The COST of joy...

It's been a busy couple weeks.

I've been toiling.

Now, I realize, doing some of the work I've been doing could be seen as 'play work' but it would only seem that way to those looking at it from the outside, not to those doing it.

(and I have been really busy writing and then presenting pitch after pitch after pitch this spring)

See, it's Spring around here and that means I have lots of prep work to do. Both at our house (pool, grounds, etc...) and with the boat.

First I had clean it out, check all the rigging, then sand all the woodwork, wash the hull, then wax it. 

This took two days. 

Step One...

Then 'Lift In' day came. This entailed getting to the yard, getting the engine (which I'd had overhauled) onto the boat along with the gas tanks, getting them connected, as well as making sure all the rigging was ready to go. I spent 6 hours at the yard on 'Lift In' day waiting for my turn.

Step Two...

Once the boat was in I had to to motor over to a guest dock to wait for 'Mast Stepping' day (the next day). So, come Monday, I was back at the yard getting the boat ready to have her mast stepped. My appointment was at 4 so I got there at 2 and spent two hours prepping.

At 4 the mast went on, then I motored back to the guest dock to complete the rigging process. Shrouds tightened, fore and back stay adjusted, sails up and on, sheets on, properly rigged and working, then I washed her down.

Step Three...

The next day (Tuesday) the Fam' and I moseyed over to the marina (after dropping off one car at our home harbor then driving to our guest harbor in the other vehicle) hopped aboard (with all our soft goods) and sailed home. We covered 20 miles in just under 2 hours which meant traveling just about as fast as our wee boat can go.

Sam took the helm for the last 30min or so.

Step Four...

To see video of the trip, click HERE.

We got home and fell right asleep. As we were drifting off I said to Niki, "See, even the things you LOVE require TOIL in order for you to get JOY out of 'em..."

So, keep toiling friends. The horizon is calling.

T