After 10 years on the road in various RVs, we decided to switch it up by getting a boat in 2017.
While we had established ourselves as ‘experts’ in the RV space, we were now Strangers in a Strange Land.. err.. water. We were complete newbies having gone from an inflatable kayak to a 47′ yacht.
It felt like starting from scratch. In a good way. New adventures are always a learning experience. And learning is a joy of life.
Until our first major cruise took us to Marathon, FL. In late August. And a Cat-4 Hurricane named Irma had her eye on us. And our bus, still stored in Central FL.
There was no realistic or safe path for us out of the Keys, the storm track kept shifting and the whole state was going to get womped. If we were going to evacuate, we had to make a choice based on available information and get balls in motion. There was no way we were losing both our homes, and possibly our lives.
So I googled ‘Securing a boat on fixed dock for major hurricane’ and pretty much got ‘you’re doomed’.
I studied spider web tying anyway, and we set 22 lines for an anticipated 15-20′ storm surge, minimized our windage and secured as best we could. We had an amazing view off the bow straight to the Atlantic, which meant – little protection.
Our new friend and manager of the marina we were at was flying out anyway to pick up his new RV – and handed us the keys to his truck. He told us to pack it up and get the heck out.
And we did. Grabbing Zephyr on the way, and we fled all the way to Alabama to get out of the storm track.
Irma’s landfall was pretty much right over Y-Not. We watched the news from afar. It was chilling. Chilling.
Many of you were with us virtually or in person .. and held us.
We were sure we had lost our new dream.
Until the first arial photos were released.
Wait? What? Is that Y-Not? Still floating?!?!?
Friends who stayed behind got us a satellite message out – yes, indeed. Y-Not survived and looked just fine. She was one of maybe 20% of boats in the area that hadn’t sunk, been impaled or sustained major damage.
It would be 2 weeks before authorities would let us return ourselves. And it would be months before it was safe to leave.
Living in a disaster area is a story like no other, it’s indescribable. I can still recollect the smell of thousands of refrigerators full of spoiled food lining the sides of the road.
Once we had things settled on Y-Not, we started finding ways to help. We did clean up. We supported local businesses. And we volunteered at the closest disaster center.
One day our role was helping folks sign up for aid – which really turned into providing a place for folks to just talk as we helped them fill out government forms.
It was humbling and one story stands out – a gentleman who had lost his home. He had slept under a bridge to survive the storm. He had biked 20 miles to get to the disaster tent that day.
He pauses, opened up his backpack that now contained everything he owned. He took out a bag of Skittles, and asked if I wanted to share with him.
That humility I carry with me today.
And the gratitude for somehow having survived the storm when so many didn’t. For our community having our back and helping in whatever way they could. For the lifelong friendships made. For that truck that got us out of harms way.
And most of all, for our partnership with each other and all the lessons that had brought us to this experience with skills to navigate it. We got through it together. With strength. With love. With vulnerability. And a heck of a lot of good luck.
That of course wasn’t the end of the 2017 story, there were still many challenges to come escaping the hurricane and surviving our first year as boat owners.
But we did it together with gratitude and humility.
Technomadia 15 Years Retrospective Series
In the lead up to Cherie's 15th Nomadiversary on May 10, 2022 - she shared a retrospective post for each year with a lesson about nomadic life and our own journey.
Here's a video recap of the series (caution, it's over 50m long!):
And here are the individual chapters of this series:
Cherie, I got goosebumps on the back of my neck when I read your words about that night of the hurricane. Chilling. Chilling. I remember that night so well. And the relief and joy when the word started to trickle out that Y-Not looked to be OK. I am enjoying these retrospectives. Brenda
You have really arrived as a writer, Cherie. These retrospectives are so very good. Some amaze, others bring me to tears, all are tight, clean, clear. You must have spent so much time with each, hours and hours to start, maintain, and end with a distinct and clear focus. Congratulations and thank you!
Awww.. thanks. I pretty much pick out the lesson for the year the night before, select a representative photo, sleep on it and then see what comes out my fingers in the morning.
I couldn’t believe it when I saw that photo of Y-Not still floating! Someone looks out for you guys just as you look out for others.
I remember following the blog then and being so impressed with all that you did and your upbeat approach and I find being reminded of it all the more uplifting. Would that there were more like you but thankful there are others.
2017 was a year of prayers for friends for sure. I admired you guys before but even more after the hurricane when you were in Alabama stocking up Zephyr with supplies for yourselves and others that were hard to find in the recovery area. What a year!
Yes, I was closely following this adventure with you! I couldn’t wait for your next report of what you were finding out. And I gave a huge cheer when you found out Y-not had survived.
Your abilities and your common sense came to the rescue again – – and probably a bit of luck was thrown in also!