Catching up again...

It never ceases to amaze me how much can happen in the course of just a couple of days.  So since I last posted a couple of updates have occurred.   As you know we moved on board, completely, on Saturday and spent the day with friends.  On Sunday it rained, pretty much most of the day which actually was fine since we had a few odds and ends to clean up.  I finished putting everything in it's place while Mike worked on some remaining mechanical projects and leaks.  Together we worked on a leaky stanchion that woke Mike up at 3:00 a.m. by dripping in his face.

Our friend Jeff stopped over for a visit and knowing that we no longer had a vehicle at the marina he offered to take Mike to West Marine.   While the guys were gone I heard some laughter outside our boat. Below is what I found.  These two young boys were not going to let the rainy day ruin their time up on the lake.

This just looked like so much fun

Monday evening while we awaited the arrival of my brother Gary and his wife Christy we were entertained by an amazing show of clouds in the sky.  A storm was rolling in and we were hoping that the storm would hold off long enough for them to arrive.

The Captain loves a good storm.

Family arrived before the storm rolled in.  We then all enjoyed a wonderful show from mother nature.  Luckily most of the storm blew over but the clouds were phenomenal. 

This was magnificent!

On Tuesday morning we waited for our diesel mechanic to show up.  Still had one more adjustment that needed to be made on the engines.  While Mike hung around for him, Gary, Christy and I ran a couple of errands.  Needed to take advantage of having a vehicle while we had it.  When we arrived back the engine work was completed and we decided to have a bit of lunch and then head out on the bay.  Gary was here to get some boat training for the upcoming trip across Lake Erie.  We ended up doing a 4 hour cruise over to Gem beach to fill the fuel tank.  Diesel was only $2.99 a gallon.  Cheapest we had seen.  After our cruise Gary treated everyone to dinner at a local restaurant in downtown Sandusky.  We ended the evening with a fire at the pit.

We woke up early Wednesday morning to favorable weather for the guys to start their journey across Lake Erie. They shoved off at 8:00 a.m. and by around 3:00 p.m. they had arrived safely at their first destination of Cleveland.  

Preparations for departure

The guys on their way across Lake Erie

We are HOME!

Well as of this morning June 8, 2015 we are officially and completely live aboard cruisers!!!  Saturday morning our amazing family and friends came to help us with the move.  We moved all of our belongings (what was left) to our storage area at the Kern's residence.

We packed up our truck first then filled up the trailer.  The weather was perfect, overcast and cool.

Jacob sat by and gave everyone some encouraging smiles

Ed and Faith carrying some of the big stuff.

Mike and his best bud Ed just showing off for the camera

Does anyone else think this looks like a yard sale.  How are we going to fit everything in.

Thanks to this amazing crew of folks we were able to get everything moved and stored properly.  Love them ALL!!

Must feed the moving crew.

This little one was such a good boy all day long.

We spent Saturday evening with our dear friends the Kern's.  They were gracious enough to put us up for the evening and then bring us up to the boat on Sunday morning.  Julie even fixed us a breakfast fit for a king or queen.  Started the day off just right.  

On Sunday we moved the few remaining things onto the boat and then spent the afternoon cruising the bay with Ed, Julie and the grand kids Carmen and Drew.  We had a blast.

Ed with Grandson Drew

These two were naturals onboard.

Drew did a great job taking over the helm with a little guidance from Mike.

Julie enjoying the ride.

So the Captain and I are all moved in and await the arrival of my brother Gary and sister in law Christy this evening.  They will be with us a couple of days so that I can train Gary on handling my responsibilities here on the Lady J.  After this I will return home with Christy while Gary joins Mike in getting the Lady J across Lake Erie. We hope to meet up with the guys in a week or so once they have arrived in (or near) Buffalo NY.   Life is GOOD!!!!

A little catching up...

Time to get caught up on the last couple of days activities.  Well we have officially moved on board about 98% of our belongings.  I must admit this has been like no other move I have ever experienced.  Trying to sort out what you think you will need and what you will store for who knows how long is a bit of a daunting task.

Yes the sewing machine will come along.  Who knows maybe I can pick up some sewing jobs along the way.

Sadly enough these are all packed with clothes.  My Mom used to say bring half as many clothes and twice as much money when traveling.  Hmmmm...

We were able to fit it all in along with adding the bike rack.

When we left on Monday it was raining, but by the time we arrived at the marina the rain had stopped and we were able to get everything unloaded and on to the Lady J without any trouble.  To quote Mike "thank God for dock carts".  The next question was, "where the heck are we going to put all this stuff".  Since Mike is in charge of all things mechanical sorting and storing is my responsibility.  Here are some before and after photos.

Underneath all of this is the first mates bunk.

Time to stow away the goodies

Not much counter space so everything must find a home.

Can you find the Captain?

So after 6 plus hours of stowing, stashing, sorting, moving, cleaning, returning and simply getting rid of everything has found a home, including us.

The state room is ready for a good nights sleep.

Ready for some good meals and maybe some card games.

One happy Captain.

One clean Salon.

Our bulletin board with photos of family

The Galley is ready for some cooking.

So hard to believe we were able find a home for everything that we brought on board.  But now it feels like home, our home.

As with any boat there is ALWAYS something that needs to be worked on.  My job was to clean out all the port windows, clean and reapply the lubricant on the ports, while Mike worked on completely replacing a port that was beyond repair.  

Replacing the galley port

Supplies for cleaning out a years worth of gunk on the ports.

If you have ever been to the Lake Erie region you have most likely heard of LEWS (Lake Erie Water Snakes).  They are not venomous and they are supposedly good for the eco system, but boy they are everywhere during the day and can seriously startle you when coming out of your boat or walking on the docks.  They like to bath in the sun specially around dock lines.  So you must watch where you are walking.  We seemed to have a rather large one hanging out on our dock for the past couple of days.  Mike decided since he was becoming a regular he was going to name him Ralph.  

Ralph soaking up the sun.

We had three good work days on the boat and spent a wonderful evening with our great (marina) friend Bob. I fixed dinner on board for us and then afterwards the guys had another delightful round of cribbage.  We certainly are going to miss this guy, but hope to see him sometime again on the water.  

   

Mike and I with Bob Sinn our marina buddy.

After 3 good days or work and preparations for departure we are back in Columbus to finish packing up the remainder of our belongings.  Moving day is Saturday!

Sunsets on the water never disappoint.