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Friday 12th October (Cont.).
One last trip to Echo Farm to drop off the Subaru then over to Kemptville to do some much needed laundry.
Then over to Sandy Mountain Campsite.
Saturday 13th October.
A frosty start to the day spent doing some RV repairs and an actual bit of RV cleaning with our new brush.
Sunday 14th October.
It rained all night and …. surprise! …. no leaks
We were only going to stop by Ken and Cheryl’s to say goodbye and pickup a battery so Carol’s residual cold didn't infect anybody, especially the baby. But since Cheryl had developed her own cold and had mangled a finger to boot (so therefore no baby sitting!), we ended up staying anyway.
Monday 15th October.
Rain all night again with no RV leaks.
Things are not well at the Fogel household as Ken’s mum is very ill and not expected to survive. As it is she’s much tougher than people give her credit for and she’s still going strong.
We left anyway and crossed the border and down through Vermont and the chain of islands in Lake Champlain to South Hero and a beautifully located campsite – Apple Island Resort.
Tuesday 16th October
Down I-87 through Vermont into Massachusetts – glorious fall scenery.
End of the day we’re at Chris and Divya Reynolds’ in North Leverrette, Mass.
In the background is their house that they don’t live in. Since they spend their winters down south (which is where we met them) they rent out their house and live in a trailer when they go back home in summer.
Supper was in a nearby town – appetizer of fried Brussels sprouts and dip, alright!
Movie of the day: 1st part of Living in the Material World – Martin Scorsese does the Beatles, what more is there to say.
Wednesday 17th October
After a cold start to the day, Chris hooked up his boat trailer and off we all headed for the Connecticut River and launched Near Wig/Far Wig (The name on the bow is Near Wig on one side and Far Wig on the other.)
We motored up river & had lunch just floating about. We needed to be bundled up although there was lots of sun.
We motored up past this beautiful and semi-famous (or so Chris says) bridge,
tied up to a dock and went for a long walk.
The river was a mirror on the way back.
Boat back on the trailer and we’re ready for off.
Supper out again - Wasabi mashed potatoes on Portobello mushrooms with sweet potato fries & balsamic roasted beets – whatever happened to steak and chips?
Thursday 18th October
Another cold start to the day. Divya left before us to go for an MRI (she had breast cancer some years ago).
After packing up we bade farewell to Chris and headed south towards Cape Cod.
We met Ira and Ann at the Cape Cod Canal East entrance.
After a short bicycle ride with them we headed back to their rental place.
Friday 19th October
Time for some sight-seeing starting with the Scargo Tower.
A fine panoramic view from the top.
Although it was warmer than Canada we were well wrapped up.
Then for a walk along Mayflower, one of the beaches Cape Cod is famous for.
Next stop the marina at Sesuet where were fascinated by this houseboat.
We could live in this very easily.
Don’t know if this windmill was actually used in its present spot.
The Lemon Tree Shops are a bunch of cutesy stores that had some pretty interesting things and an abundance of these.
Then food shopping for some cranberry/jalapeno/garlic jelly – excellent on crackers.
Saturday 20th October
Some serious bike riding – 17 miles (not sure exactly where) and lots of cranberry bogs.
Sunday 21st October
The girls had had enough of bike riding so Ira and I cycled to Marconi Beach where there used to be a massive radio antenna array before it was reclaimed by the sea. Now there’s just a model in a glass box in this building.
After breaking a tooth on my sandwich (!), we cycled over to the Cape Visitors Centre to meet up with the ladies. There’s a museum, a movie screen and a picture book view.
I cycled over to the Coastguard Beach while everyone else drove. Then we all drove to one last Beach - Skaket Beach
Monday 22nd October
After our whirlwind visit to Cape Cod, so we pack up, say our goodbyes and hit the freeway east. After a compete mix up and re-driving certain parts of the Massachusetts Turnpike we get ourselves an E-Z-Pass, useful for the tolls on our way south (except Florida where we already have a Sun-Pass). Mass is the best state to buy one as there’s no monthly fee with them.
