This photo is of a large moose track with my size 7 shoe to lend perspective. It's confusing but its rear left foot is on the left side of the print. Luna and I found the track just up from where mom lives. Luna was non-plussed. I was a little more apprehensive but also curious. I love a good adventure.

And speaking of tracking, we are, along with the rest of the world watching Matthew's path and hoping for the best. There are times when the differences between land and cruising life are minimal. We still have schedules and chores and Luna. We watch our money, spend too much anyway, juggle priorities and carve out time for Mexican Train Dominoes, a nightly glass of wine, special homemade dinners or occasional splurges on the town. There are other times we notice the differences more acutely. Every time I schedule the coffeemaker for the next morning's brew, I say "Oh, this is so nice". Loading the dishwasher, heating food in a microwave, doing laundry as I choose without trekking a mile or more with heavy bags...these are changes I definitely notice. But as Matthew bears down on the Bahamas after exacting his cruel wrath on Haiti, and as we watch what he might or might not do in the next couple of days, it is a stark contrast to how we used to watch and prepare for storms. I read reports last night from several cruiser friends about what they were doing to ready their vessels for a possible hit in Florida, Georgia, SC and NC. They might or might not have to evacuate the areas. The anxiety we feel for others is significant but certainly not the same as what we would feel for our own safety and that of Skylark. It is a relief, yes, but it still hits close to home for us. We'll hold our breath, wait and watch, hope for the best, and appreciate our land life away from the brouhaha. While tracking moose isn't exactly safe unless one carries a rifle (which I do not), it is an interesting diversion for the time being.