Locked in what seemed like a never ending Winter nightmare, our boat sat upon its cradle, ice and snow hung from her stanchions and rigging, drifts of snow blanketed her pad. The lake and everything around it was covered with craggy ice. It had only been a few weeks since Winter began, but with the polar vortex dipping into our region, we were living in conditions not usually seen outside of Canada.
For a sailor its pretty depressive, so depressive in fact, I only visited Aquilon one time this past winter. Usually, I visit every couple of weeks and do a few small projects or just sit in the cockpit and dream of sailing. But when it seemed it would never end, suddenly the air was fresh again and the sun began to feel warm on my skin. We have had a week or two of warmer weather, so I am confidant that Spring has finally joined the party. I checked on Aquilon a week ago and was pleased to find that she survived the harsh winter with only a few minor areas where the varnish wore away. Inside she was fresh smelling and dry and only needed a light dusting.
In the next few weeks I will replace the diesel fuel, change the filters and if there is enough water in the lake, get her launched. Over the winter I had her roller head sail repaired and a new UV cover added to match the new mainsail cover and Bimini cover. I don't have any major plans for the boat this season though, I just want to relax and enjoy the quiet solitude of a sailboat underway and spend the night at anchor and few times, (which we haven't done yet), and try to imagine how life will be during our retirement.
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