[Ed.note: Days 114-117 are summaries of original blog.]
Mon.Jun.22/Day 114: Wx 69/84, humid, sunny, 3-16SW. Left Harbor Village at 0745, 65mi. to Beaufort Docks Marina, 6.3hr, 10mph avg, little traffic. Only 1 swing bridge. Went by Camp Lejeune, the marines training base, with its live fire range; they have signs forbidding any stopping and a large one with flashing lights when the waterway is closed due to actively firing - took a photo of old armored vehicles along the shore used for target practice. Photos of Harb.Village, the marina, and the fuel filter system.
Nice municipal marina, downtown location, 98 slips/transients; you cannot go into the office [CV19]. The restaurant next to the office has a nice selection of beers, local and imported. I put canvas covers over the windshields to reduce the sun heating up the interior, only when we are docked naturally. Problem with throttle locking again; will call mechanic.
Tues.Jun.23/Day 115: only a photo of the powered Tiki Bar, which had pulled in behind us at the dock today - it is reserved for 5-6 people at a time, they have stools, and are taken out on the waterway for about an hour; the outboard motor is on the far side and he controls it from the bar. we took the day ‘off’.
Wed.Jun.24/Day 116: wx sunny, 71/8, 5-10 W. Worked on cleaning power cord. Adjusted TV screen and now much better viewing. A busy marina with transients coming/going, lots of people walking by; office only 100yds away along boardwalk; only outdoor eating allowed, but had great take-out; WiFi working well; cleaned boat SS rails, swim platform, etc due to salt; photos of nighttime by Marg.
Admirals Desk PS: I have done a lot of cooking and baking on this trip. Everything is more complicated than at home. Have to be careful about power use; one burner or the oven or the microwave. Two things at once can throw the circuit. So I really have to be organized! Not my normal in the kichen/galley!!I. But it's a boat; nothing is simple. And then there's the dishes!! I still make a chaotic mess regardless of how simple the recipe so I wash dishes, and then more dishes!!
Thurs.Jun.25/Day 117:
wx 71/80, cloudy, TSM. No mechanic available so spent long time bleeding the hydraulics of air and black grit - photos of the green coolant, with the undesirable black particles bled from the hydraulic system into Marg's mixing bowl, which she planned to use to make oatmeal cookies today, but she promised to really, really wash it well; and one of the coffee filter paper I used to remove the particulate matter, which is glaringly obvious on the paper.
Admirals Desk: I took the courtesy vehicle for groceries. It was of the same caliber of others we've had; decrepit rust buckets that are interesting to steer and brake. The vehicle return was also interesting. It was pouring rain and, being a busy tourist spot, there was no parking. The marina office told me to just drive around until "I found a place at a curb somewhere"; they didn't have a reserved spot. So, 30 minutes later I ended up about 3 blocks away, took a picture of the address and walked back to the boat. They were happy to actually know where it was parked!! Pity the next guy.
An amusing item: our boat has reflective window tinting and we are docked alongside the main boardwalk. It's interesting to watch people check us out without knowing we are inside watching them. There's probably a word for that. Today is Jeff's Birthday!!! Carolinas are covid hotspots, so we are distancing and masking.
Comments:
Ernie R - 23 Jun 2020: Rob, understand about secure internet banking, if you can provide passwords/accounts would be happy to help with that!! Doesn’t sound like we have used dingy much on trip? Safe travels!
Jim R. - 23 Jun 2020: Are you in Bofort or Bufort? I always get the NC one and SC one mixed up. Continue safe travels and much appreciated musings. JDR
jon - 24 Jun 2020: love NC spent years there with 2 of 3 girls getting PhD at NC State. stay safe and have fun
tom - 26 Jun 2020: have you thought about setting up your own VPN ? that might help secure your banking & other secure connections.
Robert & Margaret - 27 Jun 2020: Tom, our hotspot devices apparently have an integrated VPN, so we feel better about using them for any sensitive material. My medical chart reviewing duties are done via a separate VPN and computer as well. Good point.
Ernie R - 24 Jun 2020: A day off!! What about your loyal followers?! Ok, just one day!
Dee - 24 Jun 2020: Sure does look like ya'll are having a great time...a grand adventure! Glad there has been no need for the "emergency supplies"..ha
Dd - 25 Jun 2020: That must be hard! But your cooking and baking are always delicious
Janice - 25 Jun 2020: We have a drawer dishwasher in our fith wheel.... live it! Highly recommend one, after all we are retired.