March 16, 2017
My mother, Ruth passed away last night May 15.
Returned the car this morning after deciding we would
attempt getting a flight to Milwaukee for the funeral.
Took a dinghy ride with all four of us through Galloway Bay
I filled up the dinghy at Burdines earlier. Gas is $4.00/gal. Luckily the dinghy only needed about 4
gallons. Diesel is near $3 gallon so
we’ll just wait until we get to Ft.
Pierce
Fiddled with the magnifying screen for the radar. Also re-soldered the shielding wire of the
bigger VHF radio. Seems to work just
fine now.
Spent some time fiddling with the generator raw water pump after receiving the new one. They put the pulley on incorrectly.
Much of the day was consumed with plans for WI. We are flying out of Fort Lauderdale on Delta
with credit card points, a large amount of which I didn’t realize we had
accumulated. Taking the Keys Shuttle to
and from the airport. $90 each way for
both of us.
Put on the old Ideal windlass rubber switch cover up on the fore deck to replace
the newish one that developed a crack recently. Leaky switches are bad.
Jeff came over and offered to take us any where we had to
go. He balked though at driving us to WI.
J
Rhonda sent a sweet condolence message. And so did Sue.
Kathy, assuming emergency dog care duties, did a test walk with the dog. It pooped four times for her. She (the dog) may have found a new Alpha. Sorry Jen.
PDQ in front of us, the couple who went to Cuba left today in some pretty
stiff winds. Seems they were in a hurry to get north.
March 17, 2017
Saint Patrick's Day.
We walked to 7 Mile for breakfast this morning, With the dog.
We had Puddin as our waitress again. She at the dog seemed to get along fine.
My sister, Heidi, and I settled on Pandles in Whitefish Bay, as the luncheon place for my mothers
memorial. She always enjoyed it when I took her there for dinner in the past.
I finished up our taxes except for the digital signature
pieces.
Went to the marina St. Patrick's day party where Kathy's potatoes
were a hit. Wasn't a rousing party like
last year and I missed the picture this time!
Started to show Dave all the boat things he may need to
know. I'm not anticipating any issues, but if a water hose bursts or an electrical problem rear up he needs to know where the valves and switches ar located.
Kathy went to the pool and found it freezing! Uh Oh. I suspect they may have turned off the heaters!
I rode down to Publix for a few things and more specifically to get some money for the trip home.
I cut my usual long walk short walk tonight cause we were watching Game of Thrones
March 18, 2017
This morning Dave and I did a walk through of the boat and
certain projects I was working on that he maybe would continue if he gets bored.
Next we took the dinghy out and around Boot Key (it was a
little rough) and then back into Sisters creek and all the way up the canal to
near Publix. There is a small basin there where a marina has been built but appears to be in limbo. No boats, just empty docks.
But there were 4 Manatees floating around there. And in the canal there was one soaking up the freshwater from a hose a few kids were using.
But there were 4 Manatees floating around there. And in the canal there was one soaking up the freshwater from a hose a few kids were using.
Once back at the boat we hauled the dinghy aboard and Dave
and Kathy went off to the pool. I
decided to change the dinghy engine oil and filter, a potentially messy job. In
this case it wasn’t too bad but still had oil on the deck from the filter
removal. It’s a side mounted filter with
no room to use a catch basin of some sort.
Next I went over to Rob and Sue’s . Sue is such a sweetheart… preparing mucnhies
and giving us a very nice card. We
watched the sunset, Dave showing up shortly after I did. And the Kathy stopped in for a few
minutes. Mary was sick with some stomach
distress so didn’t make it.
Tomorrow we go to WI.
March 19, 2017
We were picked up by the keys shuttle service a little
before 9AM. The driver was a very nice
71 year old from Uragauy. We had to make
a stop at Key Colony for what appeared to be a
grandmother and her daughter complete with baby. Next stop was in Key
Largo for 2 more couples.
