Adventures On Land ...

...in many variations!! We've had a few days to re-group and re-focus on projects closer at hand! We're back on the bicycles and working on getting in some mileage before our upcoming trip to California, in between coordinating the extra projects we want done on Equinox. From cosmetic re-painting topsides to bottom painting and thru-hull strainer cleaning, to work on the dive compressor, Equinox is being tweaked into prime shape! Ron was at the boatyard yesterday to see how things were progressing with her bottom painting, and took these photos of Equinox in the ACY paint facility wrapped up tight like a huge cellophane gift bag! Work is going along well, and Equinox will be all the more beautiful after her pampering! 

Practically gift-wrapped: all she needs is a brightly-colored 

gift bow on the bow!

Equinox's hull and thru-hull strainers getting a bit of attention.

It always amazes me how large she is out of the water.

While Equinox is inside and safely on the hard, we've been watching the line of hurricanes coming across the Atlantic. Hurricane Earl is a not too much of a concern for Florida, as it looks like its predicted path is to our north. North Carolina and the mid-Atlantic states are  scrambling, and I shudder looking at the size of Earl...it's now a Category 4 storm, with its barometric pressure now down to 932 millibars. While we're not even in the cone of tropical force wind speeds, seas are huge. Gulf Stream hazards for our area today: "LARGE SWELLS PRODUCING SEAS UP TO 18 FEET"!! It's unsettling, knowing Tropical Storm Fiona is behind Earl, (now predicted to pass near Bermuda) with Tropical Storm Gaston lined up behind Fiona, followed by yet another grouping of unsettled weather coming off the coast of Africa. Will it never end?

AIRS infrared image of Hurricane Earl on Sept. 1, 2010 shows the temperature of Earl's cloud tops

or the surface of Earth in cloud-free regions. The coldest cloud-top temperatures appear in purple, 

indicating towering cold clouds and heavy precipitation. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech 

As a diversion, we've had our own local land-based bit of excitement. Tuesday afternoon when we stopped at a beachside restaurant and bar on Hutchinson Island with some friends, we found the place alive with excitement and abuzz with news, as a small 32' boat had washed ashore almost right in front of the restaurant that morning. When you looked at the huge waves crashing ashore -- seas were reported to be 7-10' offshore -- you wondered what in the world anybody in their right mind was doing out there to begin with!! Then, to have engine trouble and be at the mercy of the sea in horrid conditions...beyond scary! 

The remnants of the mystery boat after being pounded 

by the waves created by Hurricane Earl

A local condo resident saw someone abandon ship as the boat was wallowing perilously close to shore, immediately notifying the coast guard of a ship in distress. It didn't take long before the boat was tossed aground onto the beach, and shortly thereafter, there was no mystery as to why the boat was out there: authorities came to find that the boat contained about 1,100 lbs. of neatly-packaged marijuana!! NO WONDER the boat was in distress -- that's more than half a ton!! The local papers reported that the estimated street value of the  pot was more than $1 million dollars, and when we peered down the beach at the crowd of onlookers gawking at the boat, we realized the place was crowded with police, DEA, and Customs and Immigrations officers. While they detained all cars and traffic leaving the island trying to find the man who abandoned the vessel, no one was detained and "agents are still investigating". Yep, always an adventure on the Treasure Coast!!

A back-hoe arrives to pull the boat out of the waves

On The Move...

Just in case you were wondering why we hauled out last week, this is the reason! Check out the line of hurricanes/tropical depressions and low pressure systems marching across the Atlantic today! NOAA's National Hurricane Center website provides a look at the latest developments, and most cruisers monitor it daily to keep informed of any threats. The next few weeks of hurricane season are typically the most active, and this year appears to be no exception. We are concerned for our friends in Bermuda, as Hurricane Danielle will be affecting them with high winds and rough seas, but hopefully the storm will turn and move north into the open Atlantic, away from Bermuda, and not be too much of an issue to the US!

TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL
200 PM EDT SAT AUG 28 2010

FOR THE NORTH ATLANTIC...CARIBBEAN SEA AND THE GULF OF MEXICO...

THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER IS ISSUING ADVISORIES ON HURRICANE
DANIELLE...LOCATED ABOUT 325 MILES EAST-SOUTHEAST OF BERMUDA...AND
ON TROPICAL STORM EARL...LOCATED ABOUT 660 MILES EAST OF THE
NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS.

