Forward Head Conversion, continued...

...and complete!  At least for this use.  Clearing out the holding tank left this great big space behind the bulkhead.  We removed the panel, cleaned it up, got creative in the hardware store plumbing section, and...ta da!  We have a wet locker!  I may add some netting at the base to add some more storage possibilities, but for now our foul weather gear has a new home.  And this composting head is not stinky at all!  WAY better than our old head!

We've seen other folks with this boat use the space for a water maker and use the bulkhead panel as an access door to that system.  We saved the panel just in case we decide to go that route after some time cruising.

Winter Marina Life

We are staying busy and warm this winter!  Yesterday the fellas knocked out some routine maintenance on the portable generator before the snow started to fall, and today we went sledding, built a snowman, and had a great snowball fight!  I really don't mind winter...the boat is cozy and warm and I like cooking and snuggling to get even warmer!

Bring on 2019!

New Year's Eve is a time of year that leaves many of us reflecting on the past year and setting intentions for the upcoming year.  For me, the theme of 2019 is change.  Original, right?  I know, I know!  But this change has been about a decade in the making and isn't even that much of a surprise.  It's just time.  The exact timing is still up in the air a bit (still working on that whole "my desires vs. the Navy's needs" thing to the very end!), but this is the year.  This year I walk away from the profession I've known for my entire adult life and walk towards my family, better care of myself, and perhaps a bit of adventure!  It is time.

~Jo

Merry Christmas from s/v Lehe Paine!

It's been a wonderful day!  We excitedly opened presents, we relaxed, and we had beautiful weather for our return home (one of us has work tomorrow, boo!!!!).  Merry Christmas!

Christmas in St. Michaels, MD

I am SO happy that the weather cooperated this year and we were able to get underway for Christmas!  After waiting for the tide to rise (ok, it wasn't torture--we had brunch at Ketch 22!) we got a late start to getting underway yesterday.  Not much wind, so we motored and made it well before sunset.  We dropped the hook right off Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum!  I love the view! And we slightly broke with tradition and let the kids have their Christmas pjs tonight as it's cold and the girl didn't have any warm ones.

After a bit of excitement touching the bottom as the tide went out and un-setting the anchor trying to use it to pull ourselves to slightly deeper water, we were all settled in again and decided to make a run into shore for some lunch and BEER!  Eastern Shore Brewing is so much fun for the whole family!

 

And now we're settled in for the night, ready for Santa to come find us!  The kids exchanged their gifts--he got her chocolate and Diet Coke, she got him Hot Pockets--and the goodies have been set out...