Hellos and Goodbyes

We've been lucky to spend long periods of time with other Loopers along our journey. We've also been lucky to make return visits to our home in Minnesota, and our family in Connecticut. There have been a lot of hellos and goodbyes!

A visit to Connecticut in November

Beth & Minnie in CT

My Mom "Nonnie"

At the house of cats in CT

Dave with Marc in CT

A Visit to Minnesota in December

Beth with friends Linda and Mary in MN

MN Friends Mike & Linda

MN Friends Mary & Shel

Dave with sailing friends
Jim & Linda

Beth with sailing friends
Jim & Linda

Beth & Sonya on a MN run at Brown's Creek

Minnesota Visit in March

Sonya & Beth ~ Inside Stoopin on Olive Street

Sonya, Pat & Beth Neighbor gathering

Dave & Karla are teachers in Minnesota
who follow our blog with their students

We've had a lot of hellos and goodbyes while cruising too. We regularly meet the locals at each port we stop in. They are chance meetings where we learn as much as we can about people we may never see again, yet people we will never forget. We meet other loopers, some just long enough to collect their boat card; others who we travel with for long periods of time. When we arrived at Turner Marine in Mobile, we reconnected with several boats that we'd met at anchorages or marinas along the way. Life's Travails, Veritas, Bright Angel, Greatful II, Bonnie Jean, Mucho Gusto and Sea Marie; it seemed that everyone was having an extended stay in Mobile. But once the boat projects were scratched off their list, they would throw their lines and head out across Mobile Bay, never looking back. Our farewell ritual is usually in the form of a party; a celebration of progress, camaraderie and moving on. This makes it a little easier to say farewell; until we meet again; because we do meet again, eventually. Until we do, our community of fellow adventurers keep a keen eye on each other. Just like family!

Saying Goodbye to Henry

Henry's farewell party aboard Mucho Gusto

Toasting friendship, fair winds and following seas

The start of Henry's farewell card

Farewell to Henry & Mickey

Henry, Beth, Rhonda, Dave

Beth, Susan & Rhonda in Mobile, AL
Veritas farewell gathering

Mystic Our floating home

Mystic, has become our second home. We live aboard this 35 foot long, 10 foot wide floating respite from everyday life. Many of the Loopers we meet are what's called "all in", which means that they've sold their homes and belongings and moved onto the waterway full time.  We still have an anchor securely set on land back in Minnesota.

Mystic at Knife River, MN

Mystic at Turner Marine, Mobile, Alabama

Just like our house in Stillwater, Mystic is a classic. The house was built in 1871, the boat in 1966. Both have hardwood floors and beautiful lines. Our house has 2,400 square feet of living space. Mystic has about 350. Our house has a fireplace, Mystic has a coal stove. The biggest difference in our lifestyle aboard Mystic compared to our home is space. On our floating home, space is limited!

Our home in Minnesota

Mystic has room to sleep six, however, when loaded up with all of our live aboard gear she's more of a mini home for two. Our v-berth and two quarter berths are used for storage. Our main cabin settee table converts into a double bed. We use this for sleeping which means that we have to make our bed each night and stow it each morning. It takes about 5 minutes to do this. First, we have to lower the table top. Next we stack two layers of boat cushions on the bottom and add two layers of mattress toppers before putting the sheets on. We have been using three blankets; a heating blanket, a fleece blanket made by our friend Jayme Mikla and a beautiful quilt made by our friend Jerri Mitchell. It may seem silly to live this way but in doing so we are able to air out our bed each day. Living on the water we have condensation issues, so sleeping in the main cabin helps manage the moisture that is generated by our body heat.

Beth blogging at our table/bed

Mystic's Galley

Quarter berths on either side of steps

Fish eye view of Mystic's main cabin
Kitchen on the starboard side,
settee on the port. We make the settee into our bed.

View from the V-Berth facing aft

View from cockpit looking forward

Empty V-Berth

Composting Toilet in V-Berth

V-Berth with mattress cover

V-Berth made up for sleeping

Living in tight quarters is not as difficult as it would seem. We continue to find ways to store our belongings and make good use of the space we have. We are learning to get by with less. It's a simple life. We like that a lot!

The Mobile Flea Market

We went to the Mobile Flea Market with Uncle Fred and Uncle Ron on Sunday. It is advertised as the largest Flea Market on the Gulf Coast with over 800 booths, concession stands and free parking. It is certainly a sight to see and a very popular place. Thousands of people attended along with us!

We had a fascinating day, people watching and wandering through the many buildings and stalls. They sell a lot of stuff here. Dave bought a 3/4 inch box end wrench and Uncle Ron bought a cast iron plant. Every time he refers to this plant I look for a metal statue then remember that he's talking about a plant! Cast irons look a lot like a hasta!

Electronics

Hats

Trinkets

Products for sale from floor to ceiling

Boxes, bins and hangers

Purse Applique

Purses

Mardi gras decorated booth

Butcher block table ornament

What surprised us most was the sale of animals at the flea market. From chickens to puppies, rabbits dogs and alligator heads, you could find just about anything there.

The Mobile Flea market is a fascinating place place! It has a quaint, back woods, "what the heck is THAT", kind of feel to it. Fred and Ron informed us ahead of our visit that it is not your usual flea market. Boy is that an understatement!