INDIANA

Here we are in Indiana. What a difference a few hundred miles make. It is cool and sunny. We arrived here on Monday late and are staying with "H"s cousin on Big Turkey Lake.

The house on Turkey Lake

On Tuesday we spent the day touring the area where Harrriet grew up, especially the campus of Howe Military School. Really wonderful and nice to see places we only have talked about.

Here is a picture of the interior of St. James Chapel on the campus.

We had lunch at an old soda fountain in Howe (H does not like me using the word "old",) which is no longer a soda fountain but a nice spot for lunch.



We toured many places and also the cemetary. Very quiet, peaceful and full of history and memories. So glad that we came.

Spent the remainder of our time with friends and exploring the "old homestead". One night we went to dinner at an amazing place. Essenhaus. Run by the Amish for 40 years, the food was incredible and deserts even better. Too much, too much, but we want more. It was all so good.

"H" also spent a day with her BFF from school and had a good homecooked meal by our gracious hosts. All in all it was an incredible week.

On the way back to Maryland we stopped in Vermilion, Ohio to visit "H"s previous address. It was the first time I have ever seen any of the great lakes and this "cute" little town is right on the shore of Lake Erie.

Here is a picture of Vermilion and Lake Erie. Pretty nice!

Also visited some friends in the town and came on back to MD. By way of a 3 car crash on the interstate and about a 2 hour delay (or shall we just call it a 2 hour STOP!) Any way we are back in MD.

p.s. Splash did just fine and met some new friends at the kennel and, according to the attendant, Splash does play well with others.

Well...Thats about it for now. Will update more later...looking forward to visits from friends and family during the next two weeks.

Love ya,
KK

Here We ARE!!!

Greetings one and all...well we are finally in Deale, MD. and just let me say that it is incredible. We have had a couple of "HOT" days (in the 80's) and some really very nice summer weather. Today, it has been raining and cool, very cool. It is expected to be in the 90's on Wednesday before the next cool front moves through.

We had a very uneventful trip here and made it in the 2 days we had planned. Arrived at the boat and everything "seemed" normal. HOWEVER...

We were running the water and it appears that there was a certain "orange" tinge to the hot water. So we emptied and filled the tank several times and still orange. So after investigating we decided a new hot water heater was in order. (How much fun can one person stand?) Purchased said water heater and began to remove the old and install the new...

Just to give you an idea of what's involved. The heater cost about $300.00 for the unit and about an additional $100.00 for the hardware to connect the thing. But we got it connected on one day (and it was a perfect day for such work, cool and windy - perfect). However...we also had to reconnect the heater to the engine (so that when we are not on shore power, the engine will make hot water for us). Well something about bubbles in the line and bleeding said line...it was just too much for this amateur so got help from the marina manager and it was done in about 15 minutes. We now have HOT HOT water and plenty of it. However,

During the bleeding purging process discovered that the engine would not start with just battery power. OPPS...Little did we know that battery life is aboiut 2 years (3 at best) and this is our fourth year. So we need 2 new batteries. One deep cycle and the other a starter battery. There is a difference but we do not need to go there... So we are waiting for the batteries and they should be installed on the morrow! (Tuesday).

So for now I think we have had all the problems we need for a season and we are ready to go sailing.

There was a party at the marina on Saturday night for office help leaving and 25 year anniversary of the marina. Very nice...Had lots of food...some had lots to drink and there was liver music which was exceptional. Nice to see everyone again and get caught up on all the news!

Today we are taking advantage of the cool and rain to get some chores done away from the boat. Next week we are going to Indiana to H's childhood area and will be boarding Splash so we checked out the kennel (very very nice, he will just love it) and also got his Kennel Cough shot (didn't really mind!) Also our weekly Starbuck's and bill paying and getting caught up here.

Trust all are doing well and staying cool?

Will check in later...(p.s. it appears the wi fi at the boat is non-existant so we will be only updating away from the marina!)

We will enjoy and be careful...Love to all....
H and KK

Another Year - 2011

Well we are in the process of getting ready to leave and head up to the boat. It's been a good winter but it's time...I (KK) went a couple of weeks ago to get her ready and cleaned and everything appears to be just fine.

The weather was raining and stormy, but there's nothing quite as nice as a raining afternoon and very overcast to catch up on much needed naps. Loved it.

As Easter was so late this year, we are going to be leaving about 12 June (Pentecost) or shortly thereafter. We are still deciding on route and timing. There is a 25 Anniversary party at the marina on 18 June, so we are trying to decide to go or not to go!!! Decisions decisions!

