Back in Iuka, MS

We are back in our slip at the Aqua Yacht Harbor Marina (G-55 if you all would like to come see us).

Our first experience living full time on the boat in Orange Beach, Alabama was great. We had great boat neighbors, excellent Marina management and of course a wonderful place such as the Orange Beach Marina.

The last couple of legs from Bobby's Fish Camp to Orange Beach were uneventful. The first night was spent anchored on the Tensas River cutoff and the next at Homeport Marina which is home to Lulu's famous restaurant. It was only a two hour boat ride from Homeport and we were docked and secured in our new home for the next several months.

The original plan was to stay in Orange Beach until after the wedding of a very close friend's son and then we would head back (March 5th). Of course we all know what happens to the best laid plans.

Everything was just perfect at our marina... actually too perfect. We decided to stay another month enjoying the liveaboard lifestyle. New plan... leave mid April for our return to Iuka.

The days and weeks past while we approached the new departure date, but Mother Nature had different plans. She thought it should rain, rain and rain some more. Of course all the rain had to go somewhere and it ended up on the Tombigbee Waterway which resulted in very high, very fast and very debris infested water. Not really a good time to travel.

But we had to leave... after all we already had our "Bon Voyage" party and we told everyone good bye. So... let's cast off those lines and head back home. Right??? errr...wrong!!!

I tossed and turned the entire night before leaving, trying to resolve the conflict in my mind of how we are going to do this. The next morning, I was up on the aft deck reviewing my options with my boat neighbor and it finally occurred to me. There is an old saying in my industry; "I had rather be on the ground wishing I was flying, than flying wishing I was on the ground". Well, that sealed the deal. The boat was staying and we were getting in the car for the drive home.

Next opportunity to bring the boat home would now be the end of May, but that is the good deal. Our boat neighbors also had planned to return during the same time and we would now travel together!

Then our world changed.

During our time home we got news our 23 year old son had been diagnosed with Leukemia. Of course our entire world had changed in a blink of an eye.

Jonathan Russell Bliss who is our oldest son and newly hired Emergency Medical Tech was now in the hospital beginning his first round of chemotherapy. The boat trip was a distant thought and our first and foremost concern was the health of our son.

Jonathan entered the hospital on May 11th and the next 20 days was spent in the hospital as Jonathan concluded his 7 continuous days of chemo and recovery.

We have started a website on Caring Bridge and if you would like to follow his recovery. The address is: caringbridge.org/visit/jonathanbliss

But this blog is supposed to be about our boat and it's travels with family and friends and I want to keep it that way as much as I can.

However, this is the best part....Jonathan's doctor recommended, encouraged, suggested, he spend some time rebuilding his strength before the next round of chemotherapy began. We asked about him traveling on a boat for the next several days and the Doctor thought it would be an ideal situation.

Ideal it was... not only for him but also for Kris and I.

We drove down to Orange Beach, re-provisioned the boat and began our trek Northward.

Our days were long and the pace was fast, but the opportunity to spend with your children was priceless. What should have taken 10 days to do, we did in 6 days.

I won't go into the boring details of places we stopped or what we ate or what we saw but I will tell you it was a trip that FAR EXCEEDED all of my expectations. When you are traveling 12 hours a day going 9 miles per hour, you get to spend some quality time with the ones you love the most.

We are now safely back at our homeport; the boat is cleaned and secure and on Monday we travel to Vanderbilt University Hospital to begin the second phase of Jonathan's treatment.

Life is fragile and you never know what God has in store for us. I have relearned to cherish each and every moment with my family.

Tomorrow is Father's Day and I have a very special phone call to make to my Dad.

God Bless