Updated Piece of Art

Proud as a Peacock, if you ask me!

And rightly he should be!

As we were heading home from our awesome vacation we had yet another opportunity to visit Art and Pam in Columbiaville MI, where they are working on their re-build of their HUGE Chris Craft Roamer.

You might remember from last year's post that this behemoth was purchased a few years ago in New Jersey, and then stripped (of everything) and trucked to Michigan for Art's rebuild. On our first sighting we were duly impressed at the size of the project AND the progress that had been made.

And now, coming back a year later, for the second viewing, the progress made since our last visit is amazing, awe-inspiring and downright neat! (In fact Lew has mentioned a few times that if he was feeling better and able he would trade room and board for some labor, just to give the man a hand in this project.)

The super-structure has been painted, the windows installed. A couple of the sliding doors are in, more close to being hung.

The port side of the hull is ready for paint, just waiting for the finishing touches (smoothing, sanding, filling, sanding, cleaning, sanding, prepping, sanding...) of the starboard side.

Soon all the dust under the tent will be sucked up in vacuums and the first layers of paint will be applied.

Meanwhile the interior construction is coming together as well.

Seating is roughed out in the bridge, showing the cherry wood and trim that will be used throughout the boat.

This seating is angled back to keep guests comfortable and will have a table installed at a later date (note the pedestal awaiting its home).

The guest stateroom and v-berth are ready for drawers and doors, as the platforms are installed, awaiting trim, paints and varnishes.

The forward head has its counter and shower stall, with a cupboard ready to be hung and a sink to be positioned.

And who knows about all those "behind the scenes" things... the wiring, the plumbing, the systems, all those things that you can't see.

The new motors have been purchased, shrink wrapped and are awaiting installation in 2011 when the boat is removed from its backyard tent and trucked to a marina in Bay City for the splash.

Vision, is all I can say!

Where to Start?

It was a great vacation!

Lew had an appointment to have his bandage removed and his 'pretty' blue cast applied. Not much of an event, unless taken into perspective, which meant that my vacation from work was extended to 3 weeks instead of 2 1/2. Not only that, but there were a few days suddenly available for packing, planning, readying Free N Clear for our long absence.

It all started with a late morning trip to Miami for the Doctor's appointment, a leisurely drive to Fort Lauderdale for dinner with Dorie at Jalisco's, a comfortable night in a hotel, time for a second cup of coffee during breakfast at Lester's, and a much appreciated ride to the airport in Dorie's new Matrix. The plane was on time, the layover in Baltimore long, but tolerable, and Sally was at the airport in Detroit as we grabbed our luggage!

A friend asked "What was the best part of your vacation?"

It took me awhile to answer - thinking back on all the wonderful times, all the family and great friends that we saw, the perfect weather that we had, ready to answer, "All of it!"

It could have been seeing the kids...

Or maybe it was hugging the grandchildren...

Or meeting Jason Lewis Scott, our newest grandson...

It could have been the two pig roasts that we attended while in Michigan, the partying and the cold beer...

It could have been the laughter as we (not so) willingly lost our quarters in the family game of "Tunk"...

It could have been the stories from our old marina mates, catching up on all the gossip...

It could have been the sharing in a bit of Sally and Cameron's wedding plans...

But then I realized that it could have been as simple as seeing the hummingbird flit from one purple Rose of Sharon flower to the next...

The taste of the Rhubarb Chutney on the pulled pork...

Or maybe the feel of soft, cool, dewy grass under my feet...

The sight of the early morning 'smoke' on the still lake when everyone else is asleep...

Or that special feeling of Lake Michigan sand between my toes...

All I DO know is that I could have stayed for a couple more weeks.

Casted

On the way to our annual summer sojourn in Michigan we stopped for an appointment with Dr. Badia where Lew had the bandage removed, X-rays taken, and a new blue fiberglass cast applied.

This new cast material is great. It is activated by air and sets in 4 minutes! Quick! (And it looks pretty.)

