(As I write it’s 58 days to our tentative departure date of November 1st.)
It has been a surreal experience the past 16 or so months watching Butch prepare the boat for our Looping adventure. His list was a mile long and for the first several months with every completed task, the list actually continued to grow. I’ve never seen someone so focused and committed to achieving an ultimate goal. His skills and determination are truly remarkable. Now mere “reminders” are jotted on his almost non-existent list.
In contrast, my list continues to grow the closer we get to push off. Yesterday I spent over seven hours cleaning a boat that most would’ve thought was pretty darned clean to begin with. But time (and Butch) allowed me to nest. I want everything as clean and orderly as possible when we leave. Those who know me aren’t at all surprised by that! I’m still concerned about how I will manage laundry and how I will feed this man (who unlike me can’t eat the same simple food items for every meal- go figure!) At home, I love to cook for him but doing so with limited availability to food and a small kitchen with minimal refrigeration options will surely challenge my already meager culinary skills.
The logistics of our trip will eventually sort themselves out. What I’m more concerned with is mentally preparing myself for the unknown and sense of loss I’m already feeling. Butch and I live a truly blessed life. Not a day goes by that I’m not grateful for the opportunities we are regularly afforded to visit beautiful places and do fun, entertaining things. In my head, I realize that the Loop will provide us with even more opportunities but leaving behind the things I love is a challenge for my heart.
My eyes misted over as we were leaving our serene riverside campsite at Elkmont this past week – realizing that in all probability we won’t be camping again for almost two years! Even attending our local PechaKucha presentation felt very nostalgic. If you’ve never been to a PechaKucha, I highly recommend it- www.pechakucha.com. As we visit with friends, attend plays, square dance, walk in the park, sing along at concerts, hike in the Smokies, host dinner parties, dance at Tiki, and have lunch meet ups, I’m now reminded that these treasured moments will be put on hold while we cruise.
Not that I’m OCD or anything but… I’ve made a list of things I think I will miss the most:
First and foremost; My friends and family. Please answer my calls while I’m away! Call me too!
Secondly; My car and the sense of independence and freedom it provides (not to mention the bi-weekly trips to Walmart it takes!)
Thirdly; My washing machine and dryer. Oh, I so wish that I could bring them along!!
And now in no particular order;
- my bathroom (this probably is my number 4!)
- my refrigerator (again, probably my number 5)
- concerts
- decorating my house for Christmas
- camping
- trips to the mountains
- my bed (it is the best!)
- baking
- space
- hikes and just walking whenever I want
- Master Donuts
- privacy
- easy access to Walmart and Aldi
- Cottonelle (it seriously is awesome!)
- having things at hand without having to dig for them
- my couch
- Dominos black box pizza (delicious!!)
- dancing!
- my dishwasher
- plays
- flavored water
- my makeup mirror
- community events
- the hot tub (we’ve been trying to figure out how we can attach it to the boat!)
- my clothes
- my shoes
- having Zoey with us
Of course I will NOT miss…
- eating everything in sight because I think we won’t have food available while we Loop
- watching too much tv
- Christmas carols (because I will be playing them non stop on the boat!)
- Butch
- the Interstate (and traffic in general)
- pulling weeds out of my rocks
- grandkids (because we will still be seeing them as often as possible)
- barking dogs
It will be interesting to see how many of these will actually be an issue once we get underway. I’ll keep you posted.
I’ve been counting down since day 96 and its day 58 now. I’m so excited! Can’t wait to share this incredible journey with this equally incredible man!
According to Butch, it’s not a complete post unless pictures are included so here they are…
#1 camping
#2 my car (it needs to be washed!)
#3 my Walmart
#4 my Aldi
#5 my fridge
#6 my bathroom
#7 my washer and dryer
#8 my couch
#9 my crazy Christmas tree
“At some point in life, the world’s beauty becomes enough. You don’t need to photograph, paint, or even remember it. It is enough.” T Morrison
Hmmm…miss the washer/dryer or just clean undies? You’re a goofball!😍
No tp on a boat?! Pretty sure you can still dance too. Walmart will probably be a short Uber ride from the marinas. Hope it all goes well 😎 Happy almost birthday 🎉🎂🎈
God Bless you both and keep you safe and in his loving care!
Hi, I know Butch through the Bayliner Owners Forum. We have the same boat I think, maybe you have the newer one if your fridge is small, ours is 9.1 CU FT but not to brag. Some tips in regards to cooking, baking and makeup mirror. First on the mirror. My wife Bernie found the best place to put her makeup on was sitting at the foot of the bed facing to starboard. I mounted an articulated makeup mirror on the forward-facing wall of the closet. It has a light around the edge that is rechargeable. When we cruise, we take along a canopy, it’s one of the first things we setup at the dock. Under that goes a folding table and on that goes a small flat top grill. You can fix all kinds of yummy things on that grill, just be sure to season it well at first and it will be good to you. Bonus is that all of the cooking smell and airborne grease stay outside of the boat. As to baking, I assume you have a micro convection oven like we do, its standard equipment. You can bake in it!
Tony
Butch installed my new makeup mirror earlier in the week as a surprise for me. Thanks for giving him the idea!! I already love it and haven’t even used it yet. A portable grill might be in our future. I’m Italian and love to cook and bake. I’ll be stunted in my small kitchen but its all good!!