Got up at midnight, weighed anchor, and left the harbor by radar. The wind was scarcely blowing at all, so we made good time motoring east. Everything went well for a change, and we reached Luperon around ten in the morning.
What a lovely harbor! It's completely surrounded by green hills, so there's excellent protection here. We were surprised to see about thirty other sailboats peacefully sitting at anchor.
We were told over the VHF to go to the dock to clear in, so we did. It's a long, sturdy cement dock. The officials came to the boat, instead of us having to find their offices. First customs cleared the boat, and then immigration checked our passports. A man on the dock provided yacht services, including diesel, so we ordered thirty gallons, thinking he'd bring it by truck. To our surprise, he brought a fifteen-gallon container of diesel on a moped. Then he went back and got another fifteen-gallon container. He set a container on a high bollard, attached a siphoning hose to it, started the suction by mouth (ugh!), and filled our jerry jugs. The diesel cost $1.75 a gallon, which wasn't bad considering the diesel was delivered.
We took the boat out to the anchorage, ate lunch, and took a nap. Then we paddled to the dock to go to town. We were surprised by the lack of accommodation for dinghies. There was a rusty ladder from the dock to the water, and a bunch of dinghies were clustered around it, but there was no good place for our Royaks. We had to pull them up on mud-covered coral and tie them as best we could. The armed guard on the dock demanded $3 to watch them, which I felt was a rip-off, but Roy paid him.
Even though the harbor here is beautiful, the village is strictly third world. It is as poverty-stricken as the poorest places in Mexico and Costa Rica. If traveling to places like this does nothing else for you, it certainly makes you thankful you had the amazing good fortune of having been born in the United States.
Surprisingly, Luperon has nice, smooth cement sidewalks, but the streets are unpaved. A lot of people ride around on mopeds, and some have pickup trucks. I kept wondering where they got the money to buy them. We also saw a couple of men riding burros and some kids on beat-up bicycles. All the people are very pleasant, friendly, cheerful, and apparently happy. We walked the entire length of the town and saw a few fairly nice houses, but most are thatch-roofed shacks. There is nothing we would consider a real grocery store -- just some hole-in-the-wall type places with a very limited stock. We bought a few potatoes, onions, oranges, a dozen eggs, and a pineapple. The pineapple was very good, but poor Roy had a hard time eating it due to his sore lip.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
Friday, March 31, 1995 - Dominican Republic
What a difference daylight makes! We could now see that we had anchored way out near the entrance to the harbor. I was afraid to go any closer to land in the dark; it looked as if we were practically on it. The wind and waves had calmed down overnight, so we were sitting there quite peacefully. Felt much, much better.
After breakfast, we raised the anchor and motored in closer to land, where we had more protection, and dropped anchor again. We were a little worried, since we had no business being there, not having cleared into the Dominican Republic. There are only three ports on the north coast of the Dominican Republic where you can clear in, and Monte Cristi isn't one of them.
About 10:30, when Roy and I were relaxing in the main cabin, I heard someone calling what sounded like "Hello!" We went up to the cockpit. A leaky wooden motorboat with four men in it was next to the Jofian. One man wore a blue jumpsuit and had a small gun strapped to his waist; we assumed he was the Port Captain. One of the men kept bailing the boat with a coffee can, another sat in the bow, and the fourth did all the talking. Apparently, none of them spoke any English at all, and my limited Spanish was very rusty, but somehow I managed to communicate that we had come from the Bahamas, we were going to Luperon, but the strong wind had blown us off course, so we had ducked into Monte Cristi to rest. I requested permission to remain until the wind died down. We showed them the boat's papers and our passports. They asked if we had any guns, and we assured them we didn't. We promised to leave first thing in the morning, when the wind was calm. Roy gave each of them a Kudo bar. That did the trick. They left with big smiles.
The easterly trade winds blow hard during the day, but diminish at night, so the only way a small boat can move eastward down here is by hiding behind capes and headlands during the day and motoring at night. We have the "Thornless Passage" book by Bruce Van Sant, which tells boaters exactly how to do it, so we're going to take his advice and leave here at midnight for Luperon. During the day, Roy repaired the headsail again, and we both took naps.
This is a pretty place, and we wished we could go ashore. There's a huge, flat-topped rock here, called El Morro de Monte Cristi. We saw it from way out at sea when we were coming in. It provides good protection from the wind.
After breakfast, we raised the anchor and motored in closer to land, where we had more protection, and dropped anchor again. We were a little worried, since we had no business being there, not having cleared into the Dominican Republic. There are only three ports on the north coast of the Dominican Republic where you can clear in, and Monte Cristi isn't one of them.
About 10:30, when Roy and I were relaxing in the main cabin, I heard someone calling what sounded like "Hello!" We went up to the cockpit. A leaky wooden motorboat with four men in it was next to the Jofian. One man wore a blue jumpsuit and had a small gun strapped to his waist; we assumed he was the Port Captain. One of the men kept bailing the boat with a coffee can, another sat in the bow, and the fourth did all the talking. Apparently, none of them spoke any English at all, and my limited Spanish was very rusty, but somehow I managed to communicate that we had come from the Bahamas, we were going to Luperon, but the strong wind had blown us off course, so we had ducked into Monte Cristi to rest. I requested permission to remain until the wind died down. We showed them the boat's papers and our passports. They asked if we had any guns, and we assured them we didn't. We promised to leave first thing in the morning, when the wind was calm. Roy gave each of them a Kudo bar. That did the trick. They left with big smiles.
The easterly trade winds blow hard during the day, but diminish at night, so the only way a small boat can move eastward down here is by hiding behind capes and headlands during the day and motoring at night. We have the "Thornless Passage" book by Bruce Van Sant, which tells boaters exactly how to do it, so we're going to take his advice and leave here at midnight for Luperon. During the day, Roy repaired the headsail again, and we both took naps.
This is a pretty place, and we wished we could go ashore. There's a huge, flat-topped rock here, called El Morro de Monte Cristi. We saw it from way out at sea when we were coming in. It provides good protection from the wind.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Thursday, March 30, 1995 - Dominican Republic
Sometime during the night, I spotted the lights of a ship but couldn't pick it up on radar. I spent half an hour trying to find it on radar, while it kept getting closer. Then Roy got up for his watch. He couldn't see it on radar either, but he could see its starboard light, so we knew it was going past us in the opposite direction. Finally we found it on the radar screen.
We had to motor-sail today, due to the strong easterly trade winds. I'm really kicking myself for making Roy turn off the engine last night. We'd be a lot better off going to Luperon than Monte Cristi. It will take us another day to get from Monte Cristi to Luperon, bashing against the wind and waves all the day.
As we got closer to the Dominican Republic, the wind kept getting stronger. Soon it was blowing more than twenty knots and we were zooming along at seven knots with big waves crashing over the deck. We were hoping to make Monte Cristi in daylight, but we're so far east that the sun sets nearly an hour earlier. By the time we reached the entrance to the harbor, it was pitch dark. Roy had managed to lower the mizzen sail and the mainsail and he'd furled the staysail, but the headsail was messing up again. He was only able to get it partly furled, and the sheets were flogging like crazy. One of them hit his lip and really hurt. His lip's all swollen. Thank goodness it didn't hit his eyes!