Included here are the X-rays, for anyone interested in real time miracles!

The arthritis pain was gone the next day, a couple of days of surgery pain, and Lew is waving his fingers with the best of them!

Lew Has A New Wrist!

Tuesday morning we made the drive up to Doral in Miami where Dr. Badia operated in the afternoon.

The procedure is done on an outpatient basis, in a facility that is located outside of a

hospital. The experience was a very positive one for me, and once Lew is in the recovery mode, I'm sure that he will agree.

Late in the afternoon we drove across the street and stayed at the Hyatt for a night before driving back to Marathon and Free N Clear today. The Doctor wanted us to be nearby, just in case, for that first night.

Out the rear door of the hotel were a couple of restaurants, so I walked to Boston Market for some rotisserie chicken, potatoes and veggies for dinner. Learning to eat with his left hand, Lew did quite well! Even though using his fingers was an option, he managed with the fork!!

He spent the night propped up on a couch in the hotel room, with his bandaged arm hanging from a light fixture on the wall to help reduce the swelling. Next Monday we drive back up to Doral where the bandage will be exchanged for a cast.

But, back in Marathon, back on the boat (albeit we are back on the floating dock) at least we are home!

33rd Annual Pig Roast

We're heading to Michigan on the 29th of this month, to see/laugh/share meals with our friends and family.

The trip this year is going to last about 2 1/2 weeks!

One of the great events that we plan our summer sojourn around is the Annual Family Pig Roast.

Now you may think of this as a family reunion, but it's not. The word Family is there, but it by no means excludes anyone! It's a party put on by the family, with each family member inviting all of their friends!

There are babes still in diapers (and maybe some elders???), with ages ranging from less than a year to well into the 80's, or 90's... (anyone 'fessing up to older than that?)

It's a good time had by all.

The pool is full, there are powerboats to ski behind, the roast pork is delicious, the rhubarb chutney superb, and of course - the beer is cold!

If you are in town - stop in!

We would ALL love to see you!!

Memorial Day at the Bar-B!

I'm tellin' ya... that woman is a great cook!

Had a couple of extra days off from work over Memorial Day Weekend giving me the chance to remove the motor from Whopee, my Walker Bay dinghy, and install the sailing rig. She is a regular Transformer if there ever was one!

As the sun was setting I would grab a cold one and head out into the Harbor! Each time I passed the stern of Misty and Jeff's boat Exposure (which I intentionally did regularly) I would take a very deep breath and wonder how in the world I could get myself invited for whatever it was that Misty was cooking for dinner!

It always smelled wonderful!

Mentioning that to Jeff as I sailed by he would chuckle and say "Yeah, I hear that a lot!"

So when Misty offered to organize a cook out at the Chickee on Memorial Day I was the first in line with a resounding "YES!"

Misty marinated and grilled and sliced the best smelling, the best tasting skirt steak that I had ever had! Thank you girlfriend!

(And the jello wasn't so bad either, eh ladies???!!!)

Hurricane Seminar

Rapt attention was given to Capt. Marti Brown and her guest speakers from the National Weather Service - Key West, the Monroe County Emergency Services and the City Marina.

It was the 6th annual seminar that Capt. Marti has presented, free, for interested people. Targeted mostly to the live-aboard and transient boaters in Boot Key Harbor, either on a mooring ball, a wall or a local marina, questions are posed -- and answered ranging from how to prep your boat all the way to how and when to "Get Out Of Dodge".

New this year from the NWS is that there is a separation of the wind event portion of a Hurricane and the ensuing water surge. Also new is that warnings and watches have been increased time-wise to allow for sooner plans to go into effect, as well as evacuations.

It is important to note that designated Shelters in Monroe County are only open for Category 1 and 2 Hurricanes. Once a storm reaches a Category 3 evacuation plans need to be instituted. Where to go and how to get there are just as important as prepping the boat and making sure she is secure.

A big "Thank You" to Capt. Marti for her organization and presentation!

May we all have a safe Hurricane Season.