Thought I would provide you with some entertainment while I get pictures updated and on WordPress.  We have made it through the Panama Canal!

We went through the canal with UNICEF and Derry Londerry yesterday. Very interesting how it all works and it did rain on us most of the way with lightening and thunder! This picture was prior to us putting up our awning.

The Saga of the Dry Suit

To read this blog one must have learned the song Hokey Pokey when they were young.  If you did not, then I guess you need to find someone that did.  Now, thinking the tune, (You put your right foot in, etc.) here goes.

Verse 1:  You wax the zipper right down, you wax the zipper back up, you wax the zipper both ways and you run it up and down.

Chorus: You do the Hokey Pokey and you turn yourself about!  That’s what it’s all about!

Verse 2:  You pull the suspenders right out, you check to make sure they are clear, you check it again cause tangling in them can cause problems.

Chorus:

Verse 3: You put your right foot in, you put your right foot out (cause you still managed to go through then suspenders wrong), you put your right foot in and check the booty on the bottom.

Chorus:

Verse 4:  You put your left foot in, you slide the left leg right down, you are getting better and you check the booty on the bottom.

Chorus:

Verse 5: You check the direction that the suspenders go, you put the suspenders over your head, you make sure they are not tangled and you smile in satisfaction.

 

Chorus:

Verse 6:  You put your right arm and head in position, you pull the hood up (so you can fit your head in), you take a deep breath and pull the suit over your head and arm, then you breathe a sigh of relief.

Chorus:

Verse 7: You put your left arm kinda twisted in, you feel a bit awkward the angle you put it in, you shove your arm on through and carefully pull your hand through the rubber seal.

Chorus:

Verse 8:  Now you find someone big and strong, they grab the zipper behind your shoulder, they tug and tug to get it across and down, and they ask if you waxed the zipper.

Chorus:

You put your right boot on, you put your left boot on, you velcrow both pants legs, you are almost done now and you jump with joy.  (Actually did this with each leg)

Chorus:

Verse 9:  Now you grin with satisfaction, your teammates beam with relief, you get your lifejacket on and shake yourself about.

Chorus:

Now you ask if it’s a dry suit do you stay dry?  I used mine several times on the Pacific crossing.  I stayed nice and warm in it, however due to condensation on the boat, putting my wet socks in the booties, etc. it was not always what you would call dry inside.

Note of caution:  If you have to go to the head (bathroom) then plan 15 minutes in advance as first you have to find someone to help you get out of the suit.  I can usually get zipper started up, but cannot unzip the part that goes over the shoulder.  Then you get the rubber seal off of both hands, twist your left arm funny and pull it out.  Then take a deep breath and pull the head and right arm out, get those suspenders off, unvelcrow the pants around the boots, pull off the boots, pull out the right leg, then the left leg, put feet back in boots and run to the head!

Thanks to Jason Chan for doing the photos!!! on a rather rocky day!

Welcome to the world of cold weather sailing!