This sabbatical is hard work!

Ahoy!
Just yesterday the wind had calmed and Dan went up the mast to take down the diamond stays..... one of which had busted.  Wish I had gotten a picture of that but I was too busy biting my fingernails.  That boy must be a former scaffold-rigger!  All is well and Dan took the stays to be copied.  One step closer to being mobile.  
Oh, and an entrepreneur who lives on this dock cleaned all the nasty sea grass and barnacles off the bottom of the boat.  He did a great job.  I think the boat will be able to move now once all the rigging is replaced.  We are getting antsy to sail.  The standing rigging is really the only thing keeping us from sailing.

Dale and Ray took Pearl out for a spin a few days ago and it is now in danger of growing sea grass just from being in the water since then.  Barnacles!

They keep wanting to use the motor, but first they have to be able to row, then they can sail, then motor.........

Dan started another set of bookshelves in the port side hull.  He has a very sturdy bottom shelf built.  He also built a "special shelf" for Dale in which she is keeping special stuff, like letters from friends.  She is really missing her classmates and friends and is looking forward to hearing from them!

Here is Ray being studious amongst the clutter

It's truly getting better every day in terms of organizing our living space.   But, it's hard work man!

We had to go check out the sand sculptures at the Sandfest that is held here on the beach.  Wow!  There are some amazing sand sculptors out there.  Couldn't bring ourselves to go when it was super crowded so we waited till it was over!   Most of the sculptures were still standing.

Dale started working on hers right away!

Dale surfing and petting a dolphin

Dale in her cabin

Thanks Aunt Patty for the pajama pants ( and thanks Ona for adding elastic!)  Thanks Barbie for the stick-on, peel-off animal critters to decorate with!

It was nice to see Dan's sister Pam on the way here.  

Uncle Bob and Dale hunt out Easter eggs

"me with the cute face, and braids like Hollywood in my apron dying Easter eggs.  P.S. I'm NOT vain!"

Extra bonus to get to see Jen and Dave! (Dan's brother)

The cousins got to play together!

Dan and niece Sara (eat your hearts out Robin, Hannah and Amber! Wish you could have been there too)

We really enjoyed our visit at your house Pam & Bob.  Thanks for having us!

Now, back to work....or is it play?  Dan is working on Olivia's outboard.  The controls seemed to have rusted away after it had a near-sinking experience.  It is getting all patched up.

It's fun being in Port A.  Hope to talk to you all soon.  Please let me know if it's OK to post a picture of you here.  

Marty