"The list" and time to adjust...

A sure sign of civilization - sensitive rocks!

Saturday, "still" in Sausalito, a week now. I'm startin' to get "itchy," wantin' to get back out there and sail toward a horizon. What i came for...is more the porpoise that Tyler wrote about than working on "the list." I so appreciate reading his description of sailing. It makes much of something i've known for a long time seem new.

But reality includes many details. "The definition of cruising is working on your boat in exotic destinations." What does the list look like?

Fix the furnace; air out the sail inventory and forepeak (lube the storm jib hanks); replace a steering hub bolt; install the pipe berth (and look for a second pipe); repair the traveler; grocery shop; laundry; keep the boat clean; consider installing a topping lift to replace the vang strut (to support the boom when the sail is down); see if i can stop a leak in one hatch handle (called a "dog"); check the mast base where it goes thru the deck; shop for 3 brass, folding clothes hooks; see if i can calibrate the furnace thermostat (reads 5 degrees above temp); look ahead on the charts and the weather; get my computer to talk to the ssb radio; keep an eye out for whatever needs attention; this bulb; that lashing; update the list.

About the first half of the list is done. The rest may continually be a work in progress. The most important task is the computer and ssb radio hook up. Without this, e-mail and weather will become much more sporadic. So, today?...

Repairing the traveler popped up when Tyler noticed an eyebolt pulling out of the deck and badly bent. Yikes! Glad he found it before it failed underway. Dug out the decking that had caved under it and filled it with new, went to a nearby rigger, had to order the replacement, ordered two to be overnighted and replaced its sister on the other end of the traveler too. Again i am impressed at how tenuous our well being can be, hinging on many details.

We are looking forward to taking my cousin and family for a sail on the Bay tomorrow, along with one of Tyler's college roommates, Jules (who had us over for dinner earlier this week - thank you!). After that we think we'll anchor in Aquatic Park's basin on San Francisco's waterfront, and maybe Tuesday sail for Santa Cruz. Poke around there for a few days, and then sail on Saturday with our next crew - Cody and Lomo. Maybe visit Monterey Bay on our way to Oxnard in the LA area. There the list will include dropping of Lomo and going to the Mexican consulate to get their insurance and fishing licenses.

But both of us have commented to each other that we don't seem to be really present yet, "here and now." Are we having fun yet? Should we feel bad if the answer is sometimes "no?" What's this "should" stuff, anyway? Yes, we appreciate our luck to be sharing this experience, but it takes time to really switch to a new reality. It makes me realize how little chance most of us have to "arrive" at whatever destination we have (physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual destinations), to leave our "rut" behind, when we only grab a long weekend here or a week or two vacation there. Some people are really agile and good at it, maybe even daily. But for most of us changing takes time. So. I promise myself not to worry about it, to trust each contour and coincidence as part of the process i seek.

By the way, i've changed the settings on this blog so "commenting" is easy to do. We'd love to hear back from y'all. All for now. Looks like another beautiful day. Thank you.

Love and hope,

jon