The Last Week on Land

It's down to the last week at work and living on land. It seems surreal with all the last minute packing and cleaning and saying farewell to longtime friends. This is the hardest part. All are happy and excited that we area actually doing this, and I think a few are even jealous. 

We've replaced the electrical panel with three, and will be adding an air conditioner on board. This will be a most welcomed addition as the temps and heat indexes are rally high in NC.
Marine brands are extremely expensive, and the guys at the marine store recommended one for a house. Since it would run only on shore power (110) it makes sense, especially when the costs are 75% less. We've settled on an energy star one room 12,000 BTU that will fit in the companionway hatch for now. When we get a little more settled and financially more fluid, we may upgrade to a water cooled system.
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This will be our last post on land and the next one will be on board Soteria.
Till then, fair winds and following seas.

End of week 2

As promised, I am attaching some photos from the past week. Things have settled down a bit, but we are finding more things that need to be taken care of. The portlight Elden resealed isn't leaking, but we have had two others either leak or the that tightening knobs on them broke. That means two new portlights need to be added to the list. The electrician is installing the new breaker panel today. That should solve a myriad of situations. Elden wants him to look at the hot water heater. Not only is it leaking a bit, but it isn't getting hot using electricity. Right no w we are heating water on the propane stove to do dishes. Reminds me of the times we spent on the Mississippi on Providence with no water heater but the stoves.

Above is the osprey nest we saw crossing the Pamilco River. We found out yesterday that ospreys are very common here and we saw two more nests in Broad Creek.

This is a sunrise looking over the neighboring boat, God's Way, who we met this past week.

The weather has been hot and humid, with chances of rain, but that hasn't materialized yet. Between walking and working on the boat, we have been slowly getting into shape. It is amazing how much perspiration the body can produce in one hour, let alone one day. I am thinking we need more light t-shirts as we just about have to change them twice a day. Good thing there is a Salvation Army Family Store in town. 

That's all for now, as we are getting packed up to go home for 4 weeks before coming back down permanently. It sort of feels like home, but it will feel more like it when we come back in July.

A really great day in Washington, NC

  Yesterday was a day of great things: first we saw two porpoises swimming past the docks. I didn't know they came up this far inland and north! Second, Elden was exploring the inner depths of Soteria's holds and found a third battery, saving us $$$ that we don' have to spend now and I found a hatch hinge for the forward hatch. This is the one that the marina guys couldn't find anywhere, even online. So I contacted the manufacturer and got a quick response as to where I can get more (just in case the other three need attention). And I fixed it while Elden resealed one of the port side port lights that was leaking. Oh, yeah, our sunburns are getting better each day, too. Time is going too fast as we finish up the cleaning and sorting out, but we managed to take time to see the area and take the Aurora ferry again. That's where we saw an osprey nest with the mom and chicks inside. Hopefully I can get the photos off my phone as guess who forgot her camera again?

We have been using the solar cooker as well and came up with a new recipe: Old Bay shrimp and black beans. Tomorrow I may try crab. Haven't tried the local fish markets yet, as I haven't found one that I like the look of. Coolers in the sun doesn't sound healthy to me.

The rains have been holding off, even though Elden wants it to rain to check out the sealing job on the port light he resealed. I just want to get used to the humidity a little faster. The one shock was the price at the laundromat for a washer: $2.75 for one load. At least the dryers were still a quarter.

More later with photos from the past weekend. Have a great week and see y'all on Monday.