It was almost like magic to transit the East Coast of the US by car in one day, considering how many days/weeks it usually takes us to make this trip by boat. We love the golden bullet! Not only is it a trend-setting car, but it is so comfortable to drive (& sleep in) for a long trip and holds tons of stuff. It got us to Connecticut and back in style. Even Taz was impressed!
We spent the end of summer in Maryland for doctors appointments and a high school reunion. It was nice to have a car and not be reliant on the goodwill of others to loan us their car or drive us everywhere. Days flew by, we got back in the dog-walk routine, and Dad & Mark even got a few projects in, using fancy tools that have slowly been turning my parents' home into a metal-shop.
Not to miss out on the Maryland bounty, we consumed all of the local specialties and tried out a few new restaurants. Think steamed crabs, pulled pork, crab pretzels, pizzas, steaks, oysters, local brews… We’ve been indulgent with all of this eating & need to sail away to get back to our fish diets!
It is great to have the gift of time to be around family for a visit and see everyone in their own routines. We never take that for granted; it is one of the best parts of retirement. We only had a three year holiday rotation when we were working. Even so, how does it seem that there is never enough time to see everyone?! We missed our Michigan family this year and will make an extended visit there next time!
Before heading back to Florida, we decided at the last minute that we could sneak in a trip to Connecticut to visit friends there. This place was home to us for many years and September is one of the most beautiful months to be there. We never see high pressure skies like this anymore in the tropics.
The last time we were in CT was at least four years ago, so we were happy to see friends and former colleagues who made the time to visit us on short notice ~ thanks to all! It has been 8 years since we sailed away from here and our research jobs at Pfizer. It struck us that this longer term of absence brought about a different feeling than our previous visits.
In general, the nitty gritty details of our past work, projects and technology are distant memories.
Any workplace “politics” that might have come up were amusing if not cringeworthy, right out of a Dilbert cartoon.
However, we still feel connected with science, the Pharmaceutical Industry and our field of Analytical Chemistry, which we hope will always remain as some part of our identity.
Cruising is a great equalizer ~ no one knows or cares about “what do you do” out there.
This visit was a gentle little nudge that helped us re-connect with that part of ourselves.
That sentiment was exactly the same on a wonderful, long overdue visit with my research advisor, Catherine Fenselau when in Baltimore.
We made a dramatic change when we left our jobs, our careers, our house and our family & friends behind to sail away. I’m sure not everyone understood at the time or perhaps never will, yet everyone was supportive. Now that we live a simple lifestyle of self-sufficiency, which includes not only natural rhythms but also hard work, my eyes are wide open and I value so many things that I used to take for granted. During times when friends and family experience their own life changes, we hope to reciprocate the support.
This summer, I feel infinitely fortunate to have so many great friends.
Even when you are not in touch as often as you’d like, those gaps seem like tiny blips in time when you’re sitting face to face.
And yes... all of these reunions have made me slightly philosophical.
Memories were sweet of our former sailing grounds and it was so fun to catch up with Dave & Judi for the better part of a week. They spoiled us! We used to have the luxury of so much quality time together and we miss hanging with them.
Judi was my cooking mentor and she has taken her game up a notch! I am always up for a new challenge. She cooked amazing meals for us and the pinnacle was an all afternoon paella made over the grill. It was a multi-step process that took several hours to complete. In the end flavors were so rich ~ it tasted amazing!
~Sizzle some chicken & garlic in olive oil~
~Roast red peppers for later~
~Cook chorizo & green beans~
~Make sofrito~
~Coat rice~
~Add back all ingredients (except peppers) plus broth~
~Top with roasted red peppers~
PAELLA!!!!
Dave & Judi were also our cruising mentors and we learned so much from them in experience, knowledge and example. It is often hard to be sailing without Echo nearby, but they are always with us in spirit wherever we drop the hook!
