One Week into Her Trip South....

So hard to believe, but Serenity has been on her way for a week.  The "boys" seem to be on schedule and sound like they're having a grand old time for themselves.  They certainly are eating well - Tom's prowess at both the stove and grill combined with what was in the fridge/freezer guaranteed there would be no "franks and beans" night (though they are on board).

The weather cooperated enough for some offshore runs, but not enough for any overnights yet.  Tom tells me that yesterday (it could have been the day before), they took a 30 degree roll.  Everything that wasn't already put down, was now down, including my birds from Amelia Island.  I'll need to sharpen my surgical skills and re-attach a head and a beak or two when I get aboard.  I told those men not to trash my boat, so what do they do..........?

They had some excitement today when the Coast Guard pulled up alongside them while they were underway and announced that they were going to board Serenity.  Poor Tom, that must have been a moment he'll not soon forget.  Mike was cool, he's been this way before, but it was a first for Tom - at least where his personal boat is concerned.  Serenity got a clean bill of health - we were asked to remove the "gift wrap" from our fire extinguishers, but otherwise all was shipshape.  Here's Tom after the "boarding".  He looks pretty cool.

So that you're not bored with too many words and not enough pictures, I asked the captains to take some pictures.  "Of what" was Mike's first response.  I can only tell you the part of my answer that's fit to print - "the scenery, what else?"  They obliged me with a few boring pictures, but at least they did get some.

This is a photo of the carriers, Enterprise and Lincoln, I think somewhere in the Virginia area.  Of course they just sent the photos without identifying the location, so I had to guess.  At least we have a caption, so we know what we're looking at!

After over 950 miles, Serenity got thirsty, so the boys found a nice fuel dock so she could refresh herself.

Since like many of the places they found themselves in, this marina was the only game in town; because it was late, they were permitted to remain at the fuel dock overnight.  Meanwhile, I get a text alert from Chase indicating that there may have been a fraudulent use of our card.  Apparently Serenity's "drink" cost over $900 and since it was for fuel in North Carolina as opposed to Bloomingdales in New York, they got suspicious.  Can't say I blame them - that purchase was clearly out of our spending pattern.

Some places they've visited/passed along the way, heading south out of NY: Cape May in NJ, the C & D Canal, Annapolis, Solomons Island, then onto Norfolk, several marinas in North Carolina - I think places I've heard are Coinjock (THE place for the best prime rib this side of the Mississippi), Alligator River, Bellhaven....

Some of their days have been as long as 18 hours.  When you cruise in a trawler at this time of year, the going is slower than usual due to uncooperative weather and short days. When they're not "outside", they're subject to the traffic, bridges and wake zones of the inland waterways.  At least they travel in comfort - they've been able to watch the college football games they both enjoy, eat decently and are warm at night.  I don't dare ask if they've been doing laundry, but I do know they've been sampling the stocked-to-the-gills wine fridge at night.  I can tell you that they have not been very diligent with the sort of baths Serenity is used to.   They had the nerve to send me this picture of Serenity's waterway moustache.

The plan is to get Serenity to Southport in South Carolina before Thanksgiving so Mike can jump off and visit family in FL for the holiday.  They'll get underway again a week from today.  Once that happens, they'll be able to give me their ETA in Jacksonville, FL where I will be waiting at the marina to be picked up.  The plan is for me to complete the trip to Stuart with the boys and get some helm time in along with docking and whatever else I can learn in that time.  The "whatever" may require that the captain be tranquilized, but that's what Mike is for.  It's a known fact that few husbands can teach their wives anything, and Tom is no exception to that rule.  Since Mike is aboard, is a captain, has a Krogen of his own - and is not my husband - voila!  The perfect recipe for a wonderful learning experience.

Day 3 Without Serenity

The crew arrived in Liberty Landing on Saturday afternoon, around 1:30.  I think they planned to get there early enough to settle in for the football games on Serenity's 42" flat screen HD TV.

