Aloha All,

It's just like when you were a kid and you got brand new "Keds" or "Converse" shoes. Felt like you could run faster than you ever could. I remember racing Terri and Joe up and down the sidewalk outside the shoe store. Always felt like I had wings (without the Red Bull).

I managed to get the brand new mainsail up with little drama. It took a while to get the bead along the luff to feed into the groove on the foil inside the mast cavity but eventually it was all the way up. Looks fast just standing still. To me it does, just like new shoes.

Much mahalo to the crew at North Sails, Honolulu Loft. Fuzz, Jimbo, and the gang really scrambled to get this new sail built and delivered prior to my departure. As usual, they exceeded my expectations. As the Honolulu Loft has, time and again. Much appreciated!

Also managed to wrestle the life raft out of the aft cabin and strap it down to the foredeck. Another TTD checked off. Only a dozen or so to go. I want everyone to know that it was Skip's idea to buy an 8 x person life raft. At least the three of us will have some leg room in the highly unlikely event we have to step up into it.

Good thing we decided to schedule the crew to arrive a week later than myself. The list of "Oh $h1t, I forgot to bring this." keeps growing. Luckily Rob and Blossom are there to assemble the necessities. Thanks folks!

The "good idea" cutoff fast approaches. At that point all Good Idea Fairies will be shot or thrown overboard. Their choice. It's time to sail this vessel home.

Everyone take care and stay well. All my love.

mark

P.S. Holy Crap! Looking at the photo of the new mainsail again. Freaking nice! Can't wait to get it out in the Tradewinds.