The Cardinal Lesson

I was in the kitchen when I heard a racket outside on our deck. I witnessed what appeared to be a pair of cardinals attacking a third female. I watched as the pair screeched at the obviously traumatized bird. It took me a while to understand that the pair where the parents and the injured bird was their fledgling who had crash landed on my deck. Mom and Pop tried to get little Miss to attempt another flight but finally left the poor young offspring on her own and flew away. She sat on my deck looking pathetic and distorted, almost folded in half backwards. I was entranced with her. I thought she might die right before my eyes but watched as she slowly unfolded into a more natural position; her breathing mellowed and she began batting her eyes as she looked around her and took in her situation. I made my way around the house and walked up the back steps to see if I could get close to her. She did not move until I sat on our park bench. The flutter of her wings as she flew a few feet surprised me. She landed right next to me on the bench, only inches away. I could have touched her, she was that close. We sat there, the two of us, just checking each other out for about five minutes. I still wasn't sure that she was uninjured but I could tell at such a close range that she was brand new at this flying thing and had scared the bejesus out of herself. There was no way she was going to rush the next test run! Sitting with me, on that bench, taking a moment to gather herself was far less frightening than her next flight. But after those few moments, she flew into our lilac bush and made a graceful landing.

Baby cardinal through my sliding glass door

Life brought me a lesson in this little baby cardinal. Sometimes you just have to stop and sit for a while, take in the moment and quietly reflect on life. Just breath! But never give up! Before long, you'll be ready to spread your wings and fly off into better times. Learn from your mistakes; don't let them paralyze you with fear. Like that little cardinal on it's first flight, you will learn to perfect the skills you need to navigate life!

DIY Sunscreen

Dave and I went swimming at Knife River this weekend. The water was refreshing; not warm but not so cold that we couldn’t soak for a while. Lake Superior is frigid all summer long. The mild water temps only happen about one week in August. We were thrilled to catch the perfect day for a dip. After our swim, we spread our towels along the shore and laid down to dry off. The beach was full of families with children and pets splashing along the shoreline. There was a boat pulled up to the beach and kayakers winding their way back and forth in the cove. A young girl paddled past us and yelled out, “Skin Cancer!” I stifled my urge to yell back at her, "NO, SUNSCREEN...and Vitamin D!"

It's time to begin packing supplies for the trip. On the top of the list of health supplies is sunscreen! Since we will be exposed to the elements each day, all day, we anticipate using a lot of it. How much should we bring? We'd planned to wait and purchase a bunch of sunscreen on sale at the end of the season. Then we heard that some of the sunscreens available on the market are not effective. In addition, many contain chemicals that are bad for us including oxybenzone. Experts believe it is linked to hormone disruption and, ironically, cell damage that may lead to skin cancer.

After researching manufactured sunscreens, we decided to try making our own. We found numerous recipes online. The majority of them have the same basic ingredients; Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, Zinc and Beeswax. Most of these ingredients have a level of SPF on their own and become higher SPF when combined. Beeswax has antioxidants and moisturizing properties. We like the idea of using a product that contains natural ingredients and we love to DIY!!!

Sunscreen Ingredients

I selected a recipe from http://www.mommypotamus.com. I found all of the ingredients on amazon.com spending about $40, the cost of 4 cans of Coppertone Sport at a retail shop. Sunscreen is not our only protection from the elements. We have an array of hats, umbrellas, sun glasses and a sun awning that lays across our boom and creates a lovely shaded spot for afternoon tea (or cocktails).

Mystic at anchor, under the sun awning

Hat, glasses and long sleeves

Dave in his favorite straw hat

UPDATE:  

I finally found time to make a double batch of sunscreen. I ended up using this recipe: http://blog.lexienaturals.com/2012/07/homemade-natural-sunscreen.html. It was very easy although very messy. Pay extra attention to Lexi's advice on cleaning up as you go. My first batch matched the recipe exactly. I decided to change things up with the second batch after reading that I could add beeswax to thicken the cream for our time in warmer climates. In addition, I added lavender essential oil to batch two and ended up with a lovely lightly scented cream. This recipe should keep for up to a year!

Both Dave and I tried it right away and liked the feeling of it on our skin. It is a little more oily than the kind you get in the store but it does absorb into your skin. Success!!!

The Great Loop

We are right on the edge of beginning our cruising journey aboard our Alberg 35, Mystic. Originally, we planned to head out the Great Lakes to the Hudson River, through NYC then North to spend the summer in CT with family. Instead, we’ve decided to take The Great Loop route to get to the ocean. Our change of plans was influenced by several delays that have led to a late summer departure. Taking the shorter route is smart.

What is the Great Loop? Many cruisers make this popular circumnavigation of the Eastern half of the United States. It is a picturesque route and a great way to see our country by water! The Great Loop Cruisers' Association web page has a wealth of information with details on segments of the route and popular places to visit. There is a myriad of information on services available, water depths, bridge clearances and important lock timing.

 http://www.greatloop.org/

Our journey will begin on Lake Superior, with our departure from Knife River Marina. We will head across the Lake, through the Apostle Islands and make our way to the Sault Ste. Marie Locks. We made this same journey across Lake Superior, (only west instead of east), four years ago when we delivered Mystic to her home port in Knife River.

Knife Island, Knife River, MN ~ 2013

Knife River Marina View

Passing through the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie ~ 2013

Once we are through the Soo Locks our course will turn west toward Mackinaw Island and Lake Michigan where we will join The Great Loop. We’ll traverse Lake Michigan south to Chicago. Before we reach Chicago we will have to step the mast for the rest of the journey to Mobile, Alabama. Dropping our mast is necessary due to the length of it (45 feet off the water) and the number of low fixed bridges we’ll pass under. On this part of our trip, some 1,200 miles, we will be motoring Mystic. Dave built a cradle to carry our mast on deck during this long trek. This will keep it secure and somewhat out of the way.

Mystic with the mast on the cradle

Aft Mast Cradle

Forward Mast Cradle

The Inland Waterway consists of four sections. First is the Illinois Waterway from Chicago to the Mississippi River, just North of St. Louis, MO. Next is the Mississippi River to the confluence of the Ohio River where we’ll make a short trip up the Ohio to the Tennessee River. At this point we turn South on the Tennessee River for several hundred miles until we meet up with the Tombigbee, a man-made waterway that connects the Tennessee River and Mobile, Alabama.

The Inland Waterway passes through some of the most picturesque lakes said to be equal to the beauty of the Apostle Islands. Land between the Lakes, The Kentucky Lake and Pickwick Lake are just a few spots we are excited to see. We’ll have many options for going ashore and exploring the towns we travel through. We are bringing kayaks and bikes aboard Mystic and look forward to putting them to good use.

Pickwick Lake Waterfall

Land Between the Lakes Recreational Area, Kentucky

Once we get into the Gulf of Mexico we plan to circumnavigate Florida and spend some time in Key West and the Cocoa Beach area. Sometime next year we will head for the Bahamas. We are exploring the idea of taking Mystic to Cuba and Puerto Rico but have not completed those plans. The beauty of what we are doing is our flexibility to make decisions as we go.

Only 90 Miles to CUBA!!!