Our New Basic Need … WEATHER!
We recall the day not too long ago when are basic needs were simple – food, shelter and clothing. Oh, how things have changed!
When we crawl out of bed in the morning the very first thing we do – long before coffee, long before thoughts of breakfast, long before checking email – is to check current and forecasted weather. We have more weather apps on our phones than any other category. Heck, I have an entire iPhone page with nothing but weather apps! Life on Dejarlo revolves around weather! It controls almost everything we do, including shopping for food, doing laundry and making decisions about when to run to West Marine to purchase boat supplies.
Since moving aboard Dejarlo back on April 12th, we’ve traveled north up the ICW towards our summer objective a total of 134 miles! It’s taken us 46 days to travel 134 miles! That’s 2.9 miles per day! Are you kidding me! Somebody get me a donkey and I’ll make some real progress up the coast!
Yes, we stayed in Fort Pierce for a month organizing the boat, performing some maintenance and getting to know our new home. But still, we could have been in the Chesapeake by now.
Why? Weather!
Florida has experienced some of the worst weather conditions in decades. It has rained, rained, and then rained some more. And now, to top it all off, comes charging up from the eastern Caribbean, ALBERTO!
Thus, we’re stuck in a Daytona Beach marina for another few days waiting for the wind and rain to subside so that we can head out into the ICW again and continue north.
We try to make the best of it. We went to a great concert on Daytona Beach beach the other night. We attended a minor league baseball game last night (which was rained out then cancelled because the ground crew couldn’t get the tarp on the field due to the torrential downpour and winds), and we walk a lot.
A Jimmy Buffett “Tribute” concert on Daytona Beach beach. No, that’s not the real Jimmy Buffett, but a very close resemblance … and great music!
A minor league game between the Daytona Beach Tortugas and St. Lucie Mets. The rains came in the fifth inning. This is as far as the ground crew could get the tarp onto the field before the weight of the rain water was too much to manage. Everyone just kind of gave up after this and went home. You don’t see something like this at Busch Stadium!
But, rain and gray skies can take their toll on the best of spirits. Jane and I keep each other propped up emotionally (more Jane propping me up than the other way around), and we remind ourselves that this is part of the lifestyle. That is, in spite of the fact that this is a highly unusual weather season.
But why did the mean, ugly weather monster have to come out from under his rock just as Jane and I are starting our cruising dream?!?!?
Ok. I’ve vented. I feel better now. I think I’ll Uber over to West Marine and buy a new starter battery.
Juli Mitchell
What an amazing journey! You said you were going to do it and you did!
Living out your dream! Love that I can see what you are up to! Miss you and love you both!
John & Jane
Thanks, Juli. It took awhile to make it happen, but here we are. Stay in touch.
Randy Watson
Hey John, Glad to hear from you and just wanted to wish you and Jane safe travels. Hope you have an awesome journey and hope that we can meet up with you sometime along your way.
John & Jane
Thanks, Randy. I’d love to get together with everyone again soon. We’ll be coming back to St. Louis ever so often to visit with friends and family. We’ll figure something out for getting together. It’s good to hear from you and Genny.
Cathy Schlichtemier Adams
Hi guys.
May in Florida?
All I can say is last May in Naples I felt like I lived in the Vietnam jungles. Weeks and weeks of downpours with little let up.
You are pretty north by now though.
And on your way out of the mess which is hitting Nashville and west with, they say, 2 1/2 Inches tomorrow.
But I’m not on a sailboat!
Hang in there.
Liked your pictures!
Jane
Thanks, sister!
Diane
Hello! Thank you so much for sharing your stories! Farmer Randy could definitely sympathize with you on weather problems! A radar app is the only app Randy has on his new Samsung phone. Growing up on a farm, our meal time family conversations were always interrupted when we had to listen to the weather forecast on the tv or radio news. Farming is all about weather! Its the one thing we have no control over.
I’m really enjoying your travels and Miranda’s. Didn’t know if you knew she’s been traveling South Pacific, Asian and soon European countries since February. She plans to come home late August. Randy and I will travel to Alaska last week of July. Our world is such an interesting place!
Prayers for beautiful weather and safe travels. I look forward to more of your adventures!
Diane
John & Jane
Cool traveling news about three Singler’s! Yep, no weather control…
Sister Mickey
Try sending us a bit of your rain. It’s hotter’n you-know-where here and the humidity is right up there but no rain. Be patient, Grasshoppers, the weather will change and so will your spirits. You’ve worked so hard for this.
Jane
One Grasshopper’s doing better than the other…Thanks for the encouragement, really.
Marlene
I wondered how the weather would be affecting you on the boat. Sorry for your delay, but , cheer up, “the sun’ll come up tomorrow, tomorrow”.
Happy sailing. Love the blogs.
John & Jane
Thanks, Marlene. The sun isn’t out this morning, but our spirits are improved.
Jan & David
Hi John & Jane! Congrats on your new lifestyle. And yes, unfortunately you’ve discovered early on that weather now rules your lives. But don’t believe the locals who always tell you — “I just don’t get it, the weather is NEVER like this” — uh huh … hot, cold, too windy, no wind, too much rain, too little rain … we’ve heard it every year, everywhere we travel.
And the wind will always be on the nose, no matter the forecast. I cannot figure out how mother nature knows which direction our bow will be pointing!
But in spite of weather, cruising is an amazing adventure! Relax, enjoy, Alberto too will pass. We’re enjoying reading your posts – keep ’em coming! Cheers! Jan & David
John & Jane
Yeah, I guess I fell asleep during the lecture on patience over at old Mattoon High School. Gratefully, I woke up this morning with a renewed spirit. We’ll just make the best of it. I need to put in a new starter battery. This seems like a good time.
We really appreciate your kind comments and encouragement.
Brother Bob
Just stick with it. The fun will come. You have to have a few twists and turns to enjoy. When we were leaving Rockport we couldn’t get our water tank to take on water so came on to WI without water. We will get it fixed the next trip will be fun. Keep in touch!! Love you 2
Tom Lehnen
Patience🍷
Remember, It’s all a dream👀
Sandi
Oh, no – so sad and frustrating. Wish I had some words of infinite wisdom to make waiting bearable. Sending positive thoughts to speed you on the way.