A New Year Visit to Mystic

It has been six months since we left our Alberg 35, S/V Mystic, at the St. Augustine Marine Center. She is on the hard there, waiting for us to get our lives in order so we can return to our Great Loop cruising adventure. It has been a long six months away from our floating home.

Mystic as we left her in July 2017

Mystic survived hurricane Irma relatively unscathed beyond some worn teak and nasty clay, dirt and animal droppings on her deck. The birds had their way with her like an arrow to a target. She is covered in yuk! We were concerned about critters but found only a tiny tree frog; we are not sure how it got all the way up on Mystic's deck. Dave carefully carried it to the ground and tucked it into some tall grass, hoping to give it a chance to find it's way home!

Our first glimpse of Mystic since July 2017

Stow Away Tree Frog

Dave inspecting Mystic

Dave Retying Halyards

Mystic's interior looked much as we left it only every surface is covered in a nice thick layer of mildew. It's no surprise to us but is overwhelmingly deflating to see. There is much to be done to make Mystic pretty again! For now, we rejoice in knowing she is fine, a little worn from her experience but ready for elbow grease, varnish and her liveaboard family to return. We can't wait!

This trip is a quick visit to ease our worries. We are not accustomed to having her out of reach. When we kept her at Knife River, Minnesota, we could visit over the winter. It has been hard waiting for this view of her, especially after Irma!

As always, wherever we go, we are blessed with friends and opportunities to connect. This visit is no exception! We were able to visit with Minnesota friends, Luke and Tiffany Whiting and their family in Jacksonville, as well as several high school friends in St. Augustine and Palm Coast. I had not seen one friend seen since we graduated in 1978.

Beth and Tiffany

Logan with Beth

Luke, Beth, Dave & Tiffany

Beth with high school friend Wayne Barbour in St. Augustine

High school friends, Jean Priebe Santos,
Laura Robarge Feldman, Beth and Bonnie Cook Reid
in Palm Coast, FL

After a day of visits, we are heading to Orlando for the KBIS trade show. It is time to focus on work! Once the show is over, we have a week off for relaxing, and more Florida FUN!