Harbor Hopping 2025: Days 3-4

Sunday, July 20, 2025

Today was unusual. We both got the cleaning bug—which doesn’t typically bite until later in our trips. It must be the cooler temperatures that feel so refreshing. We turned off the air conditioning and opened up the portholes. We relaxed with our morning coffee, bagels, and fruit briefly, cleaned and vaccumed and then took a walk along the breakwall.

Our friends, Mike & Mary, are coming to spend the day with us. We met them in the parking lot, unloaded their car, and then walked to the boat. Just as we got settled, I noticed another couple strolling along the dock, slowing down as they neared. They look so familiar, I thought. It turns out, they are! Mike arranged for a surprise visit from our friends, John & Debbie. It's so funny how it takes a moment to register someone's face when you're not expecting to see them. John & Mike had golfed together a few days earlier and Mike mentioned that they were coming to visit us and asked if there was a chance John & Debbie were available. They were! Funny how the best days often come unplanned—it would’ve taken months to arrange something like this on purpose.

We spent hours catching up and laughing at old stories. Larry & John have been friends for more than 40 years and Larry introduced John & Mike at their golf outing about 30 years ago so there's a lot of history. What a great day and so unexpected!

The four of them left to go home around 5:00, leaving us to go for another walk. As we were walking back to the boat, I noticed two medium sized dogs on the boat a couple of slips away from us. The golden one was sitting in the fly bridge, at the captain's seat, with his head resting on the headrest, just staring and taking in the views. The black and white one was a little more active, pacing back and forth, excitedly watching its owners approach. These two are h-a-p-p-y dogs....they are sitting most of the time, quietly watching, appreciating their surroundings as much as we are. 

Monday, July 21, 2025

Today has been a much slower, relaxing day. The temps were even cooler than yesterday, maybe a high of 73 degrees. It's blissful. The winds completely shifted to a north wind and the lake is expected to have 4' waves so we are staying in Lexington an extra day. We enjoyed a long, slow breakfast before walking into town. I went in every shop today. :-) There's a grocery store close by so we were able to go in and pick up some items. We’d hoped to take the dinghy out today, but the water was too rough—so instead, we enjoyed lunch on the dock at Wind Jammers. 

Back at the boat, I spread out a blanket and some pillows, and we settled in with our books. The cool breeze felt so incredible and the warm sun was just enough to keep us comfortable. I kept slouching down more and more and soon was taking a luxurious nap. Two to be exact. The kind of day that drifts by slowly, like clouds over calm water—quiet, restful, and perfectly unremarkable in the best possible way.