The "Windwalker"

The Daily Log while waiting at St. Augustine, Aug - Dec, 2004.
Date -
Position
Heading
Made Good
Daily Log Comments
Wed, Aug 4
29:53.6N
81:18.6W
St. Augustine
Harbor
Anchored
0700, 76°, clear, calm. I have determined to stay here until the problems resolve, I find a crew and the path clears. It is to late in the year to challenge the North Atlantic on a crossing single handed and at my age. My situation is not dire, myself and the boat are safe enough, I have sufficient at present to survive well, and will continue to press for solutions and options. I will make log entries only as incidents, informations, or solutions of importance occur. Walked into town to the noon meeting at the old Cathedral, then on to the internet café a dozen blocks away, posting the latest update, checking email, etc.
Sat, Aug 7
29:53.6N
81:18.6W
St. Augustine
Harbor
Anchored
0700, 76°, overcast, Wind NE 20 all night, choppy and I am uncomfortably on a lee shore, too close, 2 ft under keel at low tide. I have been in pain the last few days with bladder irritation. Yesterday I got 0830 breakfast meeting at club, then walked five miles to VA, no help, another mile to Flagler hospital emergency, there 5 hours but got help and prescription but still painful this morning. Back to club for 1730 meeting and to boat by 1900 last night. Wind too strong today to pull anchor, so spent day on anchor watch reading.
Sun, Aug 8
29:53.6N
81:18.6W
St. Augustine
Harbor
Anchored
0700, 72°, overcast, breeze E kts. Today I am 71 years old. I looked out the cabin door at first light and 100 yds away a homeless "old" man is asleep on a breakwater bench wrapped up in a cheap vinyl raincoat. This is his second day there that I know. That could be me. Simple gratitude expressed to HP. Happy Birthday!

Re-anchored at 29:53.75N, 81:18.58W, giving a 100 yds more leeway. Went to town at 1100. Internet, wandered around town for an hour or so, "touristing", then back to boat about 1430.

