Monday, November
28th – Tuesday, December 13th
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| Entrance to Riviera City Municiple Marina |
Pete continues to work from the boat. I have routine chores that keep me busy a few
mornings a week; the usual cleaning, laundry and food shopping. Christmas cards
were mailed and the shopping begun. I also process the rest of the photos from
the November wedding. My “bible” for the Light Room software I use, was brought
aboard and place in a good place. Unfortunately, I have gone through all the good
hiding spots and haven’t found it. Learning the software is definitely still on
my “to do” list, but I will continue to use the web when I can.
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| The walkway from our dock to the office |
While doing laundry, I usually stay at the
marina office. It is probably a 1/3 mile walk each way. Though I take reading
with me, I usually visit with other cruisers also doing laundry. Most are
heading over to the Bahamas. One
Canadian boat, SV Our Time, blew their engine and will be here for a month
until a new one can be installed. The German couple keep their trawler here in
the states so that they can cruise for 6 months and return home the other 6 months
to Munich for family and friends. A number of cruisers have cruised most of the
Caribbean and now pick and choose which area they will spend their time
exploring. (Such hard decisions!) The most interesting couple were here from
Kona, Hawaii. They are the escort boat for the Polynesian Voyaging Society’s Hokule’a
Canoe. The following, from the Hokule’a’s blog, explains their mission.
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| Photo from their website |
Using nothing but traditional non-instrumental navigation techniques, members
of the Polynesian Voyaging Society are embarking on a multi-year journey around
the world on board Hawaii’s legendary Hokule’a canoe.
Along the way, they will meet with diverse cultures to inspire them to
connect with the natural world, their ancient ways, and with each other, spreading
the lessons learned through the revival of this ancient skill that has helped revitalize
Hawaiian culture.
The core message is to malama (care for) Island Earth-our natural environment,
our children, and all humankind.
To check out their blog or to learn more you may visit:
The Hokule’a headed north to meet with UN Delegates while
the escorts are slowly making their way south. From here they will meet up with
the Hokule’a in Key West, heading to the Panama Canal and into the Pacific to
continue their journey. As Carol said, “It’s been an amazing ride!”
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| Needlefish |
It is fun to be
near friends. We have joined Howie and
Ann for a number of dinners and one outrageous way to go to the movies. We saw, J.K. Rawlins’ FANTASTIC BEASTS AND
WHERE TO FIND THEM in a small theater with about 60 leather recliners! Ann and
I have run errands together. It was
through her I found a seamstress to hem the gown for Greg and Jenn’s wedding. I’m
just keeping my fingers cross that she will have the dress finished by next
Tuesday, when we head north for the holidays.
One morning, I
went to run an errand and was surprised to find the Fire Department conducting
drills on the dock. The reality is that every few weeks we hear of fires at
marinas and they require special tactics to combat; hence the drills.
I had to take Bailey
to the vet. She developed a hot spot on
her neck that tripled in size overnight.
She probably has a food allergy, which is the ongoing problem with her
ears and now the hot spot. Antibiotics, prednisone, and antibiotic powder were
prescribed along with a hydrogenated protein diet. No animal protein allowed in
food or snacks. The prednisone made her
drink tremendous amounts of water. Needless to say, after 2 hours, she barely
made it onto the dock; nowhere near the grass ashore! Initially, she was
craving meat and, for the first time, she scrounged around in the aft cabin and
found her travel bag with about 6 cups (3 meals) of regular dry dog food. All I found was the remnants of the plastic
bag the food was in. Thankfully, we only have 2 more doses of antibiotic and 1 more
(3 pills) of prednisone. However, it looks like she will need to stay on the
prescription dog food and snacks.
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| Gingerbread House at Delaire Country Club |
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| Catamaran at the dock |
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| Boat Parade participant - won 2nd Place |
We were in a rush
to grab items we needed from storage last time we were home. I completely forgot about holiday
decorations. Pete insisted we needed something, so he ordered a wall hanging,
flat, Christmas tree, complete with lights, red bows and red and blue ornaments.
It doesn’t take up a lot of room and spreads the Christmas spirit.
Well, another
week of sunlight and warmth, surrounded by turquoise water, tropical fish and
beautiful sunsets, before donning socks, long pants, sweaters and heavy jackets
for the below freezing temps, grey skies and snowflakes they are predicting for
next week up by Chris and Kel’s!
~ ~ ~ /) ~~ K & P
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