Day 84 - Last Day
We have really enjoyed the last three weeks. I think we have only had to set our alarm three times, including this morning. I was tossing and turning about an hour before the alarm. Somethings never change. I’m a nervous sailor sometimes and with the waves still tossing us around I knew today was going to be unstable.
I managed to get Captain up not long after our alarm went off and we took Kona to shore for our last dinghy ride. Back at Ciara we went through our normal process of getting prepared to leave. I remember early in the season being so absent minded and forgetting all the little steps here and there. Now we seem to just flow throughout the boat knowing her needs and ours.
The anchor was really easy to pull. With the waves I could just hold her while pitched up and then pull in while pitched down letting the waves do the work for me. I was shocked how easily I was able to pull the chain up and the anchor came up without any mud or weeds! She sure held well through some pretty big wind and waves. Captain and I both agree that anchor has made the difference in how we sail as our old anchor was much more bow candy then functional and there is no way she would have held this past week. We were underway by 7:45am.
The motor back to Cedar River was as I expected. I had foreseen that it would be a wavy ride and having learned from the past had asked if I could take the bow lines down so they wouldn’t get washed away. Captain said we wouldn’t have that issue today, but sure enough within the first half hour we had waves coming over the bow and washing the deck. The lines didn’t budge though so we just enjoyed the free deck wash.
As we rounded Chamber’s Island and made our way more north the seas finally calmed. Even Kona stopped shaking. Captain and I sat on deck and soaked up our last day at sea.
When we arrived in Cedar River, we were shocked that the marina staff didn’t answer our VHF hail as they are usually on top of things. Captain and I made arrangements to dock at the fuel dock without help. A little nerve wrecking as that dock is a bit odd. Thankfully that went without a hitch and Captain was able to smoothly, and slowly, approach the dock for me. We found the one staff person on duty (it’s a small marina on a Tuesday, she was helping another boat) and took care of getting more diesel and a pump out. We were able to dock in our slip like pro’s afterwards and the work began in earnest.
Three hours later, Ciara was all cleaned up and emptied, a pile sat outside of our minivan to go home. Captain finished the deck work (filling water and washing the deck) while I played Tetris with our belongings.
And just like that our epic adventure came to a close. We left the marina with no fanfare, grateful to be in an A/C car and a safe drive home.
Our minds are empty. Neither one of us can really comprehend the tasks waiting for us at home. We come home refreshed, renewed sense of purpose in life and dreams of the future. We enjoyed every last minute of this summer. Our skills have grown over the years. Our communication is solid, or story book filled with outrageous events that would have never happened if we just sat at home. I want to thank each and every one of you who came to visit and enjoy along the way. There has been substantial growth for both Captain and myself. I know the kids grew this summer as well. Captain and I find ourselves in a pool of gratitude for what we have been able to achieve. The dreams, the hard work and sacrifices that make this all possible. The friends we have met along the way. The trials and celebrations. The down time and how we do or don’t fill it. Living off the grid where every day the world is yours to explore without all the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The epic stories we have to tell and yet to experience keep us coming back for we feel alive. We have traveled over 1000 nautical miles this summer. We traveled further then we have before. We indulged in places that have become very dear to us without having to move on quickly. We provisioned well, with more food on board to probably last us another three months. Ciara herself was stout and strong with all the hard work Captain puts into her in the winter. We are thankful for the minor bumps and bruises and our sun kissed bodies, stronger than they were three months ago. I have learned a lot from this blog. I am honored every time someone says they read it religiously. I sure hope I took you on some grand adventures! I am glad I did it and will evaluate over the winter how I want to improve it next year. Writing for eighty (plus!) straight days is no small feat. Here I am over 94K words just by writing a little every day. My high school English teacher would be proud, and would be sitting ready with a big fat red pen! But that was my point, to do it, even it wasn’t perfect, much like a lot in my life. I’m grateful to be able to do. I hope to clean up our webpage over the winter. I hope to indulge you all in how we make freeze dried food and how we spend our winters. I hope to add videos as I learn and expand what my web page platform can do.
Until then, fair winds and following seas my friends. May your journeys take you far to keep you grounded at home. May the people you meet along the way be the best friendships and may you follow your dreams.
