Cloud Messenger

The last few days on the boat were bittersweet. I had fun hanging out with everyone in Sampson Cay. The snorkeling was enthusiastic if not real spectacular. I did see some new creatures including a Peacock Flounder. We spent one day just hanging on the beach in a thatch covered gazebo, playing volleyball, eating, laughing and just relaxing in the beautiful surroundings. Jason and I teamed up for one game everyone seemed to think just because I grew up in California I should automatically be an expert volleyball player. Thank god we won and I didn't shame my home state with my total ineptitude. Saying good bye to David was heartwrenchingly difficult. But Ali I returned to the states yesterday. We are currently back in California although not quite home yet. We survived the travel day. It started at 5:00am so we could get to the airport two hours ahead. We made it through security and customs and onto the plane. But just after I gave the little-dog-man his tranquilizer they decided there was trouble with the batteries
(wouldn't hold a charge) and they canceled the flight. Great.....now
I had a drugged pup and four hours in the airport. Then they finally
sneaked me on...first class!... to the next flight, 11:30am. Everyone
else from my original flight had to wait for a new flight at 1:30pm.
I obviously missed my connection though so when I got to Atlanta I
went through security again so Ali could go outside. He was still
woozy but managed to go pee; standing on three legs was a struggle for
the poor intoxicated little guy. Ha. I then learned there was a
flight leaving Atlanta for SF at 2:30pm rather than the flight I had
been rebooked on at 4:30pm. So I made a mad dash, racing to another
terminal and just made the flight. I was the last person on and the
last seat on the flight. Of course the last seat was a middle seat in
coach. Squishy long flight later we arrived in SF. Ali was quiet and
fine the whole flight...I think the drugs were STILL working. I
arrived in SF at 5:00pm California time: late, tired and of course (since I
changed flights) no luggage. I got the rental car but with no phone I
just had to trust Jenny and Rhys were still expecting me. I drove there and was warmly welcomed, thank god...but actually I didn't have
much doubt that I would be. My luggage will be delivered later this
morning and I made it back in one piece to California so it all worked
out well. The only hitch is I miss David already, terribly! I LOVE that man. David enjoyed a singlehanded sail to Little Farmer's the day after I left. It unfortunately left him sore and beat-up because of the wind being straight on the nose the whole way there. Glad I missed it. :-) David's dad arrives today and they will have a week on the boat together. This is my last blog until next season but David has assured me he will carry on with the boat news until he puts the boat up for the hurricane season, possibly by June. I'll be reading right along with the rest of you.