1. A BROAD LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM...ASSOCIATED WITH A VIGOROUS TROPICAL
WAVE...IS LOCATED ABOUT 350 MILES WEST-SOUTHWEST OF THE SOUTHERNMOST
CAPE VERDE ISLANDS.  THIS SYSTEM CONTINUES TO SHOW SIGNS OF
ORGANIZATION...AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS REMAIN FAVORABLE FOR A
TROPICAL DEPRESSION TO FORM LATER TONIGHT OR SUNDAY.  THERE
IS A HIGH CHANCE...80 PERCENT...OF THIS SYSTEM BECOMING A TROPICAL
CYCLONE DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS AS IT MOVES WESTWARD TO WEST-
NORTHWESTWARD AT 15 TO 20 MPH.

While we are keeping a wary eye on the hurricanes on the move, we've been on the move ourselves. Last week we were in Wisconsin, not only to visit relatives, but also to attend Karyn's 30 year high school reunion. Ron came along as well, even though he knew just a handful of folks beforehand. I really enjoyed it; not only did I catch up with my longest-known friends (Jodi and Lori among them, whom I've known since we were age 6 or thereabouts), but saw folks I literally hadn't seen in 30 years, like our senior-year exchange student from Norway! Aksel joined us (returning to the US specifically for this reunion) to share his experiences of travel, life and adventures, and expressed gratitude to everyone for helping fulfill his dream of coming to the United States all those years ago. It was a fun, nostalgic evening, and Ron was wonderful to come along.

Segueing from one transition to another, once back in Florida we headed to Tampa to get Ally off to college! We drove across the state with loaded vehicles and spent the next couple of days getting her belongings moved into her dorm room, getting her books, permits and other essentials, as well as touring the campus and attending a few of the family orientation information sessions. The University of Tampa is in the top tier of U.S. News and World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges", and it seems a good fit with Ally's interests. Situated along the Hillsborough River, the UT campus is gorgeous, with red brick buildings amid palms, oak trees, banana trees and lush tropical foliage. We are hoping Ally enjoys all sorts of new experiences and opportunities as she begins her college adventures! 

Views of U Tampa's Plant Hall, the former Tampa Bay Hotel built in 1891,

with its minarets and moorish domes. The building, which currently 

houses administrative offices of the university, serves as a beautiful 

example of  Moorish Revival architecture.

On the Hard and On the Road...

Equinox getting hauled at ACY

Well, Equinox is out of the water for the peak of hurricane season! We were a bit delayed in hauling her, since we'd wanted to have the local certified engine technicians aboard to the boat for inspection and detailed maintenance while we were still in the water. (It was our preference to be able to run the engines after the work was done, to make sure all systems were performing well.) But...it never worked out! Despite numerous repeated calls to schedule the work, we were frustrated by an amazing lack of response -- and apathy --on their part. Hard to fathom in this economy that folks didn't want work, but we finally gave up on them. We will simply coordinate service elsewhere after Equinox splashes again in October/November time frame! 

Anyway, Ron and our friend Kerry took the boat up the river to American Custom Yachts, where Equinox is now safely blocked and getting pampered. It's sort of hard to believe we're on the hard...this was not really part of the original game plan way back when we first started cruising, but as always, especially with boats, plans need to be flexible and change. Circumstances being what they are, with Ally heading off to college, assorted family health issues and upcoming travel, it just made sense to haul Equinox for a couple of months at this time. Not only can we have the usual out-of-water maintenance done (inspect the bottom paint, props, and shafts, clean the through-hulls thoroughly, change out all the zincs - including the ones inside the stabilizer fins) we can also get a few extra projects done here and there. Best of all, she is happily safe and secure per our insurance should any storms arise while we are traveling farther afield! 

Safely ensconced in the boat yard

While Ron was piloting Equinox, I flew to Wisconsin to be with family for a few days. Not only is my dad is recuperating and working to regain strength after back surgery, (the reason I was here just a few weeks ago) I also have my 30th high school reunion this weekend! It was nice to be in temperate latitudes again for a bit, and in keeping with the humor of high school memories, after visiting with my dad at the rehab hospital, my sister, step-mom and I went out to  dinner at The Kiltie drive-in. Yes, drive-ins do still exist!!

Just a few of  the cars filled with folks at The Kiltie

Yes, the girls are wearing kilts!

