Gone

We are Gone with a capital G. No more trips to the basement to get one more spare part.  No more cart loads to the boat.  We are packed. We are full. We have too much stuff. There is no turning back now.

After leaving Port Credit on August 1, we sailed to Niagara-on-the Lake to have some more family time. John's Mom Lois welcomed us into her home for over a week. This time happened to be the hottest week of the summer. While Nahanni V roasted in the sun alone at a mooring, we enjoyed our "spa" visit with Lois in NOTL watching the Olympics in AC, taking a little riverboat cruise and sharing meals with family and friends. We made a few last trips to the house to gather yet a few more items while kids had time with Granny.

Cruise down the Niagara River with Granny and friend Jean

Simon helping to untangle the mooring ball

Madelyn and Wavey sharing a meal at the Irish Harp

We have had many goodbyes so far. Somehow this time was harder to cast off the lines knowing we would not be back to the Niagara region for awhile

With Aunt Liane and cousins Lucas and Zachary

Heading east, we left last Friday towards Prince Edward County with a relatively good forecast and expectations for an pleasant overnight passage.

Playing crazy eights with new waterproof cards -- love them!

Listening to an audio book while underway

Within two hours of leaving, the towering cumulus clouds we had been admiring turned into a 35 knot squall that left us drenched. The kids stayed down below and laughed at us through the window.

Squall coming in

The unsettled weather continued through the night with thunder showers and fluky winds that made sailing no fun at all.

Around 3 am, we decided to proceed under power and pound into the confused waves. (Simon said later that the bow where they sleep was crashing so much that they were airborne in their bunks.) Unfortunately, we had not dogged down the kids' hatch over their bunk in time and water poured over them as they slept. Wavey was indignant for a few minutes before moving to the salon to continue her rolly sleep. The kids were amazing during the passage. Resilient ones they are.

We arrived 25 hours later in Waupoos, a small community close to Picton. We met up with our friend Donna who greeted us with lunch and gave us a fantastic tour of the region. We also had the pleasure of hanging out at the funky Waupoos Marina with friends Linda and Paul on De Nada.

Touring the County at Lake on the Mountain with Donna

Linda and Paul on De Nada

So as we carry on, "Gone" feels good. Strange too. And a wee bit scary!