Leaving Tapestry at Haverstraw Bay
Now where were we? That’s right, I was leaving the boat to head off to Annapolis by car to have a small hernia repaired and then be back on my feet in no time. Well, it wasn’t so small and “no time” translated into six weeks of light duty. First things first.
We turned the boat over to Captain John Stemke and First Mate Ken. Both came highly recommended. We spent a couple of hours going over systems but since John had delivered a number of Krogens in the past, he was pretty familiar with the boat. In short order, we moved our bags to the car and headed for the Tappan Zee Bridge and points south.
While waiting for the boat, we holed up in a motel near Chris and Bob. The best part of the plan was that they hosted us for our first steamed crabs since May. The crabs were great and they were one thing we really missed in Canada.
In just three days, John had the boat at Port Annapolis Marina. We met them as they pulled in and Staci took lines while I stood idly by. As it turned out, our decision to have the boat delievered was a good one. John reported that for the first 30 miles or so of the New Jersey coast, all of the debris that had washed down the Hudson was now littering the rhumb line to Cape May. It took them hours of weaving at close to idle speed to work their way safely though the mess. I don’t think I could have comfortably endured standing at the wheel for that phase of the journey or even have helped Staci spot debris if she were at the wheel. The seas were mostly favorable but they did do some bouncing south of Atlantic City.
Having said that, we were thrilled to get back aboard. We never like being off the boat for any extended time and especially don’t like the notion that we’re not in charge.
Susan and Ross flew down from Boston to help celebrate Mom and Dad’s 90th and 91st! Ken and Lynn arrived from Savannah while Marg and Bill drove down from Old Saybrooke. This was the first year in 10 that we didn’t go to Ocean City. Moving around on the beach would have been too difficult these days. But where we were didn’t matter. We were all happy to be together and enjoyed a nice early dinner at Peerce’s Plantation. It was then back to the birthday kids’ apartment for some more memories and laughter.
The next order of business was the consult with the surgeon. Ten days later was the surgery. Without going into details, suffice it to say for the first week post-op, I was not a happy person. While Chris babysat me post-surgery, Staci carried on heroically and worked the art/craft show circuit by herself (Bobby did help with tent set-up). Apparently my presence at the shows must hold down sales. As it turned out, Staci had several record breaking events and the bowl inventory was seriously depleted – good news for the surgeon who will now get paid!
Over the next few weeks I did little other than lay around while Staci continued to do everything that involved lifting even the slightest weight. She got the boat provisioned, resupplied the wine chiller, cleaned and cooked, etc., etc. In other words, status quo.
We did manage to get to a Krogen Cruisers lunch at the Annapolis Yacht Club and had some great dinners out with John and Barbara (Solveig IV) and Larry and Janet. We also treated ourselves to a fine dinner at Carroll’s Creek Cafe where we raised glasses to toast Staci’s terrific caregiving.
As I continued to mend, we prepared to get underway again – yeah! We had a diver check/clean the bottom and hired A&B Yachtsmen to service the sea strainers (full of Back Creek muck) and change the engine zincs. (I couldn’t close/open the seacocks without a lot of strain and Staci was too busy with a myriad of other jobs.)
We had one last event in Annapolis and that was to participate in the fall Krogen Open House. The event was a great success with over 35 couples checking out all of the owner-supplied boats. On hand were a 39, 44, 48, 55 and our 58. Will and Sue Parry were onboard their 48 North Sea “Second Star” and we had a nice evening with them eating burgers off the grill and enjoying some wine.
The next morning, we cast off for the first time since we left the boat in Haverstraw Bay. What a joy it was to be underway. The skies were sunny and the Bay provided a nice flat day for us as we headed down to Solomons.
We were soon tied up at Calvert Marina where we were shocked to see many Krogens still in town (Sequel, Sea Dweller, Ariel, Grand Adventure, Puffin, and Wanderer’s Rest). We had assumed most folks were already well on their way south. It looks like we’ll have a convoy!
After a visit to the dentists for the annual check-up, followed of course by a great dinner at the CD Cafe with Tam and Viv, we are ready to go.
I am now 4 1/2 weeks post surgery and with only a week and a half of light duty remaining, not only are we eager to head for Florida, I am also eager to start pitching in again. Now if we only didn’t have a crappy forecast for the next several days. (Not many pictures this time; Staci said “no” to a scar shot.) Updates to follow.