The wind was howling and the waves were knocking us around. I didn't see how we could possibly get an anchor to hold under those conditions. I was really scared. I was afraid we'd blow all the way to Haiti. Roy was out on deck, struggling with the headsail, while I was trying to steer into the harbor by radar. Then he had me shift into neutral and go out to help him get the anchor ready. I wasn't much help, but finally we got a hundred or so feet of chain spread out on the deck. Roy shoved the anchor over, and to our great relief it held. Did it ever feel good to be settled down for the night! Roy even managed to get the headsail wrapped up temporarily. His strength and energy and stamina and know-how are so amazing!
We ate a fast but filling supper. Roy was going to see if he could get anything on television, but the inverter shorted out, so now we can't use the microwave oven, the toaster over, the hot water heater, or the TV, except of course when we're at a dock with shore power. I went right to bed and slept like a log. Roy stayed up a while, checking the radar to be sure we didn't drag. Then he slept like a log too.
We had to motor-sail today, due to the strong easterly trade winds. I'm really kicking myself for making Roy turn off the engine last night. We'd be a lot better off going to Luperon than Monte Cristi. It will take us another day to get from Monte Cristi to Luperon, bashing against the wind and waves all the day.
As we got closer to the Dominican Republic, the wind kept getting stronger. Soon it was blowing more than twenty knots and we were zooming along at seven knots with big waves crashing over the deck. We were hoping to make Monte Cristi in daylight, but we're so far east that the sun sets nearly an hour earlier. By the time we reached the entrance to the harbor, it was pitch dark. Roy had managed to lower the mizzen sail and the mainsail and he'd furled the staysail, but the headsail was messing up again. He was only able to get it partly furled, and the sheets were flogging like crazy. One of them hit his lip and really hurt. His lip's all swollen. Thank goodness it didn't hit his eyes!
The wind was howling and the waves were knocking us around. I didn't see how we could possibly get an anchor to hold under those conditions. I was really scared. I was afraid we'd blow all the way to Haiti. Roy was out on deck, struggling with the headsail, while I was trying to steer into the harbor by radar. Then he had me shift into neutral and go out to help him get the anchor ready. I wasn't much help, but finally we got a hundred or so feet of chain spread out on the deck. Roy shoved the anchor over, and to our great relief it held. Did it ever feel good to be settled down for the night! Roy even managed to get the headsail wrapped up temporarily. His strength and energy and stamina and know-how are so amazing!
We ate a fast but filling supper. Roy was going to see if he could get anything on television, but the inverter shorted out, so now we can't use the microwave oven, the toaster over, the hot water heater, or the TV, except of course when we're at a dock with shore power. I went right to bed and slept like a log. Roy stayed up a while, checking the radar to be sure we didn't drag. Then he slept like a log too.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Wednesday, March 29, 1995 - On way Dominican Republic
It was calm and sunny when we left Abraham Bay. Enough of a breeze came up for us to sail all day and most of the night. We're on our way to Monte Cristi in the Dominican Republic. We would be heading for Luperon if I hadn't messed things up. Roy started the engine during the night so we could head more east, but the engine noise kept me awake and I yelled at him to turn it off, so he did, but that meant we had to blow west towards Monte Cristi, which isn't a Port of Entry.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Tuesday, March 28, 1995 - Mayaguana Island, Bahamas
The wind picked up a little in the morning, and we started dragging anchor towards the beach, so we sailed over to Abraham Bay, which is sheltered by a reef. Roy wanted to go up the bay towards the village, but I was too chicken, so we anchored near the entrance. The chart shows the bay as shallow with lots of coral heads. However, when we paddled to the village, we saw that we could have taken the boat a couple more miles, as the depth remained the same nearly the entire way and there were very few coral heads, which were easy to see. But when we got close to the settlement, we saw a sailboat that had gone aground a long time ago and another one that was stranded on the beach, so I was glad we'd anchored where we did. Besides, it gave us a good excuse for a very nice paddle.
When we got to the village, there was no there there. At least not much. There were a few small houses, a police station, a communications building, and two tiny stores. The streets were unpaved and lined with abandoned vehicles. The people appeared to be very poor. There are roughly 500 to 600 people on the island, most of whom live at Abraham Bay. The rest live at Betsy Bay and Spanish Wells. The people are very pleasant and courteous. They speak English, but with an accent that makes them difficult to understand at times. They appear to be the descendants of slaves, who were taken to the island in the 1700's.
The first tiny store we went into had flour, rice, a few scrawny potatoes, and some canned goods. They didn't have fresh milk, bread, fruit, green vegetables or eggs. The potatoes were $1 a pound!
We went over to the next store. It had a little more, but not much. We paid $2 for a dozen eggs and $1 for a pound of potatoes, but they were better looking potatoes than the ones in the first store. They didn't have anything else that we needed. We can't understand how the people here can afford to pay those prices. There doesn't seem to be any way to earn a living, other than a few government jobs. We didn't see any farms or even vegetable gardens. A few goats and chickens were wandering around. There weren't any commercial fishing boats. How do the people exist? Of course, rent is undoubtedly dirt cheap.
We started back to the boat in a dead calm. The sun set at six o'clock, but we still had half an hour of twilight. Then the boat's masthead light came on, which made an excellent target to paddle towards. We were back on the boat by 7:30.
When we got to the village, there was no there there. At least not much. There were a few small houses, a police station, a communications building, and two tiny stores. The streets were unpaved and lined with abandoned vehicles. The people appeared to be very poor. There are roughly 500 to 600 people on the island, most of whom live at Abraham Bay. The rest live at Betsy Bay and Spanish Wells. The people are very pleasant and courteous. They speak English, but with an accent that makes them difficult to understand at times. They appear to be the descendants of slaves, who were taken to the island in the 1700's.
The first tiny store we went into had flour, rice, a few scrawny potatoes, and some canned goods. They didn't have fresh milk, bread, fruit, green vegetables or eggs. The potatoes were $1 a pound!
We went over to the next store. It had a little more, but not much. We paid $2 for a dozen eggs and $1 for a pound of potatoes, but they were better looking potatoes than the ones in the first store. They didn't have anything else that we needed. We can't understand how the people here can afford to pay those prices. There doesn't seem to be any way to earn a living, other than a few government jobs. We didn't see any farms or even vegetable gardens. A few goats and chickens were wandering around. There weren't any commercial fishing boats. How do the people exist? Of course, rent is undoubtedly dirt cheap.
We started back to the boat in a dead calm. The sun set at six o'clock, but we still had half an hour of twilight. Then the boat's masthead light came on, which made an excellent target to paddle towards. We were back on the boat by 7:30.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Monday, March 27, 1995 - Mayaguana Island, Bahamas
How delightful to be peacefully swinging at anchor! It's surprisingly cool here. We're only 22 degrees above the equator, so you'd think it would be hot, but the wind keeps it cool. It's a lot cooler than Florida.
