Oriental, NC

 We've been busy, loading the boat.  Everything is inventoried to help me find it when I need it.

The boat is very heavy at this point....

 

We have a small problem with our computer-to-SSB connection that we have to sort out with our Ham radio neighbor who is an expert at all things electronic.   Looking at the weather for southbound travels!

Oriental, NC

 Know what this means????  Off we go to the boat!!

Pittsboro, NC

 We had a nice visit with Duane's folks and sister Carolyn, chatting the day away.  

We enjoyed the fall colors on the way back until nightfall.  We'll be heading to the boat soon for final preparations!

Mills River, NC

 I attended my last book club meeting for the year - good fun and we had the author of our book in attendance!!

We drove up to the mountains for a visit before we head south.

So pretty!!!  Even the Interstate 40 drive was lovely!

 

The view from Mom's house.

 

We stayed with Keith and Denise - had a lovely autumn meal!

We'll visit with Duane's folks tomorrow and start our trek south!

Pittsboro,NC

 Weird photo, I know.  5th Covid shot plus a flu shot. 

Will report tomorrow on how I’m feeling!

Pittsboro,NC

Busy, busy with provisioning. 

 

 

We're pretty good at this by now....my spreadsheet from last year tells me exactly what we ate the entire trip....so I just buy the same stuff in roughly the same amounts.  (With fun new items tossed in, of course for variety).

 This is by no means all of it....the mini-van will be loaded when we tote this to the boat!
 

    

NC

 Back to the boat to get a start on provisioning. Yay!!  

Pittsboro, NC

 Nothing much to report.  Working at the airports a couple of days....it's COLD here!!!  Fall is definitely upon us.  Pretty leaves though...

Pittsboro, NC

 I spent the entire very long day at the Asheboro airport for the museum's annual fly-in. 

 

It was a spectacular day for it.

 

But I was the only one working the terminal building and it was a very busy day fueling the "show planes" and organizing "discovery flights" in our rental plane.  I saw almost none of the show.

On a light note - I forgot to post this photo from yesterday's drive on the Raleigh beltline....this hillbilly is making the absolute most of his rental-truck hauling experience.....

Oriental, NC

 We packed up and headed to Pittsboro....that's pretty much all we accomplished!

 

 

I will say, I'm so thrilled to be out of the camper...it's just not all that comfy!

Oriental, NC

 We spent the day getting the boat clean and organized.  Amazing what a mess you can make in such a small space when working in the boatyard!  

All tidy and tucked away - on the opposite side of the dock.  We'll stay over here while we have some piling work done by a barge next week on the other side of the dock.

And we were treated to a beautiful sunset!

Oriental, NC

At first light, our buddies on What If and Charm departed southbound early this morning....sad to see them go but happy for them to be moving towards warmer waters!

  

To the boatyard for "splash"....when we arrived they had us swinging just a few inches out of the water, waiting on us to verify that we were ready to be put in the water.  

 

Within a few minutes of our arrival, they had us lowered into the water and we were on our way back to Oriental.  A record fast haul-out for us - just 8 days.

 

The wind was light and on our nose, so we just motored with one engine for about 5 hours.  Passed this lovely sailboat heading in the opposite direction.

 

And the usual Minnesott ferry sighting.

 

Stopped at River Dunes to get some diesel fuel.  Back at the dock to clean up and get the boat back organized.

Bridgeton, NC

Last work day at the boatyard - just finished up all the loose ends.  In the afternoon the crew brought over the travel lift.

 

And lifted us up a foot or so - we cleaned and applied a good coat of bottom paint to the bottoms of the keels that had been sitting on the big blocks of wood.  We'll stay in the slings until first thing in the morning when we get "splashed".

 

After a nice shower, we went over to What If where Cathy had prepared yummy "chicken pot pie".   Jerry and Donna came over with a scrumptous salad.  Kris and Dean threw in some Halloween candy for good measure. 

 

Fun catching up a bit and hearing everyone's plans.

 

Gonna miss these folks!

Hugs to all of them for great friendships.  See you soon!
 

Bridgeton, NC

 I know, just another day at the boatyard....

Mostly just a day of painting.  Covering the red base-coat with 2 layers of blue.

 

Several hours later, most of the blue paint is on the boat!  (Just a little is splattered on my arms and in my hair!)

 

Trying out a propeller treatment called Velox this time to try to prevent barnacle growth.

 

Looking close to completion!

 

We have such great friends - Kris & Dean invited us over for spaghetti supper with Ed & Cathy.  And treated us to fresh apple pie/ice creme as well.  So thankful that these guys have been feeding us after our long work days!

Bridgeton,NC

We decided to apply a coat of red bottom paint first. This way we’ll be able to visually tell when we’ve scrubbed the bottom too much over the next two years. Just looks weird!

Never fear, this will be painted over with a nice blue like usual!

Pittsboro, NC

 Back to Pittsboro to attend Gretchen's "Roman" party!

Here is her cool invitation.  Read the slightly "Roman" words.  (Obviously, Gretchen really goes all-out for these events!)

 

We arrived fairly early - the hangar has been transformed into a Roman structure!  Gretchen and her nieces Gretchen and Katie did a fabulous job.

 

My sweet sis loaned us Duane's costume and I pieced mine together from some previous costumes.

 

Gretchen adding some Roman sourdough bread to the hefty appetizer buffet. 

Niece Gretchen and hubby Ben.  Adorable.

 

Dick and Lindy came from across the runway.

 

The band set up and played background music nicely.

And Gretchen finally made it down to the venue after a huge amount of cooking Roman foods!

 

A lovely evening.

Glad to see neighbors Barney and Jackie!

 

Sava, niece Gretchen's son took a particular shine to Duane.  He's a real sweety with lots of energy!

 

A really fun time.

 

And towards the end of the night, the two Gretchen's take a much needed break!