Today, at precisely noon, the cheerful "ding" announcing an incoming text signaled the on-time arrival of the daily, remote system status report from Let's Dance. It read:
R Unit=OK
Water=OK
Motion=Dis
Sound=Dis
AC/DC=12.0V
Batt=OK
Boat Temp=85.5
The Boat Nanny, our most reliable correspondent in all things boat-related, phones it in every single day from the pilothouse. She is our eyes and ears when we are not aboard --- if the interior temperature reads too high, if unauthorized motion is detected in the salon, if water rises precipitously in the bilge -- she is there to send the report. Always.
So it has been especially poignant these last two weeks to receive her daily text and read her exacting reports knowing that Let's Dance, the Love Me Tender and even the Boat Nanny are no longer under the capable command of Captain Bill.
It's true! Let's Dance has been sold! The daily reports on her systems from the Boat Nanny, once so comforting in their terse simplicity, now seem like a cry for help. Is she lonely? Does she miss us? Is the Love Me Tender safely stowed on the upper aft deck or thoughtlessly tethered to the stern? What about the wayward stabilizers? The pesky generator? The faithful Lugger engine? So many unanswered questions.........so many wonderful memories!
We bought our ocean-capable Nordhavn trawler on Bill's 62nd birthday, christened her "Let's Dance", and began an extended journey of adventure and self-discovery that lasted for six amazing years. We sold her just after Bill turned 68 in May. Bittersweet? Absolutely! But, as with all good things.........
How long will we be able to eavesdrop on Let's Dance through the Boat Nanny? A sweet daily reminder of voyages taken, challenges met, possibilities realized? That depends, of course. Her new owner could end it anytime by simply pulling her plug. No power, no reports. He could sail her out of cell phone range. He could re-program her! There will come a day when the familiar data "ding" alert signaling an incoming text fails to sound at noon.
But we are OK! Captain Bill and I can now be found safely ashore in the lowcountry. Our new coordinates are 32 46' 31" N, 79 55' 57" W. (Some would say 96 King Street, Charleston, SC 29401.) Our new house was built by an immigrant French Huguenot clockmaker in 1742. I guess that makes it new only to us! We love the house and the city and the community of friends we are building on this little peninsula surrounded by water. And who knows......there could be another boat in our future someday.
Thanks to all of you who sailed along with us on our aquatic adventure, both literally and figuratively.
We loved having you aboard! Thanks, too, for your encouragement, enthusiasm, laughter and
love.
We leave you with a link to access a few images from our years at sea -- pictures of sailors and sunsets, deserted beaches and cloud-shaded seas. "Be our guest, you got nothin' to lose. Won't you let us take you on a sea cruise?"
We leave you with a link to access a few images from our years at sea -- pictures of sailors and sunsets, deserted beaches and cloud-shaded seas. "Be our guest, you got nothin' to lose. Won't you let us take you on a sea cruise?"
Let's Dance Carol and Bill
