Renewing My Driver's License

We are legal residents of Nevada. David's driver's license was due for renewal this month and he was able to do it on-line. Easy, painless, no waiting … $17 for four years. My license, on the other hand, is due for renewal in November, but since I won't be here in November and it's more than 30 days from the actual required renewal date, I had to go to the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles office for renewal. Easier said, than done.  

long line at the dmv

 

The office opens at 8am, and we were advised to get there early to get near the front of the line. We arrived at 7:20 and the waiting line extended down the sidewalk, around the corner and to the back of the building. It's a big building … the line was long. The sun was high and blisteringly hot already and we were not quite prepared for the wait, like some of our fellow waiters. One woman set up lawn chairs under a tree and had a cooler full of cold water bottles. We didn't even have hats. What were we thinking?

At about 8:03, the line began to move. Our shoes had melted in place and it was hard to pick up our feet, but the excitement of moving 10 feet gave us some incentive. By 8:30, we were near the front door and at least close to the shade. A portly security officer admonished us to get into single file which, of course, made the line longer. We finally managed to get inside which put us into the next line at Information. “Everyone must visit the Information Desk” … two triage people who dispense numbers ( I was G055), give out forms. Mine was yellow and needed to be completed on both sides, but NOT signed until I was in the presence of an official DMV person. I stood at a counter, filled out the form and we found a seat within the masses of people who were already waiting for DMV services.

 

inside the dmv

 

This place is made for those who have to wait. Lots of fairly, uncomfortable, plastic, molded chairs were actually quite welcome after the long, hot wait in line. There's a snack bar for coffee and burritos, if you're interested. Several overhead monitors (some of which worked) flashed inane factoids about movie stars, the current temperature (103F) and one flashed the current numbers being served. There were H-numbers, I-numbers, J-numbers and, of course, G-numbers, among others. They flashed on a screen at the same time a computer-generated female voice said “G05 is now being served at Window 23. G05? My number was G055 … this might be a long wait. Luckily, David is a patient man and he kept me successfully entertained until at last my number was called.

 

dmv snack bar

 

The official DMV person checked my form, confirmed that I wanted to donate my organs (only after I'm done with them), did a quick vision test and had me sign and date the form in his presence. Cha...ching … that'll be $22.25. But David only paid $17.50! Next, wait in line for a photo. The no-nonsense, lack-of-humor photographer did not respond to my “good morning”. He checked the form carefully, had me sign, told me to stand in the marked box in front of the blue background and barked “get your hair out of your eyes”. Flash! “Can I see the picture?” “Already gone … you'll get your new license in the mail in the next couple of weeks …. Next!”

So two hours, a slight sunburn on my nose and $22.25 later (the premium paid for the privilege of waiting in line), I have an old license with VOID punched across it and a piece of paper which says my license is “in the mail”, and will be valid till November 2018. Just one of the joys of living (and driving) on land.

 

temp license

Just a Little Further in Mandurah

While we were still in Esperance a month or so ago, we received an e-mail from Tim Donkin, General Manager of the Mandurah Offshore Fishing and Sailing Club (MOFSC). He wanted to know if Nine of Cups planned to stop at the club and if so, would we be interested in making a presentation to their members. We were very flattered by the invitation. I mean, we're not famous or anything and how often do we get to talk in person to people who are really interested in the cruising lifestyle AND not have to check for rotten vegetables at the door?  

blurb

 

We've done several presentations in the past, but we wanted to do something a bit different, so we noodled a lot over the past month and spent some time working on a new theme espousing our philosophy of Just A Little Further. Basically, we feel it's easier to cast off the docklines and set several, smaller short-term goals that are obtainable, than to make huge commitments to long, offshore passages before you've built up the experience and confidence to head out. The goal wasn't to convert anyone, just to let them know it's do-able and cruising is a fine lifestyle.

 

opening slide

 

It's been blowing hard here for the past couple of days with intermittent torrential downpours. The night of the presentation was no different and when 5:58pm rolled around, there were only a handful of hardy folks in the room. No matter … we were keen to present. Just at 6pm, in walked a large group plus Tim and nearly every chair was taken. We were psyched.

 

presentation

 

The presentation lasted about an hour and the questions following were excellent. We could have chatted with these people all night. Some were interested in cruising; some were not, but liked the dream. We had dinner together later in the club restaurant, chatting like old friends. We put several tables end to end and the conversation was lively and all-inclusive.

We've only just arrived and already we've been made to feel part of the community. People stop by to say hello and ask if we need anything … loan of a car, a lift here or there, a trip to the supermarket or the farmer's market. How wonderful to feel so welcome. This really is one of the very best things about cruising the world. Thanks, MOFSC!

Home

yellow ribbons  

I'm home at last. Down under with David and home aboard Nine of Cups. Stepping off the plane and seeing David waiting for me at the gate was an unexpected pleasure. Since my Sydney to Adelaide flight was domestic, David could actually meet me at the gate. You can still do that in Australia!

After many hugs and kisses and collecting all my baggage, we headed home to the Crown Marina in North Haven in a fellow cruiser's borrowed car. The long walk from the marina parking lot to Nine of Cups was worth the effort. She looked fabulous in her berth. David had tied huge, welcoming yellow ribbons on her and I had to take a minute to catch my breath. My heart skipped a beat. After nearly a year, to be home in my own bed, in my own boat with David seemed almost surreal.

 

pooh and piglet

 

Cups needs some TLC, but we're more than willing to give her what she needs, so she can take us off on our next adventure. Let's get those chores started right away … after I recover from this jet lag, I mean.