The Final Push

Today marks 4 weeks in Mexico.  4 weeks of living on Magic, working on Magic, talking about Magic, and pretty much doing that from sun up to sun down.  And often longer than that.  We are so ready to stop being boat yard rats and start living on the hook....but that will come in January with our return.

We are planning our return to California for the holidays.  The key projects are done.  And we have done demo on the galley (new sink and counters to be installed in January) and the old freezer.  The old freezer will be converted into a tool cupboard for Alan.  Ripping out a fiberglass freezer with 5-6 inches of foam insulation on all sides is a down right nasty job.  But check it off the list -- Alan plans to make most of the cupboard shelving at home and will re-install it here in January.

Today we were the Magic for Manarua -- another boat here in the yard hailing from Canada.  We have been debating on what items to take off Magic and bring back to the states.  Alan has an idea of taking all this stuff to a boat swap meet...to make a few dollars.  I am not so keen on lugging stuff back, storing it somewhere, hoping for a swap meet, lugging it there and enticing a buyer with a great price.  So we were taking the spinnaker pole off the deck (we plan to use a smaller, lighter pole).  Alan was figuring out how to secure it to the roof of the car.  I shouted down -- "why don't you walk the boat yard and see if anyone wants the pole.  Let's just give it away."  I was a bit surprised when Al took that suggestion.  (He probably figured no one would take him up on the offer!)

The first folks in sight were a couple leaving Manarua for the walk to town.   Alan called out "Hey do you need a spinnaker pole?"  The man was like beside himself.  "Are you serious?  I so totally need a new pole.  Mine blew up in a storm off Africa and I haven't been able to replace it.  Are you serious?" 

"Sure" says Alan.  "It's yours."

Alan then walked with him back to Manarua and looked over the busted pole...the couple are trying to finish a circumnavigation this year via Hawaii and then to Vancouver.  The pole was key to their rig...and we helped make that Magic moment.  We felt great too.

As we wind down our time on this trip, I anticipate coaching Alan that when he returns to the US he can not drive like a Mexican.  The other day he was up on the sidewalk -- passing a line of cars to get to a small store that sells hoses and fittings (yup, a very exciting business that we have frequented twice).  He also has figured that stop signs are moderately optional -- sort of depending on who or what else is around.  There is no need to move aside for ambulances or police vehicles.  School buses flash lights just to flash lights -- no need to stop for them either.  Oh yes, go for that U turn in the middle of an intersections.  You can pass on the left or the right....what works best in the moment!  It is going to be a tough adjustment for him.