Week in Review

(ABOVE: Katie is enjoying the sunshine..Later..Stewart asleep in the Hammock and spends the night outdoors!)

Since my last post alot has been going on. We decided to go ahead and make a hard dodger out of fiberglass instead of a traditional cloth styled one. I like the idea of having the added strength when the winds get high. I have gotten the two sides up on the bimini. I still need to make window cut outs and add the clear vinyl with covers attatched. This will be interesting as I have not attempted to sew that before. We are lashing the panels to the frame and a zippered edge will be added over the frame seams later. That way we are more "waterproofed". It is not necessary but would be nice for later. Mainly we need shade where we are going.

We have added 2 hammocks in what has been reffered to as "the Veranda". The kids love it and Stewart even spent the night in it a few days ago when we had our mini heat wave. We should be able to "swing" and adjust the steering as well. According to Neil, I need to make a drink holder next! (haha)

This last week we had a fun evening of authentic taco's and a few pitchers with our friends on F dock. (James, Jim, Doug, and Richard). The kids were a bit suprised that the "taco's" were not what they have become accustomed to. Stewart, who loves all things wrapped in tortilla's, was excited about the menu and the fact that these will be everywhere down south! He is growing like a weed and, I swear, he is never full. I have heard this will continue to be the case until he is into his 20's? Teenagers! :0)

We also had another wonderful get together with our dear friends Joyce and Barry.
The people here at F dock are wonderfully fun people and I am thankful to know them.
Most of which have mixed emotions of excitement for us and sadness at the same time. I know our dear friends and family on land have expressed the same. To all of you I say...."We love you...and.....Meet us down there!!"

Neil has been working on and off with Michael and his Islander. She is almost ready for painting and Neil is getting ready to re-wire her from bow to stern. (he knows a thing or two about that one!)

This, with any luck, will be our last week here. We need to finish up the dodger and finish up the canvas. Neil is almost done with the watermaker install and we are still undecided about the replacement of our 6 volt batteries. I am thinking we may anyway, to be on the safe side.

Otherwise, the wind gen and solar panels are working great. We have not used the shore power for anything other than the TV. for the last 2 weeks and so far so good!

I am still anxious, still stoked, and still ready to go!