That was followed by a quick pit stop at a gas station right before the overseas highway and Jewfish Creek. The driver, Mary and I were the only ones making use of the opportunity.
That was followed by a quick pit stop at a gas station right before the overseas highway and Jewfish Creek. The driver, Mary and I were the only ones making use of the opportunity.
We arrived at FFL with 1.5 hours to spare. We had elected to do the quick TSA checkin so
we didn’t have unload everything in our carry-on bags.
The plane was full and we had center seats in separate
rows. I was in between one very sick
girl who was coughing and sniffling the whole time and very shy American Indian
lady who’s cell phone had fallen between the seats and was almst to shy to ask
for help retrieving it.
The good thing about the flight was the plane. It was a 757 and had little individual
screens with a surprising number of current movies. I watched a Beatles
documentary by Ron Howard.
We rolled into Detroit a bit
late because the vice preseidnets plane was occuypying some Florida air space. We actually walked off one plane, walkd ½
mile to the other end of the terminal and walked on another plane.
I sat next to Mary who was in row 11, an exit row. I was supposed to be in row 15 but somehow we
seemed to have been reassigned.
Landed in Milwaukee and were
met by the Hagens ! Also was poignantly reminded that shorts and
a t-shirt aren’t suitable attire for the conditions here in WI.
We drove to a Culvers for dinner and then made it back and
the kids all went to bed. So did the
adults.
March 20, 2017
Slept until almost 10Am
Went to Walmart because I forgot my tooth brushes
Took a long walk agin.
Found out that Greg took a new job but after a few weeks, returned to his old
job with nice new perks and money
Also discovered Greg and Laura sold their house and are
looking for a new place to buy, possibly out here in Jefferson
county when we stopped by to visit the kids, Seany and Sammy.
Another store run and then Mary had to watch her programs
before I could go to sleep
March 21, 2017
Slept until 10 again. Delightful!
Went to buy buns for the dinner tonight.
Received confirmation that the IRS received our taxes. So that's at least done and off the list.
LeAnn arrived around 4:30.
We had pulled pork and soup. Greg
came over later with their boys, Seany and Sammy.
March 22, 2017
We went to take a tour of Jen’s workplace at the college, WCTI this morning. Then took her to lunch at Applebee's. I dont miss working at all!
After dropping Jen off at her office, we headed out to shop. CVS, Dollar Tree, JoAnn’s Fabrics and Kohls. Finally ended up at Pernats meat
store in Ixonia where we picked up some chicken and burgers for dinner.
LeAnn went off to Greg and Laura’s to eat and then went to a
lecture while we more slotherly types watched modern family episodes.
Later LeAnn and I took Lula for a freezing walk and then to bed. The kids want
to at breakfast at 8AM somewhere. Us
more experienced folks probably won make that.
March 23, 2017
Well we did get up at 7:30 and ate breakfast at S & J
restaurant with everyone. Came back to the house and
then left for Pandles and the memorial luncheon.
Wow… the freeway is so different form when we drove around Milwaukee.
Anita, at Pandles was the hostess who helped get us
organized. Very efficient and a pleasant person with whom to work.
Debbie, my cousin, called from home and related a nice story about my mother.. She couldn’t make it because of a migraine.
We were situated in the main dinning room, about 20 of us in all. During the lunch, Mary gave a nice toast.
Maura (Dave and Kathy's daughter) and Jason along with Colin showed up first. Very delightful conversation with them. Jason will be going to school to obtain his
CRNA (Certified registered nurse anesthetists) and eventually his DNP (Doctor of Nursing
Practice) from Oshkosh .
Karen and Chris were there along with Judy and Larry and our
kids and Heidi. A small but fun
group. We had wienerschnitzel.
We remain there for a few hours and had a great time. Then stopped by Heidi's house and ogled her remodeled kitchen. And an old auto-harp the workmen
found in the rafters above the kitchen. Where it came from is a deep mystery.
