On Our Way … Again!

Wow! Here we are again on our way to our 3rd act. After spending a year in Muskegon helping take care of Lisa’s mother and a year back in our Traverse City house waiting out Covid, we’re packed and ready. We’ve sold the house, stored too many “treasured” possessions, and moved aboard Ritual.

We spent about a month “living” aboard while the boat was still on the hard at Irish Boat Yard in Charlevoix, and “living”- 17 feet in the air with everything coming and going up or down a ladder- only minimally qualifies! We had some major projects to complete including work on the hull and bottom, installing new windows in the salon, wrapping up some engine work, and rebuilding the mast head with new gear. And, as ever, Ritual never fails to disappoint with new surprises like a locked up main furling shackle (which one discovers only after the mainsail is hoisted but won’t roll up), more fuel leaks (very stinky bilge!), a burst water pipe (why do I hear water running? and where??), and the odd occasion to lay in the bilge for a variety of reasons.

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We are still sorting out storage for the too many tools, clothes, books, and galley ware. But things are coming together pretty well and life aboard is succumbing to the inevitable routine. It has it’s moments of panic insulated with a great deal of relaxing and the excitement of looking forward to many new experiences – both good and bad. At our age (or mine (Fred), at least) it’s what keeps us alive and healthy.

We have officially been “live-aboards” since June 7th. The last month has been mostly pleasant – getting to say good-bye to good friends, making new friends in the boatyard as we prepped Ritual, sailing down to GT Bay and around Lk. Charlevoix, wrapping up various affairs like mail, banking and cars, and completing the numerous things that really do change when your home is constantly moving.

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On Tuesday, July 6th, we crossed under the Mackinaw Bridge for the (hopefully) final time, leaving Lake Michigan and entering Lake Huron. We are currently in the marina at St. Ignace, MI catching up on laundry, taking on the inevitable things we forgot, and waiting out some rain and nasty easterlies. Our plan is to post our experiences and trip choices about once a week. We’ll try to post our itinerary in case some of you would like to join us for a leg or two. And for those following us, we’ll try to recount our travels in a way that gives an honest portrayal of our encounters; warts and all.

Fair winds – Fred and Lisa