It's A Long Story

A gloomy day at Indiantown Marina.

Indiantown Marina is crowded lately with boats coming out of storage and getting ready to head off adventuring for the season. There are also the transient boats who are passing through from one side of Florida to the other via the Okeechobee Waterway who stop by the marina for the night. Then there are folks who don't have a boat but still come to stay at the marina campground for the winter because anything beats shoveling snow in Minnesota and Ontario. Even a campground in Indiantown. 

Everyone is friendly. They stop by to say hi and pause to chat. If they're American, they often look at the side of our boat and ask, "What does Tickety Boo mean?" {The Canadians among us are familiar with the expression, so they don't ask.} I explain the meaning behind our boat name and we chat some more.  

But, inevitably, they ask the dreaded question, "And where is Tickety Boo headed to this year?" 

My usual answer is, "It's a long story." Then I try change the topic. Something like, "Did you see the alligator swimming over there?" Or, "It looks like it might start to rain." The curious and brave usually head over to the dock to take a closer look at the alligator. Those walking small dogs (or the occasional cat) beat a hasty retreat so that their furry friend doesn't become a tempting afternoon gator snack. The folks who left their hatches open scurry back to their boats before the rain starts to pour down and drenches everything. 

And I breathe a sigh of relief not having to explain yet again why Tickety Boo has been tied to this dock for months and doesn't appear to have any plans to head off adventuring anytime soon.  

Because, you know, it's a long story. Most of you know it. If not, here's the short version. We spent hurricane season at the marina for insurance reasons. Scott had to go back to Scotland to finish up a contract. Work is taking longer than he thought. There might be more work he has to do. Tickety Boo and I wait in Indiantown. I work on boat and writing projects while Scott's away. Adventuring is on hold. 

When pressed, I tell some form of the short version. Which leads to more questions like, "What kind of work does Scott do?" {Archaeologist. No, it's nothing like Indiana Jones.} "What do you do during the day?" {Work on my very long list of Very Important but Very Boring Boat Projects. Or procrastinate.}  "Aren't you lonely?" {Nope. If I ever get sent to jail for knocking over an Oreo delivery truck, I don't think solitary confinement would be a punishment. At all.} "Aren't you scared living all by yourself?" {Nope. Except when the alligator looks like he wants to board the boat.} "Wasn't it hot here during the summer?" {Hotter than you can imagine. Air conditioner from Walmart - best investment ever.}

Honestly, I'd much rather hear about people's plans for adventuring, then explain why Tickety Boo is still on the dock. It's such a long, rather dull and slightly depressing story. 

So, tell me. What are your adventuring plans for the coming year? Where are you going to travel to? What are you going to experience? Let me live vicariously through you. Pretty please.

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