Great Loop Date 08.13.2010: Oh How We Love Lake Erie !!!

Todd and I had decided to leave Bay Point on Friday so we could finish up a few tasks.  We knew once we set Ocean Breeze on course, these last tasks just might not be completed.  Todd washed the boat and organized compartments in the cockpit.  I went through old and broken equipment left by the previous owner and organized the pilothouse and salon.

As we worked, dockmates and friends began arriving to enjoy the weekend.  Even the Good Year blimp came overhead to wish us safe voyage.

It didn't spell out 'Bonn Voyage Ocean Breeze'!  Why???

We finished our tasks, took down our water hoses and power cords, relieved our docklines...and we were underway!  What a great feeling...to know that everything was as ready as possible for our 10 month trip...and the trip is NOW.

Good bye T-18...see you next June (and nobody better have their boat in our slip!).

Goodbye Bay Point!

After fueling at Battery Park (Bay Point has no diesel fuel), Todd turned Ocean Breeze to the North.  The wind had picked up from the East, but waters were still clear.  When Erie gets angry, she turns a muddy brown that resembles chocolate milk.  We expected some wave build up from the wind and knew we'd rock and roll some taking the waves on the starboard beam.  We didn't expect 4 to 5 foot waves once we left Mosley Channel!

Good old Lake Erie!  We're pretty used to her after 25 years and 5 boats.  Before we got into the waves, I had moved everything I could think of into 'crash position' (to the floor or in a sink).  Ocean Breeze ran well.  She took the waves like the big boat she is, plowing through and rolling enough to put anything on the floor that I had forgotten to move.

Hello Lake Erie... 

It's going to be a boat wash...

Oh yeah, she goes white with water!

And then it's over that fast...waiting for the next wave to hit!

Todd enjoyed the wet ride above.  He had piloted some from the station in the pilothouse (where I took refuge and shot pictures of the bath we were taking).

Put in Bay is a safe harbor and we were glad to get in and attach Ocean Breeze to a mooring ball.  Todd had a challenge keeping OBs nose to the wind so I could lasso the mooring.  I have to say, he's one good pilot!

With the boat settled in, we took our wine, cheese and crackers to the bridge and watched the sunset on our first day of the next 10 months.  Ahhhhhh.....

This IS the day...

There were times we wondered if we'd EVER get here!  All the work is aside, all the packing is done and Charlie has finally stopped his incessant panic panting that overtook him these last few days.

So many folks have surprise us with Bonn Voyage gifts, cards and well wishes.  We are very fortunate to have such good and caring friends and neighbors.  We've gotten some wonderful wine to relax with on our bridge in the days to come.

Todd and I left the house Wednesday afternoon with our last load for the boat.  We received a call from Laurel and Rory, the managers (and our maintenance team) from Mike's Dockside.  They wanted to know where we were.  Hmmm...why would the folks totally in charge of the care of our boat for the last 4 years wonder where we were and when would we get to the boat?  45 minutes later, we found out!

Before I even opened the door, I knew something was going on!  Laurel, you are awesome!  You just know how to say it, girl!

OMG, opened the door and look at those flowers.  What you can't see is the crackers, glasses and note that sent us to the fridge.

Now that's class!  Champagne, crackers, cheese and fruit!  We stopped and enjoyed the moment.

 
Thank you Laurel and Rory.  You are the best.  I hope Mike (Mike's Dockside) knows what a great team they have in you.  See you (and the HOG) in KW!

Thursday we ran a few more errands and drove our car home one last time.

Good bye house...see you next year!

Our good friends, the Bells, picked us up and drove us back to Bay Point.

Thank you Dave and Peg...see you in KW!

We officially became live-aboards last night.  Today, we become Loopers.

Our first stop will be:

Put in Bay, South Bass Island.  The adventure begins...

2 Days Until Cast Off: ...Or Maybe 3 Days

So much has been going on at the boat and the house, Todd and I are starting to get confused!  We've been traveling so frequently between Lake Erie and home there's little time to consider anything in between.  The final permanent move to the boat will be welcome, if not just to know we can sit down and think about one thing...the adventure itself.

