St. Augustine and back to Ft. Pierce

We had a great flight back to Jacksonville and drove down to St. Augustine to check out marinas.  Back to serious hot weather.

Hope we will be heading here soon.  Just a few details to take care of and we will be on our way again.

Lighthouses and sights

Gary and Marc went bass fishing and Lori and I went to Mystic for our last day.  We had seen so many beautiful areas and sights.  

Mystic Seaport

Old Mystic Seaport

Beautiful weather and a great visit!

On the beach with Otto

We had a great beach day with new friends.  Our last day at Block Island.  I know why Lori loves it so much. and she has been coming for years.

Otto's Friends

Lori in a tug of war

Otto has captured another rock

We met the neatest dog at Block Island.  He had his own boat and loved to chase and chew rocks.  His owners, Rusty and Lynn, enjoyed a day with us at the beach.

Otto's World

Otto's Boat

Trip to CT, Block Island

We left on the first time Gary and I flew together.  We had both been on planes before, but in our 23 years together had never flown anywhere.  Our friends Lori and Marc invited to the New England territory to enjoy their brand of boating.  Since we had just about wore ourselves down to the bone, a week on someone else's boat seemed like a no brainer.

Just
chillin'

The girls are hovering to get a mooring ball at Block Island
This was our first time on a mooring ball, what a good night's sleep it gave us

On our way to explore Block!

Just a few boats in the harbor

At the Oars restaurant 

Beautiful weather and beaches

Beautiful boats

Had to have a Block Island hat

Had clam chowder at the old Surf Hotel

View from the Surf outside bar

The Old Coast Guard Station

Stacked Rock Beach

From the Oars we could see Great Escape

Beautiful cottages

Settlers Rock

Replacing fittings

There were so many fittings and rigging to replace.  We also rebedded the hatches on the cabin which had really developed some leaks.  Finally all was done and we had some free time, vs. working 8-10 hrs a day.

Done!  Far from it! Waxing and paint touchups with a little more varnish.  New windows coming in to replace the delaminated ones.  First, a little vacation with our Marathon friends, Lori and Marc.  a little flight to CT, to another great boat, The Great Escape.

New Decks Done!

The new decks are down and done.  I am looking forward to many long years of enjoyment.

Ready to put fittings back on

Beautiful inlay work

All hatches were rebedded also.
Gary and I have started the reconstruction of the top deck.  This includes the hatch rebeds, eyebrow varnish, rebedding thrudeck stainless fittings, gel coat repair, compounding and waxing gelcoat, replacing rigging lines.  The inside of the boat is just about put back together, with the ceilings back up.  The whole boat inside has a spring cleaning and organizing due.
I know when you begin a major boat project the time to evaluate it is not right after you finish.  You are just too tired sometimes.  I think the best time is out on the hook, early in the morning with a cup of coffee in your hand.  I know Gary and I are living our dream.  We worked hard for many years to enjoy our retirement.  We have found a way of life that feeds our souls and gives us peace.  Happy sailing soon!

July News

We got to visit all our children at Panama City.

Snacks at Little Village at St. Andrews Marina with Amanda, Chuck, Madison, Katelynn, and Annamarie

All the Gibbons, children, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren
and one dog

Chow down in the new Event Barn at Steve's

No day is complete without ICECREAM!

Steve and our daughter Laura

All the grand kids and Mom

All the great grandchildren

We were able to drive to Panama City for the 4th of July festivities.  Gary's brother Steve had the big Gibbons family 4th at his ranch.  He and his wife Sabrina have build a event barn and we were one of the first tryouts.  The children had a great time eating, swimming, and riding four wheelers.

Low boil fun with Steve, Keith and Amanda

Mom, sons, and grandchildren

Cousins and great grandchildren

Daughter Amanda, Gary and Mom

Gary and daughter Laura

Keith's girls 4 wheeling

After much pain and suffering the decks are done.  We have still much boat work to do to get Miss Em back up to cruising, but it is mostly cosmetic and the regular maintenance that is done like waxing, checking systems.  Gary got me a new electric bike and we have had several great rides.  I hate to admit it but he still goes extra miles while I have to wait for him.

Jan ready to go for a ride on her new EZ Pedaler

We had a great 4th of July in Panama City with our family.  We got to see Fireworks at my son Brain's house with my son Shawn, his wife Carrie and all their children: Landon, Jaxon, Emma, Jillian.

Great seats for the fireworks, Shawn

Brian and Jillian

Capt. feeling good

Brian and Emma

Chillin on the 4th

You have to have sparklers! Go Carrie go!

These faces are ready for cherry bombs!