Monday, March 2, 2009

March 2: A Day in the Cruising Life

Last night the cold front and north winds that will keep us in Marathon for a few days blew in. The seas get very rough when the north flowing gulf stream collides with high winds from the north, so we will wait until the winds veer around again, hopefully Saturday. Last night gave us sustained winds of 25mph and gusts to 40. We are in a mooring field at Boot Key Harbor, swinging on a mooring ball with 200 other boats. Very cold. 65F. Feels like it might snow to me.

I woke up this morning. I do not have a job and after some withdrawal the last couple of days, I find myself completely over the blackberry. After listening to the local cruisers net on the VHF radio (new arrival introductions, weather, local information and swap meet) and lunch, we went off for a few errands, sans automobile. We dinghied into the marina and then we walked to the hospital where Craig had surgery to clear our tab. Then we walked to Home Depot to pick up some towel hooks and water filters. Then we walked to the liquor store to replenish the rum supply. Then we walked to the grocery store for a few items. And then we walked home, toting the purchases. This took about 3 hours.

We have settled into an evening routine and turn on the generator for 2 hours to top off the batteries and run our bigger power-drawing appliances: water-maker, ice-maker, water healter and A/C if needed (not today!), +/- blowdryer and microwave (cheating with potatoes).

All's well with the world.
A.

3 comments:

Ol' Dave in Dallas said...

AGROUND IN EXPECTATION BAY

Aground for two fortnights in the foul waters of low tide in Expectation Bay, Captain Vicarious waited, trapped in his office surrounded by work from which there was no escape. He knew of no one else that would be cruising anytime soon, Skip's site offered no hope, so it appeared his fate was set. The files waited too, patient and unblinking, biding their time as if they knew they had him.

As the last flicker of hope was fading, one white bony finger hung shaking over the delete key that would rid him of the Hakuna Mutata "adventure" blog. How could this be? How could things have gone so wrong? The expectations had been so high, but so far...well...it's was not what he had come for; not what had been promised.
He had been patient, but supplies had run out and with it all hope had gone. He simply had to go down the hall for more coffee, but first "Do it" he thought.. "DO IT!" he hissed to himself, shaking at the thought of it.

Just then a new post came in on the blog, but by now the delete key was half way down! He struggled in his crazed and weakened state to pull it back. "Oh my God this will be close!" A bead of sweat broke on his upper lip as he carefully removed his finger from that most awful of keys and he sat staring at it for a moment; "did I catch it in time" he wondered...bloodshot eyes rose to the screen..yes..yes, the blog was still there.

He giggled like a mad man as he opened and read the post excitedly, a smile cracking his parched lips. He sat upright in his chair under the buzzing fluorescent lights punching a fist airwards "YESSS, THEY ARE UNDERWAY!" A stack of files fell to the floor as a defiant answer to his jubilant shout; ignoring them Vicarious strode down the hall, empty coffee cup in hand as, slowly, the waters of Expectation Bay began to rise.....

Hemming Ernestway

Dan and Sue said...

Well we are NOT as cunning or elaborate as Hemming Ernestway but DID want to tell you we saw the Yakels at Donna's retirement party and as usual your dad is having fun with your adventure. We can't wait to meet up with you - well that is IF YOU LEAVE PORT - ok sorry!!

Glad that the recovery is 100% - we think you did it for sympathy so we have so caught onto you!!

xoxoo

Dan and Sue

debflettrich said...

Blowdryer??? you can take the girl out of Texas.....