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Saturday, November 23, 2013

180 miles by land



I drove 180 miles with the van and trailer to pick up the boat. One quick back of the envelope calculation later and I figured we did well over 200 miles on the boat. That's actually pretty surprising as we weren't really trying. I felt safer on the boat than on the highways. Life is better at 5.5 knots.

The marina was packed on a Saturday. The only trailer parking was in the overflow lot behind the marina. At least they run those little extended golf carts as shuttles. They weren't real happy that I had to block one of the ramps with my boat, then shuttled back to the van and trailer. Apparently, they have some sort of system that they didn't tell me about.

It's not easy loading a boat at the best of the times. Even working alone, I was able to load the boat at least as fast as the ramp average. With a parking lot of impatient fishermen watching, I'm glad it went well. They weren't too used to seeing sailboats there. In two days at the marina, ours was the only one to come in. The magic bus hippy ban tow vehicle raised a few eyebrows. Most folks were pretty cool, so it was fine.

My lovely wife has a Monday appointment for her broken tooth. Hope they can do something for her. No firm plans will be made until she's on the mend.

We were into our fourth week on the water, and it had settled into a lifestyle. I'm tan, lost a few pounds, and feel great, heck I feel strong. Water life agrees with me. We'll get back to it.

-Sixbears

13 comments:

  1. Maybe you taught those fisherman something about loading a sail boat.

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    1. Maybe, but it was half luck that it went so well.

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  2. Paddling that kayak is probably where the pounds went! That's good exercise.

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    1. I get more exercise on a sailing trip without even trying -and it doesn't feel like exercise.

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  3. What a shame you've had to curtail the trip. I hope the dentistry works out well and you're back on the water soon...

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  4. I hope that your dear wife will soon be greatly helped by the dentist, (I once cracked a tooth and seriously thought of DIY with vise grips... Once it was dealt with though all was well,) so I shall wish for that sort of quick and easy resolution and that you both will be back in the watery lifestyle soon!

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    1. My grandfather removed all his teeth himself. Tough tough man.

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    2. Oh, is that why we couldn't understand him?

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    3. Well, that and he didn't speak English all that much -or speak in general, that was grandmother's job.

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  5. Getting south of Fort Meyers seemed to be a difficult thing for us also at times.
    It will come....
    Keep in mind that I'm just on the other side and will come to your aid if ever you shout out....

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    1. We've got until spring, so we've time. I am keeping you in mind and hope to get into your area eventually. Just lucky my dad is in good enough shape to drive us around.

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  6. Nothing like a side adventure to liven things up!

    Good luck to the wife!

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