It is July 5 in Atlanta, where I remain, but still July 4 (Independence Day) in LA, so I'm taking some liberty (so to speak).

Today was one of the quietest, slowest, and, in that way, one of the most satisfying days I've had in quite a while. I managed to stay well informed of, and in some amazing ways deeply connected to, all that matters, and yet completely disconnected from (almost) all that is mad. And I needed that combination.

See, it is going to be August 4th (not July) before Windrunner and I are tied up in our slip, in our hailing port of San Pedro.

We just closed on the sale of her to me on the 3rd of July, and I am not leaving for San Diego (home of Windrunner for now) until the 17th. Then she has some time in dry dock getting her bottom in shape, and a couple of days of provisioning, and on August 3rd, some friends and I leave from SD heading north.

Today was partially filled with completing the list of items I'll likely need, from basics like non-skid glasses and plates, to Class 1 Vests, to throwables, to second anchors, spare belts and clamps, to extra glasses holders and sunscreen and motion sickness pills. The ($) fun never stops when one owns a sailboat...

Independence... Every step forward means you leave some things behind. All you can do it try to be sure the right things are left behind for the right reasons, AND/OR if the wrong things are left behind, at least it is done for the right reasons. Freedom isn't free. Life is about trade-offs. About priorities. About doing what you must, balanced with doing what you can and what you want.

Or some such stuff (Suddenly that felt way too philosophical).

Back to practical; I now have insurance, a bill of sale, a letter or transport, a key to my boat, a plan to be on/with her, a plan to get her home, and a list of all I may need to comfortably take her where ever I want. A list for independence. Or some such stuff...

Happy 4th, everyone.