Hi all. We hope this finds you all safe, healthy and happy.

When we last chatted (5/3) we were in St. Augustine, Florida sorting and packing all the stuff we brought on the boat that we really didn’t need. On Monday (5/4) morning we departed to Fernandina Beach Marina, arriving around 2:30, after of seven hours of travel. As we approached the marina, we noticed a couple of mega yachts docked on the end tie. One was Big Eagle, which is captained by our friend, from San Diego, Christiana. Big Eagle is a 172-foot luxury yacht which travels the world. Wow, she is here in the same marina where we will be- in Fernandina Beach, on Florida’s Amelia Island – small world! We called on the VHF to try to reach Christiana but were unsuccessful. The dockmaster told us the crew had been quarantined on the yacht for the past 30 days and this was the first day they could disembark. We think she was probably very eager to get away for a few days so unfortunately, we never connected. Darn!

Fernandina Beach is a lovely town with lots of upscale shops and restaurants. We arrived on the first day of phase one reopening on a limited basis since the Covid-19 breakout. We enjoyed a great lunch on the patio at the marina restaurant. Everyone seemed excited to be out and enjoying the possibility of getting back to some sort of normal. We enjoyed our two-day stay and will stop here again on our way back.

On Wednesday (5/6) morning we released our lines and headed to St. Mary’s Boat Services in St. Mary’s, Georgia where Scout will go on the hard.

We arrived about 09:00 but had trouble reaching anyone at the yard either on the VHF, phone, text or email so we drifted around trying to avoid the shallow spots until, Jeff, who lives on his end tie moored motor yacht, motioned us to side tie to him. Michael found Rocky, the boatyard owner, and by noon Scout was hauled and gently set on her cradle. We enjoyed watching the boat yard kid playing in the yard as we worked getting Scout ready to leave.

I went to Enterprise, picked up our huge Ford Expedition, brought it back, and started filling her up with “stuff”. Thursday (5/7) was spent cleaning and preparing Scout to be left alone for a few months (sob, sob, sniff, sniff). On Friday (5/8) we finally finished making sure Scout and Scout-About were secure and safe. We finally left them (sob, sob, sniff, sniff) at about 10:30. We were on such a mission to get on the road that we didn’t spend any time with our dear friend, Jim Bell, who now lives in St. Mary’s. On our way back, Jim.

The next six days were spent in our Expedition, filled to the hilt, driving cross country toward Bend Oregon. Our first stop was Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Then on Saturday (5/9) we arrived in Dallas, Texas where we spent two glorious days with Richard and Michelle Bythewood, Michael’s brother and sister-in law. We left them (sob, sob, sniff, sniff) on Monday (5/11) morning for a long and boring ten-hour drive to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Tuesday (5/12) up at 5:00 and on the road by 6:30, after fueling and Starbucks. Another ten-hour day to Salt Lake City. Up at 5:00 on Wednesday (5/13) and on the road again by 6:30 and after another ten-hour drive we arrived at our home (Paddle House) in Bend, Oregon at 3:30. Happy to be home!

Thursday (5/14) woke up about 5:30 to a gorgeous day. The apple tree off our patio was in full bloom and the weather was brisk (40ish). Went for a walk-about in town which required a jacket and gloves. It was hard to tell what was open and what was not at that time of the morning. Friday (5/15) it was announced that Phase one opening will begin so Bend is slowly coming back to the new normal. Yay!

Now in Bend, we are spending time doing lots and lots of home projects, such as painting the exterior – a huge project – which reminds me of the saying – how do you eat an elephant – one bite at a time, repairing steps, landscaping projects, rebuilding the front porch, adding additional kitchen cabinets, replacing a kitchen window, to name a few. Whew! Hopefully, we will also get to enjoy the beautiful community of Bend. Come see us. Promise we won’t put you to work😊

Will keep you posted…..

---