Tue, Aug 10
29:53.6N
81:18.6W
St. Augustine
Harbor
Anchored
0630, 73°, Clear, calm. Yesterday I read all day until going to town 1430. Walked to St.Augustine Marine, about 3 miles, got their price list, and took a taxi to the club to sit quietly and figure out what could be afforded and done. I will wait until HP shows my balance for the month and gives the go-ahead. Sat through the Happy Hour Meeting calculating, minimum of $600 expense to fix the boat. Waited for the 8pm meeting, spoke and shared my story. Went with Shawn from the meeting to his girl friend Dorinda's for a great steak dinner, then back to the boat by 2300.
Today is a do nothing except clean up day.
Wed, Aug 11
29:53.6N
81:18.6W
St. Augustine
Harbor
Anchored
0630, 70°, part cloudy, calm. Reviewing options. If I hang here until after January I will have a clearer idea whether Casey or Jim can join me, and I can save enough to buy a new compass, a new HF all band receiver, and possibly a couple of banks of solar cells, plus I can accomplish much in the completion of painting, re-painting, repairing of little dings and other unfinished things needing attention. Weather report indicates possible gale force winds over the next few days from a minor hurricane coming up the Gulf of Mexico to make landfall about Panama City. Set out heavier danforth anchor at slack of high tide about 1830. About 2000hrs a 30 ft power boat was dragging anchor and drifting down on me, about 20 ft away. I called the USCG and they sent SeaTow to move it. I helped to pull its anchor and re-anchor it. It only had a 15 lb lunch hook holding it, and apparently had been anchored on it for months judging from the growth of grass on the rode. One damn thing after another. Wrote letters to Casey and Jim L., will mail tomorrow.
Sat, Aug 14
29:53.6N
81:18.6W
St. Augustine
Harbor
Anchored
0715, 70°, clear, calm. Rode out Hurricane Charley last night as it passed by St.Augustine harbor from 2200 to 0230 this morning, what a ride -- 3 ft pounding chop in the harbor, constant winds about 60 kts and gusts to 85. Yesterday afternoon on the ebbing tide I had prepared for it, setting a 2nd anchor with all my loose chain and secured the bridle between the two anchors. Neither anchor dragged in the storm and the boat handled it well, as did I, communing with my HP, Charlie. Slept soundly after it started quieting, waking at 0715. Went ashore at 1100, taxi to club for noon meeting. Murf from Friends In Recovery was there!!! She and husband Nick took me to lunch. Wonderful to meet with them. Went to Sailor's Exchange, closed, back to club, sat there through the afternoon rain, meeting and back to the waterfront. Helped John get clear of the boat that drifted into his boat. Dinner and bed at 2130.
Mon, Aug 16
29:53.6N
81:18.6W
St. Augustine
Harbor
Anchored
0615, 70°, clear, calm. Ashore at 0830, Internet. Walked to Sailor's Exchange again, closed today too, damn. Walked on to club, noon meeting, walked another 5 miles to shopping centers and back to the club for 5:30 meeting. Dick gave me ride to dinghy, on board by 1845. I am pooped from all the walking, maybe 8 miles total. Yesterday I took a taxi to Walmart and bought new shoes that surely helped today, also 2 new shirts. I did price out a lot of equipment today to be saved for, All band radio, $130, new compass, $100, got more info on boatyards, bought two tubes of caulk and gun, new belt, pipe tobacco, dinner all I could eat, $5.50, a real deal.
Tue, Aug 17
29:53.6N
81:18.6W
St. Augustine
Harbor
Anchored
0715, 72°, clear, calm. Spent entire day organizing, ordering, eliminating, cleaning. It was beautiful sunny morning and early afternoon. Dried and aired bedding. Rained twice, 1500-1630, got a good shower and shampoo, and rained again at 2000. Fixed a good dinner about 1900, charged batteries and watched "Legends of the Fall" until 2100. Still drizzling.
Thur, Aug 19
29:53.6N
81:18.6W
St. Augustine
Harbor
Anchored
0715, 72°, clear, calm-3kts all day. Yesterday Ormomd gave me a spare keycard to the Marina laundromat and other facilities. This morning I hauled the north anchor I set before Charley, using making tide to pull it out of mud. Cleaned and stowed it and installed the stainless swivel on the bridle to eliminate twists in the rode and bridle when the boat circles the anchor as the tide ebbs and flows. I bought it yesterday at Sailors Exchange for $5, $25 new. Snail mail can be addressed -- Bob Hardison. General Delivery, St. Augustine, FL 32084 -- Weather will be good for the next few days with afternoon showers.
Mon, Aug 23
29:53.6N
81:18.6W
St. Augustine
Harbor
Anchored
0530, 70°, clear, calm. Friday I did laundry and caught a noon meeting, wrote an answer to the letter from Mom. Saturday I went ashore, checked email, wandered around town, Touristed the fort, then back aboard. Sunday was spent sorting through stuff and rearranging, an easy day listening to the rain on the cabin through the afternoon, and an even quieter evening reading. Ashore today to check email and the post office, and the nooner, another quiet day loafing around town, reading a history of Scotland, and 8pm meeting.
Fri, Aug 27
29:53.6N
81:18.6W
St. Augustine
Harbor
Anchored
0730, 70°, clear, calm. Tuesday I went ashore for AA memorial service for Dick's wife Joanne at 2pm, then to the club for meeting. Wednesday was aboard repairing cracked gunnel and oarlock on dinghy. Thursday, quiet day aboard reading. Today ashore for internet, mail, meetings and a few grocery necessaries, $45. Bought a new bicycle at WalMart, $145 including lock, lights and seat pad, and wheeled it about 6 miles back to the marina, transportation instead of walking 4-5 miles a day, different set of muscles and my butt is sore. Onboard at 2145.
Tue, Aug 31
29:53.6N
81:18.6W
St. Augustine
Harbor
Anchored
0630, 68°, clear, calm. Quiet weekend. Went ashore Saturday to nooner and to library for a card and a couple of books by Richard Bach. Lightning storm to NE Sunday night, wind light. Ashore Monday to return books and get a small grapnel to fish for a lost CQR anchor and 150 ft of chain another boat lost. Grapnel cost too much, and none right for dragging. Anchor and chain represents about $750 if I can retrieve it. Got two movies from tne library, Baraka (The Blessing) and The Sting. Watched both. Port handlines corroded and broke. Went ashore on early tide to check on condition of Hurricane Francis, to library and internet, returned movies, ordered Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and got two books. Returned to boat on ebbing tide about 1400. Read the rest of the day.
