After returning from a wonderful long weekend in Savannah (thanks again CJN), where even though it snowed on Friday night, we were able to stay warm and comfortable while watching Apolo Ohno win a gold metal in short track skating. Sunday was a warm and sunny day so we enjoyed a full day of exploring Savannah and stopping at Leopolds ice cream parlor for a Valentines Day treat (definitely a place to stop when you visit).
Back in Brunswick, it was still blustery and very cold, so I parked myself in a sunny corner of the boaters lounge where I could watch the Olympics, knit, read, surf the internet, and get caught up on my TV shows via Hulu (thanks for that tip MQK). However, the best part was getting to talk to all the other boaters who pass through the lounge (where there is free laundry in addtion to cable TV). Everyone has a story to tell, and many of the boaters have been in Brunswick since December waiting for the weather to improve so they could head south. It was reassuring to learn that we were not alone in being tied to the dock while necessary boat projects were completed and that no one in their right mind was heading out on the water while the weather has been sooooo cold (30 degrees) and windy (30 knots of wind). The cold weather is everywhere. Marinas in the Keys are overflowing with boats waiting to cross to the Bahamas, but they aren't going b/c the crossing is so rough and the Bahamas are just as cold.
Fortunately for me, the cold weather doesn't stop Dan from forging ahead with the projects that must be completed on Maja. He spent Tuesday afternoon crawling around the engine room with the mechanic making sure that the engine was properly aligned and all the motor mounts were secure. On Wednesday, he moved aft, crawling around in the space under the cockpit, working on the batteries and replacing outlets that had corroded (corrosion is our newbest friend!). In fact, I'm noticing that Dan spends most of his days crawling around in tight spaces as one of his new hobbies is tracing down and labeling the maze of wires hidden under the cabin floor and lockers.
For those of you who wondered how Dan and I would successfully cohabit on a 40-ft boat after living in a 4000 sqft home, I'd like to unveil his new time out room:
BTW ... this is the kind of work that keeps Dan fit (who needs a gym when you spend your day climbing in and out of tight places!)
Since we don't have TV service on our boat, every nite we put on our hats, mittens, long underwear, sweatshirts and jackets for the quarter-mile walk to the boater's lounge to watch the Olympics. And thanks to the Olympics, we now have an active social life! Since most people have TV on their boats, they don't brave the cold weather to watch it from the clubhouse. However there is a group of people who gather at the lounge to play dominos every night so we quickly became part of their circle. Even though we've played dominos for years, they play games we've never heard of ("Chicken Foot", "Mexican Train"). We usually don't make it back to the boat til after midnite b/c the games drag on due to all the talking and laughter. Everyone has been incredibly welcoming of us newcomers, and they are full of so much information on places to cruise, places to avoid, and helpful tips for many of Dan's projects. Most of the people we've met have been cruising fulltime for 10-20 years, and it's inspiring to hear about the places they've been (even though some nights I come back to the boat scared to death!).
Friday was our best day yet because the weather finally hit 70 degrees and the holding tank arrived! Yah!
And, of course, the best news of all is that it fits perfectly, thanks to Dan's meticulous measurements (it was a custom-made tank, so not returnable!). Now that the waiting is over, the real work can begin. Off to West Marine (the equivalent of Menards to a boater) to buy all the assorted hoses and clamps and vents required to complete the installation. Since we learned that the Coast Guard routinely checks that a boat's holding tank does not leak overboard, and imposes a $10,000 fine if it does, Dan wants to make sure to replace everything that was worn and corroded.
1 comment:
I love the timeout room!
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