Today was haulout day. The kind that sneaks up on you even though you’ve circled it on the calendar and talked about it for weeks. We knew it was coming, but still… when the marina crew rolled up at 8:30 sharp, it hit us. That’s it.

We were already up since 6:00, hauling the mattress into the car like two sleep-deprived pack mules and trying to coax the A/C unit into cooperating. No dice. There was probably an airlock in the waterlines. I muttered something about physics, and Bettina gave me that look that says, “You’re not Einstein. Just let it go.” But we did manage to winterize the freshwater system before the haulout started, so that’s a win. By 9:45, Koko sat on her jack stands, looking oddly majestic for a boat that just got her belly scrubbed.

It’s always a bit sentimental, this day. We stood there as Koko was hauled from the water, quiet and still, both of us caught in a flood of memories. That first sail in Florida. Just the two of us, wide-eyed and grinning, not quite sure what Koko needed from us yet. We knew little, but we knew she was ours, and that was enough to feel like the beginning of something big. Then came the adventure of our lifetime. The kind of trip so many dream about, but only few actually do. We sailed down the Gulf Coast, anchored overnight in the wild green of the Everglades, beam-reached through the turquoise waters of the Keys, and made our way up the coast until the Chesapeake Bay welcomed us like an old friend. We explored creeks, anchored in coves, and discovered many quaint little historic towns and places. And now, now Koko’s out for the season.

We’d asked to be the first boat hauled on this Monday, so we’d have some time during the day for winterizing all the systems. The head, the bilge, the shower, the anchor drain, the washdown pump. You name it. The A/C system got another round of attention, but it’s still being stubborn. I’ll need to consult my inner physics nerd. And maybe read up a little on the Internet. Worst case, we’ll ask the marina crew to sort it. But we’re not there yet. We’re stubborn. Possibly irrational.

Then came the packing. Our car is big. Not big enough. After a few rounds of Tetris with duffel bags and boat bits, we admitted defeat and decided to come back later in the week. Maybe catch Jessica’s hockey game and grab the rest of the gear. That decision alone shaved off about 80% of the stress. Still, it took us until 16:00 to finish loading what we could. By then we were sore, sweaty, and oddly cheerful.

It’s strange how this day used to feel heavier. Back when I was still working, haulout meant the end of freedom. Now it feels more like a bookmark. We had an absolutely fantastic season. So much more then we could ever have dreamed of. We laughed together, we cursed at tangled lines, we ate boat-baked sandwiches in the cockpit and watched sunsets that made us forget what day it was. And now, in retirement, the fun doesn’t stop here. Winter’s got its own rhythm. We’ve got plenty of exciting plans for the boat-less time. And we’ve got each other. That’s more than enough. I’m so happy! Even though summer has come to an end.

On the way home, we skipped cooking and swung by Costco. Bettina vetoed the $1.50 hot dog, but gave a thumbs-up to the $9.99 gigantic pizza the size of a small continent.

It felt oddly like the perfect end to a season that gave us more than we ever expected. Some people think you need sparkle and show to feel like you’ve made it. Fancy clothing, snobby dinners, curated moments, the whole bit. But we’ve learned that happiness doesn’t come dressed up. It’s in the hot shower after days on the water, a cold beer at the end of the cruise, and a giant pizza bought at Costco’s questionable food court. That’s more than enough. That’s joy.

What makes life special isn’t the polished version of success people brag about and post on social media. It’s having the right person next to you. Someone who laughs with you over your nautical blunders and finds joy in the quiet moments together that somehow become the best part of the story. And, wow, what a special and exciting story we have to tell from this cruising season!

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