The Cruising Adventures of Wild Blue and crew...

[Pat Anderson]

We were going to go out today on the 16, but it was really windy in the morning. Ended up spending the day cutting firewood. You remember firewood, don't you? :lol:

 

[JamesTXSD]

We were going to go out today on the 16, but it was really windy in the morning. Ended up spending the day cutting firewood. You remember firewood, don't you? :lol:

Yes I do, Pat... cutting, splitting and stacking wood. There was a time in my life that I found that invigorating. I was young and stupid. Bet you've never heard anyone refer to firewood as "frickie dickie." :wink:

Best wishes,
Jim

 

[JamesTXSD]

Wild Blue's last cruise for a while...

Yesterday was one of those absolutely perfect weather days; if Mother Nature made any nicer, she kept 'em for herself. Clear blue sky, low humidity, light breeze, and temps in the low 70s. And the bittersweet knowledge that Wild Blue will come out of the water soon. We're looking forward to some land traveling, and that means Wild Blue will get stored on the hard.

But this day, it was all about being on the water. I think I had more fun that Joan. While I drove, she cleaned our stuff out of the cabinets and put it in storage bins...



We ran up the ICW, then back down across the Laguna. Along the way, we came across this boat...



Nothing particularly unusual about this boat, other than the fact it isn't a typical south Texas flats boat... until you see the name. "Halcyon Days"... maybe they've been reading Bill and El's site?

Lots of boats out there - everyone wanted to be out on the water on this glorious day. We continued south in the Laguna, out the jetties and into the Gulf. Here's the beautiful blue Gulf...



When it was time to head for home, we came back via the ship channel. We ran water out of the fresh tank along the way; to clear the last of the water out of the tank, I did "donuts" in the water to lean the tank towards the outlet. Not exactly a thrill ride, but we did get some unusual looks from people on a passing excursion boat.

Back at our dock, we unloaded the bins, and I took my time giving Wild Blue her freshwater bath. Over the next couple days she will get a very thorough washdown and wax.

March is almost here. The water will be opening up in places in the frozen northland. I've tried to keep some warm images and stories going for any who couldn't get out... now, it's your turn. This island boy will be looking forward to reading your stories and cruising vicariously until we get back to Wild Blue.

Best wishes,
Jim

 

[Doryman]

Hope you will continue to post as you travel on the hard...

Warren

 

[hardee]

Jim,

Thanks for the frequent water fix's along the way. Enjoyed them. Sure hope you continue to share the travels through your unique perspective, and if you do get up to the upper left corner, we'd be pleased to have you three aboard. Travel safe,

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

 

[JamesTXSD]

Whew! Break-time... I've been cleaning and waxing Wild Blue. At noon, it's 80º and the wind is out of the south at 25G33. Just enough time for a few observations...

There was a discussion on another thread about which boat size to buy. We love our 25. I often call it our "just enough" boat. But, when it's time to clean and wax her, that hull seems to expand in size. :wink:



With the boat in the driveway, more people walk by. For some reason, they are compelled to say, "You missed a spot," or "You can come over and do mine when you're done with that one." Both comments should be grounds for justifiable homicide. :twisted: Just kidding, a thorough beating about the head would be enough.

There is something sick and twisted about waxing a boat right before you are going to put it away for a while... you just know it's going to be grubby when you get it back out. :roll:

I am not sexist. Having said that, we have "pink jobs" and "blue jobs" on our boat. Anyone can do either job, but generally we tend to do the jobs that fall in our ... um... color scheme. I'm not sure why waxing the boat is a blue job. Other examples of this:
cooking - pink job
wiping down the shower - blue job
navigation planning - blue job
actual navigating - blue job
overseeing actual navigating - pink job
forming a plan for docking - blue job
over-riding the plan for docking - pink job
helm while docking - blue job
handling lines - pink job
laundry - pink job
carrying the laundry - blue job
grocery shopping - pink job
carrying the groceries - blue job
trying to sneak in extra sweet stuff while grocery shopping - blue job
backing the trailer down the ramp - either (yes, really)
making sure the boat is secured to the trailer - either
feeding the cat - blue job
taking care of the other end of the cat - pink job
So, as you can see, we really do have a division of labor. I'm just aching from climbing all over the boat while waxing. While I've been doing that, Joan has been getting the bedding laundered. Lots to get done.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

 

[JamesTXSD]

Wild Blue has been put away for a while and the HitchHiker is just about ready to hit the road...



For those interested, Izzy the cat is adapting well to the RV. There is room for all her toys, her bed, and a cat tower. And something she doesn't have at home: steps (great launching-off points for flying leaps). We are spending a couple nights in the rolling condo here on our island before we leave... loading up and getting moved in. After 4 months in storage, it was dust-free inside and still smells like new.

A chilly night last night, got down to 50º, with a gusty north wind. Everyone slept fine, and I started up the fireplace this morning while I made coffee.

All systems have been checked, food is onboard, just a few clothing items to be loaded. While Wild Blue is being left behind, our digital frame is loaded up with lots of photos of our adventures with her.

Cue Willie... "On the road again... :note :note "

Best wishes,
Jim & Joan

 

[C-Hawk]

Have fun and safe travels.


oh--- And do report in --- we love to read your writings. :lol:

 

[Doryman]

Am curious what tools (buffer?) and cleaners/waxes you prefer for WB?

