Sure, sure it has been months since the last post, and those folks who keep tabs on us are beginning to inquire as to when we will update the blog. After all, “you’re not still in Holden Beach, are you?” Well, no, we’re not.

So, let’s go back in time for those that like order – Todd! – and begin with finishing things up at Zimmerman Marine in late August. Just before our departure, Tropical Storm Idalia ran right over top of us. As the local fishing fleet and all the other boats at the service yard chose to leave or be hauled out in advance of the storm we thought, hmm, let’s doublecheck those forecasts. Discussion led us to stay in the water. This wasn’t her first storm, and properly prepped, SaltyMare rode it out just fine.

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After the storm, we were finally ready to continue north. Yeah!

Here’s where the tightly knit friendships born during three years of cruising came into play. We were touched and humbled to receive many offers of assistance from our boating friends up and down the coast.

After lots of coordination and planning, we departed Holden Beach Tuesday, September 5, with John and Madeleine (from S/V Chanceaux) aboard for back-up. They liked to refer to themselves as “crew.” We prefer “friends.”

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This was a new anchorage for us, and a beautiful spot to catch the sunrise.

After enjoying the sunrise, we made the short run to Beaufort, North Carolina, where we docked to meet up with Terry and Lynn (from M/V Finish Grade), who’d driven down from Baltimore in a rental.

These folks hadn’t yet met but they’re all cruisers, so, a quick introduction, and Wham! Instantly supply run organized and group dinner planned, followed by constant chatting that lasted well into the evening. It’s why we love fellow cruisers. Instant camaraderie!

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As day four dawned, there was a “crew” change.

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We had an enjoyable time cruising with Terry onboard.

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Monday, September 11, after two and a half years traveling down south, we quietly cruised back into Virginia waters.

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This last day of our cruise to Portsmouth involved many bridges, as well as the Great Bridge Bridge and Lock.

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After the lock, we cruised through a few more bridges and passed the familiar Norfolk skyline, before making a port turn to dock at Tidewater Yacht Marina in Portsmouth, Virginia, where we were once again met by Lynn, who drove down from Baltimore to retrieve her husband. (She mentioned something about having chores for him back on their boat…)

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The rush to get to Virginia was so the salty first mate could make her September date with an orthopedic surgeon for hip replacement. Mission accomplished. What have we been doing since then? More on that later.

For now, to our traveling companions who gave so generously of their time to accompany us on this leg of the Olsen journey, “thank you” seems completely insufficient. We were blessed to have you aboard and enjoyed the companionship and laughter more than you know.

For the friends and family who continue to pray and support us, thank you. As the Thanksgiving feast approaches, we have so much for which to be thankful. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

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Thank you all for the kind thoughts, prayers, support, and well wishes. Todd spent almost a week in the hospital but has no resulting physical disability. He is working really hard and making strides with his therapy.

Drop and give me twenty, Honey. No, no, work hard on that speech therapy!

Since returning to Zimmerman Marine, we’ve been focused on a bunch of stuff (no, there’s no stopping him). But, just as important, the techs wrapped up the bottom job, shaft installation, rudder, PSS seal, and in the end, the alignment.

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A few days later, the extreme heat warnings began.

On his way to the service yard shower one afternoon, Todd detoured to the dock to take matters into his own hands. Standing near the water to direct his (*non-waiting) unwanted hair into the water. See, he is thinking! Ha!

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Regardless of the heat, on Friday the 11th, something magical happened.

Unfortunately, the tide was too low that afternoon to put the ‘Mare back in the water. So, one more blistering weekend trying to stay cool however possible.

And then, bright and early Monday morning, the lift was centered, the extra straps fastened, the heavy gal lifted, and…

Then she was gently lowered, and, oh, happy day!

Seven long weeks after she was hauled out, she became a boat again. The team held her steady against the current while Todd and the mechanics (*claimed) climbed aboard, checked fully for leaks, and fired the big girl up. She sounded so good!

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And Lord, what was next? Just pull straight out, then u-turn and back into the slip right next (*store) door! Through it all, Todd was ecstatic to be back in the water!

Do you know what this means, Honey???

*NOTE: What’s great about this post is that Todd helped with the writing! He wanted me to leave in a few of the items he struggled with so you can see that, these days, “it’s not easy being him.” 🙂

This is Susie. Typically, Todd and I co-author the blog. I handle the photos and layout, then we bounce the writing back and forth until we both agree the posts are ready to publish.

Today, in the interest of “sharing the journey with friends and family,” I have a difficult tale to relate, combined with a testimony about a word from God. Bear with me. I’ll try to keep it brief.

Saturday morning, we got up around 0500 with a minor problem on the boat. After we’d taken care of it, Todd suggested watching a little TV in the air-conditioned stateroom before going upstairs to continue the boat projects. Shortly before 0700, he said he was still tired and wanted to sleep a bit. I settled myself out on the bow to quietly greet the day with a cup of coffee and my tablet.

As I was sitting there, I clearly heard (felt?), “This will be hard.” I looked up to see a section of dark grey clouds had formed in the blue sky in front of me. My thought was, naturally, something really difficult is coming. I mean, I don’t typically receive such clear messages, let alone ominous ones. I questioned God, and received the same word, “This will be hard.” There was a terrible weight in my soul, but I felt overwhelmed by His presence. Then I was shown an illustration that just as problems/storms blow into our lives, they do move away. I watched as some of the clouds blew off, revealing a piece of a rainbow, and I clearly heard (felt?), “but it’s going to be okay.”

Let me pause here to say, I’m not crazy. (At least I don’t think so.) This was not an audible voice, just statements in my head so clear it was as if they’d been spoken aloud. It gives me goosebumps to write about it.

As it turns out, while I was on the bow and he was napping that morning, Todd suffered an embolic stroke. The clots went to the left side of his brain and into his right lung. While there was no damage to his motor skills, he is working to overcome expressive aphasia. He “sees” what he wants to say but can’t always get the words out. We were – I cannot overstate this – incredibly blessed.

Todd is already making strides in his recovery and should be discharged from the hospital today. The speech pathologist suggested we continue the blog, as another way of exercising his brain. He says he isn’t up to that just yet but wants everyone to know he will be back!

In the meantime, I’ll wrap this up with the photo I took at 0819 that morning.

“This will be hard. But it’s going to be okay.”

Never thought we’d be so pleased to share this, but after successful installation of the rear cutless bearing Thursday and the engine room cutless bearing Friday, …

WE GOT THE SHAFT!! No, not the seventies detective, this:

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Now for the prop and rudder! 🤞

Since the machine shop needed time to turn a chunk of special steel into a spiffy new shaft and we had appointments to keep, we left the service yard and hit the road for a few days. (Bonus – everyone we were going to see has working A/C!)

First stop, Virginia Beach for Uncle Bill’s birthday.

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No summertime trip to see Bill & Brenda is complete without peeking at the butterfly project, and although we didn’t get to see any adult butterflies this time, the process seems to be going well.

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Next up, Chesapeake so Susie could hug her father and we could share a meal for his birthday.

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Then we headed to the other side of town to visit Susie’s mother, who is doing terrific two months after getting her new knee! Our son Michael joined us Saturday for game night and ice cream.

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And last but not least… Never mind. Sorry. Susie isn’t ready to talk about the final appointment of the trip. (Let’s just say, “we can rebuild her.”)

Hey, Honey, how about that boat repair…?