Pre-Departure
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February 20,1997 - Countdown !! |
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Marina del Rey, Ca. USA - 17th. February, 1997 |
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The last month before embarking on the long awaited cruise... We cram as much as we can into every minute of every day. We wish we had been ready to leave in November and take solace in the fact that we have moved the date out. Then we keep inching it out a few days at a time until.....! All of the things we have read about, the dos and don'ts in preparing for the trip, we have violated. I take comfort in the fact that the skipper will not and has not compromised on safety. He gets a little testy with some of the mechanical challenges in readiness preparation. Thank you for that stability. |
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All of the things that were to have been completed, weeks and even months ago, are now being crammed into the last two to three weeks. This should be a case study for a psyche course. We must be crazy to put ourselves through so much stress. What gets us though it is our dream. The skipper has promised relaxation but won't indicate when. |
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As the days on the calendar pass I think mostly about the things I will miss. At the top of the list are my grandchildren, followed closely by my children and their grandparents. The most difficult challenge over the past one to two years is to convince my daughter that this is truly not a suicide mission but actually a reward to myself for having worked so hard for so many years. The emotions are running really high but I honestly believe that this is to be a once in a life time experience. I'm getting used to not having a cozy fireplace to stare at. I now have the ripple of water and the chiming of halyards tapping against the mast. Each time I see a large ripple in the water, I hope that fish will surface. |
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We have tried to prepare for the worst weather conditions and the best weather conditions. The dichotomy of personal EPIRB devices vs. shorts, T-shirts and a good novel keep my mind busy. How long will it take to learn to relax and to be able to write creatively rather than in an 'outline' and 'bullet' format. |
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I now must get serious about drafting a layout of the boat, labeling each storage area and identifying what will be stored where and how safely will it take the 'E' ticket rides. All of the books that we have read. Each one having little tidbits of valuable advise. Which books had the best recipes. Which ones had the best tips for medical preparedness. How to combat mildew, roaches, mosquitoes, food spoilage, etc., etc.. Do I have too much linen on board. Do we have the right clothes along. Do we have enough spare parts to repair anything on the boat. How will the skipper do when he can't turn on the TV in the morning and watch the channel 5 KTLA news. How will we ever do without the I405 freeway traffic. |
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I reflect on the conveniences that I take for granted and know that I will have to do without. I recently got a special gift from the skipper. Not flowers, not perfume, not a bauble. Rather, my very own washboard from Downwind Marine. The transition is well underway. I am now on a mission to find the best bargains in town. I want to know the best place to buy Joy in bulk and where can I find the best selection of canned meat and butter for the skipper. Can you buy a chef salad in a can? |
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We are now preparing a flyer to Email to all of our friends and to mail, using conventional methods for those who do not partake in Email, an invitation to our farewell dock party. Although we want to celebrate our departure, we also want to slip away quietly. |
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We have tried to think of everything, hoping that we have covered all of the essentials, but we both know something big will surface once we have removed the dock lines and fenders for the last time. |
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