There it is!!!

After a long relaxing weekend spent lying in the sun, writing addresses of loved ones down on address labels to be affixed to various postcards at various ports along my trip, and packing everything I could pack into my duffel that I wont need till I get to the boat, my passport has finally arrived! All it took was a stern e-mail to the us passport center and it was here via UPS urgent mail! I have to say I am very impressed. Now I can really focus on all the important things I need to do in my last 2 days here in Allen. I am having friends over tomorrow night instead of Wednesday night because my flight is at 7am Thursday morning. Looking forward to seeing everyone. I am in a little bit of a funk today as some people inevitably want to rain on my parade, whether it be an old friend or someone I don't even know, I hate being told what to do and it seems I remember reading, "Once you start talking about going on a [trip or adventure], you'll probably take some heat from other people. Most people don't want you to get away and be happy-they want you to stay with them and suffer. But don't ignore the losers who tell you that [it's] a frivolous escape. Just say 'You got that right. See ya!' ". - Cameron Tuttle
But of course, the compliments and encouragement I have received from friends and loved ones far outweigh the pessimism from others. I hear a lot of "If I was your age..." and "Don't pass up on an opportunity like that..." and the ever present "Shut up, I don't want to hear about your stupid trip anymore!" - Jessica :) These things remind me that if I don't take this chance I will spend the rest of my life wondering what would have happened if I had. I don't want to be the old lady who says "I wish I would have done something like that when I was young." I want to be the crazy old bag who smokes Cuban cigars and tells amazing stories about all the amazing places she has seen and the people she has met along the way. So, with only a few days left till departure I have a few things left to tie up around here, a bag to finish packing, a storage building full of junk, and I couldn't be happier.

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.

Explore. Dream. Discover.

Mark Twain

Where the heck is my passport?!?!?

With the recent addition of The Bahamas on the float plan I am now stressed about my passport not being here. I know I can just print off my proof of application from their website but I would really like to have it since I applied for it THREE FREAKIN MONTHS AGO!!! I am really annoyed. I have e-mailed and called the passport agency and they say they will do everything they can do to get it to me before I leave next week. Yeah... right. I guess I shouldn't stress about it but I can't help it. Its coming down to the wire here... this time next week I will be on The Quark! I can't wait!

News from Captain George

As I checked my email this evening, I notice I have one from my new boss Capt. George, so I immediately check it before the others. He was just touching base with me making sure I have all my flight info in order and to let me know he is just as excited as I am about the trip (could he be tired of my "i am so excited you have no idea oh my gosh i cant wait" emails?) and that my enthusiasm is contagious, very kind of him. He also attaches a little float plan reminder, glance over it as I have many times this past week only something new catches my eye... "From Savannah GA to Key West" OK yes, seen that, but wait, he continues on... "by way of the Bahamas." BY WAY OF THE BAHAMAS??? I practically fall out of my chair. This is the first I have heard about us going to the Bahamas and I am ecstatic! I must be dreaming, great new job on a great new boat with a great new boss, going to key west where I get to stay for a while and visit old friends, and now the BAHAMAS?!?! If this is a dream, please don't wake me up!

9 Days and Counting...

Yesterday I told my boss about my big adventure and he couldn't be happier for me. Like I said, he knows me so well and he said I shouldn't pass on an amazing opportunity like this, and added that if I ever come back I could have my job back! See? I told you he was an awesome guy. That was my major stress and now its over so I can relax and start getting stressed about something else... :) Like overnight passages, rogue waves, and the bowsprit breaking off. ( My old KW buddies will remember those fears!)


Over the weekend I went to Houston to visit old friends and my aunt Nita. I got to spend some time at my favorite haunt in town, Curb Checkers, where I saw old friends and made new ones! (Hi Steve, Mike, Darla, Bill, Jim and Capt. Jon!) I had such an amazing time visiting everyone and just want to say thank you to everyone for making it such a memorable trip. I would especially like to thank my sweet car the "FestEVIL" for getting me there and back in one piece... I will miss you old girl!



