GETTING READY...ON THE ROAD....AGAIN

Returned from our abbreviated boat trip April 13th which wasn't all bad.  I was able to celebrate my son's birthday with him on the 21st - usually we are off sailing somewhere at this time.  Since we are home, we are going to leave on our trip north earlier which means we'll be covering more territory.  First things first however.....

Decided to purchase a car tow dolly with electric brakes.  We used a car tow dolly with no brakes to transport the car to North Carolina two years ago and around the state but since we are planning on traveling about 4,000 miles total dragging the CTS backwards behind us, we really needed an updated tow dolly with the requisite brakes!  

Of course it isn't just simply buying a dolly with brakes.  You need the brake controller installed in the MH.  I priced those out and the cheapest (least expensive) was $99.  plus $200 installation.  Dave remembered we had one installed in the Trooper when we had the travel trailer.  Luckily for us, we sold the Trooper to my son so it was still in the family and we could retrieve the brake controller.  Dave thinks he can install it himself so we'll see how that all goes.

Went over to the MH to measure the passenger side window.  I am going to make a sunshade from phifertex to block out the sun streaming in from the upper window.  I've used phifertex on the boat making sunshade covers for the hatches and it is really effective.  Ordered a yard from Sailrite for $20 including shipping and will attach it by velcro to the upper window.

While over in the MH, I noticed a new colony of spiders and webs crisscrossing the dashboard from cupboard to mirrors!  We had the MH out in February when we headed for St Pete and I did a thorough cleaning resulting from the storage from November to February.  I noticed the insects have settled in quite nicely from February to April so will bring the MH over to the house and do another thorough cleaning!

Need to take a close look at the awning to see if it will go for another year.  Replacement of the vinyl and installation was quoted at $500 so would like it to be good for another year.

Our plan is to purchase the tow dolly from Camping World on our way out of the State.  We are planning the trip launch to coincide with an RV trip with our group of friends from the yacht club weekend of May 9,10,11.The RV group is camping in Brunswick Georgia so   I'll get to see Jekyll Island and St Simon by car rather than by boat so all is not lost!  

From this weekend we'll head to Charleston (James Island County Park) for four days and tour Charleston SC.  We'll  be heading into western NC heading for Sylva NC west of Asheville.   This will be a new area for us and we can explore Bryson City area.  Then....to Bardstown KY to finish off the Bourbon distilleries we missed or want to see again.  Memorial Day Weekend will be spent at VJ's Pond in Coldwater Ohio so that Dave can visit with family.

This will launch us north and our plans as of now are Gettysburg, Seneca NY Fingerlakes Region for more wine tasting  & Niagara to view the natural wonders and the Ice Wines!      After that it's anyone's guess but we'll have three weeks roam around before we need to be at Mt Ascutney State Park in WIndsor Vermont where we will be campground hosting for the months of July and August.

Vermont has a special meaning for me because it's where my original roots are from.  Way back around the Revolutionary War both sides of my family settled in the same area of Vermont - Rutland.  

However, my Dad's family moved west through New York fifty years after the Declaration of Independence was signed and the westward movement was strong and then on into Illinois which is where my Dad thought he was originally from ..... until the fateful day when the geneology of the Blood family was published and he found the original brothers came over from Scotland.   Robert Blood settled in Putney Vermont.  Jonathan Blood, his son, was a large landowner and dairy farmer in Putney.  We are descendents of Horace Blood, son of Jonathan.     Putney is in the same area as West Rutland where my mother's family originated.

It's a funny family story that still tickles me today.  When I was twelve, my mother took me to a cemetery in Menden VT where I was able to trace by grandfather's family (Noyes) back before the Revolutionary War by reading the headstones.   I am going to do my damnest to find that cemetery.


APRIL 28TH


 - brought the MH back to the house to do some cleaning and repairing. Removed all dishes, cooking utensils, etc to wash up.  Open a small drawer to find a gigantic spider!!!  Didn't have my camera so you'll have to take my word for it!  It was HUGE!!!!!  Removed the drawers and sprayed like hell!  Oh joy.


On the passenger side of the MH the window goes all the way to the top and the sun beats down thru that top corner.  The phifertex I ordered came and now I'm ready to create my shade.  Took the measurements and will attach with small velcro circles.  I am also making one that I can stick to the windshield using suction cups ..... if I can find a place to purchase suction cups.  I'm hoping Home Depot sells them.  


