Well, it's not the fourth yet...but it's close! Here I'm down into checking the electrical stuff...getting ready for more equipment.

This week we're looking forward to daughterWillow, son-in-law James, and very special granddaughter Jillian coming down to spend the night and watching fireworks. Less than 30 days to go and everything that can be apart on the boat is apart...meaning I've managed to really string things out right now. Sandy wants me to work neater but space and time are both premiums. I'll pull it together for our visitors then it's back at it again!

This boat has so many "systems" on it that working on one (system) always means working on another. In addition, we have the wind generator and solar panels coming in the next few days. Installing each is no simple task because, once again, they have to inter-connect. It also means two more systems....if anyone is into "toys" get yourself a sailboat and try setting it up to sail around the world! You'll get over any "toy" fixation you may have for sure.

There is a counter-argument to all this complexity of course, that simple is better, but that only holds true as long as you have years of sailing experience and don't mind the inconveniences of not having stuff like water, or refrigerated foods, or electronic charting, or radios etc. Joshua Slocum sailed around the world with almost nothing (not even an engine!)...but there's a big difference between being a sailor and being a "cruiser." A cruiser is a person or persons who lives on their boat as a lifestyle as opposed to just being a sailor. It's all a matter of emphasis...Slocum's interest was "getting there" ours is not only getting there... but being there and doing it all with a maximum amount of comfort and safety. I think of cruisers as just ocean-going RV'ers, and sailors more as weekenders who go camping with minimums...I'been a well equipped camper and I've been a poorly equipped camper...well equipped is better.

Onward now to the fourth and 25 days to go!