May,13,2014

Adding to the experience of cruising is what it is all about, well sort of. There are some aspects of the effort that do not quite live up to the overall expectation. It is a given that one must compress life style into smaller, much smaller spaces and learn to live with things out of place from time to time. When three souls occupy said small spaces, almost anything additional to the space is an inconvenience. In the case of the current repair effort, it is a major incursion. You see, overhauling the engine which is situated under the companionway steps is the same thing as inviting the auto mechanic to overhaul the engine of ones car in their living room. There are parts all over the "living room". Some sit atop magazines and papers because they are oily. Some are stuffed under the dining table such as the access panels and other parts yett most of the parts are being serviced in the shop ashore. Scurv had a drop of oil on his nose this morning. We are very careful to isolate any parts that held anti-freeze so that he does not poison himself. So, here we are living in a garage waiting for parts that were supposed to be here today. The boat would definitely not pass admirals inspection today. By the way, the parts did not arrive today and the normal delivery is not until early afternoon most days. That means yet another day in the garage.

We are docked near the boat lift well so we can see boats entering and leaving the water. It is a good spot to watch the operation of one very busy yard. Most winter storage boats are back in the water. Now, boats are being hauled for bottom paint and repairs. I once thought the act of lifting a boat from the water to be a major thing. These guys make it look like parking cars. Because this yard is full service, all sorts of things from engine repair, fiberglass work, cabinet work and rigging are happening all the time. Many yards these days have gotten away from that in favor of the quick bucks of bottom paint and the like. This place even has a huge barn for painting boats inside. Speaking of that, there is a major difference between bottom paint procedures in the South and on the Bay. Due to the ecosystem on the Chesapeake, yards do not routinely sand before painting. You won't see color patches on the ground around here. I am reminded of a particular huge white lab dog that lived in a boatyard near our home port. His name was Keg and he changed colors every other day. Whatever the new bottom color was, so was Keg. Ever see a real blue dog?

It was actually quite warm today with mid 80s and no wind until a few minutes ago when the frontal system just passed. We enjoyed the change from the cold of a few weeks ago and with the warmer stuff comes the migrant cruisers. There are more each day in the anchorages and mooring fields. It is always enjoyable to walk the transient docks to see where frometh they cometh. We always enjoy seeing a boat we know. So far there has been only two. Soon, the moorings will fill every night as northern boats head home and southern boats head north to the big adventures of New England.

We are still looking to our first sail of the season. Maybe that will happen before we come home for our first grand daughters high school graduation next month.