Thur, Sept 2
29:54.3N
81:18.5W
St. Augustine
Holy Hole
Channel
Anchored
0630, 70°, clear, calm. Wednesday, repaired handlines, ashore about 1030, Checking on Francis, post office, nooner, and back onboard. Quiet afternoon and evening. Today preparing for storm, getting anchors ready, stowing and securing topside gear. Made a small grapnel from bent rod. Moved on slack tide at 1330 to narrow Holy Hole channel in lee of careening island north of the Castillo out from the tall Cross. Set two anchors, N and S, in line with channel, swivelling in the middle on the bridle.
Fri, Sept 3
29:54.3N
81:18.5W
Holy Hole
Channel
Anchored
0630, 71°, clear, NE 13 kt. Quiet night. Prepared extra anchors. Momitoring Francis progress. Present track appears to pass 200 miles south and west over land from Palm Beach across Lake Okeechobee. Heavy rain squals this morning. I helped John properly anchor his boat in center channel and at noon high tide another that was on the beach at low tide. Wind and rain squalls hourly.
Sat, Sept 4
29:54.3N
81:18.5W
Holy Hole
Channel
Anchored
0600, 70°, part clouded, NE 25 kt gusting. Quiet night in channel. NOAA weather radio having technical difficulties. Francis has decreased to category 2 with 105 mph winds, moving slowly to WNW across Florida. I went shore on the making noon high tide, meeting, internet, etc. Back on ebbing tide about 1400. Secure here in channel. Wind picking up to 30 kts and gusting by 1600, 1 ft. chop which should diminish as the NE shoals bare at lower tide between 1800 and midnight. Forecast winds gusting to 55 kts about midnight. At 1800 the wind is NNE straight down channel gusting to 40 and the chop is 1.5 ft. I brought the dinghy onboard, and checked chafing gear and bridle. The boat is riding smooth, head to seas. At 2230 chop 1 ft in lee of shoal, but capping from 40 kt NE wind. In berth at 2345.
Sun, Sept 5
29:54.3N
81:18.5W
Holy Hole
Channel
Anchored
0645, 72°, overcast, ENE 35 kt gusting to 50. Low tide. Shoals and reeds reducing chop to 1 ft.. Rained some during night. Nothing to do but ride it out, bath in the rain, cook and eat, listen to NOAA, play FreeCell, and read. By 1130 winds increased, chop 1.5 ft capped with spume blowing. From here I can see the open harbor swells breaking over the seawall at the Castillo de San Marcos. With high tide 2 ft. above normal, the reeds are covering and the chop is building to 2 ft. in winds of 40 kts gusting to 50+ in squalls. Still in the lee of a small low sand spit 300 yds to windward. At noon squalls hit with winds veering easterly to 70 kt gusts, and spray and spindrift 20 ft in the air, lasting all afternoon. Used engine to take strain off anchors which are holding well. At 1830 the wind is still holding tide high inside the harbor, and wind is considerably higher, consistently above 50 kts and gusting to higher than 75. Solar anchor light went over the side in a gust. Low tide is due at 1945. Crawled into berth at 2000 and slept sound, nothing to do but ride it out.
Mon, Sept 6
29:54.3N
81:18.5W
Holy Hole
Channel
Anchored
0630, 73°, overcast, SE 25 kt gusting to 30, veering to south later today. Low tide 0805. Riding quiet, little chop. Lights in town mostly out, power failure. Wind was still high and chop pounding at 0130 when I woke during the night at high tide. All gear ok this morning. Near constant drizzle all day. Except for wearing out the tag ends, Hurricane Francis is weathered. Ashore at 1430 to let folks know all is well. Tough row into the wind. And someone had stolen my new bicycle, damn. Walked to the internet café, and realized it was Labor Day, the town locked up tighter than a drum, damnation. Walked a couple of miles to the Serenity Club, spent a pleasant afternoon jawing with friends there, and caught the 5:30 Happy Hour meeting. A newcomer, Anthony, that I talked with gave me a ride back to the dingy and I was aboard by 1900. Everything OK and riding quiet. Wind SSE about 10 to 15 kts with an occasional gust to 25. Mizzen topsail halyard chaffed through from flogging in the wind and came down about midnight. I was going to take it down anyway, not really needed.
Tue, Sept 7
29:54.3N
81:18.5W
Holy Hole
Channel
Anchored
0645, 75°, overcast, S 20 kt. gusting to 25. Charged batteries, takes an hour engine time a day. Programmed a barometric pressure converter, Inches Hg vs. millibars, and put it on the Beaufort Wind Scale page. Updated the Voyage and log pages. Added some photos of St Augustine and Francis. It was a fairly nice morning but wind and rain again this afternoon. Wind died down after sunset. Pleasant evening.
Wed, Sept 8
29:54.3N
81:18.5W
Holy Hole
Channel
Anchored
0700, 73°, part overcast, S 5 kt. gusting to 10. Payday. Ashore on making tide about 1000, the usual, internet, post office and meeting. Hampton Roads Publishing sent me a copy of The Messiah's Handbook for me to critique and to link on my Illusions page. After reading it my opinion is like that of Pete Seeger regarding banjos, "Every child should be issued one at birth." Sent email letting all know All Is Well. Taxi to WalMart and bought another new bicycle, same price as the one I bought last week, but better for my purpose, made of aluminum, won't rust and I can put a carrier on the back. Home Depot for another solar yard light to use as an anchor light, and flashlight batteries. Locked the bike with a much stonger cable in some folk's yard a short piece from the dinghy, and secure. Onboard by 1930.
Fri, Sept 17
29:54.3N
81:18.5W
Holy Hole
Channel
Anchored
0645, 73°, part cloudy, calm. A Beautiful sunrise. This past week has been quiet. The only problem of course was waiting to see which way Ivan would go, and last Monday the computer crapped out. So from now until it is fixed I will only update once a week on this computer in the internet café.
Thur, Sept 30 Salt Marsh
High&Dry
0645, 73°, part cloudy, calm. Hurricane Jeanne has come and gone, and left the boat high and dry in the salt marsh. As a result of Hurricane Jeanne, 26-27 Sept 2004, in 60-70 knot winds, a loose channel marker bouy drifted thru the anchorage, cutting my south and east windward anchor rodes. The Windwalker was driven backward into a tidal marsh area on the then high storm surge tide, about 4 feet over normal, without any dire result or breakage. The remaining north anchor held the boat about 15 yards from the water. It is now high and dry on lower tides. Until the rodes were cut, the boat was riding secure and relatively quiet in a maximum of a 2 foot chop, as it was in the lee of the salt marsh shoal and island known locally as "Fish Island."