Back in Ixonia we heard about Greg and Laura’s house hunting
out here in Jefferson . Once they left, Jen, LeAnn, Jack and I took
the dog for a walk before it rained.
March 24, 2017
Seany came by this morning while LeAnn was still here.
He trampolined (The Kubleys next door have a large trampoline) a bit then we all went to breakfast at the old
folks home (Shoreline). Suzanne, the server we know, was
there (finally). We seemed to keep
missing her when we eat there lately.
We took Seany to the Batman and Lego movie. I wasn’t expecting it to be that
fun/funny. It was. With little blurbs of humor clearly crafted for the more senior movie goer. If you have ever seen Rocky and Bullwinkle you'll know what I mean. Very good.
After the movie we went to the buck store and bought, stuff
including a few toys for Seany. Then we
stopped in at the gaming store and he wanted a figurine of a bad guy from the Star Wars movies, a sith lord or something.
I talked with the guy and learned that a game I have on a computer, Half-Life is
pretty old and out of date. It’s
replacement as a superb “shooter” is Bio Shock which itself is an old game.
After stores we went to McDonalds for a happy meal and
sundae for me.
Back at Jen and Dave’s house Seany hit the trampoline for
awhile and then TJ came out and they bounced around together while I talked with
Jen, TJ’s mother. Then the older kids
arrive (Jack, Alex, Addy, and Gracie) basically taking over the
trampoline. So I went inside, put on
some running clothes and went for a short walk.
Mary and I took showers then and drove to Libby Montanas for
a fish fry with Gene, Don and Linda, Judy and Dan, and Jan and Bob.
Then back to Ixonia and bed.
Tomorrow we do some laundry, pack and get driven to the Hyatt near the
airport so we can get up at 5 instead of 4.
AM. Flight is at 7AM
March 25, 2017
For some reason we were up before 8AM! Mary had some package return label she wanted to
print and then was going to get our boarding passes issued. This time we are both having them sent to our
phones. Instead of scanning paper
copies, they scan the image on the phone.
The kids all went off to their respective Saturday
activities while we packed and then drove to the post office before running
around the corner to Cornerstone bar and grill where we met everyone else. Everyone meaning Greg, Laura, Sammy and
Seany. And David, Jen, Jonah and Jack. We had lunch and heard a few more meager details
about Greg and Laura’s new house and then left when Dave and Jen left.
They had to take Jack to his concert and a solo session to try out for another
band. We headed for the UPS store and
then Old Navy where Mary returned a pair of pants we’ve been carting around all
up and down the east coast since December.
We later all met back at Jen and Dave’s house and eventually
made our way to outback steak house but they were full so we ended up at
Champs, a sports bar but with good food.
After eating we were dropped off at the Hyatt near the
airport where we catch the 5:30am
shuttle to the airport. That’ll be
fun. But the terminals are only about 2
minutes away so we wont have to get up too early.
March 26, 2017
Nice hotel, Hyatt at Milwaukee
airport.
We took the 5:30 Shuttle and checked a bag and sailed
through TSA using the quick line Mary signed up for.
We were re-assigned seats by the Delta ticket person. She put us together in an exit row instead of
Me being in row 17 and Mary in row 33.
Both planes we had this time were equipped with little movie
screens and a host of video offerings.
At Fort Lauderdale
we retrieved our bags (I had checked one at the gate per the pleas from the nice
ticket agent) and waited outside for the shuttle. We were in the wrong spot. A few hundred yards down the road was the
shuttle waiting for us. He trying to
call us but must have had a wrong number.
We took off with Mary in the front seat. But she asked me (and the 6 other people in
the van) if she could sit back where I was.
I said sure but then she changed her mind.
The shuttle then drove to the Miami airprt to pick up two others and then
we were back on the road. The driver
made a brief stop for the guy to fill up the van and everyone to pee. Two ladies from Michigan were behind us. Nice people.