I'm guessing that with the current housing market meltdown any decision on the future of the Port Isabel house has been put on hold for the duration?

Warren

 

[JamesTXSD]

Hi Warren,

I like a Maguire's wax for Wild Blue, but I'll use other when I can't find it. No special technique... wash thoroughly, dry, use some vinegar water on any hard water spots, apply the wax, work it in good, switch pads and buff the wax off. If I come up with any spots that don't want to shine up, I add a few drops of water and buff some more. BTW, one way to get that "rust" off stainless rails and deck caps is to use the buffer (I prefer a smaller 6" buffer on the boat, with all the curves and nooks) on it with a bit of dried wax on the pad. It's just enough grit that it takes the discoloration off buy doesn't scratch. Try it on an inconspicuous spot first, 'cuz YMMV. I go over snaps with some silicone and a Q-Tip. I just had Wild Blue out last month to touch up the bottom paint, and I waxed the hull then. I gave the cabin and deck two coats and hit the hull with one more.

As far as the house, we considered selling it when we were out and about last spring/summer, but Joan said she'd rather not. No more discussion necessary. I sure like the convenience of having a dock right out the door, but I also enjoy wandering (that's why we're heading out again). If we divide time between the house, the boat, and the RV, I think the 3 of us can be happy with that. :lol:

The market here has certainly slowed, but nothing like Phoenix, Vegas, and other formerly hot markets. Most of the homes on our island and South Padre Island are second homes for the owners. I suspect most folks are like us: no mortgage, not looking to sell, so not concerned. Looking at real estate ads, I sure haven't noticed plummeting prices locally.

I read in today's paper that condo rentals and hotel rooms are at normal occupancy... but there are fewer available because of the hurricane damage. The revamping continues, and unless you know where to look, most visitors aren't going to notice. With the winter that most of the rest of the country has endured, there is a real incentive to come here. Our average temps are running nearly 8-10º above normal for December through February. It was chilly today, about mid-60s with a north wind, but the northers have been far fewer and shorter duration than any winter we've experienced here. Often, people who rent here for the winter get motivated to buy before they head back north. I'm out of the real estate loop, but I hear that people are looking again.

Speaking of the weather, I saw that two days ago temps in the Valley were pushing 100º! :shock: That is very unusual for this time of year (set a record there in McAllen). In comparison, we were in the low 80s here on the coast. Generally, the water is such a moderating factor... we're cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Normal daytime high here is 75º right now.

But, they probably tell you the same thing about Florida. 8)

Best wishes,
Jim

 

[thataway]

Florida had a warm fall, but the winter in the panhandle has had more cold days than we can remember in the 15 years we have lived here. We are coming up on a string of 3 to 4 nights in the low 30s (maybe high 20's)--very unusual for March.
Yesterday was 75--but today 55 is the high.

Good traveling!

 

[Pat Anderson]

A chilly night last night, got down to 50º

Patty here. That's a real knee slapper---can't stop laughing!!

 

[JamesTXSD]

A chilly night last night, got down to 50º

Patty here. That's a real knee slapper---can't stop laughing!!

It's all perspective. The two previous nights, I was sitting out on the deck in shorts and a t-shirt... still in the 70s at 9:00 pm. 50º? That may be tanning weather for you PNW folks, but it's long pants and jackets for us.

Some of the best warm weather worshipers are folks who KNOW what cold weather living is all about. If you ever get Pat to retire and really go to Yuma for a winter, it would be hard for you to go back to the cold again. Then come REALLY south to 26º lattitude (Yuma is 32.7º)... and water... and frickie-dickie dolphins.

Warm wishes,
Jim

 

[Valkyrie]

Jim,

Do you know where your wanderlust will take the three of you this time?

Regards,

Nick
"Valkyrie"

 

[JamesTXSD]

Jim,

Do you know where your wanderlust will take the three of you this time?

Regards,

Nick
"Valkyrie"

West, to start. Our daughter's birthday is in March, so off to Phoenix we go. From there, we'll be winging it. No schedule, no return date. Maybe we'll see some cacti blooming in the desert... or wander along the Colorado River. As winter winds down, we'll see where the weather looks good.

Best wishes,
Jim

 

[JamesTXSD]

Captain Jim... and it's bath time!

From the pen and mind of Dan, here's this week's Captain Jim cartoon...



We'll be seeing them next week... you can be sure we'll be discussing that "stinky" comment.

Best wishes,
Jim

 

[Pat Anderson]

Patty here. I look forward to it!

If you ever get Pat to retire and really go to Yuma for a winter, it would be hard for you to go back to the cold again. Then come REALLY south to 26º lattitude (Yuma is 32.7º)... and water... and frickie-dickie dolphins.

Warm wishes,
Jim

 

[Pat Anderson]

Pat here (I don't usually say that but seems necessary). (A) I too really look forward to retiring and (2) Yuma looks pretty good and the FD dolphins look even better. Windy, cold and now rainy here in Fall City again today...

 

[Doryman]

It's cold and windy here in St. Pete right now but earlier in the week we had great weather and several FD dolphin encounters! Including a few that swam right into the marina. Lori also saw manatee in the marina.

Warren

 

[JamesTXSD]

... earlier in the week we had great weather and several FD dolphin encounters! Including a few that swam right into the marina. Lori also saw manatee in the marina.

Warren

Photos? hoto