06/09/2010, Deep Creek, VA

June 1st, 2010 Deep Creek, VA

We were planning on leaving today but after coffee with Robert at the lock decided to stay another day. Two of the three boats here took off this morning so after making a run to town with Robert, we moved Sapphire to the end of the dock where departure will be easier.

I made some phone calls and in no time is was about noon. We walked to a nearby Rite Aid for some purchases and then stopped at the Mexican Restaurant for some lunch. From there we hit the grocery store and then hunted for a mail box to post some letters.

By the time we returned, the afternoon was half gone. I had purchased a new book and got busy reading it. It was over 90 again today, but there is enough of a breeze to make it quite comfortable in the shade.

Kathy has been working at entering recipes that we've collected along the way into here computer and found one that was a chicken / spinach stir-fry that looked good so I whipped it up for supper. Kathy was entertained at the time by some locals fishing off the dock just behind our boat.

We had a nice meal, read until dark and then watched some reruns on t.v. for a while before bed.

Comments [1]

06/09/2010, Deep Creek, VA

May 31st, 2010 Deep Creek, VA

Robert convinced us that there would be too much boat traffic around Norfolk on Memorial Day so we stayed another day here at Deep Creek. I dug out a tarp from beneath our berth and spread it out on one of the wide docks that run from where we are moored to shore. Then we removed our dodger and bimini for a thorough scrubbing. I mixed up some cleaner and a little bleach in a bucket and ran the hose over.

There is mildew on the bottom side that stains and the only way we've been able to get rid of it is scrubbing with a brush. After about 30 minutes on each section I rinse and set them out to dry.

By noon they were back on the boat drying. After about three hours we retreated all the fabric with 303 to make them water repellent again. It was an all day job... but since it was over 90 degrees, playing in the hose was nice.

Kathy attempted to sew on a patch but the sewing machine wouldn't cooperate. In the evening I looked at it and for some reason we have two different sizes of needles. The one we had in was just a little shorter and wouldn't reach the bobbin correctly. Although we didn't test it, we believe that it's going to work the next time.

We had brats for dinner and spent the evening in cockpit reading.

Comments [0]

06/09/2010, Deep Creek, VA

May 29th, 2010 Deep Creek, VA

Docked in front of us is a rather permanent looking barge that houses an environmental classroom. It takes up about 3 slips along the dock so parking here is limited. It has been quiet for Memorial Day weekend, but I did help a college kid who returned for his "time slips." It is associated with UVA and has a sign that says "The Elizabeth River Project." If we're still here on Tuesday, I'll find out more.

I used their hose after coffee this morning to scrub down "Sapphire" again. She is getting a little cleaner each time so the decks are almost back to normal...with a fresh coat of gloss on the teak, we're looking good enough for the critics in the Chesapeake.

When I was finished, we hiked to town, stopping first at the parts store for some engine oil, a filter and some brake cleaner. Yes you're right...we have no brakes but we have found that brake cleaner takes petroleum products out of fiberglass and fabric...even clothes, so we try to keep some on hand.

Our next stop was the Food Lion, where we stocked up on vegetables and picked up a few other supplies.

Back at the boa,t Kathy made chicken salad for a late lunch and then we read for a while in the cockpit, feeling lazy. Kathy decided to work on stainless which shamed me into changing the oil so what started off being a leisurely afternoon, ended up being more productive than usual.

Using up odds and ends, I made pizza for dinner which was tolerable.

Comments [0]