Its windy. The ferries stopped running. The float planes aren’t flying. Even the ducks are bobbing on the water tucked in the lee of a rocky outcrop. No one is going anywhere.
“I work today at the post office today. I’m going. The mail must get through!”
“Sal! The mail goes by way of the mail-plane. And that is not happening. There is no point. Don’t be a nut!”
“You worry too much. I am safe in my little boat. It’s good!”
“No boat is good in this. It’s a steady forty gusting to 50. Going with it might be OK but coming back, you could be blown right over!”
“I’m heading out. Keep the radio on!”
There is stubborn, there is pig-headed and then there is Moby Sal. She promised to reconsider when she got out in it.
SSSsssquaaaawwwk! (radio static) “David! I am here on the dock. All hell is breaking loose. Your boat even wore through a bow-line. I am NOT going! Holy crap, I can hardly stand up on the dock!”
Our house is on the west side of the property. The dock is on the east side. This is a Sou’ Easter. At the dock, it was right on the nose. I watched it all (boats, dock, houseboat) dance!
Together we repositioned the boats, checked the lines and watched as three foot waves rolled over the front of the dock. We watched as a few flotation barrels undulated to freedom. We watched as every rope stretched taut. We both almost blew over a couple of times. It is pretty harsh out there.
This is the stuff of winter, the west coast, off-the-grid, small-boat kinda thing. It makes you feel alive. It is also a bit scary sometimes. “I wonder if our solar array will survive this?”
“I wonder if the dock will survive this?”
Our Off the Grid Home 
It must make you feel alive. The boats seem necessary for later so I hope they stay home.
Mail is optional. The mail is not getting through in our city either. The goods docks and mail rooms are full of toxic bushfire smoke and it is too smoky for the posties, so mail is on hold.
You are tough island folk though so I am sure your postal services will resume very quickly.
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We are not tough-tough, just tough enough. Went back later and it was just as bad and a SECOND line on my boat had worn through ! Actually, three lines went. The houseboat also went through two lines. Sal clambered up the rocks dropped a loop over aand big one and I cinched up a long safety line to the whole shebang. We went home soaked to the bone. Four hours later…….dead calm.
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No, that’s definitely tough-tough.
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We had a nasty ride down the lake on New Year’s Day but I bet it was worse today. Probably a good thing we were in town today for an appointment. It would have been rock and roll time at home for sure. – Margy
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How cold is the water?
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Seawater remains around 10C year round. 50F. It’s a moderating influence so long as it’s not upset. Streamwater is colder……close to freezing.
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David! Worried about a little blow like that! John T,s bow stretched to within 6 feet of the rock cliff. Was I worried? Not really, I could be a fatalist”why worry if there is nothing you can do”, but wine helps also.
But to see that awesome power is WOW!
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Luv ya, dawg! But you are NOT my go-to guy for sanity…..
…..wine, tho, is a close second…..
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