After a series of delays, we finally arrived last night at the Mill Pond in Chatham, Massachusetts around 6:00 pm (also known as 1800 hours.) The sun was just starting to set and it was nice to get to see one last sunset over the pond before our journey west.
The first order of business was to get our luggage and supplies that we had brought from home out to the boat. Since our dingy is currently tied to the cabin top, Joe had to row us out to Cygnet in the FirstLight row boat. After nearly 8 hours in the car, I was worried about what that meant for his injured shoulder, but something about the Chatham air gives Joe super human strength. The upside was that the row boat holds so much more than our motor dingy that we were able to get everything out in one trip.
Once we unloaded, it was time to row back in to shore, so we could go to the Stop and Shop for our provisions. I recently read an article about a man from Massachusetts who completed a solo circumnavigation over 9 months last year. He encountered many dangerous, life-threatening situations along the way, but upon his return, the one thing he said he should have done differently was his provisioning. We may only be heading out for a three day passage, but Joe and I are all about smart provisioning. We take fueling ourselves very seriously!
We don’t have a proper galley, but we do have a single burner stove so we got a dozen eggs, some soups and ramen noodles, canned vegetables, a roasted chicken, frozen cooked shrimp and cocktail sauce, sandwich fixin’s, snack bars, rice cakes, cups of mandarin oranges, pudding, Earl Grey tea for Joe, and Starbucks instant coffee for me. Also, five bags of ice.
After yet one more round of rowing, we were back on Cygnet unpacking the groceries into the ice box. Then finally, we sat down to enjoy our chicken and candied yams while making plans for our big prep day.
This morning after we returned the rental car and picked up some last minute supplies, we called the Harbormaster to get a bridge opening for 11am. Once on the outer mooring (which I hooked on the first try, thank you very much!) Joe put together our to do list for the day. It was a long list that included things like: mount the new clock and barometer, pin turnbuckles, install chart lamp, install 12v socket, inventory sails, and stow everything! There were actually about 25 things on this list. I helped with a few of the items, but was once again amazed at how much Joe can accomplish in a day.
Tomorrow we head out on our first leg. The weather looks favorable, but the wind is against us. Our goal is to make it to Cuttyhunk, or maybe just as far as Vineyard Haven. Although, with the way the wind is looking we might only get as far as Hyannis.
When it comes to sailing, you have to diligently plan and prepare, but also be ready to change course.