Kitchen is pretty much a mess with stuff going to the MH on the dining room table.  I've segregated kitchen tools that I think I use all the time.  If I do, then those will go to the MH just before we leave.  I don't want to overkill on utensils; however we will be gone six months so deserve to have my favorites with me.  That's my working premise.


Bought a new 32" LCD TV to replace the two 27" TV's that blew out within a week of each other last summer.  We were relegated to a 17" that we used on the boat.


We decided to remove the seat that is behind the passenger seat and put a TV credenza in that spot so that watching TV is ergonomically and comfortably easier.  When it's mounted over the driver's seat, you have to look up and the seats are too close to it.  By putting it on a credenza across from the couch you'll be able to view it by sitting on the couch and also by swiveling the driver's seat around.  It should be more comfortable.  Also gives us a little more storage space and also floor space as the credenza does not take up the same depth as the chair.  As we get closer to leaving it's getting more exciting.  


MAY 1, 2012


One would think removing a chair from the MH would be a simple matter.  Nothing seems to be easy although in comparison with a boat, altering or re-engineering in a motorhome is easier.  Today we drove the MH over to the warehouse to remove the seat behind the passenger side to install a credenza we picked up on sale at Target for $14.00.  The seat is bolted through the MH floor so Dave had to get under the MH and I had the socket wrench on the bolt under the seat --- which of course is not easy to get to -- and we yanked, banged and pulled until the bolt was loosened.  One down and three to go.  Of course it was hotter than blazes in the MH as the sun beat down on the coach, the temperature got hotter.  


MAY 5, 2012


Brought the MH over to the house to load stuff.  Also tried out my new sun screens and they really work well.  I've used velcro to attach the passenger's side sunscreen to the window and found suction cups at Home Depot so will be able to move the sunscreen on the windshield around.  These were so easy to make, it's ridiculous to spend money on the internet for sun screen/blockers.

MAY 7, 2012


Getting closer to leaving.  Dinning room table is full of clothes ..... mine!  Dave is in the process of closing the boat down and it's becoming a process.


First the oil leak has become more critical.  Dave drained the engine of oil.  Will deal with that in the fall.


Second he investigated my complaints about the diesel smell which is more than a dirty bilge!  Apparently we have a leak in the fuel tank.......so he spent the last two days pumping the fuel out of the tank at a gallon an hour into the jerry jugs.  Will deal with that in the fall.


Outboard engine is at the warehouse.   Will deal with that in the fall.   


The fall is looking less inviting every day!


Two more days!

BILLY'S SPRING CRUISE 2012

Billy being a little older now and having spent time on Spindrift is getting very cavalier about all the traveling he has to do!  Although we pack up bedding, snacks, toys etc. his boat-behavior is far different from his "at home" behavior.

First, he doesn't sleep in a crate, at all.  He finds a corner on the "pit" in the boat - usually next to me, and stretches out his full 50 lbs to be sure he can capture all the room available.  Eventually after being poked, prodded and moved, he finds a corner and stays there!   He doesn't require his "bed blankets" and they stay pretty much tucked away.

Secondly, he has a few toys and can actually have his favorite "rolling" toys because there is no place he can roll it that he cannot get to.  This is very important as those toys are banned at  home because there is no peace when he rolls a toy under the couch or table or chair and cannot get it out.  I have a broom under my couch now so that I can use it to retrieve a toy he's pushed too far under.  On the boat he can run from one end to the other and always retrieve the toy he has tossed!  However, a favorite game of his is to toss the toy into the air and sometimes that means he has tossed it down through the companionway door which he has no hope of retrieving it.  When he is in his tossing mood, I have to put the lower boards in the companionway door so that he can't toss the toy down below.  Other than that, he can do pretty much what he wants.

Thirdly, he is pretty quiet on the boat, content to stare out at the water to check out the birds, boats, other dogs and whatever comes into his view.  He has become a great boat dog.   His only drawback is that he has to be lifted down below and doesn't cooperate when his feet are off the ground.  His 50 lbs becomes 100 lbs of dead weight and he struggles as he is being lifted through the air until his feet touch bottom again.  This results in multiple scratches to whoever is the lucky one being handed BD Billy for the  evening!

