- Anam Cara
- 2023
- 2021
- 2020
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- Cruising 2015
- Cruising 2014
- Cruising 2013
- Cruising 2012
- Cruising 2011
-
Chicago to Florida 2010
- Cortez
- Marathon
- Ft. Pierce & Ft. Lauderdale
- St. Augustine
- Charleston to Cumberland Island
- Beaufort to Charleston
- Hampton to Beaufort
- New York to Hampton
- Hudson River
- Erie Canal
- Port Clinton
- Port Huron
- Charlevoix to Port Sanilac
- Manistee to Charlevoix
- Holland to Manistee
- St. Joe to Holland
- Hammond to St. Joe
- From the Boatyard to the Water
- Summer 2009 North Channel
- Summer 2008 Lake Michigan
- Summer 2007 To Chicago
- April 2007 Sarasota
- Buddies for Bob
- Mike's Motorcycle Journals
- Contact Us
St. Petersburg, Florida
Docked across from us, the tall ship Lynx.
A replica of a privateer used during the war of 1812.
The other day Mike “Googled” the definition of transition. The mechanical female voice stated, “The process or period of changing from one state or condition to another.” That sounds so simple, but we all know that not all transitions are simple.
Transition is the word that best describes our lives right now. We sold our boat, which has been our home for almost 6 years. The transition definition doesn’t mention the emotional impact that occurs. An example of this: We had a boat broker come and look at our boat. He kindly told us that we would have to make our boat look like no one was living in it. “A prospective buy wants to imagine their possessions on the shelf, not yours.” As we looked at each other, the silent communication was clear, but we LIVE on the boat.”
Transition is the word that best describes our lives right now. We sold our boat, which has been our home for almost 6 years. The transition definition doesn’t mention the emotional impact that occurs. An example of this: We had a boat broker come and look at our boat. He kindly told us that we would have to make our boat look like no one was living in it. “A prospective buy wants to imagine their possessions on the shelf, not yours.” As we looked at each other, the silent communication was clear, but we LIVE on the boat.”
Eight weeks later:
Today while walking back from checking on Anam Cara, we just stood looking at her and saying, “How did this happen so quickly. We have gone from a 45 foot sail boat to a 40 foot motor home.” I guess the best way to explain it to you and ourselves is to go back to the beginning.
It didn’t take long after speaking to the broker that we realized we had to “declutter” to stage the boat for a prospective buyer. Obviously every space on the boat has something in it, so our first step was finding a storage unit. We live on a boat; how much space could we need? Thus we rented a storage closet – 4’X6’X5’. It looked huge. The next step was to decide what to remove. We packed the objects that we were sure we would not need. The tools I haven’t used in months were part of my selection. There must be a rule in nature that states, “Even if you haven’t used the tool in months, something will break and demands the use of that tool.” It happened more than once. Our new phrase became, “Where did I put…. Oh, no!” Finally after multiple trips to the storage closet, it was nearly full, and there were still plenty of our possessions on the boat. As it turned out, the Fates were smiling on us.
After Christmas 3 of our 4 children were able to visit. Since the boat couldn’t accommodate all of us, we rented a condo for a week. During that time, we also had racing friends from Chicago come to visit. It was fortunate for them that we were at the condo so there was plenty of space on the boat for them to stay, but it was unfortunate because we had little time to spend with them. Mike, one our friends, mentioned that he was interested in buying the boat. We told him that we would continue our plans to get the boat ready to sell and tell him when we planned to list it, giving him first option, prior to listing with a broker. At the end of January we called him, he reiterated his desire to buy Anam Cara and arranged to have her pulled out of the water for a survey.
Of course, all actions cause a reaction. We were thrilled for a variety of reasons that Mike was buying the boat, but it is our only home, thus prompting Francie to become obsessed with RV shopping. Each day she scoured the RV Trader, making calls to private owners as well as calling 4 or 5 RV dealers with whom we are working. Several trips were made around Florida searching for that right RV. It was a new learning curve, but 6 years living on the boat helped refine our needs and understanding of what the systems in a RV require. We have also had great advice from cruising friends who sold their boat and moved into a land yacht several years ago.
