Coach Shoe
Dryer sheet aficionado
Late last year, I sold my 39 foot sailboat and bought a “ocean going 44 footer” and started making plans to take take a “late in life adventure”. At 77 yo, time was awast’n.
My new wife, w truly adventurous spirit, enrolled in sailing classes and became certified, perhaps qualified to get the boat back to port if anything happened to me. We took 3 months to build her skills and to prep the boat w all the electronics and safety equipment I felt we needed.
We departed Kemah (Houston TX) on March 10, headed to Key West. It is interesting to note that my wife’s total experience had never been beyond the jetties and so a little sea sickness was to be expected. On the third day, she exclaimed, “I don’t know why I ever married you.’ On the fourth day, she got her sea legs and began to see the beauty of the sea. Life was good!
Upon approaching Key West, eight days later, we called in to obtain dock space only to be told that Covid had closed the Keys nd we would not be allowed entry. A little research told us that we were screwed. We needed water, fuel and food to continue our adventure. We had very few options. This is not the first obstacle I’ve had in life and the decision was easy to make. A u-turn was in order. We docked back in Kemah after sailing nearly 2,000 miles over sixteen days without dropping an anchor.
Covid screwed up our dream, but we’re really fortunate that, so far, that’s all it’s done to us. We’ve moved the boat off the Gulf and placed it on a beautiful lake to use it for social distancing. My wife is a true Blue Water Sailor and we anxiously wait for the day to resume our adventure. Time is really awast’n.
You guys be safe out there.
My new wife, w truly adventurous spirit, enrolled in sailing classes and became certified, perhaps qualified to get the boat back to port if anything happened to me. We took 3 months to build her skills and to prep the boat w all the electronics and safety equipment I felt we needed.
We departed Kemah (Houston TX) on March 10, headed to Key West. It is interesting to note that my wife’s total experience had never been beyond the jetties and so a little sea sickness was to be expected. On the third day, she exclaimed, “I don’t know why I ever married you.’ On the fourth day, she got her sea legs and began to see the beauty of the sea. Life was good!
Upon approaching Key West, eight days later, we called in to obtain dock space only to be told that Covid had closed the Keys nd we would not be allowed entry. A little research told us that we were screwed. We needed water, fuel and food to continue our adventure. We had very few options. This is not the first obstacle I’ve had in life and the decision was easy to make. A u-turn was in order. We docked back in Kemah after sailing nearly 2,000 miles over sixteen days without dropping an anchor.
Covid screwed up our dream, but we’re really fortunate that, so far, that’s all it’s done to us. We’ve moved the boat off the Gulf and placed it on a beautiful lake to use it for social distancing. My wife is a true Blue Water Sailor and we anxiously wait for the day to resume our adventure. Time is really awast’n.
You guys be safe out there.
