Todd has continued to work with the electrician installing our new electronics. Thursday the winter wrap came off and Friday the radar arch began to demonstrate our new technology. I haven't been up to see the new equipment and have been warned the boat is still 'a mess' inside. I don't want to see the mess.
The radar arch now sports a new Raymarine radar dome, 2 new GPS receivers and a new AIS receiver. There is a new rear view camera for sterning into docks but the picture isn't clear enough to see it (I need to clean Todd's phone lens!).
Ocean Breeze is scheduled for launch next Friday, May 7th. The mattress is ready to be taken to the boat. We plan to take it over Thursday or Friday and get it into the boat before launch. I always get a little panicky around this time thinking 'what if...'
Worse yet, we have begun to worry about the Gulf Oil Spill and the impact it could have on us and our plans. Obviously, we don't want to start down the river system from Chicago without some certainty we will be able to enter the Gulf waters in November. A thread has started on the Great Loop web site giving us some view of on site conditions and forecasting from the area of concern. This doesn't only impact those of us getting ready to start the Loop, but also those currently Looping and looking forward to going home to Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.
We can't overlook the impact on those living in the Gulf and dependant on the Gulf waters for their livelihood. Our thoughts and prayers are for all of these folks.
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