After a couple weeks of vacation travel we returned to Langkawi and the boat. But not for long. We were there to drop her back in the water, take some pictures, pack up, and head out.
You can see all the pics of the boat and the for sale page here. Turns out that we’d list the boat for sale on almost the exact same day the stock market and consumer confidence would fall off a cliff. After years and years of incredible growth in the US economy and one of the biggest bull markets in history, it would all come to a screeching halt thanks to… Bumfuzzle going up for sale.
One last project. I was happy to find a dinghy repairman here that everyone was recommending. There’s nothing like a slow leak in a dinghy to drive a man insane.
And just like that we were on our way. Closing one chapter and opening another in our lives. This book of ours is getting thick. At fifty-one years old I consider all that we’ve done and still don’t feel like we’re even halfway through where I would like us to be. There is too little time in life, and too much fun stuff to do, both personally and for family. Getting it all done can sometimes seem impossible and overwhelming. I have to remind myself of the things we’ve already done, and at the same time motivate myself to do more.
This move off the boat (the fourth time that we’ve done this) is the first time that I haven’t been motivated, personally, to make a change. I think I’ve reached that point in life where I’d be happy to just float around aimlessly forever. This time, despite my happiness, a combination of factors including my mom, Ali, and the kids have us switching gears. My mom’s health, obviously, is a big one. We’re pretty much in charge of everything in her life, and handling those things from halfway around the world is simply untenable. Ali has also been craving more stability, both for herself and for the kids. Ouest would continue on, but has expressed a desire for something new. And Lowe doesn’t care one way or the other. And so, with that, we pack a few bags and head off again.
First stop, Singapore, for an overnight layover. That layover triggered a deep search of our checked luggage (which we had to collect for the few hours we’d be there). Customs found Lowe’s stash of weapons. A hatchet, a couple pocket knives, a practice (fake) butterfly knife, and a souvenier sword. A sword/dagger thing that happened to have a 30.5 cm long blade. Precisely .5 cm over the legally allowed limit. Haha, right? Well, not haha in Singapore apparently. Despite these being a family of four’s luggage, Ali quickly threw me under the bus and told the agents that I would take responsibility for the sword. I was kind of thinking maybe we let the 13 year-old minor take the fall, but wasn’t really given a chance to plead my case as they led us away. For the next hour we sat outside their office, spoke with numerous Customs and police officers, and tried to act remorseful instead of laughing about the absurdity.
Eventually it was decided that they would let me off with a warning. They really were not joking around about this at all. They had me sign papers stating that they would be confiscating our $15 Malaysian souvenier, and made me sign an acknowledgement slip that made it very clear that I, Patrick Schulte, was being given this ONE chance to make this mistake. Next time I arrive in Singapore with anything on their forbidden list, I would be arrested, no questions asked. It was made very clear to me they were not messing around with this threat. It was also clear in my mind that I would never be returning to, or even connecting through, Singapore again. I don’t have a specific list of banned items, and I also don’t have any burning desire to spend time in a Singaporean prison, no matter how clean and tidy it may be.
The Singapore airport is over the top. There is a mall there that Ali and I literally got lost in. We could not for the life of us find the entrance we had come into the place from. So we just walked in circles endlessly. We were pretty sure we were going to die there so Ali took a picture of me just in case.
Lately the kids have just gotten too big for the four of us to share a hotel room. But here in Singapore we were only going to be like ten hours and I figured we could make do, so we got a room at the hotel airport with two beds. I assumed they’d be like a normal room with a couple of queen beds. Instead we walked in to find two twin beds pushed up within an inch of each other. I always forget that personal space has an entirely different definition here.
Anyway, long boring tales of how horrible air travel is are a dime a dozen, so I’ll spare us all. We arrived in Portland late, checked into our AirBnB, and then Ali and I snuck off to my aunt’s house to collect Ouest’s birthday gifts (about six weeks overdue) and cupcakes. Happy Birthday again, Ouest!
It’s nice to be able to whip up a big meal and have my mom and aunts over. My mom is in assisted living and is happy with the food there, but it’s obvious that she appreciates a meal hot off the grill when we’re in town.
