As I write, I am looking out a large window at
these drops of water falling from the sky to the parched ground below. It is a
sight so rare these last few months that I struggled to recall the word to
describe this weather phenomenon.
Today was one of the first days we have had a solid
chance of rain in San Antonio for many weeks. I am sure I am not the only
person to look forward to autumn this year. After a long summer of temperatures
that stayed well above 100 degrees for several days in a row, I cannot wait to
enjoy the outdoors again without carrying a full canteen of water and feeling
like a wilting flower.
San Antonio is known for its gorgeous winters. The
region rarely experiences temperatures below 30 degrees, and the days are
absolutely beautiful during the fall and winter months. The spring and summer
months…not so much. Which leads me to speculate on how well we will fare in a
tropical climate, where temperatures are almost always in the 80s and often in
the 90s. Since I hate the heat so much, will I be able to take it?
As we search for our next boat, one thing that we
have on our list of “must haves” is air-conditioning. Surprisingly (at least to
us!), we have found that many boats do not have air-conditioning. How do people
make it when it’s hot? How do they sleep? I have research to back me up here. Smart people
have shown that we sleep better when we are cold.
Many boats lack the ability to make ice as well.
What? No ice? How am I going to make margaritas? I do not have any scientific
evidence that margaritas are good for you, but it seems that anything that
convinces me that I am a good dancer cannot be all bad. Margaritas are
necessary on our adventure.
Generators, water makers, and shade also seem to be
optional in many instances. In reading the blogs of other cruisers, from whom
we draw so much inspiration, it seems that what is required is largely up to
the individual. While I think that I must have air-conditioning now, after
suffering in 100-degree weather for the last three months, I may find that I do
not need it to live comfortably once we are on our way. It seems that a water
maker can help save the time and energy it takes to find and store clean water.
Is it an absolute necessity, though, given that freshwater is fairly available
almost anywhere? A generator seems necessary for running said water maker and
other features required for our daily living. Shade is the most important
feature, in my opinion. Being a fair-skinned blonde, I will need to be able to
protect myself as much as possible from the sun’s rays no matter the latitude.
The freckles on my nose are cute, but I do not need more of them if I can help
it.
Captain Joe and I compromise and negotiate on
almost everything we do, and choosing our next boat is no exception. I know
that he will be able to make the best decisions about what is a “must have” and
what is just a “would like to have.” I am going to push really hard for an
icemaker, though. Everything is better when there are margaritas involved.
What do our readers think? What boat accoutrements
are necessities for you, and what could you live without?
Nauti
Professor
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