Do you think you have become fixated on misery?
Maybe it's time for a vacation/cruise.
That's a tough line to walk. Fortunately, I have a wife who knows me well enough to protect me from myself. We were hit hard because we went to South Texas and then immediately home to the threat of Irma. Then we took the rest of a month to help out in our businesses working as friends helping our CEO and CFO. Who are those mystery friends? We'll never know.
So impact number one on boating was we cut our trip on the Cumberland short. Had others take our boat back from Nashville.
Two, it gave us a month without boating other than taking a center console to and from a car.
We really weren't hit hard by Irma but getting everything back full speed plus some businesses that had been for sale and now the owners weren't going to reopen them so some buying of all things.
Three, we also ended up between South Texas and Florida with three young girls, 17-20 years old, we were helping relocate or recover and get settled. In fact, yesterday was devoted to two of them. So, that took some time from boating.
Now after the month, we got out on the water and then returned to TN and cruised for 10 days. That was my wife protecting me. I would have immediately tried to address Puerto Rico somehow were it not for her. She reminds me constantly that I can't save the world, maybe help one person at a time.
We were out cruising today, just to Miami and back, and we'll have a large group and cruise tomorrow.
We're going to escape again and go to the orphanage in NC and to family in SC, so be gone five days or so. That will cheer us up.
Vegas affected us personally but not boating wise. Our honeymoon was in Luxor so very close to the shooting.
Now, before I do that, I am meeting with some employees and other contacts on a potential Puerto Rico undertaking. In the past I've spent a lot of time there on business, but it's been awhile. We were there boating early this year.
It does impact our boating for November and December, so boating impact #4. Normal would be to Key West, then Naples, Venice, etc. to Clearwater and St. Pete, then who knows. A couple of those stops are problematic. Maybe just shorter trips in FL and the Bahamas or maybe the planned trip with some missing stops. Or maybe by the time we get there marinas will be reopened.
Our New Year plan was to the Caribbean. Don't know if that will happen. I hope by then it's possible to do so even if the normal tourist attractions won't be available.
As to the fires, haven't been impacted much. Have friends traveling down the West Coast and not knowing if they'll be impacted. I do feel for the people there greatly. However, it seems people there will be better equipped to recover than those in Puerto Rico and also nothing really I could do to help those in California.
Fortunately, my boating and travel is with my wife and often with several other giggling girls.
None of this is at all a complaint. I know how lucky we are. Our problems and inconveniences don't matter and if I didn't let it affect me emotionally then I'd not like being that person. My parents never displayed any emotion beyond anger and hate for each other.
There's just been a lot going on and so it's interfered with boating but that is definitely not important. I know many who have lost boats. I've met a very small number of people who lost family.
The recent events just have covered so much territory, I doubt there are many people not impacted. There's good and bad sometimes. Kids seeing it have been scared and those in these places may long be impacted. However, I've seen schools finding a school in a stricken area with their same mascot and kids raising money to send to be used in the schools to help kids. That's very special when kids in Dallas or in NC or in GA establish a thoughtful and meaningful connection with those in other areas.
Last, it's a reminder when we are boating, how blessed and lucky we are. For the moment, it's hard to feel real bad for the person who loses one of two engines and has to replace some hoses but then I recognize that's still stressful. We are definitely not complaining about anything that has impacted us. However, I think most people have been impacted by the events. I also think the next year or two will bring more fear during hurricane season and probably some overreaction and panic. That's just natural. Might for those who weren't hit badly bring some false sense of security too.
It's hard for me to believe it's only been 8 weeks as Harvey hit South Texas on August 25. Sure been a h... of a eight week period.
Now back to the crazy people grilling chicken and wanting to go swimming after dinner. No skinny dipping as we have a 3 year old present.
