THE past two days have been all about creative stowage solutions.  Yesterday, we managed to stow most of the rest of the tools and clothes, and topped off the day with a trip to Petco to get a new, smaller cat litter box and to the Container Store, where we dropped $300 on various, mostly waterproof, storage boxes.  Given how leaky the boat is, this is a necessity.  We worked up quite an appetite with all that packing and shopping, which our friend Kristin remedied by taking us out to dinner at a fabulous, upscale Lebanese place in Courthouse.

We’re feeling the pressure to get everything done before our month at the marina is up.  The engine has yet to be started (scheduled for next Monday) after five years in the Mexican desert.  We still have to finish the masts so they can go in next week – the mizzen mast needs a coat of epoxy and two coats of paint on the top, and the bits need to be re-attached.  Philip is inflating the dinghy as I type.

This Sunday, we’re headed up to Garrett County for an early Thanksgiving with my parents and will head back Tuesday.  We hope to have most everything done before the end of next week so we can get the masts in, engine started and cast off our lines!