March 9-13, 2018

Miles Traveled: 0

Total Miles Traveled: 3651

We are sad as we near the end of our six-week stay in Fort Pierce.  It has been a great place to “winter” and get the Namaste Too ready to complete our Loop together.  Speaking of Namaste Too, she was formally and officially renamed on Sunday afternoon with Looper friends Nancy & Mike, Jenny Lynn & Dan, and Ev & Clark; dock mates Ray and Rich; and Sammy’s playmate, Mac (previous owner of Gypsy Spirit) as witnesses.  Let me explain:

As you may know, there is a long-held superstition surrounding the renaming of boats stemming from the belief that renaming removes the soul of the vessel which greatly displeases the Gods.  Only with strict adherence to the renaming ceremony may we appease the Gods, Poseidon (God of the Sea who has each vessel listed on his ledger of the deep), Neptune (Roman God equal in nature and power to Poseidon) and Aeolus (God of the winds and storms, and the most important of the boating Gods, as we well know).  The renaming ritual not only appeases the Gods but provides security and the humble sense of a higher power.   Historically, the ceremony was a combination of religion and superstition, now more a social event.

Only the Captain and Crew may be aboard a vessel as she is renamed.  Thus, Captain Jim, Sammy and I performed the ceremony from the bow with invited and honored guests remaining on the dock with wine (water, beer or whatever) in hand.  Guests were requested to raise their glasses on cue and shout AVAST (pirate language for cheers) but otherwise to remain silent in respect for the solemnity of the ceremony.

Nancy was responsible for wine pouring and Jenny Lynn for recording the event through pictures taken on her iPad.   Other photographic credits to go Clark and Mike

First, we commenced with the De-Naming Ceremony.

Poseidon, Neptune and Aeolus, oh mighty and great rulers of the seas and oceans, to whom all ships and we who venture upon your vast domain are required to pay homage, implore you in your graciousness to expunge for all time from your records and recollection the name “Gypsy Spirit” which has ceased to be an entity in your kingdom.  As proof thereof, we submit this ingot (Smuckers jam jar cap) bearing her name (Gypsy Spirit inscribed in marker) to be passed through your powers and forever to be purged from the sea.  (Ingot is dropped from the bow into the sea).

In Grateful acknowledgement of your dispensation, we offer these libations to your majesties and your court. (Wine bottle is opened and half of the bottle poured into the sea beginning in the east and moving to the west).  AVAST!

Second, we commenced with the RE-Naming Ceremony.

Poseidon, Neptune and Aeolus, oh mighty and great rulers of the seas and oceans, to whom all ships and we who venture upon your vast domain are required to pay homage, implore you in your graciousness to take into your records and recollection this worthy vessel hereafter and for all time known as the Namaste Too, guarding her with your mighty arm and trident and ensuring her of safe and rapid passage throughout her journeys within your realm.  AVAST!!

 In appreciation of your munificence and dispensation, we offer these libations to your majesties and your court.  (A second bottle of wine  is opened and glasses are poured for the Captain and First Mate.   Half of the bottle is then poured into the sea beginning in the west and moving to the east.) The Captain, First Mate and all guests then cheer, AVAST!! (See above picture again and again)

 Oh mighty rulers of the winds, through whose power our frail vessels traverse the wild and faceless deep, we implore you to grant this worthy vessel, Namaste Too, the benefits and pleasures of your bounty, ensuring us of your gentle guidance according to our needs.  AVAST!!

Facing North pour wine into a glass and fling to the north, then west, east and south facing the appropriate direction as you intone:

Great Boreas, exalted ruler of the North Wind, grand us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your frigid breath.  AVAST!!

Great Zephyrus, exalted ruler of the West Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your wild breath.  AVAST!!

Great Eurus, exalted ruler of the East Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your mighty breath.  AVAST!!,

Great Notus, exalted ruler of the South Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your scalding breath.  AVAST!! 

 And to the greatest of all, might Aeolus guardian of all winds and all that blows before them, we ask your favor and kindness for fair winds and smooth seas for all Loopers and mariners as we humbly pass through your kingdom.  AVAST!!

 At this point the name Namaste Too, affixed to the stern of the boat, was unveiled to cheers and toasts.  Let the party begin!

A few other interesting events of the week included a tour through the A. E. Backus Art Museum and Gallery here in Fort Pierce.  On display was a collection Highwaymen art.  In the mid 1950’s a group of 26 African American artists started a business venture centered in Ft. Pierce where they sold their work from the trunks of their cars.  Named the Highwaymen, their art wasn’t accepted into the galleries of the time so they traveled the roads selling their work.  They captured Florida’s beauty in a colorful vision of “old” Florida.  A. E. Backus was an early mentor of some Highwaymen and was thus credited with being a supporter of this great American success story.

On one of our long walks, Nancy and I saw the Peacocks that free range on Orange Street in Fort Pierce.  It is our guess that the birds were once the “pets” of one or more of the gracious old homes on what had been a quiet street.  They now clearly have the right of way, crossing the road at will.

On a sad note, one of the many charter boats in the marina experienced an explosion late last Saturday afternoon.  The details are sketchy but in the words of another boater – “fumes and sparks”.  The nearby boats with captains a”Maboard were flying out of their slips and the entire marina was a hive of frightened excitement. The local fire department put out the fire under the watchful eye of the Coast Guard but not before it burned to the waterline and a neighboring boat was scorched or perhaps a better word is melted on the entire exposed side.  One official report said that two people were taken to the hospital with burns but we understand these were not life-threatening.  Boat fires are scary business!

As a final task, we drove our cars north about 300 miles to a marina in Georgia called Brunswick Landing.  In tandem, I drove the Tiguan, Mike drove his car and Jim the rental car with us all in the rental car for the return trip.  I am guessing that we each enjoyed the 5 hours of completely alone time in our vehicles.  Nancy had the full ten hours alone on her boat while babysitting the dogs and making us a wonderful dinner.  This marina is a safe place for the cars until we arrive and decide what to do with them next.

Stay tuned for departure. . .

Boat Name of the Day:  Carioca (Portuguese for a person from Rio de Janeiro where I lived in 1962 as an AFS exchange student.)

Bad boat name of the Day:  Knucklehead

Quote of the Day:  “Many people don’t know this, but it’s possible to read something you don’t agree with on the internet and simply move on with your life.” -@TheMichaelRock

Happy Birthday to: Ilene

Cute Story:  When Cedar was visiting he and Jim had an interesting exchange.  Cedar (2) has been in a full immersion Spanish Daycare/School for about a year.  At some point he and Jim were alone and he was behaving a little whiny (imagine that from a two year old?).  Anyway, Jim chose to ignore him.  This went on for awhile until Cedar became frustrated with being ignored and switched to Spanish, obviously believing that Jim wasn’t understanding him!   I wish I had been there!