Away, Away!

Away, Away, away from the dock!  The melody from “We Know the Way” (Disney movie,  Moana) with the refrain “Away, Away!” was singing in my head as we left the dock to GO somewhere. Side story here – I was admitted to the in-patient rehabilitation facility four days after my spinal surgery. The office administrator entered my room with paperwork in her hand. She said, with a confused and smiling face, “So, it says here that you are Polynesian…….. I’m thinking that’s not correct??” We both laughed, something I surely needed at that moment. Throughout the 10 days of my stay there, she would pass by and say “And how is my Polynesian friend doing?” A few evenings later, Moana was playing on the TV, so I watched it again and enjoyed it even more. There are “boats” in it.

But I digress……

For our first away from the dock overnight, we headed to Ram Island at the end of the Mystic River. We didn’t go far, less than 5 miles from the dock, but to me, it was like another world just to be out on the water again. Everything seemed new again.

For a Tuesday, it was pretty busy in the little harbor nook on the eastern side of Ram Island. We have been purposefully avoiding weekends on the water, but it didn’t seem to matter in August.  The boats did provide some entertainment.

Ram Island sits at the end of the Mystic River so you get to see a variety of boats —

We didn’t do much, just relaxed (I relaxed; Al never relaxes) and enjoyed the boat, at anchor.

Speaking of anchor, Al also worked out his new anchor snubber system. 

We also practiced using the dinghy hoist system. This is new to us. We have always had davits on the stern for our dinghy which made the dinghy easy to lower and raise. Storing the dinghy on the flybridge keeps the transom free of obstruction and makes it easier for me to board the boat from the dock. Al had already practiced the hoist system but it was now time for me to learn my role.

There are two motors that control lifting and lowering the dinghy, each controlled by a remote. 

What else we learned……. I can’t get into the dinghy from the transom. I stood there and thought and thought and realized that I am not yet able to move my body safely in that way. And if I could get into the dinghy, the water would have to be very, very calm so that I don’t bounce up and down.

The next week – a second time away, away! Off to Napatree, doubling our distance from 4 nautical miles to 11 nautical miles.! WooHoo!

The next day, Jallao arrived on their way home from BI. We planned a socially distant happy hour with Mary Jo and Dean in our cockpit for that evening. 

Wind and ran arrived just before our get together time. Checking the radar and weather apps told us that we were not going to get together after all. The blowing and rains didn’t end until around 10:30 pm that night. 

But morning brought a whole new view. 

We left around noon and headed towards the channel after pulling up the anchor. Then… uh oh….. the engine suddenly stopped. Whaaaaat???? Thankfully, we were not yet in the narrow channel and dropped the anchor so that Al could investigate. We tried to restart the engine, but it did not cooperate. Good news – there was nothing wrong with the engine.  Bad news – Al’s butt had unknowingly and accidentally bumped the fuel filter level to the off position while checking the oil which then starved the engine of fuel. Bad news – He has to “bleed” the engine to restart it which he has never done on this boat.  Good news –  Al read the manual and does it!! The engine starts up and off we go an hour later!

Our first two multi-day trips were not to faraway or exciting places, but it still felt very special to me. We are fortunate to live in a region that has so many fine water places, and so close. We are getting acquainted with this new Kindred Spirit and falling in love with her. For me, I am grateful to be on the boat, even if I can’t get off or go for very long. I am trying to be content with what I can do and not mourn what I can no longer do.

Looking forward to more little trips through September!