And We Have Lift-Off!

Yes, it actually happened. The Lady Cliff hit the water on Friday and is, in fact, now a river tested boat. I had blind faith that it would actually happen, all objective evidence to the contrary, although Mr. Sweetie kept saying that it wouldn't happen until spring--probably to keep himself from being disappointed if it DID take until spring.

The gas lines got replaced and the seacocks got maintained, and she was lifted off her blocks and put in the water late afternoon Friday. I, of course, had about ten thousand things to do on Friday afternoon, and couldn't get to the marina until about 8 p.m.--having spent hours and hours ferrying the kidlets to their various music lessons and overnights. By then, it was fully dark, and we decided we didn't really need to move the boat to her slip until the next morning. Sure, we may have been over-cautious, but since I hadn't brought a blindfold, it wouldn't have been COMPLETELY DARK YET.

OF COURSE WE DIDN'T MOVE HER IN THE DARK! But, as it was our anniversary, we bought champagne and exotic cheeses and elegant crackers and gooey chocolate desserts and had dinner in the best restaurant in town. Lady Cliff was moored at the dock where she was put into the water, and so as we listened to jazz and ate, she rocked gently on the currents. The lights in the salon are warmly yellow, and make the African mahogany brightwork glow.

Poor Mr. Sweetie was like a kid on Christmas Eve, he was so excited about getting to go cruising in His Own Boat. Literally. He basically woke up at 3:30 in the morning and could not go back to sleep. At least he didn't come stare at me, willing me to wake up--a technique that has been attempted on Christmases past.

And she drives beautifully. Cap'n Sweetie piloted her out onto the river with just the two of us onboard, and we sauntered upstream a bit. The fall colors were at their peak this weekend, and Saturday was a gorgeous sunny day. After retrieving and kidlets and inviting the Evil Grandparents (JoMama and Poppa), we went out again. And again that evening. And with some other friends on Sunday. Which was gray and cold, but still wonderful and exciting and definitely NOT ENOUGH BOATING.