starting new

[Jim Cate]

Chris, I've been following your story with sympathy and interest. This latest glitch may seem catastrophic today, but as mentioned above, it is only a small setback. A few months from now as you relax in the cockpit of your new love, beverage in hand and admiring the tropical sunset, it won't seem so bad. The hard work and agonizing decisions will fade into the past and the horizon will beckon.

Hang in there, mate, for better times are a-coming!

Jim

[LittleWing77]

Chris,

Here's something totally wonky for you to take heart: It's not you; it's the planets.

Why is that, you say? Well, today is the final day of the dreaded MERCURY RETROGRADE. (Read here for more: https://www.astrologyzone.com/everyt...ry-retrograde/) bring-er of curve balls, left fields and unintended monkey wrenches! (I know it's wonky. I told you it was wonky. Just go with it.)

I find if I just chant to myself, It's not me. It's the planets. It's not me. It's the planets...

Mercury Retro ends today. I always find its effects are worse around the 4 days it changes station (direction) at the beginning and end of the 3-week cycle. By Wednesday this week or even sooner, you'll find your buyer won't be concerned and all will proceed normally.

Hang in there, my friend!
This is absolutely NOT a setback.
Warmly,
LittleWing77

P.S. Oh yeah, it also means that the decks will be cleared so you will NOT be buying your new boat while MercRetro is in effect. Isn't that great? (Soon!)

[chriskilmer]

It might have been mercury Retrograde. Everything still a go, despite some setbacks. https://i.imgur.com/EfhjSpc.jpg

Is this available on the east coast (sounding like WWII Band of Brothers character Cpt. Nixon. Would only drink Vat 69 whiskey, even in the European theater).

[LittleWing77]

Originally Posted by chriskilmer

It might have been mercury Retrograde. Everything still a go, despite some setbacks. https://i.imgur.com/EfhjSpc.jpg

Is this available on the east coast (sounding like WWII Band of Brothers character Cpt. Nixon. Would only drink Vat 69 whiskey, even in the European theater).

So...what? You're not gonna go to the East Coast if you can't get Valentina's hot sauce in the Chesapeake?

Or you'll pack your bags and add a case of hot sauce to go with?

Hahaha
LittleWing77

[chriskilmer]

It’s not hot.
Invited to a friends house for cordials tonite. He’s English. They’re both engineers. He’s concerned what will I do if they shut the country down. Thinks best to stay here, or go, but only if you have a place to stay, contingency plan,.

Think I’ll figure it out on the way. wait two more years for covid? Maybe Two weeks (ok, 3-4).

[LittleWing77]

Geez louize. What kind of friends are those?

It's Summer! Throw your tent in the back of your car and camp your way across - all while physical distancing! Wear your N95 mask whenever you come into contact with other humans and keep your 6-ft distance... and of course, as our mums taught us, wash your hands!

I go to Newport every four years to attend the Classic Yacht Symposium. Now that Newport hotels are fully booked all Summer and all cost an astronomical $400/night, I stay at a great little family run campground between Newport and Bristol - right on the water ($30/night) - and the tents section has the best views! The Chesapeake is littered with great little campgrounds like that - and if you have a tent and not an RV (I've found) they can always find a spot for you - even if it's last minute.

Two Summers ago, I went to look at a disaster of a boat in Baltimore (the one that was sinking and the owner didn't know it). Anyway, I made a camping trip of it. Found a campground across the Bridge in Delaware. Hung out there for a few days. (And of course, located the local sailor's dive bar and BS'd with my people over beers.) Drove across the bridge and up to Baltimore for the viewing appointment, then hopped back in my car and back home to Canada.

It was fantastic - but then, I'm a sailor and accustomed to roughing it. Maybe it's been so long that you've forgotten...?

Or worse, gotten SOFT. Bwah-ha-ha!

Gosh but I'm having fun teasing you, Chris.
Hang in there. One foot in front of the other.

Goete said, "Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid."

So there. LittleWing77

[chriskilmer]

Littlewing,
You have a great idea, very affordable and probably much nicer than stuffy motel rooms, esp. in August. Went to another friends house today for dinner. They gave me a nice combo cooking pots,stainless plates all in one. might even come handy in a galley. Need to get a good camp sleeping bag pad thicker the better for my back. Become homeless Aug 7.

[LittleWing77]

The great thing about cars these days is the seats are soooo adjustable! I did a couple of car deliveries down to Florida for older Toronto snowbirds last Winter and this.

