Uploaded June 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
There is no time out when things go bad while cruising. Even at anchor. And sometimes you can't even rely on that!
My anchor had given me plenty of warnings that it was not to be trusted and I was often looked at like I was a worry wart. Although it held through the high winds on day one at Cumberland Island, the second day here left me with my guard down and, well, I don't wanna say, 'I told ya so', but...
Thank goodness the tide was incoming when Kon Tiki decided to go walk-about. It could've been much worse and way more expensive.
And on top of that, my black lab, Bayard had decided earlier to get sick and soil almost every inch of the boat. He resisted with every fiber the big, grassy yard I put on the forward deck until all other places had been exhausted. Every hour, on the hour, his body was rejecting some evil. Poor fella; I know it wasn't his fault, but I began feeling guilty, for us all being so far away from a vet, or even a quick place to walk. I wondered in the middle of the night, 'What did I get you into?'
I understand, the challenge of caring for the dogs was only on me. Not on Mike. But every day the weight grew. Finding dog friendly anchorages. Getting them to shore for walks. Making time for play and exercise. I got very little help. It felt unfair. Then when Bay got ill, I really questioned my decisions. However, I must say, Mike did drive us back to Jacksonville so he could get him looked at. It was five days after Bay's first symptoms. Vets were hard to find. Luckily, Bay's s#*t storm was passing when we eventually got to one.
To anyone thinking I am ungrateful, I realize Mike also pushed Kon Tiki off the sand bar when she was aground. But I couldn't help wondering, would I have left my boat in a spot I didn't trust if I was alone? Or if I was with someone more cautious?
We left Cumberland with no permanent harm done. And we actually had some fun despite the challenges. That State park is arguably one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. And I've been to Hawaii! And we also got to hang out with some wonderful people that we had met earlier on the trip. (thanks to Chris and Fawn for the cool hat!)
Nonetheless, I left this place with a nagging feeling that I had to pay more attention to my gut in the future.
The dogs. My boat. My HOME! Everything, was at stake. It was a lot to put on the line for just a road trip. Even one as great as the Loop.
--
Follow Marty on:
Facebook - facebook.com/lovekayak.fishing
There is no time out when things go bad while cruising. Even at anchor. And sometimes you can't even rely on that!
My anchor had given me plenty of warnings that it was not to be trusted and I was often looked at like I was a worry wart. Although it held through the high winds on day one at Cumberland Island, the second day here left me with my guard down and, well, I don't wanna say, 'I told ya so', but...
Thank goodness the tide was incoming when Kon Tiki decided to go walk-about. It could've been much worse and way more expensive.
And on top of that, my black lab, Bayard had decided earlier to get sick and soil almost every inch of the boat. He resisted with every fiber the big, grassy yard I put on the forward deck until all other places had been exhausted. Every hour, on the hour, his body was rejecting some evil. Poor fella; I know it wasn't his fault, but I began feeling guilty, for us all being so far away from a vet, or even a quick place to walk. I wondered in the middle of the night, 'What did I get you into?'
I understand, the challenge of caring for the dogs was only on me. Not on Mike. But every day the weight grew. Finding dog friendly anchorages. Getting them to shore for walks. Making time for play and exercise. I got very little help. It felt unfair. Then when Bay got ill, I really questioned my decisions. However, I must say, Mike did drive us back to Jacksonville so he could get him looked at. It was five days after Bay's first symptoms. Vets were hard to find. Luckily, Bay's s#*t storm was passing when we eventually got to one.
To anyone thinking I am ungrateful, I realize Mike also pushed Kon Tiki off the sand bar when she was aground. But I couldn't help wondering, would I have left my boat in a spot I didn't trust if I was alone? Or if I was with someone more cautious?
We left Cumberland with no permanent harm done. And we actually had some fun despite the challenges. That State park is arguably one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. And I've been to Hawaii! And we also got to hang out with some wonderful people that we had met earlier on the trip. (thanks to Chris and Fawn for the cool hat!)
Nonetheless, I left this place with a nagging feeling that I had to pay more attention to my gut in the future.
The dogs. My boat. My HOME! Everything, was at stake. It was a lot to put on the line for just a road trip. Even one as great as the Loop.
--
Follow Marty on:
Facebook - facebook.com/lovekayak.fishing
