April 7 and 8th 

Weeks to April 7th

We have had a very busy couple of weeks catching up on work stuff, packing last minute stuff and making all the plans for the first leg.

The first problem to solve was how to get back to the boat.  My plan was a rental car and I found out almost at once no cars are available for a drop off.  So after brain storming we booked one way air flight.

We ordered and some how received the following.

• A new inflatable raft to use to reach shore and when we anchor out. (had this delivered to the marina where we have the boat)
• An electric air pump to inflate the new tender
• A mirror in the hope that we see boats coming up behind us
• A back up camera just cause it was cheap and  I want to see what is coming from behind us
• Clamps to hand the mirror on from the rail 
• New lights to get rid of the last old fashion lights.

Then we made our packing list that included clothes and bike helmets.

After that was complete the next question was is it even possible to get that much stuff onto a plane. After fighting the the bags and cutting back a little on clothes it all fit into carry on.

Next I needed to find a dock to leave the boat for a 10 days in New York on first try this worked.  Then Dianne wanted to be sure we had time to get there so we mapped all the dates out and they all worked too.  So all is good not cheap but good we have 10 day stay then we developed all the days trips to get there.  When we finished we have 10 days to spare going.  That seems like enough time for us to make it.  

Monitoring the American Great Loop Cruisers Association site I notice a guy that took pictures of all the boats on the loop going past his home just down the ICW (InterCostal Waterway).  I called him and offered to buy dinner on the 8th for just to pick his brain about the Loop.  He offered to pick us at the airport too.

April 7 got up early and had a zoom doctors appointment.  Closed all the bags and called an Uber to take us to the airport.  I Knew we would have problems when the flight coming into Indy from Washington was delayed.  Out flight out was on time.  The flight out of Washington said it was on time.  It did leave the gate on time but no joy after that 40 minutes later it took off.   Phil was at the Wilmington airport and took us to the boat.  What a great host. 

April 8th

Today was incredibly busy.  

Had Ken down to the. boat to collect his money for the arial and update on the GPS.  He explained some stuff and again I learned a lot more about the boat and problems.  

Next got the bikes out to start a trip for spare parts and I noticed water leaking out what a pain in the butt.  That resulted in me having to make a new list of spare parts to install to repair this time to be sure it worked.  Tried the True Value and they did not have the part I needed so I tried the Ace Hardware.  They did have most of the parts but bought duplicates as anything that breaks twice will break a third time if you do not have back up plans and parts.  

Then went to the grocery store to stock up on 4 days of food.  That went well and loaded them on back of the bikes and rode back to the boat.  Now the work started.

Replaced the hose and installed new fittings in the tiny little bathroom.  Tightening hose clamps in a 6 inch hole was new for me and as I had 6 to do it was not fun.  After I swore at it long enough the fittings gave up and worked.  

Next installed the mirror.  Again I had a plan but that plane was scrape within 2 minutes.  Fortunately I had more plans and options.  So what was to be a 3 minute Job took half an hour but it looks great and works.

Next loaded the inflatable boat onto Just Do It and took it out of the box.  Took it out of the box not easy to do when it weights 70 plus pounds.  Inflated the boat looked at it and then took it apart  deflated it and packed it into the carry bag.  What ever engineer designs these carry bag should be sent to special place in Hell.  Why don’t they make the bag just a little bigger than then the rolled up boat that has to fit into it.  Again after enough swear words it fits in.

Finally I attempted the back up camera and low behold it worked on the first hook up and took no extra swear words at all.  

Then Phil and Karen arrived and we visited with them over beers and wine.  What wonderful people turns out she had Parkinson’s much longer than Dianne and we learned a lot about her experience.  It gives. me great hope to see how far treatments have come.  We also looked at all their pictures.  Turns out Phil is a professional photographer and there were great showing how the trip went all the exciting stuff that happened to them.  Turns out they ran aground a couple of times and that is an experience I hope not to have.  But every one tells me either you are a liar or you have run aground sometime.  I guess that is like never turning a canoe over.  

Then went out to dinner and that great fun too,  Then off to bed to be ready for the official start of our trip on Saturday the 9th.