'Tis not the end of the world, and can in a way be counted good as it is now safe from further storms, part of the bottom can be scraped of barnacles and gives me something to think about as I figure out and work at the means of returning the Windwalker to her rightful place in the sea...Que Sera, Sera.

I put out a plea for help on the web and some was gratefully received. My mailing address since yesterday is PO Box 4322, St. Augustine, FL 32085.

Pictures of her present plight on my log pages at http://www.barefootsworld.net/windwalker/voyagephotos.html#jeanne

OctoberSalt Marsh
High&Dry
and
Again at Anchor
The first three weeks of October were spent wandering in and out of the knee deeo mud of the marsh, working at resolving the problem of extracting the boat from the marsh, rowing a half mile each way into town and establishing the ownership of the loose buoy, making the claim for damages upon St. John's County, getting legal aid, etc.

From grounding in the marsh the night of Sept 26-27 until extracted from the marsh Oct 22, the boat with the keel stuck in the marsh mud was racked by the tides, cracking seams, allowing water to enter the main hull. At the time of the new moon high tide Oct 14 an unsuccessful attempt to extract the boat was tried by a large fishing boat, for which the captain was paid $100 cash. SeaTow was engaged to cut a channel using their propwash from open water into the marsh and under the boat, working 4 days at daylight high tide, an hour each day, and on the fifth day, Oct 22, freed the boat, towing it to open water. For this effort SeaTow was paid $1000 cash.

From the 22nd until Sat Nov 6 the boat remained in the channel with the loose buoy secured as I could not in all good conscience set it adrift to cause more damage. I have been unsuccessful to get any agency to relieve me of it.

NovemberSt. Augustine
Anchorage
On the 3rd I ordered a new 35# Delta Fast Set anchor, rode and chain to replace the lost south anchor, $457, which arrived the 10th.

Saturday Nov 6th I had SeaTow move the boat AND buoy from the channel to the anchorage south of the Bridge of Lions, stopping at the City Marina fuel dock, replenishing fuel and water tanks which were very nearly empty.

