Only One Go Around

My grandmother used to say, "You only get one go around in life; you better make it good." She believed in living life full tilt, all the way to 102 years old. She had the wanderlust (I come by it honestly) and she loved to travel, even if it meant taking a road never traveled just so she could see something new. I am the very same way.

She got me started early in life. My first solo plane trip was at the age of seven, on Delta, when I flew from Orlando back to Chicago after Christmas vacation. It was the first year Disney World had opened in 1971. I remember riding the monorail, and the 'animals' in the gardens we're just chicken wire shapes with little twiglets planted at the base. I remember being in awe of the Jungle Cruise, The Hall of Presidents, and walking through Cinderella's Castle. I remember riding Dumbo the Flying Elephant sandwiched between Grandma and Grandpa.

At the end of that magical vacation with my grandparents, the stewardess assigned to me was named Deborah. I remember that she gave me a set of Delta wings and extra snacks. She let me drink a Coke, which I had never been allowed to have at home. Mid-flight, Deborah escorted me to the cockpit to meet the pilots. By the time we landed in O'Hare, we were fast friends, and I was certain I would be a stewardess when I grew up- just like Deborah. It seemed like the best. job. ever. (Yes, I realize I am showing my age, as we now refer to them as 'flight attendants').

Deborah and I became pen pals, and we stayed in touch for many years, all through my high school graduation. She advanced to international hops, and would send me post cards from all over the world. I would daydream of the day when I could see these places for myself. I have been blessed to say that I have been to many of them, and even more...England, France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Jamaica, Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Puerto Rico, Belize, Brazil, Honduras, British Virgin Islands, AVIs, all through the Windward and Leeward Islands, the Maldives Thailand, the Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and most recently, of course, China. I still have more places I want to see, because, after all, I only get one go around.

I have just completed three years of living and working in Beijing, China. It was three of the most challenging, exhilarating, and adventuresome years of my life. I loved the people of China, especially my students. I loved my cozy apartment with my view of the Westerlies mountains, where I could close myself off from the noise and pollution of Beijing. I have been a country mouse all of my life, so to live in a city of 23 million was a huge adjustment. However, the ability to quickly adapt was the key to survival living abroad (that, and a sense of humor!) It didn't take long to navigate the city with comfort and ease, even though I did not speak the language. Like Grandma, I delighted in that I saw 'something new' each and every day...be it little ones in squeaky shoes and split pants squatting to pee on the sidewalk, the old folks gathered in the courtyard playing mahjong, or dogs with dyed fur and wearing shoes being walked by their owners who were in their pajamas 😂 There was always a Hutong or market or jiaozi shop, a park, temple, museum or restaurant, or some random store I had never been to before- all of it was at my feet, just waiting to be explored. (Speaking of feet, most days I walked a minimum of 16k steps!) A person could spend a lifetime in Beijing and never see it all.

My grandma would have loved it; she would have said, "Good, you're home from school, let's go see something!"

 I already miss it.

Within six weeks of starting my new job in Beijing, my love joined me in China for the first time. Our love was new, the culture around us was new, and it all was intoxicating, really. He arrived during Golden Week, China's national holiday during the first week of October. I booked a trip for us to spend the week in the Philippines. (My China adventures can be revisited on Chinese Takeout. When life quiets down a little, I have about twenty adventure stories in China and Cambodia left to publish. 😳) While Len and I explored the island of Palawan on our rented scooter, we spent lazy, lovely evenings in our beach hut. Midway in to our vacation, I received a message from my school that an unexpected 'vacation' would be happening again in a few weeks. Beijing was hosting the APEC convention, and all the world's leaders would be in town for a week- that meant the city was shutting down, including our school, in order to control the traffic, clean the air, and roll out the red carpet for all the world to experience the beauty of Beijing. 'Saving face' is a real thing in China, all the way to the top officials! Truthfully, though, the city of Beijing really is lovely any day of the week with its rich history and culture. I much prefer Beijing over Shanghai.  That said, she is exceptionally beautiful on the clean air, blue sky days!

Needless to say, it took me all of 2.7 seconds after receiving confirmation of the dates our school would be closed, and I was searching the world map on the wall of my living room, deciding where to go next. I decided upon Thailand, specifically Phuket and Koh Pi Pi. I will always gravitate to an island or beach, anywhere in the world. I booked the plane tickets, and while I was at work that week, Len explored our options for accommodations. Together we decided the things we wanted to see and do (Honey, I HAVE to pet a tiger!)

