The summer is upon us. John and I took possession of Forte Vento (Strong Wind) on May 21, 2011. This new 39' Hunter is "The Boat" -- the retirement home, the summer home, the place to escape. It's everything we wanted and didn't get in the first boat, the 33' shortie. See some pics from our recent voyages. It's the boat to enterain our fellow sailing friends. It's a place to have some quiet time together.
Why do we sail when some claim we are well past the age of "adventure" some people ask us? The simple answer is that we love sailing and need a place to escape to. It's the cheapest waterfront property we can own. If we don't like where we are, we just move. It's better than camping -- no dirt, always a bit of a breeze and 10 degrees cooler than inland.
The more complex answer is that it's a way to deny aging -- a way to fight the pain of John's arthritic hip and my always aching shoulders. When we are underway, we forget about it all -- pop some Advil or Tylenol and keep going. We watch sunsets and sunrises from the deck. The views of nature are unobstructed. It is the only place where I calm down enough to just sit and take in the world around me.
We will work until the loans are paid off, sailing on summer vacation weeks and on weekends. Our goal is to retire within the next four years and spend a lot more time exploring the bay and hanging out. Will it be enough? Who knows. I'll probably have to get back to writing in some serious way and John will knuckle down to cheffing and keeping "boat" and "house" for us.
The cost? We had to find new homes for the dogs -- both are happy. Both now have big back yards to run and play in. Fred is with an elderly lady who dotes on him and lets him sleep in bed. JoeJoe is with John's daughter in Harper's Ferry with two dog pals. John does miss them on quiet days working in the office.
My work as CIO for the Peace Corps continues to be challenging, yet enjoyable in strange ways. Staff likes the fact that I can make decisions and stick to them, am willing to try new things, and am pushing them to stretch. All around its a great gig! John just returned from Brussels, bringing truffle chocolates. He keeps with it.
To all of you who wondered if I'd ever get back to writing the blog -- I am and will.
Cheers, Dorine
