Wow, it's difficult for me to believe it's been almost two months since I've been on here! Lack of communication is not one of my problems, as all of you know. Well, I've had good reason, while we are not out of the country yet, Scott and I have been putting in the final push to get the heck out. The list of projects is down to need to (short list), would be nice (shorter list), and finish in Mexico (very, very long list). It's been decided to put much of what we were hoping to get done in the USA down and go as we are. The draw back to this is our shopping list has gotten twice as long. As Americans we are spoiled with the diversity and quality of products we can get in the USA. All cruisers start out worrying about food and provisions, but ours is a little more concerning. Will we be able to find the specific stainless steel screws that we need, or the high pressure hose for the water maker (to be finished in Mexico), or any other oddball item that Scott and I feel make our boat more of a home with each passing day? One of our biggest projects we wanted done was the headliner and port lights in. A project that we've been putting off simply because we couldn't decide what we wanted to use. Well, the decision was put off a little longer when what we thought we were going to use ended up a pile of scrap lumber when we cut it wrong. In hindsight, it was a good thing, as neither of us really liked what we were going to use and didn't want to tell the other in fear of delaying our departure.
In addition to all the projects, there have been the constant running around we need to do to collect all the items we think we need. Constant trips back and forth to several of our suppliers. I know when we finally haul out for bottom paint I'm going to have them raise the water line. Scott and I also like to take what we call "Sanity Trips". The purpose is to get us away from the boat, regroup, and allow us to look at her from a fresh perspective upon our return. Usually, they are only a day or two out to Palm Springs, but we needed to run away and Arizona seemed the best. We love Flagstaff, it's another area we could consider settling if and when we decide to. Two lovely days and several nice meals later, we returned and got more done in a week than we usually get done in 3.
We've also either been host or been hosted by a large group of friends wanting to say "Goodbye". We have the most amazing friends. The nicest part is that we've finally gotten to the part where we can host our friends aboard Reisender and share a little of our lifestyle with them. The most common reaction is how big inside she is. Some of the people we've been able to host have been: Sandy, Nicole, Joe, Valerie, Andy, Dan, Jeff, and Harmony in the last few weeks. I want to thank all of them for their encouragement and friendship. Our last surprise was an invitation for Thanksgiving out in Palm Springs. Thanks Gene! It was perfect timing and for the first time in years I didn't cook. That was a strange feeling!
Well, here we sit, waiting. It seems a theme in our life. We wait for Monday, when we take the cats to get their international health certificates. Then we wait for someone to buy the car, which will be posted for sale on Tuesday. If you know anyone in the Southern California area looking for a great 1997 Volvo Station wagon that gets almost 30 mpg let me know, shameless plug I know! Waiting, waiting, waiting! The wait is almost over and then it's on to traveling again. I'm excited, nervous, and prepared all rolled up together. The boat is as ready as she can be. I've got all the goodies we love to eat, and Scott has all the spare parts he can think of. It's time.
One more item, thank you all for your love, friendship, and encouragement as what has taken 7 years of work and preparation finally comes to full blossom for us!
Fair winds my dear friends!
