HAPPY HOLIDAYS Y'ALL!!!

That's right - official southern speak! We have been instructed by the local natives that it is perfectly acceptable for "northeners" to talk like this - it is socially correct and actually expected!! It has been a busy few weeks. Many, many snowbirds thru (it is about done now) and we have met a lot of new people. Two couples have been on the water for 40 yrs!! Talk about your stories - never ending!! Thanksgiving dinner was a potluck picnic with the deep fried turkey and ham (it's a southern thing) provided by the marina - it really was very good and takes a LOT less time to cook! Love those potlucks - such a variety of food and so good!!Those of us here had a picnic in 50 degree weather, with wind, but a bonfire and a "little" alcohol helped keep us warm!! Great fun! They plan on hosting another Christmas Day - there will be about 12-15 of the full timers here and I hope it is at least a little warmer!! We collected local pine cones and sprayed them with glitter and have a tiny tree on the table in the salon - just not enough storage for much decorating. There are several people on the dock who get together almost nightly to play - guitars mostly. Seems many boaters have some sort of musical talent. The biggest boat to tie up for the night was 85 ft, built in 1958 and looked like she was brand new. Asolutely gorgeous - a real classic. The current owner spent several million to restore her. Hard to wrap yur head around that!!! A few days ago Alan and a neighbor drove to pick up a bushel of fresh oysters. We shucked them and either cooked them on the grill or you could eat them raw - delicious! We were 3 couples and only had a couple dozzen or so left - oink,oink!! We have finished up most of the outside work as the weather will be pretty cool in Jan and Feb. Not to worry as there are many indoor projects. We did spend some time working out a "rough" cruise route for our trip to the Chesapeake. We plan to leave early April to arrive there early May. Just going to take our time, stop at some interesting places and enjoy the trip, plus build in some time for weather delays. We figure half the nights we will be in marinas and the other half at anchor. This trip planning is a big project - finding the best marina, finding the deepest and most protected anchorage, when to be at what point to take advantage of high tide so you dont' run aground, research blogs abd sites that will tell you of any problems on each daily stretch i.e. shoaling rocks, closed bridges etc. You plan as best as you can, and then just hope the weather cooperates. Will finish up by sending our sincere good wishes for a blessed holiday and New Year to you and yours xoxo

Christmas tree atop a mast !

Panacea as seen from a friend's boat

Thanksgiving picnic

Our biker gang

Walkin' the beach

Just another beautiful sunset - think I sent this before!

Two friends enjoying a good wine

 

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Rainy day in Georgia!!

Well, it's been a little longer than a week or so from my last blog. Made a quick trip to Colo to check on the cabin before the snow flew - as it was they received 4 in the night before and the roads were snowpacked!! All look great there - flew in on Fri and left Mon am. Came down with a bug after arriving home ('tis is the season!) but all is well now. Weather here has cooled to low 70's and is delightful. Just had a couple days of high (20 mph) winds and 50's but should warm up next week some. The weather is pretty changeable here and we are enjoying the change up now and then. Have finished polishing up the stainless on the boat!! Really looks good and beginning to look like someone really loves her!! Alan took the dinghy in to the DNR of GA so they could "inspect" it and it is now registered - legal schmegal to go anchor out. Now to try to get Sam into the dinghy from the boat (about an 8 ft drop) and to get him to "go" on the boat. This will be our next major challenge - we'll figure something out !! Getting our exercise in - between am walks to the beach, daily bikerides and walks up /down the dock we figure we are up to at least 8 mi/day. Pretty good for a couple of old farts!! The seasonal trek of snowbirds down the ICW has been steady since the first of the month - you can see 7-8 boats at a time coming down the creek - every size and shape you can imagine. Today we had our first tour boat pass by!! Couldn't believe our eyes - googled and found out there is a company that offers cruises thru the "Golden Isles" which is from N Carolina thru Georgia; leave from Charleston and run to Jacksonville, Fl. I am attaching a pic of a huge dredge that came thru along with all of it's "gear" - we figure it was almost 2 football fields long with 5 tugboats either pulling, pushing, or nudging to keep everything in line. After us the creek is a real zig zag - would love to have seen how they maneuvered thru there! Those tugs are amazing to watch. When I grow up I think I want to be a tug boat captain!! FINALLY have found a home for everything - now the front stateroom looks like a real guest room. Come see us!! They are starting to decorate the island for the holidays - it should be pretty spectacular. We plan on taking a tour of the "cottages" once they are decorated. The holidays still seem strange to us being warm as they are here. The marina is having a TG dinner - they supply the turkey and the ham and everyone brings a dish. We had planned to anchor out, but that probably won't happen unless Sam makes a sudden change. We registered for the AGLCA's (American Great Loop Cruising Assoc) Rendenzvous in Norfolk, VA beginning of May. A 4 day event that features speakers, vendors and a lot of "socializing". We are really looking forward to it as we will meet a lot of folks doing exactly what we are - should be a wealth of info and FUN!! That means we will leave here probably the middle of April. The adventure begins!! Hope this finds all well with you and yours - until next time!!!

