05/21/2012
OPTIMISM CAN TAKE YOU ANYWHERE
THE RE-CAP
WE ARE DONE, WE MADE IT, WE ARE HOME.
Boat Trip Stats, Facts, Figures and THANK YOU's
Total nautical miles - 3058 or >3400 statute miles
Avg MPG 1.274 over all 3058 miles. Including the 6 mph 'slow' areas
Average cruise speed. 18.4 kts. About 21 mph
Avg MPG at cruise speed - 1.17
Best pice per gallon. $3.18 NC. Fall 2011
Highest.$6.80 Man of War Cay. Spring 2012 (includes the free water added to fuel :-(
Let's see avg price/gal about $4.20 x (3058/1.274) = OMG!
Furthest we traveled from any land point: 52 miles.
Furthest distance from US. About 177 mi, Elbow Cay
Distance between FL and Grand Bahama Is: About 62mi
Longest single leg 205nm. Scituate MA to Bar Harbor, Me (incl whale watch detour)
Deepest water about 2600 ft deep
Highest wind speed recorded while we were at anchor: 64 mph. Love my Ultra anchor!
Number of Marinas visited since the August start - 74
Number of times we were turned away due to 'No Vacancy' - 0
Number of times we crossed the Bermuda Triangle - Twice.
Number of times we had less than 18" of water under the propeller. 4
Number of times we touched bottom. ZERO
Visits to a clinic or hospital ER - Two. Bob's bike tried to kill him
Amount of time it used to take for Bob to drain the water/fuel separators and install new fuel filters before he had PD: About 20 minutes. How fast can he do it now, after the water in the fuel fiasco, even with Parkinson's? About 5 mins.
Prior to this Odyssey, % of time Becky would spend driving the boat in any given season: About 2%. Now? About half.
In the final week alone, number of times the USCG or local police boat either boarded us or pulled along side with blue lights flashing: "Just wanted to check out the boat"; "nicest boat we have ever seen" - 3x
Wildlife experienced or viewed up close: Sea turtles, bald eagles, barracudas, many various species of sharks, numerous whales, too many dolphins and porpoises to count, and on, and on....
How many people did we encounter in our mission to demonstrate the health benefits of a positive outlook and raise awareness of Parkinson 's? We lost count long ago.
How much money has the Preston Team raised to date for PD research or patient support: >$130,000
Number of people we helped with the above efforts: At one, the mission was accomplished and we stopped counting.
How many people do Becky and I need to thank. Hundreds! The many, many people that have donated to the cause, helped me in my efforts, and assisted in any way. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
None of this could have happened without the tireless efforts of Charlene A., Christina F., "M. E." and "Q". I can't forget all the fine folks at American Parkinson Disease Assoc and the Fox Foundation. I want to extend a BIG THANK YOU for all your support to my friends and associates at Starkweather and Shepley Insurance Insurance Brokerage & Preston Insurance Agency. It has been an honor to work with the best of the best
Most importantly, a very special thanks to, "Mary Jean"!
Thanks to Petzold's Marine and Back Cove Yachts for a tremendous product and outstanding product support. The boat ran flawlessly. And to Manny & Seaport Communications.The navigation and communication systems are best in class which gave us the confidence to get thru very tight unmarked channels; into many remote anchorages. And out of them!
Finally, on a scale of 1-10, how tired am I, especially after the sprint to get home? TEN! On same scale how would I rate the experience . A TEN!
Would I do it again? I would. I will. I am. Nov. 2013
And for those who tell me "I want to help, but just forgot":
WWW.RIAPDA.ORG
It will be most greatly appreciated
In closing, I did this to help others in need of patient support. I did this to raise money for research. I did this to prove to myself that a positive attitude an optimistic outlook is critical not just fighting this illness but BEATING IT! As for the first 2 I will let others judge me. As for the last item, all I can tell you is this, I feel better today than I did when I started 9 months ago. Which reminds me, I am not one to wait for opportunity, destiny, luck, chance or for that matter a PD CURE to come my way. I hunt it down.
W. E. Henley sums it up best in his poem,
INVICTUS
(latin. Unconquered)
"...I AM THE MASTER OF MY FATE:
I AM THE CAPTAIN OF MY SOUL."
Fair Winds.
BE WELL
BOB
FAIR WINDS!
BOB PRESTON
