Vacation 2006-1
2006-08-08

We took off Saturday morning under hot and sticky conditions and little or no breeze. The knotmeter wasn�t working (marine growth that needed removing) but the beer was cold and the diesel was humming as we headed out into the bay. We got into the cove early enough that the YC mooring was open and we immediately snagged it and hoisted up our burgee. Then I got to work rigging up the canvas to keep the sun off, hoisting the hammock and setting the cockpit cushions. I was sweating bullets by this time and M.E made me sit and hoist a cold one before I tackled getting the inflatable launched ant the engine put on.
This was to be the first time I�d ever used either one and I was a little nervous but everything went well. The engine started on the second pull and ran sweetly. M.E grabbed some life jackets, a cooler of cold beer and we went off for a mini harbor cruise. We just checked out the boats and people, created a little breeze and broke in the engine like the manual told us to do. Of course there were a lot of people we knew and we stopped and chatted for a bit at each spot. Life was good.
Later in the day the breeze freshened a bit and the temperature was comfortable for the first time all day. I cooked swordfish on the portable gas grill and we settled in to just enjoy the night. If you�ve never just lounged on a sailboat at anchor, well, it�s not something I can explain to you. You just have to experience it yourself.
An old friend, Mike stopped by with his adorable little girl and also adorable not so little girlfriend with a blender full of frozen drinks. They stayed well after the moon rose talking about old times and new. The finally left and we enjoyed a bit more of the night before finally closing the main hatch and getting settled down below. I slept like a rock. I always do, with the water gently lapping against the hull and the wind in the rigging. Life was good.

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