Lexi Learns to Swim

During the summer, Lexi left behind all fears and anxieties in her sure determination to not only swim, but join a swim team. We're not sure if she made the high school cut, but she did master the finny arts.

How did we do that!!!

Our many travels to family and friends have brought our odometer to over 206,000 miles. This feat would not have been possible without the support of Scott and Don Hull of Excel Auto Sales in Grand Rapids, MI. Since purchasing the Sunfire in May of 2006, we have put on an additional 20,000 miles. A car running repeated cross country marathons needs occasional repairs, and Scott and Don have treated us like family. They have taken care of all the work, with remarkably minimal charges for parts and labor. Several repairs have been at no charge whatsoever.
If you are looking for a good used car in the Grand Rapids area (actually, anywhere in the Midwest), we highly recommend Excel. Click on the link below to visit their web site. Thank you Scott and Don for taking care of us.
Excel Auto Sales Web Page

Where have we been?

We have been traveling around the Eastern and Midwestern US for the last 3 months. This map shows our route while covering over 6,700 miles. Add this to our 13,000 mile Alaska trip and we have driven close to 20,000 miles since leaving Amante in May. We are looking forward to getting back to the boat soon, if only to get some work done. Still anticipating our daughter Alessia's upcoming delivery, our next grandchild.

At the helm

Here's Vinnie at the helm of the big rig. Getting ready to leave Atlanta for our trip to Alaska. We will not be updating this blog, but we are starting another. You can keep track of our adventure at:

http://bubbah.blogspot.com

Where's the boat?

We have just returned to Atlanta where our latest craziness proceeds. This monstrous creature is the 34 foot 1994 RV which we have purchased with Maria's parents for a road trip to Alaska. It will take several months for us to make the five thousand plus mile trip to Alaska, tour the wonders, and get ourselves back. The "Big Rig", as Vinnie calls it (or "Bubba" as it is affectionately named by Maria's parents) is in good shape and we are getting ready to rumble down the road. Watch out.

In Sandra's backyard

We celebrated with family during a short visit in Grand Rapids. This photo was taken during a family dinner. Alessia and Jim are holding their youngest niece, but they look like they are parenthood ready...

Always thinking

A week is a long time for Norah who makes leaping progress, but very short for us. By the time we left it was clear that the world may be blessed with another philosophy major and deep thinker.

A miracle, we're grandparents

We've changed too. Norah has brought us to the glorious world of grand parenting.

Chiara, James and Norah

Not only did Norah develop before our eyes, we watched Chiara and James change too. Their expressions of fatigue eased and they became more and more the masters of bath time, meals, and baby comforting. Years ago we had a glimpse of their parenting talent when they nurtured us, the feckless, during our visit to China. They translated, guided, and reassured us; an experience which should be helpful when Norah enters kindergarten.

Norah Claire Hemsley

Everyday, Norah seemed more alert and aware. She began to focus on faces and responded with more varied expressions and sounds. Soon she was clearly expressing her insight and humor, but in a language we could not understand.

Bundle of Norah

Chiara and James gave birth to Norah Claire Hemsley on May 31. She holds a mystery, she is the oldest child and a younger sister. We drove to Iowa city to welcome her a week after her birth and a little over a year since the death of her brother Samuel. At first she was a sleeping, hiccuping, wiggling package, but she quickly showed new talents.

Family Migration

We left Atlanta and had short but wonderful visits with family in DC and Virginia. Heading back south we drove down the Skyline drive and hiked through some beautiful country.

Vinnie meets Sacred Harp

During our first visit in Atlanta we went to a small town in north Georgia, near the Alabama border. At the Holly Springs Primitive Baptist Church Vinnie was introduced to Sacred Harp at an all day sing. Those who love the music find it moving and stirring. Unfortunately, some are distressed by its resemblance to loud hollering with disturbing dissonance. It can be a long 6 and a half hours and still dazed, Vinnie is not looking for a repeat performance.

Land Locked

In a fast 4 days of travel we raced just ahead of the heavy weather that would keep other boaters trapped in the Bahama's for weeks. Strong winds and 12 foot seas provided an energetic sail back to Florida on only a scrap of jib. After settling the boat on jacks in the boat yard, we began our rounds of visits, driving to Atlanta, then Maryland, then Virginia, then Atlanta, then Iowa, then Michigan, and then back to Atlanta.

Turning 180 degrees at the ocean hole

We arrived at Rock Sound for our first, and probably last, visit to Eleuthra. We located several of its prime attractions, the ocean hole pictured here and a liquor store. The store's owner let us hook into his wireless Internet for free and we sat in the grass by the sidewalk. Like most places in the Bahamas, people in the passing crowds stopped to greet us. We emailed everyone that we would return to the states in 3 - 4 weeks. Walking back, however, we realized that life was waiting for us on the other side of the stream and it was time to head home. We organized, pulled up anchor, and staged ourselves for the long trip back.

Boat Life

Thanks to Cecca and Becca we have a picture of us together in our usual outfits and hair styles. May we still come home?

Harbor excitement

Still moving north and looking for protection, we anchored in a tiny harbor with a 150 foot steel cargo ship on the dock. On shore Vinnie met a very friendly and exuberant crew from the boat. The man was disappointed to hear that we did not have "cold" or "beer" on the boat but he continued exchange pleasantries across the harbor. He would start by shrieking "Vinnie, Vinnie, Vinnie", a very apt copy of Maria's own cry of distress in a code red crisis. Mostly he was wishing us a good night or sharing personal insights, "Respect your wife." Later in the day the boat was repositioned just 35 feet off our stern but the crew assured us that we were not in their way and that they would stay the night. Suddenly at dusk came the shrill call "Vinnie, Vinnie, Vinnie, we are leaving in 45 min." About an hour later, "Vinnie, Vinnie, Vinnie, we don't want to hurt your boat". We had a spot light on deck, rigging lights on, the boat pulled off to the side, and engine running. It was good that we were prepared because they maneuvered past us in deep darkness with only a flashlight on the bow and continuous yelling on all sides. Glad they did not leave at 3:00am.

Patience

When we walked away, he was still on the beach and waiting for his next volunteer.

The many talents of Labradors

On a long and lovely beach further north on Cat Island we saw a Labrador doing what Labradors do best, retrieving. When his designated thrower wandered off, we decided to pitch a few but found that there were no sticks on the beach. Not to worry, the Labrador had his own rock and was an accomplished free diver.

Father Jerome

The last church Father Jerome built, Holy Redeemer, is still an active parish in New Bight and we attended their Annual fair and Hoop la on Saturday. Vinnie got some great ribs and we met Deacon Rolle who served as an alter boy for Father Jerome. Deacon Rolle told us about Father Jerome and showed us this picture of him which is kept in the church.