Maiden Voyage

Rob went to Superior, Wisconsin on the 25th, to sit on the dock and "soak in" the ambience of the boat and the marina.  He wanted to be present for the boat inspection bright and early Monday morning.  The surveyor did a thorough job, found a few minor things that are easily fixable but gave Rob room to negotiate another grand off the asking price (we got a STEAL), and ba-da-boom.  The boat was ours!

On Tuesday, I took brothers Jim and Greg Spence to Superior to be the boat delivery crew.  These two were invaluable.  Their combined sailing expertise was so much appreciated!  They gave Rob a down and dirty crash course on the boat, and we owe them a huge debt!!  The sail from Superior to Ontonogan took three days, and then I traded the Spence's out for the last leg of the journey to Portage Lake.  The seas were angry that day, my friends.  Four to six foot swells, and I spent much of my time supine with eyes closed, or head over the railing.  I have not yet mastered sea sickness, but am actively working on that!  The first three hours of the trip were pretty grueling, but the last several, once the lake calmed herself down... were lovely.  We motored the whole way, because I was in no state to be of assistance as crew, unfortunately.  But once we got into the canal and smooth water, sliding under the lift bridge at sunset?  AHHHHHHHHHH.  THIS is why I wanted a sail boat!!  So lovely!!

Their route through the Apostle Islands was reportedly gorgeous!

A champagne toast celebrating a successful trip!

Da Girls

Reagan and her friends went bowling, and then joined me at the Rosza to watch Gordon Ramsay's UP Premiere of his "Uncharted" episode.  It was fun seeing the Yoop on the big screen.  

They were spelling "LOVE" in silhouette.  See it?

 

Forever Friends

 

Chase

 We are going to miss this kid terribly.  He was such a part of our family, such a good friend to our boys.  Our hearts break for his parents and brother.  We don't understand much about the whys or hows, and it has left us reeling.  Godspeed, Chase.  

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
~Amen~

He left his sandals in our kitchen, and I can't bring myself to move them.  Rob and I have decided that we'll just have to leave them there forever.  

Canal Run

 So, we didn't RUN the canal run.  We walked... at a super duper fast pace (14' miles!  That's fast for me!), and came in 2nd and 3rd for our age category!  Go us!  It was fun just to get out and be active, and feel a part of the community.  It's been much too long since we've been able to participate in community events like this, and it just felt so nice and normal.  

Rip Fest

 These kids spent a whole week at Rip Fest diving camp in Arcadia Indiana, listening to the 2021 Team USA Diving coach before he heads off to Tokyo for the Olympics, and getting some in depth training from the best of the best. A current Ripfest member is actually ON the Olympic Diving team as well!  They are super pumped!