Route Map   Weather Map   Daily Journal         Q & A   Special Reports   Education Section           The Game		On land, I'm having a whale of an adventure Special Report: Barclay Jackson July 6, 1998 Click on pictures below to view as enlargements My husband, Dean (Plager), has been away for over a month now. Time has done its inexplicable hat trick: the month has flown, but it's been ages and ages since I last saw "the big guy." All the pre-voyage efforts are either completed (or not), and the Viking guys have begun this year's odyssey. It's Newfoundland or Bust this time. Even a die-hard adventurer like Dean won't make another attempt next year. There are too many dreams of his own waiting. And speaking of waiting, this waiting at home has its ups and downs. You probably know, having read my first posting, that I've got lots to keep me busy here. Besides a full work schedule, our nice little ranch house is suffering major restructuring and is emerging as a wonderful homestead. Our home before the Great Renovation began   It turns out that the poor thing was decaying right under and over us - both flooring and roofing. Although the zillion decisions are hard to make alone, they would be harder to make if Dean were here. For all that he's a Viking, before making a purchase like a ceiling fan, he likes to study Consumer Reports for a few weeks, then visit three or four outlet stores. We have also strongly disagreed at times, since I have definite ideas about the aesthetic aspects of this project (whereas Dean sees most space as mere storage area for muddy boots, wet gear, and other outdoor equipment). So from that perspective, his absence during this phase is a plus. (Though I do wish he could check it out from the ship over the Web.)   Phase One: The roof is off and the first wall for the second floor is up But it does have its drawbacks... On the other hand, arriving home from a busy day at work with no prospect of sharing any of my renovation adventures with Dean is a definite downer. Sure, this is nothing new and what did you expect, and geesh you do get reports of him so quit complaining. Yeah, yeah, yeah, okay. But you wanted my perspective, and my perspective is that life is more fun when he's here. At the very least, it's less placid. In some ways, my experience of this Viking expedition is no different than any avid VV1000 website reader's. I check the website every day, too, as it's also my main source of information on Snorri's progress and the guys' life aboard. In the same boat (more or less) I find this web-watching addictive, and that withdrawal sets in quickly. Did you experience it July 1st, 2nd, and 3rd when we heard nothing? I sure did. The first three dispatches of "On the Voyage" had me hooked. Then, wham! Nothing. Thank goodness that on the afternoon of the 4th of July, Doug Cabot's journal went up! Of course, I wasn't really worried; but believe me, I went off to the fireworks display with a lighter heart. Phase Two: The second floor is framed and roofed. Now for the kitchen-side.   In addition to the checking the website, I exchange e-mails with Dean, of course. This probably gives me a fuller picture of the information on which you get just one perspective. Like you, I saw the report that Dean was working on the wind generator. But, because of all that went before, I also had some background on the subject. For instance, I knew that the wind generator (if it works) will allow them to forego using the noisy motor generator - a big plus in the midst of the stark beauty they're sailing in. I also knew that Dean shopped around for the wind generator and that its components lay on our kitchen floor for a while. (How could I forget? I stubbed my toe on it!)   Phase Three: Kitchen-side roof has been raised, foyer bumped out, portico started and front entrance moved over. Amazing! Like the original Viking ships, Snorri is sticking close to Greenland's coast in order to take advantage of civilization as long as possible. Why risk the dangers and deprivations of the open sea longer than necessary? Tonight, July 6th, they're near a Greenlandic village where hot showers are available. How do I know? Because I got a phone call tonight from the Big Kahuna himself. And talked with him over a crackling phone line with that international delay that causes your sentences to trip over each other. What a treat. So tonight, anyway, I can assure you that the Vikings are clean and warm and safe. They're also on my mind. Top of Page