More Work and More Fun!

Friday, April 8

Lay up prep work continues today. Anna Marie removed to glue and residue from the gutters we removed a couple of weeks ago. I cleaned and polished the Cobb Grill.

We made plans to go to Key West with the Fritz's on Sunday, so we only have tomorrow left for lay-up prep work!

Today, we met Joe and Dee for another Sparky's experience. On the way back to the boat, we stopped at Home Depot to purchase some items we need for SUNSHINE's lay-up.

Before retiring for the night, we cleaned and scrubbed the cockpit.

Happy Birthday, Joe!

It's Joe's Birthday! We were looking forward to celebrating with him and Dee.

Today, we had to clean up from the varnishing project. Yoga was our first priority for the day. After that, Anna Marie did the laundry.

By the time we accomplished all of our chores, it was 1700 hours. We used a quick pace to walk over to Banana Bay to join Dee and Joe. We talked for a while and then the birthday boy grill some T-Bone steaks while Dee prepared sides of potatoes and green beans. Before the main meal, we enjoyed shrimp cocktail and a salad.

The meal was out of this world! So delicious.... I nominate Joe to qualify as a grill master! We stayed with them until 2200 hours before walking back to the dinghy for the ride back to SUNSHINE!

That's the SUNSHINE Story for today!

Lay Up Work, Day 3!

After a few additional hours of work today, the varnishing project is finished. I was able to complete polishing the stainless while Anna Marie finished applying the varnish.

At about 1400 hours, we made time to ride the bikes for an hour. For the first time this season, we averaged 10 mph. On the way back to the marina, we stopped at Banana Bay to visit with the Fritz's. They weren't home and the boat wasn't in the slip. We hope they caught lots of fish!

Today was the last official Meet and Greet. We bought some fried chicken from Publix to share. It was a nice evening. Pete ( Crazy Cat) shared some stories about the time he signed on as crew for a PDQ delivery from Ontario to Annapolis. It was quite a harrowing tale.

Before heading back to SUNSHINE, we made tentative plans to meet Crazy Cat and Queequeg at the Dockside on Saturday night.

That's the SUNSHINE Story for today!

Lay Up Work, Day 2!

Yesterday, we were able to apply three coats of varnish, so, after Yoga, we planned to follow up with a light sanding and three more coats today. After Yoga, we met the Fritz's for a quick lunch at the Cabana and then we were off for some light grocery shopping at Publix.

We returned to the boat at around 1400 hours. Anna Marie was going to do the sanding while I scrapped barnacles off the bottom. The water temperature was in the mid to high 70's and was very comfortable. I scrapped as best I could, but I was too buoyant, even while holding to 12 pound dinghy anchor. While treading water, I cut my foot on some barnacles that were on the rudder.

After about one-half hour, it became evident that we needed a new plan. Besides, a row of dark, menacing clouds signaled that a storm was coming quickly. I got out of the water and we battened down the hatches. A big blow was on the way!

The storm was nasty, but lasted all of perhaps 15 minutes. We spent the rest of the day dodging showers. Rather than work, we fired up the generator and watched some DVD's.

Lay Up Work Begins!

We will be moving SUNSHINE to it's summer home one week from today. Before we go, we have several outstanding chores to do. Today's task was to sand and varnish all of the exterior wood. We began sanding at about 0930 hours and finished by lunch time.

After lunch,  we cleaned up all of the sawdust, wiped the wood with a tac rag and began applying the varnish, allowing an hour between coats, we were able to get four coats on before dinner.

After dinner aboard, we met the Fritz's at the movie theater where we saw Matt Damon in the Adjustment Bureau. The movie was a bit "out there" and the acting was very good.

Relay for Life!

April 2nd and 3rd, 2011

This report is very hard to put into words, but I'm going to try, though I doubt I'll do justice to the topic.

We have known about the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, but have never participated. I don't have an explanation for our lack of participation. Certainly we have loved ones who have battled the illness, endured hardship and pain, and succumbed to its ravages.

During our stay in Marathon, we have had to good fortune to meet and befriend Lee and Dee (About Time). You may have read previously that they taught us to play Bocce Ball. We've shared quips, lunches and dinner with them and we have tried to support their efforts with Relay for Life. 

As we were getting to know them, we learned that Lee is a five time cancer survivor and Dee is a five time care giver. Dee tells a poignant story about Lee's 57th birthday party. It was in an oxygen rich room, in the intensive care unit in their local hospital. Lee was not expected to survive the night. Family and friends had gathered to say their last goodbyes. Dee made arrangements for Food Services to wend up a cup cake, complete with candle, that was to serve as a make shift birthday cake. 

Lee was barely conscious and could barely speak. In his weakened condition, he motioned for Dee to come close, and mustered up enough strength to say, "for goodness sake, don't light the frickin’ candle!" Those words assured the assembled family and friends that Lee might just be able to recover from his illness. Earlier this year, we were honored to attend his 72nd birthday!

Lee and Dee have inspired us to become active participants in the Marathon Relay for Life. We attended the opening ceremony, the Lumenaria Ceremony and to participate in the relay as well. We walked from 2200 to 2300 hours and dedicated Lumenaria in honor of our family members who have succumbed to the disease.  

Tomorrow, we’ll rejoin the the Cruiser's Team at 0630 for Yoga, another hour of walking and the Closing Ceremony. 

We offer our most heart felt thanks to Dee and Lee for awakening our need to join in the good fight!

Baseball Season is Back!

Today is Opening Day for the Phillies! They managed to salvage a win with some 9th inning heroics! The game time temp was 41 degrees. It was in the high 80s from our vantage point here in Marathon!