We are also in the possession on a new IPhone, and it works just great at the marina. Last year we had problems connecting to WI-FI at the marina.
So we will see how all that works now. The "plan" is to go to a good
WI-Fi once a week for paying bills and updating the blog. I can't imagine trying for very long on the phone. (I just don't have the patience!)

Well that's it for now...talk to you all soon.

Love to all!

20 September 2010

It has been a long time. But connection at marina is not good...But here we are at Starbuck's and we have time for a quick update.

We have been busy...all of the teak has been sanded and Cetol'ed and glossed. It looks really good but it is a lot of work.

There has also been 2 Saturday Night of entertainment at the marina. One was a local singer and the other a singer that has a boat at the marina. Nice way to spend a Saturday night.

Weather has been incredible. 70's-80's during the day and low 60's at night. nice sleeping weather. Have included a couple of pictures of sunset and visitors to the boat. We are surrounded by birds, ducks geese.

Trust all is well and love to all..

H and KK

08 September 2010

Here we are, we made it though Labor Day and am now enjoyhing the peace and quiet of the Western Shore. AAHHHH! It's been windy and a little warm, but nights have been very very pleasant and GREAT sleeping weather.

Connection at the marina is minimal so it doesn't appear that we will be updating this until we travel "all the way" to Starbucks. (Of ghee).

We have started on our fall project on the boat (redoing all the teak work). I get to sand and scrape and "H" will be applying the Cetol (kind of like a varnish!) We did have a slight problem with one of the port windows leaking, but after a couple of tries and some prayers and silicone, it no longer leaks.

Believe that we will be getting our outboard motor for the dinghy so we will be able to adventure out of the marina and spend nights anchored. Always a pleasant time and so enjoyable. It'll be interesting to see how Splash gets along on the dinghy.

Since we have arrived we have not taken any pictures, but we now at least have the camera on board so there is a chance.

Will keep this updated as much as possible.

Keep safe and love to all.
H and KK

03 September 2010

Well we are all safe and ready to return to the bay. We secured the boat in preparation for Earl's arrival. It did turn east and so we had some rain but no wind and it appears the high tides and storm surge did not materilize. (Thank you!) Given the same circumstances we would do the same again. No sense in being foolish.

We will work to get the boat back to "normal" and it looks like the weekend is going to be wonderful. There is a cool front passing through so we should have temperatures closer to normal (80's).

Hope everyone enjoys their holiday weekend. And we'll keep you updated as to what is happening in the land of Deale.

H and KK

01 Sept. 2010

Well here we are back where we belong. We arrived late last night (late for us!) and the boat was nice and cool thanks to Rockhold Creek Marina turning on the A/C.
SWEET!!!

Woke up this morning to a beautiful morning, lots of sunshine, a little breeze and the words of NOAA, "Minimal impact from Earl, unless it tracks significantly west of it's present course." So, we are going to make sure that all is tightened down and secure, spend Thursday night at a local hotel and plan on returning to boat on Friday. We will continue to monitor the storm's progress and adjust plans accordingly.

One of the things we enjoy about this time of year is the absence of people. It's just so quiet. Have lots to do this trip (mainly sanding and teaking (always a pleasure!)

Well that's about it for now...Will check in later...enjoy this first day of September.

H and KK

29 AUGUST 2010

Well here we are again. We have been home for about a month and have had a wonderful time, although we have been busy. I suspect the big news is that our youngest grand daughter turned one year old, right on schedule. A good time was had by all.

The weather here has been brutal but we have survived and we are looking forward to some cooler weather. We had planned to spend a couple of days at the beach on the Gulf, but have decided to go straight to the boat. It appears that hurricane Earl could be a concern and we would rather be at the boat, preparing for the storm, than traveling to the boat. We both agree we can resume our play time at a beach once Earl decides what he's going to. (Just another benefit of retiring, we can change plans and not ruin any!)

Also while we were home, we redid our upstairs bathroom. We have become the little DIY'ers, with a little help from our family and friends.

We will update this blog again whenever we can.

Stay turned as Away we go again!




Our youngest having a grand time...

14 July 2010

Happy Bastille Day!

Sorry this has been so long. For some reason the connection at the dock has been less than good. (Read stinky!) So we are now sitting at Starbuck's enjoying a White Chocolate Mocha. It is raining here so a day is being well spent.

We have had some incredible sailing last week and over the weekend. Although one day was incredibly nice and the wind was blowing just right so I took down the Bimini (cover over the cockpit). BIG mistake! Splash was in his little life preserver and he got hot. Took him out of the heat and he decided to get sick. By the time we realized it, it was toooo late! H went down to help the little guy and let's just say that she returned a different color then when she left. (Green is NOT her color).

