Wouldn't you know it, the stowage process finally came to an end.  This has been an exercise in parting ways with items that have outlived their useful life, and it required me to channel my maternal Grandmother.  She was always good at tossing what is old, well used, and/or unnecessary.  It also required me to channel my paternal Grandmother, who taught my father, who in turn taught me all about rolling and stowing clothing.  You must take your old lessons with you, where ever you go.

Now, everything has a place, and every place has a thing. Sonrisa is pretty much full to the gills, but she is very pleasant and homey.  To celebrate, I spent one evening reading a book lent to me by my right hand woman, legal assistant extraordinaire.  

The next day was Valentines Day.  We made a quick shopping run to Westmarine, where I fussed over neoprene foul weather boots for $79.00 or Goretex foul weather boots that make your feet feel sticky like SpiderMan for $189.00.  If I were truly a well conditioned cruiser, I would have picked the $79.00 pair, but alas, I am a lady and a lady needs a pair of SpiderMan-like-Goretex-warm-and-cozy-boots for $189.  So, Andrew bought me the Valentines Day Foul Weather Boots of my choice, a stronger storm jib halyard, and a spare shroud in case one of the wires holding up the mast breaks.  Romance is in the air.

Next, we had plans to motor Sonrisa over to a dock by Coronado (the wind is not up yet), and meet some friends for brunch.  Sonrisa was excited to stretch her legs, even if it was by motor, and so we headed off.  As we pulled up to the dock it was rocking and rolling like no dock Andrew or I had ever seen. As tour boats, motor boats, jetskis and cruise ships passed in the San Diego Bay, this dock was fully exposed to all of those wakes.  We were not sure this was a good idea at all.  We pulled Sonrisa up to the dock, and wrestled the bumpers into place. We tied her off and stood there looking at our girl pitching and heaving, squeezing her bumpers against the dock for dear life.  If she were to break free, she would either float out into the bay in all the bay traffic, or the waves would push her onto the sandy beach near the dock.

We are supposed to leave her here like this while we go eat brunch?  

Though it seemed like such a bad idea, we told ourselves that we were going to have to get used to leaving her alone.  We put all the loose deck equipment below and locked her doors.  We took one last look at her before we headed up to the restaurant.  She seemed ok.  

We met our friends at the restaurant and ate a lovely brunch.  Andrew sat by the window and could see Sonrisa at the dock.  Every so often I felt compelled to ask "can you still see her?  Does she look ok?"  So far so good.  After brunch, our friends headed down the dock to see her.  They took the grand tour, and one friend started getting seasick down below, just at the dock.  Her little guy was excited to "drive the boat" though, and he hung out at the helm ready to set sail.  As everyone was getting ready to leave, though, one of her dock lines popped, leaving her bow loose to start floating away from the dock.  Time to get out of here!  We said our "catch you laters" and parted ways.  

Since we were out and about, we decided to take Sonrisa for a sail into the ocean.  Usually, it takes about three days of sailing to get over seasickness.  Over the next few weeks before departure, our plan is to get some sailing in bite sized chunks to strengthen our sea legs. We had a lovely day sail out, waited until we felt just a bit ookey, and headed back.  We arrived back in the slip just in time for sunset, and I enjoyed dinner and wine in the cockpit with my Valentine.  It was a beautiful day!