get to New York because it won't go under all of the bridges.  You can't sail on the inland rivers anyway and we don't know how to sail.  We will motor the whole way.

Our first destination will be Green Cove Springs FL near Jacksonville to establish residency, get new driver's licenses, and  register to vote.  We will then head north via the Atlantic Intracoastal waterway stopping at historical cities as time allows.  Bob's cousin lives at Ocean Isle Beach NC and we want to visit with him for a few days.  Our only rush is that we have to get on and off the great lakes by a specific schedule because of the seasonal changes.

Bob has wanted to do this for quite a while.  I started reading some books by people who have done this, and there are thousands, and decided that it sounded very exciting.  Since we are in our 60's but healthy we decided we better do this now while we can.  Do what you can for as long as you can!

Today is Sunday so we will relax and go to Church.  We want to hear from all of you, how you are and what you are doing.  We will miss our friends and family a lot!  Love you all.
Terry

Tuesday, March 11, 2014
To be specific, we drove to just east of Tallahassee and then took US 27, continuing all the way to Fort Lauderdale. US 27 goes right through central Florida and is very populated from Ocala, south to Lake Okeechobee. South of the dense population begins huge orange groves and the aromatic blossoms almost overwhelm the passerby. Florida produces about 17 varieties of oranges that creates a long growing season of fruit. Closer to the Everglades, Domino Sugar, has farmers growing thousands of acres of sugar cane for the mill.
When we were ready to stop for the night, it was hard to find a campsite in the Everglades. We discovered the Sawgrass Recreation Park and Captain John allowed us to camp here for the night. This park specializes in Airboat Rides and they also have an Everglades animal exhibit. The 1000-pound alligator named Cannibal, is about 15-feet and has a head the size of our dinette table. The Python is as long as our trailer and the diameter of a disposable propane cylinder. Late this evening, a colorful Peacock is hanging around our camper with a curious eye us.
Tomorrow, we travel to Fort Lauderdale to look at a boat. Future plans depend on what happens at Fort Lauderdale.

Monday, March 10, 2014

Tonight, we arrived at lake Louisa State Park, south of Ocala and west of Orlando. We’ve been driving every day, overnighting in parks and enjoying the experience, but not rushing the trip. We have several boat prospects in Fort Myers and Fort Lauderdale. We plan to do some on-board evaluations and deal-talking with the owners. It has been warm and sunny today and I’ve been comfortable in shorts and tee shirt.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Bob’s Update
Happy Mardi Gras Day!
Laissez les bon temps rouler!

It has been a very busy 2014, with lots of changes. This year, we decided it was time to liquidate our house and surrounding property, a plan that we have always had in place. Although there is never a good-time, the time was right to get it done. With demanding upkeep, frequent absences, and having no heirs, this is the best thing for us. Also, our dream of cruising the “Great Loop” made the big-change necessary.
Thanks to some good friends and professionals, we have completed our house sale, with the final walk-thru scheduled for Thursday. It was astounding to discover how much “stuff” we had to dispose of. We had an “estate sale” which was conducted by professionals, with Terry and I assisting. Our goal was to find a good home for our belongings and dispose of everything, in the sale. The “estate-sale” professionals did exactly that, and additionally, we had fun doing it. We worked together organizing items and pricing each item. Lots of buyers came and purchased the majority of the smaller items. The new owners and special-contacts purchased the larger items. Finally, the remaining items were purchased by a single buyer/dealer. I was pleased that a very small volume of “stuff” went to the dump. (Mostly things from the barns that had just deteriorated over time) It’s amazing what people will buy! One man’s junk is another’s treasure! Of course, all this activity was not without it’s stress. We had to make lots of decisions with the emotional factors suppressed. Now, we are ready for a big vacation with lots of rest and relaxation. The next big-change will be acquiring a safe, accommodating, live-aboard boat.

Now, we head-out, in our RV-rig, to find the perfect boat for our “Great Loop” adventure. When we move aboard the boat, we will sell the truck and RV trailer and declare ourselves “live-aboard” cruisers. Living and cruising on a boat will be a completely new lifestyle. Efficient cruisers do not have a lot of “stuff”. Just the bear essentials to live-aboard, manage the daily challenges and experience the sights and sounds of our historic inland waterways.

Wow!  We closed on our house.  We are getting closer.  We still have so much to do.

Water Shoes

We bought ourselves some new water shoes for Christmas.  Suitable for hiking, canoeing, and living on a catamaran.

 

This is a photo of the live aboard cruising catamaran that we plan on buying.  This is a Gemini Catamaran. Its 32X14 feet with room to sleep 6 to 8, a full galley, head w shower......very much like an RV on the water.  They are very stable, practically unsinkable and they don't rock as much as other boats.  Can't wait to start shopping!