Flight Delay

“The captain is sorry to announce that our flight has been delayed.”  But not for long!!!

We have to remember that we’re leaving for a 5+-year circumnavigation, not just a single-season cruise to Mexico or even to French Polynesia and back (something I’ve done twice!).

Too long, but not too late
Too long, but not too late

Cost-Benefit Analysis: Starting with the cost; 1) important equipment has yet to be finalized and commissioned: the self-steering wind vane, anchors (new chain and rode), the desalinator, the HAM radio weather fax, the HAM radio email, the satellite texting device, the outboard motors, the generator, the air compressor, the gennaker sail (having to have a sailmaker remake it after hoisting it for the first time this weekend and finding it too long), the medical training (IV administration and suturing) and provisions are not complete, and we have not loaded the boat with all its currently land-stored equipment, finding a smart place to stow the items; 2) important services are not established: boat insurance (awaiting survey report) and mail forwarding; 3) land separation is not complete; consolidation of storage into one location and buttoning up that storage against possible water and earthquake damage, valuable items not yet sold (cars, drone, refrigerant, etc.), and business banking circumstance not yet established.  4) media capture (video production and post) and communication component (school dialog, website administration, blog, Facebook/Twitter/Instagram) of trip not yet firmed up; and 5) I do not want to leave port having to complete the above tasks under significantly more complicated circumstances of added time (shipping), costs (cost more to ship parts, plus import fees, and less room for error), and access to assistance and expertise, all of which would add stress to an already stressful situation.

The most important reason for me personally, is that for years, and especially this last year, particularly the past 6 months, I have been working non-stop to prepare the multiple aspects surrounding our family expedition, with little to no attention paid to family–especially Bryce and Trent.  The number one reason of the trip is to bring us closer together as a family.  Ironically, preparing for this trip has made me less accessible than had we stayed on land and I continued to work in my previous career.  There is an expectation that once we leave the dock and the trip begins that Bryce and Trent will have their father back and Leslie while have her husband.  I do not want to leave the dock with nothing but my rear-end and elbows visible to my family while I finish up the above tasks.  I do not want to remain working on the boat in foreign ports while the family goes off to visit the host country without me.  I do not wish to miss the opportunity to document our experiences.  I feel such would be to break my promise to my family and to myself.  For this and the other above reasons, we have decided to forgo joining the Baja Ha-ha in ten days.

Although we will miss the high energy camaraderie and potential relationships that may have otherwise been forged, as well as an earlier start date; we will instead be able to meander down the coast of Southern California coastline at our own pace, stay at reciprocal yacht clubs, and finish up last minute (but important) details and purchases along the way.  The boys will be able to celebrate Halloween with the middle school friends and we’ll all be able to attend the wedding of a close family member, visiting with family and friends from afar who will come to attend it, especially my brother, Curtis, who is flying out from his home in Sydney, Australia.

Adding two weeks to our departure from Ventura and two or more weeks more before we leave the country to foreign ports in exchange for a more pleasant, safe, and familial beginning to a multi-year adventure seems an obvious course of action.  I am satisfied with our decision and sleep well.  Although smaller things will be left to complete after our departure, I now smile as I go about the business of finishing the major items on my list, no longer constrained by the artificial deadline I imposed on myself.