Friday evening we had our friends and neighbors over to the house so they could become acquainted with each other.  All of them have followed us through our two winter trips to Florida but have never met.  The friends have always left little mementos at our house to let us know they miss us and want us to come home.  The neighbors have always wondered about the mementos and taken care to hide them hoping to keep us out of trouble.  We love both our neighbors and friends very much.  Through this meeting, we're pretty sure there is going to be a great deal of adventure on the home front with a new cooperation between friends and neighbors.  We'll make sure to include that adventure in our story telling here on blogspot.

Our son, David, had his 20th high school reunion during this weekend, as well.  He was coming and going just as we were flying around like crazy people.  We were glad to see him before our cast off.

Always good to have a sailor around!

Oh yes, and our ADT alarm system was installed on the same afternoon as our party!  Truly an interesting day, especially since the system wouldn't set up as it was supposed to.  So now we wait for the ADT installer to get back to us today or tomorrow to finish the job.

Sunday, after our last appearance at our home church for a while, we went to breakfast our good friends, the Bells, who will eventually leave us at Ocean Breeze.  From there, we went to Bay Point for our feast and send off with our good boating friends, the Alms and the Warburtons.

Seafood-fest 2010 provided as a going away present from our good friends and boating buddies.

In all honesty, our adventures in boating began with these fine folks.  We have traveled all of our lake adventures with them.  We just wish we could take them on our adventure...and I think they wish they could come too.  They will be joining us at different points of the adventure and we look forward to sharing it with them.

Yesterday, we had all the carpeting in the boat cleaned.  It looks GREAT!  I don't see how we can keep it that way but we sure will try.

After the carpet cleaner finished, we had a surprise visit from two more friends who have been out of boating for some time now.  We've been able to see the Hanolds in trips to Columbus but just not as much as we'd like.  I don't think there is a week that goes by without Todd and I wondering how they are doing.  We needed to take Ocean Breeze out for one last shakedown and having the Hanolds and Alms onboard made it just that much more fun for us.  Ocean Breeze ran well and all systems seem ready for the long trip ahead.

We came back home last night and have loose ends to tie up today and tomorrow.  Hopefully we will be able to go back to Ocean Breeze tomorrow evening and basically say our final goodbyes to our home for a while.  Should everything go as planned, Todd will drive the car back on Thursday afternoon and our good friends, the Bells, will return him to the boat.  We will wait until Friday to cast off from Bay Point and begin our adventure, weather permitting.

PS We were able to enjoy one last Wilson's hamburger with our favorite couple, Todd's brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Vernice Russell.

See you two love birds next spring ;-)

 AND the security system set-up was completed and is functioning well.  Hopefully we won't set it off and bring the police department over for our send off from home!

6 Days Until Cast Off: Life in the Bilge...

Today was Class Day with our mechanics, Rory and Clay.  We learned how to:

• change the drive belts on the Cummins engines
• change the impellers on the Cummins and the Westerbeke generator
• change the fuel filters in both engines and the generator
• the location of the engine and generator zincs
• change the Raycor fuel filter/separators in the fuel lines to the engines and the generator

At the end we were EXHAUSTED!  I think we both understand that younger folks should be climbing and crawling and doing this stuff.  HOWEVER, should we come upon a problem, we have been well introduced to our engines...and they are AWESOME.

You have to love two engines that big !!!

Clay and Todd changing engine fuel filters

Clay and Todd changing the impeller in the port engine

Professor Rory, our bilge class teacher...and boss.  Rory has taken a lot of time helping us, putting together our emergency maintenance kit and supporting our adventure.

Rory cranked those two beautiful Cummins at the end of class day and I gotta tell you, it always brings tears to my eyes.  My dad always told us he'd buy us to nice big diesel engines...and he did.  I see my dad's big smile and proud chest when those two Cummings are humming.  Thank you, dad...I love my boat.

After class day, we weren't yet done.  Todd went about installing a cellular antenna for the signal booster, router and air card.  I did help him run the antenna wire from the arch to the salon but for the most part, he planned and used knowledge he learned while working with the electronics installer.  These next few days he is working with the router and the air card to sync them up with our laptops and, later, our wireless printer.

While he was busy, I installed an LED anchor light and unpacked another load of can goods and supplies....and taking a few more pictures of work completed.

