Day 60 - A perfect sail and Day
The winds last night were brutal. Sleeping at the dock you can hear the fenders squeak and moan as they rub against the deck. It didn’t lend to the best sleeping because all I could think of was our last sail between Fayette and Cedar River. I was a little worried our sail today would be sportier than I’d like and we’d have Cory green in the face all day again.
Thankfully when we awoke at 6am things had calmed down significantly and the sea state looked much better so Captain, Brett and I cast off our lines just after 7am. Other boats came quickly to help us undock but were too late and said “you guys really know what you are doing” so I think that helped our bruised egos from docking. The kids, slept through the entire undocking, something I haven’t let them do all season.
Brett was great crew and excited for a day to sail on Ciara. We lifted the sails immediately after leaving the dock and turned off the engine. We had a perfect broad reach which later turned to downwind run that took us at a solid six knots the entire way! We had a six-hour sail!!! And it was wonderful. The weather was perfect, the sea state was perfect and we told Brett he could sail with us anytime if he brought wind like this!
I made up breakfast underway, but the seas were rocky enough that I allowed myself to do dishes later when safe at the dock and just go enjoy our sail time. The kids woke up 3 hours into the sail and were alarmed they missed half of the day. What a treat for them. I tried to watch my great nephew’s bris on zoom in the middle of the lake but I got cut out just as they were starting. My brother informed me of his name and it was the same as his! So now we have two Reuben/Reuven (in Hebrew) in our family! Captain and Brett spent the day sharing time at the wheel and having the time of their lives. It was exactly what everyone needed!
We called into the harbor master to let them know we were coming in and requested fuel and pump out. As we pulled in and he grabbed our lines he asked “How as the Caribbean?” It was a nice joke as he knew we were gone for so long. He said he was excited to hear us on the radio and welcome us back. It’s nice to be at a marina where they know and care about you.
We let Brett and Kona off at the fuel dock so Brett could catch lines at our slip and Kona could get of there more easily then at our slip. It was adorable to watch Kona realize that her boat, Ciara, was leaving without her. She walked along the shore with Brett in parallel to us motoring to our slip never letting an eye off us. I’m glad she didn’t jump in or freak out!
After our lines were secure and the three adults took a few moments to relax Captain took Brett back to Fayette in our car to retrieve his.
The kids were bummed to hear that we weren’t going home tonight but they were still very busy with tasks to make sure we could go home right away on Friday. I spent the time over and away from Ciara at a gazebo. I had the most wonderful time just talking on the phone to my dad, my cousin Randi and my brother. I took a shower and just thoroughly enjoyed about four or five hours completely to myself. Living aboard does tend to have everyone in close quarters and I really don’t get away from Captain often. Love him so much. I also really enjoyed the space and time to myself!
Captain and Brett stopped in the town of Garden and took some wine which we forgot to give out last night to Gordy and Dr. Mark. Brett got to meet them and feel in love with them as well and I think has plans now to hang out with them here at the marina on his boat this weekend! They stopped at the gas station there and picked up the most beautiful beef which Brett generously bought for all of us.
When they finally got home my battery on my phone was dead from talking to everyone the whole time and our bellies were hungry. Captain cooked up the steaks to perfection and we all enjoyed a perfect night eating perfect food in the cockpit. Our boat neighbor (and here I mention how grateful I am that our slips are SUPER wide and give lots of room for error) came in with his daughters while we were eating. Captain saw them coming and jumped out to go catch their lines. Brett and I watched as they approached and noticed he had some to a stop and was now actively in reverse while his daughters were preparing the lines. Captain even shouted out “hey, you are in reverse.” At which point he gave full throttle to his boat and revved up his engines in reverse in the marina! Oy! Thankfully he got it under control quickly and only his daughter fell on her bottom. I saw the look she gave him though and it was apparent at that point he had enjoyed a little too much beer or other while out. This is why we never ever consume until we are safe at anchor or the marina and have no weather worries in the forecast. Thankfully Captain got them docked and set up and we quietly watched as the daughters helped their dad secure the boat and insist on driving him home. Good kids. I’m glad they took care of him. And I’m glad they didn’t hit anyone!
Brett, Captain and I finished the evening with a massive bonfire. The kids are very focused on going home and kept to themselves. I’m sure the tight living on board is something they are totally over too. It was such a perfect day that we didn’t want it to end. It is also the end of this major leg of our summer and we couldn’t think of a more perfect end cap then a perfect sail with one of our best friends.
And tomorrow we head home for turn around days. So, there will be an short absent in posts and I’ll be back soon!
