Looks like we have 5 or 6 days of rain in the forecast. I can’t spray the primer in these conditions. The shed roof leaks! *sigh* That will definitely have to get fixed when the boat has been flipped.Until the weather clears I’ll start work on the Gin …
Varnishing
The yard is hard at work painstakingly varnishing the boat’s interior, hence no pictures.Tom B. assures me that pictures will be forthcoming as soon as this labor-intensive process is completed.I’m heading to Stuart in August to do “boat stuff”. …
Day 201…Grapevine Antiques
Welcome to day 201 of 365 photos…I’ve passed Grapevine Antiques many times in the almost three years that we have lived here. Most of you know that I love old houses and buildings so I must admit that the building(s) have caught my eye but I have never stopped by. Yesterday, after dinner, these buildings… Continue Reading
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2014-22 Craig to Ketchikan via Bear Country
July 22nd through July 30thTuesday, July 22nd: Today the rest of this week’s crew couples have arrived from SLO Town. Chuck French ushered his wife Carolyn, Vince’s wife Marianne, and Alex’s wife Pat to Craig. The Fonte’s and French’s…
Southern California to the Pacific Northwest
7-31-14
We finally left San Diego on July 24th after many false starts. Our two month visit there was very enjoyable. The downtown GasLamp district was fun to walk around and the July 4th firework display was breathtaking. The gecko that came aboard in the La Cruz boat yard had grown to about 3 1/2 inches and was leaving recognizable poops so we caught and released him outside on the docks before we took off. The weather window was good from Southern California to San Francisco. The first leg to Cat Harbor, Catalina took about 12 hrs. We decided to make the stop there because the next leg would be 48hrs to San Francisco and we would not arrive in the dark baring any delays going around Pt. Conception. The seas and wind was down the whole trip. We had a reservation in Richmond Bay Marina on an end tie but what was available when we arrived was down wind a narrow inside channel if we headed to it bow first. Byron thought he could do that but the wind was 15-20kts and the wind caught our stern so we ended crosswise pinned against the boat and dock behind where we were supposed to go. With the help of other cruisers on the dock we finally got turned and tied down to our dock space amazingly with only a few scratches on the hull! This is a beautiful marina surrounded by a new townhouses but very windy in the afternoons. There is a new bike/walking path all around the marina and connecting to other parts of the bay. Now we wait until the next weather window opens up.
Start your own blog now! Free!
Southern California to the Pacific Northwest
7-31-14
We finally left San Diego on July 24th after many false starts. Our two month visit there was very enjoyable. The downtown GasLamp district was fun to walk around and the July 4th firework display was breathtaking. The gecko that came aboard in the La Cruz boat yard had grown to about 3 1/2 inches and was leaving recognizable poops so we caught and released him outside on the docks before we took off. The weather window was good from Southern California to San Francisco. The first leg to Cat Harbor, Catalina took about 12 hrs. We decided to make the stop there because the next leg would be 48hrs to San Francisco and we would not arrive in the dark baring any delays going around Pt. Conception. The seas and wind was down the whole trip. We had a reservation in Richmond Bay Marina on an end tie but what was available when we arrived was down wind a narrow inside channel if we headed to it bow first. Byron thought he could do that but the wind was 15-20kts and the wind caught our stern so we ended crosswise pinned against the boat and dock behind where we were supposed to go. With the help of other cruisers on the dock we finally got turned and tied down to our dock space amazingly with only a few scratches on the hull! This is a beautiful marina surrounded by a new townhouses but very windy in the afternoons. There is a new bike/walking path all around the marina and connecting to other parts of the bay. Now we wait until the next weather window opens up.
8-3-14
The weather window we had leaving San Francisco lasted only 2 days. On the morning of the 3rd day the wind and sea conditions were horrible as we were bashing our way through steep short waves, taking water over the bow and only making 5 kt of speed. The Oregon coast has numerous marinas but they are setup for smaller vessels and were not appealing as we would have to cross their entrance bars and weren’t sure the entrance would be open when we got there. Thankfully there was a small cove at Port Orford with high cliffs that offered good protection and we ended staying 6 days there until the weather changed.
Calif. grey whale in the cove
When the NW winds quit we left in fog and played dodge the fishing boats in the fog for 2 days. As we entered the Straits of Juan de Fuca the fog lifted and we could finally see maybe 2 miles ahead. I was thinking “thank god we now had visibility” to find our way to Port Angeles Marina that we have never been to but as we approached the marina, mist and light rain totally reduced our visibility to maybe one boat length ahead. It was very scary for me. Byron is more comfortable using the radar and he felt ok so we crept into the harbor and managed to find our way to the mooring dock.