And I did!!!

Upon arriving to Thailand, I was fascinated by the 

'twirly gigs' of the Thai language.

We boarded the ferry and headed to the island of Kho Pi Pi.

Any day I can get on a boat, any boat, and feel the wind 

in my hair and on my face, is a very good day!

  

My love found the Tohko Beach Resort. I would hardly

call it a resort, but it was a family who rebuilt these

beach huts over the water after the Boxing Day Tsunami

Their darling five year old daughter brought us coffee

each morning, while her momma cooked us breakfast.

At 6pm each night, the power went out until 6am the next day.

It didn't matter- who needs wifi or AC

when you can sit on your porch with your ❤️

And take in this gorgeous view?!

And this was the view from our porch looking the other direction.
During our stay, we were blessed with a full moon, which
glistened on the ocean and lit up our beach hut because it was
so bright. Who needed electricity?  It was incredible. Magical.

This was our taxi for the week .

And this was Len's view as he enjoyed a cold one (and me!)

Fast forward a year, and I decided to sign on and stay in China.  I loved my job, I was treated exceptionally well, I loved my students, and I was paid handsomely.  When I made that decision, I decided to sell Marquesa, my previous boat, to my ex husband.  Boats are meant to be used, and it would have fallen in disrepair if I left it up on the hard.  It was very emotional for me to let go of Marquesa, as I felt I might never sail again.  I was reluctant, but also willing to except that, as perhaps it was time to start a new chapter in my life. The following spring, Len returned to China for another extended visit, more travel, and by the time he returned to the States, we knew we wanted to be together.  He also did not want me to give up on my dream of sailing.  While he has always owned powerboats, he had never been on a sailboat very much.

The next question became, if we want a sailboat, where are we going to keep it?  He was living in the Florida Keys at the time, and while he was very comfortable there and had a network of friends, he was getting a bit weary of paying rent. (The Keys are expensive!) I was locked in to living in China for the time being. We considered buying land in Florida, something with dock space and ocean access. Maybe one day when my time in China was up, we could build a home on it. Longer story short, he found our house in Ortona, on the Caloosahatchee River, which is the Okeechobee Waterway.  If we leave our canal and turn to the west, we will sail to Ft. Myers and out the Gulf of Mexico.  If we turn to the east, we transit the Waterway to Stuart, Florida, and out to the Atlantic side.  It was perfect.

And this is the view of our backyard. We live in a community of boaters :)

So for the last two years, when I would come home for 'vacation' we worked on remodeling our home.  It has turned out beautifully, . Though we still have the master suite to complete, we began to turn our thoughts to finding a sailboat. He searched listings in Florida. I would surf the internet for sailboat listings from my apartment in Beijing.  We would confer our findings and discuss the possibilities via Facetime. Last summer when I was home, we looked at many boats we had found online, that were docked in and around Florida.  We took a few out for a 'test drive'. We got close in seriously considering one or two, but the truth was that none of them really suited me.  It was a bit discouraging, as there are so many  'project boats' out there. I don't mind some projects to her, but after working for nearly two years on remodeling our home, I was not ready to do a complete refit and overhaul on a boat!

In September, just after last school year began, I found a sailboat.  On Craigslist, of all things.  Up in Maryland, of all places.  On paper, she looked good.  But, how was I going to see her?  And then a sad, strange turn of events happened.  On September 14, my momma died unexpectedly.  It was a terrible blow.  I left Beijing for Indiana, and Len left Florida to meet me there.  After mom's funeral, he helped me to go through all of momma's things for several days. It was a Herculean effort packing up, giving away, and storing 82 years of living.  It was all the more difficult to do it in the throws of grief and being severely jet lagged.  We finished her apartment with two days to spare before my scheduled return flight to Beijing.

Gently, Len asked if I wanted to make a quick flight to Maryland to see the boat? We booked our tickets on miles, booked a room for one night on points, and we were in Maryland for less than 36 hours. It was enough for me to know that 'this is THE ONE.'

I can tell it was a forced smile here, but I must
admit it felt comforting to be at the helm again.

Buying a boat in Maryland, from Beijing, when your love is in Florida, was a major undertaking. By the time the owner agreed to a price, cold weather had set in, and we had to wait until this spring for a survey and sea trial.  While I continued to work in Beijing, Len and a good friend, Kenny, flew up to Maryland this past May for the survey and sea trial.  There were some kinks to work out, but the deal still seemed to be still in progress.  About a month later, with the paperwork and money exchanged hands electronically, (and with the help of my HR person in Beijing acting as a notary!),  I became the proud owner of SV Captured Angel, a 38' Irwin MK II, center cockpit, 40 'LOA.