To be fair, they were up early and had the lines off before most of us were up Sunday morning.   Serenity made great progress, all the way to Cape May, though the seas were "sloppy", according to the men.   Tom kept re-assuring me that with 1-2' seas with whitecaps on Serenity's nose, I wouldn't have had fun.  I would have liked to make that determination myself, but I know when to give up the fight.  They essentially put in an 18 hour day Sunday, not anchoring until nearly 10 pm.  Poor guys told me it was too late to cook themselves dinner.  I couldn't resist the comeback that if I was aboard, they would have had a gourmet feast waiting for them.  Tee hee.

This morning found them at the entrance to the C & D Canal, with their destination, Solomons Islands where the Krogen Cruisers Rendezvous was held last month.  They have been blessed with fair weather, permitting an extended offshore run.  As I write this, I'm waiting for my next update on their progress.  I think they have Norfolk, VA in their sights for tomorrow.

I've been told that my beloved sunflowers in their gorgeous antique vase are a PITA.  Not happy to hear this.  They were relegated to the cockpit to get out of the way.

 That's men for you - no sense of esthetics.  I did warn that if anything happened to either the flowers or vase, they would be sent on an extended shopping trip until a replacement that satisfied me could be found.  I can tell you now (and I told them), I will be inconsolable and not happy with any replacement.  Silence at the other end of the phone, by the way.

Just received my last position update of the day.  The "boys" are tied up in Chesapeake City.  They had a nice dinner and are watching football.  Sounds like just what the doctor ordered after a couple of long days at sea.  I'll be back with their next adventures.

Serenity Heads South

This morning dawned clear and bright - a very welcome change from our most recent weather, that's for sure.  It was a perfect morning for a boat ride - without me aboard!  Tom and helper captain Mike were taking Serenity to Stuart, FL for her winter vacation.

After several weeks of preparation, Serenity was ready for her trip.  Her fuel tanks were brimming with immaculate fuel thanks to her ESI fuel polishing system (the captain LOVES this system).  You may remember that this is the system that caused us to be towed by Sea Tow on one of our trips aboard our 1st KKY, For Us.   The captain was so enamored, he forgot to re-open the valve after the polishing was done, effectively starving the engine of fuel.  We don't talk about that much.  There were enough provisions on board, both food and liquid, to feed a crew of 100.   I spent several hours yesterday cleaning, polishing and primping our girl for her trip.  That's amusing seeing I pay someone to do that for our home.

I brought bagels and pumpkin Dunkin' Donuts coffee to the crew to give them a jump start on what would be a long day.  That gesture by the way, along with my offer to help with the lines, was a thinly veiled attempt to get aboard one last time.  You have to understand my feelings here.  Serenity was our shelter during the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy and the snowy nor'easter that blasted through our region on Thursday.  After spending 10 days aboard, I was more in love with her than ever before  - how is that possible?  She was our respite, a warm and snug cocoon that took care of our every need.  All too soon, the last line was off, Tom and I were hugging and kissing goodbye and she was off.

As the tears rolled down my cheeks, I followed her progress with my camera..

I've never seen her heading away from the dock before, so I was a bit mesmerized.  What a gorgeous girl she is!  I warned the men not to trash her while they used her as their "man cave".  The thought makes me shudder.  I kept walking down the dock until I got this final picture of her heading away from me...

 My consolation is that the men will let me know several days before Serenity nears either the Charleston, SC or Jacksonville, FL inlets.  At that point, I'll be hopping on the next Southwest flight that will get me there.  I have the animals and house sitters on standby, informed my employer of this plan and told both Tom and Mike that my bag is already packed and that "I WILL BE ON THAT BOAT".  It will be a wonderful opportunity to get some helm time, probably in the ICW, and pick up some tips from Captain Mike (we all know how it is to try to learn from a husband).  Hopefully, we'll have a day or two to get Serenity settled in her new slip and introduced to her new Krogen friends at Sunset Bay Marina in Stuart.  We'll be taking monthly trips to visit her starting in either December or January until the first week of April, when she comes home to us.

In the meantime, I have to placate myself with photos of my girl, and line up hair, manicure and pedicure appointments so I'm ready to go when I get that signal.   I'm going to miss my trips to the marina, friends in tow, but at least Serenity will warm during the winter and not wrapped up like a ghost.  Mike's SPOT tracker will keep me tuned in to their whereabouts - those updates will be the highlights of the next week!