Just another beautiful sunset!!

An angry ocean - tide up to the steps!

Just part of the drege barge

Beginning of the barge

On the beach one day - guy flying a drone with a camera - you could get on Utube and see everything the drone went over - scary!

 

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Settling in

Feeling right at home on Jekyll! Have spent the last week or so finding our way around and setting up a daily routine - can't live without a routine!! The weather is now in the upper 70 low 80's and it helps to movtivate a person to work outside on the boat. We are about half done with the stainless and it is looking sharp!! In the mornings we walk over to the beach and walk the dogs. Teddy loves the sand and Sam continues to bark at the waves. They have to be leashed. Guess Sam will never get over the waves - too much activity that needs to be herded! It wouldn't be so bad but he has a LOUD bark and he ingests enough salt water that he vomits. We just don't think that is probably good for him. Yesterday was quite windy here which moved the boat around and the waves "slap" when they hit the hull. We were working outside and Sam continually paced, whined and occaisonally barked. I finally took him to the back, made him lay down and calmly, quietly talked to him for about 10 min about how the wind made the waves and they make noise, but it's OK. He doesn't have to work so hard and he is my baby boy. I droned on and on until he got sleepy and went to sleep. Can you blame him? I do this with Alan, too - works very well!! We have been biking and surprised that we aren't sore - guess all the steps on the boat have conditioned us! The other day we set out and actually got lost - thankfully this is a small island!! The snowbirds are on their way down the ICW to Florida - the size of some of these boats is just amazing! Again, we are in the "baby" boat category. Can't imagine trying to navigate, maintain or even insure one of those babies!! Spent a day in Brunswick finding the grocery stores, Mecca ( Wworld )etc. Main goal was to find a laundromat and we found a lovely one! Believe me, there are "not so lovely" ones, so when you do find a lovely one you feel like you have won the lottery. The boat is plumbed for a small W/D but I would be all day doing laundry, plus would lose valuable storage space - at the laundromat I am in/out in about 1.5 hrs. Right now all systems are functioning on the boat - rare, but wonderful!! Attaching some pix of the "cottages" that the millionaires built back in the day (this was their winter retreat - google it). Compared to their summer homes on the NE coast, and their fulltime homes in New York City and Chicago, I guess you would have to describe these as "cottages"!?! Hope this finds all well with you and yours - more from Jekyyl next week. Just keep in mind that our door is always open!!

we are at the end on the left - 2.5 mi from the shore - good exercise!

gray day at the beach

beautiful biking trails

our restaurant and pool in the background

Carnegie cottage

just another cottage

Wm Rockefeller cottage

the "hunting lodge" for the members of the "Millionaires Club"

 