We paddled ashore and walked along the beach. Had the whole place to ourselves. This part of the island is completely deserted. The sand is clean and white. There were no footprints in it until we came along. We walked up and down the beach and then got back in our Royaks and paddled towards Abraham Bay, where the settlement is.
At Start Point, we were surprised to find the ruins of an old fuel unloading facility. There was still a fairly substantial wharf, some small buildings, and a number of tanks and pipes. Someone invested a lot of money in it, and now it's going to rack and ruin.
We had planned on paddling to Abraham Bay to check out the entrance, but it was farther than we had thought. We'd been paddling against the wind for quite a while and we were hungry, so we turned around and blew back to the boat.
We had been the only boat here when we arrived, but a sloop came in this morning and another sloop in the afternoon. They anchored a few hundred yards from us. A ketch almost came in in the evening, but they changed their minds and took off. A little later, one of the sloops left, so we nearly had the place to ourselves again.
In case you're wondering where Mayaguana Island is, it's the easternmost of the Bahamas. We're already at the far end of the Bahama chain, and we did it in less than a week! More than 500 miles! It's hard to believe. Now we're only 200 miles north of the Dominican Republic, our next destination. We got out the charts this evening and figured out the best way to go.
We paddled ashore and walked along the beach. Had the whole place to ourselves. This part of the island is completely deserted. The sand is clean and white. There were no footprints in it until we came along. We walked up and down the beach and then got back in our Royaks and paddled towards Abraham Bay, where the settlement is.
At Start Point, we were surprised to find the ruins of an old fuel unloading facility. There was still a fairly substantial wharf, some small buildings, and a number of tanks and pipes. Someone invested a lot of money in it, and now it's going to rack and ruin.
We had planned on paddling to Abraham Bay to check out the entrance, but it was farther than we had thought. We'd been paddling against the wind for quite a while and we were hungry, so we turned around and blew back to the boat.
We had been the only boat here when we arrived, but a sloop came in this morning and another sloop in the afternoon. They anchored a few hundred yards from us. A ketch almost came in in the evening, but they changed their minds and took off. A little later, one of the sloops left, so we nearly had the place to ourselves again.
In case you're wondering where Mayaguana Island is, it's the easternmost of the Bahamas. We're already at the far end of the Bahama chain, and we did it in less than a week! More than 500 miles! It's hard to believe. Now we're only 200 miles north of the Dominican Republic, our next destination. We got out the charts this evening and figured out the best way to go.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Sunday, March 26, 1995 - Mayaguana Island, Bahamas
Nice southwest breeze, so we were able to sail all day. We planned on anchoring in Betsy Bay, but when we got there, there was no protection and the wind was quite strong. I really messed up when I was getting the anchor ready. Roy had furled the headsail. I needed some slack to slip the line over the hook to keep it out of the way of the anchor, so I released the brake as I usually do, not thinking of the strong wind. The wind caught the sail and blew it way out. Roy had a real struggle to bring it back in.
There was too much wind and wave in Betsy Bay, so we decided to motor around the point to Abraham Bay. It was quite a ways, and the day was getting late, so we pulled into Start Bay and anchored in twenty feet of clear water. It sure felt good to be settled down at last.
There was too much wind and wave in Betsy Bay, so we decided to motor around the point to Abraham Bay. It was quite a ways, and the day was getting late, so we pulled into Start Bay and anchored in twenty feet of clear water. It sure felt good to be settled down at last.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Saturday, March 25, 1995 - San Salvador, on way Mayaguana, Bahamas
Arrived at San Salvador shortly after ten. After endless miles of open ocean, it was a thrill to see land emerge from the sea. We felt almost the way Columbus and his crew must have felt when they first sighted San Salvador in 1492.
The entrance to the marina looked narrow and treacherous, so we dropped anchor outside and paddled in. The water is the most beautiful shade of blue and so clear you can see the bottom 30 or 40 feet below! It's a delightful temperature, too.
The marina wasn't much but walls to tie to, yet they wanted $32 a day plus $10 for electricity and $10 for water! We didn't want to pay that much, so we considered anchoring off Cockburn Town, but the weather was still beautiful, so we finally decided to keep going to Mayaguana Island, another 150 miles. Motorsailed all night.
The entrance to the marina looked narrow and treacherous, so we dropped anchor outside and paddled in. The water is the most beautiful shade of blue and so clear you can see the bottom 30 or 40 feet below! It's a delightful temperature, too.
The marina wasn't much but walls to tie to, yet they wanted $32 a day plus $10 for electricity and $10 for water! We didn't want to pay that much, so we considered anchoring off Cockburn Town, but the weather was still beautiful, so we finally decided to keep going to Mayaguana Island, another 150 miles. Motorsailed all night.
Friday, March 23, 2012
Friday, March 24, 1995 - On way San Salvador, Bahamas
Somehow, we survived. In the wee small hours of the morning, the wind died down considerably, Roy managed to furl the headsail, and we made excellent progress south, past the point. Roy saw several ships on all sides of us, which was reassuring, since it showed there was navigable water all around us. Then the moon came up and cast a bright glow, which helped immensely.
Day finally dawned, as beautiful as yesterday. We made excellent time. The wind shifted to the west right when we needed it, and before long we were in the open ocean, heading south to San Salvador. We sailed most of the day, but in the evening the wind died down and we had to start the engine.
Day finally dawned, as beautiful as yesterday. We made excellent time. The wind shifted to the west right when we needed it, and before long we were in the open ocean, heading south to San Salvador. We sailed most of the day, but in the evening the wind died down and we had to start the engine.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Thursday, March 23, 1995 - On way to San Salvador, Bahamas
Had no problem getting away from the dock, but as soon as we left the channel, I noticed that the mizzen halyard was loose and had wrapped itself around the wind generator, so we returned to the harbor, where Roy could untangle the line without fighting the wind. That done, we left again.
Couldn't have had a more perfect day if we'd had it designed to order. There was a ten-knot wind out of the southwest, so we raised the sails, turned off the engine, and zoomed along at seven knots! The water is the bluest blue imaginable. It's as blue as Crater Lake. It's so blue, it doesn't look real. The temperature was perfect all day, too. It's days like this that make all the work worthwhile.
However, the night turned into a nightmare. The wind picked up, the headsail refused to furl again, we were dangerously close to reefs, and there was a big ship nearby. Every few minutes, the depth gauges would show depths of less than ten feet, which was terrifying, even though we knew they were false readings and after a few seconds they returned to deep deep. I really began to think that this was the end for us.
Couldn't have had a more perfect day if we'd had it designed to order. There was a ten-knot wind out of the southwest, so we raised the sails, turned off the engine, and zoomed along at seven knots! The water is the bluest blue imaginable. It's as blue as Crater Lake. It's so blue, it doesn't look real. The temperature was perfect all day, too. It's days like this that make all the work worthwhile.
However, the night turned into a nightmare. The wind picked up, the headsail refused to furl again, we were dangerously close to reefs, and there was a big ship nearby. Every few minutes, the depth gauges would show depths of less than ten feet, which was terrifying, even though we knew they were false readings and after a few seconds they returned to deep deep. I really began to think that this was the end for us.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Wednesday, March 22, 1995 - Bahamas
When I came on for my midnight watch, the wind was shifting to the west. Soon it was directly behind us, causing the headsail to flop around, so I tried to bring it in. Even though the wind was very light, I couldn't get it to furl. The flapping of the sail woke Roy up and he came up to see what was going on. He couldn't furl the headsail either, so he took it down completely and stuffed it into the fo'c'sle. We motored the rest of the way to Xanadu.
