Happy Thanksgiving

It was so nice to get away from the boat yard for Thanksgiving. Glenn’s parents cooked a wonderful dinner for us. Check out Don cutting the turkey.

Boat yard blues

Monday we took Crossroads to the Salt Creek Marina to be hauled. I knew this was going to be a tough week of work, I had no idea how hard holding up a power buffer would be on your upper body, and to think I used to pay for a gym membership. The weather could not have been better for working in the boat yard, cool and windy days. I feel like I am climbing a tree house. We will finish our yard projects and should be back in the water by Monday.
Michele

Ruth at the helm

Glenn's mom Ruth Phillips did a great job at the helm. It was really a special treat having both of our parents out for a sail.

Doris and Andy visit the Crossroads

We had a wonderful visit with my parents, Doris and Andy Maness. Glenn and I took mom and dad to Smacks Bayou to anchor overnight. The next day we had an exciting experience. The tide was really low, when we were leaving the cove motoring through the channel markers, we heard a thump, the boat ran a ground. Well ,you know what they say, “ you haven’t been around until you have been a ground”. Glenn successfully got us out of the channel. The next day we said our goodbyes.

Michele

The project list goes on and on!

It is the little things that make Glenn happy, two new water tanks. If you ever need a set of aluminum tanks built, we highly recommend calling Colin Mattson or go to his web site at www.seamount-mattson.com. He and his wife were a joy to work with.

Glenn/ Ham Radio

Glenn is installing the ham radio, after he does that, I will have no more excuses to practice. Oh well, I guess I have to bite the bullet.

I must admit Glenn and I had a bit of an attitude when we heard St. Pete was hosting a rib fest, but we are enjoying the live music.

Ok, so wireless internet has it’s frustrations! We bought a wi-fi package from Beacon wireless; so far we are not doing any better than we were when we were jumping on someone’s free hot spot. I have been trying for two days to get on line and post. I know if my co-workers from FHAO were here, they would be amazed at how patient I have become with the computer. Ha!

Michele

Our first Night at Anchor

Monday, we picked Gail from the airport. Glenn's sister flew in from Gulfport. She really needed a break and wanted to see our new home. Gail taught Glenn to sail, so I guess I really have her to thank for this dream. When we arrived at Crossroads we saw dolphins swimming by the boat. Amazing! Tuesday we took Ken, Alice and Gail out for a sail. The wind was perfect, however by midday the wind dyed down and it was getting much hotter. Gail and I got in the water and let the boat pull us. We dropped Ken and Alice off and decided to go back out and anchor in a cove – Smacks Bayou [N27d48:349, W82d36:600]. It was awesome; we were surrounded by beautiful homes. We ate dinner on the boat and watched the stars. It was a magical evening. One of those you put in your memory bank and file away for a bad day.Wednesday we went to dinner with Glenn's parents, had a wonderful dinner and again enjoyed the beautiful Florida weather.

Michele

Katrina Connections /St. Pete's Boat Show

Wow, I never thought early retirement could be so busy. Last Wednesday, I was laying in the hammock taking life easy while Glenn was pulling the boat apart. A nice couple came by and starting talking about our boat and plans. Ken and Alice were exhibitors for the sailboat show; they gave us exhibitor passes. Very cool, we could come and go and attend the exhibitor party.

Dock sale:

We were in the perfect location to sell some of our redundant gear. We sold our Walker Bay dingy to a delightful family, they plan to sail around the world in their 45 ft. catamaran, they bought the dingy for their three children. The little boy was so excited about his new boat. We also sold a few other items we had from our first boat.

A weekend of connections:

Latitudes and Attitudes is a very cool sailing magazine, every year at the St. Pete’s boat show they throw a huge party. This year we hung out with other Katrina victims, Mike and Bianca Brooks from Slidell. They also lost their boat to Katrina. Mike is a State Trooper in Louisiana; he actually saw our boat two days after the Hurricane. His wife created a web site http://Jojamela.us. This website shows amazing photo’s of the damage by both Katrina and Rita. Earlier that day Glenn connected with a friend of his from our New Orleans marina, Captain Kevin Marshall. Sunday, Kevin and his wife came by, we discussed the South Shore harbor, and our future plans. We hope to reconnect with both couples in the Caribbean one day.

I’ve read and heard about the instant community you feel with other sailors, I really felt this over the past weekend. So many people are working toward the same dream we are living. We met people that are where we were 8 years ago and ones who are where we will be two years from now. It felt like such a sense of accomplishment to be on our own boat and starting our journey.

Michele