“Abandoning Ship”

A title like that will get attention, won’t it? It’s not as ominous as it sounds. Last Sunday we  sat in Cape May, in the cold and rain. The weather improved just barely enough to leave Cape May on Monday for the six-hour trip to Atlantic City. The cold temperatures and rain continued. Add stronger winds to the mix and we weren’t going anywhere anytime soon. Kindred Spirit and Cutting Class secured dock space at the “Historic Gardiners Basin” in Atlantic City. We usually just anchor here for a one-night stopover along the way, but we knew this would be more than one night. In fact, it soon became apparent that our boats would not be departing Atlantic City until at least Saturday. Atlantic City was once a popular vacation destination known for its beaches and its boardwalk, and even played a role in the origination of the game, Monopoly. Times have changed, casinos and gambling did not bring prosperity, and Atlantic City is now a ghost town. Not an ideal place for cruisers to wait for a weather window.

The positive side of the situation? We were at a dock so we could at least get off the boat to stretch our legs, and not worry about dragging anchor. And, we weren’t alone.

The temperatures were the coldest we have experienced while on the boat. 46-48 degrees outside at night, which made our cabin 52-54 degrees inside. That’s cold! Note to self – pack flannel sheets next time! During the day, the temps never made it above the mid-50’s and the sun did not shine. At all. Al ran the generator three times each day to take the chill off and warm things, temporarily. Cooking helped warm the cabin, too.

So, about that title, “abandoning ship”. The baby shower for our next grand baby was quickly approaching – Saturday, May 7^th. I had hoped to either be home by then or at least be closer than Atlantic City. I certainly wanted to be onboard for the next leg, the 12-hours off shore of New Jersey. But time ran out, and I reluctantly abandoned ship, renting a car and driving back to Connecticut.

Technology makes it easier to stay in touch and feel connected. We send pictures back and forth, and FaceTime.

Kindred Spirit and Cutting Class plan to leave tomorrow. The four of us have remarked that although we never intended or planned to travel together, we always enjoy reconnecting at varying points of the journeys, both south and north.  It is always a treat to end up in the same  port. Right now, it is a true comfort to me to know that although Al will be single-handedly bringing the boat home, he will not be alone. Dan and Marcia will be out there on Cutting Class, staying in touch with him.

I wish that our 8-month trip was concluding on a better note. I wish the weather had not been so harsh these past weeks, and I certainly wish we could finish the trip together. But, none of that can diminish the satisfaction and joy in the adventure, or the wonderful times we have had over the past 8 months. Cruising and living on a boat has its ups and downs, just like life does. The good and the bad, the easy and the hard, the amazing and the disappointing; it’s all part of the experience. You really can’t have one without the other, unless you live in some bizarre fantasy world; which isn’t living at all.

As I settled back into “dirt life” and get the house in order again, I took a few moments to look at our Bahamas photos. Just to remember why we do it……………