The last time I wrote my travel blog was April 2023, we had just sold our boat Meshuggana, stuffed a storage locker full of miscellaneous stuff, tools and dishes and embarked on a two week road trip from Florida to Toronto, planning to enjoy all the sights from Savannah to Graceland and of course, Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail. Later that summer we flew to France and to explore the Loire Valley and its castles and most importantly, to visit the Jeanneau factory where our new boat was being built, followed by a couple weeks of blasting through the Balkans on a 3-wheeled Can Am motorcycle. We had a blast.
Then back in Toronto, our beloved boat cat, Cat Stevens, crossed the rainbow bridge. He was already a senior when we adopted him, with several health issues, and he will always remain in our hearts as the ultimate adventure cat.
And it feels like a lifetime ago.
We purchased our new boat in October 2022 and it was on-schedule to be delivered to us from France, arriving in Florida in November 2023. But everything changed in early October.
My father, my wonderful, kind, brilliant father, was diagnosed with kidney failure and entered hospice care. Yes, he had already celebrated his 99th birthday, but he was strong, he was bright, and we were all looking forward to one hell of a 100th celebration the following summer. However, fate had other plans as my world turned upside down. My focus shifted from the excitement of preparing for the new boat’s arrival to spending time and caring for my dad. Much of the next 7 months I traveled back & forth to my father’s home in Cleveland, Ohio. Dad passed away in May, just 2 months shy of his100th birthday. I treasure every minute I was able to be with him during those last months.
Along with Allen, my dad was my biggest supporter in writing this blog, always the first to read it and provide feedback. I promised him I will continue to write, and it is now finally time to keep that promise.
So here is an entire, eventful sailing season summed up in a few paragraphs:
Meshuggana 2 – that’s SQUARED, because we are 4 times as crazy buying this brand-new boat – was delivered in St Augustine, Florida, not quite ready to float. How did it get from France to Florida? No, we did not sail her across the Atlantic.
First, everything that is not permanently attached is wrapped in bubble wrap and stuffed inside or strapped onto the boat. Then the boat is put on to a truck and driven about an hour from the factory in Cholet, France, placed inside a shipping container that is then loaded onto an ocean freighter before spending a couple weeks at sea crossing the Atlantic.
The freighter makes a few stops in North America before its final destination, Brunswick, Georgia, where the boat is transferred to a tractor-trailer and driven about 2 hours down the highway to a marina in St Augustine, Florida. There the boat is lifted off the truck and put onto jackstands inside a gigantic warehouse where it will stay for several weeks while every system is assembled, installed, the bottom is painted with anti-fouling paint and finally, about 4 weeks later, she splashes. Then she sits another week at the dock making sure all systems are working and ensuring she is sea-worthy.
Picking up a new boat is a lot more complicated than picking up a new car and our advice to prospective new boat buyers….DON’T DO IT! It is so much work, so stressful, there are inevitable warranty claims….just buy a new-ish boat that’s ready to go. To make matters more complicated, Allen was on his own for most of this process as I was in Cleveland with my dad.
When we were finally ready to begin our sailing adventures, we turned south, wanting to stay in the continental USA until all the new-boat bugs were worked out:
Florida coast to Key West – revisited a few favorite spots and ventured further to Key West
- Not much has changed, but it was good to see some hurricane- destroyed boats have been removed
- The Keys are really difficult to sail – very shallow and local businesses are not interested in serving sailors – few dinghy docks making it difficult, even impossible to go ashore
Back to Bahamas – Bimini, Berry Islands, Eleuthera, Georgetown
- Again, not much has changed
- It still has the clearest, bluest water we’ve ever seen
Turks & Caicos
- Playground of the rich & famous – lovely homes and upscale resorts
- Lovely marina, good restaurants – we felt like we were on vacation for a few days
Dominican Republic
- A world away from T&C, more 3rd world, but truly lovely and an a nice change
- Incredible beauty – sea, jungle and mountains
- Time to stock-up on provisions – abundant fresh produce at reasonable prices
Puerto Rico! I have so much to say about Puerto Rico, it deserves its own chapter. Come back next time to read about fabulous San Juan, the Spanish Virgin Islands and learn how we ended, and then resumed our sailing seasons in Fajardo PR, home to the largest marina in the Caribbean.
And there’s also new Sheriff in Town….meet Ziggy Stardust!
