Dang, 3 years + since our last entry! Time flies.

Our daughter-in-laws asked us to come back home and be a part of the grandkids' lives. When the daughter-in-laws ask... what else is there to do but sell the boat and move back home?

We have 5 grandkids now. 2 boys and 3 girls. Ages 4 months to 11 yrs. What a blessing they are!

We recently put our roots down even deeper in Chico as we recently bought a home. 1953 single-owner house with a large yard and a studio apt cottage.

Duke and Duchess passed away at the beginning of 2011. We now have two littler dogs. Abby and Bella.

I don't know if anyone still looks at this blog... If you do, we would love to hear from you: cynthiaandgary att yahoo dott com

God Bless!

Hi everyone, Thanks for your concern. It is heartening to know others are thinking of us.

Yes, we are directly in the path of Hurricane Ike.

We are sheltering in Houston at our former buddy boat's friend's sister's house. Here the winds are predicted to get to 80MPH. Patty and Dan's house is very comfortable. And they are VERY welcoming.

In preparation Monday, we moved Ten Ten to the other side of the dock in a slip with two pilings (instead of one). CC had some minor surgery on Weds and is not allowed to lift more than 8 pounds (a gallon of milk) for the next 6 weeks. On Thursday, Gary secured Ten Ten with new docks lines and chafe gear in Kemah Boardwalk Marina which is right on Galveston Bay. They have been predicting a 22 foot storm surge for Galveston Bay. The earlier news video's showed about 8 feet left on the pilings before the docks float off the top of the pilings. We did purchase a cool product (tideminders.com) that we hope with the dock lines on the piling during the storm surge. At this point, only time (and day light) will tell.

So as Gary says, we have ourselves and the dogs the rest is just stuff.

I'll write again when we have internet access and something to report.

All the best, CC and Gary, plus Duke and Duchess too.

We are 36 miles better than half way there. About 310 miles to go.

At last, we are not experiencing an advise current. Up until now we have had 1-2 knots of currents AGAINST us. Finally our speed over ground (SOG) and the speed through the water (boat knots) are equal. We are hoping to pick up the Gulf Stream and get a favorable current.

The water is very flat with long rolling swells and only 4 knots of wind. It makes for open hatches (good ventilation) and easy sleeping.