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Georgia on my mind

Finally!! We found the weather window last Thurs and shoved off for Jekyll. Our dear friends, Mike and Mary, and neighbor, Bobby were there to see us off and help with our lines. It was a 4.5 hour trip and went very well. We are pretty proud of ourselves as this area is notoriously known on the ICW as tricky to navigate. We left on a rising tide as it can get very shallow in spots. In one area we meandered off course by maybe 5 yds and the water went from 8 ft to only about 2 ft below our keel!! As they say -on the ICW it's not if you will go aground, it's when. If we had been on a low tide we would have grounded for sure. Then you have basically 4 choices - try to maneuver off (hopefully it's mud or sand) which sometimes can be done; call a tow service you signed up with (like AAA), call an independent service (VERY expensive) or wait for up to 6 hours for the next rising tide. Either way, it's very humbling say nothing of embarrassing!! We will get our turn!! When we arrived they had us tie up temporarily to the face dock, rather in a slip to be shared with another boat. Face docks are normally reserved for the over nighters. However, since we will be here 6 mos we talked them into letting us stay and we love it. Wide open to the ICW so we can watch all the traffic, wide open sunset view (see pic) and better air. The boat rolls more due to the boat wakes, but we like that - perfect!! Everyone here is so friendly and they are several doggies - Susie, a daschund who always barks until she gets to know you; Pearl Ann, a yorkie who contstantly barks until you are out of sight (her mom says that once she has been formally introduced to the boys she will "allow" them to be here and all will be well); and Todo - a shitzu across from us who never barks and who loves Teddy. Several others to meet yet. Last eve one of the couples hosted a potluck featuring jumbolaya (they are from LA). It was a great time - everyone brought a side dish - with great food!! Today we took a drive around the island (it is 7 mi long and 1 1/5 miles wide - we can walk to the ocean and dogs are allowed on the beach! Google Jekyll Island - the history is fascinating. It was privately owned, at one time, by the fat cats - Carnegie, Goodyear etc. Lots of tours to take and things to see. Twenty miles of bike paths which we plan to use as the marina has courtesy bikes. Picture Ted in a basket and Sam running along side Alan - it's going to be interesting!! Tomorrow we're going to - guess where - Home Depot and Walmart!! Sad, isn't it? They are in Brunswick which is across the bridge - about a 25 min ride. Some things never change!! See you next week!!

view down our dock

our sunset view

wild horses on Cumberland Island on our way up the ICW

Cpt Alan - no hands on the wheel - typical!

Trawler Ted - cruising position - to the left of the Cpt

Salty Sam - cruising position - to the right of the Cpt

 

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Waiting on the weather

 

Well, here it is Oct 8 and we are still in Florida, thanks to TS Karen. Altho the storm has dissipated, she has left some remnants that will arrive here today and tomorrow. We had put off our date until tomorrow, due to finishing up some items on the boat, but will now wait until Wed, possibly Thurs. Remember what I have said about having to throw away any notion of a schedule on a boat?? Oh well, we're perfectly happy here. It is nice to have the big projects (for now) out of the way. Not to worry - there are dozens of smaller ones waiting to be addressed!! For Alan's BD I bought him 200 ft of chain for the anchor; he was thrilled!! Up to this point, our anchor was just about useless as the boat only came with about 20 ft of chain - not doable. Have been getting out and seeing a little more of Fernandina Beach - we love this area - is close to what "old" Florida used to be. Delightful!! Ted had a rough week -
fell off the bed, fell down the 4 steps of hardwood to the bedroom, and fell thru the opening in the salon floor to the engine room (Alan was working down there). That was almost a 5 ft fall to a metal floor. All in 1 day!! The next evening, it was dark, he was walking behind me on the leash and fell off the ramp from the dock to the pier (about 5 ft) into the water. By the time I got to him I couldn't see him - the current had carried him under the ramp. I started pulling on his leash and by this time Alan was getting ready to go in after him. People - there are gators in this water!!
About that time I saw Ted's head and Alan reached down to grab him. We didn't know if he was going to drowned or be hanged!! He was drenched and scared - Mom was a wreck!! After a warm bath and a lot of cuddling both of us had settled down. Needless to say he is now wearing a harness!! They don't call humans "dumb friends" without good reason!!! Will be in touch next week after we are hopefully in Jekyll!! pix attached

Trawler Ted is ready for the water now!!

Salty Sam is a little bored with it all - let's hit the water!!

Sunrise over Egan's Creek

The BD boy!!

Teddy headed into the wind!

 

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In the water on the water

 