As you can see, the Kiltie is very popular and packed in the evenings. While  a Kiltie burger beckoned, I had to have a good Wisconsin bratwurst, and so indulged! Kiki and Sandra had cheeseburgers, and we all feasted in nostalgic fashion. The tray was just as I remembered, hanging on the window with its little vinyl-clad hooks, although the modern sloping windows of cars these days do make it a challenge, as the food threatened to slide off the tray before we got it into  the car safely! Still, a lot of fun, and great food. Perhaps when Ron and Ally join us for the weekend, we will return? I don't think Ally's seen a drive in before!

The menu board outside by the parking spots

The roadside sign

Boat work and bicycling

Ron riding through the banyan trees along one of our routes

Once again, we seem to have settled back into our typical on-land routine: a good 15-25 mile bicycle ride in the mornings, with boat projects, errands and correspondence in the afternoon, followed by reading or relaxation on the back porch with hot tub/pool time before dinner.  The bike rides have been fabulous...as we cruise along the Indian River in the mornings, I regularly see great blue heron, great egrets, night herons, sandhill cranes, seagulls, white ibis and brown pelicans swooping over the water or feeding in the shallows. I've also seen birds I never noticed before, like anhingas, which I thought were cormorants at first glance, as they are blackish in color with long thin necks, and swim with their bodies almost totally underwater. They are very common in Florida waterways and swamps, which I didn't realize. It's neat to see how many birds I recognize -- or don't -- as I'm biking along the water! 


It's not exactly a blistering pace, but one we're getting re-acquainted with now that we're back in port. We'll have more time to get used to it, though, with Equinox soon to be on the hard as part of our hurricane plan for the next couple of months! Earlier this week we pulled Tingum out of the water and took her to the dealer for some servicing and to finish the last few punch list items still outstanding. Pulling the tender out is  something of a coordinated dance, as one of us gets dropped off at the marina to run Tingum to the appropriate boat ramp, while the the other zips back with the car to hook up the trailer and get to said boat ramp. In what we are learning is typical Florida-in-August "rainy season" weather, the day started out sunny and pleasant, but before long, mid-day storm clouds moved in, making it a bit of a race to finish, to get Tingum secured on the trailer and delivered to the dealer ahead of the lightning and rain. But...we did it! 

Equinox is getting her share of the attention too, as we had Martek aboard on Wednesday to investigate the on-again, off-again workings of the wind indicator. We are also working to schedule with John Deere to get a good check-up of the engines and double-check any specific maintenance items that are recommended and/or due. While the ordinary and routine items we manage ourselves, we thought it would be prudent to have a good inspection done to ensure that we aren't overlooking anything and are good to go once we are back in the water come October. Because the summer is considered the "slow" season here in Florida, we thought it would be a good time to schedule the work, but it hasn't been as easy as we thought, as it turns out that many businesses cut back hours and folks tend to be on vacation this time of year. Why? Because it is the slow season! Always something with a boat, now isn't it?


Florida trivia: Do you know what the Florida state bird is? Nothing I would have guessed, actually, after all my admiration of Florida waterbirds -- it's the Northern Mockingbird! The Florida Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 3 formally adopted it as the state bird on April 23, 1927, in part because: "...The melody of its music has delighted the heart of residents and visitors to Florida from the days of the rugged pioneer to the present comer... " I had no idea! Guess I'll have to start listening...!

Summer siesta...

...well...it's been a bit somnolent around here lately, not being aboard. There's no interesting journeying and cruising to report, so it feels a bit boring! We've basically just been attending to small boat projects and the like. We had the engine room detailed yesterday... just a good scrub-down, although it was actually pretty clean to begin with, in all fairness, since Ron is pretty diligent in that regard. As we're gearing up to have the boat hauled next week, it just feels good getting her cleaned up. I have a couple small items I still need to attend to myself -- changing out the holding tank vent filter for one -- which Ron says is now my job, since I have no sense of smell! It's an easy task, but not without odor, so I have to admit it's nice that I'm unaware of any unpleasant scent. Still, I'm not sure if I consider that an upside to having lost my sense of smell!

Other than that, we've been doing a bit of maintenance on ourselves! I had some annual health checks completed (all good, thankfully) and earlier this week, Ally had all four of her wisdom teeth taken out. X-rays showed that they definitely needed to come out, as all were impacted and one was aiming to come in sideways against her existing teeth. The surgery  went smoothly and without complications, thankfully, thus it's been a week of medical attention, recuperation and rest for us all. 

