Blog Break

It's been a while since our last update because we've been soooooo busy. Arriving in Grenada was like coming home. There were lots of friends to say hello to. That first week was a series of happy hours to catch up on each others lives since we last saw each other and a few farewells as good friends headed off in new directions. Scott & Sue on "Enee Marie" headed back to Chicago for 16 months to work and to be there for the birth of their first granddaughter. Lynn & Randy on "High States" headed west to Bonaire. It's one of the hard parts of the cruising life. You make great friends but eventually everyone moves on.

We decided to make a trip back to Milwaukee, WI to visit family and friends. We've been cruising for 3 years and Jim has never been back for a visit. I made a quick trip in April 2008. Leaving meant finding a safe place for Merengue while we're gone. The boatyards in Grenada were already full by the time we decided to take our trip so hauling out was not an option. We ended up putting Merengue in a marina in a protected bay while we're gone. We stripped off all the canvas and sails in case a storm comes through. Getting a boat ready to leave for 5 weeks turned out to be a lot of work. It felt like the winterizing we had to do each fall in Milwaukee. You can't just lock the door and leave like you do with a house. There are several other boats in the marina and the owners all said they'd keep an eye on our boat. And of course we've been checking the weather each day and watching the storms moving through the Caribbean. So far Grenada has been safe.

We're having a great time in Milwaukee spending time with family and friends and enjoying all the summertime events this city has to offer. So we won't have much time for blog updates. Besides, you read this for the sailing and sightseeing, not to see Jim and I eating cream puffs at the State Fair, cheering the Brewer's on at Miller Park or dancing at Irish Fest. We'll resume blogging when we return to Grenada in mid-September. See you then!