Throwing the Lines- Betsy

We are ready to throw the lines on MONDAY MORNING, May 18th. While we have been planning this trip first in our dreams and then in reality for years- it seems like the majority of my work has been in the past week! Dave worked tirelessly over the winter and this spring to get FRYEDAZE ready to be occupied full time. I know I WAS doing something productive this winter (besides having lunches and catching up with new and old friends!)- crunch time hit hard this week! From vacuum packing meats for 2 1/2 hours, cleaning our house for our friends who will be occupying and taking care of it, as well as packing and unpacking our clothes- I am exhausted and ready to just cruise! I also didn't realize how hard it would be to stay "see you later" to our wonderful friends and family we have met over the last 34 years! Our friends Denise and Bob Pace had a beautiful Bon Voyage party for us on May 2nd. We were so grateful to them and all those who came to say goodbye. We had a wonderful weekend over Mother's Day with Dave's family- reassuring his wonderful mom that we would be just fine and promised to stay in touch (daily if necessary)! This week I spent two wonderful evenings with some of my work family and other friends. Finally, had dinner last night with my very special cousins who were more like my sisters growing up. The week was emotionally exhausting- but I am so glad to have all these special people in my life!


Last week Dave and I went to Norfolk for the Spring American Great Loopers Association Rendezvous. It was a jammed packed week of sessions by veteran cruisers and experts on all aspects of cruising the Loop. By Thursday, my brain just could not take in any more information! I was at the point on Thursday that I knew I was not ready or capable of completing my jobs. In typical Dave fashion, he calmly told me that we have successfully cruised together for the past five years and nothing would change now except the scenery! I know he is right but my confidence level still isn't what I thought it was before. Once we throw the lines though- I know that love of the adventure and of cruising will return and I will be just fine.

It was a wonderful week that affirmed our past experiences that boaters are just a very unique and special group of kind and helpful people. We probably heard 10 times over the week that the best part of cruising the loop are the people- and I just can't wait! We were also able to reconnect with a great couple that we met last 4th of July at Zanheisers- Sharon and Bog on Sno Daz. Sharon is a former high school guidance counselor and Bob a principal so you can see why I instantly gravitated to them. We also were together at the MTOA Fall Rendezvous last year in Cambridge. Sno Daz has already cruised passed us in Solomons and are probably in the NYC area already! We hope to reconnect on the water again with them! This is our group photo from last week:

Today we will spend putting the rest of our stuff into their hiding places. This week, Dave even built a new storage platform in the forward bilge area so that I have an additional space for more stuff! Our address has been permanently changed to PA (thank you Ben) and all our bills have been paid or set-up for automatic withdrawal. I have the last of the provisioning to do today and then I think we are... I think we are... I know we are ready to leave!

Well- Dave said that most of you have stopped reading by now as this is so long, but I just wanted to fill you in on the work and feelings/emotions that I have been experiencing this final week in MD. Dave on the other hand just keeps getting more and more excited to go. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy sharing the adventure with us!