Shattered Plans - 2020 The Year of WTF

We were so excited to get back to our Great Loop adventure aboard our beautiful sailboat, a 1966 Alberg 35, Mystic. After months of delays, we finally loaded the truck and headed east with eager anticipation. The drive to New England was unlike any other with covid restrictions along our route and specific rules at each stop. It was an omen of what was to come.

Outbound, heading East, wondering what we've forgotten to pack

We arrived at Frank Hall Boatyard on Saturday, June 13th and found Mystic looking much as she did when we left her. The tarps were secure and in really good shape. It took us almost 2 hours to remove them. Dave opened the main hatch and looked below. I heard him mumble "what am I looking at?" It wasn't his words so much as his tone. Something was very wrong. In an instant, everything changed for us!

Mystic all wrapped up for the winter. (Photo by Tom Izbicki)

Peering into our main cabin we were shocked and devasted to find water INSIDE our boat; LOTS of water! The interior was covered in muck and a thick layer of mildew coated every surface. The floorboards and rugs were floating. Our folding bikes sat halfway underwater on the main cabin floor. Confused, we jumped into action. Dave yelled, "We have to get the water out!"  We threw open all our hatches and raced down the ladder then drove to my sister's house to grab my brother-in-law, Mark, and a pump. It took us an hour to get the estimated 600 gallons of water out.

Our first view, rug and floorboard floating, black bike bags
on left, sitting in water, heavy mildew everywhere.

Water inside hatches and drawers.

V-berth, rug floating, heavy mildew everywhere!

View looking aft, bike bags on right.
Water is about one foot deep.

Settee area, water line just under the seats.
Thankful that we took our cushions off for the winter.

Flooded main cabin

Once the water was below floor level we could take stock of the damage. Our mahogany doors and the teak and holly floors are destroyed. All the teak that sat underwater had been stained black leaving a glaring waterline throughout Mystic. The interior paint is lifting and flaking. As we hosed down the mess we looked for any source of a leak but found nothing obvious. In shock and sadness, we began to tackle cleaning up our beloved cruising home.

Distinct water line, blackened teak

V-berth muck and mildew

Main cabin as we pumped out.

Damaged floors and Mahogany doors, ICK!

After first cleaning, muck and mildew is gone but floors are toast.

Cedar side walls covered in thick mildew

We've been here for three weeks now. Each morning we arrive at the marina with our enormous pile of supplies and tools; we clean, sanitize, and repair damage, trying to focus on what we've accomplished rather than what still needs to be done. There is work to do everywhere we turn, but each day we recover a little more of Mystic's beauty. This lifts our spirits.

We've gone through all the boats systems, assessing the damage that can't be seen. We are thankful to learn that our issues are mainly cosmetic. Although it was partially submerged, the engine started up and purred like nothing happened. Both our electrical and water systems work, and our refrigeration was spared. Our water tanks were fouled but we continue to sanitize them with the hope that they will eventually come clean.

We will restore Mystic to her greatest glory but it will take time. On the days we struggle the most, we look for perspective and remind ourselves that no one died, and things could have been worse. Our cruising season ended before it began but we are determined to get through this. At this point, we are uncertain about launching Mystic at all this year. In addition to this bizarre event, it is unclear that the Erie Canal will open in time for us to make it back into the Great Lakes. It seems clear that we should wait rather than try to salvage the cruising season. Like the rest of the world, everything is on hold for us.

Beautiful sun halo at the boatyard bringing us hope!

Bluff Point sunset, our visits here fill us back up

The year 2020 has tested us all in so many ways. Our plans have been shattered but our dream is intact. It would be easy to use our energy on emotion but we choose to pick ourselves up and move forward; doing what has to be done to fix this. Mystic is worth the work and as the days pass we make progress and tap into our faith knowing that we'll get back on track. We are already dreaming of 2021.

Enjoying a beer at Dog Watch 2.
We haven't had a lot of "fun"
since our arrival. THAT is going to change!

Gardens Of Joy

We are getting close to our return to cruising aboard our Alberg 35, Mystic. We will head east to visit family in Connecticut and reunite with our floating home at Frank Hall Marina in Rhode Island. This has been a long time coming. Delayed by the pandemic for over two months, we are excited to get this show on the road.

One positive part of the Covid-19 pandemic would be how we used our time in isolation. We got a LOT done during the long wait. From home projects to boat projects, we wasted no time knocking items off our to do lists. In between it all, I gardened.

Gardening has always been therapy for me; my personal form of meditation. I spent a lot of time stooped over, squatting with knees deep in the fresh dirt over the years. I often joke that I've had my nails done when I've been in the gardens without gloves and my nails are caked up with fresh dirt. I haven't had a lot of time to plant and sow since we began cruising four years ago. This year, I'm back at it. I almost forgot how much I love it!