Ron's been the only one not dealing with medical issues. Instead, happily, he's been having a bit of fun for himself, as he got himself a new Harley-Davidson motorcycle and is totally enamored with it. (Although neither Ally nor I are enthusiastic about motorcycles, Ron's enjoying riding immensely....but I'll just stick to my bicycle, thank you!) However, the bike is something Ron's wanted for a while now, and he recently aced Florida's mandatory motorcycle safety/licensing class a couple of weeks ago. We've seen that riding is a very popular past time here in Florida what with the typically nice weather and lovely water views.  It's one way to keep busy while the boat's on the hard during hurricane season, I suppose!

Ron's new Harley Davidson Road Glide Ultra

Oddly enough, Florida is actually cooler than parts of the midwest and south that are in the grip of an intense heat wave right now! We've had temps in the upper 80s and lower 90s, but that's typical for this time of year, yet nothing like what the rest of the south has seen. Who would have thought Kansas would be hotter than Florida in July and August? Ah, Mother Nature! Speaking of the heat, Ron and I are headed over to the marina shortly, to check in on the boats and go enjoy a little pool time! 

Quick Trip to Wisconsin!

Well, it's been an eventful week, albeit with unscheduled and unplanned events! Ally and I had a respite from the Florida heat, as we spent most of this past week in Wisconsin. It turns out that the same day that Equinox returned from the Bahamas last week, my dad went into the hospital, so our return was very, very fortuitous. Thus, as the situation dictated, we went to be with the rest of my family while my dad was undergoing some needed surgery to alleviate the debilitating pain and issues due to severe arthritis in his spine. He came through the surgery well, thankfully, and is now in a rehab facility working to regain strength and mobility. Ally and I enjoyed and appreciated the time spent with family, and are very grateful that the prognosis for my dad's recovery is positive.

While we were in Wisconsin, Ron kept himself busy coordinating a couple maintenance and repair visits to Equinox and Tingum, and in between, bicycling over 90 miles. Since Equinox is scheduled to be safely on the hard during the heart of the hurricane season, we're wanting  to use the time to take the the opportunity to travel a bit and do some riding. With that goal in mind, we've been trying to build up some mileage and get in fighting shape, thinking that we might go out to California and do a bit of touring in wine country. With California hills looming and only the Florida flats to train on, I clearly have my work cut out to catch up, especially since Ron's been in "secret training" while I was gone! 

My apologies that there's not much of a boating aspect to the blog lately, with all the family issues going on! We're still working on the winter itinerary for Equinox, though, and will let you know where the compass points when we head out!

TS Bonnie

...slid to the south of us, making landfall about 20 miles south of Miami. While bands of scattered showers came through our area, we didn't have much else affect us. Even in the way of winds, we only had brief gusts of 25-30 knots winds, but otherwise, just blustery 15-20 knots that weren't out of the ordinary. SO...feeling rather grateful that it was so benign here, and hope that it doesn't affect the Gulf situation badly. Thankfully now, the storm has been downgraded to a tropical depression and a gradual weakening of the system is expected. 

And...we're delighted to be back with Ally again, enjoying our time together before she heads off to college in a few weeks. Ron and Ally been bicycling together in the mornings now that she has her new road bike. I'm looking forward to joining them once my new shoe cleats arrive. (My old ones wore out, and keep unlocking and slipping off the pedals....not safe!) We've also kept busy doing the mundane chores of making landfall: emptying Equinox of her extra freezer provisions, consolidating items aboard, sorting and cleaning and doing last-minute boat projects to get her ready for her haul-out soon. We're going to be a bit conservative, and have Equinox stored on the hard for a month or so here during the heart of hurricane season. Ron and I will do some traveling, get Ally settled into college and work on itineraries and ideas on where we want to cruise this winter! 

So we're re-acclimating to being on land again. It's always the little things that strike you; after being on anchor all last month, simply pulling into a marina again felt weird. Odd not to be monitoring battery levels, amp draw, and the like; odd to have phone coverage again.  I'm tuned into the weather while on the boat, from noting wind speed and direction, waves and sea state, to the rhythms of the tides; I feel oddly disconnected without that harmony in the background. Being aboard seems to invite one to take time to appreciate the sun on the water, the sea breezes ruffling the anchorage, and I miss that slower pace to the day. Ah well, we'll be back out on the water soon enough!