Rainy day here o the Panacea It is the second day of rain and there is a flood warning out. Seems very strange to hear flood wanings when you are living on the water!! I have attached a few pix for your enjoyment As a result of the weather we are getting some things done inside that needed attention. The sun deck is a life saver on these days -we would go mad if we had to spend all our time down below!! The last few weeks have been very busy getting things done before we leave for Jekyll Island, which is now set for Oct 1., dependning on the weather (of course). All of Alan's new toys, errrr electronics, are installed and he is enjoying playing with them -a lot to learn. We also had an electroscan head in stalled in one of the bathrooms. It uses salt and chlorine to kill the pathogens and it is then able to be directly pumped overboard as opposed to going into the holding tank. The days of directly pumping untreated waste overboard are over and rightfully so!! It is legal if you are 3 miles offshore, which we don't plan to be. It also enables long term anchoring out which we do plan to do. The only major thing left is to purchase about 200 ft of chain for the anchor -- then we should be good to go!!! We need to start the outboard for the dinghy, but it should be good as we had the yard service it over the summer. The dinghy is all cleaned up and in good shape - it is an inflatable. The REAL challenge will be getting Sam into it - about a 5 ft. drop from the sun deck to the swim platform which the dinghy will floating from. Seriously thinking of rigging up a pulley system to attach to the handle on his life jacket. Right now t he dinghy is sitting on the foredeck and Alan will climb into it and then invite Sm in - he jumps right in, gives a big smile then jumps out. We are trying to do this on a regular basis - behavior modifition. Don't know if that is possible with a cattle dog, but we are giving it our best shot!! HE TRULY LOVES THE BOAT EVEN WHEN THE ENGINES ARE FULL ON AND HIS DESIRE TO HERD THE WAVES IS DEFINITELY BECOMING LESS. BEING 9 1/2 ALSO HELPS, WE THINK!! THE VET WAS AMAZED AT HOW HEALTHY AND AGILE HE IS!! WILL BE BACK ON WHEN WE REACH JEKYLL - OUR FIRST TRIP ALONE!! WERE GOING TO SEND OUT AN AERT OVER THE RADIO - "PANACEA IS ON THE WATER - PREPARE TO FEND OFF!!!" (didnt realize the caps were on!)

RAINY DAY ON THE SUN DECK

ALAN AND HIS TOY ON THE BRIDGE

DRIPPY VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE

VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE

 

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Back on the water!!

Hello all! It is so good to be back on the water!!! We arrived in Fernandina Beach, Fl on Aug 23 and Panacea was splashed (launched) on the 27. We had quite an extended drive down from Colorado as the launch date was pushed out twice due to weather. We were having the bottom peeled and painted (4 coats of paint) and each coat requires at least 16 hrs of dry time. Of course, this area had the most rain during that period than they have all all summer!! Sooo - we had to wait. We just sort of dwaddled along. Did not bring the trailer back as we are thinking we will head to the Cheapeake in the springs and spend the summer there. When we return to Colo mid summer we will bring the trailer back then. The launching went well ( will try to post some pix - she is hanging on a travel lift with two big belts under her. Nervous time!!

I think she was smiling as she was lowered into the water - where she belongs!! We have spent the last week putting things away and organizing. We had a full pickup full of "stuff" and we have found a place for everything!! She was a pretty dirty girl - have the inside cleaned up - hope to start on the outside today. There is always something you find, as you go along, that needs to be addressed i.e. a switch on the electrical panel that needs to be replaced, a water maker that isn't working (that is a BIG problem in 90 degree heat, especially at happy hour!), an air conditioner that is operating well, issues with new canvas enclosure et.c etc. That's boating!! The new enclosure is beautiful and we are really enjoying it. The weather has been very warm and VERY humid - try 80%!! It has been a bit of an adjustment and we are thankful for the AC. It runs constantly unless there is a good breeze going and then we open up. We are looking forward to some cooler days as we are not really AC people, but in this heat there is no choice!!

The doggies are doing very well. Sam actually had a smile on his face when he first got on the boat!! He loves it as he can freely roam the permiter of the deck and make sure everything and everyone are exactly where they are supposed to be. He has a job to do!! Ted just enjoys being with Mom, wherever she is.

He took right away to doing his business on the carpet pad on the foredeck, as he learned to do last spring.

Just wish Sam would decide to cooperate. The dingy is sitting on the dock and each time we get off/of the boat we have him sit in it with Alan so he will get used to it. He thinks he is pretty big stuff sitting there with Dad - not sure how we will get him in it from the boat, but that is another challenge for another day!!

That about catches us up for now. Will be here for another 2-3 weeks, as we are waiting on some electronics to arrive and be installed. When that is complete we will head to Jekyll Island, GA where we will spend the winter on the boat. I hope some pix attach to this to give you an idea of what our home on the water looks like. More next week!!

1. looking from salon down to master and up stairs to sun deck

 

2. guest quarters (bath to the R) with stuff to be put away

3. galley

 

looking from salon down to galley, bath and guest quarters

 

Master (bath to L)

salon

salon

 

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Pix

Eastern view from our deck

Alan and Ty on the 4th

Granddaughter Piper

Mt Silverheels and beaver ponds

Son Ty enjoying morning coffee

 

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