Comfotably lost on the island, with internet but no phone...

[Captain Greg]

Ever since I saw Blue Lagoon, I've wanted to be lost on an island. I thought about contacting Brooke Shields to see if she wants to join me, but I haven't aged as well as she, so it's unlikely. I'm closer to Tom Hanks in Castaway.

 

Cracks me up. I got Clearwire internet and my speed is 3/4 what it is on land with DSL. Bought a USB extension cord and ran the antenna up the mizzen just below the radar dome so I get service at low tide over the breakwater. Still adamantly refuse to replace the cellphone I threw overboard 5 years ago.

 

I have the perfect balance between solitude and socialization. I was raised in the hospitality business, so being the WalMart greeter of the island is a job with my name on it.

 

Last week I had the island all to myself for 3 days. I went up and burned some cardboard and waltzed around going, "I HAVE CREATED FIRE!" Never mind the cardboard was wet and I used a propane torch to get it going.

 

For the weekend the place filled up. Forecast was rare Seattle Sunshine in the middle of February. Everyone came out. I did a drummer's circle with a bunch of kids. Took lots of pix and vids. Updated my website about 10 times so the kids could see themselves when they got home. One of the most fun weekends I've had in years. I didn't even realize I put in two 16 hour days in a row.

 

Monday was still sunshine but no people. I spent the day dragging stuff out of holds and lazarettes and exploring my still-new boat. Found a bunch of canvas that I want to ask your help identifying. I'll post some pictures tomorrow. Gotta be some kind of rail covers, but I'm stumped on how they go on. They're soaking in a barrel of soapy bleachy water as we speak. They been down there since the Nixon Administration I think.

 

Everything I touch on this boat seems to work out. Couldn't get the engine started after replacing the starter and a battery. Messed with a bunch of things and now it purrs. I could explain to you what it was except I have no idea. Some combo of all the things I messed with.

 

Made two trips to the mainland. It's all of 2.9 miles. Set the auto-pirate and walk around making sure everything's fine for a half-hour. Haven't flown sails since the maiden voyage, though. Need to send someone aloft to check things out first. That day was pretty much a no-wind photo op.

 

I dropped anchor in about 30' and as the chain went out I said to my buddy, "I think that was about 200'." Yesterday I pulled the chain on the deck to measure and paint marks. 210'. Swear to God.

 

Just like everything else, it's all falling together. Nobody wake me up. I don't wanna.

 

Check out my website and send me a note. ~Greg

  

http://midnightrunaway.net