We can’t stay away for long. The bigger the body the better. We just returned from a brisk walk in Collingwood, along the shores of Georgian Bay. Water, across which an opposite shore is beyond the horizon.

Bays, oceans, tidal rivers and enormous lakes are an aphrodisiac of sorts. A thrill. Maybe an adventurous addiction? Boy do we miss the ocean!

The pangs are hitting too soon, for our other life left behind just a few months ago. We’d migrated already, to a “foreign” port. I’m not talking just a visit to another political boundary. Whether in port, or outside. Living there in a different culture, as though in another country. Where folks speak “our language” of nautical whims, and understand our concepts and concerns. We’d been residents there for several years now. Since 2019. That’s our home now. We’re homesick.

So to stave off the pangs, off we go, driving down The 400 highway, from our underground garage, sporting our Live Free Or Die tags (more about that below). We arrive at the above ground Pierson International airport garage, go through security and customs with absolutely no waiting. (Very few Canadians are going to the crazy US now.) “Welcome Home” the agent says as he hands our passports back. Hmmm.. little does he know.

We sit on the tarmac awaiting clearance for takeoff. Waiting longer now. Why the wait? The Air Canada pilot explains it’s because the government shutdown has caused many of the air traffic controllers to call in “sick”. We’re a bit anxious and hoping we can get away for the weekend.

Coincidentally we land in Washington DC, home of our dysfunctional government. But this is just a stepping stone, as we zoom off in our Enterprise econocar to Annapolis, to meet friends from home. We can’t wait to get there! Excited! We know the place well and know where to find parking and a wonderful spot for breakfast before all the weekend boaters arrive.

At breakfast, the boat show atmosphere buzz becomes unavoidable. To our left are a couple fifty-somethings, here to secure a family charter next summer. They’re excited about making a good deal. They ask what we’re aiming for and are fascinated by our 60 second explanation. Another couple at a table behind us overhears and contributes their story to the mix.

Of course, while waiting in line at the gate we recognize compatriots walking by, from our “home” (our culture) share quick hellos, and “why are you here?”s.

The day fills out quickly; our list is considerably shorter than past years, from a time when our list focused on components and equipment. This time is different. We’re here to meet and negotiate for a boat. Ironically we only set foot on one boat – only to meet the broker, and not to see the boat. Our boat isn’t even here! But we know this, as it’s more to discuss options with the builder.

We have four meetings this day: one with the broker of possible scheduling, the remaining are focused on specific factory options and associated details of construction. So many details to unravel, so that we can return home – wherever that is. Payments, finances, foreign registration, taxes, commissioning, where to take delivery, etc, etc. Oh my!

For tomorrow our flight leaves at 0830. Will we be able to take off?

While we have secured legal, temporary residency in beautiful and friendly Canada, we need to deal with more bureaucratic chaos. Definitely fewer crazies here making for a more pleasant experience, but it’s not necessarily simpler.

Our liveaboard lifestyle makes some normal living arrangements challenging. Owning a car for a short time is one of them. We’ve actually purchased and sold/gave-away three cars since 2019. Where does one keep a car when going far away for an entire year? And try figuring out how to have a car if going to a new country for a year! 

The Canadian customs border official found our tags of interest. “We should have that saying here!”, he cheerfully said. But he didn’t give any indication we’d need to “import” the vehicle, nor require Ontario drivers licenses. Which is now the obstacle course we’re trying to address. Oh it’s more complicated than I care to write about here! 

Is this roving life we’re in all worthwhile? 

If we “exchange” (aka give up) our drivers licenses for Ontario, will we be able to recover next year without months of more costly bureaucracy? We need something to rent vehicles wherever we go. We always respect (and want to follow) local laws. The IRS certainly knows we do pay our taxes; so no worries there. (Even though it pains us severely to see how the orange man and his cronies are spending it for their own self-aggrandizement).

Now after a whirlwind 36-hour adventure, we’re safely back at our home away from home, in Canada, we feel somewhat reinvigorated by having at least flown over and seen another larger and familiar body of water (the Chesapeake). And having spent just a few hours amongst our fellow boating citizens, gives a much-needed recharge.

I’m back to work on land now, happily fulfilling my contract obligations on land, comfortably knowing where most of that money is going to build our future residence. And while our cozy apartment overlooks Kempenfelt Bay, we’ll be dreaming of returning home next year.

---

Hearing from our readers keeps us going. Nope, not looking for handouts! Please stay healthy and happy wherever you are!