2023-10-08 At the dock and working hard - unexpected issue with washer

We hung out a couple days at anchor, and did nothing, but it was great, as it gave us the chance to recover from our Flu/Covid (pretty sure Covid, but we did not test).  On Tuesday afternoon we headed the short 6 mile trip to New Bern, where we had a reservation at Galley Stores Marina.

Lots of small fish dead in the water on the trip up - think it was from agricultural run off - at least that is what the locals said.

Passing by dead little fishes

Unfortunately, some mix up in communication on the Marina's part - meant they only had room for one of us, but after an hour or so, we worked it all out.   Breathe - had to dock temporarily with no power until the next day around noon.  

Since we were not starting work on Breathe yet, we got the marina loaner car, and headed out to get some groceries, and had a nice dinner out of Mexican food.    

Next day Breathe moved to their new dock site around noon, so after lunch we started ripping out all the old electrical off the boat - batteries, inverter and wiring.   Got it all ripped out, and started running some new lines.  Kris had to crawl into a couple tight spots, and luckily Dean was on hand to pull her back out.

Kris in a locker on Breathe, working on wiring.

Kris getting helped out of locker by Dean

We met up with our friends on What If, and Sojourn, who drove to New Bern to meet us all for dinner.  Breathe, and some of their friend's joined as well, and we all had a fun time visiting.

The gang out for dinner.

New Bern has a nice little downtown, and we also enjoyed the walk to dinner and back.  Halloween décor is already up.

Jason goofing off with the Halloween decorations

Next day, back to work on Breathe.   Kris focused on tight cabinet work, and Dean made up wiring runs, and Jason and Monica helped everywhere.

Dean making sure the new batteries are topped up before install

Kris in the locker, installing bus bars and such

Had to take a break when our new purchase arrived - We ordered a new outboard motor for the dink.  An electric start and electric tilt - will be nice, as Kris had a hard time starting the old Honda 4 stroke pull start.  Hate to spend the cash, but sometimes quality of life matters, and this will help with that.

We were so happy to have Jason and Monica to help get it off the truck and down to the boat, as it weighs about 116 lbs.

New engine arrives.

Our new outboard

Went out for dinner again the next night with another Manta owner in the area - Cerca Trova.  They are new to the boat, and doing a bunch of projects, so the nights conversation was on boat work.

Another nice walk, and more views of New Bern

More Halloween decorations

One of the pretty homes in downtown New Bern

Next day was more boat work, but we had started some laundry, and our washer would not drain.   Finally got it drained, but a large squealing noise developed when it was spinning - so needed to check that out.   We got the washer out of the cabinet - no small feat - and started investigating.   Looks like our drum bearings are pretty shot - so now we have to make a big decision on what to do. - Fix or get new?

Washer out of cabinet, and checking out the squealing noise.

On Friday we did some more work on Breathe, finalizing the install, but had to take a break when our Walmart grocery delivery arrived.   Around $800 worth of groceries and supplies.

Now we just have to find space for it all inside.

Unfortunately, Walmart only had one package of our Lemon cookies.  - Will need about 6 more before we leave the US.

We went out for pizza dinner - it was Friday pizza night after all, and back to boat to relax, as the long work days were catching up with all of us, and Dean still recovering from Covid.

Saturday we walked to the Farmers Market, where Kris got some honey she was wanting, and then we walked too another marina to visit with Cerca Trova, and see the damage they got on their boat during a large storm. 

Nice artwork on the walk to the Farmers Market.

New Bern is known for being the birthplace of Pepsi-Cola, and also for having multiple bear statues located inside businesses, and outside as well.  They are all painted differently, and it is fun to see all the different ones.

One of the bears

Bear outside by Farmers Market

Bear at hardware store with Mums

Fun for the day over, it was back to work on Breathe electrical, and our broken washing machine.

Finished up on Breathe, except for some final configuration work, and decided to look for a new washing machine, as the bearings are near impossible to access and replace, and the machine has also had intermittent issues with draining.  Now begins the project of finding and getting it to the boat - and then through some very tight passages into the V berth.

2023-10-01 Boat isolation while sick

Kris had a good visit with family, but must have picked up something in the Airport on the way back, as Sunday she went down for the count, with fever, chills and cough.  Dean was back to single handing, but had a easy motor from the South Mills Lock, down to Elizabeth City.    

Kris helped dock the boat, but then retreated back inside to sleep and recover.     

The cold or flu or Covid - wiped Kris out for a couple days

Our friends on What If were also at Elizabeth City, and Dean had a good visit with them, staying a good distance apart, as not to pass on any sickness that Kris might have shared with him.

Dean made cinnamon rolls, thinking it would be a yummy food to have, and gave some to What If to enjoy.  Dean makes good cinnamon rolls, but frequently forgets to mix the raisins in, even though we talk about it before and during the making.  They are still yummy without the raisins, but even better with.   With him "single handing" the boat while Kris was sick - the raisins were forgotten until just before baking, so are sprinkled on top.    He will have to keep making them until he gets it right :)

Cinnamon rolls ready to bake

What If left early the next morning, so we just relaxed on the boat.  Dean walked into town and picked up lunch from Big Boss Burritos, and brought Kris back a burrito bowl as well, as she was still out of it.

