It's been one year, 1 month, and 18 days since we sailed into Newport Beach Harbor. We haven't moved and inch other than when the breeze and waves rocked the boat. There was much trepidation aboard today as we decided to FINALLY cast off from the mooring balls. Scott and I, both feeling a bit rusty, were anxious to get moving again. The last few days have been spent running around getting things in order: letting the bank know we'll be out of the country, storing our car with a friend, and last minute runs to Trader Joe's. It's all been a bit of a whorl!
When we came to Newport Beach it was with the intent of staying only a few weeks, maybe a month, and definitely not to live here over a year. The idea of living in Orange County was against most things we stand for. It's suburbia hell! Somehow we did land in a little corner that we could enjoy and will talk about with fondness as we look back on our time here. We adore Balboa Island and most she had to offer. She is a family vacation home rental area at the beach. Not something typically that Scott and I would enjoy, but we started to meet people and learn about the area. It's a very small town feeling. The locals full of color and pride in their hometown. The people of Balboa Island are very loyal to this small village. The perimeter of the island is only about 2 miles. Our first night here started out at the Village Inn a local hangout, which became our little hangout over time. Then there is the launderette here on the island. Randy the owner grew up here and became a source of everything Balboa for me. He grew up swimming in Buddy Epson's pool (who had a house here) and had even been in John Wayne's house, before it was torn down. The launderette is a meeting place for the locals. I've had many an interested conversation in there, and learning interesting things there as well. That's where I learned about the shooting at Fashion Island (a local up scale mall) back in December. Then there were the other boaters we got to know. It is a little more difficult getting to know your "neighbors" on a mooring ball than in a marina. In some ways it's nicer being on the mooring. For the most part, we can't hear what our neighbors are up to. Over time we did get to know some of them. There's Norm and Frankie, we met them first. We became "hello" friends with Ben and his wife. Larry and Gaille made us feel welcome. They own the boat behind us and live on another here in the bay. Larry was our friend who helped out when we were over run with sea lions back in the summer. Thanks! will never be enough! We met Mark with his wonderful chocolate lab. And, our closest neighbors, Bruce, Kathleen, and their two children. I've spent many hours watching their kids with friends jumping off the boat and playing in the bay. Such an adventurous family. Then there is a very special person to me, Sally. Sally works in the Harbor Sheriff's office and anyone who has met her thinks the world of her. It's rare to walk into a sheriff's office and feel the kind of warmth that she brings and fills the room with. Then ther are all the staff at Minney's. There are always people I forget to name and think of later, but I thank all of you for your time and help while we called Newport Beach Home!
Our time here has been filled with so much work I couldn't even name it all. I think we've finished, or near finished, so many projects my head could spin at what we've accomplished this year. It would not have been possible with the many convenient boating supplies in the area. We've dealt with welders, sail makers, the staff at Minney's, MMI, Mesa Hose (their motto is "We have more hose then Compton"), and all sorts of others who have gone out of their way to help us. They've either done it quickly, perfectly, or helped us find out who could get it done for us.
Well, it has all lead up to today. We didn't really go that far, about a mile or so. As always, Scott and I are very careful people and prefer baby steps. It's been over a year since Reisender has moved and we thought it prudent to test her a bit to make sure everything is in working order before taking her back out. Today was a run to pick up fuel and then move her to the free anchorage (free one of our favorite words). Both of us are glad we came to the anchorage. It's been even loner since we'd practiced our anchoring skills. I must say both the docking for fuel and the anchoring went well. I guess we are not as rusty as we thought. We'll see how tonight goes and if our anchor holds well. If so, I'll call this a successful day. I'll say fairwell for now friends.
Cheers and fair winds!
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