Monday, May 31: Projects.....again.

Very productive day today. We thought we were going to take off to Oneida Lake (about 8 miles and 1 lock east on the canal) but by the time we were ready it was 1:00 and in the high 80's - which you would think would make for a good day on the lake! But really it's just too hot.Instead, Steve hooked up an engine cut off switch on the flybridge and attached the new microwave to the counter. You wouldn't think we could lose a microwave off of the counter but it definitely could happen - just need some big waves.

Meanwhile, I helped Steve when needed, changed the raw water impeller (keeps cool lake water circulating to keep the antifreeze cool - similar to the purpose of the radiator in a car) and finally after 4 years put carpet down by the dinette. Have you looked for the self-stick carpet tiles lately? Very hard to find. We had to settle for 18" squares and double sided tape.Saw a great big snapping turtle on the way back from breakfast. Grandpa Drouhard would have made turtle soup!

Sunday, May 30: Things are Getting Cleaned Up

Yesterday was spent getting 8 months worth of dust off of the inside of the boat. It was actually a lot cleaner than it typically was in Cleveland. Lots of junk that needed to be put away, things swept and wiped down.

Steve tackled the dinghy this morning - looks like a ride down the canal is in order to make sure the dinghy engine is running well before we take off. Also completed yesterday was the wiring needed to provide a 12-volt plug for the satellite antennae. Not a great place to work for Steve but not too bad for me! Weather has been wonderful - today in the high 80's again and sunny. Cool at night - almost as good as Encinitas!

Friday May 28: In the WATER!!

Another work day to prepare for finally putting the boat into the water. Steve did a wonderful job cleaning a good part of the hull from the waterline up. Stains, rub spots (oops :-)) and the infamous "intercoastal moustache" which forms on the front of the bow when traveling in enclosed waters - like the Erie Canal are now history.

First a bulldozer to pull "Yesterday's Dream" out from under the shed - then a trasfer to the boat lift to allow the boat to be dropped into the water. A relatively short backup to the dock and we are now good to go!

We are spending the last night in our hotel room in which we have lived for the past week. Steve should write a cookbook which used a microwave as he has managed to cook wonderful meals almost every night!

Thursday, May 27: Still in Brewerton :-)

So yesterday was declared a 1/2 day off. We finished the 3rd coat of Tuff Coat on the walk-around deck and declared it DONE. There are high hopes that this 3rd time redoing the deck will be the charm. This stuff peels out of the paint tray as a thin rubber film about the thickness of 3 sheets of paper and has little rubber nubbies for the non-skid. Cross your fingers!

The 1/2 day off was spent at the Turning Stone casino about 35 minutes away. Really a LARGE casino/hotel. Much larger than any we stopped at on the cross country drive back to Ohio. We found Lucky Lemmings, Super Jackpot Party, a frog and alligator game, jewels, pegasus - you name it and we played it. Started with $40 and left with $85! Great for 4 hours of entertainment. Today was another story. At left is the list we made at breakfast. You can see the number of items crossed off so a VERY productive day. I think we may actually be ready to leave on Tuesday (we'll be on the boat starting tomorrow but will likely lay low over the holiday weekend).

Steve found a new bike (mountain bike instead of a folding crossbike) and I have my green mountain bike which we found in CA and hauled across the country. Sometimes I think we must do things the hard way.

Tuesday, May 25: Brewerton

As the work continues to Yesterday's Dream in preparation of Friday's launch, we are now questioning the decision made last fall to put off some work that needed to be done before continuing on our travels this spring. Seems we have entered an alternate universe where the laws of physics are suspended!

The past two days have been spent working on the walkaround deck (sanded, primed and 2 coats of special paint) and the bottom of the boat (touch up bottom paint).

As we work on these two areas of the boat, both seem to grow in size as we work - I believe it is the molecules in this alternate universe that allow physical object to expand due to the inherent lack of cohesion between them. As Nemo said, the butt of this boat just keeps getting bigger as we work!

Sunday, May 23

Today started as usual: out to breakfast with our notepad and pen. The really great thing about making lists is when I get to cross off a completed job! So the list of materials needed to sand/clean the walkaround deck to prep for recoating (finally - the roof over my bed just might no longer leak), list of things from West Marine and the general plan for the day. It really feels like we're organized when the list is made :-) Bonus? Breakfast for 2 for under $10 including coffee. Guess we're not in Encinitas any more!

The boat will stay under the shed not so much for the rain but the the sunny 80 degree days we expect for the next 5 days. Much easier than being out in the sun trying to sand the walkaround. Good thing Steve had all that exercise at Wendy and Becky's places........

Saturday, May 22 2010: Brewerton NY

After 7 days of driving from Encinitas, spending time in Loudonville (nice bonfire of junk from the basement and attic) and time in Cleveland, we are finally back to the boat! Well, at least we will be in a few days. Our current home is a motel room 5 miles from the marina where Yesterday's Dream is being stored. The room is complete with a frig, microwave and cable TV - what more do we need?

Tomorrow we begin preparing the walkaround deck for repainting and touching up the bottom paint. Are we having fun yet?

Our lodgings, sadly, are no comparison to the wonderful accomdations provided by Laura in Cleveland: a room overlooking Lake Erie - complete with chocolates on our towels! But I am happy to report there are no midges on the Erie Canal.