Date: 05/09/2007/Depart: 1650 Southpoint Marina / Arrive: 1750 Port Isabel Fingers / Temp: 84 deg F / Wind: 8-12 SE / Water: Blue / Sky: Prtly Cldy / Water temp: 75 deg F /

I got the call from Dan at Southpoint that Olivia was hanging in the straps and ready to splash by 1530. Asking what the damages were, he told me to brace myself.....and....at the exact moment, the cell phone lost connection. He called me back laughing, asking if I'd fallen over clutching at my chest.

-No-, in fact the bill was much less than I anticipated. How often does that happen?

By 1600 I had paid the bill, but realized that I had left the key in Laguna Vista, so I drove the commissioners truck over there, and left it at the house, got the key and the mooring lines that I had cleaned by soaking in dilute bleach, and saddled up my iron pony, riding back over to Southpoint just in time to meet up with my friend Don, who accompanied me on the trip.

By this time it was about 1645, and we figured we might make the swingbridge opening if we hurried. Don wanted to get home pretty quick in order to catch the season finale of Jerico. So, I quickly checked the oil, turned on the battery switch, opened up the raw water seacock and fired up the Westerbeke, which immediately purred to life.....

Casting off the lines, I backed away from the dock (and two TPWD wardens, who now apparently run jet skis as patrol boats), and steamed towards the swingbridge.

Getting close, it didn't appear as if anybody was manning the thing, and so being about five minutes to the hour, we just sat off of it cutting donuts and waiting for the houly opening. I took no chances after the commanders hair raising story of getting caught in the cable and almost getting sunk....did about $3K of damage to his boat.....

Finally a head appeared, and the bridge yawed open. I waited until it was almost to the piling, then steamed through.

Intercepting the GICWW, I raised the mizzen and we motor sailed at hull speed, engine tach <2000 rpm. My what a difference a clean bottom makes!

All too soon we were at the entrance to the fingers, and blessed with plenty of water we just chugged right on up, and into the slip.

All things secured, we headed over to Dons to catch that last episode.

Around 2330 last night I got a call from Hidalgo County. It seems as if my father has had a stroke, and I am unsure of the details at this hour, heading over there this morning. My dad is 88+ years old, and in the past few years has become a true source of inspiration for me. Until now he has lived alone, drives himself to visit his girlfriend, and in general has been stubbornly independent.

Now, I may have to make some hard decisions.....

If I don't post (or sail) for a few days...that's the reason.