The Geminid Meteor Shower is going to be visible in most of the US on Thursday evening, from twilight until dawn early Friday morning. Of course, overcast will eliminate any sightings, but if it is clear, it will be during a new moon, so the viewing should be good. Getting away from city lights will allow better viewing, and you need to give your night vision 15 or 20 minutes to get used to the conditions.
Two viewings stick in my mind, both on the water. The first was in the middle of the night on the east coast of the Baja - there wasn't a light anywhere; the Hale-Bopp Comet was highly visible (1997). It was amazing. The next was the Perseids Meteor Shower... Joan and I laid out on the nets of the trimaran we had at the time... romantic and breath-taking.
So, if you get the chance, take your Honey out for some star gazing.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
59º and a Tuesday Morning...
I know - there are plenty of folks in the frozen northland who can't sympathize with a high of 59º. These northers generally last 3 days (it blew in yesterday morning). Day two with long pants and socks, and a light jacket when we were out and about. On the bright side, the wind was way down, blowing in the mid-teens instead of the 30s and 40s.
We stopped over to check on a friend's boat while they are out of town - the Laguna Madre was green with some whitecaps... WAY better than yesterday's brown water with foamy whitecaps with the tops blowing off of 'em!
Tuesday is one of the three days a week where Blackbeard's has chicken fried steak or chicken on special. "Grandma food" sounded comforting on this chilly, blustery day. As we left the restuarant, Joan asked, "Can we swing by Tuesday Morning on the way home?"
"It's already Tuesday afternoon." I knew she meant the store, but I didn't know we had one locally. Sure enough, there is a Tuesday Morning on South Padre Island. I really should get out more. "I suppose that's been there a while?" I asked.
"About two years."
If you have never been in a Tuesday Morning (no idea why they call it that), they have have an eclectic selection of goods: linens, dishes, kitchen do-dads, luggage, toys, knick-knacks, and an ever-changing array of other stuff that I don't need, either. "What is that?" (pretty sure I sound like a little kid in these places)
"It's a citrus reamer."
"Sounds pretty uncomfortable for the citrus." It looked as dangerous as it sounds. I could tell that I may be a candidate for that reamer if I kept asking dumb questions.
So, we spent Tuesday afternoon in a Tuesday Morning... something to do with the time/space continuum, I think. Probably not, but it was the opportunity to use "continuum" here. She's right: I do need to get out more. This is what happens when we have two gray days in a row... I don't know how those people in the PNW do winter there. "Let the sun shine... let the sun shine in..." (everybody sing)
We stopped over to check on a friend's boat while they are out of town - the Laguna Madre was green with some whitecaps... WAY better than yesterday's brown water with foamy whitecaps with the tops blowing off of 'em!
Tuesday is one of the three days a week where Blackbeard's has chicken fried steak or chicken on special. "Grandma food" sounded comforting on this chilly, blustery day. As we left the restuarant, Joan asked, "Can we swing by Tuesday Morning on the way home?"
"It's already Tuesday afternoon." I knew she meant the store, but I didn't know we had one locally. Sure enough, there is a Tuesday Morning on South Padre Island. I really should get out more. "I suppose that's been there a while?" I asked.
"About two years."
If you have never been in a Tuesday Morning (no idea why they call it that), they have have an eclectic selection of goods: linens, dishes, kitchen do-dads, luggage, toys, knick-knacks, and an ever-changing array of other stuff that I don't need, either. "What is that?" (pretty sure I sound like a little kid in these places)
"It's a citrus reamer."
"Sounds pretty uncomfortable for the citrus." It looked as dangerous as it sounds. I could tell that I may be a candidate for that reamer if I kept asking dumb questions.
So, we spent Tuesday afternoon in a Tuesday Morning... something to do with the time/space continuum, I think. Probably not, but it was the opportunity to use "continuum" here. She's right: I do need to get out more. This is what happens when we have two gray days in a row... I don't know how those people in the PNW do winter there. "Let the sun shine... let the sun shine in..." (everybody sing)
Monday, December 10, 2012
Oh, the weather outside is frightful...
Well, perspective. Our local weather weasels are having a field day: something to talk about. "Winter weather"... it was 74º when I got up this morning, with the wind having shifted to the north. A look at radar on a weather app shows that there will be a gust front approaching. I looked out at the boat, a quick check of the lines. The wind is supposed to be howling in another hour or so.