SO glad you’re back! How wonderful this was to read with my morning coffee. Love to you both and hope to see you somehow if for any reason you’re in our direction again. ❤️
Sil – this is awesome!! First thing Inrewd as I sat down with my tea on Saturday am. Can’t wait for the next installment.
Thanks Diane – next year you’ll join use! Merry Christmas!
Thank you Nancy, it feels good to write again. We are in Puerto Rico now – pop down for a visit! Love to you and Pete.
I enjoy reading your blogs and following your adventures. I understand how and why you couldn’t write. Let me, once again, express my sincere condolences for the loss of your father. I truly admired him and was glad that I had the chance to get to know him better when I worked beside him on the board of the KLB.
I’m glad that you’re back to writing.
Paldies Edvin. My condolences to you too, as you recently lost your mom…it’s never easy. And congrats too on your recent marriage! I am very happy for you. Priecīgus Svētkus
I second Nancy’s comment: wonderful to read with my morning coffee.
Enjoy Christmas 🎄 and Hanukkah 🕎.
Stay safe and happy 🥰🤗
Paldies Gunta! Merry Christmas and much love to you and yours.
Paldies Gunta! Priecīgus Svētkus!
Good on you, Silvia! Thanks for sharing your real adventures. Love your blog and YOU!
Next year Rita, we will make it work….and if you happen to find a spot in your calendar before April, hop on down! Priecīgus Svētkus…love you too.
What wonderful adventures! What a blessing to be able to be with your father and enjoy each other’s company. Loving fathers with high expectations and respect for their daughters are true treasures! Looking forward to your account of Puerto Rico!
Thanks Becky. I miss and thank my dad every day, he really was a treasure. Priecīgus Svētkus to you Eddy and the boys.
Drinking my morning coffee with Bailey’s reading your life adventures is a great way to start my day
Thank you
Thanks Ian! I can’t wait to see your uncoming big adventure!
always interesting to read about your adventures! our friends are experiencing similar challenges with their new boat – although who would think that a new boat could have so many bugs and kinks to work out!! so very frustrating! where will the wind take you this year? our adventures continue in Turkey later this year… Happy Holidays!!
Paldies Marite. New boats are notorious for issues and we are still trying to work out some of them, from non-functioning electronics to damaged upholstery. Right now we are in San Juan PR, waiting for my family to join us for Christmas. Then we head east to BVI for the season. I want to hear all about Turkey, one day we may get there. Priecīgus Svētkus!
Your dad is smiling down on you and he’s happy to see that you have started writing again, Silvia.
Thank you for sharing the beautiful pictures and yours and Allen’s journey with us.
Looking forward to this year’s adventures!
Safe travels to you and Allen❤️
Thank you Bonnie. Merry Christmas to you and Rocco.
So wonderful to read your adventure starting a new chapter with your life and your new boat. Congratulations. We look forward to seeing you across the horizon.🤗❤️⛵️‼️
I’m sure we’ll meet in some sunny spot soon! Priecīgus Svētkus!
Silvia- fun to read! Keep it up….
Thanks Vita!
Awesome – love reading your blog! Maybe a Toonie Talk in the fall at ABYC?? Can’t wait to join you in the BVIs this season!
Thanks Cindy! Yes, absolutley we’d love to do anohter Toonie Talk, love sharing our adventures. Really looking forward to time with you in BVI and making a list for you when you go to PR.
Your blog seems to be on the morning coffee menu for all of us! See you very soon!
Get ready for the a hot Christmas!
Missed you!!! So sorry for your loss. I remember meeting your dad back in 1977!! Such a kind soul.
Thank you for sharing your experiences and fotos. Priecīgus Svētkus!!
And welcome Ziggy!!
Paldies Karina. Priecīgus Svētkus!
Love your adventures. Congratulations on the new boat. Travel safely.
Paldies Raz – priecigus svetkus!
Good to see you back on the water! I’ll play some Bowie for Ziggy and Buffet for you and Allen, you guys drink a boat drink for me!
Paldies David. We almost named him Jimmy for Buffet/Cliff, but Ziggy stuck. However at this moment we are anchored just outside of San Juan and they have a bandstand with all day concerts, so we’re grooving to some fabulous Purto Rican salsa!
Thank you for resuming the blog. You capture the vibe of the travels. Love to follow your adventures. I am so sorry for the loss of your father and Cat Stevens. It is entirely appropriate for your new feline to be named after one of Bowie’s alter-egos. Can’t wait to read the next chapter.
Thanks Jani, it’s good to be sailing and writing again.