Dragonflies at home

We are three days away from our Leg 2 departure! The boat and trailer are ready, we’re gathering up food from home and packing clothes and personal items. Like last year, we’ve crammed our final week at home with seeing friends and family, although there’s no big send-off party this time around (we still talk about what a great turnout and how much fun we had at Hansen’s Harbor last September).

Walking around the condo today I documented our dragonfly items on display and thought I'd share. But first, today’s Bonus Question: Professional athletics again (apologies to our non sports fans, but it’s NHL playoff time, my favorite season). What famous hockey player wore a jersey number that rhymed with his last name? (answer at end of post)

Bonus Question Answer: Bobby Orr—his #4 jersey was retired by the Boston Bruins in 1979, the same year he was inducted into the Hall of Fame at age 31, the youngest ever at the time. Sadly, his amazing career was cut short by a knee injury. 

Everything you always wanted to know about Dragonflies but were afraid to ask

We’re three weeks from our departure date, with to-do, provision and packing lists on our minds. Yesterday we removed the boat’s winter cover, reconnected the batteries and solar panel and tested the electrical system. 

When we were in California last week we acquired matching dragonfly ball caps for the next phase. I don't believe that we've posted before why we named our boat Dragonfly, but the simple reasons are that we really like them and the name fit our vessel. Dragonflies are beautiful to behold and have an almost magical quality about them. They are harmless to humans and enormously beneficial in controlling populations of biting and stinging insects that annoy us and spread disease.

When we acquired our MacGregor 26X in 2018, she was called Anticipation, a name we both disliked. There are time-honored nautical superstitions surrounding the renaming of a ship and many pleasure boaters still perform complicated rituals to purge the old name and christen the new. Legend and tradition indicate that Poseidon maintains a list of every vessel in the Ledger of the Deep, and all changes must be made properly to avoid confusing and angering the god of the oceans. There is a lengthy incantation for purging the old name from the ledger and another to record the new one, with precise rituals and offerings at all stages. For many, this is serious business; for others, it's a fun and memorable event, and a reason to throw a party on their new-to-them boat.

We are not superstitious people and believe that Poseidon has better things to do than keep track of the names of the thousands of 26-foot MacGregors and other small boats out there. We renamed Dragonfly without ceremony and fanfare and so far don’t think that we’ve upset any gods. We did perform one of the rituals on the list that seemed logical, and removed all traces of the former name from the boat.

Our boat’s graphic was designed by our daughter, Amy, and is proudly displayed on both sides of the hull and on our helm cover. We also have the boat name and homeport on the transom, so overtaking vessels can identify and hail us by name on the radio when passing.

In case you're curious, here are some fun facts about our favorite insect and boat’s namesake:

• Dragonflies live on every continent except Antarctica. 

• They have been around for 300 million years—longer than dinosaurs—and were one of the first winged insects to evolve. Fossilized dragonflies have been found with two-foot wingspans.

• They are voracious predators, both as aquatic larvae and adults. Dragonfly nymphs will eat almost anything, including each other. Adult dragonflies can consume one-fifth of their bodyweight per day.

• They are amazingly efficient hunters, catching 90-95% of the prey they pursue (lions typically catch 20-25%, while sharks are around 50%).

• Their wings are translucent, and they can fly in any direction, even upside down. They can pivot, hover, eat and mate in mid-air. Dragonflies are the fastest-flying insect, with top speeds of 35 mph.

Source: Discovery.com

• They have incredible vision—their eyes take up a majority of the head and contain 30,000 lenses, giving them a near-360-degree field of view. Dragonflies have excellent color vision and can see ultraviolet light.

Source: Pinterest

• They have six legs but cannot walk; they only use their legs to perch and hunt.

• Dragonflies do not sting or bite. They have sharp, serrated mandibles for tearing apart and eating prey, but rarely break through human skin in the uncommon instances where they attempt it.

Bonus Question: There are seven instances in North American professional sports where teams share a name. For example: The Cardinals are an Arizona football team and a St. Louis baseball team. What are the others? Answers below. 

Here are a couple more dragonfly photos:

Source: FreeImage.com

Source: Flickr

Bonus Question Answer:

Giants - San Francisco (baseball) and New York (football).

Jets - New York (football) and Winnipeg (hockey).

Kings - Los Angeles (hockey) and Sacramento (basketball).

Panthers - Carolina (football) and Florida (hockey).

Rangers - Texas (baseball) and New York (hockey)

Double Bonus Points: Lions - Detroit (football) and British Columbia (Canadian football).

Balboa Park and Cabrillo National Monument, CA

We began our last day at Balboa Park in the heart of San Diego. This 1,200-acre urban oasis is home to paths, gardens, golf courses, museums, theaters, restaurants, The San Diego Zoo and more. Opened in the 1870s, it is the second-oldest large, landscaped city park in the U.S.—New York City’s Central Park was established in 1858. Originally called City Park, it was renamed in 1910 after Vasco Nunez de Balboa, the first European to cross the Isthmus of Panama and reach the Pacific Ocean in 1513.

