Preparations Part 3--Slight Change of PLans

Time is flying by and we are busier than we've ever been. The two oldest Grankids were in for a few days, we're getting ready for our trip to the Abacos with our friends Bernie and Jane from Madison, Wisconsin, there is an endless flow of tecnicians on the boat working on, improving and adding systems and a constant outflow of money to compensate the latter ( It's not that I don't know how to do it myself--I just don't have the time--------OK, OK, I DON'T know how to do it but I'm learning).

First--the kids---Our daughter Kristin and her husband, Paul, and their three kids, Anna (6--AND A HALF), Asher (4 AND A HALF) and Elli (2) -- (That's our two in the foreground of the above pic) recently moved to Colorado Springs, from Seattle---a move with which we're thrilled as it brings them a whole lot closer to us--here as well as in Vail. So, the first opportunity we had we brought the two oldest ones to visit us over Columbus Day weekend. Anna's school district had a week long "Fall Break" that allowed it. Diane flew up to get them and flew back the same day with them--Sat. the 9th of Oct. Sunday, we took them to Galveston Island to the beach--to our friends Brian and Nina Clary's beach house on the west end of the Island. They have 2 boys the same ages as our 2. Long story short--They had a blast, got along beautifully and Anna and Jackson developed their first "romance". That night we stayed on our boat in Kemah and the next morning Brian and Nina and the boys came to meet us for a short sail and fun at the Kemah Boardwalk (Amusement Park rides). Tuesday we turned them over to the other Grandparents (reluctantly) and then the following Sat the other "Gwammaw" flew them back to Colorado.

I met Bernie at the "Reception Center" at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri on February11-12 , 1970 as we began our illustrious US Army careers. I think we actually met while we were on our knees scrubbing a barracks floor with our toothbrushes at 2 o'clock in the morning (true story). We went through Basic and AIT together and got staioned to Ft Hood, Texas together. In fact, after a short leave following the training I, Diane and Bernie traveled together from Chicago to Ft Hood in the front seat of our 1964 Ford Galaxy convertible--with no air conditioning in June----the back seat and trunk filled with all our worldly possessions. Bernie married Jane while we were still stationed at Ft Hood and a long running friendship began--with a brief 30 year lapse when we didn't see each other--they in Wisconsin and us in Houston. They came to visit us in Vail two summers ago and the friendship was revived--they were the first people we thought about when we decided to reward ourselves with this trip to the Abacos. They jumped on it and we leave Saturday.

More on the things going on with the boat in a future post--the change in plans is that we have decided to skip the run down the coast to Port Aransas and head immediately in the direction of Florida--I think that's east??--Oh well, Diane's the navigator! So, the current plan is to leave on or about November 13. I have had a number of guys offer to crew the New Orleans leg as Diane doesn't want to participate on that portion-too many barges and offshore rigs. Can't wait.

Diane's turn

I have hesitated in posting because I feel that I have unfinished business here. First of all, I first posted 3/8/09 when we decided to go on a one month trip down the coast of Texas to see if this was something that we would like. I ended up using e-mail instead of blogging but as I have talked to my friends about our current plans, one friend commented "I thought you returned from your last trip not liking living on a boat" Wow, was I surprised. Did I say that?? So, I went back to my e-mails. Reading them reminded me how much I enjoy the water and being on a boat. How much I like the "adventure". Yes, I did comment on being "Marina Hoppers" and not liking "letting go of the land" but as we continue to sail I am more than ever drawn to this particular adventure. How long will it last? Who knows!



Now for this business of getting certified by the ASA (American Sailing Assoc.). A great program. Yes, I was absolutely "giddy" about taking the courses. I looked forward to sailing with a certified "captain" and being in a teaching situation. While I have years of experience sailing with Dave, there are definite areas of my skill that needed tweaking or were lacking altogether. My 3day 2 night trip was intensive and definitely helpful unfortunately, sailing with people you don't know can be a real challenge. (read between the lines!) And, yes, I did get my certification. My next class is navigation and chart plotting which was what got me started with ASA in the first place. Dave is thrilled and I can't imagine setting out without as much knowledge in this area as possible. This class is two days in the classroom. Yes, they will be strangers but at least your not living with them.



I am still in the overwhelmed stage. Not about the trip but in the preparations leading up to our departure. While Dave has concentrated on the boat, I have concentrated on the house and our properties and setting everything up on line. There are days when we just look at each other and say, "I can't wait to get started" Part of my overwhelmness (is there such a word?) has to do with all the traveling I have been doing. The good news is that I have seen almost every member of my family in the last month and Scott's return to the U.S. and having the two oldest grandchildren this week have been wonderful. Busy busy times. . . . . and Dave wonders why I don't post much. This will probably be it for me. I look forward to posting after we get started.