Small Town - Bright Lights - Stillwater MN

We live in historic Stillwater, the birthplace of Minnesota. It is a popular tourist destination. Each Christmas, our downtown is bustling with visitors, immersed in finding treasures in the unique local shops. The restaurants are filled with hungry, happy shoppers. The pubs are popular with locals and those returning home for the holidays. It's usually the perfect spot to run into old friends; but this year it's quiet. Eating and gathering establishments are closed due to the Covid pandemic. People have been encouraged to stay home. On most days, Stillwater is a barren ghost town. Late in December, our city decorated downtown for the holidays with a special light show. Chestnut Street, which leads to the historic lift bridge, is closed off and illuminated with magical color and flair. Music is choreographed with dancing lights. Visitors can wander through the city streets and along the scenic St. Croix River with distance separating their shared connection. A food truck offers snacks and hot chocolate. The goal is to bring a bit of cheer to our Hallmark downtown during a gloomy 2020 holiday season. 

Chestnut Street Winter Wonderland

Frozen Dave

Frozen Beth

Stillwater Lift Bridge Illumination

Frozen snow covered St. Croix River

Beth by Stillwater Lift Bridge

Stillwater Light Show, Chestnut Street

Light Tree

Chestnut Street in Lights

Father Daughter Pose

Blustery Light Show

Changing Colors

Stillwater Christmas Tree, Lowell Park

Water Street Inn Holiday Highlights

Dancing In The Street

We find ourselves drawn back to the lights often; making our way downtown over and over to wander around with other hearty folks. The festive atmosphere and fresh air are delightful. It feels good to be outside. The lights and music make us smile and dance in the street. Winter arrived the week before Christmas, bringing substantial snow. Downtown Stillwater is a winter wonderland. It helps us forget, for just a moment, the curse of 2020.

Tis The Season - Merry Christmas - 2020

December snuck up on us this year. There hasn't been much snow and the weather has remained mild throughout fall. Our first major storm arrived early in October with 10 inches of the white stuff accumulating in one snowfall. We thought it was an omen for a rough winter but the weather settled down and delivered near record highs in November. It looked like we had no hope for a white Christmas.

Our favorite holiday tradition is the lighting of Keewatin, our 23 foot sailboat that sits in our driveway looking spectacular in her holiday finest. People can't wait for us to flip the switch on Thanksgiving. Cars stop at the end of our driveway to gaze in delight at the lights. This year Dave lit her up early. We needed that brightness and glory in our less than merry world.

Our 2006 Christmas Card

We look forward to gathering with our neighbors each Christmas. Usually we have a party or stoop on our porch if the weather permits. This year was different. We haven't spent time with our friends in months; managing only whimsical waves or quick chats as we pass each other from a distance. Determined to connect, we packed up holiday gifts and headed out to deliver them. Each bag included a special beverage, tailored to each person's taste, and a note asking that everyone meet us outside at 6:00 pm for a toast. A winter blizzard brought a foot of fresh snow overnight, making our world sparkle in white. The snow squeaked under our feet in the frigid temps. As we gathered under a clear sky, you could feel the joy and excitement that we shared. Illuminated by the glow of Keewatin's lights, we toasted the holidays and our friendship; delighted to have found a way to celebrate together. Dave brought sleigh bells which he jingled with enthusiasm! It suddenly felt like Christmas Eve in the neighborhood! We didn't last very long in the bitter cold but we shared a heartwarming moment that will become a cherished memory.

Stooping with our neighbors, December 26, 2019

This year has knocked us all down a bit but it has not broken us. We are eager to welcome 2021 and we look forward to spending time with family and friends; as well as exchanging warm hugs once again. It's quite possible that we will make our Christmas Eve toast a new tradition.

Cheers

We wish you Peace, Joy and Good Health!

 Merry Christmas!

 

The Great 2020 Pause

Talk of a vaccine against Covid 19 is heavy in the news these days. At least three pharmaceutical companies are close to releasing a version of the booster. Astra Seneca, Pfizer and Moderna are in the running to be the first allowed to offer their product to the public.

Our country has been in some form of shut down for almost a year now. A vaccine should raise confidence for those on the front line in essential jobs as well as those at the highest risk of dying from this virus. However, many Americans are hesitant to be among the first to receive the shot. The level of distrust in the safety of it matches the level of skepticism that has surrounded the entire pandemic. People just don't know what to believe.