I wanted a sailboat with two staterooms, each with their own head.  I wanted a boat that was comfortable for guests- hint! hint!  I found her, and she was all mine, 6' longer and beamier than any sailboat I have ever owned. I am the fourth owner of this 1984 boat, and this is the fourth sailboat I have owned. I believe she will be last :).

Len flew to China for the fifth and last visit this past June, just in time for my birthday.  As we enjoyed the last of our favorite restaurants, and got a few more weekend trips in China under our belt, our evening conversations centered on to do lists.  While he discussed solar power, new wiring, and an engine overhaul, at the top of the list for me was what to name her?! SV 'Captured Angel' simply would not do.  While I love angels, I collected them, and I even saw one once when I was a child, (that's another story :) having an Angel that was Captured didn't sit well with me.  Besides, I never was a big Dan Fogelberg fan, either.

I left Beijing on July 6th for FL.  I left FL for IN on
July 8th.  I left IN for MD on July 12th, and this
was my first look at her upon my arrival to
Old May Marina in Sparrows Point, Maryland.

For the next two days, I quickly set to
work with cleaning, to make her livable,
and Len set to work sorting out the wiring.

Our aft stateroom; I love nesting!

The port side hallway is the galley which leads to the main salon.
Behind the next door is the forward stateroom with its own head.

Though she really is just 6' longer than Marquesa, she has a
wider beam, so she feels very spacious.  I have tons of storage
for longer cruising, and I LOVE all the ports and windows!
I don't feel like I am living in a dark hallway.

While I cleaned, Len completed the first wiring project-
two working bilge pumps- super important on a boat!

Next, he tore into the engine. SO MUCH WORK. He serviced the
alternator, starter, changed out hoses, polished fuel lines,
changed the oil, various filters, conditioned the belts,
and God only knows what all else! 

I spent the next two days, suited up in the 90+
degree heat and 90% humidity doing bottom paint.
Oh. My. God. It. Was. So. Freaking. HOT.

I must have sweat off at least a couple of pounds, but I am
not one to quit.  I was so happy when I was finished!
My next two day 'hot job' was waxing the boat-  woof.

Next, Len installed a new cutlass bearing.

Then he removed the prop, polished it, painted it, and put it back on.

While all of these projects are manageable, and really not too very complicated...it all takes time, materials, tools, and lots of money. Every day we had to make a run to Home Depot, the auto parts store, Walmart or West Marine.  I have dropped 2k at West Marine in the last three weeks.  They know me by name.  You have heard what the acronym B.O.A.T. means, right? Break Out Another Thousand- and that ain't no lie!

Now on to the big reveal, next the old name had to come off.

Len worked on the stern, while I tackled the
port and starboard sides of the bow.

  

She's all clean and ready for the new decals!

While Len was in Beijing this past June, we kicked around several names.  Since the boat is mine, he really wanted me to name her, but I wanted his input.  I seriously considered Lucille the middle name of both my grandmother and mother. While I really loved this idea, I wanted the name to reflect both of us.  This is OUR next chapter in life, and I wouldn't have pursued it without his encouragement, finding our home, helping with the survey, and a thousand and one other details. HE really made MY dream (of sailing again one day) happen.

On our last China trip, to Laolongtou, where the Great Wall meets the sea, we were reminiscing about our China days coming to a close, and all of the great memories we made together.  As we talked about our many adventures of the last three years, all the places and countries we had visited, it suddenly hit me...

I KNEW her name...

When we checked in to our beach hut in Koh
Pi Pi, Thailand, I remarked that the name given
to our hut looked similar to my own name-
and Len snapped a photo. It is pronounced
Kahn-tee-ah, and it is perfect.  The spelling is
similar to my spelling of Karyn, but it represents
a very special time and place to both of us. 

So here goes the new decal...

...and the big reveal!  I LOVE IT!!!

Remember the 'twirly gigs' of the Thai language?
Len and I poured over at least a hundred fonts, looking
for the one that best represented Thai.  I think it's perfect :)

So here's to Fair Winds, and Following Seas...
Thank you, my love, for ALL of your hard work,
and for these last three weeks, especially.
NOW, LET'S GET SAILING!!!

G'nite, y'all!

(The engine is named Lucille!)