Grammy and her twin, Aunt Beth.
Off to a Super Bowl party Ouest and I were charged with coming up with a snack to bring along. We were at the store and I grabbed a pack of meatballs to which she quickly said, “You know, we could just make our own.” She was right, of course. They were much better.
One day it was just cold in Portland, and the next it was snowing. Honestly, I have zero desire to see the white stuff.
Alberta Street is usually a hive of activity. Snow in Portland pretty much grinds everything to a halt.
Ouest wasn’t the only one waiting on gifts. Christmas in February is kind of fun, too.
Nice to have a chance to hang out with some of our favorite peeps.
Found this picture of my mom when I was going through some papers. She agrees that the years go by too fast.
12 Comments on “Goodbye to Bumfuzzle (Number 4)”
Thanks, again, for sharing Pat and Ali. I’m lusting after Bumfuzzle 4, but only . . . if I was four decades younger. Please keep up your interesting activities and blogging. Oh, and best wishes for your family’s and your future!
Hi Pat and Ali,
Thanks for sharing all your beautiful adventures. While we never got to share sailing the oceans(why I originally followed your blog and books) you did help motivate us to move to New Zealand where our kids (slightly older than Ouest and Lowe) thrived. Despite being fit and strong a neuro disease stopped us in our tracks and grateful we are in a country as amazing as NZ. Kids grow up fast exponentially! Wish you all the best and if ever back in the deep South Pacific hope we can share our hospitality!
I first started reading your blog back in 2009. In these past 16 years, you guys have done more than most people do in several life times! it is interesting to hear your perspective on it.
Thanks
Wow, what parallels and definitely empathy. After 50 years living in St. Croix, USVI (yes, we saw your boat there), medical issues have forced us north also. We’ve settled near daughters in Arlington, VA – where we were also greeted with unwelcome snow. Though at 81/89 we don’t plan on any more great adventures, we do have many good memories of our life on the island, as well as years of travel via housesitting. As you said, a new chapter, where we’ll hopefully not be too homesick and appreciate being near family, good health care…..and amazon next-day delivery.
Best wishes to your lovely family, and thanks for sharing your sailing stories with us.
Thanks for the update. Sad to leave Bumfuzzle, but now you have endless options to consider ahead. Ouest and Lowe are at ages when going to school and mingling with lots of kids their ages is important and something they would enjoy.
Damn.
You were one of the first blogs that got us interested in buying a boat. Then life happened and we got older, and the boat dream sailed away without us, so we’re building a home in Texas instead. I feel sort of sad, as I loved seeing the world through your eyes. Gone with the Wynns is selling their boat back to the manufacturer and they don’t know what’s in their future yet. I wish many more adventures for you and please let us tag along!
Thanks again for all the many years of sharing your adventures. Your blogging is top notch, pictures are amazing, and it’s been a pleasure watching your kids grow up (same age group as my grands). Glad you made it out of Singapore 😉. Another reason I’ve always enjoyed your posts…you keep us guessing as to what’s next. Your mom and families are blessed to have you back stateside and many good wishes are being sent your way for all the new wonderful adventures to come.
I have enjoyed your blog since the early days, bk (before kids). My husband and I are now thinking of relocating to Thailand or Portugal where health care is more affordable.
I can’t wait to hear about your new adventures; how you handle buying cell phones, computers and dating for the kids! LOL
Enjoy being with your beautiful mom.
Thanks for this 4th episode in the Bumfuzzle boat saga. They just get better with age. I can’t wait to see what’s on the horizon for you guys. Best wishes for you all and your family.
Are you going to keep us in suspense over where you land for the next length of time? I’m sure that your mom is thrilled (and relieved) to have you within reach. Ouest’s bangs are cute! Hard to imagine she’ll soon be old enough to get her driver’s license. I look forward to reading the next installment. And I’m hoping Bumfuzzle sells sooner rather than later.
Great to see you all back home for a while. Looking forward to the next episode. Thank you.