Firsts

Firsts

Today is a day of firsts. In the countless hours I have spent outside watching countless birds catch nothing, I saw an Albatross chance upon a squid. The squid didn’t stand a chance.

Looking forward, I saw an Albatross literally drop out of the sky and plop in the water head first just off the starboard bow. He emerged with a squid that he gobbled in seconds flat. Had I not been looking forward, I would have missed it entirely. Given how long it’s taken to see the first, I doubt there will be a second.

On a different note, today is the first time the foot pump drawing water from the port water tank drew only air. In 145 days, I have consumed just over 60 US gallons of water. Exactly half of what I have on board.

I use fresh water for drinking and cooking only and have been very careful about how much I am using. Chances are good I won’t run out of water before I get home.

Today is also the first time the stove failed to light. I had emptied one of the three 10lb propane bottles I have on board. I have used the stove and oven sparingly and with the trip more than half over, I don’t expect to run out of propane before I get home either.

That said, my mindset seems changed. The minute you leave the dock you are technically running out of everything. But bumping up against the actual limits, like the empty water and propane tanks, has put a decidedly different spin on things. Running out of Clif Bars ( two days ago) or chocolate (two weeks ago) was different. They were an indulgence. Not necessary and superfluous. Water and heat are necessities. And with 100 days to go, I feel the pinch already.

Follow my tracks in real-time:
https://bit.ly/svseaburban