Back On The Boat

We've had a lot to get done since getting back home, but now we're starting to get more time to be on the water. We re-introduced Izzy to being onboard...



Joan stepped to the back of the boat, and Izzy settled in on the co-pilot's seat...


Wild Blue back where she belongs...


Today (06/13/09) was a great day on the water. We had lunch onboard and were treated to a great dolphin show...


We had the dolphins to ourselves for a while, then were joined by two dolphin watch boats. Hearing the squeals of delight from kids on the excursion boats when they see these critters is a real treat!

Changing Gears

We are back home. Today, we put the 5th wheel in storage and got the boat out. I'd love to say that the water was great and we had dolphins dancing all around the boat... but, I took it from storage to Cougar Marine for service. Nothing broke, the boat was due for service before we left, and they couldn't get us in. Mike, the mechanic, is a good guy and allows me to help. We didn't get everything done today, so I'll be making the 40 mile drive back there tomorrow... hopefully the work can be completed and I can bring the boat back and get her launched. The weather has been warm, and I am anxious to get some time on the water.

It was bittersweet putting the HitchHiker away this morning. We don't have room at our house for it, so it needed to go into storage so we can get the boat out... but, we have really enjoyed traveling around with the HitchHiker. Very home-like, very comfortable.

It was interesting making the switch this morning. When we first got Wild Blue, it seemed huge behind the truck. The HitchHiker is longer, taller, and weighs more... noticeably more. With the 5th wheel pin right over the rear axle of the truck, it tows great. The boat also seemed to have shrunk when I went inside... no big slide-outs!

Different conveyances for different ways to travel... and I'm really looking forward to getting back out there again.

Almost home...

After about 450 miles, we stopped for the evening just outside of Corpus Christi... 3 1/2 hours to home. Not long after getting set up, Mother Nature put on quite a display: thunderstorms all around us; plenty of wind and rain.

The Texas roads are great after the bone-jarring stuff that passes for pavement in Oklahoma. Izzy the travel cat continues to amaze: she rides like a real champ. A fly buzzing around the truck kept her entertained for a while, and she kept us entertained.

The traffic was thick through Dallas and Austin, but we stayed on the Interstates. Today, we were just making miles.

South Bound

After a few days in Sioux City (family), it was on southward. A night in Chanute, KS, and now in the Dallas area (more family). Then, the last leg for home. It seems that when you get your head into going home, you just want to get there. It'll be a few days, but I have the images of the warm water, the beach, and the boat playing in my head. ;-)

An inland sunset photo (from Kansas) to hold me, 'till we can have a sunset on the bay...

Sailing photos

Thought I'd share these photos that I just received from Steve (documenting our sailing day), showing the smiles on this island boy - just happy to be on the water...

The Shrine of Democracy

We lived in the Black Hills much of our adult lives. During that time, we frequently made the drive to Mt. Rushmore, the most well-known attraction in the Black Hills. It is always awe-inspiring. Since it's been a couple years since our last visit, we decided to spend an afternoon there.

One of the new features we hadn't seen before is the museum below the first viewing area - it is beautifully done, with displays, tools, newspaper articles, and two theaters.


We took the walkway down to the bass of the monument and around to the Scupltor's Studio. I was not a fan of the changes that occurred to the grounds back in the 90s, changing the feel of the park from rustic to what I considered "Washington D.C. monument"... but, having been away for a few years, it is very impressive, coming up to the monument through the columns and the state flags. My favorite part is the walkway, though; the access is much better, with frequent stops along the way to view the monument from below...




We even saw one of the elusive mountain goats scrambling across the rocks.

It is a real testament to the aspirations of Gutson Borglum and the many workers who made this huge undertaking happen. Yep, awe-inspiring, no matter how many times we've seen it.

Big move...

Our time was up on the site we were on, so we had to move to another site in the same park. Since we had to hook up, it was a good opportunity to haul the 5th wheel to the trailer place to have the electrical adapter installed. It was also the first time we towed with the cargo trailer behind the 5th wheel. Whew - it seems LONG...

Many states have a 65' length limit when towing. We planned for that, but put a tape on this to double check... we are 1/2" under 65'. Close!

Back at the "ranch", we settled back into our site, just a bit up from where we had been. Out on the perimeter, we have the same nice view and that great grassy area that Izzy enjoys. Plus, our neighbors have a bird feeder... smorgasbord! Here's a shot of Izzy at sunset, with some nice backlighting...


While we're enjoying our time here, we're also making summer cruising plans with the boat.