I have to admit that I am among the skeptics. I listen to the statistics and the hysteria presented in mainstream news and I'm sick to my stomach. I'm no expert on math or probability but it doesn't take a statistician to see that the numbers just don't add up. In response to the daily announcements of the newly diagnosed cases, hospitalizations and deaths, I find myself with only questions regarding the details of these catagories. What does this all REALLY mean?

We are approaching the holidays, a time when families gather from across the nation. College kids make their way back to home cooking and the familiarity of tradition. Many families plan warm destination trips, choosing to spend their holiday time off the grid. Folks drive long distance to be "Home for the Holidays". None of these plans are recommended at this time. Minnesota has joined many other states by enacting stay at home orders, disguised as firmly suggested requests. We sit before our television, listening to our Governor repeat the dire numbers as he chastises us like we are insolent children, telling us over and over, "I know this is hard!"

It's been eight months of masking and social distancing, shutting down commerce, education and travel. Does this all just end once we oblige to the needle, take our medicine and pronounce we are now safe to share our breath with others? The lasting effect of this pandemic and the consequences we've endured during this 'pause' in our old normal, will live long after the virus has been halted in it's tracks with a vaccine. Many businesses will never reopen, the homeless will not magically be able to afford a warm place to lay their head, and our economy will suffer for years as though we've gone through another great depression. The vaccine is just the beginning.

I plan to be vaccinated as soon as it is available to me. That may take a while since the vaccine is being rationed in the United States. I'm not 100% certain about the safety of it, but I want to be able to say that I have taken it, I am safe and I won't make you sick. I want my life back. I want to move forward. I guess we have to start somewhere.

Doing our part until we are taken off of Pause

Musings Over A Corona

The static cling of Covid 

holds us in a death grip, 

pausing our routines, 

playing Russian roulette 

with our reality, 

dividing us exponentially.

The concept daunts us 

with doubt, uncertainty, 

and frustration. Information 

floods us in murky muddled 

form; inconsistent, contradictory 

and alarming. Will we ever 

know the truth, the details, the

actual amount and varieties of loss?

Our youth are being robbed 

of their rights of passage, their 

childhood, milestones, and memories. 

One day, they will lead our nation with 

the haunting of Covid in their hearts.

Our elders have been isolated, 

suffering from the loneliness of this
masked illness. Our economy is in crisis. 

Random shut downs impact small business, 

commerce, hospitality and travel.

America is broken, not by a pandemic; 

but by the responses that took our lives 

as individuals away from us. The politicizing 

of our normal, every day actions has changed us 

in ways we can only hope to understand one day.

With no end in sight, thoughts of inoculation, 

eradication, and redemption bring us hope. 

We can only hold on for now; breathe,
dream, laugh, love, live until this too, passes.

From Fall To Winter...Just Like That!

I fell again today. In all fairness, it turned cold overnight here in Minnesota. After about three days of autumn, we bypassed early frost by jumping right into freezing rain and flurries of the white stuff, before October was even half over. This morning I stepped out on our porch, noticed the heavy frost on our cars then took my first step down the stairs. In the blink of an eye, I found myself sailing through the air like a ski jumper going full barrel off the high platform, only I was on ice. I landed hard on my elbow. It sucked!

It snowed today. You know, like REALLY snowed...hard, and it accumulated. Our world turned into a live holiday globe with white specks creating a sheer sheet of moisture that rained down on us; each tiny flake competing with those around it in a race to the earth. It snowed yesterday too but that was just the warm up for todays concerto. Today we got WINTER and the first thing I did was fall! 

Snow Accumulation 1 hour in

Three hours in, cars are bearing the burden

Four inches and counting

Looks and feels like Christmas

The offending porch that took me out

 And the flag was still there...

Heart attack wet snow

This is what plowed looks like

Plowed in...oy vey!

Rescue At Jay Cooke State Park

We headed to the North Shore on an adventure, to view the fall colors that are near peak. In addition, we wanted to visit our home port marina at Knife River. We stopped in Willow River for breakfast at Peggy Sue's Cafe. a cute little restaurant that was super busy with no open tables. We sat at the counter and waited a half hour to be served. The delicious veggie omelet was worth the wait.

