Countdown to Launch

Since we planned to leave on July 1st, you'd think we would feel lucky to have an extra 6 weeks to get ready. Instead, we are running around like chickens with our heads cut off, unsure whether we are coming or going! In spite of this organized chaos, we continue to get things done during our countdown to launch.

I've been dehydrating fruit and sealing food for the voyage including rice, spaghetti, dried beans, steel cut oatmeal, quinoa, and grits. I hope to put together sealed bags of baking recipes like muffins and brownies. I'm including only dry ingredients. When we want a treat, I will have to add only the eggs and oil, then bake.

Preparing pineapple, blueberries & apples for dehydration

Dave has been busy too. He built custom screens for our hatches. They are a must for keeping hungry insects out of our living space. In the past, we have suffered tremendously during infestations of black flies. Dave knows firsthand that living with mosquitoes could be a deal breaker for me!

Main Hatch Screen

Main Hatch Screen Installed

Forward Hatch Screen

Forward Hatch Screen Installed

Dave repaired both a rudder through bolt that looked bad and a stanchion that needed resetting.

Rudder through bolt repair

I continue to work on the teak. Each week I sand a little more of the areas not yet touched and add another coat to areas that have been completely redone. It's a labor of love/hate!

Adding coats of varnish to hand rails

I made a custom hatch cover bag for the main hatch boards. They get really beat up even though Dave is diligent about wrapping them in a towel when they are out of the slide. I did not use a pattern. Instead, it was more like a creation that evolved from left over fabric and a measuring tape; not to mention, a whole lot of time. It's pretty cool and will double as a comfy pillow when not protecting the hatch boards. I used sticky letters as templates to quilt "MYSTIC" on the cover.

We finally got our boat cards printed! It took us a while to decide on a design but we are thrilled with the outcome! Dave's been handing out cards to friends, co-workers and anyone he meets who is interested in our journey.

Five weeks to go...and counting down!!!