But we put the bimini back up and we have all recovered.

We have also had several powerful evening and morning storms. High winds, torrential rains and lightning/thunder. Amazing.

Today is overcast and it is raining off and on. Hence the trip to Starbucks.

Last Saturday night we did have some entertainment on the point. (at the marina). Very enjoyable. One of the people here is a singer and accompanist and he sings 60's-80s song. Just our type of "pop" music. He started prior to 7p and ended at about 10p. Had a great time visiting with other slip holders and enjoying the cool bay breeze and listening to really good music.

Getting a lot of our chores done on the boat. Those things that needed to be done and we never had time for. So we have been busy and just enjoying ourselves. I am going to post pictures so hope that you enjoy!

Love to all...
H and KK



Entertainment on the Point


Before the Heat!


Helmsperson


Same but different


Relaxing...


Our view of sailing (this is a sailors version of "spaghetti")


Others doing the same as we are!


On our way to the marina


"Red Right Return"

09 July 2010

Short but sweet today....this is what a storm coming up the bay looks like from a boat - pretty much gets your full attention RIGHT AWAY! All is well.

05 July 2010

Just not a whole lot is happening around here today. Mostly boats are returning to the marina after the long weekend. As for us, we did some shopping (grocery) and some chores and then some pool time. It's getting HOT again and no wind. (A friend here at the marina, who went away for the weekend, said that out of the 60 miles traveled, only about 4 were under sail). NO WIND!

We did go out for dinner and had a good meal, and saw the following on the way home. (this is the only one that we could get a picture of, actually we saw 3.) Just so much fun.

Love to you,
H and KK





p.s. Splash is doing well, and it's so nice to have all those fireworks over and a quiet marina.

04 July 2010

Happy Independence Day!

What a fun weekend! Although we talked and the holiday is really defined by the events and not by the day. Monday is the holiday, but for us it is just Monday after the 4th of July. Interesting feeling.

But we watched fireworks from the boat last night. At least some of us did. It seems a local eating (drinking) establishment here had their home grown fireworks very close to the marina and little one did not like that one bit. Very frighting. So had to take him down below and hold him. But the scheduled fireworks were awesome.

Today we just kind of did nothing. Just lazed around and went to the pool as it is getting hotter again and the pool is so comforting. Talked for a while with friends and came back, had dinner and now just sitting in the cockpit and enjoying the cooling breezes and HOPING for no more home grown fireworks.

Have included a couple of interesting pictures of boats at the marina. It's really great to see all the boats with flags flying and really celebrating the day.

Enjoy the holiday...

Love to all...
H and KK

01 July 2010

To say there's not much happening here would be an understatement. A cool front has come through and we are enjoying lows in the 60's and highs in the 70's. However, this is not expected to last, but we are enjoying it while we can.

We have been out sailing and enjoying the steady wind and cooler temperatures. When we get back to the marina, we have been going to the pool and have been the only one's there. It's so nice to have our own private pool. However, expect that will not last long either, given the coming weekend.

Other than that, we are just enjoying ourselves and really not doing much else. AHHHH, what a life.

Until later...take care...

Love ya,
H and KK

29 June 2010

Seems amazing that it was over a month ago that we left our respective jobs, and here we are, sitting on the back of the boat, drinking coffee and eating blueberry pancakes. (No, I don't think it gets any better than this!)

Yesterday and the day before that and the day before that was HOT and HUMID (no dry heat here friends). But had a nice little storm yesterday and this morning it is just beautiful, although cloudy. As luck would have it we have an errand that we have to do, so into Annapolis at some point today! (It's all my fault, medicine and age, what a crappy combination!)

Other than that, we have NO idea where the time goes but it sure is nice. Splash is healing nicely. (although we had to go to Petsmart the other day and he decided he needed to pee in one of the aisles. Now that was a new one!) But H checked out and I cleaned up and Splash just looked like he was innocent of any wrong doing!

Trust all is well?

Love to all,
H and KK

24 June 2010

Quite a little day today...Actually started last night. We noticed that Splash had a sore on his paw and he was licking it constantly, so this morning we were off to the vet (at PetSmart). Appears to have some kind of infection, but is on antibiotics and need to soak his little paw twice a day in Epsom Salt. (We'll see how that works out).

It's been hotter than my concept of hell for these last couple of days. Thank heaven we've had the pool to play in. We are now waiting for the storms to arrive, which we hope will cool things off. Or at least lower the humidity.

Later...

Storm was a non-event. Actually just a little wind, less rain and more humidity.