Next stop: Pierre and Ann Fortin. Many, many moons ago Carol and I used to work at RCA when Pierre did. He and I tried to form a company at one time with another fella and we did see each other in Ottawa but then lost touch. He ended up getting a database programming job in Connecticut and that’s where they now live.
It’s a lovely neighbourhood near a small town.
Tuesday 23rd October
Pierre went off to work but Ann drove me to a dental appointment that they managed to arrange at short notice to give me a temporary false tooth.
We all had supper and yakked until bedtime. Oh yes and watched their two delightful Siamese at play.
Wednesday 24th October
I didn’t get a photo of Pierre but here’s Ann and Carol in their autumnal back garden.
Time to move on again and test out the E-Z-Pass which works just fine as we head down to the New Jersey Turnpike and to Camping World in Swedesboro – our usual New Jersey stop.
Thursday 25th October
The worst part of the trip south – Washington and Baltimore. However, all went well and by the end of the day we’re at Carolina Crossroads RV Park in North Carolina.
Friday 26th October
Hurricane Sandy is heading up from Florida and since we really don’t want to meet him in an RV we decided to head for inland Georgia which was forecast not to get hit.
We found a Passport America RV park (1/2 price for us) in Florence, South Carolina for our next stop.
When we arrived in the Swamp Fox RV Park it was after 6 so we never checked in.
Saturday 27th October
When we left in the morning they still weren’t open so I guess we got a freebie.
From South Carolina we headed in the direction of Atlanta, Georgia but before actually getting there, turned south off the freeway toward Macon and stopped at Scenic Mountain Park, Milledgeville.
Another top-of-a-hill campsite.
Sunday 28th October
Hurricane Sandy passed us without even a whisper so we were safe to head down to Florida.
Coming in from the Atlanta direction we stayed at Lee’s Camping off the I-75 where we’d enjoyed a short stay before.
Monday 29th October
Phoned a dentist in Stuart to see about my tooth ‘cos the temp needs replacing real soon and also booked Buddy in for a cut.
So we drove down further south to the closest Passport America to Stuart we could find – Ponderosa RV in Kissimmee. They pack ‘em in there.
Tuesday 30th October
It’s clear and cold when we get up early to head down the Florida Turnpike.
First we dropped Buddy at PetSmart for a cut and then to the dentist to replace the temporary crown.
By the end of the day Buddy’s had a cut and I’ve had a root canal and $2400 cut in my year’s income and we’re installed in the Indiantown Marina ‘RV Park’.
Wednesday 31st October
Ordered a bunch of stuff for the boat and did some more gluing on the side of the RV.
Thursday 1st November
Stripping the boat of tarps while Carol cycled to the hairdresser in Indiantown.
Friday 2nd November
The weather is clear and cool as the boat is moved from the storage yard to the work yard.
Saturday 3rd November
Boat work begins.
Sunday 4th November
Messing with that damned RV fridge yet again.
Monday 5th November
Inside boat cleaning time.
Tuesday 6th November
With no car and no John and Rejeanne, a trip into Stuart means driving the RV. So we pack up and go. Canvas place to pick up what we left in the spring for mending, Total Wine for 3 cases of our favourite wine, the dentist for a check on my temporary crown, Wally Mart and a few other places, got to make that 5 gallons of gas count.
Wednesday 7th November
It’s a cooler day as we get the canvas on to the boat.
Thursday 8th November
Washing the boat top sides and saying hi to Andre who we were next to in the RV lot last year.
Bad news by phone from Chris and Divya. Her breast cancer has returned.
Friday 9th November
Boat polishing.
Saturday 10th November
Barnacle scraping, re-installing the boom and moving stuff around while Carol cleans the plastic windows in the canvas.
Sunday 11th November
The weather is pleasantly sunny, warm and windy.
Sanding the keel and some of the hull.
Monday 12th November
Painted the keel and half the hull with bottom paint.
Tuesday 13th November
Ran a nice new tape along the water line on the starboard side.
Wednesday 14th November
Ran tape down the other side – not as easy as you would think.
Thursday 15th November
Our new holding tank arrives. A dry fit confirms it ‘just’ fits in.
