The last few weeks have been a bit crazy at Dominion. We moved our boat, we found out our dog is suffering from kidney failure, Capt’n got a job and then laid off six weeks later, and I am sure there are more things that I can think of. So needless to say this blog has been the last thing on my mind. But here is a (not so brief) update.
I don’t think that I mentioned where we are currently docked…we are in Cocoa Florida. We moved up to Cocoa from our anchorage in Indian Harbour Beach because Capt’n was offered a full time diesel mechanic position. We thought this would be a good opportunity to refill the cruising kitty and try to pay down my student loan (will it ever go away?) To make a long story short, Capt’n got laid off about six weeks after the job (very fishy to me, but I will not speculate on the reasons here). While he was wondering what to do next, we received a phone call from a friend who was in Turks and Caicos and wanted to know if Capt’n wanted to go sailing with him for a while. Capt’n is never one to say no to a sailing opportunity. We agreed that he would go for 10 days and I would hold down the fort until his return. Now remember, Capt’n in Training is a 2.5 year old firecracker and we also have three Jack Russell Terriers – one who is sick and on a demanding medicine/fluid injection schedule. But I thought – I can handle 10 days. I am a modern independent woman! Well, if Capt’n was a writer I would totally have a he said/she said segment to this blog because we had two completely opposite experiences.
I will start off with my 10 days (turned into about 20 days) without Capt’n. At first I thought it would be fun to be alone with Capt’n in Training and do whatever I wanted to do. And to a degree I was right. Tim’s friend rented a car for me so I was able to drive around Central Florida. On that Sunday, we met our niece at Downtown Disney for lunch and a fun afternoon. We ate at T Rex Cafe and Capt’n in training was so excited that he couldn’t even eat a bite of his ribs for lunch! We enjoyed checking out all of the dinosaurs. Stephanie ordered the burger and I ordered the fish tacos. All of the reviews that I read said that you don’t go to T Rex Cafe for the food, but rather for the experience. Well, I thought my fish tacos were delightful. And Capt’n in Training loved his ribs. He ate every single one once we got back to the boat. We had a great rest of the afternoon looking at lego land, sharing a sundae at Ghirardelli (which reminded me of the vacation I took to San Fran in 2002 with two of my friends!) Downtown Disney was basically the highlight of Capt’n’s time away from us.
The day Captn left I decided to take our 10 year old Jack Russell to the vet because he was not looking good. His health has been slowly declining and we had reached the point where we could not justify his health anymore. So I took him to the vet for him to be diagnosed with kidney failure (a chronic, fatal disease). Great. He was given about five different types of medicine and saline solution I had to give him in his subcutaneous tissue. Now for someone who can’t stand needles, or even give blood, I could not believe that I had to stick a needle in my dog, every day! And all of this happened on day 1 of Capt’n leaving. What had I gotten myself into?
We spent the rest of the time taking care of Rolly, keeping Capt’n in Training occupied and working on small boat projects. I say small because I only have about 2 – 3 hours a day (during Capt’n in Training’s naptime) where I can work independently. I cleaned or navigation station (which turns into our dump and run spot – where we put all of our “junk.” I decluttered and deep cleaned the cockpit. And the project I am most proud of is putting up lifeline netting on the entire port side of the boat. We have had lifeline netting from the bow of the boat to the entrance where you walk on the boat, but not the stern. Now that we are at the dock and I want to keep the dogs up on deck (and for Capt’n in Training’s safety, of course), I wanted to finish installing lifeline netting so the dogs (and the toddler) cannot get off the boat. It took me about two days (two nap times) and I finally finished. Granted, I looked like a fool putting up lifeline netting in a skirt and tank top but there was no way I was going to go into the aft cabin to change and jeopardize walking up Capt’n in Training. So after flashing just a couple of people, and suffering only a minor sunburn, we are now reaping the benefits of this lovely lifeline netting.
Now Capt’n was in the Dominican Republic and he didn’t bring a tablet or laptop, so he had to rely on our friend’s computer in order to communicate with me. Well Capt’n rarely had the chance to get his laptop so I didn’t hear from him often. We were in about day 7 and I am getting into a routine and dealing with being a single mom a bit better when I get a voicemail message from a friend we met in St. Augustine. They are now in Luperon, DR. Her message said that she met Capt’n in the anchorage and I swore the message said he would be another 10 days. I almost had a breakdown. I quickly emailed/skyped/facebook messaged her to get an accurate time and thank God she said an additional 5 days. OK, I can handle this I say to myself. But a few days later finally get a phone call from Capt’n. They are in the middle of the ocean and he is only sailing at 2.5 knots and honestly does not know when they will make it to Florida….and then I had a real breakdown. I am learning what my limits are, and I had certainly reached mine! Finally over two weeks after we dropped Capt’n off at the Orlando airport, I get a phone call and they made it to Marathon, Florida! Well, I got the crew together and put them in the rental car and six hours of driving (in Memorial Day weekend traffic) we finally had our reunion! I was looking forward to spending time in the Keys while Capt’n was going to work on our friend’s boat (the reason why he went on the trip in the first place). But life sometimes has other plans. We ended up leaving the Keys on Tuesday instead of Friday and work had not been completed. We are still working out the emotional drama that happened, but the important thing is that Capt’n is home safe and back with his family. Phew! I am so thankful that the family is back together again.
Capt’n’s story is a little different. He spent almost seven days in the DR, eagerly awaiting the sailing voyage to Florida. Capt’n did enjoy seeing Puerto Plata. He loved the change of scenery, and it was a nice and relaxed place.They stayed at Oceanworld Marina, which had a Sea World type park adjacent to the marina.
Capt’n and the lovebirds at Oceanworld in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.
But spending seven days there was a bit long for him – so after threatening to fly back home, they finally left…..for Luperon, DR. I think they had a late start leaving Puerto Plata, so sailed overnight to Luperon. When Capt’n woke up, he looked around the anchorage and saw some friends who we met in St. Augustine Florida. In true Capt’n form, he starts whistling and yelling to get our friend’s attention. A few minutes later, out comes Jack and John! They couldn’t believe that they saw the Australian Cowboy (their nickname for Capt’n). They immediately got into their dignhy and came over to the boat. They were glad to see Capt’n but disappointed that Capt’n in Training nor I were there (ahhh, thanks!) They had a nice reunion and then off Capt’n went for another sailing adventure.
John, Jac, and the “Australian Cowboy” at the anchorage in Luperon, Dominican Republic.
They stopped in at a few more places, met some lovely people, and then the winds stopped…completely. They were in the middle of the ocean sailing at 2.5 knots. Capt’n finally got the boat Captain to put on the engines so they could go a bit faster! They finally made it to Marathon on a Friday, ready to go to Key West to get hauled out. But of course it was Memorial Day Weekend and they could not get hauled out until Tuesday. And then you have the two stories meet.
The still still ocean.
A local Capt’n met along the way.
The local taxi.
So I am really glad that Capt’n got to go sailing on a nice trip (they sailed over 700 miles), on a beautiful boat, but I am not sure I can cope with him being gone again.
Here are two photos from T Rex cafe. Capt’n in Training loves dinosaurs!
I Live on a Boat 