This is not my favourite part of the trip

Yes, we knew this part was coming.  No, we're still not ready to go home.  (Except for the fact that we miss YOU!)  120 days on the boat and now it's time to take her out of the water.  I (in my sailing fantasies) assumed this meant bringing her up on land and kissing her goodbye until next year.  Turns out there is a little more to it than that.  In the next 24 hours, we will:

• Take off and pack up the Jib and Main sails
• Remove sheets and halyards
• Take the labels off canned goods that will keep until next year (cockroaches can lay eggs in the glue- EW.)
• Give away all perishable food
• Empty the water tanks
• Store all books and charts in ziplock bags
• Top up diesel and add biocide to tank
• Empty and clean out the bilge (Dibs out)
• Vinegar all surfaces to prevent mildew growth
• Oil all teak to prevent uv damage
• Wax the deck, also for sun damage
• Charge batteries 
• Pack our stuff (How do I accumulate so much, how?!)
• Fix solar fan (It actually died today. TODAY!)
• Bag all bedding and cushions
• Set roach, ant and mouse traps
• Rent a car
• Remove and stow bimini
• Secure dinghy on bow
• Empty the fridge (oh dear god, it's a black hole.....mmmm cheese?)
• Get tarps, bungee cords, duct tape, biocide, wax, teak oil, chain and ice cream.

Did I mention that we're in the middle of nowhere?  Seriously, there's alligators swimming around our boat.  This place is truly in the boondocks.  I return to my lack of organizational and research skills here (guess the apple DOES fall far from the tree, mom) when I tell you that I just assumed we could catch a shuttle from the boat yard, rent a car or take a bus into Ft Myers.  We are 50 miles from Ft Myers at a "do it yourself" boat storage yard, and in this case "do it yourself" means "good luck suckers".  Nice one team!  Maybe I shouldn't assume that being in the states means wifi access, lattes and cabs on every corner.

Don't worry!  It will all work out!  We've posted a sign on the men's bathroom door asking for a ride- with the promise of gas money.  Surely someone will be going.  Three cheers for optimism!