Day 1 - Shakedown Cruise by Pam

Day 1 gave new meaning to the term "shakedown cruise". Although it began like any other day....we got a late start from Pcola because we had to wash/dry our sheets due to a small water leak we discovered at bedtime the night before, but all was not lost, we met some folks on a Morgan passing through on their way back home to New Orleans and they gave us a whole sail bag of really great books and DVDs to take with us. Everything was beautiful as we finally got underway. I made a steaming pot of coffee and we had the cookies that Denise made (thanks sis!) while we enjoyed our sail. I began to make mental notes of the moments to include my journal.
As we got further out, we discovered the seas were very rough due to the southerly waves hitting the ones from the north being caused by the prevailing winds. This resulted in our being slapped around like a hocky puck. Since we were experiencing northwest winds, our boat stayed heeling to starboard all day and I planned to write an amusing quip on "how to pee uphill" but before the night was over it turned out to be "how to pee without getting killed"! Rich makes me wear a harness, yes a harness (now I know how Fluffy feels) whenever I am outside the cabin without him so I won't be lost at sea. It clips onto a jackline on the boat. I can unclip myself when I go below. Anyhow, I went to the head and the boat lurched forward just as I got to the door. My harness got hooked on the door latch and with the next wave, I found myself being pummeled against the door! We won't even talk about what went on inside the head after I managed to get myself loose! Before I continue, please understand that I am writing totally in "tongue and cheek" style for entertainment value. At no time were we in any danger or was I ever afraid. Only cussing King Neptune and the gods of the sea, and Aeolus and Poseidon and any other mythical character I could think of.
Anyway, it was a long night and before it was over, I was a little use to Rich, my brave captain who navigated us to a protected anchorage off St Joe peninsula and made the "shakedown cruise" come to an end.