Bon Voyage sweet Serenity!

Gas, Glorious Gas!!

This morning dawned snowy, gray and frigid.  Never mind, I was on a mission - I simply HAD to find gas.  I hopped out of my warm bed on Serenity, showered and dressed in record time.  The minute I was ready to go, I feverishly began to check gasbuddy.com/sandy for an open gas station near the marina.  At 7:13, there were no updates, just the grim "No Fuel" notation I have come to dread.  At 8 am, Has Fuel flashed on the screen from the Mobil station mere blocks from the marina.  I raced across the snowy and slippery dock to my car - which I think was colder inside than it was on the outside.  Off  I sped to the station praying all the way that the information was accurate and not a hoax.  Me who usually believes what I'm told, has become suspicious about gas and power rumors.

As I approached the station, I was dismayed to see the gas station attendants shoveling snow and not pumping gas.  I followed the line to the end, which I estimated to be about an hour long.  Not bad I thought as I made a wild U-turn to get into line.  A Jeep coming the other way had designs on the same spot to which I was headed.  As our grilles just about touched, I put my hand up and furiously pointed to the spot I had claimed as my own.  With that, I put 2 wheels on the sidewalk and voila, I was in line.
We've become a society of gas-starved desperate creatures with only one focus in life - a full gas tank! For the next 45 minutes, I endured such cold that I got out of the car and rummaged in my "barn box" for something to add to my attire.  I found a fleece jacket and a towel.  I put the fleece on over my sweater and vest and under my jacket.  The towel was draped over my legs and feet like an old lady's lap quilt, but it kept me from suffering frost-bitten toes.  There I sat shivering, not wanting to turn the car back on until the line began to move.

By my watch, I got into line at 8:03 (who's watching)?  The line was at a standstill, but since there were people in line with their gas cans, I figured they had first-hand information about gas availability from the attendants who were standing by the pumps.  I called Tom and told him to jump into the Explorer and head to the gas station, it was now or never.  To my indescribable ecstasy, the line began to move around 8:49.  Little by little, inch by inch we approached the mecca of the pumps.  As I neared the gas station, I realized that I was so tense, my shoulders were actually hunched up close to my ears.   Soon I was being directed to a pump.  I tried not to run over the poor soul directing desperate drivers to their respective pump.  When the attendant asked what I wanted, I burst into tears and kept calling him my hero.   Though he smiled politely, I think he thought I was nuts.  When I heard the nozzle click, I urged "my hero" to squeeze and squeeze until not another drop could be fit in.  After paying $4.45 per gallon for regular, my credit card showed a total of nearly $47 to fill my little 16 gallon tank.   I would have paid $45 a gallon to get that tank filled.  I drove off half crying, half laughing, like someone in a low budget movie.

I am now driving like the folks I used to flip my high beams at - I'm actually doing the speed limit to conserve as much gas as possible during my trips.  No more lurching forward a second before the light turns green, no more passing slower drivers, just smooth (and much slower) driving for me for now.  I'm carefully planning my route tomorrow since I took a personal day off to get Serenity ready for her trip south on Saturday.  As of tomorrow, we're on odd-even license plate number gas rationing, so I don't want to find myself close to E on the wrong day.

Like everyone else, my life has been re-arranged dramatically.  My usually jammed schedule has been reduced to going to work and returning to the boat (one of the reasons why I can do a post each night).  Dinners, appointments and meetings have been re-scheduled.  I haven't seen my sweet Tucker since the Sunday before the hurricane - I have to make do with pictures my daughter texts to me.   I used precious gas to go to the barn last Sunday to bring blankets and carrots to Wiggles.   I would have been distraught on these cold days/nights if he didn't have his warm blankies.  The wonderful angels at the barn who are my helpers have done a fantastic job of taking care of my precious horse this week.