And here it comes: the first gust that sent the palm trees from swaying to bending, and the rain is pounding sideways. Glad I'm not out in that. The temp is down to 68º. Yeah, I know that's not "winter."
Looking at radar, the rain will probably be a 20 to 30 minute event. Winds are gusting in the 30s. The cooler temps and winds will last a couple days... our first real norther. They get worse.
Nothing to shovel. We'll need jackets and long pants when we go out later... maybe even socks! We used to live in the frozen northland - we know winter.
This will give the chance to check the seal around the fan I installed.
And here it comes: the first gust that sent the palm trees from swaying to bending, and the rain is pounding sideways. Glad I'm not out in that. The temp is down to 68º. Yeah, I know that's not "winter."
Looking at radar, the rain will probably be a 20 to 30 minute event. Winds are gusting in the 30s. The cooler temps and winds will last a couple days... our first real norther. They get worse.
Nothing to shovel. We'll need jackets and long pants when we go out later... maybe even socks! We used to live in the frozen northland - we know winter.
This will give the chance to check the seal around the fan I installed.
Friday, December 7, 2012
Three! Count 'em - three!!
On Wednesday, I mentioned "one task per day." I must have been running behind... we tackled three tasks today. Or, maybe it means I get the next two days off? Sure as heck, my buddy Pat is going to ask, "How do you know you have a day off when you're retired?" He'll find out... his countdown clock is ticking.
What? Oh, yeah - the tasks. We have been pondering where to put the solar exhaust fan we bought for the boat. I went back and forth between the head and the v-berth. Both places generate plenty of humidity. In the end, I decided to mount the fan in the forward hatch, because it would have a better shot at sunlight, due in large part to the radar arch on our boat.
I followed all the directions. Measured a whole bunch of times. Made an "X" with tape to pinpoint the center and went after it with the hole saw on loan from our friend Roger...
A have to say, I really don't like drilling holes in a perfectly good boat. Going through my head while I was cutting away: "This hatch will cost me about $500 to replace - sure hope it doesn't split out!"
The hole saw made it a snap. I pondered some more...
As far as holes go, this is a good one...
I carefully sanded the edges and test fit the exhaust fan...
Some 5200, and it's in...
For those who are not boat people, 5200 is a gooey white substance often used to repair and install stuff on boats. It is part adhesive, part caulk-like, dries hard as nails, and one blob of this stuff is guaranteed to get in the most amazing places... like in your hair, on your sunglasses, and on the skin under your skivvies. No one knows how that happens, but it always does. It takes days for the 5200 to set up good and solid, thus the tape on the above image. The fan housing fits in the hole nicely, but I wanted to make sure it didn't rotate in the hole... I'm not obsessive or anything, but I have the screws lined up nice and even...
With task one done, I moved on to number two: more drilling. I promised Joan I'd put in a cable connection in the cockpit so we didn't have to do that "Sanford & Son" through the window thing again. Drilling in the cockpit...
I worked on the outside, while Joan threaded cable in the cabin. It will be set up for cable or satellite TV...
No, the finished product doesn't have that cable hanging out - the little white box is nicely drilled and mounted to the bulkhead wall.
Task 2.5: Joan wanted a cable connection on the outside of the house, in the same place as our power outlet. Again, I drilled and mounted, while she ran cable. Then, the test: all systems are GO, in the house and in the boat.
Then, the really tough task: getting that pretty fiberglass bed cover back on the truck. It is a beast, and it has to come off to tow the 5th wheel. I made a hanging mount for it in our cargo trailer, so we don't have to carry it far. In the past, I have found a couple guys working on something else in the neighborhood and offered them $$ for 3 minutes of heavy lifting. Joan said she was up for the task today... I was wishing I was. I sucked it up and we hauled the cover on to the truck bed. Joan was even kind enough to put in the screws at the far end of the bed so my achy ol' bones didn't have to crawl back there. 8 bolts/nuts hold it all down. It is a lot of work just to take the 5th wheel out for a few days... but, it looks go good and gives us covered storage in the back of the truck. So, on and off it goes.
Somehow, those tasks ate up most of the day. Barely had time for lunch out and a trip to Wally World to pick up a few more lengths of cable. We should be good to go... and looking forward to a couple days off! ;-)
What? Oh, yeah - the tasks. We have been pondering where to put the solar exhaust fan we bought for the boat. I went back and forth between the head and the v-berth. Both places generate plenty of humidity. In the end, I decided to mount the fan in the forward hatch, because it would have a better shot at sunlight, due in large part to the radar arch on our boat.
