What a hassle but we are finally at the boat

The best laid plans....sigh....we left Roanoke bright and early on Wednesday, the old Subaru with 205,000 miles (the car that we leave at the marina during our trips) packed to the gills, and one unhappy cat in my lap.  50 miles later the radiator burst...  We got a tow to the nearest Subaru dealer who put in a new radiator.  By then it was 7 pm and we opted to head back home instead of the remaining 4 hours to Deltaville.  By the time we got home, the engine temp was still OK, but  liquid had spewed all over the engine compartment.  On Thursday, bright and early, we moved all of our stuff, cat included, to the Toyota and headed back to the Chesapeake. We have moved aboard, unpacked, provisioned, etc, etc, etc.  A few things are left to be put away.  Now we are waiting on the weather to cooperate so we can leave and begin our cold trip southward.

Smoke remembered the boat immediately - especially the sun drenched enclosure. She's content as long as we sit quietly.

The next hurdle is the weather. It's pretty amazing. There are a series of fast moving cold fronts that have 15 + kt winds blowing from the S and SSW, essentially on the nose for heading south. While we could force the issue, it wouldn't be much fun to slog into the Chesapeake bay chop. Right now Sunday is looking somewhat promising for leaving Deltaville.  We're closely watching the weather!!!

A wonderful Christmas

Merry Christmas to you all!!! And best wishes for a wonderful, healthy, and happy new year!

We have had a great family Christmas in Roanoke this year.  Dad and my daughters Heather and Nikki are all here.  We started with a traditional unhealthy breakfast - cinnamon rolls. Yum!  Nikki and dad are waiting, only somewhat patiently.

After a quick breakfast, we gathered in the living room to exchange presents.  Nikki helped me sort them out while Luke built a fire (not really cold enough for one, but it IS Christmas!)

It is good to have dad here.

Heather is slowing off new bull riding earrings with the roaring fire as a back drop.



Smokey has kept a low profile - too many people in her house.  She couldn't stay away completely, though, and watched the gift opening from a safe distance.

Santa Luke enjoyed Christmas, too!

Nikki and Heather are in Ronaoke now, visiting family on their dad's side of the tree.  We are relaxing (aka napping for dad) and will have left-overs later.  Tomorrow Heather will return to NC and I'll take dad back to Charlotte.  Tuesday will be preparation day and hopefully we'll be able to leave for Latitudes on Wednesday.

Again, a Merry Christmas and love to all!!!

It's almost Christmas and time to head south!

I can't believe it's almost Christmas!  We are looking forward to a good one this year, the first time in about 6 years that both of my daughters and my dad will be able to be with us in Roanoke.  That was the plan - to have a family Christmas this year.  Of course, seeing all of our friends has been great, too!  We visited friends Phyllis and Peter in New Bern for a few days, went to Savannah for Beth's big 60th birthday party, had Thanksgiving with neighbors Neva and Dave, and have had many wonderful Christmas parties/visits with our local friends.  Dad will be here tomorrow, Heather and Nikki arriving Christmas Eve.  Can't wait!

I've hit a bit of a snag, but we do NOT plan on letting it stop our trip to the Caribbean!  I've not mentioned that my  right ankle has bothered me for about 1 1/2 yrs. Swollen, hot needle pricking pain, popping sensation....I tried anti-inflammation drugs and a couple of Cortisone shots - they didn't work and the problem has gotten worse. I finally saw an orthopethic doctor who specializes in ankles rather than the general ortho.  SO-guess what I need to have surgery on --- yulp, my right ankle. Torn ligament. As the tear is progressing slowly, he is willing to wait until we return in July, so it's not a desperate situation.  BUT--- I learned that good ol' Anthem denied my MRI and pending surgery. They want me to wear a full air cast for a month and take another month's worth of an anti-inflammatory as a last ditch effort to heal the ankle instead. The doctor is as annoyed as I am. But, I'm dragging  around in the damned thing around now. I walk like a mountain goat.  It's lovely....

When I get back in July and almost certainly have surgery to repair the tendon, the recuperation won't be fun - 6 weeks in a cast and crutches, 6 weeks or so in this brace, and then PT. No driving for 6 weeks at least! UGH! We'll be home next summer. Guess I'll be teaching Luke Laundry 202...

That said, I do have a little protective brace that fits in my shoe and isn't as high. It's much more comfortable and convenient to wear.  I can use that when necessary on the boat.  I'll be wearing this most of the time when I'm on board or ashore.  I'm going to need a bigger backpack to lug this thing back and forth to shore!

Meanwhile, Luke has spent about 4 man-hour weeks getting the paperwork together and approved for getting our little princess into the various Caribbean islands that we hope to visit.  With the innoculations, tests, ID chip, and need for USDA certification, we are considering renaming her "Goldie".  It's been a tough road, but Luke has managed the process well and thinks we are almost done.

Our plan is to take dad back to Charlotte on the 26th, pack up, close up the house, and leave for Deltaville on the 28th.  After a couple of days for moving in and provisioning, we will leave, pray for good weather, and make the fastest tracks possible to the Bahamas and then the Caribbean.  Don't plan to be back in Roanoke until July. Hope to post from warmer climates soon!