Though I'm happy Serenity will be going on vacation this winter, I'm going to miss knowing she was only 4 minutes from home.  She was our solace and protector during the aftermath of the hurricane.  We're indebted to her and always will be.  We'll be flying down to visit her each month during the winter, so she won't be too lonely.  She's heading to Sunset Bay Marina within walking distance of downtown Stuart where she will have the company of at least 20 other Krogens.  So tonight and tomorrow, I'll be sprucing her up and making sure she is pristine for her trip south.

There's a Nor'easter on our Doorstep!

A mere 9 days after Hurricane Sandy punished Long Island for some yet to be determined transgression, her little sister arrived to take another swipe at us.  Sometime around midday, I looked out of my office window to see slushy snow accumulating on car roofs and grassy areas.  Several hours later, the wind started howling and the snow cover extended to the streets.  The weather deteriorated to the  point where parts of the infamous Long Island Expressway was closed and the LIRR suspended service.  Homes with newly restored power lost it again, and we were plunged into dark chaos once again.   I was by now waiting for the biblical locusts to descend.  What else could Mother Nature throw at us?

Though our power was restored this morning, I cautioned Tom that we should remain aboard Serenity throughout the storm since our home is subject to power loss in anything more than a breeze.  Besides, there is not a morsel of food or any sort of goodie to be found at the homestead since everything was moved aboard last week.  I'm sure despite his better judgement, Tom returned to the boat after ensuring our cat Zoe's comfort and safety.

Since I again drove to work with one of the company's partners, we did a little gas search on the way home.  The search (fruitless) and the horrific road conditions turned a 25 minute trip into a nearly 1 hour ordeal. The roads were scary - slippery and dark.  Downed trees and wires made the trip even more precarious.  By the time we arrived at the marina, the tide was rising and the wind was gusting to 60 mph.  I have to confess that as I made my way down the dock, I was truly scared witless.  Though the dock lights were on, the wind was gusting to a point that I felt I might be blown off the dock into the rapidly rising water.  The black, roiling water was a mere inches from the dock that was now covered in a slippery slush.  I bent down, mincing my steps, nervously glancing at the rising water.  By the time I reached the mid-point, my heart was hammering in my chest and my breath was sounding ragged in my ears.  I can't remember the last time I was so very frightened for my safety.  By now, I picked up my pace to a trot and soon saw Serenity's welcoming lights beckoning me to just come a bit farther to safety.  By the time I literally jumped into the cockpit, my legs were trembling.  I burst into the warm salon where Tom was waiting for me with a warm dinner and wonderful 2007 Barolo.

As I type this blog, the wind sounds like something in agony.  Things are banging around all around us (hope it's nothing expensive).  Serenity is rocking, but I am not in the least bit uneasy.  Serenity has always protected us and she will continue to do so.  Having trouble with my wifi, so will sign off now. Be safe everyone who lives in this godforsaken part of the world!

It's Only Tuesday, but it feels like Friday!

I love living aboard Serenity, but it's incongruous to be leaving the boat every morning dressed for work.  This morning, I was outfitted in a cute grey heathered  dress, complete with black tights and black Coach ballet flats (my pearls were hidden beneath my winter jacket).   A nice-looking man toting several fishing rods passed me going the opposite way - I tell you, he looked me up and down, not once, but twice!  Can't imagine what he was thinking, but it was clear it's not a common sight on that dock to see anyone dressed that way.

Getting even more creative in devising ways to get to work without a car (on Long Island, this is like trying to fly without wings), I resorted to the infamous Long Island Rail Road.  Again traveling with one of my company's partners, I drove to his house (which is close to the marina), jumped into his wife's car so she could drop us off at the train station, just 3 miles away and hop onto the train (after shivering in the cold for what seemed like an eternity until the train arrived).  Less than 20 minutes later, we were in the Hicksville train station, our office building in sight.  Not so bad after all.

That sentiment was short-lived.  We arrived on the cold platform for the 5:37 home, only to be greeted with the announcement that our train was 6 minutes late due to "signal problems".  That's LIRR lingo for "we don't know why the train is late, it just is."  Several minutes later, the announcement increased the delay time to 7 minutes.  Oh oh we thought, we could be here all night.  Moments later, the headlights of our train were visible in the darkness - I guess they got their "signal problems" fixed.

