Oppressive-Heat-provoked Downward Mood Spiral Reversed by Resilient Bobtail Squid
Struck down by infectious bowel pathogens, Mel had to spend a few days lolling around the boat, watching Greg and Jeremy work outside in the UV-infused steam generated by the Great Panamanian Air Kraken. Every morning, this invisible beast descends from its hidden den in the sky and sends its boiling tentacles down the docks to wrap around every mast in Shelter Bay Marina. If one is unlucky enough to work outside between 9AM and 6 PM, they find themselves almost unable to breathe, likely because the bastard has enveloped their entire head in one of its scorching suckers.
This daily attack of course explains the balaclavas the marineros wear. The more balaclavas, the suckier the weather.
Despite being spared from exerting herself while ensconced in the suffocating interbrachial web of a colossal predator, Mel inhabited her own personal hell of being unable to accomplish any tasks on her huge To-Do list because of illness and a strong heat-inspired nap reflex. After she realized that they had been in the same slip for more than five weeks, Mel’s thoughts went into the dark place that cruisers’ thoughts go when they have “Dock Lock” prior to an extended offshore voyage. For Mel, this is surprisingly NOT worrying about the boat, waves, or weather. Instead, it is worrying about potential domestic disasters. Freezer malfunction. Bug infestation. Toilet explosion. A bag of rice bursting open and clogging the bilge. Dropping all of her hormone replacement pills down the sink. Not packing enough cheese. And the most disastrous scenario of all: her Panama Canal adviser and line handlers not liking her chicken curry. 😱
Worked up thusly into a frenzy, Mel was saved from getting on her phone and descending to the final level of Worry Hell (entitled: American Politics and Foreign Relations) when she opened her email instead. She was thrilled to learn that the artist she had commissioned to bring the Intrepid Jerry to life had put some final touches on his wonderful design. Gazing at her boat’s namesake, she was reminded of the entire point of this voyage.
The point? This is supposed to be fun!
Whoops. Had forgotten that for a bit. But here’s Jerry, ready to go, pointing out that boat projects with this high level of complexity are not necessary for survival for thirty or more days on the high seas. All you need is locomotion, navigation, hydration, and a glint in your eye inspired by creative problem solving. And, apparently, a cool hat.
The Intrepid Jerry works as an ocean cartographer and therefore is also excited about getting off the dock. Like the character Jerry from Parks and Recreation, he is adorably accident-prone (I swear he’s going to drop that compass into the drink any minute now), but he weathers calamity with a positive attitude, coming out ahead in the end, his dreams fulfilled. A suitable mascot for our 9 year-old boat!
Fortunately, the days are numbered on the mooring lines. We transit the Panama Canal on Sunday! Greg just wired $4500 to pay for the whole thing. Only the day before will we learn if we have to race through the entire construction in one day or two. Let’s hope it’s two!
The crew has prepped for their adventure by watching the helpful Shelter Bay Marina video on the logistics of moving the boat through the canal. They are now fully prepared to grab someone else’s breast lines in order to avoid damage to their boat’s delicate parts!
During the transit Mel will try to take more video than she is accustomed to and may even try some live ones, viewable via the Burnettsahoy Facebook and Instagram accounts. Note that our website now includes a feed of our Facebook posts, and so website users may be able to view our social posts on Monday.
Mel will keep you posted on the final schedule. In the meantime, here are some exciting pics of…boat projects. No San Blas, unfortunately. But the fun will begin soon enough!
