Back to Texas ( by car)
July 9, 2011
Ok, so this is how it works: we leave and the cooler weather arrives. It rained on us yesterday and last night for the first time in weeks. In fact, it is cooler than expected and that means the crew of S/V Why Knot will be leaving the area just when things are entering a milder state. This will be the second significant “off load” of our cruise and one that is sorely needed. This off load will include stuff we thought we would need for the island phase but did not use; didn’t come close to using. That seems to be a big mistake most first time cruisers mention. It brings to mind that 14 pounds of canned hamburger meat we “laid in” for those times in the island when we would crave meat; never needed it. Looking at the overall stores, the spare parts and related mechanical stuff that might be needed out there takes up most of the storage we have aboard. People room is thus compromised. So, the experiences of the past 19 months have shown us what really works in our planning and what has changed. A ten pound assortment of fasteners may not be really necessary for US cruising, nor it seems a spare set of hoses, all hoses, for the boat and engine. The trip to the headquarters of S/V Why Knot in the Hill Country of Texas will include many items from the boat (except Bear won’t let the can meat go) that we have hauled several thousand miles aboard. Once again, we will look like the Clampetts on the way home. Our loyal mobile storage unit bit the dust here in Wilmington so we have another MSU of about the same size to road test. We hope to be away today but have much to do before leaving. It is 0630 and we must muster the crew (yeah right) and get the first work party started.

Why Knot will stay here and await a new bottom job. We have arranged to have it done just before we return. We have secured the boat for possible hurricane activities, specifically doubling all dock lines and removing the dodger. Hopefully, that will not have been unnecessary.

The picture is of our boat troll's family member waiting at the gangway for some unsuspecting boat. He will most likely pick a motor vessel due to size. I think he winked at me the other day.