Had a hard time sighting the entrance buoy. Several times, we saw what looked like a buoy in the distance, but when we got closer, it turned out to be a boat. Fortunately, the hotel at Xanadu has a distinctive pyramid-shaped roof, so we headed towards that and finally saw the buoy. The channel was narrow but deep enough. We tied to the dock shortly after ten.
Both Customs and Immigration came to the boat, so checking in was very easy. When they left, we finally got a chance to eat breakfast. We were famished.
After eating, I sat down for a minute and instantly fell asleep. Roy also took a nap. When he woke up, he repaired the headsail furling mechanism. Turned out three screws had fallen out of it. I was relieved to find out it wasn't anything I had done.
Everything you've ever heard about the Bahamas is true. It's lovely here. Soft white sand, warm clear water, caressing sunshine, refreshing breezes, friendly, pleasant, courteous, English-speaking people -- if it weren't for the hurricanes, we'd love to stay here.
I strolled along the beach and then went for a refreshing swim. Took a shower and washed the clothes in the clean, modern laundry room here. We ate supper, watched the TV news, and slept like logs. We can hardly believe we're actually in the Bahamas!
Had a hard time sighting the entrance buoy. Several times, we saw what looked like a buoy in the distance, but when we got closer, it turned out to be a boat. Fortunately, the hotel at Xanadu has a distinctive pyramid-shaped roof, so we headed towards that and finally saw the buoy. The channel was narrow but deep enough. We tied to the dock shortly after ten.
Both Customs and Immigration came to the boat, so checking in was very easy. When they left, we finally got a chance to eat breakfast. We were famished.
After eating, I sat down for a minute and instantly fell asleep. Roy also took a nap. When he woke up, he repaired the headsail furling mechanism. Turned out three screws had fallen out of it. I was relieved to find out it wasn't anything I had done.
Everything you've ever heard about the Bahamas is true. It's lovely here. Soft white sand, warm clear water, caressing sunshine, refreshing breezes, friendly, pleasant, courteous, English-speaking people -- if it weren't for the hurricanes, we'd love to stay here.
I strolled along the beach and then went for a refreshing swim. Took a shower and washed the clothes in the clean, modern laundry room here. We ate supper, watched the TV news, and slept like logs. We can hardly believe we're actually in the Bahamas!
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Tuesday, March 21, 1995 - On way to Bahamas
As agreed, Irwin drove me and the radar to Sailorman this morning. They were very reluctant to buy it but finally gave me $25 for it. That was a lot less than Roy had hoped for, but I was tickled pink to get rid of it.
Irwin dropped me off at Cooley's Landing, where I removed the sign I'd tacked to the bulletin board a couple of days ago. Then I took the bus to the radio place and got our radio. I'd noticed a Publix market a block or so away, so I walked there and bought a few groceries. Then I returned to the boat.
Roy completed the installation of the new radar and checked it out. Looked good, so all signals were go. At 5:45, we released the lines that attached us to the mooring buoy and took off. No problem leaving the harbor. We were soon motor-sailing east in a light southwest breeze. Lovely warm evening with a bright half moon.
Irwin dropped me off at Cooley's Landing, where I removed the sign I'd tacked to the bulletin board a couple of days ago. Then I took the bus to the radio place and got our radio. I'd noticed a Publix market a block or so away, so I walked there and bought a few groceries. Then I returned to the boat.
Roy completed the installation of the new radar and checked it out. Looked good, so all signals were go. At 5:45, we released the lines that attached us to the mooring buoy and took off. No problem leaving the harbor. We were soon motor-sailing east in a light southwest breeze. Lovely warm evening with a bright half moon.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Monday, March 20, 1995 - Fort Lauderdale, FL
When the woman from the Dockmaster's office came around to collect the fee, she said she had to check all the holding tanks. She gave me two dye tablets and told me to put them in my "head" (marine toilet) and flush it. What a joke! If they really wanted to check holding tanks, they'd come aboard and flush them themselves. Anybody who doesn't have a proper holding tank is just going to fake it. I put the tablets in my Porta-Potti and flushed it. Of course, we "passed"; there's no connection whatsoever between my pot and the surrounding water.
Our little push-button radio hasn't worked for a long time. That is, it works but it's barely audible. Roy dismounted it last night, and I took it downtown on the bus this morning. Left it at a shop for an estimate, bought a few groceries, and headed back to the boat.
When I reached the dinghy dock, I was surprised to see a little inflatable rowboat that looked just like mine tied there. I thought, "Well, what do you know! Someone else has a rowboat like mine, and they're using it for a dinghy. I'll have to show it to Roy; he's been wanting to know what mine looks like inflated, and this one's exactly the same. I wonder if Roy's on the boat. Oh yes, there's his Royak on the deck, so he's on the boat." A few minutes later, I noticed there was a black bicycle bag in the rowboat. It looked a lot like one of our bicycle bags. In fact, it looked exactly like one of our bicycle bags. In fact -- it WAS one of our bicycle bags! Then I realized that Roy had inflated the rowboat and brought his bicycle ashore in it! I could scarcely believe it. When he returned, he told me he'd had to go all over town for an additional piece of cable for the new radar. Without his bike he couldn't have done it. He finally did get the cable, so now he can finish installing the new radar.
At five o'clock, I phoned the radio repair place. They said there was nothing at all wrong with the radio; the problem was probably in the wiring or maybe the speaker.
When I got back to the dock, Roy was talking with another cruising couple. They had a rental car, and they offered to drive us and the old radar to Sailorman tomorrow to try to sell it. We'd been wondering what we were going to do with it. When Roy had removed the old cable, it had practically disintegrated in his hands. It's a wonder the radar had worked at all. So the monitor and radome are perfectly good; it was just the cable that needed to be replaced. We hoped we could sell the old radar but didn't have time to wait for someone to buy it. Sailorman sells stuff on consignment, but we didn't know how we'd get the thing down there on the bus; it's pretty big. It's really nice of Irwin and Jackie to offer to drive us down there. That solves a major problem. It would have been a shame to have just thrown it away. In return, Roy gave Irwin the connectors from the ends of the new cable. Roy had no need for them, and Irwin did.
Our little push-button radio hasn't worked for a long time. That is, it works but it's barely audible. Roy dismounted it last night, and I took it downtown on the bus this morning. Left it at a shop for an estimate, bought a few groceries, and headed back to the boat.