We spent our time strolling the beautiful grounds, exploring the rose and cactus gardens, then had lunch at one of the many restaurants and cafes.

Cabrillo National Monument lies at the southern tip of Point Loma Peninsula at the entrance to San Diego Bay. It was named for Juan Cabrillo, the first European to explore present-day California when he landed here in 1542. Interestingly, records of Cabrillo’s life are scarce and sometimes conflict, and his nationality—Spanish or Portuguese—is still debated by historians.

We had beautiful weather, and the view of the ocean, harbor and skyline was breathtaking. At the summit, there is a visitor’s center, monument and overlook and a path to the Old Point Loma Lighthouse and keeper’s house. The light is no longer in use, as it was often shrouded in fog and low clouds. A new light was installed at a lower elevation in 1891 and the old light was abandoned and eventually restored as a museum.

On our drive along Point Loma we passed a large gathering of U.S. Navy personnel in dress uniforms entering Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, presumably to pay their respects to a fallen shipmate. 

Our last stop before heading to the airport was the Tide Pools along the Pacific Ocean, where the 8.5-foot tidal range covers and uncovers the rocky beaches in a continuously changing scene. The smell of the ocean made us really miss living near the water.

Bonus Question: What does the “QR” in “QR Code” stand for?

Map of Balboa Park

Map of Cabrillo National Monument

Bonus Question Answer: The Quick-Response (QR) Code was first used in Japan in 1994 to label automobile parts.

Joshua Tree National Park, Mt. San Jacinto State Park & Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, CA

On Monday we drove 150 miles northeast of San Diego to Joshua Tree National Park, an otherworldly wilderness bordering the Mojave Desert. The landscape is stunning, with bold, beautiful rock formations dotted with desert plants, including the park’s namesake trees. According to legend, the tree’s outstretched branches reminded 19th-century Mormon settlers of the biblical prophet Joshua guiding them westward. Fun facts: The Joshua Tree is a succulent, not a true tree, and is protected under California law. It can live for hundreds of years, and depends on a single species, the yucca moth, for pollination and survival.

We hiked the Hidden Valley Trail, a short loop through an area allegedly named by cattle rustlers who stashed their stolen cows here. Although it was a pleasant 65F, summertime temperatures regularly exceed 100F, and we were greeted by this ominous sign at the trailhead:

Our next stop was Keys View, a magnificent vista overlooking the beautiful Coachella Valley and Santa Rosa Mountains. The weather was clear, and we could easily see the San Andreas Fault, the city of Palm Springs and the 10,831-foot peak of Mt. San Jacinto. 

Lastly, we drove to Mt. San Jacinto State Park and boarded the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the world’s largest rotating tram car. It takes ten minutes to cover the 2.5-mile trip up Chino Canyon to the upper viewing area at 8,516 feet. We had a quick lunch, then took another hike—one of the 50 miles of trails on the mountain—but had to be careful, since many parts of the trail were still snow-covered.

Bonus Question (multiple choice): How many countries are there in the world? (answer at end of post).   A. 84         B. 195        C. 248        D. 336

After driving back to the coast, we had a quick and tasty dinner at the Encinitas Fish Shop before returning to Mary & Tim’s after a long but thoroughly enjoyable day!

Map of Joshua Tree National Park: https://maps.app.goo.gl/xdHmKVgoZdtCVugp9?g_st=ic

Map of Palm Springs Aerial Tramway: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Y8Q9EkjC4L6epazF7?g_st=ic

Bonus Question Answer: B. There are 195 countries in the world.

Off to California

We are less than 40 days from departure on Phase 2 of our Great Loop adventure, which is approaching quickly. Thankfully, Dragonfly is mostly ready for cruising, and our to-do list isn’t nearly as long as last year’s was.

We’re visiting Kathleen’s sister Mary and her husband Tim in their beautiful home in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA. Named after the capital city of Wales, this lovely beachside community of less than 12,000 is also home to Minnesota-native Marion Ross, best-known by our generation as Marion Cunningham in Happy Days, and by our daughters’ as Lorelai’s grandmother in Gilmore Girls. 

We spent time enjoying the attractive beachside town, including San Elijo State Beach and Nature Preserve. We also spent two afternoons at the Maritime Museum of San Diego, an amazing in-water display of 500 years of seafaring history. We toured a deep-diving submarine, a ferry boat, luxury steam yacht, Vietnam-era swift boat (with two former crew giving tours) the USS Midway aircraft carrier, and several tall ships, including the world’s oldest active sail ship, a replica of a 16th-century Spanish galleon, and the 24-gun navy frigate used in the film Master and Commander. 

Touring and learning about sailing ships is a favorite activity. It’s pretty remarkable how large portions of the world’s population developed independently for more than 40,000 years, separated by massive bodies of water, and have only come in contact in the last five centuries. It was the sailing ship that spawned the worldwide migration of people, technology, plants, animals, agriculture, germs, language and belief systems in what became the greatest period of change in human history. We love stepping aboard a ship, learning how the crew lived and worked and imagining the small part that each played in world history. Fun fact: To rid their stored provisions of pests, sailors placed dead fish on top of food sacks to draw out maggots.

