We depart from our Stock Island life of five years on the 23rd June, 2022. We were only three weeks late in leaving and could have remained much longer getting everything in order, mostly because we knew we were leaving something good.
At 1045am we pick up our jandals off the dock, retrieve our lines and disconnect ourselves from the beautiful industrial pile of coral rock that became our home. Goodbyes were quick. I don’t think I had time to process – in that moment or the weeks prior. It especially didn’t help when Ben yells to start hauling the main halyard just as we’re waving goodbye to our friends and any ounce of emotion beginning to rise to the surface quickly dissipates. I think I’m feeling it now as I write these words.
Travis, Joanne and Karen follow us out on a skiff to take pictures and have our final goodbyes before they turn around and head back into Safe Harbour. Winds were light and as we turned east along the reef, any apparent wind died all together. We motored along the Florida Keys in the deep blue inviting waters. I couldn’t believe we were actually leaving! Before the evening departed, we stopped the boat and jumped into the blissful waters, naked as can be and symbolising a new beginning.
We knew the first 24 hours would be a motor. Despite our egos, it was important that we actually left. The night came and went with bright, supersize cruise ships passing along the horizon. As the sun began to rise a breeze came in as did the Gulf Stream so the sails came out and we were flying past Miami. I baked cookies and we had our first mahimahi on the hand line, although lost it while picking it up (note: need gaff). It was such a surreal day, and to have such great sailing wing-on-wing at 9 knots, our spirits were high – we took it all in.
The following evening a front came through and we were now beating into 20kts on the nose. The system appeared insignificant on the forecast, however, a northerly paired with the Gulf Stream makes for an uncomfortable sea of current against wind. We came off a bit with the stays’l and reefed main until more manageable conditions were met and we were out of the stream. The sea began to ease but after three days we decided to head 48 nm northwest for Charleston, South Carolina to rest and recalibrate. Aiming to get up river before dark, we would dance from squall to squall catching its energy and to give Caprivi a nice rinse. Dolphins kindly notified us before each system was about to hit.
We put down our anchor on the Ashley River at 2045 and rested for days.
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The months leading up to our departure were a dream. Although we worked 12 hour days, we were well aware of our circumstances. Ben retired from working on April 2nd for the second time in his life, I remained at it a little longer and we now had two months to finish getting Caprivi ready. During this time, and for the past few years, we’ve had the wholesome support from Karen and Jimmy Wray of Key West Woodworks. They have been a tremendous mainstay in our visions for Caprivi, both physically and spiritually, and we would like to point this out.
During the years, Ben helped Jimmy maintain his wood shop equipment and sawmill across the street in the mangroves, and he would in turn provide us with wood for our interior build. He, along with Tommy Mann, would also be an invaluable resource for the woodworking skills that Ben would acquire to complete our projects. This aspect was also assisted by the fact that both parties needed pet sitters during the summertime, which meant Caprivi could become a project zone and we would be entrusted with their wood shops by which they make their living. Each time Ben and I would ensure the shop came back a little shinier and a little cleaner.
I hope to take a look back at the projects we have completed and document them somehow. We have been fortunate enough to be able to get creative with the available resources, whether materials were saved from the dumpster, or trees downed from previous hurricanes. We know we had the opportunities beyond what one could ask, and as it were we had the shop once more for Caprivi’s final fitting.
Our projects that Jimmy, Karen and Tommy have helped us with include the following; our Jamaican dogwood settee table from hurricane Irma; cuban mahogany for our doorways and bosuns locker; our teak for the companionway and cockpit table; the space and tools to complete our walnut and black tiger oak month long cabin sole job; our black wenge v-berth shelving; the space to complete our hard dodger; our corian galley countertops material; our three teak doors that Jimmy saved from being thrown away three years prior; settee trim; space to finish sewing projects; utilisation of the shop for our last two months (HUGE!), and last but not least our wild tamarind pantry, v-berth drawers and extensive cabinetry. I finally get cabinets which you can put things in!
Some pictures of dock life
There is much more to these humans but most significant would be their friendship and companionship. Thank you for everything! COOL ME DOWN.
It is also thanks to Travis and Joanne on SV Calico Jack who we met almost a decade ago in the South Pacific ocean, and kept on meeting in multiple countries thereafter. They are our see-ya later friends. As it happened, it was a few years later Travis put the good word in for Ben’s first gig in Key West, and we flew across the Atlantic Ocean to work for a winter almost five years ago. They failed to tell us it would be a place difficult to leave! They did, however, welcome us into their town and community and for that and their friendship, we are forever grateful.
We never thought of Key West – specifically Stock Island – as our home and always knew we would be leaving, however that’s what it became. We celebrate it, and dock life with our chosen family; our frequent meals and musings together; the warmth and sunshine; the flora; swims in the harbour; winter fires (when in the sixties); communal living, the outdoor living; the industriousness; trying to grow things between two coconut trees; jazzy and the marina cats; the chickens; the commute; collard greens; Harbor Marine Electric; happy hour at T-Mann’s; the skilled opportunities; life on the water; coparenting three chickens; the codependency; the island life but most importantly it has always been the people – he tangata.
During our final two months as we get to take care of Jazzy dog once more, it was fitting that Ben’s folks came down to help us finish up. We had Caprivi right outside the shop doors, as well as our storage, workshop and temporary house all in one location. Mike was of immense help with the tasks Ben had for him. What was most enjoyable was to share a little our island life with Mike and Brenda, and I think they enjoyed it too. Thank you always for your unwavering support, foundation and happiness in our decisions.
We also know that good things come to an end, and we’ve only got so much time so we must get going.
BEAUTIFUL Tribute! He tangata !
Glad your blogging, Me next? We’ll seeeeee
He aha te mea nui o te ao
What is the most important thing in the world?
He tangata, he tangata, he tangata
It is the people, it is the people, it is the people
Maori proverb
Love it
Do it, why not? Would love to read your musings! And thank YOU!!!!
I love reading your posts. I’m so happy your guys found this place and community.
My old marina and boat yard was shutdown and is now condominiums but I have the rest memories of the people and the work we did and the manatees in the harbor.
Thanks Kara! it’s all about the journey isn’t it! Hope you are well. jade/ben