Novi Sad part 3
Vidin, Bulgaria
Ru
We took this side road and found the open air market
It was very hot and we had a fairly long walk back to the boat so no one was in shopping mode
The two outer statuettes with their heads turned to profile were holding t…
Happy Birthday
Happy first birthday in heaven Tom.As our dream unfolds, I want everyone to know the great man behind it. Your continued presence in my life is making our dream a reality. In a few short months, our beautiful new boat will be here. Th…
Day 200…Sunset & Storm Clouds
Welcome to day 200 of 365 photos…I went out tonight in hopes of the sun setting on a certain building in Cedar Point but it was not to be. However, as we drove toward Swansboro, the sky started to glow so we pulled into the Cedar Point boat ramp. The sky was awesome with black… Continue Reading
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On the Bus
tie die a wearing
music a blarin’
Pranksters a dancin’
bus a rollin”
So after the Test and a bit of mechanical work, ’tis a 1947 bus, Furthur hit the road for the next destination. We all settled in for the long roll down the highway, i found a comfy spot with some padding over the wood benches that would be my home for the next three days. As we go a bit slow, cars passed us all in bewilderment of the bus. Most waved, many took pictures, and even some dropped both hands of the wheel in their excitement.
my crew laminate
I had another of the many, “how did i get here?” moments as the reality of my blessing took hold. I am riding down the highway on the Furthur Bus as a Merry Prankster!! my coveted laminate stated i was Crew and that “Let it be known to all persons, Capt Brian is now and forever a Merry Prankster and was and is ON THE BUS.” The music started and the crew began to dance, we sang and swayed to the music, sang the songs of freedom waved at passing cars as we bounced through middle America.
The epithical moment came to me as the song Tiny Dancer played. The epic scene from Almost Famous was replayed as Bandaide, young Brian and the others sang along, “hold me close tiny dancer”. Hands trembling and tears flowing i cherished this moment and will for the rest of my life.
We passed by Chicago, through a corner of several states and after the sun had set we found our first destination, a wooden dirt road in rural Michigan leading to a field full of tents and the awaiting party. As we approached we all scurried to the roof for the first of many grand entrances. The wooded path opened to the field full of highly charged people as the Who’s “Magic Bus” blared from the exterior speakers. the overwhelming thrill of seeing the exuberant crowd all awaiting our arrival was breathtaking.
a dazzled fan
on the top of the bus
crowd greeting us
We climbed off the bus and were immediately consumed by the crowd. The warmth of their greeting and electrifying amazement brought the reality of who we were and where right up front, we were history, the history every young hipster was raised with, the history of my youth and theirs. We were the heritage they all yearned for. The long told myth was at their feet. The hippy gospel had come to Michigan.
new friend
the warmth of their hospitality was moving, i met so many young people all eager to hear of life on the bus. We danced yet another Dead tribute band playing under a makeshift tent. Fire dancers lit up the night sky, and bursts of flames exploded from a fire making contraption operated by a careful albeit bizarre team. All in a wooded secluded field somewhere in Michigan and now a place that will stay in my heart
body painting of course
We slept in our tents and bags as the party roared on all night and arose to the calling of the Bus’s bell. Packed up and on the road again more states flew by and middle America unrolled for us. Our next stop was in Ohio at an old rock quarry now a park. Again we made the grand entrance on the roof dancing and singing to the theme song, Magic Bus. This crowd was larger and even more welcoming, their excitement was contagious.
We partied to the local and very talented band, walked by the lake and enjoyed the best food in days. I even got a face painting done. After some calculations Zane determined he had short sided the next leg and we had best leave early, so at midnight we packed up and rolled out, leaving another place to remember.
Heading east through Pennsylvania and closer to the Big Apple, the topography changed dramatically. We were headed to Port Chester New York and the Capital Theater, hallowed ground for Dead Heads for decades. We rolled into the town and circumvented the low bridge then assumed our top of the bus stance as we cruised the town to arrive at the theater for a grand reception and huge party.
The miles, bumps and grab and dash diet was catching up to me so i relished the next day off and got a hotel room with young Brian. i savored my first meal in days that required a fork and ordered a huge steak. Well rested i await the finale, the Gathering of the Vibe Festival which takes place on the New Jersey shore and completes my Sea to Shiny Sea epic adventure.. 
Photo credit: Colby Rex O’Neill and Matt Pidutti Puds
