Reflections - I

SHIP'S LOG:

Unmoved in Norfolk at Hospital Point.

MASTER'S PERSONAL LOG:

I had a whole day to sit and reflect on my trip up & down the Intracoastal Waterway from Hospital Point to Miami and back to Hospital Point. It is 1,089 statute miles one way for a total of 2,178 miles not counting all the mileage for the little side trips here and there, nor the stretch from New London to Hospital Point and back. It is actually a lot of miles and I can remember just about everyone of them, including several that I would like to forget. As I sit here, waiting for the rain NOAA "promised" would be falling all day to day (nary a drop!) it is a bit difficult to grasp that I have done it and though I have to complete the trip by getting back home "unsunk," I have amazed myself with what I have done so far. What I have left to do doesn't really bother me at all except for the fact that it is still about 300+ miles left with the outside stretch up the coast of New Jersey yet to come. That will probably be the most challenging part left to do but it surely doesn't worry me the way it did on the way down. The Delaware Bay too can be a nasty piece of water and it has been bad both times I have traveled on it. I don't expect this time to be any different but it won't be anymore trouble than what i have already experienced and i can always drop a hook and crack a good book. I talked with Fred last night and he said, "You sound like an ol' salt. Talking about the trip and what remains , it just comes out nice and easy. No more white-knuckle sailor." I suppose he is right, If anything untoward should happen, i would probably be more "pissed-off" than scared and so if it's weather-wait it out; if it's mechanical - fix it; if I go aground - call Towboat/US(they're probably feeling lonely); and if the boat sinks, - Call the Coast Guard. Other than that, lay out the course each day and sail it with the experience I have gain, and really let God take care of everything else.

The people I have met for the most part have been great. And I think I will save them for tomorrow's blogg. I need more reflecting.