Another neat thing that happened over the weekend, I got back in touch with an old friend from Key West! My buddy Drew now lives in... Savannah GA! Which is great because I will be docking there for a few weeks on Quark, now instead of scooting around town alone, I have an exploring buddy! So I'm pretty happy about that. Well thats about it for today, I just spent about 2 hours by the pool trying to get some sun on my pale body so I don't burn to a crisp my first few days out on the boat and it's time for a nap... night night.

Boat Specs

VESSEL’S NAME: QUARK

LOA: *45’3” LWL: *38’9” Beam: *12’6” Draft: *5’0”

Gross Ton: 15 Net: 14 Ballast: EXTERNAL & INTERNAL LEAD

Designer: L. FRANCIS HERRESHOFF Builder: BROOKLIN BOAT YARD

Year Built: 2002 Rebuilt: -- BROOKLIN, ME

Market Value: $800,000.00 Replacement Value: $950,000.00

Topsides: DOUBLE PLANKED FIR OVER CEDAR

Bottom: DOUBLE PLANKED FIR OVER CEDAR

Stem: CLIPPER BOW WITH OAK STEM

Stern: TRANSOM STERN

Frames: 2 ¼” x 2 ¼” LAMINATED FIR ON 14” CENTERS

Floor Timbers: 1 ¾” OAK SIDED ON 14” CENTERS

Fasteners: MONEL SCREWS CUSTOM MADE FOR THE PROJECT

Deck Beams: 1 3/8” x 2 ¾” OAK ON 14” CENTERS

Decks: 5/8” ATLANTIC CEDAR INNER DECK, 5/8” PLYWOOD SUB DECK & TEAK

Keel: FULL KEEL OF OAK WITH LEAD BALLAST

Centerboard: NONE Skeg: NONE

Worm Shoe: COPPER Bilge: CLEAN

Superstructure: LOW PROFILE TRUNK CABIN OF TEAK WITH AFT COCKPIT

Bulkheads: MARINE PLYWOOD PARTITIONS

Ground Tackle: 40 LB LUKE w/ ALL CHAIN RODE; 100 LB LUKE, CHAIN LEAD, EST 200’3/4” 3 STRAND, ADDITIONAL 200’ RODE

Anchor Windlass: 12-VOLT DC IDEAL VERTICAL WINDLASS w/ CHAIN WILDCAT

Winches: DECK: 3- LEWMAR BNZ 48ST MAIN: 2- LEWMAR BNZ #48ST

MIZZEN: 2- LEWMAR BNZ $40ST

Radios: ICOM I-M502 VHF; FURUNO FS-1502 SSB

Radar: FURUNO NAV NET w/ REPEATER Chartplotter: FURUNO NAV NET w/ REPEAT

Compass: 6” RITCHIE SPHERICAL BINNACLE COMPASS

Depth Finder: RAYMARINE ST40 DEPTH

Horn: KAHLENBERG M-511A CONTROLLED AIR HORN

Misc. Instruments: BRASS CLINOMETER, BRASS THERMOMETER

Clock: BOSTON Barometer: BOSTON Bell: NONE SEEN

Running Lights: 12-VOLT DC Anchor Light: 12-VOLT DC

Main Engine – Location: AFT END OF GALLEY No. Type: 1- DIESEL

Make: YANMAR Model: (s) 4JH3-TE Serial No.: (s) E11853

(p) (p)

