Pat: A Vacation from Travel?

Have you wondered what we do when we aren't sailing? Well the great thing about having a boat is that when you aren't sailing you are fixing.

We have taken the last week to finally connect the propane to the oven so we can cook on something other than the Coleman stove, install our water filtration system for the drinking water and stop the squealing alternator belts. We put all the ceiling tiles back up that needed to be down while we were waiting to "fix" things and lightened the boat of all the extras. The extras included clothes, pots, glassware, linens, and all manner of nicknacks. We dumped at least a couple of hundred pounds of stuff at the parents house. At the same time we brought off anything that could be washed to really break in their new washing machine. I washed down the sides of the boat to remove all the black streaks we accumulated. This job involves standing in the dingy with a brush on an long pole, a pail of soap and a hose. It is one of my favorites! Also washed down the deck and topsides and polished the stainless fittings. Oh yes, I almost forgot that we put a new coat of paint on the dinghy to keep away the bottom growth.

We did take some time for non-boating activities. We went and saw the new 007 movie, two thumbs up. We also received a much needed care package from Larry with the episodes of Heroes that we had missed, getting us ready for tonight. Thanks Larry, we have a reason to live until January.

Now that all that is done the boat is much more comfortable to continue the next part of our travels. It is time to move on, but when? It is Monday night and we are sitting next to the fireplace with a cup of warm cocoa. We would like to make Charleston, SC by this weekend, but I have a cold coming on so we may sit for a bit.. That is the great part about this whole adventure, we are in charge. I told James that it is an anniversary of sorts for me, I have not seen a powerpoint slide in a month. Instead I watched James put new strings on the guitar and it seems he can still remember some of his favorite songs. Life could be a lot worse.

UPDATE: Found some bandwidth and have uploaded pictures of our completed projects. To get a clearer look, just click on the pictures to view at full size.




James looking very happy that the "to do" list in the galley is done.
For those following along at home, we have installed a Technautics DC Fridge (new compressor and coldplate), a Whale water system with accumulator and new collapsible water bladders (140 gallons), a Seagull X-1F water purifier, faucets and a new propane box, regulators and hose run to the stove.


The deck and sides are clean for the first time in 500 miles. Nothing special here except we have been very happy with Collinite's Metal Wax for maintaining the stainless. Expensive, but worth it.

Hope all are well and life is good.

Enjoy