T-Minus 14 Days - Two Weeks Away...

5:00 PM
Saturday 8-21-99
T-14 days

Well it's getting much closer now. We've been chipping away at our "get ready" list, but it seems to be getting bigger instead of smaller. Today was a good day though, because I did the big job. Oil Change, and engine compartment things. (I love it down there) I was just thinking, this engine room is bigger than some boats we've owned!

It's been a long day working on the boat, but now I've just had a shower, and sat down for a well deserved gin and tonic. Deb is moving a little slow today as last night we went to see "The Little River Band" (they were awesome!) and it seems that maybe she had one too many Miller Lites. Her job was to go to the store today, which I might add she did a great job of, and now she is taking a nap. What? We just got a call from Anne (Deb's sister) and they may bring their boat over-6miles- for a "gin and tonic" cruise.

Just another great day on the water.

I wonder what they do all the time on the boat you ask?
* Bob up early, Deb up about 8:00 AM
* Clean, or work on the boat if necessary-a labor of love
* Leave dock about 10 to 12
* Head out to a sand-bar or drop a hook (anchor) somewhere
* Swim-laugh-play-generally have a great time
* Either head back about 6 PM or stay out on the hook all night (We have a generator that will handle everything on board)
* Start all over again

As we go you'll learn more about the boat, but just a few facts-
* 50 ft
* 34,000 lbs.
* 600 gallon of fuel
* 150 gallon of water
* 100 gallon of septic ( which we pump out when we fuel)
* 2 toilets, 2 showers
* Stove, and Micro wave
* 3 TV's, VCR, and a Satellite that will track a TV signal where ever we are, or as we travel
* GPS, Radar, Plotter, and lots of other neat electronics
* 2 queen sized bedrooms & 1 bedroom that has twin beds
* 2-625 HP Detroit engines (1250 HP total)
* 13.5 Kilo watt generator to run things when we're not plugged into a dock somewhere
* Full sized refrigerator in the galley-plus a small one on the bridge
* 3 air conditioners that also provide heat (like a heat pump)
* In short-anything we could ever need (or want)

Enough for now except to respond to all the e-mails and calls:
1. No we didn't win the lottery
2. No I didn't retire, I'm way to young
3. Yes this will be scary, but very exciting as well 4. No I will not be taking off for 6 months to a year, I'll be working all the time, just leaving the boat at different places, and going back to the boat to move it.
5. Yes we are fortunate (I don't believe in luck) 6. The boat should be back at Starved Rock Marina next July, or August at the latest 7. You're right--- this is a dream come true

So-------
It's now 6 PM. The gin and tonic is kicking in, and I'm slowing down. Deb's up, and making herself a Bushwhacker, so it looks like she will be fine.
I've got to end this so we can eat, and go on that evening cruise was I talking about.
I'll write before we leave, or at least within the first few days of out trip.

BK