M/V Courage

     This is M/V Courage, a 1987 Kadey Krogen 42.  Shown anchored at Cacaway Island on Langford Creek, Maryland

Farewell Ol' Friend

     It is only after a few weeks have passed that I am able to write this entry.  Our dog Sky, who's health had been failing for a few months, had to be put down in May.  She was family and we will truly miss her.  Pictured above is Sky doing what Sky loved the most - opening Christmas packages that contained dog treats.

Big Run's New Prep Man!

     Sharon and I just returned from a week long work-athon on board Big Run.  It was great to be working on the boat with Sharon, especially since we were out on the hook (anchored).  While Sharon did other tasks, I developed 2 obscure areas into additional storage area for boat necessities.  We managed to do so much it's hard to list all the projects we did.  Two days were so oppressively hot it limited our work.  However, we did manage to do some smaller projects. 

     One project that is a work in progress and continues to be for the next few weeks - brightwork.   For those of you who do not know what brightwork is, it is the teak wood accents on the boat exterior.  This was Sharon's introduction into wood maintenance and refinishing.  Sharon's first task was to scuff the teak that needed annual maintenance of Cetol Gloss which I applied.   Once Sharon mastered that  task, she was introduced to stripping old finishes from some of the teak that could not be salvaged by a fresh coat of Cetol.  Her first solo stripping  job was the bench on the foredeck and she did a excellent job.  While I may be the painter, Sharon is now the new paint prep man!     

Yes......No......What!

     It was Saturday evening, Sharon and I were sitting on the back porch (cockpit).............well it was a "you had to be there" moment!

Grant's Big Night - Part 2

     Last night was Grant's graduation from high school.  Pictured above are the 3 Eagle Scouts from the class of 2010.  From left to right is Baden, Bryce and Grant.  Congratulations guys on your second big achievement of the year.

The Boat With The * (Asterisk) Above It

     Have you ever gone to a to a mall or a sports arena and forgot where you parked your car?  The same thing can happen at a marina that is new to you.  We have solved that problem. We installed our wind generator this week and the 6-bladed wind generator is a standout identifier.  Yes, that is our boat, the one with the asterisk above it.

T-Minus 5 and Counting

     May was a very busy month.  In addition to our transition work we also found time to attend the wedding of our best friend's daughter  -  Congratulations Matt & Lindsey.  These 2 kids will make it work.

     Sharon and I managed to find time on one weekend for our first cruise of the season.  I did manage to steal some time to go to the boat and start the installations of all the toys "Santa" brought back in April.

     We had 2 of the 3 yard sale dates in May.  Round 1 far exceeded our expectations.  The weather was perfect and we had an excellent turnout.  We managed to move about 75% of the stuff we had out for sale for that day.  Round 2 was held on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. It was another great yard selling day.  Again we sold 75% of what we had out for sale.  The only items we have left to put out for our last planned yard sale in June are some season and recreational clothing in addition to what didn't sell in round 2.  After the 2nd yard sale date I said to Sharon that we are now committed (and should be committed) to becoming full time cruisers - we sold all of our possessions and it would take 5 times our yard sale receipts to replace everything we sold.

     Sharon and I also made a run to the boat in mid-May and took what possessions we have left to the boat.  My truck was full in the cab and the truck bed.  Sharon's jeep was also filled.  The only things left to move are some more clothing and ourselves.