Grubby...

It has been windy the past couple days; as in: gusts above 30 mph.  When the wind comes from the south southeast through southwest and is strong, there is the chance of blowing sand and grit.  No fun to be out in that crap.

This morning, the wind was about 15 out of the southeast... yep, we should probably move that boat.  While Joan put together some cut fruit, coffee (for her), and ice water, I took a soapy cloth out to clean up the boat.  It wasn't pretty.  I should have put the full cover on it a couple days ago, but there is always "the chance" that the forecast will be off, and we'll be able to get out.  I had just the rain-fly over the front seats, and they weren't bad.  The back seats (where we sit) were gritty and grubby.

I "guy cleaned" them enough that we could get out and about, knowing that when we got back the boat would need a serious cleaning.

We almost always have fruit with breakfast; this morning, fruit was breakfast... and very enjoyable while out on the boat.

As we headed towards the turning basin, we could see 3 posts rising above the horizon - that is usually an indication that there is an oil platform there.  Not so this morning...

That is the L/B Kayd - the L/B stands for Lift Boat.  This is self-propelled and can run the rams down, lift the platform up, and perform lifting duties.  Pretty specific work boat.  Here is a file photo that shows it in action...

Not much else in our port.  As we headed towards the ship channel, we saw this big fellow coming in...

That is the bulk carrier (cargo ship) E.R. Bristol, home port of Monrovia, flying under the flag of Liberia.  No idea what cargo they're carrying.

That ship is heading in to Brownsville, we turned east to look around.  The wind started piping up... noting bad, guessing it in the upper teens to 20 mph.  Fairly typical for early summer around here.  We can generally find protected water; today, there were 1-foot rollers, closely spaced.  Unless we were sitting beam-to, it was a pleasant ride.

My main thought for today was just moving the boat.  When it is warm, the slime and critters will build up on the bottom quickly, even with bottom paint.  We'll be pulling the boat in the next week or so, and the bottom will get a thorough bottom cleaning... in the meantime, moving it is helpful to blow the slime off.  Well, with this small boat, there isn't a lot of speed for "blowing" anything off.  ;-)

Besides moving the boat, we were just enjoying being out.  The water is kind of churned up, but we kept our eye out for dolphins.  Bingo...

They were obviously focused on hunting for food.  We saw several 2s and 3s, but gave them plenty of space.  Still fun to see them.

On our way back in, this came up behind us...

Coast Guard Vessel Jacob Poroo, a Fast Response Cutter.  The 154 foot boat has a flank speed of 28 knots, and is used for patrolling for illegal aliens, drugs, and rescue missions.  It is an impressive looking vessel...

The wind was blowing 21 as we came back in our canal.  After tying off, I went to work cleaning the boat while Joan cleaned up around the outside of the house and on the deck.  All of this may be in vain, if the wind changes direction.  But, for now, it is all looking good!

So, now the boat and deck are clean... and we are grubby.  ;-)