“Okay, you arrived in Portsmouth, Virginia, in September. It’s now almost 2024. What have you been doing? And what’s the plan??”
Over these few months, we’ve nursed our collective selves back to health. Todd’s recovery is going really well, and Susie is getting around quite nicely on her new hip. Receiving the new hip led us to restart walking, and lo and behold, being docked in downtown Portsmouth allowed for plenty of exploration in the historic area.
Being in the area of Susie’s hometown, we’ve had visits with friends and family.
(Todd blinked and missed it) 🙂
We made several road trips, some for medical follow-up (props to the great team of physicians in NC) and some to visit friends (thank you, Dave & Peggy) and family (it was great to see all the Smiths in upstate PA!).
We also bade farewell to cruising friends who’re heading to the islands. Have fun, John & Mads, Greg & Glenda, Barry & Robin – and heck, even new friends, Ben, Brenda and kids on Haste Away. We are so jealous, but I guess that’s the point!
We gathered with family for Thanksgiving and Christmas, naturally. Good times had by all.
During all this busyness, our primary focus has been on reflection and soul searching for the way forward. We discussed options. We bickered. We cried. We hugged. (And repeat, repeat, and repeat.) In the end, we’ve made the difficult, bittersweet decision to give up the cruising life and sell the boat. Hopefully, SaltyMare will soon move on to good times with a new family.
Thanks for the memories, girl. What a ride!
Although the sun is setting on this adventure and we’re becoming land lubbers again, that doesn’t mean we’re done exploring. Not by a long shot. As this chapter closes, the vehicle will change (speaking of which, Honey, we need to buy a car…), but the adventures will continue with the start of a new chapter.
About life, some say, “keep your knees flexed.” …. Hold it!
Todd “note:”
How does one give up a dream and flex their knees? Good grief! Alert! Here comes life advice from one man’s journey.
Apparently, one first laughs, grouses, yells, tries quietly arguing, even crying. Not in any order, heck sometimes all at the same time! Pout for a day and then start all over! All the above. Silly, silly boy. One must always remember we are all “Captains of our own ship.” Yeah, it’s tough to bring sense to oneself. Sure does help to have an amazing partner in life. Thanks Lord, for hooking me up with her!
Oh, and this crazy mug points its face right towards me every day….. despite being glued back together several times by its wonderful owner.
Our Travels 