The end of a chapter

EDIT: there is one more chapter coming, moving Waltzing Matilda to her new home, look for and adventure coming in November.

After almost two years vagabonding in a day sailer I've taken a great job in New Iberia Louisiana, I am writing this as my final dispatch in the tales of Waltzing Matilda. I set out with many goals when I sailed from Ft Smith, AR, I've achieved most of those except for making the Great Loop, not every goal has to be met on the first voyage, I still had a great adventure. I have taken Waltzing Matilda far beyond what she was designed to do and learned a huge amount about myself, about the sea, about weather and about people.

I couldn't sail Waltzing Matilda to her new home, neither she nor I were prepared for a 700 mile open water voyage. I had to leave her behind at a safe dock until I can ship her to my new location. It will be close enough to the gulf for me to get out for an occasional day sail and the marina's are much cheaper here than in the Keys. Waltzing Matilda needs to be hauled out and have her hull repainted, lots of other things too, I need a break and a larger boat, I met some wonderful people in Louisiana and have wanted to live here since I first traveled through.

So I am shore based, the noise of cars driving by wakes me up at night, the kids all like the bumping bass stereos and the resonates the floor of the little house I am in, I don't care for the street lights. Last night a friend took me to a zydeco dance out on the Atchafalaya basin, neat little bar in the middle of nowhere with muddy pick-up trucks all around. I saw several houseboats moored there and that was enough to cement my decision to build a house boat. I have to be on the water and in this area houseboat makes sense, plus it will get me away from the BOOM BOOM BOOOOOOOMM BABBA BOOM of these kids cars.

You kids, get off my lawn!

Thanks to all of you, my dear readers, for your comments and support on this grand voyage, please take a moment to make a comment on this post.

Edit: thank you for the kudos, especially the anon visitors, I had no idea so many followed. I've just re-read the posts and am amazed at the change in my writing, to sum it up.... condense, it makes a better read. view all the photos