The summer vacation has finally started!

Not that it didn't take much longer than we anticipated/allowed!  Two full weeks, to the day, we had been in Rockland, preparing Latitudes for our summer aboard.  She's' a bit untidy below, where we have stowed things to yet be put away, and there is still the small issue of putting up the sails, but everything else is done ...we think...

On Wednesday, after a couple of long days of last minute preparation, Latitudes was finally lowered gently into the crisp (56 degrees....) Maine water.  We've been waiting for this event!

As part of the winter deal, we were allowed a day on the docks of the boatyard to get things in order before we set sail.  Easier said than done, as the yard had not been able to get their floating docks and gangplank in the water yet.  At low tide (12 foot tidal range here),  it was an adventure getting back and forth off of the dock.

Some of the docks were installed while we were at the dock, but not the gangplank.

Smoke seemed to know that we were in the water again.  She settled down on the cockpit floor to keep me company.

We used our time at the dock to de-winterize the water systems on Latitudes.  With 3 water tanks, that meant flushing out the antifreeze in each, rinsing each out twice, and then adding clean water.  The water we added was city water but came along a non-potable hose for a distance and had a "distinct" hose taste. We went ahead and filled the tanks anyway and put some jugs of good drinking water on board.  Latitudes got a well needed washing.  In checking things out, Luke checked the aft lazarette and found water running down the inside of the hull!  The problem turned out to be a leaking water pressure reducer - a trip to the hardware store and another squeeze into the lazarette fixed the problem. A rare event of a job that turned out to be simpler than we feared!

Evening at the dock

This morning we threw the lines from the dock and officially left the boatyard.  Smokey had apparently decided that we were going to live on the boat on the hard forever and was not pleased.  She took refuge in her carrier on one of the boat seats.  You KNOW this isn't a happy cat...

A quick ride to the Rockland Public Landing seemed to settle her.  Here we were able to empty our tanks again and this time fill them with good tasting city water.  It is early in the season.  In a month, these docks will be crowded.

The city offers 2 hours free dockage. We took advantage of the extra time after filling the tanks to have lunch on-board and also visit the Thursday Farmers Market again.  The market is in the Public Landing parking lot - really convenient!  I bought some beautiful "picked this morning organic greens mix".  Luke got this nice shot of the Rockland shore.

Then, finally, off to the anchorage area to drop our hook and really start our vacation.  You can imagine how happy we are to have left here -

in order to be here. We both felt a real sense of relief - no more pressure to get things done, to get up at 6:30 AM to work until 7:30, or 8:30 PM.

The water is a bit rough, as it is windy, about 16 knots.  We plan to take advantage of flat winds early tomorrow morning to put up the sails.

It is so nice to have our little home back together - running water, a toilet, working frig and freezer (they love the 57 degree water), and a mildew free living area all make for a comfortable home.  Smokey is sleeping blissfully, Luke is doing small chores, and I plan to find something to make for dinner.  Tomorrow, along with putting on the sails,we will put the dinghy in the water and probably go to land for some well deserved tourist time.