LAUNCH!

Maggie:

It was a beautiful day. Sunny, 70 degrees and dead calm, very unusal for November in Maryland. A good omen, said our friend Richard (seen here toasting Me Voy), especially since it was cold and dreary the week before, and warm but rainy ever since. Another good omen, was the surprising appearance of two of our boatyard friends Henry and Karen (also in the picture).We met them three years ago as we began working on Me Voy, but they bought a house and we have not seen them since, until, that is, this beautiful day, when out of the blue they appear just as Me Voy is ready to splash in. Their appearance coupled with Me Voy's smile, the bubbly champagne, and that gorgeous blue sky, made me burst with joy. But, I'm getting ahead of myself...

The day was filled with moments of intense action , unspeakable excitement, and unbearable waiting. For the most part we tried to stay out of the way and let the boatyard guys do their thing. There was some touch ups to be done as the jacks supporting our sweet Me Voy were taken away, and again later when she was put into straps at the travel lift.

The best moment was when she was gently lowered into the water and FLOATED all on her own. Travis was first aboard to check for leaks. He had a near heart attack as he noticed some water coming in around the depth sounder, but being the awesome Mr. Fix it that he is, he soon had that worked out, and came out from below with a big grin and two thumbs in the air. We are dry AND floating. Now it was time to toast!

So you'd think that would be enough excitemtent, right. But wait, seems like something is missing.

Yup there was still the mast to step. The riggers got a kick out of the peso that layed patiently waiting to be smothered by 60' of wood . That was one tradition I had to observe, after reading to what happens to people who don't put a coin under the mast. Bad, bad things happen to those people.

Everything again went beautifully. The calm conditions made the rigger's work a pleasure, and the mast was soon standing where it belonged. Now T and I hooked up the standing rigging, and there it was.

Check out Chopper's lizard tongue!

Funny enough as we were nearing the completion of the rig set up ,the weather began to turn. First wispy clouds, then dense clouds, and soon misty rain followed by what has now been five days of rain. I had to leave for B-more soon after the mast was up and have yet to spend a night aboard Me Voy as she (still!) floats in the water. T and Chopper have been staying on her, continuing to work on the rest of the rigging, getting her ready for our maiden sail. Did you hear THAT? For real, really absorb that for a moment...That's right, we (and some more experienced sailing friends) are sailing Me Voy to our marina in Baltimore. This storm system that has brough so much rain and wind, is passing us Sun. and on Tues the winds are favorable. That is when plan to depart Oxford and make the 100 nautical mile trip to Baltimore. ahjdhtoaplfnfhs!!!