Bittersweet

It's hard to believe we've been home over a month already. Getting home during the second week of May this year reminded us that early Spring up here can be beautiful. I love not missing the May wildflowers.

We left Fort Pierce and went offshore all the way to Charleston. During that trip we had two unusual visitors, a Blue Grosbeak and a huge dragonfly! (See photos). Also during that trip Dave had the revelation that now is the time for us to switch from sail to power. We're not getting any younger and we're not ready to give up this lifestyle. So our search began, knowing generally what we wanted.

We spent several nice days in Charleston, always a favorite destination. From there we went offshore to Beaufort, NC where weather kept us for a week. Beaufort is a great place to "get stuck!" While walking in town one day we saw a Back Cove 37, exactly the boat we were leaning towards. The owners were gracious enough to invite 2 complete strangers (us) aboard for a tour. Our visit confirmed our conviction to find the same model and we made plans to stop and look at one in MA on our way north.

Seeing very few on the market and watching a couple go under contract while we were looking, we knew we might have to act fast. We made a non stop trip from the Little Alligator River in NC to South Dartmouth, MA (3 overnights!) in order to get a jump on the one we saw there. It had the lowest engine hours of any we were watching. We put it under contract and, exhausted but present for the survey, we left for home in Cay Paraiso with a new (to us) boat waiting to be picked up.

The remainder of the trip home went smoothly but it was a little bittersweet as we turned into the Sheepscot River, knowing that this would be our final trip home with Cay Paraiso. She has taken great care of us and we will miss her. We are in the process of spiffying her up and hope she finds new owners who appreciate her as much as we do...♥️Read more