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08 January 2016

It's A Long Story

A gloomy day at Indiantown Marina.

Indiantown Marina is crowded lately with boats coming out of storage and getting ready to head off adventuring for the season. There are also the transient boats who are passing through from one side of Florida to the other via the Okeechobee Waterway who stop by the marina for the night. Then there are folks who don't have a boat but still come to stay at the marina campground for the winter because anything beats shoveling snow in Minnesota and Ontario. Even a campground in Indiantown. 

Everyone is friendly. They stop by to say hi and pause to chat. If they're American, they often look at the side of our boat and ask, "What does Tickety Boo mean?" {The Canadians among us are familiar with the expression, so they don't ask.} I explain the meaning behind our boat name and we chat some more.  

But, inevitably, they ask the dreaded question, "And where is Tickety Boo headed to this year?" 

My usual answer is, "It's a long story." Then I try change the topic. Something like, "Did you see the alligator swimming over there?" Or, "It looks like it might start to rain." The curious and brave usually head over to the dock to take a closer look at the alligator. Those walking small dogs (or the occasional cat) beat a hasty retreat so that their furry friend doesn't become a tempting afternoon gator snack. The folks who left their hatches open scurry back to their boats before the rain starts to pour down and drenches everything

And I breathe a sigh of relief not having to explain yet again why Tickety Boo has been tied to this dock for months and doesn't appear to have any plans to head off adventuring anytime soon.  

Because, you know, it's a long story. Most of you know it. If not, here's the short version. We spent hurricane season at the marina for insurance reasons. Scott had to go back to Scotland to finish up a contract. Work is taking longer than he thought. There might be more work he has to do. Tickety Boo and I wait in Indiantown. I work on boat and writing projects while Scott's away. Adventuring is on hold. 

When pressed, I tell some form of the short version. Which leads to more questions like, "What kind of work does Scott do?" {Archaeologist. No, it's nothing like Indiana Jones.} "What do you do during the day?" {Work on my very long list of Very Important but Very Boring Boat Projects. Or procrastinate.}  "Aren't you lonely?" {Nope. If I ever get sent to jail for knocking over an Oreo delivery truck, I don't think solitary confinement would be a punishment. At all.} "Aren't you scared living all by yourself?" {Nope. Except when the alligator looks like he wants to board the boat.} "Wasn't it hot here during the summer?" {Hotter than you can imagine. Air conditioner from Walmart - best investment ever.}

Honestly, I'd much rather hear about people's plans for adventuring, then explain why Tickety Boo is still on the dock. It's such a long, rather dull and slightly depressing story. 

So, tell me. What are your adventuring plans for the coming year? Where are you going to travel to? What are you going to experience? Let me live vicariously through you. Pretty please.

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20 comments:

  1. Being a nomad in limbo is frustrating. I think I would go crazy if I were a more social person. But, of course, you have all those voices to keep you company..

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    1. The little voices in my head are surprisingly good company :-)

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  2. Oh reasons I've got reasons. First and foremost is that I've not yet been 100% successful at selling the escape plan to El Capitan. Second is that I've got about 6 months until I qualify for the minimum retirement, and my third sabbatical in the end of August. I think January 17 will be the ticket.

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    1. That's a tricky one when your partner isn't fully onboard. Fingers crossed that everything comes together for you and your escape plan.

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  3. No adventuring plus being separated from Scott equals a lot of long dull days, I'll bet. Here's a big sigh for you: SIGH. You'll feel better knowing that our adventure plans this year involve moving everything personal out of our house, spending money we can't really afford to let go of, and putting the boat on the hard for a lot of work this summer. The future is not here. We have only the now. Some days I seriously wonder if we are just crazy and should just be grateful we have a warm, comfortable home and call it good. Then I get ants in my pants and want to go now. Life is a carnival ride around here. Someday I want to hear more about what Scott does in Archaeology. Andrew has a new degree in the same and we like to know what modern day archeaologists do to actually get paid.