Dean's taco lunch from Big Boss Burrito

Next day, Kris helped undock the boat, and then passed it over to Dean for the rest of the day, as she was still out of it.  Dean sailed down to the south End of the Alligator River where we docked for the night.

Next day Dean mostly on his own again, sailed to and anchorage off the ICW called Gale Creek, where we spent the next three days, sitting on the boat doing nothing, as now Dean had caught Kris's illness.  Kris was on the recovery, but still not energetic, and Dean going down.    We were going to go to our friend's dock in Oriental, but did not want to share any of our sickness, so we decided that waiting in out in an isolated anchorage was the best plan.

On Saturday, we headed out, this time with Kris single-handing as Dean rested, and made it close to New Bern, anchoring in Upper Broad Creek.

It was a cloudy chilly day, but a nice sail.

Cloudy chilly day on the Pamlico sound and Neuse river

We will anchor here for three days, before moving to the dock in New Bern, where we will help our friends on Breathe with an electrical project.

2023-09-23 Back to normal boat life

Last Sunday, our son Derek drove the 300 miles from Meridian, Idaho to Bend, Oregon to pick up Kris from visiting her parents, and drive back to Meridian - all in one day.  Long day for Derek, but he got to see his grandparents briefly, and of course enjoy the company of his mother for a 5.5 hour drive.

Discussion in the car ranged widely.  Covered topics including politics, gravity, electron flow in electrical wires, dating apps, relationships, gaming, getting old, and other interesting topics. 

Our son Derek, all grown up

While Kris and Derek where solving world issues, Dean was getting ready to move the boat from Mobjack Bay down to Portsmouth, where Kris would be flying back to.  Dean was busy on the boat doing many projects and cleaning including laundry, and he re-did the cabin floors.

Shiny nice floor

Dean hung out in Portsmouth for a few days. watching large boat traffic, and having visitors

3 of Deans visitors - he fed them Kris's whole wheat bread

Some of the big boat traffic going by the busy harbor 

Our friends on What If came to Portsmouth as well, and Dean and Ed enjoyed a nice long walk to the store and back.

What If heading out

While Dean did cleaning and polishing on the boat, Kris stayed busy with Derek, getting her new laptop ready - as hers had died before she left for the trip, and Derek being a computer whiz helped her pick a new one, and put in upgrades.

Kris flew in late Thursday, and Friday morning early we were on the water moving the boat.   A then Tropical Depression was heading up, and we wanted to be in a more protected area.   

There are always interesting things to see between Portsmouth and the entrance to the Dismal Swamp Canal along the ICW

Big ships always fun to look at

Interesting shape

We need this to lift out of the water in rocky anchorages

Stopped and got diesel at Top Rack Marina - which has consistently low diesel prices.   Were suprised how empty is was in the water, but saw the inside storage building was full.

Diesel only $3.88 per gallon at Top Rack Marina 

We timed the trip well, and made it to our first stop at Deep Creek, just in time to get lunch, and some groceries.

Going through Deep Creek Lock - no rain yet

Yes, that is two large pizzas - One for Kris and one for Dean

We did not spend the night, but pushed on in the rain and chilly temps, as the lock master had warned us that if any trees fell across the canal, we would be trapped for a while.   We decided to try to make the furthest south lock at South Mills.

Bundled up, motoring the Dismal in the rain

We made it just in time, and tied up along the wall between the South Mills bridge and lock

Charm tied up along the wall in the Dismal Swamp Canal at South Mills

We got lots of rain from now Tropical Storm Ophelia, but well protected from the wind.  The rain stopped by Saturday afternoon and Kris went for a short walk in South Mills.  It is a very small town, with quite a few run down homes, and some older nice ones.

Cute post office in South Mills

We will head out today for Elizabeth City, where we will wait for good winds to head further south.

2023-09-17 - Dean Sailing south in the Chesapeake Bay, Kris visiting family out west

Kris flew back to Idaho and Oregon leaving on Saturday, an adventure to say the least, We mentioned that in our last post, but did not include how she got to the airport. Her Uber ride was a Tesla   She convinced her driver to floor it to see how it accelerated, and was not disappointed as it pushed her back in her seat pretty good.

Kris's ride to airport

Meanwhile back at the anchorage, Baltimore/Rock Creek Anchorage, Ed and Cathy on What If had shown up and kept Dean company and even fed him.  Early Monday when the winds went to the north Dean sailed down to Annapolis area.

What If anchored at Rock Creek, also where Charm was anchored.

Dean anchored in Harness Creek by Quiet Waters Park. We have anchored there several times and it very peaceful, just a long walk anywhere.  On one of the walks came across 3 deer in the path, this one let me take its picture. 

Deer in park.

