‘Twas the Week After Christmas

‘Twas the week after Christmas and all through the boat,
Not a creature was stirring since she isn’t afloat.

The systems are drained of all water with care,
In hopes that no icicles will ever form there.

Eleanor Q is nestled all snug on her bed
With antifreeze throughout her, including the head.

With me in my parka and Frank in his cap,
Got Eleanor Q settled in for her long winter’s nap.

And so . . . our first round of cruising has come to an end.

We finished out the season in late September and October with some quality time in Annapolis and with a few hops around the Chesapeake.

Our annual pilgrimage to the Annapolis Sail Boat Show

Taking a dinghy ride around Back Creek – Frank couldn’t help but chase an unsuspecting blue heron.

Fall scenes around Back Creek.

But when the cold weather hit in November, we knew it was time to take Eleanor Q out of the water for a while and give her a well deserved rest.

Readying the boat . . . putting the dinghy up on the bow for storage.

We went through MANY gallons of the pink antifreeze. It goes in all systems that use water, including engines. We did as much as we could before Eleanor Q’s last trip to where she was being hauled out.

The day came for us to pull out of Stella’s Stern and Keel for the last time. Thanks for everything Dean!

Traversing from one side of the Bay Bridge to the other to Eleanor Q’s winter home.

Last time behind the wheel for a while.

This was an emotional trip across the bay . . . letting go of our live-aboard life for now.

Eleanor Q’s winter marina on the opposite side of the Bay Bridge from Annapolis.

Leaving Eleanor Q in a temporary slip before she gets hauled to her land based parking spot. Frank dragging a multitude of empty gallon antifreeze jugs to the dumpster. We’ve done as much as we can for the day.

Second trip back to the boat to finish winterizing. Taking the sails off and storing them down below.

Frank taking down the radar detector. Eleanor Q has a nice view of the local airport!

We are diving back into the work waters . . . I have already had a couple of consulting gigs this month and have some more work scheduled in January. Frank is still in discussions determining where and when he will go back to work, so we are waiting for definitive word as to exactly where our next “port” will be. In the mean time, we have enjoyed time in our house in Smithville, NJ and have spent lots of time with family here. Christmas in the warm weather of Florida was an interesting change last year, but spending it with family this year was pretty special . . . and singing with my former church choir in Ocean City throughout the season has buoyed my Christmas spirit.

Yes, we occasionally have pangs about being on the boat in warmer climes about now, but we have also really enjoyed time with family, football season on our couch and the beautiful fall weather.

So . . . we are prepared to be transients again, just on land instead of sea for a while. We will return to cruising some day . . . it will not be a one and done deal for us. But we have lots of years left to return to the sea, God willing. We fulfilled our goal of cruising from Maine to the Bahamas and back and it was AWESOME! But for now, we’ll enjoy the stimulation that we both get from doing work that we really enjoy and having a few more land adventures for a while. We’ll let you know where we and Eleanor Q land!

And so we exclaim as we turn out the light,
Happy New Year to all and to all a good night.