San Elijo State Beach

L to R: HMS Surprise, ferryboat Berkeley, steamship
Medea, submarine Dolphin, last operating Vietnam swift boat 

HMS Surprise from Master and Commander

Aboard The Star of India

USS Midway foc’s’le, capstans & anchor chains

Flowers are everywhere in Southern California 

Birds of paradise in a neighbor’s yard

Scenes from San Diego

Encinitas Community Park

Bonus Question: Which two planets in our solar system have no moons?

Post title reference—“Off to California” is the name of a popular, traditional Irish hornpipe.

Map link to Cardiff-by-the-Sea: https://maps.app.goo.gl/nN6XJFq5ZowTA3Jr5?g_st=ic

Bonus Question Answer: Mercury and Venus have no moons. Mercury is too small and too close to the sun to have the necessary gravitational pull to hold a moon in orbit. Why Venus is moonless is not fully understood. Fun fact: Venus rotates in the opposite direction from most other planets, including Earth. On Venus, the sun rises in the west and sets in the east.

Great Loop update: Phase 2 planning is underway!

Greetings! We've been home for a month now and have enjoyed the warmest winter on record in Minnesota. It's light past 6:00 PM and the temperature hit 70F today.

We have spent much our break getting my Mom settled into a senior apartment, but it has also taken this long to figure out our 2024 boating plans. Readjusting to dirt life took some time, as did getting over the minor sense of failure at abandoning the attempt to complete the Great Loop in one go. Stopping was definitely the right thing to do, since we weren't having fun, but I still felt bad that we hadn't stuck to our original plan. Those negative emotions have subsided, our achievements are in the proper perspective, my wanderlust has been restored, and we are actively planning the next segment of our adventure. 

One of the factors that motivated me was the publication of the 2023 Loop Completion Statistics. Here are the basics:

Wake Crossings: 249 boats (a record year)

Average Boat Size: 40',   Smallest Boat: 24',   Largest Boat: 94'

Boat Size Breakdown: Under 30' = 6%, 30-39' = 38%, 40-49' = 47%, 50' and up = 9%

These data were a great reminder that not only is completing The Loop a rare accomplishment, it is even more significant in a boat as small as Dragonfly (26'). We are going to continue, in segments, and are preparing for the next legs.

The current plan is to resume cruising in early summer in the northern waters of New York and Canada. Our intended route is to launch Dragonfly near Buffalo, NY, and transit the entire Erie Canal, then head down the Hudson River, stopping short of New York City. We'll then head north to Lake Champlain via the Champlain Canal, and cross into Canada, following the Chambly Canal and Richelieu River to the St. Lawrence Seaway and Montreal, QC. From Montreal, we'll go up the St. Lawrence to the Ottawa River and on to the Canadian capital. In Ottawa, we pick up the Rideau Canal, which goes south to Lake Ontario at Kingston, ON. There we'll take another side trip on the St. Lawrence through the Thousand Islands region, before crossing the top of Lake Ontario to the Trent-Severn Waterway, which takes you to Lake Huron. We'll stay on the Canadian side of Huron through Georgian Bay and the North Channel, ending up near Mackinac Island, where Lake Huron meets Lake Michigan. Our 1,750-mile proposed route is shown on the chart below. Stay tuned for more planning updates.

Bonus question: Who was the first U.S. President to be born an American Citizen?

Bonus Question Answer: Martin van Buren, our 8th president, was born in 1782. All prior presidents were born before the signing of the Declaration of Independence, making them British subjects.

Home

As we left Carrabelle on Thursday, we did a double-check of the weather in the St. Johns River area, and didn't love what we saw. More chilly overnight lows and several days of rain and high winds were on the way. "Do we really want to keep doing this?" was the question, which revealed a quick answer. After another gut check--this one on the fly--we turned the truck north and headed for home, Dragonfly in tow. 

Besides being weather weary, two things had became obvious during our most recent break: We were maxed out on liveaboard cruising after five months, and; we had quickly tired of Florida. Ironically, the Gulf crossing weather was significantly better, had we chosen to continue south. But the bottom line was simple: we weren't having fun.

We arrived home yesterday and plan to take an extended break, then resume cruising in early summer, focusing on northern waters. We're still figuring out what the next few months will look like, but so far don't regret the decision to stop. I have had a few moments brooding about not finishing the Loop in one shot, and possibly not at all, but am keeping it in perspective. Choosing to leave your boat in the middle of an early retirement adventure and returning to your main residence is not what anyone would call a major problem. During our journey, we met Loopers who stopped to return to work or had their voyages interrupted or canceled due to health, family or boat issues, as well as others who weren't enjoying it. We’re just fine.

The map below also helps keep things real and positive. Seeing our progress so far: 10-states and 2,400+ miles, gives a sense of accomplishment, and helps whet the appetite for more adventure, when we're ready.

Bonus Question: In what 1988 movie did reciting "Home! Home! Home!" immediately transport you there, escaping from a mischievous ghost? (Answer at end of post).

Bonus Question Answer: Beetlejuice, which won the Academy Award for Best Makeup. A sequel is scheduled for release in September 2024.