December 14, 2013 setting sail

Today was our SOMEDAY!!  We left Alabama to cruise indefinitely.  My t-shirt said "Monday, Tuesday, Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun......see there is no Someday. 
 We left our suburban with a used car dealer at 6:00pm last night.  He even gave us a ride back to the marina after picking up our favorite pizza on the way.  What a guy!!  And before we got out of the car, he held our hands and gave us a blessing for safe travels.

We left Eastern Shore Marine in Fairhope, AL at 10:00 am.  It was overcast and foggy near the shore.  We were heading south and east into a south wind, so we motored to our destination today.  We decided to spend the night at the Wharf Marina in Orange Beach, AL.  They were having a special rate of $1/ft (usually $2/ft) because of the boat Christmas parade passing by their marina tonight.

We had been told that it was about 25 miles to the Wharf.  And since we only travel an average of 5 mph, it took us 6 hours of traveling time to reach our destination.  We had traveled down the bay once before.  There were no other boats out on the water on our side of the bay.  Rain was forecast, but it went out into the Gulf and missed us.   About noon, we had dolphins swim with us for awhile.  At about 2:30 we entered the intracoastal waterway (ICW).  For non-sailors, this is a channel that follows the coastline.  It is maintained at a set depth and width.  It's much calmer than being out on the open sea, but it is usually too narrow to sail.
 
 We have been able to view the ICW between Mobile Bay and the Wharf by car several times over the last year.  So it was very exciting to be traveling on it by boat.  One wish I have had for the last year was to stop at LuLu Buffett's restaurant by boat.  They have a dock that you can pull up to with your boat.  LuLu's is where the boats for the parade were starting, so we thought it would be too crowded to stop.  But as we came to LuLu's, the dock was empty, so we stopped!!  The staff were very helpful with tying up our boat.  We sat at the bar to save time.  We shared a blackened shrimp quesadilla.  I had to have a margarita, but Dave had sweet tea.  And we were back on the boat within about 40 minutes.  I was able to check that off of my "bucket list".
 

We reached the Wharf about 4:30.  Dave backed the boat into our slip so it would be easier to hook up to their shore power.  Their attendant said "looks like you've done that a few times".  We both started laughing.  Then explained to him how we started cruising today.

Our great neighbors from the marina, Debbie and Gary Jones from Ft Collins, CO, joined us for the parade.  It is only about an hour drive from the marina.  They were our photographers as we left the marina.  They also did another favor for us.  On the way to Orange Beach, they passed through Foley and right by our favorite BBQ restaurant.   We did not get a chance to go back there and pick up some of their brisket to freeze and take with us.  So they stopped for us, picked up our brisket to freeze and dinner for the evening.  It was wonderful.  Beef brisket, pork, BBQ beans, coleslaw, potato salad, and corn bread.  It was our first meal with guests at our table with the table totally cleared of computers and papers.  They even brought us a miniature Christmas tree.  I had told Debbie I was going to go to Dollar General for Christmas decorations that I could throw away and not have to store.  And since I didn't write it down on my list of things to do, it didn't get done.  So she remembered that and thoughtfully brought us a "disposable tree".  Thank you, Debbie and Gary.  You have been great neighbors.

This was a pretty exciting and emotional day for us.  We couldn't be happier.  30 minutes after we left port I had to say it "are we there yet?"  It really is strange realizing that there is no final destination.  We will sail as long as our health, the boat and/or our money lasts.  We are also looking for that "one particular harbor" (Jimmy Buffett song) where we may settle down someday.  

Let me close with the words to "Stars Fell on Alabama".  Jimmy Buffett recorded it, but it was written in 1934.  It has been sung by Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra and others.

For all the crooners and swooners wherever they may be
Moonlight and magnolias, starlight in your hair
All the world a dream come true
Did it really happen, was I really there
Was I really there with you

We lived our little drama, we kissed in a field of white
And stars fell on Alabama that night
I can't forget the glamour, your eyes held a tender light
And stars fell on Alabama last night

Chorus:
I never planned in my imagination, a situation so heavenly
A fairy land that no one else could enter
And in the center, just you and me, dear
My heart beat like a hammer, my arms wound around you tight
And stars fell on Alabama last night

--spoken:
Alright, lets take it on down from muscle shoals through decatur
Mmmm, birmingham, ooh montgomery
Right up over spanish fort into mobile, my hometown
Mister t...

(harmonica solo)

Chorus:
I never planned in my imagination, a situation so heavenly
A fairy land that no one else could enter
And in the center, just you and me, dear
My heart beat like a hammer, my arms wound around you tight
Ah, stars fell on Alabama last night

--spoken:
One more time boys...

