Life At Its Best

      The morning is cold here in the California Delta with a layer of mist hanging over the area, And the day begins its life with the sounds of birds and creatures of the water. The muskrats and beavers have already started their day.
       Standing here with a hot cup of coffee in hand and looking out the window of our boat, I feel a slight tug on my pant leg.
       As I look down, I see my grandson, with sleep still in his eyes,
And he asks the question,
             Granpa, Can We Go Fishin Today?
                               Now Life Just Dosent Get Any Better Than That..

Brain Fry

  Almost a year has passed from our last post and much has taken place, but The news is, when we took note of where we wanted to go and what we wanted to do, Much was needed to bring our boat up to our standards for our next venture.  The list isnt that long but a little pricy to say the least.
  The down side of the up-grade was that we both went to work and as we all know, work destroies the brain for clear thought..
  I long for the days again when waking in the morning was brought on by the sun comming throu the overhead hatch. When my days were filled with studies of charts and cruising books. And the smell of salt water filled my head..
  But, the projects are comming along fast, the work is getting done, and a light at the end of the tunnel is in sight..
  We've had a taste of that to come, and we liked it..  

BUILDING THE LIST

 Its the fall  now, and we've decided to spend another season upgrading the boat, only because we have no idea of where we are going or what our plans are for       ther future.                                                                                                                         Even thou we are ready to leave, the money is here, and the boat is ready, there are systems within the boat we've always wanted to up-grade, to put into place or opperation, so for a season, as we're working, we'll do some up-grading to the systems.                                                                                                                               

TIME TO DANCE

   The frost is on the docks here at the Sailing Club,  the morning tempeture is in the 30s

and the windows are fogged up. Christmas is just a couple days away, and the first of the year is just around the corner..

   These are all things to be excited about BUT what makes us most happy.. The date of 

December 21st gave us the winter solstice..  The shortest day of the year and its now time to add the minutes until the hot days of summer are here. 

   Summer, Shorts, T-Shirts, and Sandles.. And Oh Yes, those lazy days ghosting along in a light breeze while sipping on your favorite drink.. Sure is nice to dream..

   But here on "R3" systems are checking out to be good, the solar is up and opperational, the wind generator is putting out more amps than ever before, Thanks to Walt,  We're slowly going back in to "cruising mode" after our land bound time, and we're looking forward to that smell of salt air and our sails full of wind.. Its the small things that are overwhelming us at this point but lists are made and as fast are deleted so all is good and we'll sone be on our way..

  

STOCKTON SAILING CLUB - LIFE IN THE POND

   Just about a year ago, we sailed the boat up river to the Stockton Sailing Club, and was given a side tie at the far North East corner of the marina, The "Pond" as many call it.  

   Its a very quite area and on any given day, its not abnormal to see a hand full of fisherman sitting on the banks with their lines stretched to the water, which could be why its been given its name.

   Our life on the pond has been an experience we'll miss when leaving here in the spring. 

   Maybe its the wildlife that gathers in the morning as the mist over the water burns off or the birds that roost in the trees at night and if the time is right, we might get the chance to  see one of the otters or muskrats playing in the area or doing their daily chores unaware we're watching.  All of this just minutes from downtown Stockton and the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

   Our stay here at the Sailing Club has been interesting to say the least as we've met loads of good people and made a few close friends,  but I think its the life in the pond we'll miss the most.

ANXIETY ATTACK

     We've all awoke in the middle of the night where we've fallen asleep on the couch or in an easy chair, and when awakening, in a brief moment, you struggle in you mind to put everything into prospective as the surroundings around are not normal.. A simple moment of anxiety comes over you until all becomes clear..

     Had this happen a few nights ago, after falling asleep on the setee while watching an evening program, and for that brief moment, I had no Idea of where I was..

     And I got to thinking,  will this be the one down-fall of our world cruising, the one item aboard I have no control over.. To awake in strange surroundings and fall to the mental issues of an Anxiety Attack..

     And how is one to deal with such an issue? maybe something familiar in the Berth? A scented Candle might do the trick, or listening to a known track of your favorite music.. 

     Or just deal with the issue when it happens, 

     So I've warned Mona as best I can, and If she hears  a blood curdling  scream coming from the berth after I've laid down for a nap,  just ignore it, its only me waking up..