When I reached the dinghy dock, I was surprised to see a little inflatable rowboat that looked just like mine tied there. I thought, "Well, what do you know! Someone else has a rowboat like mine, and they're using it for a dinghy. I'll have to show it to Roy; he's been wanting to know what mine looks like inflated, and this one's exactly the same. I wonder if Roy's on the boat. Oh yes, there's his Royak on the deck, so he's on the boat." A few minutes later, I noticed there was a black bicycle bag in the rowboat. It looked a lot like one of our bicycle bags. In fact, it looked exactly like one of our bicycle bags. In fact -- it WAS one of our bicycle bags! Then I realized that Roy had inflated the rowboat and brought his bicycle ashore in it! I could scarcely believe it. When he returned, he told me he'd had to go all over town for an additional piece of cable for the new radar. Without his bike he couldn't have done it. He finally did get the cable, so now he can finish installing the new radar.
At five o'clock, I phoned the radio repair place. They said there was nothing at all wrong with the radio; the problem was probably in the wiring or maybe the speaker.
When I got back to the dock, Roy was talking with another cruising couple. They had a rental car, and they offered to drive us and the old radar to Sailorman tomorrow to try to sell it. We'd been wondering what we were going to do with it. When Roy had removed the old cable, it had practically disintegrated in his hands. It's a wonder the radar had worked at all. So the monitor and radome are perfectly good; it was just the cable that needed to be replaced. We hoped we could sell the old radar but didn't have time to wait for someone to buy it. Sailorman sells stuff on consignment, but we didn't know how we'd get the thing down there on the bus; it's pretty big. It's really nice of Irwin and Jackie to offer to drive us down there. That solves a major problem. It would have been a shame to have just thrown it away. In return, Roy gave Irwin the connectors from the ends of the new cable. Roy had no need for them, and Irwin did.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Sunday, March 19, 1995 - Fort Lauderdale, FL
What a beautiful day! Blue sky, fluffy white clouds, warm sun, pleasant breeze -- we're so lucky to be in this lovely place!
I paddled my Royak to Cooley's Landing and down the other half of Tarpon River. Roy continued installing the new radar and made a lot of progress. The wind's out of the north, so we couldn't head for the Bahamas anyway. (Never cross the Gulf Stream in a north wind.)
This morning, a diver and a small power boat came by, checking the mooring buoys. Ours was okay, but they had to replace a couple of them. They said ours had been replaced a couple of months ago.
I paddled my Royak to Cooley's Landing and down the other half of Tarpon River. Roy continued installing the new radar and made a lot of progress. The wind's out of the north, so we couldn't head for the Bahamas anyway. (Never cross the Gulf Stream in a north wind.)
This morning, a diver and a small power boat came by, checking the mooring buoys. Ours was okay, but they had to replace a couple of them. They said ours had been replaced a couple of months ago.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Saturday, March 18, 1995 - Fort Lauderdale, FL
Poor Roy! The other day he thought he was finally through working and could relax and enjoy the fruits of his labors. Now he has to start all over, installing the new radar, a major, major job. He spent the whole day today removing the old radar. He had to turn the boat into a shambles to do so.
I "helped" by staying out of his hair. I stayed off the boat all day. Went to the copy place and made a copy of the survey. Mailed it and the application to the insurance company. Walked across the bridge to the beach. It was packed. Wandered around for a while, but then it started raining, so I got on a bus and rode out to Pompano Square, which is a big shopping mall. Ate a crummy lunch and bought a few things at a drugstore. I was going to go to a movie, but I missed the bus I wanted to take. Rode the 11 to Sunrise Boulevard and walked the rest of the way, but by the time I got to the theater, the movie had already started, so I didn't go in. By then the rain had stopped, the sun was shining, it was a glorious afternoon, so I went to George English Park and strolled around. Then I found a good grocery store and bought some stuff. On the bus home, I sat next to a nut case, who kept calling me Saint Clara.
Roy said there had been a tremendous hailstorm that had lasted about ten minutes. The boat had been buried in huge hailstones. It hadn't hailed at all where I was. Roy filled the water tank during the rain, so now we have good rainwater again.
I "helped" by staying out of his hair. I stayed off the boat all day. Went to the copy place and made a copy of the survey. Mailed it and the application to the insurance company. Walked across the bridge to the beach. It was packed. Wandered around for a while, but then it started raining, so I got on a bus and rode out to Pompano Square, which is a big shopping mall. Ate a crummy lunch and bought a few things at a drugstore. I was going to go to a movie, but I missed the bus I wanted to take. Rode the 11 to Sunrise Boulevard and walked the rest of the way, but by the time I got to the theater, the movie had already started, so I didn't go in. By then the rain had stopped, the sun was shining, it was a glorious afternoon, so I went to George English Park and strolled around. Then I found a good grocery store and bought some stuff. On the bus home, I sat next to a nut case, who kept calling me Saint Clara.
Roy said there had been a tremendous hailstorm that had lasted about ten minutes. The boat had been buried in huge hailstones. It hadn't hailed at all where I was. Roy filled the water tank during the rain, so now we have good rainwater again.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Friday, March 17, 1995 - Fort Lauderdale, FL
The packing gland is now functioning correctly. Just a tiny trickle of water is coming in.
We took the bus downtown and made the rounds of the marine supply stores, pricing radars. The best price was at West Marine. They had the new Raytheon LCD 9 radar for $1599, which was $99 less than at Boat/U.S.
By then it was 2:30 and I was famished. We rode the bus to Stacey's and pigged out. I phoned the surveyor and found out we could pick up a copy of the survey at the office, so we went out there after lunch and got it. Then we returned to West Marine and bought the new radar. We each paid for half of it.
What a lovely evening! The temperature was perfect and the air felt so caressing. There was a very bright full moon. We sat on the deck and enjoyed.
We took the bus downtown and made the rounds of the marine supply stores, pricing radars. The best price was at West Marine. They had the new Raytheon LCD 9 radar for $1599, which was $99 less than at Boat/U.S.
By then it was 2:30 and I was famished. We rode the bus to Stacey's and pigged out. I phoned the surveyor and found out we could pick up a copy of the survey at the office, so we went out there after lunch and got it. Then we returned to West Marine and bought the new radar. We each paid for half of it.
What a lovely evening! The temperature was perfect and the air felt so caressing. There was a very bright full moon. We sat on the deck and enjoyed.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Thursday, March 16, 1995 - Fort Lauderdale, FL
We had wanted to go outside to Fort Lauderdale, but the weather news said the Gulf Stream was only two miles offshore and the wind was 15 to 20 knots out of the southeast. Having to buck both the 2 1/2 knot current of the Gulf Stream and the headwind was a bit much, so we decided to go down the ICW, bridges or no bridges.
It was a beautiful, warm, sunny day. The bridges were a nuisance, but we reached Fort Lauderdale by 3:30 and went immediately to a fuel dock to top off the tank and fill our water tank, which we'd forgotten to do yesterday. We also got rid of our trash.
Then we went over to the Las Olas anchorage to anchor for the night. I got the anchor ready, but when we got there, there wasn't any room, so Roy decided to go up New River and tie to the wall, so I got the fenders and lines ready. We went up the river but didn't find a big enough space to tie to, so we decided to go to Port Everglades and drop anchor. I was getting rather tired and irritated by then.
When we exited New River, we were confronted by a very confusing array of channel markers. Roy tried to go between a red and a green, which is what one normally does, but in this case that was wrong. We went hard aground. Just what we needed. I wanted to drop the anchor and spend the night right where we were, but Roy kept gunning the engine and the tide was coming in, so after half an hour or so, we got free.