That big bulb on the flybridge is our new Raymarine Satellite dome providing us with Dish TV.  The bimini canvas is new, as well as all of the canvas seat covers, two screens for doors and some other canvas pieces that can't be seen in the picture.  Ocean Breeze is sitting pretty!

I only have our fall clothes to pack into space bags and I'm finished.  I do need to do some of the routine tasks on the boat (defrost the refrigerator, clean the windows, clean out the bilge, etc.), but that's part of boat living.

The only vendor tasks left are:

• the carpeting will be cleaned on Monday
• the boat will be waxed today and tomorrow
• the new bar faucet will be installed today

Tonight we party with our good friends and neighbors who will be keeping an eye on the house in our absence.  We look forward to relaxing and good conversation.  They are truly living the experience with us...and most are planning to meet up with us during different periods of the adventure.  We look forward to that, as well.  Thank you Ann and Dennis, Lyn and Kevin, Dave and Peg, Roger and Donna, and Kim.  We are so very appreciative of your friendship and caring.  You ARE truly special folks!

We will be taking these last days now, to get our house in order.  A new security system will be installed this afternoon.  The lawn and snow removal service has been contracted.  My wonderful cleaning lady will continue to come and keep our home ready for us.  She's hoping we make a few trips back during the adventure...which is not out of the question.  There is more but it exhausts me to think about what we've done and are doing to be ready.

SO, Thursday we will move onto Ocean Breeze and out of our home sweet home.

9 Days to Cast-Off: Everything IS Coming Together...

So much happened last week, my head is spinning!  The Satellite Dome was installed Tuesday and Thursday, amid the mess in the salon.  I didn't even bother to go up on Thursday.  I'd done all I could on Tuesday and didn't really want to look at the mess again.

Amid all this, it was time to update our cell phones.  I went in thinking I'd be coming back out with the updated Blackberry Curve.  I really shouldn't touch anything when we go shopping.  I really SHOULDN'T.  We both came out of the Verizon store with Motorola Droids.  Such powerful little computers!  Just amazing what can be put in the palm of your hand now.  HOWEVER, why on earth would I want to add insult to injury by learning a new phone NOW?  I keep telling myself it is an exercise for my brain to keep it strong.

Todd helped the electronics installer finish getting the Satellite Dome to talk to the Dish satellites.  He called me to let me know we could watch 120+ channels now.  Oh, and by the way, the holding tank is being installed.  Oh yeah, and the canvas is going on.  At that, I think I had to sit down and take in what I was hearing.

We got a call from the maintenance folks on Friday afternoon.  They had the holding tank installed and tested.  It was working fine.  They reinstalled the floor and would be back on Saturday morning to move the couch back in place.  I know this sounds easy to most, but everything in a sea-going boat is very heavy and must also be anchored down.  We understood well what they had yet to do.

Saturday we went to the boat, loaded with more gear to store.  I was thrilled with what I saw!  Ocean Breeze is basically ready to head out on a most thrilling adventure!

Remaining on the to-do list:

• The bar faucet is due to come in tomorrow.  Hope to install it on Thursday.
• Thursday we will learn how to do many necessary tasks to keep those big Cummins hummin' and our little Westerbeke Generator happy (changing impellers, Raycor diesel fuel filters, cleaning out sea strainers, changing belts, changing duck bills...).  We've changed the oil every year, so we're pretty organized there.  Our mechanic has put together an emergency kit for the engines and Ginney.  After our 'education day', we're on our own, basically.
• Sunday is our final moving day.  We will become live-aboards.  I'm so ready.  This dual life is exhausting not to mention a test for the brain!

During some of my downtime at home, I've been experimenting with GeoCharts online.  I will be able to give our blog-followers a clip of the chart and trip in segments.  I've put together the first 15 legs we think we will log.  Of course, any of these routes can change.  It is an adventure.  We go where we go, we stop where we stop.  Time is on our side...there are no deadlines.  I can't tell you how good that feels!

Oh yes, Charlie learned to use his Pet Potty Grass in the cockpit this weekend!  Now Todd is not so sure he likes the idea.  At $98.00 for 4 feet by four feet of plastic lawn (which, by the way, requires no mowing!), I don't see it going away anytime soon.  Another nice feature is avoiding the fire drill to get the dinghy launched, Charlie tied in, racing to land only to find deep mud and bog and left wondering where to take him to relieve himself.  I'm hoping it will wash off well once Charlie's habit is well set.

