Well here it is almost the end of the first month of 2009 and we have been on the private dock since the New Year came in. Lots has happened this month in both projects and having many visitors.
We rented a car for the month and it has come in very handy to get places and visit friends.
Some of the projects we have accomplished is to get the Summer Wind Spic and Span from bow to stern and from the water to the decks. For those of you that have never traveled the ICW (Intracoastal Waterway) probably don't realize or have seen what is commonly called the ICW moustache. The Summer Wind had it badly!!!! The Bow and along the sides and the Swim Platform turn a nice mellow tea color which doesn't come off with simple soap and water. It is from many Cyprus trees which have their roots in the waters we travel. The trees give off Tannic acid which makes the waters brown and it sticks to the gelcoat like glue. Note the picture. What does take it off is an acid with a lot of scrubbing. So that project was one.
Another, was the outside doors which are varnished Teak. Needed redoing so guess what. they look quite good after 4 coats of varnish , but first taking it almost down to the bare wood.
Oh, yes, the dinghy needed a good scrubbing from all the exhaust. The pontoons were actually black and now "white" once more.
Redid the name boards on the sides, new shaving mirror in our head, we can now look good too!!!!!,Oil and filter changes on the main engine, had mechanics aboard for the air conditioning and the outboard motor. All fixed and working great now.
Just a few more projects to do, but the month hasn't been all work. We played a lot too. Saw many friends and next week is almost booked solid. Even our friend Tom Gilbert who flew his plane into Miami we met for dinner 3 times, Had family and friends on the Summer Wind for cruising down the New River. Traveled to DelRay Beach to spend the day with Angela and Brian Hendricks who were down here vacationing. Traveled to Naples to visit with Marsha and Ralph Robbins (friends Dick has had for 45 years) and ate in many restaurants, enjoyed spending time with all of our friends and family.
The end of this month we will be moving a little north to DelRay Beach where we will be staying for the month of February. So when we get there hopefully all of the projects will be done so that place will be all play. By the way it has a pool so we are also looking forward to warmer weather......PLEASE
See you then
With the warm weather we've had several sitings of Manatees. Manatees are also known as sea cows and are on the endangered species and protected by the State. They are slow moving mammals that eat sea grass. When we first sited this mammal, we thought he was injured. If you look closely to some of the pictures you can see that the Manatee has some marks on its back. These are possibly due to getting too close to boat props.
