March 17, 2016
2 years have passed since we completed the Great Loop and brought Blue Moon over from Longboat Key on the west side of the Sunshine State to Stuart on the east coast to house her on dry land until we could get around to taking her home to Pt. Breeze. We didn't really plan on letting two years pass before making this journey but sometimes life, family and work have other plans for you.
American Custom Yachts in Stuart took good care of her while we were away. We had the whole boat shrink wrapped to protect the bright work (mahogany trim) that Dave had so carefully maintained and placed a dehumidifier in the boat so we wouldn't come back to a science experiment growing inside the vessel. They put her up on blocks and we had the bottom repainted. These all turned out to be really good ideas. Blue Moon looked fine, if a bit dirty, when we returned to her. We took care of that and scrubbed her down and Dave re-touched the varnish and completely restored the teak flooring on the back deck. He changed the oil and replaced some batteries and she's pretty as ever and ready for the trip home.
While reviewing the events in our life in the two years that we were away from Blue Moon my head started to spin. We really are never still a minute it seems.
In that time we have watched our Lili and Carmen transform from preschoolers to first graders while growing in giant leaps into soccer players, cheerleaders, swimmers, artists and readers. All this while staying completely adorable of course. Cooper has gone from baby to animated little talking machine who is also never still a minute. This June, when Steve marries his lovely Jenn, we will add Bella and Lola to our family as granddaughters. Lucky we are to have children in our life. They help to keep you head on straight at times.
While Blue Moon sat onshore Crissy and Clint had an idyllic wedding in the hills of Oregon wine country. While out there we took the opportunity to re-visit Cannon Beach, Oregon on the Pacific North Coast. Get there if you can; it is breath taking.
Cannon Beach, Oregon
getting married!
We fought and played with the snow.
We colored Easter eggs.
Little works of art in Play Doh were made.
We went camping.
We went to see Steely Dan-twice!
Yeah, I'm still a nerd.
Cooper turned 2 and this month he turns 3!
Taught the girls to drive the Zodiac.
Moved into our new home.
Had to say good-bye to my little furry buddy.
Turned this....
into this.
Stood by our dear friends John and Karen when they FINALLY got married!
flew kites
built a rowing skiff- the "Lili"
Restored a 1920 skiff putt that we found at the Clayton Antique Boat show in rough shape, the "Carmen".
all pretty again!
pranked our friend Dean!
shopped for my fall collection...
watched Kristy become a soccer mom!!
picked out pumpkins for Halloween
DID NOT BUY THIS CAR!
Hosted 2 more family reunions and played silly games.
We also had turtle races and balloon launches.
DID THIS TOO!
Dave and Team Mojo won a race!
SO, we have done everything BUT serious boating. Now it's time to bring Blue Moon home. If all goes well, some time next month we will be heading North with her. It all depends on East coast spring weather, a million things we have going on at work and our home remodeling that never ends and if Jupiter and Mars line up perfectly, we will do this. I still don't know how we stole time to do the Great Loop a couple of years ago but somehow we did it. Seems there's always time for work and the hum drum but at our age you better do the fun stuff while you can!!
Hopefully, this trip will not be another "Cannon Ball Run". The last time we went outside in the ocean as much as possible and hauled ass home. This time we hope to make this an inside (Inter-coastal) trip and see all the sights. The ocean trip is like taking the expressway vs the scenic route--not much to see. Last time we spent 18 days on the water from Boca Raton to Sodus Bay. That was REALLY fast. This time we hope to slow it down and enjoy the journey.
We need to get this wrapped up by late June so we can be there to watch Steve and Jenn get married! (thanks Ann Cilino!)
