Yes, the weather could have been more pleasant, but overall, our time in Stuart has been really enjoyable. We’ve made lots of new friends and reconnected with old ones. We’ve taken a couple of daycations. Family and friends have visited. But mostly, we’ve settled into a routine. Our days are predictable. We get up in the morning and then next thing we know, it’s time to go to bed. My brother-in-law says that’s how you know you’re doing retirement “right”. I will even admit to getting a little better at doing nothing. And, as luck would have it, I have about 850 miles in which I can get even better. That’s right! It’s time to head north.
There’s lots to do to get ready. We each have a list.
| Marci | Steve |
| Clean FNR | Get FNR’s bottom cleaned |
| Plan meals | Check batteries |
| Provision | Crank diesel and generators |
| Laundry | Fill gas, diesel, and propane tanks |
| Fill water tanks | Mount dinghy engine on stern rail |
| Defrost freezer | Find a place to park the truck |
| Update travel log | Study charts |
| Set the alarm 15 minutes earlier than Steve’s so you have time to dilly dally before you leave | Don’t get up when Marci’s alarm goes off. She needs those extra 15 minutes so she won’t feel rushed. |
| Don’t dilly dally when Steve says it’s time to go because it will only annoy him | Don’t rush Marci when you’re ready to go because it will only annoy her |
Ah, yes. Even when you’re retired, some things – like making lists and annoying one another – never change. But some things do…dramatically.
As I write this, FNR is motoring down the St. Lucie River toward the ICW. We have a 40, a 50, and a 60 mile travel plan. The ICW is so winding that it’s almost impossible to know where you’ll end up at the end of the day. You may start out going with the tide but before long you make a turn and you’re going against it. We’ll know by mid-afternoon if we’re going to make 40, 50 or 60 miles. And then, we’ll stop.
We will not travel hard. We will not travel fast. We’re just going to travel. Leisurely. Mindfully. Intentionally. If there’s something we want to see, we are going to see it. If we get tired, we are going to rest. If we find someplace we like, we are going to stay for a while. We are going back to North Carolina one 40, one 50, and one 60 mile travel plan at a time. Yes, these waters are charted but our journey is not. Here’s hoping we can enjoy it!
I drag our visitors to yoga…
Steve takes them for a sail!!
Zen In A Camper 
Safe travels!
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Safe travels. Your trip strategy reminds me of the story about the two Zen students who were comparing how powerful their masters were. The first said, “My master is so powerful that he can stand on one side of a wide river and write his name in the sand of the other side.” The second replied, “My master is so powerful that he eats when he’s hungry and sleeps when he’s tired.”
Pam, Honey and I now have Meander docked at Lady’s Island Marina in Beaufort, South Carolina, and we expect to be here until about April 11. If FNR should make it to Beaufort before then, please look us up.
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Mike: Ah, yes, the simplicity of power! 🙂 We definitely hope to catch up with the 3 of you. Hope the no-see-ums die down!!
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Mike: We should be at Ladies Island tonight. Probably not going to clear the bridge until 6. Plan on staying at least 2 nights. Keep an eye out for us!!
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Safe travels!
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