Nov 6

Well I guess this will the last blog for this trip.  I have traveled a lot in my life and this was the longest both in time and distance covered.  

I would like to say it was the hardest but that would be lie it really was quite easy.  No tents to set up, no sleeping on the ground, no packing and unpacking, no cooking on open fires.  There was always fresh water available, (I did miss ice but we had to give up some stuff), toilets were always available, electricity was always available when needed, lights were only a switch so it was comfortable trip.  But I did find slightly more stressful than other trips.  I guess the reason was I never really trusted the engine, routing or other drivers I saw on the way.  In the other trips I felt like I had more control of my fate on this trip I had to watch the weather more and be more alert to the conditions around me.  I always felt I find myself somewhere I could not get out of.  Towards the end I was finally comfortable with anchoring.  I found I could predict when oncoming traffic would interfere with my path.  Docking in wind and current was not a problem as I developed plans I had confidence in. Also I found I was better at charting and more trust in the chart.  So I short I developed confidence and understanding in boat and boating conditions.  

The length of the trip did not bother me.  To be honest I would like to do long boat trips like that one however Dianne prefers to stay home and go back to canoeing, biking, and some camping trips as she enjoy those and is not sure how much longer we can continue to do it.  So I guess I will start a plan on doing those activities again.  To be honest we are not sure what we do next, but we are committed to thinking some hairbrain idea up.  

The drive home was long but we have become immune to time looking at the scenery and I have always loved the fall colors and weather.  After arrival there was ton of unpacking, visiting and explaining why I had a U-Haul truck for 4 boxes.  Also laundry, hair cuts, doctors appointment, appointments to fix cars and cars to start.  Also preparing the boat listing and sending those necessary documents off.   All of this took time and energy.  So getting to the summing up required time. 

Well I guess that is brain dump for today.  Thanks to all the people that followed me and Dianne on this trip.  We will have another trip is the spring for sure just not sure where now I have to get ready for Thanksgiving and then Christmas.  What to get for Dianne will be problem as Boat stuff will be out for this year.  

Have more thinking to do so off to work I go.  Thanks for all your support and best wishes and thoughts.  

Allan Roden

 

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