April 25, 2010

Whew!  That was a long week!    Somehow I neglected to update before we left for New York on March 25th and here it is, that same date in April.   My, my, how the time does fly when you’re having fun!  

The AZ Mangelsdorf’s arrived as promised.  Peter is growing like crazy, and his new glasses make him look oh, so very cool.  Geoff and Amy will return to Ft. Huachucha for a few months, then travel across the country to their next assignment--Navy War College in Newport , RI.

It was great to visit with them.  One highlight was a trip to the Turtle Hospital in Marathon--that’s been on our ‘to see’ list for awhile, now.  Was interesting and unusual to see how they’ve re-done a resort motel with swimming pool to create surgical suites and ‘storage’ areas for ill  or wounded sea turtles.  Florida’s unusually cold weather this year really created havoc for the staff--over 100 turtles were brought in to be warmed up as reptiles can’t adjust to the frigid temps.  

Spent a few days sorting out 2 years worth of ‘stuff’ and deciding what really needs to be on the boat.  How easy it is to stow and forget!  We packed the car to the gills and on Thursday, March 25, headed nortth.

We stopped to visit Fred’s brother Ted and his wife Rita in Aiken, SC.  As luck would have it, there was a Polo Match on Saturday, and we decided not to miss it!  What a hoot!  The thundering horses, changing of goals with every score, and of course, the stomping of the divots at the half time.  That would be after the first 3 Chukkers--and before the last 3 Chukkers--and then the game went into overtime!  Needless to say it was a great event!

I’ll spare you the day by day and blow by blow, but as this blog was created to be a memoir of sorts, here are some highlights:

We:
 visited and spent time with all 6 of the kids and their families who live in the Newburgh area,

got our income taxes done and filed well in advance of Apr. 15,

attended the Change of Watch for Power Squadrons--both the local (Mid Hudson) and the District,

traveled to Boston to attend a scholarship luncheon at MIT,

spent time with friends, 

showed up for doctor and dentist appointments as scheduled,

helped Ada move to her new home in Sugar Loaf, NY, and had dinner with Ada’s soon to be in-laws, clapped and cheered for kindergardener Casey as he, dressed as Abe, announced that  'L is for Lincoln',

toured the fabulous new UU building that should receive its Certificate of Occupancy very soon!

gave a presentation on Cruising the Great Loop at the Storm King Power Squadron’s April meeting,

and,

received, sadly, word that YOUNG AMERICA had an unfortunate incident involving a 23’ boat rapidly riding up onto her swim platform while she sat innocently at her dock.

All in all, it was a great visit, even though we debated long and hard about dropping everything and racing south to take care of our baby.  Instead, we decided to complete the planned events at our 'vacation home', and then drove to Gainesville, FL by Wed. the 21st to attend the Great Harbour Trawler’s Association’s annual meeting, and the annual Seminar put on by Mirage Manufacturing, the company that builds the boats.

We’re now back aboard the battered and bruised boat, and Fred’s spent the day doing his assessment of the damage.   By next week we’ll have a clear picture of our future plans.  Right now it’s not looking so good for the West Coast of Florida and River Route to West Virginia.  That may be the 2012 cruise.  Too many pieces of boat need repair, and we’re leaning toward returning to Mirage to get it fixed by those who know it best.

Onward and upward!  We’ll ‘see’ you all next week!