The wind is out of the north at 20kts before daylight, and it is sighing in the trees and telling that when the overcast clouds holding the last of the heat in are gone, it will be cold. It's a dry 50F ( 40% relative humidity). Winter brings its own troubles, although I HAVE enough clothes to beat its cold fingers. (But they won't let me run around nekkid when it is 100F). I'm not much on water activities this time of year when hypothermia threatens, and haven't even looked at the boat with all the OTHER stuff going on that goes on.
Mainly holidays, which for me is every day, and I don't really get the point, but whatever. Some stuff you just have to endure. I had visions involving trees and I was correct, as we hoisted the Star at the old house and laid garland up the stairs. Broke out the Nutcracker soldier, and the Nativity scene. Ribbon and lights to come later in the week. Maybe we'll be there when the morning sun is making the ancient pine floors shine gold.
I've been waiting patiently for the hand to heal enough to raise the mast and do some rigging. I have an addition to the lazy jacks ready to test. Always some touch-up to be done when you can get a minute. The hand is almost ready and doing well, which brings up supplies to do touch-up, and where to get them. Online? Here, there, and yonder?
Paint and varnish. It is always there waiting.
I so want a crane to do stuff too, but NOW my daughter's husband has a hydraulic bucket on his tractor so I can see putting that to use in the future! I have toyed with the idea of pulling the centerboard for maint too, so there are plenty of ducks to line up as far as that goes. Just getting a plan together for it all and thinking ahead. As it is, I COULD have the boat in the water in a couple of hours were things deemed possible!
Maybe I should schedule the lazy jack work at a local RAMP!!!
Yes, I AM a pirate 8)
Not so fast BUCKO!
Small craft warning. Wind 20 out of the North carrying icicles as daggers. 65 relative humidity (at the moment).No water in the bayous and the Temp is steady dropping. Overcast and dreary.
Welcome to winter in Dixie!
The river will finally rise from dead low and turn brown, chasing the clear green away as the Winter Rain finally arrived. A fire would feel great.
My mind is racing thinking ahead. I turn 70 in January and I'm wanting to do a substantive sailing excursion. I guess to prove to myself that I still can? The call of the outdoors is strong right now.
First is where? Then there is boat prep. Trip planning. Charting. Menu planning. ETC.
FL 120/180?
TX 200?
Everglades Lack-of-Challenge?
Maine Island Trail?
Apostle Islands?
North Channel?
I'd say the FL120 or Lack-of-Challenge are the leading contenders right now. Both are with groups; safety in numbers.
I've sailed in P'cola twice though not with a group. I'd love to sail with Scott and the gang.
LoC is a week in the wilderness. The West Coast Trailer Sailors are a very active group. I've followed them on FB for some time now. It's coming fast: January!!!
We'll see.
I would be interested in the Everglades lack of Challenge or I'm not sure I could get away in June. I kayaked to an Island on the Maine Island Trail that had a small shelter.
Another one to consider is the OBX (NC Outer Banks) 130. 4 Days of sailing Core Sound, usually with a stop at Cape Lookout Lighthouse. This year is July 19-24 (2026). Most beach camp, some sleep on their boat. Self-sponsored, no fees and minimal organization. Starts and ends at the campground in Sealevel, NC. See the Facebook Group for more info.
Health permitting, I plan on going this year. My Mariner will be towards the larger (and more comfortable) end of the entries.
Fred W
Stuart (ODay) Mariner 19 Sweet P
Doug, here's a screenshot from the FB event page. They sail the 10000 islands for a week launching from Everglades City.
IMG_0232.png
Fred, the OBX is an event on my wish list. In fact, my sister lives just across the water from Harkers Island. Has a big draw.
Lots to think about.
Road Trip! As far as I have been with the boat is Pensacola, which is 1-1/2 hrs from home. It's so nice there and with great waters to sail. I'm not much interested anymore in long distances and enjoy a great day on the water but prefer to sleep in a real bed. Biloxi gets a visit on occasion and also is a great place to sail and fish, so I'm not interested in the time investment that a longer trip requires. To those that are, there are some nice gatherings aren't there? Maybe I'll catch up with the West Coast bunch one of these days.
My friend and I plan a return trip to the North Channel next summer. We sailed there for 2 weeks in 2018 and have wanted to return since. If we do go, I'll post it here and anyone interested is welcome.
Fred, I'm not on FB, but would like to sail the OBX 130, please keep us updated so others not on FB can attend.
Will do.
But I find most group cruises are on Facebook. Running and maintaining an independent web page is too expensive and technically demanding for most of us older folks. The worst part of having an independent web page is dealing with the constant attacks from hackers and pirates - who are now using automated scripts and AI to attack sites.
I don't do anything on Facebook except a select number of groups. I use Firefox, and restart/reboot my computer each day. This has pretty much eliminated the Facebook tracking of me once I check in on my groups. I enjoy group cruising too much not to do Facebook.
Fred W
Stuart (ODay) Mariner 19 Sweet P
Yeopim Creek, Albemarle Sound