Hallelujah -- The Long Good-Bye Has Ended...

September 28, 2011

After a month and a half of saying good-bye to everyone we know at parties, lunches, dinners, work and church we have finally started our voyage.  I know that there were rumors that we were never going to leave and we were simply making up this story for attention!  We did enjoy the attention and want to thank each of you that made an effort to see us, wish us safe travels and share good memories with us.  

Gail and John Cousins are traveling with us for the first 2 1/2 weeks.  They have lots of experience on this boat.  They were on board a year ago for 5 weeks....yes, and in spite of that, they signed up for this trip.  They arrived in Bayport at 10:00 as the fuel tank was being filled and the 'poop' tank was being emptied.  Just as we were preparing to start the engine and set sail, five of our friends came around the corner of the gas dock to surprise us:  Lyle Merriman, Roy & Norma Baker, Ed Johnson and Marcia Torning.  They said that they just wanted to see us off, but I think they were sent by a larger contingency to make sure we left----     

Our Send Off Team

Let's Get Started

South of Prescott the muddy Mississippi merges with the St Croix.
The Mississippi is on the far side.

The park in downtown Redwing

Need I say more -- Time for a snooze in the sun

Two of the 19 Eagles we saw today

2 flocks of pelicans on Lake Pepin

Mother nature provided a perfect day for us.  Bright blue sky, gentle breezes and 75 degrees.  We lounged, read, snoozed, counted 19 eagles and several flocks of pelicans.  We said good-bye to Bayport, Afton, Prescott and the St Croix River -- with surprisingly 'no tears'.  After seven hours at nine miles an hour we traveled a very respectable 63 miles and went through one lock.  The anchor was dropped in Lake Pepin behind a spit of land that gave us great protection for the night.   
Gotta  Smile -- We're lovin the ride!
    

We Passed The Test

We have been living on board for three months now and, honestly, it is wonderful! Occasionally we'll turn to one another and exclaim "wow, we really did it----"

Jennifer decided that she wanted to celebrate her 40th birthday on the boat with us and her family. Great news!!! She, Ian, Christopher (5) and JAC (2) arrived June 25th for 11 days of togetherness and, hopefully, lots of fun. As soon they unpacked, we left for a five day trip down river to Lake Pepin and Wabasha. Dinner at the Harborview in Pepin was a great celebration with Steve and his family driving down to join us. Ian had to go back to Dallas for work on July 3rd, but Jennifer and the kids stayed to enjoy the fireworks in Hudson Bay as we anchored for the night. We had an amazing front row seat. On July 5th, Jennifer left with JAC and Christopher stayed for another two weeks.    

<> Grandpa and his crew!

      

          Jennifer and Christopher 
           swim in Hudson Bay          

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JAC ready to party!

Ian & Addison picking up pennies
after the train ran over them

   

 

   

One day later, July 6th, our good friends from London -- Sid and Marion Palmer -- came for a five day visit!  Luckily, a 48 foot boat cleans up quickly!  A trip to the grocery and we were ready to enjoy their visit.  Sid and Marion are like family and they treated Christopher like he was one of their own.  We had a wonderful visit, doing a little sighseeing,  remembering our previous times together (in Afton, London and several weeks on our last boat)  and eating, eating, eating.   

When everyone left, Christopher had only one week left with us that we crammed full:  swimming with his cousins, fishing, feeding the turtles that live near our boat, nature hikes and lots of boat rides.  

The reason we moved up to the bigger boat -- we hoped it would accommodate friends and family for frequent visits.  Now we know that the boat and owners passed the test!  We loved sharing adventures and time with all of them.  Hopefully this was just the beginning with lots more to come!   

Gotta smile -- we're lovin the ride!