When I bought a boat, I envisioned warm, sunny days snorkeling, laying about on deck in the sun, etc.  I was realistic enough to realize that there would be a fair amount of work involved as well.  I even welcomed the prospect of "working on boats in exotic locations."

But DANG!

The past week has been unseasonably (record?) cold.  The wind has been a constant howling companion.  (I like wind.  Right?  I have a sailboat.  But not 25 knot steady with 40 knot gusts at 14 degrees.)  And with the forecast for next week predicting at least two days of snow, I was already questioning my resolve.

Then, this morning.  We took our usual trek to that oasis of civility (the clubhouse) for our morning constitutions. 

And the water.  Was.  Frozen. 

Sorry.  I'm done.  Not staying under those conditions.  And the boat is not ready to do a marathon sail to warmer climes.  I am, however, a five hour drive from a solution to my problem.

So, we're home a week early.  No problem.  If the weather breaks, I'll make a break too.  Right now I'm rooting for the mythical "global warming".

The view from my front porch last night.

Still cold.  Stupid weather.  We're trying to decide what to do today.  It may be time for a "day off".  Maybe see a movie.  Maybe get some supplies.  Whatever it is, it will still be a day in paradise, living the dream!

Posted by Monty

You may notice a change in the look of the site, as well as some additional features.  Many thanks to our daughter Allison (a minor Computer God) for all her research and help.  One of the things added to the site is the ability to leave a comment.  Please know that we are in never-never land as far as communications goes, and may not respond right away.  We should be able to add more pictures, etc. (as soon as we figure out how, and between boat projects).

Posted by Carol
We’ve been back on the boat since Saturday and the weather is crazy.  It was mid 60’s on Monday (wearing flip flops) and snowing Tuesday night (winter coat and hat).  I’m still cleaning and organizing, Monty is repairing and updating equipment.  We’ve been grocery shopping and I’ve been experimenting with cooking one pot meals.  Most have turned out edible! 

The good . . . Lounging in the cockpit with Monty on a Monday morning while sharing steaming cups of hot coffee.  We watched the sun come up as it burst across the tree tops in glorious shades of pink, orange and gold.  It was awesome!

The bad . . . Bilge pump switch doesn’t work. 

The ugly . . . Helping Monty replace bilge pump switch.  Obviously I’m not mechanically inclined so my usual job function during these events is to go fetch.  I really don’t mind so much but this time I’m tightly wedged into a space so small that even Houdini would find it restricting.  I shouldn’t complain.  Monty was on all fours, immersed up to his elbows in grease and goo, systematically working to replace said switch.  And what a foul smelling pit it was!  Possibly akin to the primordial soup of life.  I was afraid that at any minute something was going to crawl out of the abyss and demand citizenship.  Gak!  Inevitably the request came for things and I went in search of wire strippers, crimpers, butt splices, terminals and something called Krud Kutter.  OMG!  It boggles the mind! 

At the end of the day success and another project was marked off the list.  The switch is doing its job and the bilge is no longer in danger of filling up.

It’s just another day in paradise!

Posted by Carol
Sometimes life is just a whirlwind!  We left the chaos of boat living earlier this week for me to come home and officially "retire" from my job of 37 years.  It was an emotionally charged day filled with poignant memories and shop talk of what was and what might have been.  I will truly miss the friends I have made there but at the same time I am anxious to begin a new phase in my life.  I must confess it's quite the dichotomy.

Our plans are to wrap up here within the next couple of days.  We'll be visiting family and shopping for provisions to take back with us.  South Star is calling and time waits for no man.

Carpe diem!

Posted by Carol
Enlightenment grasshopper consists of Chaos, Organization and Lists.  Yep!  That pretty much sums up my  new life at the moment.

Imagine trying to put everything you need; food, clothing, cookware, bedding, various and sundry items that you can't possibly live without, into a space about the size of most folks bathrooms!  Then add in Monty's tools which consist of two large bags currently exploding at the seams with things I don't even know the names for.  Also included among the "necessary" gadgets and gizmos that just couldn't be left behind is a shop vac that just won't fit anywhere.  So, (deep sigh) imagine if you will the Clampetts motoring down the freeway, their truck overflowing while buckling under the weight of their baggage and you get the picture.  Thus the "Chaos" part.

And here I thought  moving onto a boat would be easy!

So for my first challenge of the day, as Monty tackles lights and heat, is to stow away this mountain of paraphernalia.  Now, I'm kind of a clean freak and putting things away into questionable spaces goes against my nature.  So as I careen around in this rocking (literally) rocking boat my first task becomes apparent.  I am reduced to the lowly rank of washer woman.  Though never let it be said that I can't multi-task; as I cleaned, I stowed.  Now, this I believed was a good thing!  Unfortunately over the course of hours, I managed to forget where I put thing one and thing two!  Which is no big deal until Monty wants something . . . as in, "I really need it now!"  Thus the "Organizational" phase is learned.

Last but not least, the "List" part.  First of all, you need to understand that any store, of any kind, is not just around the corner.  Each leg of the journey constitutes a fifteen minute event (even with Monty behind the wheel!).  There is no jumping in the car and running to the corner store to pick up a forgotten item.  After our fifth trip (same day people) it becomes blatantly obvious that relying on our keen intelligence to remember said items was not very efficient.  Hence, the "List" was born.

But all in all not a bad start.  I am a bit enlightened about processes.  There is a definite order in which to do things and most things I find take a bit of planning.  Got some kinks to work out and a whole lot of learning to do.

I find I'm looking forward to the challenge.

Posted by Monty
What a start!

Moving from a comfortable home on land on to a boat in the dead middle of winter with no heat, no way to heat water or cook, no running water and with only a single functioning 110v light bulb, all in the middle of one of the worst "artic vortex" cold snaps in history has to make me certifiably insane.  What was I thinking?  (Wow, is Carol a trooper or what?)

I love it.

After a whirlwind one night scouting trip the week before, we did come somewhat prepared.  A portable electric heater provides enough heat to maintain the interior of one room slightly above 40 degrees even on the coldest night (14 degrees!).  A butane fired camp stove provides the means to heat soup.  110v lamps provide ample light.  Most importantly, the electric blanket keeps us toasty in bed, (even though you can see your breath.)

Full disclosure:  we are hardly roughing it.  At the end of the dock is a clubhouse containing heat, hot showers and leather furniture in the sun.  Not a bad place to spend a little time. 

The three days we have so far logged have seen major progress.  The 12v systems have been brought back on line, so we have lights throughout the boat as well as running water (not to mention unimportant things like depth finder and knot meter).  While I was buried in the engine room working on these projects, Carol was readying the boat to be actually habitable; cleaning (no small task), organizing and stowing, as well as cooking and making sure I take the time to eat and drink.

It's starting to feel like a place we can live with.  Yesterday, we finally called a temporary cease fire and formally toasted our new home and our new life together.

Back at it today--

The major project is getting our alcohol stove up and running, as we are unable to find replacement butane canisters locally.  We are currently reduced to sandwiches until I can get it working.

Fortunately, the weather is moderating.  As I write this, the sky warms prior to sunrise. 

It strikes me there are worse places to be.