Independence is closing down for the summer; we'll be back in December with a fresh load of sea stories from our adventures in Bermuda and New England. Our last charter of the season is booked for Thursday, May 20. Along for our farewell to the season trip will be some new friends and some old-faithful sailors who have been with us for about 15 years - a great way to sign off!
It has been a pretty good season, windier than some ... but Independence likes that! Sometimes it is a good thing to be big and heavy! Daughter Hillary stepped into the breach when my first mate, Tiah, decided to go back to being a nanny - I guess we didn't have enough kids aboard this year. Nothing could have made me happier than to have Hillary on board - we have had a ball. She grew up on-board and loves Independence as much as I do. Her presence makes it really easy to show our guests a good day. Hillary plans to go back to teaching next fall, but has promised to fill in on the odd Saturday or holiday. I plan to hold her to that promise!
Our focus is shifting from day sailing to preparations for our passages to Bermuda and then to Newport. Suddenly, the thought of being cold is entering our minds. I know it is summer up there ... but 60 degrees on the water is way too cold for these Caribbean sailors. We are buying fleece shirts, caps, gloves and blankets - better too hot than too cold - oh! and I'd better put woolly socks on the list ... and boots, too!
Independence has to be un-stocked for chartering and re-stocked for cruising. That means that the self-steering gear goes on and all the floats and snorkel gear come off and go into storage - along with lots of other things. The most fun is shopping for charts and guides for the areas we plan to visit. Provisioning will be lots easier this year - I'm looking forward to all those supermarkets and produce stands in the States!
Bermuda will be our first stop. We hope to leave St. Thomas in early June ... weather permitting, of course ... and it shouldn't take much more than a week to get there. We have been badgering friends who have been to Bermuda to tell us everything they know - plus we have been pouring over our charts. I think it sounds like a wonderful place to visit; we will probably stay for a couple of weeks.
Our next stop will be Newport, maybe in time for July 4th. We will be traveling with our guestbook, so if your name is in it don't be surprised if you get a call from us. Remember all that loose talk about using your washing machine?
This is a whole new adventure for Peter and me. We are excited ... and a little nervous (they have tides and fog way up north) .. but we can't wait to get started. I'll keep you posted and let you know if we see the Flying Dutchman in the Bermuda Triangle. My e-mail address will be working ... so keep in touch and have a great summer.
All our best - Pat and Pieter
No comments:
Post a Comment