The van stopped and
dropped off the Miami folks somewhere near marker 89, and then another couple further
down the road in Key Colony. Next were
the ladies from Michigan
at a different hotel in Key Colony. Then
us further down the road in Marathon.
As soon as we returned we went to the low country boil party at the marina.
March 27, 2017
Up early? No. But we had breakfast. And coffee made by Dave, who made full
strength high octane coffee for us.
Caffeine in those amounts put me into hyper speed mode.
We worked on the back flybridge window and carved out an
idea of how to fix that. Also hashed out
a few ideas for the forward head hatch.
Then we got the dinghy down and made out way to City Marina
where we tied it up and walked to Home Depot. On the dock filling with water was a unique
boat, a hull of ’79 Chris Craft Roamer, 60’.
The owners spent 10 years outfitting the boat with new aluminum
superstructure and all the other boat structure things. Nice looking boat. And a pilot house to die for.
We walked to Home Depot and Dave and I bought a few essential parts for various projects.
Then stopped at the ice cream store where Mary muscled her
way into the line and ordered a hot dog before we even got in the door. The rest of us had ice cream.
Then to Publix where we bought enough to require a cab
ride back to the marina. Kathy and I
walked to the City Marina to fetch the dinghy.
We all met back at the boat after several phone calls from
an impateient Mary because the cab was late.
Kathy and I went to the nice warm pool and then we had some
cocktails before she went to fetch dinner from her favorite Cuban food place down the road..
I stopped over to see Rob and Sue. We are planning a reef trip
tomorrow and I said I’d go out there and grab a mooring in the morning if it
wasn’t too rough.
Watched the first episode of Frankie and Grace, third
season. Very funny stuff!
March 28, 2017
Today is reef day. I
did a little computer work and then we both took the dinghy out to the reef. 1-2 foot waves with an occasional 3 footer in
there.
I picked up the last free mooring ball and with my shortie
wetsuit on I went in to the 74 degree water for about an hour before hauling myself back in the dinghy. The sun was mostly hidden
behind clouds after about 30 minutes and the waves and current seemed to be
picking up.
I hung around in the dinghy for awhile when Rob called and said they’d be out
in 30 minutes. 45 minutes later they
pulled in next to the dinghy but I had returned to the water earlier and so swam
up to their boat and climbed aboard.
Then we all went in but Mary was caught up in the current
and was yelling she couldn’t get back.
Rob and Sue went after her until I got there and then I pushed her to
a fender on a long line we had thrown out.
She was able to clamor aboard then.
We sat and talked for a bit before Kathy (the only one), went
back into the water.
We left soon after, Kathy and I in the dinghy and the Mary in Robs
Grady. It was a rough ride back until
we were in the lee of the island. Our littl 40 hp cant compete withe his 350 hp.
Mary lingered at the pool while Kathy and I rinsed
everything off and hung up the wet stuff to dry. Kathy went down to the pool and I took the
opportunity to fix a few bolts that hold down the rear head (toilet) and then
cleaned out the head floor sump and shower stall.
We had some more Cuban tonight and then went for a
waik. Dave and I walked to where he
usually turns, at Burdines. I went on my
usual City Marina stroll. I think I’ll
sleep good tonight,
March 29, 2017
Dave and I tackled the forward head, hatch. We drilled out the broken off screw and found
another screw in my spare parts inventory that fit. It was stainless so I coated it with this
stuff designed to protect situations like this when using dissimilar metals
joined together.
We started to work on the fly bridge rear window roll up
straps but I stumbled on the kayak cradle and the little crimper die went
overboard. So that means I get to buy a
new one.
We consulted on the anchor roller and moving it to a new
location in line with the gypsy. This
would enable us to use our as yet untested Rocna anchor by simply moving the
change from one anchor to the other.
After Dave went for a walk and was going to sand and
re-varnish the head hatch. I went off to NAPA up by Vaca Cut and
then stopped by Speciality Hardware, the Dollar Store, Radio Shack and
Walgreens. I needed to buy a new button
snap crimper tool, new oil filters, vinegar, momentary switches and a long stem
button switch. And finally Rum. Walgreens was having a Captain Morgan sale.