We keep telling ourselves that we had plenty of time to wait for the right RV to come our way. Many of our friends and family offered bunks in their boats or a place in their homes just in case we would fail to find our next home in a timely fashion.
We keep telling ourselves that we had plenty of time to wait for the right RV to come our way. Many of our friends and family offered bunks in their boats or a place in their homes just in case we would fail to find our next home in a timely fashion.
For a while, it felt like all we did was work on the boat or look at RVs. There was little time to enjoy our marina friends or St. Petersburg. One weekend we were invited to go to the Gasparilla Parade in Tampa. Mobs of people tend to make us shy away from big events, but it gave us a chance for a new experience and catch up with friends. It was a fun experience that everyone should do once. We will let our pictures tell the rest of the story. Thank you, Jim and Belinda.
Several times in the following weeks, we thought we had found the perfect home for us. One RV that Francie loved had both an oven and a booth for dining, but we found some flaws that prevented us from buying it. Another with comparable features slipped through our fingers. Oh well, there would be lots more. Wrong – at least not the one for us. For several weeks, we spent most of our time preparing the boat for Mike and driving to different RV dealers. Francie had spoken to a couple who had a 2011 Tiffin Phaeton in Naples, which is about 3 hours away. We never looked at it because the price was a bit outside our budget. The coaches we had considered buying were 2009; Francie thought it would be good experience seeing the difference in a 2011.
The coach was beautiful and had been kept it in immaculate condition. Now remember we didn’t plan to buy the RV. As expected we made an offer and after a brief discussion, the owners congratulated us of the purchase. Instead of jumping for joy, we just stared at each other in shock. “Oh, my God, what did we just do?” Like zombies we went into the coach and began filling out the sales agreement. During the entire drive home, we just kept talking about what we had just done and shaking our heads in disbelief. We just purchased the start of a new adventure!
The following day we informed our family. Jim, the oldest son and the child that had spent the most time on the boat, wrote the following: “I guess it is almost time to go purchase those crock pots and dishes! You could even go to the fridge and open the door and just stand there while you peruse the edibles within....imagine! I may need to find a day to come and stay in my V berth bedroom, to say goodbye to yet another home you are selling right under me again! The woes of the children living through the decisions their parents make....the woes!!!!
The next week was filled with paperwork and preparation for selling our old home and buying our new one. Finally on February 29th, we pick up the RV and drove it to St. Petersburg where we were able to park it in the back of the marina’s parking lot. Our friends helped us bring box after box of all of our STUFF, which we had packed the days before. Looking at all our possessions all we could think was, “Now where to put it all.” The bigger challenge was to remember where you put it. Francie likens this entire challenge to buying a new purse (x 100 and on steroids) and having to find a place for all that is in it……….. I spent my time in the basement, the storage area beneath the coach, finding a home for all the things that don’t fit upstairs.
We have been in the RV less than 3 weeks. The time has been filled with arranging, shopping, rearranging, cleaning, waxing, rearranging, more shopping and finally more rearranging. It is beginning to feel like home.
We have been in the RV less than 3 weeks. The time has been filled with arranging, shopping, rearranging, cleaning, waxing, rearranging, more shopping and finally more rearranging. It is beginning to feel like home.
We have squeezed in moments with friends who gave us a going to land and RV party. Thank you Les, Marta, Jim, Karen, Terry and Suzanne, you made our transition special. Another real treat was meeting Anne and Jim through our friends Paul and Aleth, and then watching St. Petersburg Grand Prix race from the 22nd floor of Anne’s condo, which was right above the race course.
Anam Cara has become such an essential part of our lives. The last time we left the dock and looked back at her in the slip, it was like watching our children leave home. We know it is time for it to happen, but life won’t be the same, yet a new way of life is just around the corner.