Brian and Caleb finish pressure washing the deck. Then Brian and I took the truck to the post office and then on to Jacksonville to the Home Depot for project supplies.
We got deck stain and paint with all the paraphernalia and an assortment of flowers for planting two big pots.
That evening Brian helped bread fish for frying for dinner.
We also had some fresh garden tomatoes that Geri had given us.
Tuesday, August 2
Brian worked on installing new speakers in Erica's jeep and I worked on staining the deck stairs.
Wednesday, August 3
Brian installed the old radio back in the jeep, the new one was defective.
I worked on staining until it started to rain.
The boys and Steve went a couple blocks over to a boat ramp to pull out the neighbor's boat. Coming out of the water, an axle broke on the trailer. The rest of the day was spent chasing parts to repair it.
I went to the store and picked up dinner supplies and worked on cooking.
They finally got the parts and repair done and came in late for dinner.
Thursday, August 4
I worked on finishing the deck staining.
Brian got sick with a stomach bug, so late in the afternoon we all went back to the boat.
We could have stayed in Swansboro longer and done more work, but it was time to move on.
We are so thankful for the Parnell's friendship and hospitality.
Friday, August 5
We pulled the anchor up at 11am. We had to wait for high tide. We motored back to Spooner's Creek near Morehead City.
That evening we walked to Wal-Mart and got reprovisioned.
Saturday, August 6
This was Brian and my 22nd wedding anniversary.
We celebrated by walking to the store for a few things. We stopped in at Hobby Lobby and he found some wooden fish to hang in the boat for more decorations. We had lunch at the Chinese Buffet, then went to WM and I got some new sandals.
Sunday, August 7
Caleb had the anchor up by 7:30 and we went to Beaufort and anchored at 9:30 near the Town Creek Marina.
On the other side of where we were is the new bridge in process.
We spent most of the day doing water runs, filling the jerry jugs and then pouring them into the tanks.
That afternoon, we went into town and walked around and spent a couple hours at the Maritime Museum.
Monday, August 8
Brian and the boys cleaned the hull of the boat and the waterline.
We pulled anchor around 12:30 and went around the corner to Taylor's Creek. We reanchored at 12:55.
Brian got out his hooka system and cleaned the bottom of the boat. There was already a lot of new growth from sitting 3 weeks.
We all swam close to the boat to cool off. There is a strong current in the creek. Caleb and I had fun swimming against it to the bow of the boat, then letting it carry us back to the stern.
That evening we were treated to the sight of about 30 wild horses munching dinner on Carrot Island.
We encountered bad noseeum's in the pre-dawn hours, even with all the screens in. So we had the anchor up and were on our way by 7:50am.
Going down Adam's Creek on our way to Oriental, we pulled off to the side and Brian and Caleb moved the dinghy from being towed to up onto the deck.
We reached SailCraft at 1:30pm.
We came to do a bottom job, get the engine trouble fixed once and for all, have some thru hulls filled in, replace the propeller and had a new shaft made. He had a new plate made so the anchor would not hit the hull when it is being lowered and raised.
When we arrived and got tied up, we did a few little housekeeping jobs, then went swimming. We also were able to plug into shore power and have the AC on to cool down the boat.
Wednesday, August 10
Jim, the mechanic started work on the engine trouble.
I did laundry and made a new batch of kombucha.
Thursday, August 11
Brian bought some stain and touched up a back board behind the table. Then he and the boys worked on cleaning the keel bolts and painting them to prevent rust.
Later, we swam again.
Friday, August 12
It was time for the boat to get hauled out of the water.
They used the lines to pull it into place and the slings slid under. Then Alan raised it up and pulled forward onto the land. They power washed the bottom, then moved it into our spot. After blocking it and attaching the ladder, they backed it out of the slings and we were set for the next two weeks.
We certainly got our exercise going up and down the 12 foot ladder several times each day. We had running water on the boat but could not let any go down the drains, so we had tubs to catch it for teeth brushing. I loaded up dirty dishes and washed them in the bathroom each day.
The next job was to scrape off barnacle residue so the new paint will go on smooth.
While we were working on that, work was started on filling in the unneccessary thru hulls. Thru hulls are the drains where grey water comes out.
Since we converted to a composting toilet, we did not need the thru hull in the aft head (bathroom) or a couple other ones.
Less holes in the boat is a good thing!
Brian had met another livaboard couple at the yard to get work done.
Larry and Candy from S/V Saphira. They were needing to go back to TN for a week to take care of some family business.
They generously gave us the food from their refrigerator so it would not spoil and offered to let us sleep on their boat at night while it was still in the water and hooked up to AC. We took them up on their generous offer for two nights before their boat got hauled out.
Saturday, August 13
Geri brought the boys down for a visit!
The guys all swam and had fun in the pool.
Geri and I went to the boat to fix lunch and bring to the shelter.
She also brought us a gift of cookies and toiletries. We were able to share with some others in the yard and be stocked for ourselves.
Geri is always so generous and giving. We are truly blessed to have their family as friends.
Sunday, August 14
We started painting the first of two coats on the hull of the boat.
A day or two after we arrived, one of the livaboards at the marina, Larry, lost his pet dog to a stroke or heart attack.
Sunday evening, he and some friends had a musical tribute to her. Larry is the sax player.
Monday. August 15
We finish painting the bottom of the boat with the second coat.
They pull the propeller off and remove the shaft. There is some drama over finding a replacement propeller. A brand new one would have to be made and take 8-12 weeks and be very expensive. Alan, the yard owner, finds that he has one that is the right size and gives Brian a good deal on it. God is Good!
Tuesday, August 16
Brian moves the jack stands to paint where they were.
Wednesday, August 17
The boys and I go ahead and start the new school year. It is a little earlier than I had planned, but it gives us something to do.
The rest of the week is spent doing school in the morning and early afternoon, then having lunch and swimming.
At some point in the week Brian ordered a new inexpensive cruising bike off the internet. It is scheduled for delivery on Monday. His old bike was getting worn out and needs a new spoke and wheel realignment.
Monday, August 22
We do school in the morning and watch for the UPS truck. Once it comes, the boys help Brian assemble the new bike.
The rest of the week is spent doing school and finishing work on the boat.
Here are some pictures of the prop before and after painting and a bit of trouble with a sheered bolt on the engine, which Jim worked hard to correct and make right.
Thursday, August 25
In the afternoon, we are put back in the slings so Brian can paint the bottom of the keel. We spend the night in the slings.
Friday, August 26
It is Brian's Dad's 71 Birthday! Happy Birthday, Dad!
We are put back in the water and Jim and Brian do last minute checks to make sure the engine is how it should be.
By the time we settle up for our stay it is early evening. Alan says we are welcome to stay over and leave in the morning. So we enjoy the cool of the pool and do a last load of laundry.
Saturday, August 27
We leave a little before 7am to head up the river to BSC.
Geri and the boys come for another visit. It is a short and sweet visit. They had to get back for another commitment and get Luke to work on time.
I can't say enough what it means to me for Geri to take the time for these visits.
We are planning to go to New Bern tomorrow and get reprovisioned and hang out a few days. Then we will head for the Pamlico Sound and spend the weekend with BSC friends.
After that, we hope to be heading up to the Chesapeake for a few weeks.
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