When we left a year ago, I had no idea what 'living on a boat' meant for me a four legged cat. The people didn't really give me much choice on whether or not I join them. My option was to go with them, stay in the house with the current occupant and his two new kittens OR go to the frat house in Tucson. So here I am.
The first part of the trip was pretty cold -- but calm. I only got seasick a few times. However, the great land of California has been different. Every few days I hear the 'bing' of the VHF, then the start up of the engine. I sense that there is more "energy" in my people and sometimes their loud annoying alarm even goes off before the sun comes up. Then the waves. Oh, the rolling, the up and down, the back and forth. Sometimes there is also engine noise which is so loud. Most times, I can't even walk when we are moving. It is even worse, when the boat is leaning from on one side and then another. I don't know which way is up. I don't want to eat or drink. My people bring me my food and snacks so I don't have to move to get it. And forget using cat box. They did move it closer to me but it is impossible. I have been known to hide in the hidey-hole for hours upon hours. I only come out when the anchor chain goes down. There is no one hand for the boat when you are a cat!
On the positive side, I love sitting in a calm anchorage with so many birds flying around and diving in and out of the water. I can often hear fish slapping against the hull of the boat and I am so curious to get in and see what they are doing but at the same time terrified. The evenings are my favorite time to sneak around the deck and see what is happening. I can peek into the hatches and watch the people from above. Thankfully, there are no eagles here in Mexico.
Only Osprey, but they are small and I'm pretty sure they can't pick me up. The sea lions are pretty big and noisy, but again, I'm not sure they could get me when I'm perched on the cabin top. Its been fun also to meet all the people along the way. There have even been some dog friends. The seafood has been terrific too. Great memories all around.
My people tell me that I only have one more passage to complete. The last one was super crazy -- I do not want to repeat that EVER. They tell me the boat passed through some tidal rips near the NW corner of Isla Angel de la Guardia. The waves were steep, from every which way and we even had water crashing over the bow a few times. I couldn't not wedge myself far enough into my hidey-hole which is under the bed in the aft cabin. I literally went weightless multiple times. Once there was a huge thud as the bow came crashing into an on coming wave. I did not like that all, it scared me to death and I started crying. The people didn't seem phased, but were very intent on getting past the rough spot.
I noticed that all my bags were packed yesterday. They tell me I'm going to get to live on land after this trip and will have a new home that has a sunroom and snow in the winter (yes, I saw they had my electric blanket ready to go too!) I am relieved. I will certainly miss my people and I'm sure they will miss my snuggles. However, since I'll be moving into their parents house they will get to visit me every time they come to visit. I'll never forget my adventures on the high seas as it has changed me. I'm calmer, more curious, more friendly and now a connoisseur of fresh seafood!
Boat cat farewell!!!
Love this post (Angie)