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    1. I remember being at that stage of getting rid of everything, quitting the job, selling my clothes and preparing for a life onboard. There were a few times I wondered if I was a bit insane giving up a steady paycheck for a boat.

      Hopefully, Andrew didn't major in archaeology with any dreams of ever becoming rich :-) I'm sure Scott would be happy to answer any questions Andrew or you have if you want be to connect you guys.

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  4. We are heading to Ayers Rock and then driving the Great Ocean Rd in Australia. Hopefully we will get another invite back to sail in New Caledonia too... Hopefully a bit of cruising around Banks Peninsula too. Still biding time and saving $$ for the big boat!

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    1. Fabulous plans!! I've only spent a bit of time in Oz, would like to get back there one day and really explore. Fingers crossed you get another invite back to New Caledonia. Would like to see some more gorgeous pictures from there.

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  5. No adventuring being done here either (only 4 months and 21 days until the season starts! WooHoo!) but I absolutely know what you're saying. We had the same experience when we were living in the Bay of Islands. Every year cruisers would sail to the islands from Opua while we were working away on our boat. It was a little difficult at the time, but our efforts paid off in the long run.

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    1. Ah, but it's different for you as you've already had your season and are just waiting for the next one. And you had the most awesome season last year with cruising in Alaska!

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  6. We are unsure what our travel plans will be, as the kids will both be gone.
    Hopefully we will be off doing something exciting this year - and so will you!

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    1. It's so great that your health has improved and you're able to travel by plane now. Looking forward to seeing what you get up to, although I imagine it will be strange without the kids.

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  7. Big virtual hug of sympathy coming to you ! I've been suffering a bit of the same here lately as we meet up with friends we haven't seen since we quit our jobs / retired. Everyone knows we left to buy a boat and sail around the world. Them: "How's that going?" Us: "Um... good, you know.. er, slow but sure. We're on our second boat now and we'll head off in the spring." I feel like I've been giving this same speech for the last 5 years. But this spring it really *will* happen !! (Note: typing with fingers crossed is not easy...)

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  8. Sometimes you're not off adventuring because, well, this is your LIFE, not a vacation. And sometimes life is more work and less fun than other times. We prefer to think of these times as preparation for the next adventure. At the moment we're referring to our situation as "letting the checking account rebound from our last adventure, in preparation for the next." (In landlubber terms, that means we're living aboard while stationary in a marina slip in St Augustine; the equivalent of living in a very small, very damp condo.) For now ... until that next adventure!

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    1. You are a very wise woman Jaye. I try to remind myself of that mantra often. This is life and this is our life right now. We'll be back out adventuring before you know it. And since you guys will be off cruising again next year, hopefully we'll run into each other out there on the water having fabulous adventures!

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  9. We know the feeling all too well. 5 months into our 2 month project and people kept asking when we thought we'd be done and heading out. Um...a month ago...two months ago...3 months ago. Yeah, it is a long story. Well, we are finally making departure plans but it is now far colder than we would like here in Virginia (saw snow last week...swore I didn't ever want to see snow from the boat). Tomorrow there are gale warnings and small craft advisories...sigh. At least you are someplace warm...someplace we hope to be soon.

    Don't worry, you'll be mobile again before you know it...sometimes life just works out differently than we plan (doesn't it always).

    -Mike
    ThisRatSailed

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    1. I feel for you guys. After that long, long project and to still be stuck in Virginia :-( But, I look forward to reading about your exciting adventures once you're able to make your way down south. If you end up stopping in Stuart at all, let me know. Maybe we can meet up.

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  10. This sounds really cool! I've never been on a boat before.

    Before the end of the year, our family is planning a huge move across the country. I've never been out west before and I've got no family out that way, but we're jumping into it. From Texas to Oregon! :)

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    1. Wow - now that is a very exciting adventure! I used to live in Oregon. Such a wonderful state - gorgeous and friendly people. All the best for your move!

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