The first time I drove down, I stayed in a USD hotel about halfway along which was $90/night. I soon figured out that if you get far enough South on the first day (warmer than 10/11C - this is Winter, remember), you can just pull over into a rest stop (the ones that have nighttime security) use the loo, brush your teeth, then back to the car, crack the windows, lock everything, put the seat all the way back, snuggle into your cozy sleeping bag and crash for 6 hours or so. Then just get up and keep driving.

Not that you'll want to do that all the way, and it would probably be sweltering in a car overnight in the Summer - all I'm saying is that there are lots of economical work-arounds if you're not too fussed about the lack of your suite at the Ritz.

I would definiitely say lightweight sleeping bag, quick-folding pop tent (described aa 4-man, but usually would only comfortably sleep two) and definitely a thick matress pad or inflatable matress (one of my exes used to travel with a queen-sized inflatable mattress and a foot pump). I used to laugh at him.

You know, the keep-it-simple principle!
LittleWing77

[LauraleeG]

I find that I am very particular about who I share my big plans with. Most people are very good at squashing any ideas that they consider more adventurous than their yearly two week trip to a resort in Cuba.
If I want to be inspired, I hang out with inspiring people!!

[barnakiel]

True. Very many people, some of them who have done nothing with their lives, will come and tell you tis or tat can't be done.


There is a proverb about this situation too, along the lines of: "Everybody in our village knew this couldn't be done, and then a newcomer came, and he did it".



There is, however, a twist. A catch. If you are starting up in the IT and meet Bill Gates on the beach and ask him, and he says 'nay this can't be done' then either he has just stolen your idea or, far more likely, it can't be done.


So, my point is: look at who is talking.



Cheers,
b.

[chriskilmer]

Yep! well, the conversations generally rotate around how would i get by (without cable, a house, a car, a job). Although big time now is what about possible quarantine during traveling. Man, I had the best trip itinerary. However, have a special cat. That, combined with rapidly increasing covid rates (esp. where I’m going!!!!!) and friends input makes me put off a cool cross country trip. I can do that once things let up. Most important to get from point a to b. get situated , get a boat. Decompress.

[Auspicious]

I'm all in on decompressing.

First, the important stuff. Valentina is available from Amazon. It's also at Mo Hotta Mo Betta (https://www.mohotta.com/) which you should be aware of. California somewhere but they ship.

I do want to meet the cat.

I follow a lot of data about COVID-19. I border on paranoid. It's made recruiting crew interesting. *grin* Until Americans really change their behavior the places doing well could become hotspots and the hotspots could get things under control, at least for a while. That's not to say I'd willingly go to California, Texas, or Florida just now. You can keep an eye on things (including where your daughter is) here https://globalepidemics.org/key-metr...d-suppression/ .

Everyone has their own risk thresholds. You have to decide for yourself. I would worry more about destination than the cross-country drive. YMMV.

I hope to see you this Fall, masked and gloved and at a respectful distance.

[chriskilmer]

Auspicious,
A goldmine of data. Thank You!

Stepdaughter is a warrant officer at Fort Lee and will take in my cat while boat searching. Of coursr Va and Md are two different states. I will definitely keep watching and listening. Probably won't be long everything shuts down if rates keep going up. still thinking it’s a good time to buy a sailboat.

As long as everything stays on track, house closes Aug 7. That puts me in Annapolis within 3 weeks.

[chriskilmer]

Hey! House closed ok, cat Penny and I loaded up and stayed with my mom for a couple days, now on the road. Presently in Fort Collins, Co. Going to catch up with an old friend in Ok, then go to Florida. One reason is I lost a 17 yr old crown. My dentist says an implant would be best. Since I have no plans on being in Maryland when that white stuff hits, changed my plans for Florida. Have an old Army buddy there and he’s ok with me and the cat. Already have a dental consult in 2 wks.

However, another problem. The house sold and closed so fast. I’m way ahead of schedule. While thats perfect for buying a boat in the NE USA, its still Hurricane season in Fl, and will be for at least another couple months. Great time to buy a boat, eh?

Hmmm

[LauraleeG]

Sounds like you have to start trusting the process. Everything is going exactly as it should! Buying a boat is a slow process- finding a boat is one thing f- finding YOUR boat is another.
Boaters in Florida deal with hurricane season- so will you!