On Monday, Nov 8, I was finally able to secure PL/PD insurance which St. Augustine Marine boatyard requires before they will even consider hauling a vessel and I made the arrangemets to have it hauled later next week to begin repairs.

From where I am anchored to a beaching spot for the dinghy is about 3/4 mile at the Bridge of Lions, to long a row unless the tide and wind are with me, so I will probably only go in to town every other day and then only if I have something pressing.

Friday, Nov 12, set the new Delta anchor this morning, longer rode and the bridle, a lot more secure anchor setup. Stowed the Danforth and the Bruce anchors and rodes, clearing the deck of line and gear. Looks more shipshape. Went to town about 1pm. Had a butter-pecan malt. Nan C., who lives with her husband on a boat in the harbor, was outside and using me as a shill, made a charcoal sketch of me to attract the tourists passing by on the trains and on foot.

Sat-Sun 13-14, storm winds to 45mph gusts, went to town on the ebb tide about 11 before the winds hit, loafed around town, ran into Marc from St. Paul de Llle Aux Noix and Gosselin in Canada. He is headed for Belise. Went to row back out at 6:15, no way ... too much chop ... pulled dingy up seawall, but not far enough, by morning it was all busted up by storm surge. Rode out to boat Sun morning about 10am with Ormand and Ilse in the "W". Marc came by. He is anchored nearby. Pumped bilge and then read all day. Wind slacking down some at dark, 25kt gusts.

Mon-Friday 15-19, Harbor quiet and winds light, weather delightful although cool at night. The week was busy getting Ormund and Ilse ready for and out to sea. They left this morning on the ebb tide. I stopped at the icecream shop Monday noon for a butter-pecan malt, and a boater gal, Nan C, was on the sidewalk setting up to make portrait sketches, asked me to sit for her and wave to the tourists passing by to "shill" for her to make a few dollars. The sketch of Capt. Barefoot is HERE. Nothing else of importance to report. I have the "W" scow to use and to tend the KateLyn and Sarah Moira while they are gone. Did laundry Friday and spent most of day in town.

Sat 20, to town about 10am after checking bilges of Katelyn and Resurrection. Resurrectuon needs pumping tomorrow. Spent some money on new glasses, vinyl coated cable for new handlines, and a new slingshot and ammo at WalMart. Received Messiah's Handbook from Hampton Pub and 22 CDs from Mike P., gave one of each to Connie at club, paid club dues and got a key from Andy. Email from owner of 12' Indian River square stern canoe with motor, mine for $400, It is down in Miami area, how to get it here??? Will resolve in time. Sent query to Doyle about lomatium supply for Spider.

Sun 21, loaded generator in scow to pump bilges on way into town, took an hour to pump Resurrection. Had to go to Conch Harbor to get gas for outboard, 3 mile slow slog out channel. At 5:30 mtg gave Spider a copy of handbook and CD, listened to it in her car. Gave her the lomatium to take for the next day or so.. maybe six 1/2 tsp doses. Liz was not at house, didn't locate Charley. Back to boat at 8pm.

Tue 23, checked the boats and bilges, about noon I took the scow around to St. Augustine Marine to check out where I have to take the Windwalker. Engine crapped out. Had to buy a new engine, Yamaha 4-stroke 2.5hp on sale, nearly $800. Wiped out funds I was going qo spend on canoe. Runs fine, got back to boat at dusk. Will have to build my own dinghy.

Thur 25, Had Thanksgiving dinner with Judy and Jordy and went tqo 5:30 meeting, back to boat just after dark. Friday spent onboard. Sat, made it to town for groceries, mail, package of lomatium arrived for Spider, and back before rain started. Sun, spent all day onboard reading.

Monday 29, pumped bilges on all boats, into town, showered, called St. Augustine Marine fpr schedule in yard, cashed Ormonde's check and gave cash to Liz for rent, sent check for lomatium to Mountain Oaks and delivered lomatium to Spider, updated web and went to meeting.

