I Hate Winter! ! ! ! !

SHIP'S LOG:

     True, it is not winter . . . yet, but it is coming fast. It arrives sometime the week after Columbus Day Weekend for that is when ABISHAG gets hauled out of the water in Portland and sleeps for the winter. Winter arrives the moment her keel clears the water.

     It is also true that the weather is beginning to turn. I tend to sleep "sans apparel" but for the last few nights, I have actually had to dress and even use a blanket.  In September, this is unacceptable! And if you believe "The Farmer's Almanac," (not "The Old Farmer's Almanac") this coming winter is to be characterize by biting, brutal cold! Now who wants that?

     Much to my distress, and undoubtedly theirs as well, Publisher's Clearing House is having a devil of time finding me.  Of course, if they would find me, I would be long gone and hard to find. Not really, but it sounded good, didn't it? I suppose that I could spend a month or two in the BVI, but I would fly there and not sail.  Then again, since PCH hasn't found me, hte whole idea is moot.

     Chuck the Launch Driver is on his way to Florida. He left Friday with Rich Weber and as of this morning's phone call, they are off Sandy hook, NJ, on their way to Manasquan where they will stop for the night. The weather is deteriorating which means their next leg, to Atlantic City and Plum Cove, will be wet.  If the wind is bad, they will stay in Manasquan until it moderates but they hope to be in the Chesapeake by the weekend. Ah, it brings back memories, mostly of square waves and deluging rain and Fred and Bob puking. . . . . but it is those memories of 80 degree temps and constant sunshine Miami and Key Largo that make you deal with all the crap. Still, I am kind of glad that I am not going. It is not so much the trip down but rather the one back. That on seems interminable. And how bad could the winter really be?