He is quite agile, especially after his foray in the water having missed the boat and taking a dunk.  See previous post!  He can jump up to the boat from the dock, slide under the lifelines to get on and off the boat if the finger dock doesn't extend to the lifeline openings and isn't too eager to march up to the front of the bow while we are underway.

We departed our slip Easter afternoon heading north.  No real plans - just north until we turn around!  However this afternoon we needed to get to Halifax Yacht Club to give us a three hour head start for Monday.  Monday Dave was meeting two high school buddies in Palm Coast for a 2PM lunch hence we needed the head start.

It was a beautiful day and the trip to Halifax was uneventful.  Halifax Yacht Club basin is shared with the Halifax Marina basin and is plenty big with lots of depth. This was fortunate because there was a small motorboat tied up along the dock we were going to spend the night on.  We had to proceed into the basin and sit tight until the boat owners were located in the bar and left the dock.  Once it was clear, we came right in and settled in for the evening.  


Billy had a great place to run and exercise just down the street in the Halifax Municipal Marina area.  It was an easy walk, didn't require crossing streets as Billy about took me down the last time we were up here.  Crossed Orange Avenue to walk in the park and he took off in a run pulling the leash and my toe dug into the street - almost fell face first on Orange Avenue.

Since we are just south of the Memorial Bridge which opens at 9AM, we left at 9AM on Monday, April 9th heading to Palm Coast.  We were in a parade line of boats heading north out of Florida.  Lots of sailboats and many trawlers were making their way back home after spending a winter in So Florida or the Bahamas.





As predicted arrived around 1:00 in time for our 2:00 lunch.  One couple, Tom and Gina live in Palm Coast and we visited them over New Years.  The second couple Dave & Carol drove over from Ocala and Dave hadn't seen either of them since high school.  While the men caught up on 50 years, we ladies gabbed about everything else.  It was a pleasant lunch bringing right into the evening.


Left Palm Coast around 9AM and headed up to St Augustine for a few days.  Forest fires were raging in North Florida and the air was thick and heavy.  As we passed Mantazas Fort you can see the haze hanging  in the air.

It's always tricky coming around the bend at Matanazas as it shoals up quickly and we've seen many sailboats sitting out here stuck.

Coming into St Augustine we were greeted by the wonderful St Augustine lighthouse.  Just a few years ago we took the kids camping in St A and climbed the lighthouse -- rather they did, I took pictures!  I do not..... do....lighthouses!!

Soon we were in our slip on the north side of the Marina with the Bridge of Lions behind us.  Always a great view.

Since they have finished the construction on the bridge, it is most pleasant here.  The completed mooring field is huge and we are looking forward to spending time on a mooring ball but for now we are going to stay in the marina and enjoy all the conveniences.

BILLY HAD A FIELD DAY LETTING THESE BIRDS KNOW WHO'S BOSS --- ONCE HE FIGURED OUT WHAT THEY WERE!!!


  There is a very nice park now just outside the miniature golf course at the Marina and a great place to walk Billy.    He was quite at home here, able to spring on and off the boat with ease and marches his way up the dock to the dog area.   He is also becoming very socialized and polite; doesn't naturally assume everyone he sees has made a special trip just to see him.  Also gets along fairly well with the other dogs he passes -- at least ignores them if they get carried away!

We took Billy into town and walked the streets of St Augustine.  Billy did very, very well with the crowds.  We had lunch at the Spanish Bakery where Billy curled up under our table while we ate our campenadas and sausage rolls.  Stopped at Savannah Sweets for pralines and turtles to celebrate Dave's birthday....any excuse.  For dinner we celebrated at a new Brazilian restaurant a few streets over from the Marina.

It was very good.  They kept bringing us "apertifs" we didn't order but were really, really good - Caipirinha made with cachaca  - anyway when we got the bill they charged us for all these un-ordered drinks.  We let it go this time but figure if they keep it up, someone will complain.

Unfortunately my favorite French Pastry shop was not opened on Tuesday so Dave had to wait until Wednesday for his birthday Rum Cake.  This shop opened in 1966 and the first time I visited it was in 1967 and have been coming here ever since.  The original family still runs the shop.  It is a St Augustine tradition .... much the same as Savannah Sweets is!