I followed all the directions. Measured a whole bunch of times. Made an "X" with tape to pinpoint the center and went after it with the hole saw on loan from our friend Roger...
A have to say, I really don't like drilling holes in a perfectly good boat. Going through my head while I was cutting away: "This hatch will cost me about $500 to replace - sure hope it doesn't split out!"
The hole saw made it a snap. I pondered some more...
As far as holes go, this is a good one...
I carefully sanded the edges and test fit the exhaust fan...
Some 5200, and it's in...
For those who are not boat people, 5200 is a gooey white substance often used to repair and install stuff on boats. It is part adhesive, part caulk-like, dries hard as nails, and one blob of this stuff is guaranteed to get in the most amazing places... like in your hair, on your sunglasses, and on the skin under your skivvies. No one knows how that happens, but it always does. It takes days for the 5200 to set up good and solid, thus the tape on the above image. The fan housing fits in the hole nicely, but I wanted to make sure it didn't rotate in the hole... I'm not obsessive or anything, but I have the screws lined up nice and even...
With task one done, I moved on to number two: more drilling. I promised Joan I'd put in a cable connection in the cockpit so we didn't have to do that "Sanford & Son" through the window thing again. Drilling in the cockpit...
I worked on the outside, while Joan threaded cable in the cabin. It will be set up for cable or satellite TV...
No, the finished product doesn't have that cable hanging out - the little white box is nicely drilled and mounted to the bulkhead wall.
Task 2.5: Joan wanted a cable connection on the outside of the house, in the same place as our power outlet. Again, I drilled and mounted, while she ran cable. Then, the test: all systems are GO, in the house and in the boat.
Then, the really tough task: getting that pretty fiberglass bed cover back on the truck. It is a beast, and it has to come off to tow the 5th wheel. I made a hanging mount for it in our cargo trailer, so we don't have to carry it far. In the past, I have found a couple guys working on something else in the neighborhood and offered them $$ for 3 minutes of heavy lifting. Joan said she was up for the task today... I was wishing I was. I sucked it up and we hauled the cover on to the truck bed. Joan was even kind enough to put in the screws at the far end of the bed so my achy ol' bones didn't have to crawl back there. 8 bolts/nuts hold it all down. It is a lot of work just to take the 5th wheel out for a few days... but, it looks go good and gives us covered storage in the back of the truck. So, on and off it goes.
Somehow, those tasks ate up most of the day. Barely had time for lunch out and a trip to Wally World to pick up a few more lengths of cable. We should be good to go... and looking forward to a couple days off! ;-)
Thursday, December 6, 2012
So, now maybe I won't get lost...
Probably not a big concern here in our home waters. The boat has a great Raymarine chartplotter. I have a dated, but serviceable small Garmin color chartplotter that I used to use as a backup. These days, the iPad, Joan's iPhone, and my Droid all have the Navionics app, making them even better (and more current) backups.
I have been playing with the recently released Garmin Bluechart Mobile app... it is another chartplotter app, much like the Navionics. Regular readers here know I really like the Navionics app. I have been using it since shortly after the iPad came out. It works. In spite of all the bad information that gets tossed around the internet, you don't have to be connected to the internet for the chartplotter app to work... you just have to have a device that has a built-in GPS chip (like the cellular iPads, NOT the wifi-only models).
Well, there's a new kid in town. OK, Garmin is far from a new kid in the GPS and charting business, but they are now in the app business. I have been less than enthralled with Garmin's proprietary chart card pricing. Their more recent chartplotters have pre-installed marine data. But, this new app is the equivalence of all their US chart cards... for less than $30. For another $4, you can get weather data displayed on the chart app (when you have an internet connection). It's a good deal.
But, how does it stack up against your up-to-now favorite, the Navionics app? Thanks for asking. It's still early, but the apps are pretty similar. The Garmin app has a lot more options, the best two being Active Captain data and the weather overlay. The one thing I wasn't crazy about with the Navionics app was the fact that the screen is always oriented with north up... the Garmin app gives you the choice of north up or heading up.
The Active Captain data (for those who don't use it) gives you information about marinas, anchorages, safety issues, and user reviews. And that information is contained in the app - you don't have to be connected to the internet for it to work. Big plus.
