'On the hard' in Ortega, FL

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We're still on the hard with lots to do on the boat but the lists are getting shorter. Sadler Point Marina is a beautiful place with friendly, helpful people, so it's an ideal spot to dodge hurricanes and upgrade your boat.

Currently I'm sitting with a blanket over the computer, doing wifi in the boatyard. Not so bad. 80sF during the day and 60s at night.

Looking forward to a marine yardsale this coming Saturday where we can 'pass on' a half ton of treasures that we've jettisoned from the boat. Now we have a better idea of what we need and what is superfluous to our current lifestyle.

Having the truck has made a huge difference to our present lives. We are able to get supplies, visit people and sort out the things that aren't appropriate. This has been a tremendous exercise in organization and simplification. I'm sure we could do this every year until we are pared down to 'a smile and a Janzen'. And who needs a Janzen? : )

Ginger wants you to know that she really is a scary little witch. She got duded up for Halloween, with her last trim job before the weather gets colder. Last night from her vantage point at the front of the boat, she pointed out a huge pack of raccoons that came down to the water to bath or fish. After jumping around in the water for a while they left as a group to head along the shore.

We went to a movie last week, RED. Surprised to see so many police and squad cars helping to close the mall at 10 p.m. When we came out we noticed the police command centre stationed in the parking lot.

Now that we've passed Halloween, there will be an important election on Nov. 2. It's interesting to hear people working through their ideas, when it doesn't affect you directly. Gives you more of a chance to listen, observe and reserve judgement.

We have downloaded more pictures from our trip back here. We had a great visit with Cousin Vicki and Auntie Margie in Michigan. Glad to see Auntie doing so well after a few health challenges. We also had a super and strangely eventful visit with cousin Carolyn in Huntsville.

Just as we headed south, a large tropical storm moved up the Atlantic coast, causing tidal flooding far inland. These are shots from the Carolinas.

We were also able to revisit Carolina Beach and our marvelous friend JoAnne who was our angel last year December when Frank was injured.

The remainder are versions of pictures of our current location.

Remember to support your local yard sale! : )

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Photos

Our view from 'the hard'
Sadler Point Marina, Ortega, FL

What we do for Wifi
We cashed in our Verizon stick with the $500 roaming charge.

Wifi in the boatyard
Online banking under a blanket... NOT sexy.

Ginger Witch
She's one mean party dog!

Project Table
A small modification improved traffic flow by 100%

Hugs to Carolyn in Huntsville
As Frank says "All's well that ends." She understands.

Auntie Margie and Cousin Vicki
Thanks for everything. You have a great Tiki Bar!

Carolina Beach
View from Joanne's place, where tipped on a shoal last year.

Joanne - Harbour Angel
Looking out to see what the tide has dragged in now!

Anne, Chris, and GB
Opportunities in New Bern

Family Portrait, C, F & G
Where would we pose if we didn't have tourist monuments???

We like porches
Touring around you get a lot of ideas for your 'next' place

Back to future
Glad to be back, but thinking about the 'to do' list

Comments

[Elizabeth]

Catching up
Good to see you doing well! Robert comes home Friday - will be his first chance to do more on the bathroom - and I have a bunch of new cottages signed up that need his webpages too. We have been apart for most 7 weeks - with a couple of "family days" together at Thanksgiving. It's getting lonely here in Ivanhoe! Spent a week in Vermont with sister Ruth and friend Louise. We were up for anything and so or days were packed seeing sites, shopping, driving the back roads and just a little bit of hiking. Now I'm doing catchup and planning to go job hunting for a few months. Nice to hear from you! I think you look sexy Chris under a blanket or not! - all slim and tanned. Enjoy yourselves and let me know when you are on your way. Love you, Eliz XXOO

[Dorothy]

Thanks for the update. Go Ginger Witch!! Got my driver's license back today! Enjoy the rest of your time away.

[Gord]

Yard sale?
I would think that you would be looking for bargains for your boat? Of course, if you haven't used it, what good is it......until Murphy's Law decends on your trip and you remember that you sold it at the yard sale......The Nov election will probably have negative effect on the US economy. The jobs that went out of the country under the previous administration will not be coming back any time soon. Did you know, when you build your house on a alluvial flood plain or tidal area that sometimes it will get flooded? You guys and GB would look good, sittin, pickin and grinnin on the Big porch house. Someday eh? I rode the Beemer to Church yesterday and I used Frank's Gloves :-) 35 F Brrrrrrrrr Take care, Gord..........

[Kathryn]

There's a song...on the road again...
Hi, so glad for the update. I've been thinking about you and glad that you have a pause before hitting the seas again. Jettisoning can be a good thing (perhaps I'm thinking this way because I must do the same with office and over-kitchen room). No Ginger Witches (or goblins, etc) stopped by here on Hallowe'en, but Creative Play group met and we painted (with oil, no less) and I kind of like what I created. One of Evelyn's friends, Karen, came and lead the workshop. We're not enjoying your 80sF and 60s -- snow on Hallowe'en and a heavy frost last night. Poetry group met last night. Today I must venture out and will wear gloves -- the steering wheel is bound to be cold. I'm beginning to feel too busy and will be ready for a quiet spell when November is past tense. Keep your notes and the pix coming -- love to hear from you and still missing our visits. Kathryn