Wednesday we walked around St Augustine as though we were tourists.  The winds was kicking up out of the NE - running about 25 kts so it was nice to get off the boat to the sheltered streets.  Also Billy had a nice long walk all day which contributed to his sleeping all afternoon on the boat!!!

Walking straight from the marina down this narrow Artillery Lane brought us to Noels and the Brazilian restaurant.  Just ahead is the Historical Society Research Library which translates the earliest church records (1594) in the nation and also houses the Spanish documents dating back to 1513.   These are statues in the courtyard of the Library.

We continued to walk around St Augustine marveling at the architecture, especially Flagler College which never fails to impress.  This  is the Ponce de Leon Hall built in 1888 as a luxury hotel as only Flagler would build!   It is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.    Henry Flagler's grandson, Lawrence Lewis, Jr., was the driving force behind the development of Flagler College. It was his vision to create a small, private liberal arts college on the grounds of the old hotel. Lewis served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Flagler College for more than 20 years, guiding the College through a re-organization in 1971. He directed millions of dollars through foundations, family and personal funds into new construction, restoration projects, endowment and various other programs to ensure the continued success of Flagler College.

Another interesting spot, if for no other reason than the colorful architecture, is the Villa Zoroyda also on the National Registry.  Built in 1883 as the winter residence of Franklin Smith using poured concrete and crushed coquina shell.  It is 1/10th scale of a section of the Alhambra Palace in Granada Spain and began the moorish Spanish revival of architecture seen in St A.

The towers of the Lightener Museum are also interesting.  

The building, in a Spanish Renaissance Revival style, is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.It the  former Hotel Alcazar, commissioned by Henry M. Flagler to appeal to wealthy tourists who traveled there on his railroad, and built in 1887.  The hotel boasted a steam room, massage parlor, gymnasium, and sulfur baths, as well as the world's largest indoor swimming pool. However, after years as an elegant winter resort for wealthy patrons, the hotel closed in 1932.  Flalger knew how to build them!  It is now used as a Museum and City Hall.

The churches town are also an architectural marvel.    The Memorial Presbyterian Church (Flagler Church) was established in 1824 donated by Henry Flagler and dedicated in 1890 as a memorial to his daughter who died from complications of childbirth.   

Flagler, ever the shrewd developer, owned a lot of property in St Augustine. The churches owned even better properties so Flagler made deals with the churches. If the church would take his piece of property, he would build them a church.  In return he would get the desired piece of property that the church owed so that he could build his hotels on.  Worked out well for everyone.  This is another view of the Memorial Presbyterian Church.

When walking St Augustine, you must remember to look up!  Some of the best stuff is on top of the buildings!

Entrance to "Flagler Church" as it is known - Memorial Presbyterian.

United Methodist Church - also a beautiful architectural structure.

Billy is really becoming acclimated to the boat.  He views it as "his home" which is probably anywhere we are.  Coming down the dock he knows exactly which boat is ours, turns at the correct finger dock and hops right back on board.  

A large crane has been in the marina shoveling dirt from the bottom of the marina - clearing out spots that were becoming shallow.  We watched this crane at work one morning - mesmerized by the shovel going into the water and then bringing wet dirt (muck) up and dropping it on the barge.  The crane moved from the back area of our boat to the other side of the marina.  Billy was not crazy about this machinery - whether it was the bright yellow color or the fact that it looked like a transformer monster - not sure but he definitely didn't care for it.  

On our way back down to the boat, the crane was on the opposite side of the marina.  Billy must have noticed the bright yellow color or the noise because with ears back, tail tucked, he pulled me down the dock - looking back for his shoulder as if to say, "You coming or what!". He beelined it directly to the boat, hopped right in at the full length of his leash, then looked back to see where we were.  Guess he felt safe once he got on the boat!

After walking around all day, we retired to the boat and decided to put the dinghy and motor into the water to make sure all was in working order.........

Dinghy motors are the bain of my existence.  If you've followed our sailing stories, most issues revolve around the dinghy motor!  This particular one we bought in Marathon two years ago because the "Rude" stopped working all together.  Well we've had nothing but issues with this one.  Dave worked on it for the past few weeks and felt, before we left, that he had the problem solved.  