By then it was getting dark. We reached Port Everglades, but it was full of huge ships and deep water. There was no place for a sailboat to anchor, so we continued down the ICW a mile or two, wondering where we were going to spend the night. Finally, we turned into a little creek and anchored in nine feet of water. When the tide goes out, we'll probably be aground again. And we're right in the flight path of the Fort Lauderdale Airport. Every few minutes, a jumbo jet flies directly overhead. Yippee.
Just to make everything perfect, the radar conked out again. Now we can't leave for the Bahamas until we get a new radar for $2000 or so.
It was a beautiful, warm, sunny day. The bridges were a nuisance, but we reached Fort Lauderdale by 3:30 and went immediately to a fuel dock to top off the tank and fill our water tank, which we'd forgotten to do yesterday. We also got rid of our trash.
Then we went over to the Las Olas anchorage to anchor for the night. I got the anchor ready, but when we got there, there wasn't any room, so Roy decided to go up New River and tie to the wall, so I got the fenders and lines ready. We went up the river but didn't find a big enough space to tie to, so we decided to go to Port Everglades and drop anchor. I was getting rather tired and irritated by then.
When we exited New River, we were confronted by a very confusing array of channel markers. Roy tried to go between a red and a green, which is what one normally does, but in this case that was wrong. We went hard aground. Just what we needed. I wanted to drop the anchor and spend the night right where we were, but Roy kept gunning the engine and the tide was coming in, so after half an hour or so, we got free.
By then it was getting dark. We reached Port Everglades, but it was full of huge ships and deep water. There was no place for a sailboat to anchor, so we continued down the ICW a mile or two, wondering where we were going to spend the night. Finally, we turned into a little creek and anchored in nine feet of water. When the tide goes out, we'll probably be aground again. And we're right in the flight path of the Fort Lauderdale Airport. Every few minutes, a jumbo jet flies directly overhead. Yippee.
Just to make everything perfect, the radar conked out again. Now we can't leave for the Bahamas until we get a new radar for $2000 or so.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Wednesday, March 15, 1995 - Lake Worth, FL
We're actually back in the water! Roy brought the perry nut to the boat about eleven and installed it. I paid our final bill. The wind had died down at last, the sun was shining, everything was just right. We went back into the water at one o'clock. Right away, water started gushing in through the packing gland. (The packing gland fits around the drive shaft. It's supposed to let in a trickle of water to cool and lubricate the shaft but not enough to sink the boat.) Roy had just had the compression nut repaired and had repacked it with flax. It takes a while for the flax to soak up enough water to expand. In the meantime, we hoped that the bilge pump could keep up with the influx of water.
For once, we didn't go aground getting out of the channel, but we came close. I was watching and reminded Roy to turn right at the pilings. He was going to go straight ahead, which would have put us aground for sure, especially since it was low tide.
We motored over to the fuel dock to fill the tank and the jerry cans. There was a very strong current pushing us into the dock, and the varnish on the port rub-rail got messed up. What a shame! All that work to put six coats of varnish on, and the very first day it gets wrecked. It was my fault for not raising the hawser higher.
When we left the fuel dock, we motored to Lake Worth and dropped anchor. We'll leave for Fort Lauderdale at the crack of dawn.
I touched up the rub-rail as best I could from the deck. It doesn't look too bad now, but it certainly isn't as nice as it was.
For once, we didn't go aground getting out of the channel, but we came close. I was watching and reminded Roy to turn right at the pilings. He was going to go straight ahead, which would have put us aground for sure, especially since it was low tide.
We motored over to the fuel dock to fill the tank and the jerry cans. There was a very strong current pushing us into the dock, and the varnish on the port rub-rail got messed up. What a shame! All that work to put six coats of varnish on, and the very first day it gets wrecked. It was my fault for not raising the hawser higher.
When we left the fuel dock, we motored to Lake Worth and dropped anchor. We'll leave for Fort Lauderdale at the crack of dawn.
I touched up the rub-rail as best I could from the deck. It doesn't look too bad now, but it certainly isn't as nice as it was.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Tuesday, March 14, 1995 - Riviera Beach, FL
Roy went to just about every marine supply store in the area, looking for the perry nut he needs. The guy on the next boat drove him around, which was very nice. Finally, they found a place that could order it for him. They'll have it tomorrow.
I spent most of the day sanding and varnishing. Got the sixth coat on at last. Sure glad to get that done. In the evening, it started sprinkling, but the varnish was dry enough not to be harmed.
I spent most of the day sanding and varnishing. Got the sixth coat on at last. Sure glad to get that done. In the evening, it started sprinkling, but the varnish was dry enough not to be harmed.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Monday, March 13, 1995 - Riviera Beach, FL
The wind is STILL raging. Isn't it ever going to run out of energy? It's been blowing 20 - 30 knots out of the east around the clock for five or six days now. We're almost ready to go back into the water but can't until the wind dies down.
The machine shop took the quarter-inch off the shaft. It fits fine now. Roy installed it and put the prop back on, but he needs a larger perry nut.
I went out to Gardens Mall, mailed the tax returns and some other stuff, bought a couple of books and a skirt. Then I walked to Winn-Dixie and bought as many groceries as I could carry. Got back to the boat around 3:30. Entered Bahamas waypoints into the GPS.
While Roy was riding his bike back from a store, he had to make an emergency stop to avoid a car, forgetting that he'd just had the brakes adjusted. The bike stopped instantly; Roy kept going. So I'm not the only one who knows how to fall off a bicycle. Fortunately, he wasn't seriously hurt. No broken bones.
The machine shop took the quarter-inch off the shaft. It fits fine now. Roy installed it and put the prop back on, but he needs a larger perry nut.
I went out to Gardens Mall, mailed the tax returns and some other stuff, bought a couple of books and a skirt. Then I walked to Winn-Dixie and bought as many groceries as I could carry. Got back to the boat around 3:30. Entered Bahamas waypoints into the GPS.
While Roy was riding his bike back from a store, he had to make an emergency stop to avoid a car, forgetting that he'd just had the brakes adjusted. The bike stopped instantly; Roy kept going. So I'm not the only one who knows how to fall off a bicycle. Fortunately, he wasn't seriously hurt. No broken bones.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Sunday, March 12, 1995 - Riviera Beach, FL
The wind is still blowing like crazy, all day and all night. Some gusts are so strong they shake the boat, which is somewhat disconcert-
ing when you're on stilts.
The sun shone most of the day, so I was able to get another coat of varnish on the rub-rails. The new brushes I bought the other day are absolutely awful. They disintegrate almost immediately and do a crummy job even before they disintegrate. I'm not going to use any more of them.
Roy rode his bike to West Marine and Publix. Came back with a pint of Haagen-Dazs strawberry ice cream! We strolled over to the park and ate it. What a treat!
ing when you're on stilts.
The sun shone most of the day, so I was able to get another coat of varnish on the rub-rails. The new brushes I bought the other day are absolutely awful. They disintegrate almost immediately and do a crummy job even before they disintegrate. I'm not going to use any more of them.