Peggy Sue's

Great food, warm environment

Peggy Sue's Cafe, Willow River, MN

We planned to stop off at Jay Cooke State Park to hike and view the fall colors on our way north. It was so crowded that we couldn't park so we drove past the lot and found a spot on the side of the road near a bridge overlooking a beautiful gorge. We walked up to the bridge and I started snapping photos while Dave took in the glorious view. As I scanned and focused on the landscape I noticed a woman sitting in dirt with one leg tucked under the other and her phone at her ear. She had made her way down a steep trail and appeared to have slipped on the wet grass. She was perched just above a steep drop off. She looked uncomfortable and in distress. Several groups walked toward her but no one stopped to speak with her. I was certain something was wrong. I pointed her out to Dave and asked if we should see if she needed help. 

Beautiful gorge view from the bridge,
lady in distress bottom left

We watched as she looked back up the hill and adjusted her sitting position. I thought she might just go over the cliff if she moved the wrong way. Suddenly, three men and a woman carefully made their way to her. She rolled over and began crawling up the steep bank. When they could reach her, the men helped her to safety then lifted her to her feet. We could see that she didn't put her left leg down. She was definitely injured.

Help arrives

Moving her to safety

Once they had her out of danger, they focused on getting her out of the gorge. The men were trying to get her up the hill by supporting her as she hopped on one foot. She'd make it a couple of steps then have to stop to rest. I asked Dave if we had anything we could use in the car to carry her. He said he'd thrown a moving blanket in. Dave ran back to the car to grab the blanket and I carefully worked my way down to where she was trying to catch her breath. I told her that Dave would be there soon and we would create a hammock to carry her up. At first she said she would rather hop or crawl out. She was pale and in pain, maybe even suffering from shock. With help from her friend and the men, who turned out to be college students from St. Scholastica, we convinced her to wait for Dave. Finally, with relief flooding her face, she let the young men help her to a sitting position to wait. I asked if she wanted to take her shoe off. When she did so, it was clear that her ankle was broken. We chatted with her to keep her calm and I joked that I saw her taking pictures with her phone while she waited for help. I said, "at least you got the shot," which made us all laugh together.

Another couple showed up and offered assistance. When Dave arrived we slipped the blanket under her making sure that she was comfortable and her weight was centered. Dave, the three college kids and the newest good samaritan grabbed the edges of the blanket and carefully carried her up the hazardous embankment. It was difficult because the path was narrow causing them to have to walk in the weeds alongside. To make matters worse, they could not see where their feet were landing. They moved slow and steady, making sure she was doing ok as they went up.

When we finally made it to the top, they set her down alongside the road. We stayed with her while her friend went for their car. One of the rescuers said, " Hey we should take a photo of all of us." A lady standing nearby offered to do so with my camera.

Good Samaritans at Jay Cooke State Park

When her friend arrived in the car arrived we tucked her into the back seat, making sure she was comfortable and then bid her well. She kept thanking us. Her friend commented that this was a perfect example of 'Minnesota Nice'; strangers helping someone in need just because they could. 

As the car drove away, we stood there, grinning at each other. Someone commented on how rewarding the experience was. We just happened to be in the right place at the right time and each of us made the decision to get involved. We never exchanged names but one of the college boys ran to catch us as we walked away. He gave me his contact info and asked me to forward the group photo to him.

When we told our kids about the experience our son noted, "Mom, that's awesome! You got to pay it forward for the lady that helped you when you broke your ankle." He was referring to someone who saw me crawling down the sidewalk and made the decision to circle back to offer me assistance. Life is magical when it comes full circle. In these times of social distancing and pandemic concerns, four groups of strangers made a special connection today. It felt great!

Changing Gears

We've been home for a week and it already feels like fall in Minnesota. Temps have dipped down into the 40's overnight but we cling to our teva sandals and summer attire while we also shiver.

This week has been busy. We rebuilt our limestone steps, seriously hard labor! Not sure what we're thinking, taking on this project after a summer of sweat and tears working on our sailboat, Mystic. The steps had to be done though, the limestone deteriorates over time. It was becoming unsafe!

Limestone steps

New brick steps with rail

Our home looks great, considering we were gone for three months. Our kitty was thrilled to move back from her extended stay at our son's house. She seems to have forgotten we were ever away.

Good Morning Mama

We've reconnected with neighbors and friends; weeded our gardens and enjoyed a backyard blaze in the fire pit. We purchased a State Parks Pass and have been hiking in the woods.