Kris finally got to Boise, and stayed with our son Derek in his apartment.   Derek is not an early riser, so Kris took a walk, and picked up breakfast.   One of our favorite doughnuts is a maple bar - which is a west coast only doughnut - have never found them on the east coast.    Since Kris was out west, she had to get one.

Derek has a two bedroom apartment, but has a roommate, so Kris slept in the living room.  Derek had made up a nice bed area, and even put a wall of storage bins up to give Kris some privacy.

The bed worked great, and Kris even got to spend time with Derek's cat Smokey, who was the family cat for 5 years before we left for the boat.

Boise is a nice town, and there are nice walking trails near Derek's apartment that Kris used each morning.

One of many walking trails and parks in Boise

Kris left Boise on Wednesday, and caught the Greyhound bus over to Bend, Oregon to visit her parents.

It is a 6 hour bus ride, but there were only 4 ladies on the bus plus the driver.  It was a large bus, so Kris travelled in comfort.

View from bus travelling across the high desert between Boise and Bend - not that normal ocean view when travelling we are used to 

Dean left on Thursday morning and sailed down to The Solomon's, roughly 35 miles with nice north winds

Nice start to Deans trip

Dean spent the night and left early on Friday and sailed 51 miles south to Deltaville.  The winds and waves were from behind, thanks to Hurricane Lee, so made good time.

Nice following seas in the Chesapeake

Saturday was a short 20 mile trip to Mobjack bay/East River.  There is a catamaran haul out marina so Dean walked and looked at a lot of big boats.  Another Manta, Indie II is hauled out but the owners are not around.  Dean will hang out at Mobjack until Tuesday and sail the 25 miles to Portsmouth and anchor at Hospital Point to pick up Kris on Thursday night when she flies back.

Dean wandered around Zimmerman's marina, which had lots of large cats on the hard

 

Nice calm anchorage in Mobjack Bay near Matthews town

Meanwhile, Kris has been visiting her folks, and trying to help out with a few projects around their property.   

View from the back patio at Kris's folks.  Not the normal view of water.  High Desert in Bend

Kris will head back to Boise today, to spend more time with Derek before flying back to Portsmouth.

2023-09-10 - Can you say HOT HOT HOT

We stayed at Rock Hall for a couple more days.  Did not go into shore - as we diagnosed issue with our outboard.  Our outboard prop hub is slipping, so we can not go faster than a putt putt, or prop hub fails, and just spins without moving the boat.  Worried about it failing completely, we did not want to make the long trip to land, and find we had to row our way back.   

In addition, it got HOT.  Temperatures in the high 90's, and with humidity the "feels like" temperature was up to 112 one day.  In addition, NO wind.

91 degrees inside the boat, plus humidity.  Luckily did not see above 91.

So we stayed on the boat, did miscellaneous small projects in the morning, but by lunch we were done, and spent the rest of the day, trying to stay cool in the shade, in front of a fan.   

Most the boats left the anchorage on Labor Day, so it was quiet again except for the crop duster flying overhead most the day - but that was fun to watch.

We did modify our boom vang, to give a little more support to the boom.  Dean had to customize some parts.

Kris jumped on the kayak, and cleaned the boat waterline.  Laying on the kayak between the two hulls was nice and cool.

We moved over to Rock Creek, near Baltimore in preparation for Kris to fly out.  Still HOT, so not much going on.

We had planned to walk to town on Thursday, as needed to pick up some Amazon orders, and get groceries for Dean.  Luckily a nice man at the marina where we left the dink offered us a ride, got to love the boating community.  We went to Ace Hardware, picked up our Amazon orders, had a nice lunch at Five Guys and got groceries at Safeway.   

No free ride back so we walked 2.7 miles back in 95 degree heat along the hot road in the middle of the day, hauling back our purchases.  Feel sorry for us yet :)    A very sweaty walk, we both took cold showers when we got back.

One of the purchases was a new prop for the dinghy.  You can see the old one is quite worn, the new one is 3 blades but we can still get up and plane.  We will be getting a new outboard in a month and selling the old one but it certainly could not sell in the non-running condition.

Old Outboard prop

New prop installed

On Friday afternoon, Ed and Cathy on What If came into the anchorage for a visit.  We had them over for pizza.  Nice visit - it was hot, but we did get some cooling breeze in the cockpit.

Relaxing in the heat after dinner - notice we even have a portable fan outside to help beat the heat

Dean and Ed solving world problems, just the important ones

Saturday, Dean took Kris to a boat ramp nearby, so she could catch an Uber to the airport for her flight to Boise, Idaho.  Which turned into a convoluted trip.  Kris got to the airport ahead of time, they loaded the plane ahead of time and then things went sideways.  The plane then was unloaded because of weather.  The plane was suppose to take off at 3pm but due to weather they now said 8pm which would not allow making the connection in Minneapolis to Boise.  Kris was reschedule to fly to Atlanta and catch a flight from Atlanta to Boise on Sunday.  Needless to say Kris did not have a smooth trip.