Long Hot Shower

Given the stress of the past two days, we decided to jump ship and get a hotel room tonight.  Benefit: unlimited hot water that does not require a pump to make it go away.  The rack will not move tonight.  Those that spend weeks aboard know that water and the conservation of it makes for very short showers and constant concern for the quantity used and the quantity remaining.  So, we decided to rent a car and move ashore for the night.  Being the day after Fat Tuesday, Enterprise Rental Cars (preferred because they come an get you) had no cars, absolutely no cars in the entire city until 1500.  We had one reserved for 1000 but none came back.  Fat Tuesday must have taken it's toll on the guests of the city and they definitely slept late or forgot where they parked the cars and looked for them all day.

I spent some time with the owner of the yard and we exchanged stories of post Katrina.  I saw the city 4 weeks and about 6 weeks after the event when we brought Why Knot home. After getting the rental car, it was obvious that with the exception of the downtown area and along commercial streets, this town is forever to show Katrina effects and will never be back to post Katrina status.  The Seabrook marina is outside the Industrial Canal levee and was destroyed.  I looked over the levee and the houses  beyond are a good 25 feet below sea level. No wonder this place sunk.  He told me the first reaction of the authorities, not the President, was to send the worker who run the pump stations to safe high ground.  In other words those trusted to run the pumps were not on duty when most needed.  His house was flooded by rain water, not Katrina.  There were other stories about the President offering the Govenor Federal assistance but she took 4 days to make up her mind.

New Orleans finally elected a new mayor for whom over 60% of the prevelant ethnic group voted.  The city will recover to something way less than it's former self.  That may not be a bad thing. 

The mast comes off Monday, next and then we wait for parts..  Already, the bow pulpit has a 4 to 6 weeks lead time. If the mast and rigging come earlier that will be the long lead time item.  Until then, we are stuck.  Then again, by then perhaps the weather will improve. 

The yard is home port for a 75 feet something or other, professionally crewed race boat.  Jeff, the yard manager stores one of two keels for that sled.  In shallow water he mounts the 6 feet keel. When the owner goes offshore sailing, the yard installs what looks like a 12 feet fin/bulb keel.  Imagine that- changing keels to fit the water. 

So, for tonight, we are land based.  Long hot shower, stable rack and big screen television.  While great in it's own way, we are definitely looking forward to boarding WK and heading out again.  We go back aboard tomorrow and cool our heels.  We do plan to do some sightseeing including for me (Bear does not want to see) the National WWII Museum.

Inside of Algiers Lock, New Orleans

Bear has been dealing with a bout of nausea which I suspect is a combination of the events of the past few days and  boat food.  If it is, that is yet another side effect of my bad decision on Valentien's Day, which will forever be known to us as "Broke Bridge" day.

When the Dell technician met us aboard to fix our one-eyed companion, he admitted that this was the most unusual service call ever.  While aboard, he also admitted to getting a little motion challenged.  To us, the constant movement is like a swing.  We never sleep as well as in the gentle rocking arms of Why Knot.  Damn sorry I tweeked her.