Warm for the Winter, Readying for the Trip

Safe on land, Holidays are over, now to the feat of readying "Puffin" for our journey. So much to do, so little time (actually 4 months).
Our list-
Dean's List- New Captains Chairs- for Pilot House- two instead of one so navigator
                    sits high enough in cockpit/pilothouse to see forward without standing all
                    day
                    Batteries- 2 additional house batteries
                    C Card for Lakes and Rivers
                    Navionics for PC navigation-Backup to chart plotter
                    Solar panels-2  definitely and Wind Turbine/generator maybe
                    Shorter mast-8ft for radar- probably wooden; leaving the others behind as  
                    we can't sail for the majority of the trip.
                    Inverter
                    Auto Pilot- pretty expensive so maybe
                    Another Anchor  for different bottom type
                    Fuel filter vacuum gauge
                    Water filters each faucet and shore hose
                    AIS transponder
                    Screens all around
                    Mount the dinghy davits
                    Deck lights and spotlight
Suzan's List- Additional foam cushions and coverings.
                     Insert for front v-berth
                     New faucets and shower in Head
                     Carpet
                     Dishware
                     Pots and Pans
                     Microwave
I have conceded to the dark green cushion coverings, for now, as I don't want to either re-cover the cushions myself or spend the money for new before the trip. I can live with Dk Green. I will accent with a plaid, stripe, or nautical that blends. Do you know how hard it is to find canvas or heavy fabric with the color green we need? Apparently Forest (Dark) Green is not popular, so very hard to find. All the greens are that sickly green or grass green, UGH!!
We have found marine carpet in a beige that will go nicely with the interior wood. The carper now is brown  and with Dark Green cushions and curtains, the interior is very dark, especially if you have a cloudy day.
We also have to convert most of the outlets from UK to US. There are 2 US outlets currently and one is in the engine room. The boat was built in England and the original owner did not switch to US outlets. Hence, the Dark Green, which is typical UK Nautical, not US- Red, White, and Navy.
The list is fairly long but does not indicate the work necessary to fit these various items in the boat. Some require a certain amount of design and fabrication to fit the boat. The main stumbling block is cash to purchase the listed items.
We just purchased the wood to make up the temporary mast which needs to be short enough to fit under all fixed bridges en route. I would use one of the existing mast but for the height which will not come close to fitting.
More to talk about in early February.
                   
                    

After the Warm---Alaska

Hi, now traveling to Alaska for a short time. Going from 60 degree weather to 0 is not the most fun. Especially when your flights are delayed and one spends overnight in Seattle Airport because of snow. The weather in Anchorage and surrounding area ranges from 0 to 20 degrees that time of year with short spans of daylight- from 9:45/10:00 until  3:30ish you get some daylight and by 5-6:00 the sky is dusk turning to darkness. It is strange to wake up to darkness when you are expecting a sunrise in the early morning.

I am visiting outside of Anchorage and in this neighborhood your child walks or is driven to the school that is a short distance away. The kids arrive at school for 9:00 in the dark and almost leave when the day is getting dark.
This will all change after December 21 when, unlike our East Coast, you gain more daylight each day than we do in the east as by June 21, you have almost 20 hours of daylight vs our 15 hours.

When returning to home, I will fly into Portland or Seattle where the sun rises before 8:00 am and sets around 4:30.
Even though the daylight is a short time, the mountains and trees glisten with snow.  It is a Winter Wonderland here, despite the cold temperatures/ Most are not bothered by the cold and dress like we do at 30's. So weird, yet a 60 people are loving their warm weather.


Another glance , sunset from downtown Anchorage.





Home for the Holidays and getting Puffin ready for our Great Loop adventure. You can follow on this blog.

Time away from our Boat adventures

We are on a travel to the western United States. This time, California and----Alaska.

We visited San Diego and some of the cool stuff to see there. One can spend a few weeks and not see all San Diego has to offer. The first few days, we stayed at the Bahia Hotel Resort in Mission Bay.www.bahiahotel.com. This Resort offers much to the traveler who wants ammenities at their fingertips. Anything from Marina- sailboats, kayaks, paddleboards, beach, Spa, Restaurant, and gift shop on premises. Visit their site to see all that is offered at one location.
First day we visited Sea World, a great adventure, everyone enjoyed.
We ventured (by Uber) to Seaport Village to shop while the boys rented wave runners and played in Mission Bay.

Next to an intown location- Old Town- part of San Diego.www.oldtownsandiego.org We stayed in close proximity to Old Town, just across the street and transit tracks ( where you can hop a bus, subway, or trolley to metro San Diego. We jumped on a Tour Trolley in Old Town  that took us to major points of interest -- SD Marine Museum where we were able to board some of the old Naval ships and submarines of the West Coast. One ship was used in the movie-"Master and Commander". Along the route, Seaport Village (shopping), Horton Plaza, The Gaslamp area (nightlife), Little Italy, Coronado Island (Hotel Del Coronado http://hoteldel.com/
And---Last, not least, the World Known--San Diego Zoo. www.sandiegozoo.orgWhat a fantastic time, so much to see.  The Zoo is located in Balboa Park, that has much to offer besides the Zoo. So interesting!!









Next adventure-- off to Anchorage, Alaska for some cold winter weather!!!