The past week has been a whirlwind of activity.  It’s hard to explain how much goes into getting ready for a trip like this.  The only think I can liken it to would be deciding on taking a trip for a few months out of the country.  However, instead of just packing a suitcase and buying a plane ticket, you have to start with figuring out how to build the plane you need to get you to your destination.  And then once you’ve built it, make it a comfortable place to live.

I got a note from Moby Nick today of http://www.bigoceans.com/.  He singlehanded his way across the Atlantic and pointed out in said note that most people, unless they’ve done it, can’t comprehend just how many aspects are in play at once.  Please don’t take this as me complaining.  It’s just hard to describe to people.  My mind starts racing as soon as I open my eyes and I usually spend the first 15 – 30 minutes of consciousness thinking about what still needs to be done.  From there it is a flurry of activity running from place to place picking up groceries, spare parts, filing paperwork, goodwilling items I no longer need, taking old boat parts to the resell shop for ebay, and eating.  I hardly remember to eat anymore.  I’ve been chowing down most nights lately on military MREs left over from Hurricane IKE.  I am too tired to cook and the boat is too piled high with things that have to find a home to even think about using the galley.

On the up side, I’ve gotten to know two experienced cruising sailors, Os and Liz, of s/v Soel.  They’ve taken pity and have feed me twice already, and as nice as that was (loved the gumbo Liz), they also shared their waypoints and cruising insights up and down the coasts of Mexico and Belize.  We also made an afternoon of heading to SAMs together to provision.  They clued me in on some good real life cruising knowledge that helped figure out what I wanted to put on the boat.  Despite the warning, don’t overdo it, I think I way, way over did it.

When I wake up tomorrow morning I’ll do so with a smile, Road Trip!  I’ve got to do some laundry, secure and clear the deck of the boat and dock, and pack for a weeks travel.  I am driving up to Dallas/Fort Worth for two nights to see some good friends.  Wednesday morning I’ll load back up and head north for Springfield, MO, my home town.  I am looking forward to seeing my family for a few days at least before I fly back down.  This means no car.  Once I get the boat and all my new provisions on board I’ll start looking for a weather window to cross the Gulf of Mexico to Mexico.  My first choice of ports is Campeche, Mexico which is just a little over 600 nautical miles of deep water sailing.

Here is to enjoying the sleep of the dead at the end of a long day.

Lee Winters

Lee.Winters@SailingForSOS.com