We are back aboard

FINALLY!!!

First to our friends, family, and followers who have religiously been stopping by for a visit here - thanks, we really enjoy hearing from you about our adventures!

Second, we haven't stopped cruising, we have just been land cruising for the past few months while we wait out hurricane season.  We got started late in the cruising season this year (February 13th if ya'll remember) from Texas, so we really want to get going as early as possible this year.  We laugh about our schedule, however, since arriving here in Charleston, we have put 1,006 miles on the boat, about 7500 air miles under our belts, a couple of thousand train miles, and almost 18,000 miles on our car and a couple of rental cars!!!!  Now that is land cruising!  For gas, the least we paid was $2.87 and the most in the US was $4.49.9 (in California).

We arrived back in the marina last night about 11:30pm after driving from Houston to Pensacola, then to Jacksonville, then up north to Charleston.  Renne' has a doctor's appointment this morning she has been waiting for since September.  I have new glasses to pick up, and a whole list full of things we have to get done on the boat before we leave.

Looking at the calendar, it appears that we have about 9 days to accomplish the list.  I will feed daily updates on what all is being done.  My first project will begin today.  I have to stop by a Radio Shack to pick up an AMP Pin Puller for a repair on the Lighthouse windass.  I have to replace some pins in the remote switch as well as replace the solenoid for the foot switch.  Hopefully that will fix the windlass so Renne' can get me up the mast this weekend.  Hopefully we can recruit a third individual from here on the docks to assist us in getting the radar ready to go.  I also have to go all the way to the top to untangle and replace the spare halyard we were using to raise the dinghy when we ran into the problem with the windlass.  That should be the start.

My projects include:
1) Modification of the dinghy davits - need some welding done
2) Repair of the Radar Antenna
3) Replace the spare halyard at the top of the mast
4) Install new AIS antenna
5) Replace bow dock line chock - which got ripped off in bad weather while we were in California
6) Install the Single Side Band radio - Finally
7) Straighten this place up - Renne' is really good at doing this project
8) Various sewing projects - Renne' really wants to using this "New" Used Sewing machine.

As with all lists, I am sure this will multiply.  You all know the axiom of starting one project and three more will arise as a result!! 

So for now, gotta fix breakfast, get Renne' to her Dr.s appt, and various shopping requirements to get this place really liveable again.

Surprisingly, however, all of our electrical systems work, including the heater.  Wow, heat in 52 degree weather.

So warm sundowners on the dock tonite.  Decaf Coffee and Kaluha sounds really good to me right about now.  See you guys then, bring your own cups!!

For Now,

JonNe'

Special shout-out to Paul at "The Boaters Resale Shop"  in Kemah for having the exact replacement chock for the bow - and for only $5.00.  We haven't been able to find it anywhere else!  Paul, we are so lucky to have you guys in our home town as well as on-line my friend!!  If you haven't met Paul and his staff yet, stop by the store!
www.boatersresaleshopoftexas.com