Austin is awesome. Everyday is filled with friends fun and plenty of excitement. Its a great place to call home even if it gets a bit warm at times. However vacation is vacation and it’s been far too long since we have been down to see Sugar Shack.
Work. Yeah it gets in the way of vacation but also allows us the opportunity to pretend we are retired for short stints of time. We call these opportunities vacations or practice retirements.
Some people save forever to retire, others spend every dime along the way. We are splitting the difference and playing and practicing for a semi permanent vacation at some point. Playing when we can and adding the things we like to the Shack to make it a home along the way.
This hurricane season we had a few odds and ends attended to on the boat list. Some canvas work to protect it from the sun, an insurance survey, a fresh wax and some fresh paint on the seagull striker that it has needed since we purchased her in Turkey. A rigging inspection that came back positive eventho it’s getting close to time for it to be replaced.
Vacation started this morning with a cold beer before 8am local time, I’m sure its 5 o’clock some where. We charmed our way into the airport lounge so why not?
Flights so far are on time and these first class seats are comfy. We found Wayne in Dallas so the sailing crew is on their way south and itching to loose the long sleeves for some shorts. The toes were quite frozen boarding the taxi at the house this morning. Next stop is Miami so they should thaw out pretty soon.
We have a little work to do in the morning to get ready to sail. It’s the preparation day that makes ya wonder if it’s better to just charter as the boat is ready when you show up. Obviously we chose the other option in anticipation of a more permanent vacation. It would be nicer to get to spend more time on the Shack but you have to have your goals. One benefit of our plan is that some of our stuff is already on the boat, be it clothes or cooking utensils – you a know what a knife snob I am.
In the morning we will fill the water tanks, put the interior back together, check the props, try to dress her with the sails, settle the yard bill, and find a way to stock the pantry, provisioning for those who like the sailors terms.
Signed.
Somewhere over Louisiana.