Roy rode his bike to West Marine and Publix. Came back with a pint of Haagen-Dazs strawberry ice cream! We strolled over to the park and ate it. What a treat!
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Saturday, March 11, 1995 - Riviera Beach, FL
Rode my bike to the library again. This time it was open. Got the tax form I needed. Spent most of the rest of the day wrapping up our income taxes. Booooring. Thank goodness that's done.
Roy, of course, is busy with a thousand and one projects. He's gotten a great deal done but always has more to do. He also rode his bike to a Schwinn bike shop. Had the bearings replaced, the brakes adjusted, and everything put in tip-top shape. He said it's like a brand new bike now.
Roy, of course, is busy with a thousand and one projects. He's gotten a great deal done but always has more to do. He also rode his bike to a Schwinn bike shop. Had the bearings replaced, the brakes adjusted, and everything put in tip-top shape. He said it's like a brand new bike now.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Friday, March 10, 1995 - Riviera Beach, FL
Rode my bike to the Riviera Beach Library to try to get the tax form we need for the corporation. Wouldn't you know -- the library is open every day except Friday! If I'd gone there yesterday, it would have been open every day except Thursday. Museums, barber shops, and now libraries. Anyway, it's supposed to be open tomorrow, so I'll try again.
Rode the bus to the Publix market across from West Marine and bought all the groceries I could carry. I was going to get my new prescriptions filled at the Eckerd Drugstore next door, but they wanted nearly $200 and didn't have the stuff anyway, so I took the prescriptions back. After returning to the boat, I rode my bike to Walgreen's and got the whole works for $41.
To our surprise, the new drive shaft was delivered this afternoon, but when Roy installed it, it turned out to be 1/4 inch too long, so it has to go back to the shop and be trimmed.
Very, very windy today, so we're glad we're not in the water. It's blowing 25 to 30 knots out of the northeast.
Got another pack of mail from Kathy. Glad to get it, as it had some important stuff in it.
Rode the bus to the Publix market across from West Marine and bought all the groceries I could carry. I was going to get my new prescriptions filled at the Eckerd Drugstore next door, but they wanted nearly $200 and didn't have the stuff anyway, so I took the prescriptions back. After returning to the boat, I rode my bike to Walgreen's and got the whole works for $41.
To our surprise, the new drive shaft was delivered this afternoon, but when Roy installed it, it turned out to be 1/4 inch too long, so it has to go back to the shop and be trimmed.
Very, very windy today, so we're glad we're not in the water. It's blowing 25 to 30 knots out of the northeast.
Got another pack of mail from Kathy. Glad to get it, as it had some important stuff in it.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Thursday, March 9, 1995 - Riviera Beach, FL
By morning, the cartons had dried out, so we packed the rest of our clothes. Roy taped the cartons, and I addressed them and phoned the Pack-and-Ship place to pick them up. Then I left for my doctor's appointment. The doctor gave me a couple more prescriptions. He wants me to continue taking the sulfa drug for four months, so I'll try to buy a four-month supply before we leave.
After a considerable struggle and some advice from the yard manager, Roy pulled the drive shaft. He wanted to replace the cutlass bearing, but saw that the shaft was worn and grooved, so it will have to be replaced. The yard has an arrangement with a machine shop, so they phoned them and someone from the shop came over and picked up the shaft. It probably won't be ready until Monday, so we won't be able to leave until Tuesday or Wednesday.
After a considerable struggle and some advice from the yard manager, Roy pulled the drive shaft. He wanted to replace the cutlass bearing, but saw that the shaft was worn and grooved, so it will have to be replaced. The yard has an arrangement with a machine shop, so they phoned them and someone from the shop came over and picked up the shaft. It probably won't be ready until Monday, so we won't be able to leave until Tuesday or Wednesday.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Wednesday, March 8, 1995 - Riviera Beach, FL
There were a tornado watch and severe thunderstorm warnings today, so I was very glad I'd varnished both rub-rails yesterday. In the morning, the sky was blue with fluffy white clouds and the sun was warm, so I walked across the bridge to Singer Island to buy some cartons to pack our winter clothes in. We're going to ship them to Steve, since we won't be needing them for quite a while and they're taking up a lot of space on the boat. The little post office there didn't have cartons, but there was a Pack-and-Ship in the next block, so I bought four cartons there and brought them back to the boat on the bus. We each packed two cartons but needed more, so I figured I'd get them when I took these to the post office.
Roy taped the cartons and loaded them into the blue wagon. I pulled the wagon across the bridge, mailed the four cartons, and then walked another block to the Pack-and-Ship. Bought two very large cartons. Was barely able to get them into the wagon. Then the woman told me they'd pick them up when we were ready to ship them, so I wouldn't have to trundle them over there. Wish I'd known that earlier; I could have saved myself a trip. They don't charge extra for picking them up.
When I started back, the western sky was full of black, black, black clouds. When I reached the apex of the bridge, I felt a few drops of rain, and by the time I was at the bottom of the bridge, the clouds had burst. Luckily, there was a nearby store with a large overhang, so I ducked in there, hoping the downpour would soon pass, but it kept raining harder and harder. The temperature dropped about twenty degrees instantly. I was soaked through and wearing only shorts and a light top, so I began feeling cold. I waited an hour for the rain to stop, but it was still coming down in buckets and I was starting to feel hypothermic, so I decided to make a run for it. I figured I'd be warmer moving than standing still, and I'd soon be on the warm, dry boat. It was only about eight blocks, so I zoomed and soon was dry and warm again. Roy had just fixed lunch, so I sat down and ate it. Wow, was it good!
At 3:30, I had to leave again, but by then the rain had stopped. I finally got my mane shorn and a permanent.
Phoned Manola at 6:30. He came right over and took us to Costco. That was certainly nice of him, especially now that he isn't going with us to Fort Lauderdale. It would have taken me endless trips on the bus to bring home half the stuff we got in one trip with his car.
Had a near catastrophe getting the boxes of groceries on the boat. Roy had just gotten one on the deck when the bottom caught on a lifeline and pulled open. By dumb luck, only the tangerines and a big box of cereal landed on the ground. Some of the tangerines split open, but they're still edible. If the jars of mayonnaise or jam had fallen, what a mess that would have been!
Roy taped the cartons and loaded them into the blue wagon. I pulled the wagon across the bridge, mailed the four cartons, and then walked another block to the Pack-and-Ship. Bought two very large cartons. Was barely able to get them into the wagon. Then the woman told me they'd pick them up when we were ready to ship them, so I wouldn't have to trundle them over there. Wish I'd known that earlier; I could have saved myself a trip. They don't charge extra for picking them up.
When I started back, the western sky was full of black, black, black clouds. When I reached the apex of the bridge, I felt a few drops of rain, and by the time I was at the bottom of the bridge, the clouds had burst. Luckily, there was a nearby store with a large overhang, so I ducked in there, hoping the downpour would soon pass, but it kept raining harder and harder. The temperature dropped about twenty degrees instantly. I was soaked through and wearing only shorts and a light top, so I began feeling cold. I waited an hour for the rain to stop, but it was still coming down in buckets and I was starting to feel hypothermic, so I decided to make a run for it. I figured I'd be warmer moving than standing still, and I'd soon be on the warm, dry boat. It was only about eight blocks, so I zoomed and soon was dry and warm again. Roy had just fixed lunch, so I sat down and ate it. Wow, was it good!
