On the Rhode again!

It's sort of a family tradition. When we all hop in the car to head somewhere, someone calls out, "on the road again!" This weekend we are enjoying the other "road," the Rhode River in Maryland. During our last time living in the area the Rhode was a favorite destination--good holding for the anchor, little road noise (though sometimes in the arrival path for BWI!), abundant wildlife, and a quick jaunt from our home marina--so it was a no-brainer as we headed out for our first over-nighter since returning. We anchored before sunset, had a great family meal on deck, watched the moon rise...it was perfect. I am at peace here this morning, anticipating a very lazy return trip in light air. But my mind is also on my friends in FL and fellow boaters across the Caribbean in the wake of Irma.

Progress!

We have been back abooard for six days now. Six glorious days! It is admittedly a challenge to get the boat put back together while working full time and 2-3 hours of commuting daily, but we are making it work! The remnants of hurricane Harvey will slow us down a bit this weekend, but i have high hopes of a little underway time!

We are getting there!

I know, it's been a while, but I think we are finally almost home! After a month on the hard in Mississippi, a quick truck ride north, and what is turning into almost a month on the hard in Maryland, our crew is finally almost home! New jobs/locations are underway, and new classes/schools start soon!

A whirlwind move

In the past 12 hours I've turned over command of the Naval Oceanography Mine Warfare Center to my relief, packed the final items into our cars, cleaned the house like a mad woman, said a quick and sweaty goodbye to our dear friends, and headed north.  I'm wiped, have no voice, and feel this constant need to hurry up when all I want to do it slow down and relax.  But there's no time--Frank needs to get back to working during his busiest time of the year and I check into the new job on Friday!

You're going to do great, Kate!

The team that made me successful.

Loaded and ready to go!  On the road again!

This little car was packed!

Yard Life

The boat has been at Bay Marine for about a month.  The bottom was sandblasted and painted, a thru-hole replaced, prop cleaned up, intake strainer upgraded, and she was de-rigged for shipping.  We did as much of the work on our own as we could to save some money, but it's damn hot down here and we are still working full-time an hour away.  The work is done and she is ready to get on a truck!

The yard made quick work of the sandblasting job.

This was a timely haul.  The brass was so brittle I could break it with my fingers.

All new!

First layer of bottom paint is on.  A black coat goes over the blue so we have an indication when our ablative is wearing away.

De-rigged and in the slings for a final paint touch-up before her ride north.