Yes, we lived our little drama
We kissed on the dunes so white
And stars fell on Alabama
Last night

December 10, 2013 Renaming boat

Today we had the Renaming Ceremony for our boat.  We invited the owners of two other boats in the marina that we are friends with, 2 of our neighbors from our condo that we had for a year, and the people that work at the marina.  So there were 10-12 people present. 

Dave started the ceremony with explaining that when we moved here, he had talked to the owner of this marina, Ed, about buying a boat.  He gave us the name of Murray Yacht Sales that helped us find and purchase this boat.  Plus we had the marina do some work on the boat for us.  So we wanted to thank everyone at the marina for helping us make this dream come true.   We then explained where the name Luck of a Fool came from (see Nov 23, 2013 blog).  We then read the following toast. "I name this ship Luck of a Fool and may she bring fair winds and good fortune to all who sail on her."  Then Dave and I went to the bow to spray a bottle of champagne on the bow.  Pictures were difficult because our boat had the bow out away from the dock.  And our dinghy was on the deck of the boat.

Everyone then joined us in the marina's common picnic area for wine and beer and some snacks.  The ceremony was short and sweet, but the party lasted a couple hours.

We have had two naming ceremonies before.  Our first boat, a 24 ft C& C, was named the Ruby Slipper.  It had a pretty red hull.  But several of our new sailing buddies were calling us the Slippery Nipple.  So we had to change it.  That boat was named Tequila Maria (yes there's a story there).  We held that ceremony at Angostura Reservoir, where we sailed for many years.  The people present at that ceremony have become lifelong friends through our sailing adventures. 

Our second boat, a 25 ft Catalina, was named Get Away.  We thought we needed something more exciting.  We came up with HulaHula.  We had just been to Hawaii, so that was on our mind.  But there is a Jimmy Buffett song where he shouts Hula Hula.  We bought the boat in the fall.  That following spring, Dave and Pete trailered the boat to Florida for a sailing trip.  I was able to fly in and meet them, to save time off.  I discovered that there was going to be a Jimmy Buffett concert in Jacksonville, Fl in the time frame of our trip.  So that's where I flew into.  We took the boat to the tailgate party before the concert and had our renaming ceremony there.  Our good friends, Katheryn and Brian Sweeney from Orlando, joined us for the tailgate party and the renaming.  Of course the people around us had to join in also.  That afternoon, the concert crew filmed the people tailgating.  We made it on the jumbo tron screen during the concert.  Of course, we were the only boat in the parking lot. 

So we have had some fun renaming ceremonies over the years.  At this time, we believe this will be our last. 

December 7, 2013 solar panels

Dave explained that before starting any project, you need to think  through what can go wrong and how you would fix it, especially before putting a hole in your boat or through anything.  Also, he feels it is important to do the installations himself.  When we are cruising, if something needs to be repaired,  he wants to be able to handle it himself.  Dave usually finds that companies don't want  you to do your own installations.  They would prefer you hire a professional.  I suppose it has to do with liability.

Dave did a lot of research online last summer (and I thought he was just playing games).  He read forums about what other sailors use, pros and cons, ease of connection, etc.  His electronics training came in handy.  

Choice: 2 Kyocera panels that are 140 watts each, 5'x2'2"x 2".  He ordered them through Northern Arizona Wind and Sun.  The person Dave talked to was very helpful.  He talked through all the parts that were needed and made sure he had everything.  Their website also had great diagrams and technical support. 

 Dave decided to place ours on top of our cloth bimini which is supported by a metal framework custom  made for our boat.  The SP framework is designed for mounting, but it would need more support.  Dave researched and found another company, eMarine Systems, that made metal crossbars to assist in mounting.  BUT, Dave had to figure out where to attach the framework of the panels to the framework supporting our bimini using the crossbars for support.  That included where to punch holes through our bimini and how to seal it afterwards.  He likes a good puzzle.  He had one panel mounted before his hernia surgery in September. 

Steps: 1) plan best placement & mount panels  2) remove and store in suburban  3) repair bimini  4) remount panels 5) patch bimini again  6) run wiring to a solar panel charge controller  7) connect to batteries.

During this process, we determined that our bimini needed to be replaced.  As holes were punched through it, it began to tear or shred.  It's not unusual to have to replace them over time, we just weren't planning that right now.  We decided to repair ours and have a new one made elsewhere.  Florida has many businesses to choose from compared to the Mobile area.  Luckily, we found a great patch kit called Tear-Aid made by Sail-rite.  They make marine grade sewing machines , strong enough to patch sails.

