Home, sweet home. We got back late last night (9/21/06). Two months and a week, mostly powercruising. Over 8,000 miles on the truck (of course, it was almost 2800 miles just to get the boat). Around 80 hours on the boat motor (haven’t had a chance yet to figure the miles). About an equal number of nights on the hook and in marinas. I lost 10 pounds during that time; you do a lot of walking when you’re cruising, and way less snacking; more healty meals, no fast food. Temperatures from 119º to 39º. We used just over two gallons of diesel in the Wallas stove/heater. Joan has the numbers for fuel in the truck and in the boat... I don’t even want to know. Gas prices from $2.06 (coming back in deep south Texas) to $4.39 in the San Juans; diesel ran $2.36 to $3.79. Nice thing about a trailerable boat: you can fill up at gas stations on land where the prices are usually better than on the water.
Our cruising was interrupted by a family loss. We originally planned to head back out after the first of the year after bringing the boat back to Texas... that’s still the plan. Our family situation may change the duration of our time out, but that remains to be seen.
We rolled onto our little island after 10:00 last night, and had Wild Blue back in the water before 10:00 this morning. We took the time for a short cruise around the island... winds 20-30, 2 foot chop... and hot: 90º (it was 84º when I first went outside at 7:30). The humidity was about 389%; the Weather Channel was calling the heat index at 105º. After our time in the San Juans, I was concerned that my sweat glands had quit working... no worry - like riding a bike, I remembered how to sweat like a farm animal. BTW, the boat handled the chop like it was nothing, we saw dolphins playing, pelicans diving, and it was so good to be back at the helm again.
Other than our short cruise today, we spent the day getting the house opened back up; Joan stocked us up on food while I cleaned the boat. My neighbor asked, “Is that boat fast?” I told him, “Look at all the bugs smashed on my radar dome... what do you think?” Wild Blue is at the dock at our house, ready to head out as soon as we are.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
Here's a shot from Lake Powell, the last image I shot before we had to leave...
And here's Wild Blue at home in Texas...