Tuesday Nov 30, to town early, looking for dinghy, lucked out, got hunch to go by Sailor's Exchange, went out in yard and spotted a 12' Portaboat folder, just arrived, good shape except algae stained, $100, and they hauled it down to the waterfront for me. HP handled that one, couldn't have come up with a better solution. Went to Eckhards, and bought a new pipe and a pound of bulk tobacco. Back to boat at 1pm and started cleaning the dinghy. Need to get a pair of oars for it. Had it cleaned, opened up and assembled by 5:30 and taken for a test drive. It is going to do just fine. The engine pushes it easy. Went back into town at 6:30 and delivered Ormond's rent money for him.

DecemberSt. Augustine
Anchorage
Wed Dec 1, beautiful clear morning, cool and still. Registered the new dinghy, $17.50, numbered and decaled it, $9 for letter set. Pumped bilges, did laundry, checked boatyard, etc. Got package from Casey of the case he is presenting. Will take some study, but looks excellent at first skim through, very cogent.

Thur Dec 2, Overcast and cold this morning, low 40s. Noon mtg, internet, bought snaps and line to re-d0 aft handlines, refilled gas, diesel, and water jugs at Comachee Harbor about 3 miles north. Started making new handlines on return to boat about 4pm, will finish in the morning. Charged batteries for a couple of hours. Watched last half of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang movie.

Fri Dec 3, finished aft handlines and replaced port and st'bd handline cables. Library, internet, went to club for 5:30 mtg, newbie on the porch, new sponsee Dan, ex-Marine, part Korean, military brat, on the bottom, nothing left. Toook him out to the boat for the night.

Sat-Tue Dec 7 - Pearl Harbor Day, been interesting since Sat., Danny has read the first 164, completed 1-3 and working on 4. Monday he looked for work, and I lined up a bit for him at the Council on Aging helping to move a 91 year old lady from St. Aug to Ormond Beach resthome. Dan earned $25 This morning he is doing laundry, I pumped bilges. St. Aug Marine is dragging their feet. I sent an email to Megan and to Jay Shhroll asking that they contact S.A.M. The situation is becoming untenable. I returned to tahe boat after having breakfast about 11am to try to get all the loose gear in the cabin properly stowed.

Wed-Sun Dec 12, Wed sent another email to S.A.M., While at COA, Debbie has lined up work for Dan in his trade as a HVAC craftsman. He worked 6 hours laying sod, and then another 6 at Jesterville Grill waiting table. Thursday he worked 8 to 4:30 and we caught 5:30 meeting. I sent Casey data on "The God Gene" by Dean Hamer, the genetics of the predispositon for spirituality in humans. Spyder showed at meeting distraught over the turn that her MS has taken so we took her out to boat, watched a movie on the music from Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? -- "Down from the Mountain" - good Bluegrass Grand Ole Opry stuff.. Took Spyder home about midnight in better spirits after talking intensive program to her, about staying in the NOW.

Friday rained torrents about 10am for an hour, waited it out at the Grill having breakfast, on to COA and net, noon mtg. Back to COA and helped Deb collect Xmas gifts for the elderly until 5pm, ordered 2 copies of "The God Gene" at Walden Books. Met Dan for 5:30 mtg. Spyder did not show, problems there that need resolving. Quiet Night.

Sat we went to police bicycle auction, Dan got one for $8, good 18 speed. Lubed and adjusted it while laundry doing. Dan worked at Grill 4 to 10:30, I spent afternoon and evening on the boat.

Sun cold and windy, spent wandering around town and sitting reading in marina lounge until meeting time.

Monday 13th, 35° cold and windy. Tue cold, windy and rainy, read all day in marina lounge. Wed more of same, meeting. Lomatium is working, Spyder better, no cane and standing straighter, no fevers. Thur, rainy and windy again last night, woke about 5am with boat heeled. 50 foot powerboat had dragged anchor, tripped mine which let Windwalker drift onto shoal at mid-tide. Retrieved anchor, and reset two kedge anchors with the dinghy to pull off shoal. Called SeaTow to rescue powerboat. Windwalker free by 9am and reanchored. Cold and Rainy. Took Dan to work, returned to boat and read all day. Picked up Dan at 7:30 in a misty rain. Friday went to WalMart, bought 2 shirts, 6 pair of socks, 2 jeans and some salami. First new clothes in 4 years. Bought windbreaker at St.Vinnies. Bought "The God Gene" by Dean Hamer at Barnes and Noble to send to Casey. Very interesting genetic research. Dan stayed ashore for the night. Spyder much better. Sat, I read the book and mailed it to England. Sunday, two meetings, colder, back to boat at 11pm, Danny didn't show.

