Here we go – Our Great Lakes Adventure! One week is in the books, and it’s been educational, at times frustrating, but overall one of the best weeks of my life!
The question I’ve been asked over and over is “how do you prepare for this”? It’s a question I asked myself at least 100 times a day since March, when I put the For Sale sign on my front lawn. How do I deal with the contents of a full house? Decide what to store? What to sell or give away? And most importantly, what comes with me on a 400 square foot boat that I will call home for almost 5 months? There is no easy answer that question, but after several anxiety attacks, some tears and with the help of one very patient husband, and a son willing to move boxes and furniture (and promise to drive up and visit), it all got done.
My rule of thumb was if it was easy and inexpensive to replace, bring just a little bit (ex: tomato sauce, eggs, bug spray, batteries). If it may be difficult or expensive to find, bring it (ex: Starbucks coffee beans and special diet cat food). Observations after one week– I have way too many sweaters, every small town has a pretty decent grocery store, and absolutely no chance of finding a Starbucks on this route.
We left the docks of our Ashbridges Bay Yacht Club (ABYC) at10:10 am on Friday, May 24, about 5 days later than planned. We were delayed by easterly winds and waves from the east, which would have made the trip very uncomfortable at best, but could have been disaster. However, this delay was fortuitous for two reasons – the Trent Severn Waterway delayed opening by 1 week due to high water and currents and it gave us a few extra days to prepare and spend extra time with loved ones.
Tonight, as I sit in the cockpit our home, currently in Bobcaygeon, ON, tied up to the wall by Lock 32, enjoying late afternoon sunshine and hoping the 25 knot winds die down, I reflect on what has been at once one of the most terrifying, yet most exciting decision of my life:
- It may be cliché, but it is true – there will never be a perfect time to follow your dream, so you just gotta make the decision, do some research and go for it!
- I have HUGE respect for the power of water – wowsa!
- Ontario has some of the most breathtakingly beautiful landscape, from the lush greenness of the lower Trent area to now the stunning granite of Kawartha. I can’t wait to see what’s next.
- Boaters are really, really nice people – always willing to lend a hand and no judgment when the wind catches your bow and you blow the docking.
- Wi-fi is our most precious commodity.
- And finally, but certainly not least – take your best friend along on your adventure – Allen, my best friend, husband and my captain (nothing sexist here, he’s just got the experience), and the ever precocious Cat Stevens – sometimes referred to as Houdini or Little Bastard, but always entertaining.
