Best Life

 Busy day today.  While Paul changed something in the car (it kept stalling), I walked to the post office. Captain Eric came out to the boat to assess exactly what we needed in terms of review and to check out Quiet Time.  We start training on Monday as long as the weather is good! For dinner we were invited to speak at the US Power Squadron meeting about our experience as Blue Water Cruisers.  What?!?  Definitely out of our box but hoping to inspire others as we have been inspired.  Super nice people with all kinds of experience and lots of interesting stories.  The sailing community has been nothing but welcoming and supportive.   Then a quick game of foos ball at the marina rec room before calling it a night.  I am undefeated!

 After sleeping 11 hours (yes 11!) we were ready to put in a full day of woodworking.  Some of the interior doors do not close properly.  Whether from swelling or shifting we were determined to fix them.  Also the bottom starboard step had to be cut when we were fixing the water damage.  And the trim in the guest bedroom needs to be replaced.   Another trip to Home Depot and we were ready to cut, stain and poly!  We used 188 as a work station and got everything accomplished. We returned to the marina to find we have new neighbors.  I am kind of glad we weren't here to watch them squeeze in! The doors are rehung (and close easily!) and the rest will be installed tomorrow.   A successful day!  

 Chilly this morning at 52 degrees (was predicted to be 46!) but still barefoot with shorts, only added a long sleeve shirt and jacket.  Still very windy but sunny.  What to accomplish today? The new floor didn't stick.  Paul had to take it out, clean off the bad glue, resand the floor and apply the brand new glue.  Fingers crossed again.   Then a planned conference call with our financial advisor.  Since purchasing the boat we have already invested another 24% of the purchase price into the boat.  We knew this was going to happen.  Thanks to the classes we have been taking for two years, we expected to need at least 30%.  (We're not quite done yet).  It was good to review our numbers. We feel confident that we can continue our journey and outfit Quiet Time  exactly as we need to live on her travel.   We enjoyed sitting out back absorbing the ambience before dinner with friends.  Charthouse restaurant is in ...

 Goodbye anchor and hello marina.  Since we are going to RI for Easter we decided to leave Quiet Time in a marina for safety and so we won't have to worry she is floating away.  (We have seen it happen). There are many projects that we can now accomplish with much more ease.  No loading a dinghy and driving to sketchy dock.   On our way to 188 (where our car is stored) we came across a turtle in the road.  He didn't even look like a turtle!  At first I even thought it was one of the many coconuts that are everywhere.  His shell was covered in thick green moss. He didn't seem to mind Paul picking him up out of traffic and carrying him the 1/2 mile back to the ICW.   He did show his smile when I snapped this photo.  Ans as slow as he was in the road, as soon as he was placed in the water, he took off fast! Tonight we are enjoying our free high speed internet, pedestrian traffic right outside the boat from the marina restaurant an...

 It was an absolutely beautiful day.  A short dinghy ride and even shorter walk to Beach Street in Daytona allowed us to join the crowd celebrate St Patrick's Day.  We couldn't get a seat at the Irish Pub but the Mexican restaurant was just as yummy (we will go to an Irish pub on Cinco de Mayo).   Live music, a cool breeze and a new park made for an enjoyable walk. The best part was experiencing all of this with friends.  Friends who have helped us succeed in achieving our goal of living aboard a boat and living our best life.  Thank you Lorelei and Mori!

 Drizzly, dreary morning.  That's okay.  We had plans to put the floor and drawers back together.   The hassock and stacks of tools and books are holding everything in place while the glue dries.  Fingers crossed when we move everything off in 24 hours, all is good. Tomorrow we are taking the day off to spend with friends and to enjoy the holiday!   Here's hoping everyone enjoys St Patrick's Day!!

 Today was about getting it done.  The leak in the cockpit seat is fixed.  Everything is bleached and the floor etc can be put back together.  The gas leak on the dinghy is fixed.  We went back to sketchy park with the dinghy so I could wash my sheets and pillowcases.  And so we could take a long shower. Thank you Don for letting us use your house! Unfortunately the water here outside Daytona is not clean enough for us to "make" water.   We have reservations at the marina on Monday which should speed up our ability to finish outstanding repairs.  We need to put the floor back together and closet/drawers, fix freezer thermometer (never reset), shave doors that do not close properly, replace shower hooks and replace dinghy hoist rope with chain.  And the starboard engine idles too low.  All minor things.   We also have plans with family and friends to enjoy the area.  And we found a captain who will be teaching us how t...