Monday 20th, really cold, 34, worked around boat and read trying to get warm, ran generator and electric heater, to town at 10:30, breakfast at grill, Danny at work and sober. He was held by police for interrogation as a possible suspect in a lineup. He spent night hard in cold but is ok. He worked all day. I made noon meeting and 5:30. I spent afternoon helping Debbie distribute Xmas gifts at COA. Talked with St. Aug Marine and have a date to haulout, get estimate of costs and start repair of boat, Jan 5. And Danny didn't show again, I waited again until 11 before returning to boat.

Tue, worked at COA, Danny showed, lost his job.

Wed, worked at COA some, not feeling well, hypolycemia, OK by mid-afternoon. Took Danny to dinner at Chinesed Buffet, crazy as hell after confronting the boss at Jesterville, wound up like an eight day clock, then he disappeared and didn't show by 11pm. Appears to be drinking again. Strike three, will have to remove him and his gear from the boat.

Fri 24th, packed his gear and went to dinghy dock. He was in lounge at 9am asleep. I left him with note I would be at club. Spent day there, nice Xmas Eve party, fine meal, Santa and gifts for the kids. Got back to lounge at 7:15, Danny there drinking. He scurried out. I figured he would be back. Waited, then went to dinghy, he had taken it out to boat. I went to report it missing, about the time he came sneaking back in, he got away from me before we could talk. I removed his gear from the dinghy that he had left behind and took it to the lounge where he can find it. He is off on an insane tear, headed for disaster.

Sat Dec 25, Xmas Day. Went to dock about 10:30, showered, shaved, new clothes, read, watched TV and waited for Debbie and Charley to go with them at 1:30 to their family gathering, about 15, wonderful folks, great meal and fellowship. They left me at club about 7 to catch the late Xmas meeting. Back to boat about 9:30.

Woke late Sunday, miserable weather, did not leave all day, finished another book. About 4:30 I heard a noise in the boat, found Danny hidden. He had been hiding since the night before and he had the pistol, contemplating commiting suicide for the past 24 hours. Got the pistol away from him, unloaded it and hid it safe. Talked with him for a couple of hours then put a movie on to take his mind off himself. He went to sleep finally and so did I.

Monday 27, partially pumped Resurrection on way into town to get Danny some help from Mental Health, while I was making call he ran off. Hope he makes it to the hospital and some psychiatric help. So much for that, I am not in the business of chasing drunks and nuts, went to meeting, finished pumping Resurrection on return to boat. Air mattress in berth sprung a leak. Been a hell of a weekend.

Tue 28, to town, COA, internet, meetings, spent afternoon with a wet one, Brian at club, with Julie helped him get into detox, etc., warmer day. Ormond sent me $300. St. John's County has shifted damage claim to the installer of the bouy and insurer, sent copy of letter to Megan.

Wed 29, Laundry, shower, COA, etc. Got propane. Sent Mom "St. Augustine Night of Lights" CD via Tony so he can play it for her. Found out that Danny had stolen a dinghy Christmas day to get out to boat and let it drift into the marsh, and when confronted by the owner Danny threatened to shoot him. The owner, Scott, says that Danny seemed to be high on something other than booze. We will make a complete police report tomorrow. Scott says the dinghy was recovered but that the motor had been dumped into the water and is ruined. I warned Debbie and Spyder of his state of mind, to not let him get close. Back to boat at dusk.

Thur 30, low 40s this am, pumped Resurrection on way to town. Taking Debbie some lomatium for her flu. Post office, COA, internet, meetings, etc. Met with Scott, and Ormond is back in town for a couple of days,

Fri 31, Uo early, pumped Resurrection, breakfast at Jesterville, confirmed ride to Ft. George New Year's doings, showered, back to boat, charged batteries and pumped bilge, changed clothes, and picked up at 1:30 by Tony and Nancy Kominos, ride to Ft. George and their home after late lunch on way. Napped until 6:30, then to church hall where the party was heod. On way I was told I was speaker for the night. Oh, well. Good people and was received well, great food and company. Donny gave me ride to Tony's about 1am after celebration and cleanup was over.

Next Log Page
Previous Log Page

The Voyages of the Windwalker

Barefoot's World

20040501