When we bought our house 29 years ago it was in a dreadful state of neglect. We were young with small children and had little extra money to spare. I tackled the yard because it only required hard work, not money to improve. I began digging up sections of our yard and transplanted irises and day lilies that I found in the weeds. Neighbors saw my work and offered me plants when they split their own. Slowly our yard began to look cared for.

Each Mother's Day I would spend my $20 limit on flowers; at first buying annuals because they were cheaper which allowed me to get a larger quantity. In time, I began to spend my money on perennials that I could then split and spread throughout our yard. I learned about native plants and started adding them to our growing gardens. I grouped plants that bloomed in stages so my yard was in a constant wave of color change. At one point, I drew designs of my yard and gardens that helped me remember the names of all the plants. This spring, my gardens look better than ever!

Columbine

Native plant, Prairie Smoke

Jack in the Pulpet

My front wall of phlox bloomed gloriously
and got a lot of attention this spring

As we wrap up our winter life in Minnesota, I realize that we're preparing to trade passions. Minnesota summers are glorious, the winters harsh. It would be nice if we could switch our sailing season to the winter months. I would love to spend the summer months digging and nurturing the gardens that surround our land home, and it would be nice to get out of the great white north during the brutal winter months. Once we get Mystic back to the great lakes, we'll begin to work on this transition.

A small section of my boulevard

Porch and rock paths

Hops around the window

Ladie's Mantle catching dew

Iris along tiered garden

Back yard ferns and hostas

Back yard gardens bordering the ravine

Solomon's Seal

More rock paths

Front porch view from the East

Front wall phlox and blooming forsythia

My phlox wall was gorgeous this year

New garden to help with drainage

Blueberries covered in blooms

View from 2nd floor of garage

Iris bed

Peony, only 1 bloom this year

Dianthus

Sewing On Boats

We're itching to get back to Mystic, (the town in Connecticut), and Mystic, (our Alberg 35), on the hard in Avondale, Rhode Island. We've kept busy during the Covid-19 shutdown, completing all the woodworking projects on our list. Dave keeps coming up with new projects, while I've moved on to my sewing list.

I belong to a Facebook group called SOB or Sewing On Boats. Many of the members live aboard so their only choice is to sew on boats. I'm more of a "sew for boats" kind of gal but I enjoy the support and creativity of the group.

I also belong to the Facebook Sailrite Users group.  We purchased a Sailrite LSZ-1 heavy duty sewing machine, The Big Blue Monster, a couple of years back. This brought my collection of sewing machines to FIVE, if you count the little mini machine we carry on board. I use the Sailrite for boat projects. It plows through layers of Sunbrella, sail cloth, leather, etc. like a warm knife through butter. I love working with it.

The Big Blue Monster
set up by our cozy fireplace

We found this little Sew & Sew on the free table at a Marina. 
It is only for light projects but has come in handy.

Dave went back to work in April which allowed me to focus on sewing. I approached my long list of boat projects with sleeves rolled up. Dave asked for wrench organizers, a flat storage system for his tools. I created a pattern that holds a full set. I included a flap that folds down before rolling it into a burrito shape. It is secured with ties for storage. I made two rolls, one for each of his wrench sets, standard and metric. Storing wrenches this way takes up much less room on the boat and finding the correct wrench is easier as they are in order, each in their own pocket.

Wrench Roll

Wrench roll curled up like a burrito

Next on my list was designing a custom cover for our newly refinished swim ladder. I wanted something that was easy to attach so I created a bag that could be loaded from the bottom of the ladder upward. Using material from an old sail, I pieced together sailcloth scraps, giving the fabric a textured, artistic pattern. I came up with a custom fit, (not too tight), with a flap that comes over the top of the ladder and is zipped into place on each side. A velcro tab holds the flap closed at the bottom. Our ladder hangs off the lifelines on hooks which peek out the top of the zipper. To finish off the project, I added a soft nylon lining. It turned out great and will protect the varnish from the weather.

Swim ladder

Custom swim ladder bag

Side view, zippers start at middle and
zip up to top right and top left

Back view, lifeline hooks peak out of zipper
to hang freely

The swim ladder bag was a lot of work. It took me a couple of days to complete. My next project was a lot easier. I made a bag to hold our backup tiller using colorful nylon fabric that we salvaged from a trade show. I wrapped the tiller in bubble wrap before placing it in the bag. It will be protected during storage aboard Mystic. I also made a lined sailcloth cover for our working tiller. It will go on the tiller at the end of each day to protect those 10 coats of varnish we just added. The cover has ties to tether it to the base bracket when it in use.