At 3:30, I had to leave again, but by then the rain had stopped. I finally got my mane shorn and a permanent.
Phoned Manola at 6:30. He came right over and took us to Costco. That was certainly nice of him, especially now that he isn't going with us to Fort Lauderdale. It would have taken me endless trips on the bus to bring home half the stuff we got in one trip with his car.
Had a near catastrophe getting the boxes of groceries on the boat. Roy had just gotten one on the deck when the bottom caught on a lifeline and pulled open. By dumb luck, only the tangerines and a big box of cereal landed on the ground. Some of the tangerines split open, but they're still edible. If the jars of mayonnaise or jam had fallen, what a mess that would have been!
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Tuesday, March 7, 1995 - Riviera Beach, FL
Got up at 4:30 to complete my Federal and California income tax returns in peace and quiet. I'll have a small refund from both.
A beautiful windy day. Sanded and varnished the rub-rails for the fourth time. That took all day. Roy brought the alternator home on the bus, replaced a through-hull, and rode his bike to Publix (six miles each way) for groceries. After supper, we held the long-postponed Board of Directors meeting for Jofian, Inc.
I talked with Manola on the phone. He's not going to be able to sail to Fort Lauderdale with us after all. He has job interviews in Orlando Friday and Monday. He's still going to take us to Costco to provision. I'm to phone him tomorrow evening.
A beautiful windy day. Sanded and varnished the rub-rails for the fourth time. That took all day. Roy brought the alternator home on the bus, replaced a through-hull, and rode his bike to Publix (six miles each way) for groceries. After supper, we held the long-postponed Board of Directors meeting for Jofian, Inc.
I talked with Manola on the phone. He's not going to be able to sail to Fort Lauderdale with us after all. He has job interviews in Orlando Friday and Monday. He's still going to take us to Costco to provision. I'm to phone him tomorrow evening.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Monday, March 6, 1995 - Riviera Beach, FL
The surveyor showed up on schedule. I rode Tri-Rail to Fort Lauderdale and got my mail, which was worth getting, as it had three checks in it and also the final bit of information I needed to complete my tax returns. Picked up a dab of groceries and headed home. It was 7:30 by the time I got there, so Roy had to let me in the gate. The gate is locked from 5 p.m. to 8:30 a.m., and we only have one key.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Sunday, March 5, 1995 - Riviera Beach, FL
Roy applied the finishing coat to the hull, so I couldn't sand and varnish, which was fine by me, as I was tired. Rode around on my bike and got info on the nearby fuel dock. Also checked at Boat Owners' Warehouse for a batten, but they didn't have the size we need. Spent several hours getting caught up on my correspondence. Also, talked with my daughter Nancy on the phone. Found out she and Jim have split, and she's bought a new house. Jim has the boat, but Nancy's going to get another. She's also going to visit us in Aruba this summer. (Assuming we ever get to Aruba.) I did some preliminary charting of our possible course and phoned the marina in Xanadu. They said the water was deep enough, they charge $40 a night, and no reservation is required.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Saturday, March 4, 1995 - Riviera Beach, FL
Another perfect day. I sanded and varnished both rub-rails. They're starting to gleam now, and still three more coats to go. Also did the laundry, which turned out to be a mistake, as a lot of other people were trying to wash today, so it got unpleasant, but at least it's done.
Phoned my daughter Kathy. She's sent another batch of mail to Fort Lauderdale, so I'll go down Monday and get it. Will be a good day to be out of the way, as the surveyor is coming Monday morning.
Kathy told me Brian loves to ride in "Grandma's buggy"! She also told me Nancy wanted me to phone her a couple of months ago.
Phoned my daughter Kathy. She's sent another batch of mail to Fort Lauderdale, so I'll go down Monday and get it. Will be a good day to be out of the way, as the surveyor is coming Monday morning.
Kathy told me Brian loves to ride in "Grandma's buggy"! She also told me Nancy wanted me to phone her a couple of months ago.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Friday, March 3, 1995 - Riviera Beach, FL
What a gorgeous day! At least in the morning. In late afternoon, clouds gathered and there was a sprinkle of rain, but most of the day was sunny, warm, and delightful.
Roy painted the bottom and put primer on the hull. I sanded and varnished the port rub-rail. In the afternoon, I went on another three-hour grocery expedition and brought back as much as I could carry. The medicine seems to be working; I'm starting to feel almost human.
The days are going by much too rapidly, as usual. We were supposed to be in Aruba in February, and here we still sit in south Florida. We're hoping we'll be able to get out of here the end of next week, but we've got so much to do, I don't see how we'll make it.
Roy painted the bottom and put primer on the hull. I sanded and varnished the port rub-rail. In the afternoon, I went on another three-hour grocery expedition and brought back as much as I could carry. The medicine seems to be working; I'm starting to feel almost human.
The days are going by much too rapidly, as usual. We were supposed to be in Aruba in February, and here we still sit in south Florida. We're hoping we'll be able to get out of here the end of next week, but we've got so much to do, I don't see how we'll make it.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Thursday, March 2, 1995 - Riviera Beach, FL
Took the curtains to the canvas shop I'd visited yesterday. The man seemed very competent, and I'm sure he'd do a good job, but his price was too high for us, so I brought everything back to the boat again. We'll just have to live with what we've got.
Ever since we got here, I've been wanting to go over to Singer Island and see if there's a grocery store there, so I walked across the bridge this morning. To my disappointment, I found only one grocery store, and it was just a large convenience store with prices to match, so I didn't buy anything. Rode the bus back.
After lunch, I went to my doctor's appointment. Even though nothing abnormal had been visible, microscopic examination of the tissues showed some irritation, which he called non-specific colitis. He prescribed a sulfa drug. Sure hope that does the trick. I went by Walgreen's on the way back to the boat and had it filled.
Manola Garcia showed up as scheduled and drove us to his house for supper. He has a beautiful home in Palm Beach Gardens. He served a delicious meal of lasagna, broccoli, and salad. His wife is a programmer. She's currently working for AT&T in Orlando and only comes home on weekends. Manola plans on retiring from the Air Force April 15th.
Ever since we got here, I've been wanting to go over to Singer Island and see if there's a grocery store there, so I walked across the bridge this morning. To my disappointment, I found only one grocery store, and it was just a large convenience store with prices to match, so I didn't buy anything. Rode the bus back.
After lunch, I went to my doctor's appointment. Even though nothing abnormal had been visible, microscopic examination of the tissues showed some irritation, which he called non-specific colitis. He prescribed a sulfa drug. Sure hope that does the trick. I went by Walgreen's on the way back to the boat and had it filled.
Manola Garcia showed up as scheduled and drove us to his house for supper. He has a beautiful home in Palm Beach Gardens. He served a delicious meal of lasagna, broccoli, and salad. His wife is a programmer. She's currently working for AT&T in Orlando and only comes home on weekends. Manola plans on retiring from the Air Force April 15th.
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