Route Map   Weather Map   Daily Journal         Q & A   Special Reports   Education Section           The Game		How to pack a Viking ship Text and photos by John Ingham If you have two weeks or less for your summer vacation, it's probably not a good idea to go by Viking ship - it'll take you a week or more just to pack. At least, that was Snorri's experience. But if you have no choice - it's the Viking way or no way - here's how getting ready to leave might go for you. Your trusty ship, empty and sitting high in the water, waits at the dock   First, load 12 tons of ballast rock and stow it low Then get the yard aboard - the long pole that will hold up your sail Wrap your sail tidily around the yard, and put your life raft (in the white barrel) in a central location   Remember the rudder problem on last year's vacation? Better strengthen that area right now Here's Doug Cabot and Rob Stevens working on Snorri - Rob's down below, making those chips fly   New rudder framing means new floorboards, too - best get the whole gang involved Your crew will want snacks for the trip - load 12 barrels' worth on top of the ballast Grub? Check. White water containers? Check. Red fuel jugs? Check. Cookstove in plywood box? Check... You'll need odd chunks of lumber for repairs along the way And if the kids become unbearable, there's a plank for them to walk...wait, that's more spare lumber Remember last year? Don't forget to load a spare rudder...   What the heck...be extra certain and load four rudders Better give your anchor a checkup, or you won't be able to stop for the night Of course, the neighbors will drop by to see how you're doing Up with the sail! You're getting close now...but what's all that stuff still on the dock?   Don't dismay. If you just keep packing, you'll be on your way eventually. Like Snorri is. Top of Page