After about two weeks of prep, we are off again…. During these two weeks, we had to get a one-way car rental from MA to Solomon’s, MD…..stay for over a week at a hotel and work like crazy to get the boat “ready”. This included waiting for a small fix that had to be redone by the yard; Larry had to clean the bottom, prep and paint Panda Bear’s bottom and running gear, 2 coats…..I scrubbed the boat below, organized lockers (stuff we brought down and local provisioning)….waxed the sole by hand, cleaned windows………the boat was by a dirt road with traffic, and to avoid mold, some ports had to be left open for airflow…..and dirtflow!

I also bought a cabinet to fit between our two chairs in the saloon. The old one was just too big with the new chairs. This one is a better fit and a perfect match to the interior wood. Almost looks built in. Thank you Wayfair! And Larry, who modified and built it. I shopped for a teak cabinet, new or used for months to no avail….then, I found this one online. It’s rubber wood….a hardwood of which I had never heard.

Finally, Saturday, departed Solomons. Before leaving we got to meet River, a 9 week old yellow lab pup, belonging to Linda, one of the two great gals that run the office at Washburn’s Boat Yard. Adorable.

Off we go…..beautiful morning, sunny, but cold, in the high 40’s. Waiting for a weather window cost us a few days of delay. We need two days with no serious winds with southern components. We were doing 7 knots as we left Solomons…had to be the clean bottom. Flat seas. I had a turtleneck, polar fleece vest and my heavy sailing coat….Larry, a sweatshirt….Later, as the sun warmed the pilothouse, I removed my jacket, Larry went down to bare chest. We arrived at Deltaville VA about 6:00 PM. We were met by our friends, Roger and Marilyn, and friends. We settled in and hung out for awhile.

Finally, on our way. Almost a month earlier than last year and three weeks earlier than two years ago.