Tiller bag on left, tiller cover on right

Backup tiller on left, working tiller on right

The final project on my list, the biggest of all, was repairing our sun awning. Without a dodger or bimini, this sun awning has been a godsend, especially in the Florida heat. It is used often, and has taken a beating while on the Loop, which is evident by the several areas that are worn through. The tarp goes over our boom and is held flat above us with three poles that run across the boom and slip into pockets on the underside of the tarp. We've lost a few of the poles overboard when they slipped out of the pocket during rough weather. I reinforced and replaced all grommet areas with vinyl and added vinal loops to hold each pole in place at five points across the width of the tarp. We've tried several different methods of securing these poles. I'm hoping my current design with extra loops will do the trick.

Mystic with sun awning in place

Underside of sun tarp with white vinyl
reinforcement and added pole loops

After repairing the sun tarp, I sewed a new rain tarp out of eight yards of light marine fabric we found on clearance. Originally, the thought was that we would double the blue tarp by attaching the lighter fabric to it. We planned to put the lighter side facing up to reflect some of the suns heat. Our plan included zip-on side panels that could be added during a rain storm. After much consideration, we decided to keep things simple by making a separate rain tarp instead. It's two feet bigger than our sun tarp and will hang low over our lifelines, protecting us in the cockpit. We should be able to leave our main hatch open during a rain shower as well. Sometimes, keeping things simple is the best way to go.

Working with large fabric cuts is tricky. After creating the middle seam by joining two 10' by 5' sections together, I added seam binding to all four edges of the tarp. I used sail cloth binding on each side, (port and starboard), while the front and back was made with vinyl. We will wait to add grommets until we return to Mystic so we get them exactly where we need them.

10' x 10' rain tarp
Ready for grommets

Sailcloth lined sides, vinyl front and back
with vinyl reinforced corners

The new tarp is a lovely light marine grade fabric. As I worked on this project, I began to think about the winter cover I want to make for Mystic. This fabric would be perfect for that project. And maybe I should make a storage bag for each tarp. Alas, like Dave, I am coming up with new sewing projects...SOB is truly a labor of love!

Perspective

PERSPECTIVE; a particular attitude toward or a way of regarding something; a point of view.

M. C. Escher ~  Relativity

One day, many years ago, our seven year old daughter, Brielle, called to me excitedly, "Mom, come quick! This is my favorite commercial." I was surprised to see that she was referring to the provocative ad which had been dubbed The Diet Coke Break.

I was curious to hear what she loved about this rather "grown up" ad which capitalized on the law of human attraction. It showed several women who were excited to go on their coffee break. They made their way over to the high rise office windows and looked down where a gorgeous, ripped construction worker was stripping off his shirt. He reached over and grabbed an ice cold Diet Coke. As the camera zooms in, he flips the tab and takes a long slow swig of his drink! The song, "I just want to make love to you", plays in the background. Watching intently, Brielle said, "Ok, watch...do you see those ladies?"  The women were straining their necks to get a good look. "Yes," I responded. "Well", she continued in a know-it-all tone, "those ladies REALLY want that guy's Diet Coke, isn't that funny!"

Diet Coke Break - on YouTube

Bewildered, I took stock of her perspective then said, "You know, Brie; some people think those ladies want the guy." She looked at the TV, then back at me and responded confidently, "Oh no mom, they want that diet coke!"

Our Little Miss Brielle

This delightful memory came to me as I contemplated the different interpretations folks have of Covid-19 and the shutting down of America. People feel passionate about their own viewpoint and strongly reject anything outside of it. Some of my "friends" post nasty memes directed at opposing opinions. Others use every news report to promote their own personal political agenda. Like me watching the Diet Coke commercial with Brie, we all have access to the same data; we've watched the same government updates and have read the same national perspectives played out in the news. Yet we don't all see them the same way. This is no surprise to me...it's a human response!

The lack of tolerance bothers me. There are those who want Americans to "stay the course", remain shut down with social distancing and mask wearing firmly in place. And then there are those that want a careful, well thought out return to work and re-opening up of our economy. I've found that people are quick to say that any perspective that differs from their own is "wrong", or "uninformed", and choosing to not wear a mask is "selfish". There are those who feel they have the right to judge, reprimand, accuse, and/or ridicule anyone who sees this difficult situation through a different lens from themselves. As my mom would say to us when we were being bossy kids..."Who died and left you boss?" When we open up America in a mindful manner, which will eventually have to happen; you may still feel unsafe. YOU stay home, YOU continue social distancing, YOU do what makes YOU feel safe. I for one won't be judging you! I'll be making my way back to the new normal with my face mask on, but only where it's required!