Well we should say that Grandpa Jim did a bit of babysitting to help out Kathy. HA HA! It's been quite a long time since Jim changed a dirty diaper! Dylan was such a good boy for Grandpa.
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After busing overnight from Guaymas, we hit the streets of downtown LA where Jim was promptly complimented on his legs (BTW by a really good looking, tall black guy- LOL). We then bused into Burbank and hit the nearest Big 5 store for new boots and sneakers (can't get Big 5 deals in NY that's for sure). Then it was off to meet Jim's girls (Danyal and Samantha) and grandboys (Cole & Dylan) at the park. Had some ice cream and some fun then off to our home (aka Danyal's room) away from home (i.e. the boat) away from home (that'd be NY) and crashed!
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Keel repairs are almost all finished. We'll have to bring some bottom paint next season and get it coated and it'll be better than before!
Hot here the last few days - high 80s and low 90s. Still taking apart the boat, booking rides, buses, planes, trains (everything except boat HA!) for all our travels for the next couple of weeks.
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Well Jim & I were just commenting on how well we did this year with fixing things and breakdowns (which didn't happen this year). Maybe we jinxed ourselves.
We grounded (in the middle of the supposed channel) trying to get in to the haulout dock a couple of hours before full tide and it took big RPMS and a lot of maneuvering by Jim to get us off and over by a few feet to get us in. Yeah Captain! Thanks to the good people from Wind of Change & Dream Maker for catching our lines.
This year's haul out is more of a learning experience than we really wished for. The travel lift strap hung up on our keel and it broke -- the keel not the strap and we fell back into the water. Jim & I were still aboard waiting to get off. Thank god it was only a couple of feet.
It took all day to get the boat over to our space and blocked. Now the fixing begins tomorrow as well as the put away we had already planned on.
The lesson here is:
1) have a picture of your boat to show the lift operators
2) having sling marks help but not really in our situation
3) fin keel boats should probably always go in backward so the strap hits the keel and can't be under it
4) you are always responsible for how you haul out because you tell them how to sling you
5) keep your fingers crossed !!!!!
On the up side of all of this is we now know what our keel looks like naked, which most people who have come over to comment is "who thought that was a good idea?" Yep what you are looking at (after the yard guy has ground out all the cracked areas on BOTH sides) is a lead keel that was extended and shaped by filler foam, faring material and barely any fiberglass. You see the white piece on the ground to the left of the keel? That's what broke off. So once this is fixed, it'll be better and stronger than it was. Yeah us (I'm not actually at my happy camper best yet but getting there).
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Big Hugs to you both!
We have had a good time in the Sea of Cortez this year (well 4+ months if you count dry time). We have a new respect for the people who stay in the Sea year after year, especially those who stay all year long. This is not a place for pansies! Our poor flag says it all. Our first year flag managed to look perfect after 2500 miles but just a few northerlies here in the Sea shredded our 2nd season flag.
Unbelievably, we've not caught one fish this year. Not even a nibble!
We've seen some good speed out of our boat this year, surfing waves at 9 knots! Got some good sailing in, bird watching, flower sniffing, decent looking biceps after a season of rowing ashore and the calves look good from all the walking. Not as many dolphins or whales as last year but still enjoyed some along the way. The food has been good, especially the home made enchiladas on Festima Lente and the veggie lasagna on Cast Away, plus all the goodies at the two potluck holiday parties we attended. Yum yum. The best fish tacos we had all season were in Loreto at El Rey del Taco. We could not get enough and just kept eating more than we really should have :)
We are hauling out tomorrow and hope to have the boat cleaned up and broken down by the weekend.
Thanks to everyone for making our 2nd season interesting and fun.
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Well, hello Guaymas! We've stayed anchored out instead of pulling into the marina this time and plan to work on packing up the boat out here. We went in one day to San Carlos and bought a new outboard from our former neighbors Mike & Elizabeth on Cambria. Jim is so hot to trot on this.....a 2 stroke 15 hp Enduro. Ok so it goes fast (faster than our dinghy can handle), spooky fast. But we'll have more fun exploring next season. He's having fun now going back and forth to Gabriel's yard.
We got a few more provisions and some things we want to take back to NY so we don't go into withdrawal.
Mike from Sunshine Lady is here. We've been visiting with him. He loves his windlass that he bought from us last year and is planning a 9000 mile trip this summer. He's going to Hawaii then Alaska and then down the coast and back here. Wow! I don't know how he (or anyone for the matter) does these long, no land trips!
Going to move over and anchor in front of Gabriel's yard for a day before we haul out.
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