Hiking at O'Brien State Park

 

Microbrewing with friends
Deb and Charlie Brown

The Chapel Brewery

Tanzenwald Brewing Co.

We're knee deep into transitioning from boat life to land life. They are very different worlds with similar covid restrictions. We work in paying jobs when we are in Minnesota. I started my winter job yesterday. Dave is waiting for his job in the trade show industry to be released from the claws of covid. We hope that happens before the 2021 cruising season.

Life is filled with change. We're constantly evolving our plans. Each variable creates new opportunities, sometimes through closing doors. Everything is temporary except our commitment to our dreams. We hold onto them with excitement and optimism for better days to come.

A Custom Winter Cover For Our Alberg 35

Sewing a custom cover for our Alberg 35, sailboat Mystic, has been on our radar for years. Each fall, we have wrapped her up in poly tarps that end up in the garbage the following spring. The cost for this has been somewhere around $150 each year. We obtained a quote of $4,000-$5,000 for a custom cover through a canvas shop. It was a no-brainer to do the work ourselves.

We've been planning for a long time so we had a good idea of what we wanted. Our first task was to gather the materials. We purchased 50 yards of Surelast marine fabric from Rochford Supply in a neutral light brown color from the second's bin. Shipping was expensive but we our total cost was about $5.00 a yard. We needed 6 yards of Marine grade vinyl also order from Rochford Supply. With shipping, it cost about $10.00 a yard. We stocked up on other supplies needed for finishing. We ordered 8 cover vents, thread, needles and basting tape from Sailrite. We picked up buckles at Defender Marine. Later, during the project we purchased more vinyl. By the time we were finished, our supplies cost about $500.00, only 10% of the cost of a custom cover from a canvas shop.

Together, we watched a good number of videos from experts including Sailrite and Ship Shape. We learned a lot. The information guided us to modify and improve our original design which used the boom and a angled 2x4 running from the mast to the bow. We planned to go under the lifelines and over the toe rail. This design required us to work around 28 obstacles (stanchions and stays) and created pockets for snow to gather. John Hall, the owner of Frank Hall Boatyard, stopped by one day and suggested we raise the 2x4 at the bow to make a straight line from the bow to the stern. He recommended that we avoid creating flat spots where the snow could sit on our deck over the canvas. In addition, he told us to go over our life lines to create a tent style pitch to the cover. This made sense, so we changed our design again. The new version cut 20 of those obstacles out of our work. We were left with only eight stays to maneuver around. John stopped by daily to make suggestions and to encourage us along.

Original style which we decided not to follow
photo by Sailboat Owners

When we left on our journey four years ago, Dave built a mast cradle that held our mast on deck as we moved down the inland waterway. We decided it could also work for the winter cover with slight modifications. Dave made adjustments that created a multipurpose mast cradle/winter cover base support. We primed and painted all the parts. John Hall commented on how simple, but finished it looked. Dave said he wanted it to look good as we moved through the Erie Canal and the paint would help it hold up for many years to come.

Bow cradle with horizontal 2x4

Dave building extension behind backstay

Dave adding sections to stern cradle

Stern cradle in progress

Dave with finished stern cradle

I was a little nervous about cutting into that 50 yards of fabric so we started out small. The first cut we made was a section used to cover eight air vents. Adding fabric to the vents is not required but we saw this done on the Sailrite video and liked the finished look. Vents are an important part of covering a boat. They allow air to flow which limits condensation and moisture. We added the rubber vents into the panels, four on each side. Each vent is held in place with vinyl on the front and back. 

Cutting out vinyl to finish vents

Vents with fabric installed

Fitting vent into panel cut

Adding vinyl to vent during installation

Sewing vents into cover panels

Vents in place on the cover

We made a separate bowsprite cover for Mystic, mainly to protect the newly varnished wood from the elements. This fitted cover goes underneath the boat cover. The bow panel has several screened vents that may allow some rain in. Having a custom fit cover will protect the bowsprite should any rain get through. We had to work around the forestay with a hood and zippered boot. A strap and buckle hold the cover in place under the bowsprite.

Bowsprite cover with supporting frame

Bowsprite cover installed

Boom and 2x4 create straight line.
Bowsprite cover with supporting frame.

