As expected and planned, San Diego has been the base for a number of boat projects – basically maintenance, improvements and a compulsive stocking of spare parts and provisions.
As soon as we got here, we put ourselves (and the credit card) to work, and multiple activities started to move in parallel.
But as the work and spare parts and provisions (and invoices) piled up, I couldn’t help asking myself … are we ready yet?
We have spent many days clearing out bureaucratic chores.
Are we ready yet?
The propane system is fixed. New solenoid valve, new gas sniffer, new control head. We don’t need to walk outside to activate that temporary manual bypass every time we need to use the stove.
Are we ready yet?
Our sewer system isn’t clogged anymore. The ball valves and hoses were changed. The toilet is flushing all right and the holding tank can be operated properly again.
Are we ready yet?
A diver came and scrubbed Pesto’s bottom clean. We have all new zincs throughout. The topsides were washed and waxed, and are now shinning and protected from the elements for another season.
Are we ready yet?
Our washdown pump is working, for the first time. The pump’s case was serviced, a new impeller is in place, new ball valve, new intake hose, and the sea water strainer was cleaned. We will now be able to clean up the anchor chain as we pull it back onboard after anchoring.
Are we ready yet?
The shower at the stern platform was also put back in working order, and we will be able to have a nice fresh water rinse whenever coming back from a swim.
Are we ready yet?
The new stabilizers arrived, and are ready to deploy, which should make Pesto more stable while at anchor.
Are we ready yet?
We fixed (or hope to have fixed) that nagging problem with the autopilot, and now it shouldn’t trip to standby in the middle of our passages.
Are we ready yet?
The high frequency radio received a new antenna connection, and we should now receive and transmit well with the marine nets out there. The broken breaker was replaced from the shore power inlet.
Are we ready yet?
The main engine and generator have fresh oil, new filters, new o-rings, and more. We did a number of regular maintenance chores in the engine room.
Are we ready yet?
The dinghy is ready for beaching, with its new landing gear.
Are we ready yet?
We (I) lost the SUP’s paddle, and already bought a new one.
Are we ready yet?
A great new dodger was installed, enhancing protection from the elements on the cockpit.
Are we ready yet?
We have dry-cleaned all towels, bed linen, blankets, duvet covers and cushion covers … and most of them are already dirty again.
Are we ready yet?
Pesto is fully stocked up with spares, provisions, cruising guides, chartbooks, DVDs, etc …. I don’t remember how many times we have un-stowed and re-stowed everything already.
Are we ready yet?
Will we ever be?
Don’t get me wrong, everything done so far was (or appeared to be) important. And we have been thoroughly enjoying each day spent here. It’s been awesome, really. But even then, there does come a time when the line between the Needs and the Wants starts to get very blurred, when it’s hard to define what is the appropriate time to stop investing on the Spares Lottery, when new stuff starts to break, and – most importantly, when the horizon starts to seem farther and farther away.
Moreover, I suspect that irrespective of how much effort and projects and money we keep piling up now, as soon as we get out there stuff will still break, and it won’t take long until we find ourselves hunting for that hard-to get part in some exotic place anyway.
So: are … we … ready … yet?
Dear friends – thank you for sharing your voyage. And yes, you are ready.
If you wait to leave until you have EVERYthing ready…you will never leave. This is true.
Yes, some things will unravel and break while other anticipations you’ve made will stand proud.
We cannot anticipate everything. We have to surrender to that and leap anyway.
Adventure requires intention and must include the unknown.
Some of it will be hard, hard, hard and some beyond beautiful.
And what does ready have to do with anything anyway? Ready or not…aren’t you already on your way?
Isn’t the world, a path, a story…your life already unfolding?
You can’t know what you will look back upon until you CAN look back, and the only way there is to start.
This is that moment you’ve been preparing for. One of those “in between moments” to treasure. Like a surfer watching for the wave to catch. Like students on graduation day. LIke walking down the aisle to marry. Dancers before the music starts. Actors before the curtain goes up. A diver…about to dive. On the edge between past and future. So many details led you to now, so many ancestors, and from here (letting go of your last mooring line) again your horizons open wide to more than you can imagine. What will happen next? Let’s go see. From here?…and then from there?
We work hard to shape our experience, yet at the same time we must let it must shape us. Our relationship with experience, with living life, with each other…if it’s good, it’s mutual. And if it’s love, it’s unconditional. Even the hard parts. If not now, then when you look back. It sounds brave, doesn’t it? Did you know that you are heroes? For love must make heroes of us.
And living life must be an act of faith. Letting go of that last mooring line, meeting your dream and meeting reality, getting past your doubts that guard the gates to the horizon…teaches this…if we pay attention “out there” and in our hearts. After that, it seems to me that every day is act of faith.
Happy sails to you.
Thank You for the wise and comforting words, my friend !
And to creating awareness to us that we are indeed in one of those “in between moments”, and to treasure every bit of it.
I’m very happy to know that you are still following us on the blog.
And hope you shall come to Baja some time this summer.