However, with the dinghy in the water and motor on the back, the motor would not start.  Absolutely would not start.  At this point, this was a deal breaker.  We needed the motor to be able to anchor out on our way north to get Billy to shore.  

Our choices were to stay in the marina at $87/night while we try to find a repair shop that can fix the motor immediately ..... which is an unlikely scenario.....so go back to New Smyrna and unpack, button up and proceed to Plan B which is to get the motor home ready for the trip north.  We opted for PLAN B.  

The winds were ripping out of the NE at 25 kts so....for once.....we were going in the correct direction!  We headed out Friday morning going south.  Decided as we came through Daytona Beach that  few hours more we could be in our slip in SYC so kept on trucking.  Got into our slip at 8:00 Friday night.  

All in all it was a good trip.  We managed to get away and Billy proved to be an outstanding boat dog.  

Stay tuned to further adventures of Billy and his Forever Family.

BOAT DOG BILLY TAKES A DIVE

As we were getting ready to leave, Boat Dog Billy, on a long leash, takes a leap of faith from the dock to the boat…….

He saunters down the dock at the full length of his leash, back on his turf as reigning Boat Dog Billy.  Numerous times he has made the leap from the dock to the boat, ever proud that in nine months he has mastered the distance.  The boat is a little further away from the dock with the south winds blowing; Forever Mom is a little further back trailing behind Billy with arms laden with “Billy Ums”. 

Before Forever Mom can utter a word, BD Billy leaps from the dock onto the boat …. Oh to be the first aboard!  But alas, only his front claws gain purchase, and his 45 lb rump drags him down the side of the hull into the water below!

What a splash this BD Billy made.  Still attached to his leash he bounded up from the water’s depth and started to swim to shore.  But….Forever Dad had lowered the dinghy and was inside doing some work.  BD Billy hears Forever Dad call his name and he pivots around, paddling gracefully, having naturally perfected the long-stride dog paddle (not bad for a nine month old who’s never been swimming before!).   Boat Dog Billy swims to the stern of the boat and reaches the inflatable dinghy in the water.  He lifts his paw to climb aboard but could not get over the inflated tube.  Forever Dad reaches over and grabs him by the nape of this  neck and hauls him aboard!

Boat Dog Billy is none the worse for wear!  Wet but fine.  Not even a shiver or a shake came from brave Boat Dog Billy.  He has now been christened by the waters of the boat…….and we have answered the long asked question ….. How do we get Billy back into the boat from the dinghy??

 MAMA ---- WHAT JUST HAPPENED???????????

Billy Goes Camping at Fort DeSoto

Well, we're doing a little land traveling in the Land Yacht and Billy is on high alert as his bedding, food, dishes and toys are gathered up and ushered out the door.  He has a new crate since the wire crate was so large we could not get it into the back of the car without taking it apart.  My girl friend Dianne showed me a collapsible crate that folds up into a small ring that they use on their boat for Sandy. 

 I located a large one on Target and ordered it up. It is the same size as the wire crate but collapses into a twelve inch disk.  We put it up in the living room to get Billy used to it.  He didn't like it at all - crouched down and barked at it as he circled around it.  We threw his toys into it and he was very clever extracting the toys without having to go too far into the crate.  We kept it up in the living room moving it next to his crate in the den for a week before we left on this trip with the hope he would eventually come to terms with this new bed.

We were in luck.  The first night we put his bedding into the crate and then snacks and eventually gave him a gentle push.  Closed it up and after a few moments of whimpering he slept the night and was happy in the crate each night afterwards.  This will work out well on the boat as we can store it easily when he's not using it and it will, hopefully, keep him out of the vee-berth!

The new crate wasn't Billy's only challenge this week.  He was traumatized by the vibrations and noise in the motor home.  He wedged himself behind the drivers seat, tail tucked tightly under his belly.  That was OK until he started to slink around the other side of the seat and ended up under the brake pedal.  Dave yanked him out by his halter which only traumatized him more.  I picked him up and sat him down on the couch with me.  He melded himself to my body and we drove on to Tampa.  He's still a baby and everything is a new experience for him.

We spent Sunday night at Dave's sister's place in Wesley Chapel where we watched the Super Bowl.   Billy had a blast running the yard and barking at the horses.  This time he actually explored the corral area when the horses were elsewhere.

