Over the last few weeks we've been making our final preparations to close up Okisollo for the very hot summer ahead. There is so much information on on what one should and should not do to prepare for the heat. I'm thinking we had far too much time to second guess our own decisions.
Do we close all the hatches? or leave one hatch open just a bit?
Do we put vinegar in the water tanks? Or just clean and refill when we get back?
Do we wrap with shrink wrap? Or just cover with shades.
Do we take all the food off? Or can we leave some?
Too many decisions. No correct answers. Some days yes. Some days no. One person three years ago did x, and got y result. Last year someone did x and got z result. Only experience will tell us with our boat, with our decisions, if we did it all right or wrong. I spend my nights wondering if we left something open, a switch on that shouldn't be or if we'll have a huge infestation of awful bugs upon our return. What will be I guess, will be and as usual we'll roll with it.
Our final few weeks in Puerto Penasco fortunately allowed us to see more of the sights and spend quite a few afternoons lounging in the pool at Mannys Beach Club. The weather was definitely heating up. We were able to work between 6am - 1pm, have a late lunch and maybe complete an afternoon indoor project.
It was just too hot to be outside much after 2pm. We had a terrific visit with the amazing hosts Robin & Marc at the Dreamweaver Inn located in the 'old port' part of town. We played with Harriet their cute new puppy. Several of our friends sailed into town with whom we had some delightful end of season dinners.
This is the first time we've ever had to 'store' a boat. In Seattle, we usually sailed year round. And while in December our trips were shorter and colder, we still were there in the evenings and able to check on things. It is very surreal to know we won't see Okisollo until October! On Tuesday this week, the wrapping was taking form, and we realized that now we have very limited kitchen related things and are really living out of a suitcase. It was a bit unsettling and we were eager to get to our home in Tucson.
Everyone in Puerto Penasco kept telling us to enjoy our "vacation". We had to laugh -- lying on a hot beach was about the last thing we wanted to do! And we aren't sure what "vacation" means these days. Every day is a vacation. And every day is a work day. There is stress some days. And some days there isn't. We'd been doing 'beach' for the last 6 months, with the benefit of a boat and calm harbors to take a swim. We just didn't quite know what to do with ourselves.
As such, we took our trusty, borrowed sporty red car back onto the two lane, pot-holed road and made our way to the border. We checked out of the Dreamweaver Inn and headed up to Tucson. We were about 10 days ahead of our initial guess, which is good considering alot of things don't happen on time. The cat was dismayed to leave the puppy at the Dreamweaver Inn and she sat on my lap the entire 4 hour trip--only crying for the first hour. On Tuesday we also learned that we were going to be able to trade in the VW Jetta (the one that is still in the shop) for another car....good news! Summer is kicking into gear.
Sounds like you got it gone, almost!?
Love Uncle ick