We always know when it’s time to pack up our things, close up the house and head down to the boat. The trees are shedding a bountiful color of leaves, and the morning chill has us pulling out a sweatshirt or jacket to take Coco out for her morning walk.
Land-lubbers seldom appreciate all the work that goes into preparing an extended cruise. Most assume we merely top off the fuel, turn the key and set sail. Trust us when we say there is nothing farther from the truth! By the time we leave home, months have been spent planning, completing our ToDo lists and shopping for our staples which are so terribly expensive to buy in the islands. We have veterinarian permits and meds for the dog, cruising permits to get in and out of the country and a boat insurance policy which tells us when and where we can go, and the proverbial health and dental checkups to be addressed before we leave.
Over the years each of us has developed a checklist. We know what our individual responsibilities are, and we somehow seem to make it a painless transition from being at home to being on Sea Island Girl. This year the process was particularly smooth. No feathers were ruffled and we got away on time.
It usually takes us a week to get settled once we move aboard. Stowing our food and belongings can be a tedious process. Cleaning the boat and putting things in order takes a lot of time. More importantly, each and every system on the boat needs to be checked and serviced before we leave, and that can be time consuming as well.
The ghosts and goblins come out tonight and once again it appears that we have managed to get things sorted out in time. Now all we need is a good forecast.
We hope to update our blog in a timely fashion this winter and trust that you will visit on a regular basis to learn what all the commotion is about.