Like the US & Canada coverage on Navionics, with the Garmin, you select the areas you will be cruising in and download the chart data from there (internet connection required for the download)... that way, you aren't taking up the HUGE memory that would be required to have all that info contained on the iPad (or other device). It is easy to add other areas or delete areas you are no longer using.
If you are an Android user, no Garmin app for you! At this time, it is iOS only. Won't work on the original iPad, either (not enough internal memory).
Looks like I have a new favorite chartplotter app.
I have been playing with the recently released Garmin Bluechart Mobile app... it is another chartplotter app, much like the Navionics. Regular readers here know I really like the Navionics app. I have been using it since shortly after the iPad came out. It works. In spite of all the bad information that gets tossed around the internet, you don't have to be connected to the internet for the chartplotter app to work... you just have to have a device that has a built-in GPS chip (like the cellular iPads, NOT the wifi-only models).
Well, there's a new kid in town. OK, Garmin is far from a new kid in the GPS and charting business, but they are now in the app business. I have been less than enthralled with Garmin's proprietary chart card pricing. Their more recent chartplotters have pre-installed marine data. But, this new app is the equivalence of all their US chart cards... for less than $30. For another $4, you can get weather data displayed on the chart app (when you have an internet connection). It's a good deal.
But, how does it stack up against your up-to-now favorite, the Navionics app? Thanks for asking. It's still early, but the apps are pretty similar. The Garmin app has a lot more options, the best two being Active Captain data and the weather overlay. The one thing I wasn't crazy about with the Navionics app was the fact that the screen is always oriented with north up... the Garmin app gives you the choice of north up or heading up.
The Active Captain data (for those who don't use it) gives you information about marinas, anchorages, safety issues, and user reviews. And that information is contained in the app - you don't have to be connected to the internet for it to work. Big plus.
Like the US & Canada coverage on Navionics, with the Garmin, you select the areas you will be cruising in and download the chart data from there (internet connection required for the download)... that way, you aren't taking up the HUGE memory that would be required to have all that info contained on the iPad (or other device). It is easy to add other areas or delete areas you are no longer using.
If you are an Android user, no Garmin app for you! At this time, it is iOS only. Won't work on the original iPad, either (not enough internal memory).
Looks like I have a new favorite chartplotter app.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
One task per day...
Nice thing about being retired: you sent your own goals and expectations. In order to have enough "play time," Joan has set our goal as "one task per day." I'm thinking she came up with a compromise, since there have been days where all I want to do is play. ;-)
Yesterday, I cleaned the squished bugs off the 5th wheel (a LOT of front end) while Joan did about 6 loads of laundry. We prepped the 5th wheel for going back into storage. (This was after gathering paperwork for my license... I think that counts as two tasks.)
Today, after breakfast, she got a private concert. When I asked what the "task for the day would be," she said, "Getting the 5th wheel back into storage."
Easy enough. Just before the crack of noon, we hooked the HitchHiker up to the truck and headed for the storage lot. Putting it back into its "slip" was easy enough, since the RV on our port side was also out...
We take care when putting it away, with insulated window covers, plenty of Damp-Rid, and Bounce sheets spread around the interior. Blocked up and locked up, we said good-bye to the Love Shack and headed home.
"Any other tasks? It's early; I can get the exhaust fan and cable TV inlet put in the boat."
"No, that will be tomorrow's task, but we do need to do some grocery shopping."
Also, easy - I drive the cart and try to sneak in sweets without being caught. Even that wasn't necessary today... Joan asked, "Do you want some Russel Stover chocolate Santas?"
"Am I at the top of the Naughty List? Damn right I do!" She put a package of them in the cart and said, "It's an 8 pack - that should last you until Christmas."
"Right - it'll be a Christmas miracle if it lasts until Saturday!" I have always felt that chocolate is one of the 4 basic food groups. (Pizza, a juicy burger, and rum, if you're keeping track of the other 3)
It was close to 3:00 when we rolled up to the swing bridge to get on our island... the bridge was out; a tug was pushing a petroleum barge through. While waiting for the bridge to close again, Joan asked, "Do you want to take me for a boat ride?"
"That's like asking me if I want chocolate." We unloaded the groceries, then I went out to get the boat ready. Doesn't take much: take off the window covers, unplug the power, put the motor down, and fire it up. It is SO nice having the boat ready to go on a whim.
"Any destination?" I asked.
"No, we don't have to go look for dolphins or head anywhere in particular. It's been over a week, and I just thought we needed some boat time."