Bowsprite cover

Our confidence grew with each step and eventually we were ready to cut seven 16x5 foot panels of fabric for our cover. We started our work with panel 1 and 2 at the mast. Each panel has a hood that wraps halfway around the mast, meeting at the center on the sides. A zipper runs from the top of the hood down below the rub rail on each side. The hood zips only about four inches up the mast and is not water tight. To help keep this area dry, we designed a second mast hood that goes over the zippers, covers the winches then wraps tightly. This second hood goes about one foot up the mast and is held in place with a buckled strap.

Panel 1 and 2 mast hood, joined by zipper

Second mast boot, covers panel zippers and winches

Port side view, panels, vents and mast hood

We made six boots, one for each of the side stays, then added them to our panels. They zip from the top down with a hood around the stay that is velcroed shut and tied. This creates a nice finished look at these obstacles. The first one we made took a long time but once we got the hang of it we made the rest relatively quickly. Our work involved a lot of measuring and zipper installation. We were lucky to have enough heavy duty zippers that we repurposed from another project. Most were 94 inches long. Several had to be shortened with new stoppers but they looked great and will last a long time!

Adding basting tape to vinyl

Working on stay boots

Stay boot and hood with zipper down the middle,
this will be added to the cover panel

Once the boots were made, we installed them in the panels. Each step we took required a quick run to the boatyard in order to refit our work. We took things at a slow pace, measuring three times and fitting twice. It took a lot of time but we made less errors this way.

Beth sewing panels with yards of fabric sourrounding her
like Rapunxel's hair

Stay boots installed in panel

The bow and stern boots were a little more complicated. We had to maneuver around the forestay and backstay while transitioning from a horizontal piece of fabric to a nearly vertical panel. It was tricky but both turned out great! John recommended that we add screened air vents to allow air to flow into both the bow and stern. We came up with a nice design for these vents and installed four in the bow and four in the stern.

Bow Stay Boot sewed into bow panel

Screened air vent ready for installation

Stern air vents

Bow vents

Once all the panels were sewn together we gathered the three sections and brought them to the boat for a fitting. When connected, the panels created an uneven bottom. With the finished cover in place, we marked the rub rail on the fabric. Once we had this mark, we measured down nine inches and trimmed off the excess fabric below the nine inch mark, leaving a nice even bottom edge for finishing.

Installing the bow cover panel

Working from the bow to the mast

Dave marking the rub rail

Dave making his way to the bow

Backstay fitting

The stern view during fitting 

Dave fitting the forestay boot over the bowsprite

Bow fitting

Uneven edge during fitting

We finished the bottom of the cover with vinyl trim. It took over 100 feet of four inch vinyl to complete this step. We ran out of the original vinyl that we purchased from Rochford so we bought more from Joanne Fabric. We found the same brand but had to go with a lighter color. 

We created a tie down system that we learned about from the videos we watched. Sailrite sells a product that you simply sew to the bottom of the cover, but it is expensive. We made our own loop system using ratchet straps cut in 8 inch lengths. They loop below the cover and are secured with a vinyl patch over them on the back side. We added 62 straps, approximately 2 feet apart, giving us many options for tie down. 

Tie down webbing loop installed

Our last visit to Avondale was bittersweet. After a very long summer of hard work we were ready to wrap Mystic up for the winter. With the three cover sections in tow, we began our winter prep ritual. Having a custom cover made things much easier than our old method of shaping and fitting a poly tarp. Our work came together nicely.

Beth fitting bow panel

Dave securing bow panel from underneath

Dave tieing off bow panel

Beth adding final stern panel

Beth fitting and closing stern panel

Dave ready to tie off our custom cover

Dave tieing off port side

Dave working on starboard side ties

Mystic all wrapped up

We are happy with the cover design and fit

Back panel has zipper for easy boarding

Bow panel wrapped up tight

Mystic at Frank Hall Boatyard ready for winter

Almost looks like she's smiling!

We estimated the project would take about 80 hours but it was more like 120. The finished cover took 48 yards of fabric, has 3 sections that zip together and weighs about 39 pounds. Each step included planning, measuring, cutting, sewing and fitting. Like many things we do for Mystic, we wish we'd taken this project on sooner. Had the cover been in place last winter, we may not have had the water intrusion that caused damage to our beautiful boat. We are confident that this cover will last ten years or more, our teak will be out of the elements over winter and we've done everything we can to protect Mystic while we are away.

That's a wrap! Nice teamwork!