After 5 days of fast sailing through New York, CT and Long Island Sound, stopping in Port Washington, Port Jefferson, Westbrook CT, Stonington CT, we rounded the corner of Point Judith Harbor of Refuge, we could see the Newport Bridge from 5 miles out, we knew we were home. Many years of sailing in Rhode Island, the Newport Bridge has always been “the Landmark” for us where we knew we’re almost home.
Claudia and I looked at each other and we had similar feelings inside, our adventure is over, we’re coming home to a different world, different lifestyle and, of course, our friends and families and our land life. We were full of contradicting emotions and we weren’t quite sure how to process them.
The last days on anchorage at Barnegat Bay was quite emotional for us. We talked a lot about our experiences of this inspirational year, our learnings and impressions and started to plan our first steps back on land. How will it be to sleep in a normal bed inside a house? How will it feel to drive a car all the time? To take a long shower with lots of warm water? To have ice cream in the freezer? We were both lucky enough to be retired so no jobs to go back to, but we really didn’t quite have an opportunity to retire yet. We left for our journey the day after we retired from work so we don’t really know what retirement life looks like. Probably the most challenging task for us would be to find a fulfilling future.
One question many people had repeatedly asked us was “How can you two stand being with each other in such small space 24-hour a day for so long?” Our answer to that is – sailing and cruising teaches one to be patient. Remember when you and your partner were young and didn’t have anything? Life was simple. You were together and wanted to be with each other all the time. You were building your relationship and truly depended on one another for many things, and more. Living on the sailboat brings you back; you genuinely get to know each other again and really appreciate and counted on one another. Every day you sail from one port to another, each person has routines and responsibilities. Without that partnership, things will go south quickly. If your relationship is solid, cruising will really seal the deal. We both feel blessed to have had this incredible opportunity of a lifetime to strengthen our bonds and relationship.
If we could turn back time, we jumped back to January 1st, 2023, the day we arrived at Bimini, the Bahamas, we were awestruck with all the adventures ahead of us. It really was truly an exciting time for us. About our journey, is it possible to sum it up in a few words? No, not really. A journey like this deserves a lot of time to think through, to reflect and to draw a complete list of conclusions. In the last few weeks we had look at tons of pictures, our website and the logbook. Having looked at these we’ve concluded the following – we could NOT have done this without the support of our family and friends. They were there every step of the way, connecting with us, sharing their daily lives and making us laugh and not feel so isolated when we were all by ourselves in foreign country and far away places. They gave us strength and power to move on. As much as they envy our exciting adventures, we were just as envious of them with their ongoing lives back home. Yes, we do miss our life back home but our daily phone calls and text messages with friends, frequent FaceTiming with our granddaughter Shay really did make life much easier on us, for that, we are eternally grateful.
And last but not least conclusion, probably the most important one is – YES, we would absolutely do it all over again.
Welcome Home !! So happy to see you’ve landed safely but also mixed emotions for it’s been an amazing adventure to watch take place and the journals so delightful to read. As always, Claudia and you have such generous hearts to have shared this once in a lifetime adventure with pictures, history and tidbits about each port. This is something I’d never have the opportunity to do in life and to allow your friend to “tag along” vicariously has been an amazing journey even from land! Thank you! Hope to see you someday soon. God Bless
Hi Kelli, Thanks for your kind word and staying connected to us during this adventure.. we couldn’t have done it without love and support from family and friends. On to being a vavo next 🤗. Can’t wait to come over and get some fresh eggs from your chickens 🥚🥚🥚🐓🐓🐓. I’ll text you for a lunch date once I get back from seeing Shay. 😘😘
Claudia, thanks so much for letting me get a glimpse of your wonderful trip. Kara sent me the link and I am enjoying reading about your adventure. I am sure it will not be long until you head to VA to hold that precious Shay. Welcome home.
Hi Ginny, We love that you are enjoying our blog and reminiscing of Jekyll Island, what a beautiful place!! Also, the seafood was so good and the people so very friendly😀. Can’t wait to visit your beautiful great granddaughter in the upcoming weeks 😘😘
I was so excited to follow you on your journey that I missed your arrival at home. You are right. I have been living my life on land that I forgot to check your adventures. Welcome home! And thanks for sharing.
Thank you Betty Ann. I’m sure we’ll be seeing you soon and can’t wait to hear about your travel plans for this upcoming year.
Welcome back home Jim and Claudia! It is wonderful isn’t it? Mixed emotions Buck and I relate to as well.
It was an honor and incredibly fun to have crossed paths with you in the Bahamas.
I hope our paths cross again.❤️
Hi Deb, Congrats to you guys as well! Yes, I do hope our paths cross again. Keep us posted on your next adventure 😘
Welcome back, can’t wait to see you guys and hear even more about your adventures! What an amazing trip!
Thanks Ed!!!! Can’t wait to see you guys this summer and the sea shore 😘😘😘
Welcome back👍❤️😊
Hi Sharon, Thanks for following us.. can’t wait to get together soon. 😘🤗😘
Well said……………Now get your butts back home. I miss you!!!
Brother Gil… I’m back home with no fish .. but a big 💋 for you 😘😘😘
Nice reflection (and I’m sure more to come). You two are inspiring. Whenever we tell people Ryan’s parents are sailing from Boston to the Bahamas and back to start their retirement, their jaws drop. We’ve missed you, though – big welcome home hugs!
Hi Kara, Now for our next adventure .. be a VAVO & VAVO..💕💋💕
Welcome back home!
But I got to admit, I will miss hearing about all your adventures.
Thanks Leslie for all your support and late night watches… more adventures to come .. just need to figure out what’s next..TBD 😘🤗💕💋💕
Wonderful! So happy for you both. I’m guessing you’re not done yet! Welcome back to Massachusetts! 😍
Hi Nancy, Thanks .. hoping to get together soon with you guys !! 😘