Well, I’ve been sort of gimping around noting that it can be very painful to get from point A to point B in the boat whereas walking on land is …a cake walk in comparison. I am still using a cane even on land since I don’t want to limp and have it be a permanent thing though. My 6 week checkup with the surgeon is August 4th so in theory we could be back on our way on August 5th if he gives the thumbs up for it. Since most folks don’t get a go-ahead to get back to work (if their work is physical) for 12 weeks, I am well aware that I’ll still be taking it easy for another 6 weeks though.

I’m teasing David and saying that just gives me an excuse to kick back during our trip up the California Coast! He reminds me that we DO finally have an autopilot installed and working. I suppose this will be a very different passage than last year’s trek North. We won’t have to have one of us glued to the helm hand steering the whole way. That should make a huge difference. Since I can’t imagine me being able to run back and forth from sheets to helm quickly, I can just say I’m glad.

In the boat, David is working on scattered projects. Everything from very visible things like the galley cabinets to totally hidden things like installing a ceiling in the storage area adjacent the engine. He’s also putting sound insulating walls around the engine compartment. Up until now, it’s really been the engine “area” since it hasn’t had all side-walls in place. Afterwards, it will be a compartment!

Since the boat has been David’s domain to make messes and do as he pleases for the past 5 weeks–I can tell you, it is a mess! I can hardly walk for all the things strewn out and about and piled where they don’t belong. Saw dust and dirt and packaging everywhere. His method of doing projects involves emptying all the lockers while getting something needed from them but not putting things away…ever…until I start aggressively yelling about putting things away. Since surgery, I just decided I’d have to go with the flow. But, I must be getting better now because I can’t stand it any longer and I’ve started pushing back. However, I’m so glad that he’s doing the projects like sound proofing the engine compartment that I’ve decided to try and do as much as I can myself.

I thought I’d start with the stateroom. There’s a wall of storage bins and a shelf along the starboard side. That area normally is quite organized. It is important because, besides our important papers box, a first aid box, all my sewing materials, and several plastic boxes of extra tools for David, all my clothes are there. Right now, it is in such a jumble that I can’t find my regular (summer) clothes. I’ve been wearing the same 2 pairs of pants and 2 shirts for the past 3 weeks–just washing one then the other…lucky for me my undies are in a bag which I can find! In the once nice-and-organized space, there are rugs, blankets, sweaters, long-johns, wool socks and everything “soft” on top of other stuff and I’ll have to assume that under there somewhere are the remainder of my summer clothes! Today, I’m excavating and re-arranging the area.

Of course, there are 4 huge and strangely shaped pieces of plywood (why???) leaning up against the storage area to add challenge to the task. I think I’ll be able to get them onto the bed and out of the way. I’ll call this my boat-PT for the day!