That plan changed when I saw some dolphins ahead of us in the ship channel. "They are coming to see us," I said as I pointed out the dolphins making a bee-line for Wild Blue.
"Well, we should probably watch for a while." Flexibility is important. "I don't want to have to shoot photos, though," she said.
"No problemo - I may take a shot or two myself, though," I told her...
We were the only boat in sight, and I guess they were looking for someone to play with. When we headed for home, Joan said, "I get hoarse when we're out on the boat."
"Why? This boat is really quiet."
"All the hooting and hollering I do with the dolphins!" Yes, they really do seem to react to the enthusiasm.
As we turned into our canal, Joan asked, "Do you want to get the motorcycle out?"
"Really? It's going to be dark soon." (I've only had the bike out once since we've been home.)
"No, not really. But, if you did, you could have played with the RV, the boat, and the motorcycle all in the same day."
The woman knows me. ;-)
Yesterday, I cleaned the squished bugs off the 5th wheel (a LOT of front end) while Joan did about 6 loads of laundry. We prepped the 5th wheel for going back into storage. (This was after gathering paperwork for my license... I think that counts as two tasks.)
Today, after breakfast, she got a private concert. When I asked what the "task for the day would be," she said, "Getting the 5th wheel back into storage."
Easy enough. Just before the crack of noon, we hooked the HitchHiker up to the truck and headed for the storage lot. Putting it back into its "slip" was easy enough, since the RV on our port side was also out...
We take care when putting it away, with insulated window covers, plenty of Damp-Rid, and Bounce sheets spread around the interior. Blocked up and locked up, we said good-bye to the Love Shack and headed home.
"Any other tasks? It's early; I can get the exhaust fan and cable TV inlet put in the boat."
"No, that will be tomorrow's task, but we do need to do some grocery shopping."
Also, easy - I drive the cart and try to sneak in sweets without being caught. Even that wasn't necessary today... Joan asked, "Do you want some Russel Stover chocolate Santas?"
"Am I at the top of the Naughty List? Damn right I do!" She put a package of them in the cart and said, "It's an 8 pack - that should last you until Christmas."
"Right - it'll be a Christmas miracle if it lasts until Saturday!" I have always felt that chocolate is one of the 4 basic food groups. (Pizza, a juicy burger, and rum, if you're keeping track of the other 3)
It was close to 3:00 when we rolled up to the swing bridge to get on our island... the bridge was out; a tug was pushing a petroleum barge through. While waiting for the bridge to close again, Joan asked, "Do you want to take me for a boat ride?"
"That's like asking me if I want chocolate." We unloaded the groceries, then I went out to get the boat ready. Doesn't take much: take off the window covers, unplug the power, put the motor down, and fire it up. It is SO nice having the boat ready to go on a whim.
"Any destination?" I asked.
"No, we don't have to go look for dolphins or head anywhere in particular. It's been over a week, and I just thought we needed some boat time."
That plan changed when I saw some dolphins ahead of us in the ship channel. "They are coming to see us," I said as I pointed out the dolphins making a bee-line for Wild Blue.
"Well, we should probably watch for a while." Flexibility is important. "I don't want to have to shoot photos, though," she said.
"No problemo - I may take a shot or two myself, though," I told her...
We were the only boat in sight, and I guess they were looking for someone to play with. When we headed for home, Joan said, "I get hoarse when we're out on the boat."
"Why? This boat is really quiet."
"All the hooting and hollering I do with the dolphins!" Yes, they really do seem to react to the enthusiasm.
As we turned into our canal, Joan asked, "Do you want to get the motorcycle out?"
"Really? It's going to be dark soon." (I've only had the bike out once since we've been home.)
"No, not really. But, if you did, you could have played with the RV, the boat, and the motorcycle all in the same day."
The woman knows me. ;-)
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Making copies...
Anyone remember the old Rob Schneider routine from Saturday Night Live? Ahh, the Jiminator is making copies for renewal of his Master License. That bit was funny, mostly due to the repetitive nature of it all. I spent the morning making copies... 58 pages in all (not including original papers) to submit to the Coast Guard for renewal of my captain's license. Somehow, that repetition wasn't as funny.
I've been through it a couple times. Pretty sure I signed every place I'm supposed to sign. Paid my fees. Packaged it all up. Two months before the license expires... we'll see if that is enough time.
I've been through it a couple times. Pretty sure I signed every place I'm supposed to sign. Paid my fees. Packaged it all up. Two months before the license expires... we'll see if that is enough time.
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