Did finally locate Sweet Savannah’s ice cream shop, now by
the airport.
We, minus Mary, had a cocktails on the sundeck and then ate
dinner (we grilled tonight) while watching Franke and Grace.
After a walk to City Marina we went to bed.
March 30, 2017
Right out of the box we did a few things, namely got the
Nissan engine for the small dinghy running.
An epic struggle of man versus machine.
I took off all the shrouds, gas tank and starter but was
taken back by the area where the reed valves were located. I had been intending to replace these
thinking that was the non starting problem.
Rob just happened to return from baseball so I asked him and
he came over and thought we’d be better off trying the simple things
first. That’s what I thought too. Except I didn’t do it.
First we checked spark.
Rob did the old screwdriver grounded while sticking the pointy end into
the spark plug, wire. Good spark. Past, electrifying experiences of mine
provide a whole wall of caution doing this.
I’d go buy a spark tester first.
Next was compression. Finger testng compression resulted an, OK on that score.
Fuel was next and Rob pointed out the fuel in the tank was
more oil than gas. Huh? I'm betting the fuel evaporated out over the months it sat.
So we tossed a little gas into the cylinder, put in the plug
and fired it up. Yes, it ran just fine.
Rob left and Dave and I began cleaning the carb and tank and
reassembling everything. Except we lost
this tiny little float valve pin. So I
had to ride to Marathon boat yard where they
went thru a few carb rebuild kits before finding one that had the right
diameter. So I bought it and returned.
When we tried assembling the carb thou the pin was too
long. It succumbed to a cut off wheel
and the dremel.
Once back together I got the little dinghy in the water, put
on the engine and it fired ff right away.
After a little ride all is good.
Then we went to have pizza with Jim and Rita, Rob and Sue,
Mary and I, Jeff and Mary, Snake (Rob’s friend) and Dave. Kathy wasn’t feeling well and stayed back on
the boat.
Inspiring conversation and pretty good pizza.
We rode back with Jeff and Mary who brought us here.
Kathy was up when we left and Dave brought back an
anchovy laden pizza for her.
Then it was Frankie and Grace, then a walk and bed.
March 31, 2017
Today is pool party day, a party thrown as a send off to
those who are leaving the first week of April.
That almost includes us. We’re
leaving the 9th. We could
actually stay until the 26th but that would eliminate New York as a
destination because we’d get there way too late.
Dave, Kathy and I took the dinghy to City Marina where Kathy
perused the Library and Dave an I went off to Home Depot for weather striping
and ¼” spline. We also got a bunch of
small foam brushes.
Then to Publix where, among some food items I spied a French
Press. It was only $11 and after reading an article Bill Parlotore (former publisher of Passage Maker magazine) wrote on coffee, (https://www.followingseas.media/blog/2017/2/27/better-cup-of-coffeeeven-better)
I was anxious to try this out. So we now
own a coffee press. Tomorrow we’ll see
how well this works.
Returning, Dave and I tackled the fly bridge rear window,
trying to install a button snap in the thick Sunbrella window casing. No joy.
So I returned to my tried and true shoe string snap arrangement to keep
the rolled up window, up.
Next was the anchor roller re-location. But after studying it a bit I noted that a
scrap plate in the main anchor slot had a small notch cutout to allows the
plate to be installed along the secondary anchor roller (the one I want to
move).
Making a long story short, I decided to just swap the
anchors for the trip north. So we will
be using a Rocna 55 instead of a Bruce 66.
We went off to the pool after and I noted it was not the
toasty warm pool of a few days ago. Now
it was cool. (( shiver )). We all went this time too!
Back for shrimp dinner Kathy came up with and then another
walk and bed.
Rob and Sue leave tomorrow for the beginnings of there Welland Canal adventure.
