Boat yard Time

Lapidus is still on the hard, BUT (drum roll) the long awaited air handler is to be delivered today. So, we're planning on getting wet by the end of the week.

Parts not being shipped as scheduled as well as projects not being completed as scheduled by the boatyard have become the standard. Plus, sometimes, projects just don't go as smoothly as planned. Whatayougonnado? Deltaville is home to several boat yards, and Schroeder Yacht Systems was recommended' to us as one of the best and most efficient yards. Hmmm!

Reverse Cycle Heat and Air, Generator, AIS, Furuno NavNet 3D Chartplotter ---lots of new items to add to our enjoyment and safety and to become familiar with. The EPIRB and Winslow Liferaft are back on board after being updated. And much more has been done. I'll be posting pictures soon.

We've also experienced our first hurricane (rain and wind for this area) and our first Nor'easter (more rain and much more wind plus really high tides and rough seas). Mostly, though, the weather has been about as gorgeous as Virginia. We spent a beautiful day at the In-the-Water Virginia Boat Show, on the Norfolk waterfront on the Elizabeth River. In fact, we took the ferry from Portsmouth to Norfolk, crossing the river where we will be sailing as we head south. Pretty cool!

We took a little side trip to Hertford, NC for our first taste of North Carolina Bar-B-Que. The food was delicious and we thank Ginny, one of our good friends from Cedar Mills Marina (Shawn and Ginny on S/V Ta-Keel-AH) for the tip.

Last weekend we attended the SSCA GAM in Annapolis. We met up with Jim and Nancy Aadland, S/V Solitaire. They kept their boat at Cedar Mills Marina when we first bought our Catalina 30; now they cruise full time. They introduced us to other cruisers at the GAM and we met many others as well. We look forward to seeing these friends as we head south and while we're in the Bahamas.

Right now, we're just excited that we really are going to have our boat soon.

Beaverdam State Park

Today, along with everyone else, we're awaiting the arrival of Hanna. The locals say we need rain, but are wishing for moderate amounts plus less wind than predicted. They still remember the damage Isabelle caused several years ago. Lapidus is still on the hard, and hopefully, safe from the coming tropical storm. Progress continues to be slow; that's about all I can offer without whining.

Every day before we (or sometimes just Larry) go to the boatyard to work on Lapidus and/or oversee current projects, we like to get a little exercise. Recently, we discovered Beaverdam State Park, a beautiful lake and recreational area. The 635 acre lake and surrounding nature and hiking trails present a spectacular way to begin the day. Usually we walk the trails, but a canoe trip was perfect for capturing a few pics of another lovely piece of Virgina.a.