After more than 20 years of mental planning and 6 months of preparation, reality hit us at warp speed. Mike's dream to cruise "The Great Loop" was in sight. Talk was finally on the road to become a reality. I had bought into this plan at a much later time, unable at first to imagine it while I was still chasing our kids. Over the last 5 yr., Mike's plan began to grow on me too!
We purchased our 2003 360 Carver Sport Sedan in January, making weekly visits to her as she sat on the showroom floor. (Thank You!, Adam @ North Shore in Spring Lake, MI). We made our maiden voyage on our (yet to be christened) new boat. Mike and I brought her around the "mitten" with the aid of our friends, Bud and Janie Bender. It was a high speed adventure that took us 4 days. We encountered a few delays...6 ft. waves in Lake Huron, no fuel in Alpena and what we feared was a transmission problem in Harrisville. Luckily our engineer, Bud and Mike deduced the problem and for the cost of an 11 cent cotter pin we were off again. The staff at Harrisville Marina was very accommodating. We entered our home port in Bay City, MI with sirens and water cannons produced by our dock mates, the infamous A Dockers. It felt like it was fleet week in N.Y. harbor!
We had also listed our house in May and had an offer that same day, (Thank You!, Melissa @ Century 21). With our contents donated or sold, we were out in 6 wks! Mike and I moved aboard the "Irish Attitude", making her our new home. As our friends noted, we were houseless not homeless. As the saying goes, "Home is where your heart is". Friends were not left behind as we will keep them with us always.
We resided at Liberty Harbor Municipal Marina in Bay City, MI (our 8th yr.) while we finished work and prepared for an August departure date. By August we were car-less a more difficult reality for Mike to face than selling our house. Mike had not been without a vehicle since he was 16!
Our good friends, Sandy and Del would not allow us to embark on our adventure without a proper christening for the Irish Attitude. Is anyone up for a party? CAUTION: This event could take months to plan and days to complete! Participants must have hardy souls! Of course others assisted in the planning... Janie, Jill, Annie. First the boat had to be purified of the previous name. After a 24 hr. waiting period she was ready to be christened. But first, keeping with A dock tradition... We Must Eat! The gang surprised Mike and I with a Bon voyage party!
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| "A" Dock always does it up right! |
