(Since posting this many a nice comment. If you'd like to visit the site where Enee is for sale click here.)So what's going on. It's been a few days. . .
Our reinsertion into the cruising life after nearly 2 years in Chicago has not been a smooth one. So many repairs and upgrades as has been reported here. Then there's this. . .
When we began this adventure I was D O N E teaching. We were D O N E living in Des Plaines, IL. We sold everything and from there everything was an adventure. Daughter was in college anyway and we were up for the huge change in lifestyle and LOVED it. We were somewhere else every few days. Then after just under 2 years being back in Chicago, Sue teaching again, both of us being grandparents to a wonderful little girl the return to the boat seemed. . .
isolating.
We were working our butts off trying to get north as planned and the hurricane clock was ticking while the whole time discovering that underneath it all we were simply homesick.
It happens.
The cruising life with limited funds is a hard, solitary life. There are great moments and I love the early morning with that first cup of coffee. I love the actual sailing and passage making. There are friends and fellow cruisers but all the family stuff is so far away. Communication is not what you've gotten used to. Video chat doesn't work and there are no real hugs involved anyway.
In short. . . I think we are done and in fact we're in Chicago right now.
We did push the boat to Bequia and we like it there ok. We had a nice weather window to go north to St. Johns but had lost the will to do so. Can't stay in Bequia for hurricane season so . . . back to Grenada! And a great sail that was! We left Bequia at 5 pm, set sail, no motor, and sailed through the night on a nice beam reach with gentle quartering seas making 5-6 knots under a nearly full moon. If that's the last sail, it was maybe the best one ever on Enee Marie.
We have many interesting plans to move on for our next Chicago life involving education, little kids, and writing projects. LOTS to explore in Chicago. We were sad to leave Enee but she is in good hands in the water in Grenada. We're a little sad at either end of our spectrum. This end is better for us.
We're proud to have pushed a boat from Chicago to Grenada and so many points in between. We'll always have that. Thanks to all our readers. We truly loved the random comments that came in on occasion. I may return to Enee to move her to St. Martin at the end of hurricane season to be nearer a broker we may work with. Crew positions may be available!
THE END
20 comments:
You cannot swim the same water twice? We are facing similar questions with Half Moon still in Trinidad and where to from there? You have our very best wishes for a successful sale of Eenie and resumption of your connected life in Chicago.
Becky and Joe SV/ Half Moon
Wow. After all that work, it has to be a tough decision to move on. From reading your total blog, it looks like you've had fun, though.
Best of luck with your future endeavors.
Regards,
It'll be sad not reading the blog and living this particular adventure with you (I marvel at what you two were able to do, both in terms of sailing and maintenance--I could never do it). But I share you're joy in being back in Chi-town. There's no place quite like this place! It'll be fun to see you once in a while! Plus now, Scott, you can go visit all your good friends at Maine East more. I know how much you love that, especially all the administrators!
Rich P
I also have enjoyed sharing your adventure vicariously via your blog and the book that it inspired, a gift from my brother. Carpe Diem.
Wow! I have followed u closely for the past years and have enjoyed every posting. I know it must have been a tough decision but there times when one must move on to enjoy other important things that mean being close to those that one loves. May you continue to have success in your future endeavours and God speed.
I received the books I ordered and will enjoy giving them as gifts and reading another copy. Miss Mismo.
Viv, a fan from Puerto Rico
Suffice to say that I ended up in tears. Thanks once again for sharing your lives with us fans and followers.
Viv
WOW, Sorry to hear this chapter of your lives journey is closing, but we know if we had "little ones" back home our cruising days would be over too. At least you got out there and followed your dreams. Maybe we'll catch up to you one day in Chicago. For now we wish you both, Captain Scott and Sailor Sue, many new exciting adventures. Lynn and & Randy S/V High States
Uncle Capt. . . . I am in the market for a Sunfish. Once I own, I expect you to come and teach Will and Luke to sail the high seas of Blue Lake, OR.
Yeah, I saw that coming. Everything you wrote since returning to Grenada echoed my sentiments right before I decided to sell Clarity and return home. You freakin' LANDLUBBERS:)
Well... the adventure has to end sometime. And when you know, you just know. At least that is how we feel. But that doesn't take away the fact that it was great fun and you will always have all those wonderful memories. Good luck with everything and give us a call if you seriously need crew- we owe you one ;)
Jen and Jay
M/V Rum Runner
Recieved the books I ordered. Sure we are going to enjoy. Thanks so much. Viv
Great site, I miss my boat, but you certainly have me yearning to own again, thanks for the post.
Yep, you definitely know when it's time to move onto other things. We're happy with our decision to sell Jacumba, but still have some remaining wanderlust and are contemplating our next adventure (most likely sans boat). Enjoy the memories you've made on Eenie Marie and look forward to making new ones with family - new and old.
Wow. I'm just a random guy in Tulsa, OK and I've read every post in your blog these last few years and loved all of it. What drew me in was a feeling of kindred spirit. I want, so badly, to get away and sail one day as you have. But, I'm just starting out with my family. My wife is starting her career as an ER doc (three days ago actually) and we just had our first child in June. A little girl. I have a way to go before that is possible.
I have really enjoyed your story and most of the time I would give (ALMOST) anything to trade places for awhile. Especially locked up in this office on a cold day working on broken computers and ID-10-T (Id10t) errors. (I'd rather be fixing a sinking DON'T SAY SINK!! boat) But this last post drills down the heart of why I don't and I won't until it's the right time. Some things are more important. We weren't made to live in seclusion locked away from the ones we love for very long. Even if your holding cell is a tropical paradise, nothing beats a warm hugs and happy faces from loved ones.
Ashame that a decision that should be easy is so bitter. I guess when I really think about it I feel some pity for the few who stick it out and are tricked, in a way, into believing the value of that love is worth trading for a "free" life. Maybe it is for them, but I wonder if they know what they're missing?
I will miss reading about your sailing adventures. I've learned so much from reading them. Maybe I'll have one of my own one day.
Enjoy, Chicago as much as the weather will let you. I'm sure you'll sway back and forth but in the end you anchor there.
Thanks for the excellent reading material. I'll buy the book.
It's a life experience, and something you've tried and realised that it is too hard. But congratulations on what you've achieved in sailing and you should be really proud.
I reading and jealous – you are courageous!!! I wish I'll be able selling my things and go for a sailing trip like that. Keep doing fun enjoy life you are lucky!!!
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Wonderful adventure! Great posting. I would like to welcome you to our Sailing Community - Clubtray Sailing on www.clubtray.com/sailing
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