Our first solo sail ... on Lake Pontchartrain, 2010
Five years ago today, I turned 43. Five years ago tonight, we saw our sailboat for the first time and made an offer on her ... what a birthday present!
I'd found her on Craigslist that morning, and knew she wouldn't last long. I told Ken that all I wanted for my birthday was a trip to New Orleans to see her. After work, we picked up our friend, Ted, and headed to New Orleans. Ted's been living on his sailboat for years, and we wanted him to come along to give his opinion. I knew I was gonna want this boat!
After the deal was made, we celebrated at Margaritaville in the French Quarter. It seemed the perfect place for birthday/sailboat purchase celebration.
Ken and Hudson, the guy who sold us the boat, sailed the boat from the South shore of Lake Pontchartrain to the Northshore, where our house was. I don't think Hudson planned on sailing that day, but we'd never sailed before! I drove Ken to New Orleans to sail the boat home, and drove back to Slidell to meet him and Hudson. Below (and above) are pics of our first sail on our own. Our friend, Ted, took these pictures from his sailboat. We weren't going on the lake without nearby support, but we survived and had a great day.
I can't believe five years have already gone by since we purchased Nirvana. Since then we've changed her name, fixed a bunch of blisters, painted her hull & bottom, replaced the ports, renovated the hatches, soaked & cleaned the heat exchanger ... and all sorts of other fun things. Notice the peeling & dull paint job in the pictures ... she's come a long way.
Six week haul-out in April, 2010
We've got a lot of plans this coming year for Nirvana. The electrical and plumbing systems need some attention, and we need to add some things for cruising. It's gonna be another crazy year!
Hasta luego ... until then. Mid-Life Cruising!
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3 comments:
Happy birthday and congratulations on five years of ownership. Hope the next five years the fun to work ratio is a lot higher!
We live aboard our boat full time and have been slowly sailing around the world so the lists of jobs to do and items to maintain become endless.
You bought your boat at the same time as us so I too still remember that feeling of seeing her for the first time and knowing she was right.
Have fun and fair winds. There is a wonderful world out here to see.
www.cygnus3.com
Interesting story .... with wonderful boat. I enjoy seeing beautiful pictures. thanks
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