25 June 2010..

Nice cool morning so we thought we would venture out into the bay...had just a short excursion and then back in. We all seemed to have survived. Looking forward to more days like today.

Hot again today, but at least no storms predicted. All quiet here at the marina but should get busier for the weekend. (it is the weekend?)

Trust all are well and we will check in later...Love to all....

Here are some random pictures:

"OUR" pool
"OUR" boat (34 feet, O'Day)
"OUR" Gazebo at the point(Marina's Park)
Boat from the point at the marina
View from the point
Full moon over marina

23 June 2010 (late)

Sorry, it's been a while...but it's been Hot and humid...and just doing things that I have put off until retirement and retirement is now here.

Will try to update on the morrow, but until then...Have a good evening...

Love ya....

20 June 2010

Happy Father's Day one and all...Hope you're days are as good as our's.

Although yesterday was a bust. (every hear of too much wind?). We decided not to venture out and we are glad that we stayed where we were. Several boats returned to the marina and had a rough time getting into their slips. One poor chap actually crashed in to the pier. But we did have a life jacket drill...





All passed so we are ready to go.

Today, Sunday was a HOT and humid day with no wind. We took ride to West Marine (where Splash made his entrance in our back pack) and also went into Annapolis. Really busy and too hot to walk.

For those interested, we had an incredible supper of Fresh Crab Salad, Shrimp Salad and Cucumber Salad. Cool, refreshing and tastes good, enjoyed on board.

What's really nice is that if we are not able to do something today we know that we have tomorrow and the day after. No real schedule for having to get things done...We were just talking that we probably would be leaving to return home tomorrow if this had been just a long weekend...So it's so nice to know we are not leaving and will sail another day.

Have a good week and love you...
H and KK

19 June 2010

Happy Saturday ya'll!

We didn't get to this yesterday as the day just seemed to have evaporated. Before we knew it, it was dark and time to go to bed. Very cool evenings here on the bay.

Doing mostly chores that need to get done. Cleaning and washing and taking little one for his walks. I think we will be venturing out today, it's a beautiful sunny day and there appears to be a wind. So out comes everyone's life jackets and away we go...

Have a good day and catch up later...

Love,
H and KK

17 June 2010

Up much to early... we really have to work on that...Coffee and breakfast on deck and just enjoying the sun and the cool breeze. A person could get use to this.

Had some chores to do. So took care of refreshing the water...cleaning the decks and cockpit and general housekeeping...ICK...it was then time to tackle the chore of the day. Getting the dinghy and putting it together and making sure it worked. Turned into less of a job than expected. A little bigger than we thought it was going to be, so had to get another slip to store it in. But all in all...not bad.

It was then time to get our other chores (off marina type) done. West Marine, local hardware store and off to the "big" supermarket. (after we had Ice Cream at Friendly's, a New England Ice Cream establishment. Thus fortified, we did our grocery shopping and returned to boat.

Read the Morning New York Times, via Kindle, and "H" prepared supper. Delicious, pork chops, New Red Potatoes, green beans and apple sauce. It doesn't get much better than this.

Took Splash for his evening constitutional, and back to do some reading, some dog grooming...and just enjoy the night. It is clouding up, but no rain is expected...so we're good.

That's about all, just a really comfortable type of day...(there will be more of these).

Enjoy your days and we'll see what tomorrow will bring...tomorrow..

Love to all....

p.s. almost forgot, Splash is really getting use to the boat. We were on the bow of the boat (the front) talking with some neighbors and looked down and who do you suppose had made his way up to the bow. Now we need to be careful of where he is and make sure he does not go to far. Stay tuned....

16 June 2010

Well here we are...After a short ride from Norfolk to Deale, MD. we are now at the boat. Splash was our main concern once we got here, not knowing his reaction to it all...But he seems to be adjusting and loves sitting out back with Mom and Dad and do "nothing". However, he does not like the air conditioning, so we are going to have to deal with that.

Got unpacked, (mostly) and went to Pettie Greens for dinner. "H" had fried oysters and actually found a pearl in one of them. (It was a good think she did not bite into it). I had my hamburger (medium rare, and that's the way it comes). What a great way to begin.

Did a little shopping (grocery) at the local market and will go to the "big" city tomorrow to get what we need.

We found the boat in great condition and it is so nice and cool here (at least for today and tonight. Low for the evening is expected to be in the 60's). There is a threat of thunderstorms and it is humid, but a nice breeze off the bay.

We are borrowing another marina's internet connection so not sure how good or reliable it's going to be...We'll update as we can but until then...

Have a pleasant evening, pleasant dreams...and love ya'll.