The last step, hooking them to the batteries, will be done tomorrow.  Most the projects are winding down.  The next few days will be spent sorting and storing what was still in our storage unit, provisioning the boat and making a sail plan AND taking our car to a used car lot.  Leon said he'd give us a ride back to the marina.  Then when the weather is right, we will leave Mobile Bay and head to Cape Coral, FL.  Can't predict a time line.  But Dave promised to have me on shore somewhere to be able to go to church on Christmas.  I recently read that sailing plans should be written in the sand at low tide.

 Underside of solar panel

 Tear-aid patch over sewn area of canvas. 

November 29, 2013 Black Friday

On Thanksgiving Day, we sat and looked at our list of projects and the number of days needed to accomplish them before leaving Mobile Bay.  We need to do some work on the deck that involves drilling holes, reinforcing them and redrilling after 24 hours.  Ideally, it would be better to have the deck warmer.  With the forward heater not working, my toes were cold all night even with socks on.  So we decided we should buy a space heater for our comfort and to warm up the deck for our project.  Then we looked at each other and realized either stores were closed or there would be hordes of people at the stores on Black Friday.  We did not want to go shopping!  Then I remembered my Black Friday training with the Zellers in Mpls over the years.  I explained to Dave that if you go later in the morning, the traffic may be crazy, but the lines really won't be a problem.  We also needed some things at West Marine, so if we went there first, the other stores would settle down with time.
 
At West Marine, and I kept interrupting Dave's train of thought asking him questions.  So I went to the car for the ipad and occupied my time posting on Facebook and playing Spider Solitaire (my addiction).  I see our husband/wife roles reversing before my eyes.  Dave was our "homemaker" for the past 20 years.  And now I am working my way back into that role.  He is doing so many things for the boat that I can't help with.  So I feel useful being able to keep him moving by feeding him and doing laundry and making a "nest" in our boat.  Now here it is Black Friday.  Our roles used to be: me shopping and Dave waiting.  Now that we own a boat, Dave is shopping and I am waiting. 

I also realized, after several trips to West Marine, that it is similar to shopping at a store that sells cookware (like Someone's in the Kitchen in Rapid City) and having the clerks tell you how to make a gourmet meal and then what dishes and ingredients you would need and the steps involved.  Actually, Dave learns a lot from the clerks every time we go there.  And he ends up saving money in the long run by doing projects himself.  We were ready to call an air conditioning/heating service today.  But now Dave is going to flush the system and have what he needs to do it in the future, as needed, for less than a service call.  I guess we have more time than money these days. 

On the way to Home Depot, we are talking about the fluids we will need.  The conversation turns to "what is denatured alcohol anyway?"  With my chemistry minor, I turn to the computer.  Wikipedia's definition is: Denatured alcohol or methylated spirits is ethanol that has additives to make it poisonous, extremely bad tasting, foul smelling or nauseating, to discourage recreational consumption (now I remember).  Dave says "I should make that part of my name-Denatured Dave, or just Davenatured.  Just throw it out there and see what people say."  Kind of like how we explain that Dave is a "situation enhancer", whether the situation is going good or bad, Dave will do his best to enhance the situation.

Now that we've been to Home Depot and Lowe's and put in our exercise for the day (yesterday I didn't walk more that 10 steps at a time-didn't leave the boat. Boat exercise will be another blog topic), Dave decides a Guinness would taste great.  Well, it seems to be a Zeller tradition to have a few drinks after shopping on Black Friday, especially in Minneapolis (remember the meat raffle?). 

We go to our favorite Irish Pub in Fairhope and order Guinness, an appetizer and a meal to share.  Dave was apologizing because he got we he wanted off the menu.  I said I got what I wanted-we went out for a beer.  We made it home just fine, but not sure too many projects are going to be accomplished tonight.  Every Sunday night, McSharry's has a Traditional Irish Music Session.  Anywhere from 4-8 musicians sit in a corner of the bar and "jam".  That appears to be common in an Irish Pub.  So when Pete visited us last December, we went there so he could join in.  I have included an amateur copy of one of his songs from my iphone.  But it gives you a feel for the atmosphere.  When we returned the second week, they all cheered "Pete's here!!".  Made his mother proud.  As a side, Pete had the opportunity to "jam"  in an Irish Pub in the northern part of London with our good friend, Kendall Bodden, who passed away in November.  He will be missed at Ski for Light in SD. Great memories.    
          

November 28, 2013 Thanksgiving

Well, this was an unusual, but comfortable Thanksgiving.  First, we have two air conditioner/heater units on our boat.  The forward one (where we sleep) decided to quit this week.  We had screens added to the through hulls where water is brought into the boat to cool the ac/heater and one for the engine.  With 5 rivers flowing into this bay, there is a lot of debris in the water.  Before placing the screens, Dave was having to clean the filter about once a week.  But everything had been fine since the screen was added.  Last night it was down to 27 degrees.  It was fine in bed, but hard to get out of bed this morning.  It was 42 degrees inside the boat this morning.  Still not as bad as our winter camping days. 

