scary season...............from P

For the first time on this adventure, I am afraid. We have postponed our departure - now it is Monday, Nov. 3rd. I am afraid because each time we have discussed a date or set a date something comes up that pushes it out further. I fear that we are risking our weather window and we may never get underway. Initially we were only to be home for two weeks. That was before we cracked the rudder. Boat repairs, follow up repairs, and all the attendant logistics took a total of four weeks. We decided on November 1 as our firm date, but for several reasons (all good reasons) we have now decided to be home over the weekend and leave Monday morning. Then today we received excellent news regarding K's dad - his recently diagnosed cancer is only in one spot and appears to be very treatable! But surgery of some type will be required. We are now waiting to learn the scheduled date. Of course we will need to stay close by during that timeframe. Our trip schedule is certainly a distant second on the priority list behind helping parents who need us. If surgery is within the next two weeks, we stay. If it is later, we go - with plans to fly back for whatever time we are needed.

I have just now received a call from our mechanic - another unavoidable delay installing a new shaft seal. Bless him - he has been working all afternoon and evening trying to get it finished today; but now because of unexpected challenges (none of them major, but all of them burning up time) and because there are people other than me who need a boat mechanic, we will not be able to begin packing and provisioning Senara until Thursday afternoon. That is assuming no more challenges. We have become adept at packing and provisioning (P&P) - in fact we can get it done, including the shopping, in two days if necessary. So maybe if we spend Thursday afternoon doing the final cleanup, then P&P Friday and Saturday, then cut the grass, clean house, and do a final grocery run on Sunday - we could still possibly get underway by Monday morning. Tight. But if we are going, we need to get started southbound very soon before winter catches up.

Events over the next two days will determine whether we stay or go, or possibly get delayed again. So for two more days I will remain scared. Just in time for Halloween.