After three years at a desk with little outside exercise, I'm surprised I even survived. I just finished three solid days of packing, lifting, moving, and cleaning... mostly by myself. I had help for half a day to move the stuff that required two people. Thanks to my buddy, Eric. At the end, the water had already been cut off, so I was cleaning the kitchen floor with Windex!
Since I don't know where I will be moving, I put the furniture and household stuff in a 10x10 storage space and it is packed to the gills. I have my tools, my almost finished dinghy, and all the cushions, sails, and books I removed from Rosita last Fall packed in my new 6x10 enclosed utility trailer, also packed to the gills. My clothes and other personal stuff are in the van.
I was so beat yesterday afternoon that I didn't even leave Seneca. I got a room and crashed for the night. When I woke up this morning I felt like I had been worked over by an expert. I'm thankful that my back held up well though.
Today, I'll drive down to Charleston - normally a five hour drive but it will take longer pulling the trailer. The weight and wind resistance are a big load on the van (Dodge Caravan V6).
But I'm in no hurry now. I plan to have at least two months of setting my own pace. First there will be 3-4 weeks of projects on Rosita. The 28 year old black iron fuel tank built into the keel is foul and impossible to clean properly. I will abandon it and add an 18 gallon tank under the port cockpit locker. Also, I will add a locker for a propane bottle. I will remove the alcohol stove and install a new propane stove. Also I will install new navigation lights, inspect the rigging, rebed chainplates, rebuild the toilet and install a bypass for offshore use, plus a long list of maintenance items.
Around the first of April, Rosita and I will head south to meet Victoria in Miami. I plan on 36 hour hops from inlet to inlet when the conditions are favorable. Otherwise, long days of motoring the ICW. Longer passages are possible only if I find any good volunteers (email me if you might be interested).
The latter part of April, Victoria and I will cruise the Keys and revisit Key West where we met 18(?) years ago! We plan to leave Rosita in Sarasota and relocate there ourselves soon.
I am mentally and emotionally quite capable of remaining unemployed. Unfortunately, I am not financially capable of it. And they always seem to get the numbers wrong on the lottery. Luckily, it seems I can always find good paying work on nuclear power plant modifications. There are three nuclear power plants within a weekend commute of Sarasota. I hope to land a good assignment on a long project at the Crystal River plant. otherwise, I think I'll just wait until something turns up at one of the others.
Meanwhile, I will be enjoying my time with Victoria, helping her get her Acupucnture practice established, exploring southwestern Florida, and getting Rosita ready for a long cruise in a few years. Not bad at all.