17 Days Until Cast-Off: Relax, It's Going to be Okay...

Todd and I went to Ocean Breeze today.  The electronics installer was coming to set up the satellite TV dome.  I briefly thought of not going.  I wasn't certain I wanted to see the 'disaster area'.  However, my curiosity got the better of me.  This is what welcomed me: 

The gaping hole was easy to find, as well:

While the electronics installer worked, we decided to go to the mechanics shop to find out when the new holding tank might be in.  It sounds like the installation may be completed by the weekend.  The new holding tank is in route.  They expect it to come in Wednesday and will install it Thursday and Friday.  Oh yes, and the culprit was sitting quietly in the parking lot.

Needless to say, I'm glad to be rid of it!

So, as usual, when things are complicated, we know just how to cure our frustrations.

Oh yes, and our normally unaffected Charlie:

Charlie developed a hot spot last Thursday.  So he's not his usual self either.

20 Days Until Cast-Off: Charlie is Ready to GO!

Taking a pet on an adventure such as this takes as much planning as it does for his 'humans'.  So many things have to be considered.  Enough of his favorite food and treats need to be stored so it's available when there are no pet stores around.  Plenty of his monthly flea and heart worm treatment needs to be purchased for more than the number of months planned for the journey.  His annual physical and shots need to be taken care of before the trip begins.  An emergency kit needs to be put together with medications and printed dosages just for dogs.  And, of course, there is the issue of going to the bathroom on the boat when there is no land available.

Charlie had his physical this morning along with all his annual boosters.  I had his rabies vaccination given a year early as well as his booster for canine influenza.  Since we hope to go to the Bahamas for a few weeks, I wanted to make sure there was no question when it came to rabies vaccination.  I started vaccinating him for canine influenza last year before our trip to Florida.  There is a growing problem of that infection that began in the racing greyhounds and has spread into the general canine population.  Anyway, that required a booster which was shot up his nose.  Poor guy...he is a bit down in the mouth now.  He really thought he was at the vet just to meet and greet other dogs and cats!

I got a Veterinary Health Certificate and a copy of all his records to carry with us.  The Bahamian government requires a permit issued from their government offices at the cost of $10 cash or money order (no checks or charge....hmmm, interesting, eh?).  It has to be issued no more than 10 months before we plan to visit.  I'll have to send for that when we get to Key West.

They also require that a 'Veterinary Health Certificate be presented to a Bahamian licensed veterinarian within 48 hours of arrival', or so the information from their website says.  The caveat there is the Health Certificate is only good for 10 days from the time it is written by our veterinarian!  I could probably get another one from the vet in Marathon Key just before we make the transit, however there is no guarantee as to when we will cross.  Weather is a huge factor and we could be waylaid for more than 10 days waiting for welcoming seas.

The biggest problem right now is getting Charlie 'trainned' to the back deck of our boat.  We finally had success last weekend after he swam while we were anchored.  The guy drinks half the lake when he's swimming so urgency caused him to 'go' on the back deck.  He was sooooo embarrassed...and then confused because he was praised and treated as if something good had happened.

We actually got him to 'go' one more time in the same place later that afternoon.  However, since then he has refused.  And his refusal lasts, and lasts, and lasts!  He has gone as long as 23 hours when I finally gave in and took him to the grassy run to 'go'.

Many pet owners have had excellent results with Pet Potty grass.  Some have been lucky with flower pots and other assorted ornaments that have been 'endoctrinated' by other dogs.  I bought a 4' by 4' piece of Pet Potty grass but haven't been able to try it out on the boat yet.  I did put it in the back yard for a trial.  Charlie walked across it, turned around and looked at it...and that was that.  I hope it works better on the back deck.

Yesterday I walked around Big Lots and found a mushroom and shovel lawn ornament on sale.  I decided to pick it up and see if I could get some help for Charlie from the neighborhood dogs.  It sits in front of our house by the sidewalk waiting for donations.

No Charlie, we can't take the post too!

And that's it for today's fun...(oh yeah, the canvas will get started next week...any bets there?)