Its funny, but everyone thinks that if you are retired and sailing off into the sunset that you are on some kind of permanent vacation. Well, I gotta tell you, it ain't so, not even close.
The responsibilities are still there, they are just different. This little visit hanging out at my parents has been a nice break from boat chores. Don't get me wrong, I miss the boat, and the projects are continuously running through my head, getting redesigned, moving around on the priority list, and never far from my conscious thought. But I'm sleeping in, practicing my guitar every day, drinking way too much beer, eating way too much food, and spending my days doing accomplishing nothing.
Saturday we drove up to Bayfield for lunch at the Docks. A great little restaurant overlooking a lot boats, and the birth place of Bayfield Yachts. Fish and chips washed down with a pint of nature's finest is hard to pass up. We walked down to the beach, and then wandered around the docks looking at all the pretty boats. There is a great fleet of Bayfield's here! I met a great couple, Pat and Nigel on a Bayfield 29, Ubique. I could have spent the entire afternoon talking boat, my favoritist subject, but Serena needed to find a grocery store and a few antacids. Guess lunch didn't sit well with her, but she's all better now.
Sunday, we walked 3 km to Port of Franks. Its a tiny little hamlet on the shores of Lake Huron, and there is this great little restaurant there called Christine's. Sitting on a deck off the second floor, munching on fish and chips, washing it down with a pitcher of natures finest lager, staring out at the beautiful blue endless lake. God, vacationing is hard work.
Monday was Casino day. Serena and I don't gamble, ever. Or at least almost never. My parents on the other hand love to play the slots once in awhile, so we figured what the hey, time to lose our Casino virginity. Free pop and a $1 more than we started with. Of course we had to drive by "The Docks in Bayfield"; hey look, its lunch time...... Okay, honestly, I lost $25, and Serena was kind enough to win it back for me. We survived our first visit to the casino, and we're not likely to going again soon, maybe next year when we visit Mom and Dad again.
Oakridge Resort. I love this place, and not just because my Dad manages it. There is just something about the area. Quiet, beautiful, close to shopping, good restaurants, and really inexpensive way to live. Serena and I have run the numbers, done some figuring, and added park living to one of our possible scenarios for after boat living.
Tomorrow we head back to Trenton, and move onto the boat. The refit will take on a new vigor, the travel trailer will go up for sale, as we try to make a new life on a Bayfield 29 named Vita.
hey, it was great meeting you!...we could have sat all day with our questions and fascination with your upcoming adventures.
ReplyDeleteReally looking forward to reading the blogs as you set sail.
Best of luck with your move tomorrow!
Nigel and Pat (Ubique)