Solo Sail Around Kitsap, Update 7

Good evening!

11 days till underway!

Reflection time:

It seems like many people have been voicing concern about me sailing solo, let alone around Kitsap Peninsula. I'd like to take a moment to set the record strait and aleviate any fears that my friends and relatives may have about my being "fit" for solo sailing.

I'm 49 years old. I have had Parkinson's Disease for well over 10 years now. 18 months ago, I had brain surgery to install a Deep Brain Stimulator (DBS). The surgery was a breeze, but recovery was slow. The brain surgery was done for several reasons I'm sure, but to be quite honest I only remember two of them.

The first reason was that the DBS surgery in an early onset of Parkinson's patient, like me, might just be neuroprotective which "might" actually delay the "progression" of Parkinson's. (I hate that word progression. It is so misleading.)

The second reason that I remember was that I could get off some of the meds that I was taking, which also worked to prolong the "period of effectiveness" that most of the Parkinson's medications seem to have. This actually did happen. I'm on half the meds I used to be on.

So what's it all about any way????

When you, faithful reader, wake up in the morning and go through your morning routine, do you ever stop once to think that you might not be able to brush your teeth tomorrow? or tie your shoes? or zip your fly? Eat cereal from a spoon? Read the paper? How about just take a leak... standing up?

It's like this... I've been on and in the water my entire life. I grew up in Rhode Island and have Blue Ocean Water hard coded in my DNA. I have been sailing since the age of 13. Joined the Navy and retired after 3 ships and a few years at sea. I've cultivated a deep respect for the water, mother nature, good luck and more importantly... bad luck.

I am concerned about my safety, my balance, and the general day to day status of my Parkinson's disease symptoms. If I sat and wondered if I'll be able to sail next Summer, or if I'll have a "bad day" or "freeze" while sailing, or if I can physically handle The Chief (my service dog) while sailing, I would have "spent" a lot of time wondering, and would never get that time back. I could "wonder" myself into a depressive state, and that would do me absolutely no good! So I started scheming and made myself a deal...

The deal was that when my brother came up for a visit, I'd go sailing with him. It was his idea actually. And it worked out like a champ! Me and Ron had a really good time! I had initially planned on taking him down the Hood Canal and leaving the boat there, however the weather didn't cooperate. We ended up sailing for 3 days and had a blast! When he left, I got bummed, because I realized that I could have done the trip, but chickened out!

Sue and I sailed together two years ago and had a blast. She's by far my choice to sail with any time any where. Ron and I sailed this year and had a blast. I sailed a larger boat with some friends earlier this year and had a blast. Reflecting on these thoughts was invigorating! I had sailed my boat many times alone so what was stopping me from doing something that I'm very comfortable with?

And that was when I decided to talk to Sue about me doing the trip solo! She said, "Sure! You need to do this!"

I'm fairly competent at sailing, adamant about safety, push my luck on occasion, and have a deep respect for the power of wind and water. I like meeting new people and seeing the world from a different perspective. I am learning how to listen to my body and I think I'm actually getting better at listening to my body. Its all about fixing your boat to your standards, thinking through the scenarios, making sure that all the pieces of the puzzle have been carefully stuck together, and then get underway and deal with the outcome of your preparation.

So, when I get out of bed tomorrow morning... I will take a leak standing up, brush my teeth, have a bowl of cereal, read the paper, put my pants on, zip my fly, and tie my shoes.

If I can manage all that, I'll damn well go sailing!


The Friday, End of the Week, Break Down:

1. Tested two bank battery charger, SAT!
2. Tested both batteries. SAT!
3. Tested DC system analog volt meter. SAT!
4. Installed jack line (safety line).
5. Varnished anchor cleat wood blocks.
6. Installed dinghy seat box.
7. Painted holey bulk head.
8. Rewired and tested compass light. SAT!
9. Installed Jacobs ladder.
10. Stowed boat.

Left Ta Dooos:

1. Exchange 6 inch cleat for 8 inch anchor cleat, and install.
2. Test anchor system.
3. Test dragging dinghy.
4. Test motoring dinghy.
5. Test transferring from boat to dinghy and back.
6. Fabricate chart table
7. Varnish wood work
8. Evaluate fabrication of new awning.
9. Fabricate new sail gaskets (4)
10. Supplies
11. Clothes
12. Cruising Cash (How much per marina)
13. Log Book
14. Float Plan
15. Trailer Plan

Now to wonder where tomorrow will take me.
Grass = Maybe!
Plants = Maybe!
Boat = Maybe!
Sail = Maybe!
Movie = Maybe!
Long walk = Maybe!
Paint Shed = Maybe!


Maybe I'll get to them all, if I can tie my shoes.

Good night for now!

Campy Out!