A call from John and Rejeanne, they will arrive tomorrow.
Friday 16th November
Don’t have a 4” hole-saw and they cost $45 at Ace hardware so it’s cheaper to pay the yard for a ½ hour of work to cut it for me.
Figure out that the exit pipe won’t be long enough so that needs to be ripped out and replaced.
John and Rejeanne arrived so we celebrated with takeout pizza from Dee Stefano’s, and we gave them a bed for the night in the RV.
Saturday 17th November
In order for the new tank to fit it needs to be raised so I put some 1” wood underneath and it’s still not enough so I replaced it with 2” material.
Cut all the remaining holes in the tank.
Sunday 18th November
Installed fittings on tank.
Monday 19th November
John and Rejeanne invited us for a trip to Stuart and the movies, how could we resist?
Skyfall – It’s James Bond, what do you want, reality?
Much marine shopping topped with a stop at Publix of course.
On our return we meet Ann and Ira who are over from West Palm Beach for the first night of the Indiantown Thanksgiving festivities. They stayed the night in the RV.
Tuesday 20th November
It’s the day of the flea market and I finally sell the electric motor I’ve been moving from boat to RV and back again for the last 4 years. I bought a $5 propane tank to make up for the one I forgot in storage in Canada.
John sold his old outboard and Ira sold a few things including a self-inflating life jacket to me.
Finished the fittings on the holding tank and on checking the fridge with my newly arrived temperature sensing watch I determine the fridge temperature sensor has been lying to me!!! Aargh!
Along with the watch from Amazon we also received our ridiculously cheap docking station and remote control for our Zune mp3 player.
More festivities with karaoke night but we all cut that short.
Wednesday 21st November
Test filled the new holding tank with water and – it leaks! The inspection hatch I bought is a piece of c*&#p! Decided that since I’m not likely to be opening it for inspection anytime soon I would silicone the thing shut.
Also added through hull fitting for a second (intake) vent for the tank.
We’d been looking forward to the night’s entertainment with Dr. Dave’s band that’s played at every Thanksgiving since we've been coming to Indiantown. But, alas, he’s retired and the substitute band just didn't cut it for us.
Thursday 22nd November
Refilled the tank with water and ….. no leaks! It’s a done thing.
Now all that’s needed is to actually fit it in the boat. First order of business is to make the entrance to the compartment where it dwells a little bigger so it will go in with the connections on. Still not high enough!!!
It’s the Thanksgiving dinner and Ira and Ann came over and we tucked into mashed potatoes, green beans, yam & stuffing with cranberry jelly and turkey for those who eat it.
Friday 23rd November
Launch day. John and Rejeanne came over for champagne (Californian of course) to celebrate.
Saturday 24th November
A piece of plywood under the tank and the fit is perfect. Now all I have to do is get the pipes on.
Sunday 25th November
Tank work.
Monday 26th November
More new hose required plus getting the outlet hose took me and John crawling together in the aft cabin and a lot of sweat.
Test filled the tank again – no leaks – whew!
Tuesday 27th November
A day off. Well sort of. Shopping in marine stores and a movie in Stuart: Life of Pi (in 3D yet).
If you’ve read the book you might wonder how you make a movie of that. It does not disappoint in anyway, quite wonderful.
Wednesday 28th November
Got the water pumped out of the tank and cleaned up the mess that jobs create.
Thursday 29th November
Many years ago my father had a business and Jim Kay was his partner. The two families took holidays together and one of his daughters and I have somehow become re-acquainted via the magic of the Internet. Her, her husband Fred and their friends Marie and John make the trip to Florida every year for the guys to fish and the gals to shop. We've made attempts to meet them before but this time we succeeded in getting together. They drove over from the west coast for the day.
That’s Judith next to Carol, then Fred, then Marie and John.
We started with drinks aboard the boat and then had lunch on the patio together.
After taking a walk around the boatyard it was time for them to head back.
Friday 30th November
Now we have a nice new holding tank we find the toilet is acting up. I dismantled the mechanism, found nothing particularly bad, cleaned it (yech!) and re-assembled it only to find it still back leaks.
We officially moved onto the boat.