No. Cyls: 4 RPM: 3800 HP: 55.2 KW Year: 2002

Approx Speed: 7 KT When Overhauled: NOT Pan Under Engine: YES

Engine Bed: WOOD Reduct. Gear: TWIN DISC

Engine Cooling: CLOSED FRESH WATER Ventilation: ATMOSPHERE

Caburator-Flame Arrestor: N/A Blower: NONE

Fuel Pump: MECHANICAL Bowls: ENG FILTER Filters: RACOR

Exhaust Silencer: F/G POT Cooled: RAW WATER

Exhaust Line: WET EXHAUST RATED HOSE

Engine Alternator: 2- 12-VOLT Controls: PEDESTAL MOUNTED

Shaft Logs, Type: BNZ TUBE Bearings: NONE Stuffing Box: FLEX FLAX

Propeller: FEATHERING 3 BLADE Spare: 19” MAX 3 BLADE

Propeller Shafts: STAINLESS STEEL

Struts: DOUBLE ARM BRONZE Bearings: CUTLASS - RUBBER

Propeller Protection: GOOD STBD, POOR PORT Rudder: KEEL HUNG WOOD

Bilge Pumps: LG MANUAL DIAPHRAGM, 12-VOLT RULE 2000, HYDRAULIC BILGE

Pumps: GALLEY & HEAD HAND PUMPS, 12-VOLT PARMAX 4 SW, 12-VOLT SHURFLO GALLEY SW, 12-VOLT SHURFLO MACERATOR GALLEY SINK, 12-VOLT AFT FW, EDSON MANUAL HOLDING TANK

Air Compressor: 12-VOLT FOR HORN Safety Valve: N/A

Toilets: WILCOX CRITTENDEN SKIPPER II w/ HOLDING TANK

Thru Hull Fittings: BRONZE SEACOCKS

MAST & RIGGING

Mast: MAIN AND MIZZEN ARE BOX CONSTRUCTED SITKA SPRUCE

Booms: MAIN, MIZZEN AND STAYSAIL BOOM ARE SITKA SPRUCE

Standing Rigging: 1x19 STAINLESS STEEL WIRE WITH SPLICED ENDS

Running Rigging: BRAID

Sails: MAINSAIL, MIZZEN, STAYSAIL, MIZZEN STAYSAIL, REACHING GENOA

Cover & Awnings: MISC CANVAS COVERS

West Texas sunset.

I'm gonna miss these... Taken at my Uncle Michael's ranch. I also just sent this from my phone via the "mobile blogger" just to see how it worked! This should be helpful! Toodles!

Delimma of the Day

In all the excitement these past 2 days, I overlooked one minor, teeny tiny detail... I have to quit my job. Which is really hard for me. I have been working for the same company, a very small orthodontic lab, for almost a year. I was the only employee for about 7 months then we started to grow and I am now the head of sales I guess you would say. I have 3 sales reps under me that I manage and I'm not really happy working here anymore. That's not the point. The point is, my boss is a great guy, probably the best boss I have ever had. I was his bartender a year ago and one day he asked me if I would like to come work for him and get out from behind that bar, I accepted immediately. He knows about my sailing history, and how much I miss the sea, and he politely listens as I ramble on about how great it used to be in Key West every time one of my old sailing buddies calls while I'm at work, which sends me into an "I need to get to Key West now" frenzy. Which is a reason that I think he will understand when I tell him about the great opportunity that I have now taken. I just don't know how to tell him. I need to work right up until the day before I leave and I don't want to put my last paycheck in jeopardy if he does get upset. (which I doubt will happen) Today marks 2 weeks exactly until I leave for MD. I am headed to Houston this weekend to visit family and friends that I wont see for a while depending on how long I'm gone, so I think I will hold off till Monday and break the news to him then. It was not a hard decision for me to make. Its just hard to tell my friend/boss that I have to leave. I can be replaced. I know that. Its just gonna be hard for him to find someone as awesome as me to take my place! :)

Packing light. (realizing that I cant take 20 pairs of shoes on a boat)

15 days till I board the plane for Annapolis MD. I have started making a list. As I write, I try to put things on the list that are necessities, which proves to be a challenge... The list starts like this:

Foul Weather Gear
Deck Shoes
Dry Bag
Flashlight
Rigging Knife
Hooded sweatshirt
Sweatpants
Camouflaged Red Sox hat
White Red Sox Hat
7 pair shorts
7 shirts
2 bathing suits
board shorts
pair of "dirty boat work" shorts
undergarments
Liberty Jacket (cant go sailing without it!)
gold havaianas
blue havaianas
yellow and brown dress (in case i have to go out in savannah)
Brown pumps (to match the brown and yellow dress)
make up
curling iron
blow dryer
shampoo/conditioner
soap
Leather bound journal
pens
cell phone
cell phone charger
polarized sunglasses
sunscreen
toothbrush toothpaste razors
contacts
blanket
pillow
hairbrush
hair ties

I know I'm forgetting something... Yall help me out!

In the pic above: a glimpse of the brown and yellow dress I can't leave home without.