The train was standing room only, but at least we were aboard and on our way home.  I had a dinner date with the captain, so I was anxious to get in my car and head to the restaurant.  Foiled again.
As I turned onto the main road, I was greeted by the flashing lights of many police cars.  Oh no, now what for heaven's sake?  I actually used a more strongly worded question, but this is a blog for nice people, so I'll restrain myself.  I immediately regretted my thoughts as a police office stopped the car ahead of me to have a brief conversation.  He was apparently stopping each motorist to advise us that a police officer had been involved in a serious hit and run accident earlier that day.  They were anxious to know if we had any information and that if we did hear anything, to report it to the local police precinct.  What an awful thing in the middle of such misery for so many people.

As I write this, we are still without power (day 8) and my gas gauge is even closer to the 1/4 mark.  In between discussing the election returns, we are hearing dire warnings of the coming nor'easter which is now promising us strong winds and a dusting of slushy snow, thanks to the ridiculously cold temps for this time of year.  When hearing that we are still living on the boat, concerned co-workers ask how we will get through the coming storm.  I can honestly reassure them that if Serenity could handle hurricane force winds, a nor'easter would be an inconvenience, but nothing more (we hope).

Here's hoping that the coming days bring power, gas and more hospitable temperatures.  I'll let you know how we weather the coming storm.  Please stand by.

It's Been a Week Now....

At 2:30 pm this afternoon, we have been officially without power for a week.  Unheard of in our neck of the woods!  Pre-Sandy, folks lost it if we were without power for more than a few hours!  As strangers meet, the first thing asked is "Do you have power?"  The second is "Do you know where to find gas?"   Long Island is like a newly emerging third world country these days.  All the creature comforts we took for granted, without thinking, are now precious commodities.  Speaking of precious things, our Serenity comes through yet again to take care of us.  We have been living aboard since Tuesday October 30th. She is well lit and warm (rocking a bit in tonight's breeze), our fridge/freezer and wine fridge still well stocked and our TV keeps us in touch with the world.  Despite the shift from our everyday lives, I find it wondrous to wake to the sound of seagulls and the sight of water reflected on the ceiling - on a workday!

In my office this morning, there was a rumor that a near-by gas station was providing gas to first responders and nurses.  One of the partners and I hopped into his car, my nursing license in hand, only to be turned away by a genuinely sorry police officer.   He explained that a nurse was not their description of a first responder (I sure hope he never finds himself in a situation when a nurse is the first responder to try to save his life).  Besides, the gas station was only open between 8 and 11 each day as long as the gas supply held up (it was 11:05).

I got creative Sunday morning and asked another of the partners to carpool with me.  Since he only lives a very short distance from the marina, this was a great idea.  On the ride home, we both got even more creative and decided to try our luck on the Long Island Rail Road tomorrow morning.  The normally busy Pt. Jeff line has limited service for now, so we decided to try the 9:36.  Luckily for us, the office is the 3rd stop, a 17 minute ride, and lets us off right across the street from the office.  As a former commuter on the LIRR, a 17 minute ride sure beats my 62 minute ride (each direction) every day!

Hurricane Sandy taught Long Island a lesson in humility.  For all the taxes we pay, we are no better off in receiving restored services than the towns many Long Islanders would never consider driving through, never mind residing in.  We have to wait our turn for power, gas, food and the other services that make living here so special.  Our very topography - gorgeous beaches, heavily treed winding roads and streets discreetly lit by ornamental lamps - has made our communities vulnerable to Mother Nature's wrath.

 Our days are now spent wondering when our lives will resume its usual rhythm, when our homes will be lit and warm again, when we can drive our cars without anxiously peering at the gas gauge every 20 seconds and squirming in frustration when stopped at a rail crossing for more than a minute.

One valuable lesson I think we all learned is that despite our inconveniences, discomforts and annoyances, all that matters is that those we love are safe, with a roof over their heads and out of harm's way.

Seems a simple fact of life, but Sandy had a way of re-arranging our thoughts.
I hope that any of you recovering from Sandy's after-effects get your lives back to normal quickly - and in a better way than ever before.