Thanksgiving is all about the food.  Dave has never been a fan of turkey.  And we don't have a very big oven.  So we ordered a barbecued pork Boston butt from the Knights of Columbus at my church.  We had to pick it up on Wednesday, so we decided to have our first feast on Wednesday night.  We don't have a lot of refrigerator space either, so we brought a cooler from out storage unit for the Butt and beer.  I had lined up fixings for some of our favorite traditional side dishes.  Again, because of the small space to work in and limited amount of pots and pans, I cheated on a few things.  Since there were only the two of us, I made two sides and buns Wed night.

We  had caramel rolls Thursday morning in memory of my mom.  But mine were from the bakery.  I'm sure she was laughing at her spoiled daughter this morning.  Then late morning I tried a new dish: scrambled eggs with leftover stovetop dressing along with more pork.  Loved it!

Mid afternoon we had our dessert: a pumpkin bar on a gingerbread crust.  I think of dad with the gingerbread.  Then for dinner/supper we had our pork again with different sides. 

We spent the morning making a schedule of things we need to finish before we can leave here.  Then we busied ourselves with little projects and listened to football games on the internet (no TV). 

Late this afternoon, Dave fixed our wifi booster, so I was up and running again on my computer.  Dave's Mac would connect, but my PC wouldn't.  So I was keeping connected with the world through our mini ipad or my phone.  It's nice to have a real keyboard again. 

We had a nice chat with our son, Pete, today.  Sounds like he had lots of invites to spend the day with friends.  He ended up at a large family gathering, which I'm sure he could appreciate after all the Zeller family gatherings.

Dave promised me a game of cards tonight.  But I have been happily updating my blog, so I think he is going to get out of it.  I know the cards are flying at my brother's in Minneapolis.  They posted a dinner table picture on face book, and one of the cleanup crew.  So I had to take a couple, too.

We are so thankful that we have the same interest in sailing and still enjoy each others company after 36 years.  We are also thankful for the wonderful family and friends that have supported us in this adventure.  Happy Thanksgiving to y'all.  And Happy Birthday Katie!

November 24, 2013 launching the dinghy

The dinghy that came with our boat was old and smaller than what we wanted.  So after researching for the qualities we wanted, we ordered a 10.5 foot inflatable dinghy with an aluminum hull.  Of course we also had to get a new motor, 15 HP Mercury.  Richard assured me that I would be strong enough to start this.

We took our old one to a second hand sporting goods store, Encore Sports in Daphne.  We have become friends with the people at that store.  Hello to those of you that are reading this blog.

The dinghy arrived while we were still in our condo.  Luckily, we had a large garage.  Dave also had a motor stand, which was helpful.  We moved the boat from our garage to the storage unit about 3 weeks after Dave's hernia surgery.  Again, we were lucky to have a dolly to move it and not have to carry it.  Dave still did more than he should have.

So today, we finally brought the dinghy to the boat.  We launched it at the beach next to the marina.  Dave then rowed it around the breakwater and into our marina.  We placed it on our deck on soft chocks that are removable.  This will only be an overnight storage.  If we are sailing, the dinghy will be upside down on the deck, on the davits at the stern, or we will pull it behind.

The motor is on it's own davit on the stern.  There is a pulley system to lift it off the dinghy and onto the davit.

The dinghy is a sailor's mode of transportation once you are settled.  If you are anchored or on a mooring ball, you use it to go to shore.  Even if you have a slip in a marina, you can use it to explore the area.  You might dinghy into a shallow area or another bay, to a restaurant, to another boat, or go fishing or snorkeling.  I have read other blogs that mention several boaters tying their dinghies together for a social gathering.  We would "raft up" with other boaters with our smaller boat.  But with a live aboard, once you are anchored for the night, you don't want to move your boat until you head to a new location.

With a dinghy, I don't feel so bad about selling my convertible to my sister.  But I may wish I could put the top up some day.  
 

November 23, 2013 boat name

We are now legal to sail according to the Coast Guard.  We have attached our name to the boat and the hailing port.  We would have loved to use Rapid City, SD as our hailing port, but it had to be where the boat was registered. 
Deciding on a name for a boat has been a tough decision in the past.  But we have talked about using this name for a long time.
Luck of a Fool is from a song we have loved since we were first married in the last 70's, French Waltz sung by Nicolette Larson.  The line says "I know that I'm not the wisest of men.  I must have the luck of a fool."  So Dave has been using that line for years in many of his adventures.
If you would like to hear the song, copy and paste this address:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGOUwahCRJ8.