Monday morning we headed out for Ft Desoto County Park in St Petersburg.  This is a beautiful park on the Gulf of Mexico just before the Sunshine Bridge.  It actually loops back around to St Pete Beach.  Our site is very shaded and private.  We have some water behind us but not the Gulf.  The sites that do not allow dogs are out on the Gulf side.  

 Billy nemesis turns out to be a squirrel that taunts him from the trees.  There was no peace as long as that squirrel hung around the campsite.

We took a ride down to the beaches, in particular paw beach where Billy could meet the Gulf of Mexico.  We walked past the dog park on the way down.  I was behind Dave and Billy when I noticed a corn snake stretched out cross the path.  Dave was just about to step on it and Billy was oblivious.  My heart stopped.  Since it was late in the afternoon and chilly, the snake wouldn't move off the path.  Instead it sat up with his mouth open!  Dave had to nudge it along with his foot to get it to move into the grass.  I should have gotten the picture of him stretched across the path but was too stunned, so this is the best I could do!

We walked down to the beach and brought reluctant Billy to the water.  As the water moved up on him, he wasn’t too thrilled about getting close.  

WHAT IS THAT!  IT'S COMING AT ME!

Despite all of the birds flying around, Billy felt compelled to protect us from the floating buoy!

He would NOT walk down the beach until that buoy went away!  Wonder what he thought he was seeing!

Sunset on the west coast.  Despite the fronts coming through, the sunset was beautiful. Eventually a full moon came out but the skies were full of clouds.

TUESDAY we woke to rain.  We decided to take a trip up to Tarpon Springs for some Greek food.  It was a rather long drive up Route 19 which goes thru all the towns.  We arrived in time for late lunch and there is nothing better than a Greek lunch!  First we walked the sponge docks giving Billy a chance to stretch his legs and learn more socialization skills.  As we walked out of the parking lot, the attendant said "That's a fine looking dog,"  and that he is.

Still waiting for the cruising grounds for US Citizens in Cuba open up.  May not live long enough!

CUBAN-looking Cigars - closest we'll be getting to Cuba for a while.

We walked the length of the Sponge Docks under very cloudy skies and lots of people!  Brought Billy back to the car for a nap while we ate lunch.  We split a platter of Mousaka, Souvlaki, stuffed grape leaves and  and Greek Salad.   We had enough for lunch and dinner.

On the way back to the car we stopped at a Greek bakery and loaded up on variations on Baklava.  Don't know what we were thinkin'

WEDNESDAY turned out to be a beautiful day - one we probably should have saved for Tarpon Springs!  Today we just kicked around and took a ride across the Skyline Highway Bridge.  For me that was a knuckle whitener!

THURSDAY headed over to the Dali Museum which was impressive.  It is located across from the St Petersburg Marina and the building design is as you would expect for a Dali Museum.

Of course one couldn't take pictures inside the museum, but his artwork is wonderful and I never really understood Dali before.  Definitely pick up the museum earbuds and take the self-guided tour.  You can stop at any of the paintings and stare which is really what you need to do.  His paintings aren't something you just waltz by.


PERSISTENCE OF MEMORY

Dalí was a skilled draftsman, best known for the striking and bizarre images in his surrealist work. His painterly skills are often attributed to the influence ofRenaissance masters.^[2][3] His best-known work, The Persistence of Memory, was completed in 1931. Dalí's expansive artistic repertoire includes film, sculpture, and photography, in collaboration with a range of artists in a variety of media.  (Wikipedia)

The interior lobby, lunch area and gift shop are geometric as anticipated.  Interesting staircase and lines.

Walking around the grounds is just as rewarding.  Dave sporting a Dali mustache!

and Dali's wonderful timepiece!  I'd love to have this on my front porch.   I'm becoming quite a Dali fan.

And...... I never realized that "Bird of Paradise" plants look like birds!

It was a great day visiting a museum.  A real treat as we don't have that many renowned museums in Central Florida!

Returned to the campground to clean up and meet Tim and Dianne for dinner.  I love seeing them and so glad they moved to St Pete.  It is such a wonderful place to visit and a great excuse to come over!!!

Headed back to New Smyrna ending our week away!  Stored the motorhome until our next adventure!