North Carolina wants me.

4/19/13

Currenly, we are in Ocracoke, NC.  The Outer Banks.  The Barrier Islands.  Crossing Pamlico Sound we had a glorious day.  It was warm, sunny, minimal wind, which translates to minimal "chop" and a nice ride.  We are in a harbor called Silver Lake awaiting the next break in the weather to head back to the ICW.  We have walked and rowed and explored.  I do love NC and was planning to move here when Geoff decided that he could be a married man with children! We moved to Oregon for work for Geoff. (Thanks again Tim!)

 How did I come to love NC?  My first nursing job was at UNC Medical Center.  I left Pittsburgh with my car and a few dollars and decided I wanted to live in the center of the state midway between mountains and beaches, hiking and camping. My parents gave me a cousin's phone number that I was sure I wouldn't need.  Well, living in a hotel, looking for a job and answering roommate ads in the paper (using pay phones!!!) my tough self softened and I was lonely within a week. Hooray for that cousin's phone number because that's how Doc and JoAnn entered my life and they happened to need a house sitter for a week! And so began a wonderful relationship and my love for North Carolina. Doc and JoAnn drove three hours last Sunday from Durham to see us and check out our boating life while we were docked near Surf City.  They figured they weren't boating people but were convinced once they got on the boat!!  We had a wonderful visit and seafood lunch and walked on the beach and fishing pier.  Geoff bought a NC fishing license and Doc and Geoff compared fishing and hunting notes.  What a wonderful re-connect.

So, you may think that the boating life is all easy-peasy and fun and games but you know there is still cooking and cleaning to be done (though 500 vs 2500sq ft).
The boat did conk out a few times WITHOUT warning (remember that it is a 1987 trawler)...engine maintenance.
There is this thing about zincs that I don't quite get...something about electricity, salt water and metal through the hull (see pictures).
Oh yes, and holding tank pumping... don't have to do that at home.  Geoff doesn't even gag anymore when we have to do that which is about every 5-7 days.
We had a powerful rain last night with thunder and lightening and I believe that water is leaking in through the teak decking into our bedroom!!
Geoff repaired our horn  last week (one blast if passing on your port/two blasts starboard).
Today the windshield wipers might get repaired!

Geoff having fun on his birthday!

Old Zinc.

I do love being on the water and looking at the light and wind playing on it especially at morning and night.
I do love that I am sleeping A LOT!
I do love that we decide our day by the weather.
And I do love knowing that I have wonderful people to connect with either on the boat or through the blog.  Thank you.