Dennis and Steve began the process or removing the boat's engine last weekend when the wind was fairly light off of Dana Point. After hours of dismantling the starter, electrical connections, and all the accessories, around 9:30 on Monday, the engine was lifted out by brute force through an opening that is BARELY large enough. All this without my help (?) as we were gone over the weekend and I couldn't make it down to the boat Monday until too late.
The engine was left in the cabin until last night, when Steve enlisted the help of some other friends to hoist it out of the cabin. I got there just in time to add about 20 pounds of uplift on the 300 pound engine as we moved it onto the dock and then into a pickup for the transport to Steve's where he is eagerly looking forward to dismantling it before having the various parts machined and/or replaced.
Steve participated in HS competitions where they diagnosed car problems so, thankfully, he knows what he is doing, and he is very organized as he bags each set of bolts or screws and labels them in addition to often taking digital photos so he can remember exactly how each part should be assembled. I may actually learn something about engine maintenance!
So for the next month, we'll only be "slip-sailing" - enjoying the boat while we're home at the dockside.
Friday, July 29, 2005
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Monday, July 25, 2005
Seven Wineries and a Wedding
Friday morning, we began our trip to Santa Rosa and Blake's wedding around 6:15 a.m. with the hope that the 530+ mile trip could be made in about 9 hours. No luck! In LA, the Mini showed that one tire was underinflated which required a brief stop and a quarter's worth of air (that used to be free!) and then, even on a Friday light traffic day we plunged into our first section of first gear only around LAX.
We took 101 up the coast, enjoying the occasional look at the ocean as we drove through Santa Barbara and SLO and onwards towards the Golden Gate. An accident before Salinas again required a long period of time in first gear (that's when you wish you had the automatic), but prior to that we hit our first winery (we needed a rest stop anyway) and began the first purchase of many for our wine 'cellar'. We also made a quick stop at Sheid's winery that was recommended by a frequent traveler of the 101 from work where we continued to fill the hatchback.
San Francisco was bright and clear and boats filled the bay as we drove over the Golden Gate. But soon after crossing, we hit the traffic from hell as those leaving the City early converged together and a fire along the highway in Petaluma contributed to force an hour or so of start-stop-start.
So, nearly twelve hours after we started we finally arrived at Vintner's Inn in Santa Rosa. The grounds were very pretty and nestled along side a vineyard. We had a great room that overlooked the vineyard and which was bathed in moonlight later that evening. We took a soak in the jacuzzi to relax after our journey and then went next door for a great dinner at John Ash's restaurant. And after the meal with a good bottle of wine the bed was magnificent.
With the wedding planned late Saturday afternoon, we had breakfast at the Inn and then took a road trip towards Guerneville and the Russian River, a family vacation spot of my youth. Great roads wove through canopies of trees while new vineyards and farms appeared at every corner. The Mini stuck to each curve.
Stopping at Alexander Valley, Murphy-Goode, Stryker, and Ferrari-Carano, we sampled reds primarily and continued to fill the 'trunk' in the Mini before heading back to the hotel to get ready for the tram ride to the wedding site. Three, San Francisco trolley style trams picked up the guests and drove us out to another winery/vineyard where, as we exited, we were given glasses of cold water/lemonade in the 90+ degree heat.
You can see numerous pictures from the wedding and our trip to the various wineries at snapfish. But the wedding was beautiful, the dinner delicious, and Carolyn and I tore up the dance floor again, so much so that we were getting comments (goods ones!) for the rest of the night and the next morning at brunch.
Sunday, we finished our winery tours with Seghesio and placed the last of our twenty-two bottles of wine in the car! This time, we drove down the 5, generally at 85 to 90 mph and the car performed flawlessly on its first road trip, and it only took about 8 and 1/2 hours for the return trip including dinner and a few gas/rest stops.
A very full and fun three days!!
We took 101 up the coast, enjoying the occasional look at the ocean as we drove through Santa Barbara and SLO and onwards towards the Golden Gate. An accident before Salinas again required a long period of time in first gear (that's when you wish you had the automatic), but prior to that we hit our first winery (we needed a rest stop anyway) and began the first purchase of many for our wine 'cellar'. We also made a quick stop at Sheid's winery that was recommended by a frequent traveler of the 101 from work where we continued to fill the hatchback.
San Francisco was bright and clear and boats filled the bay as we drove over the Golden Gate. But soon after crossing, we hit the traffic from hell as those leaving the City early converged together and a fire along the highway in Petaluma contributed to force an hour or so of start-stop-start.
So, nearly twelve hours after we started we finally arrived at Vintner's Inn in Santa Rosa. The grounds were very pretty and nestled along side a vineyard. We had a great room that overlooked the vineyard and which was bathed in moonlight later that evening. We took a soak in the jacuzzi to relax after our journey and then went next door for a great dinner at John Ash's restaurant. And after the meal with a good bottle of wine the bed was magnificent.
With the wedding planned late Saturday afternoon, we had breakfast at the Inn and then took a road trip towards Guerneville and the Russian River, a family vacation spot of my youth. Great roads wove through canopies of trees while new vineyards and farms appeared at every corner. The Mini stuck to each curve.
Stopping at Alexander Valley, Murphy-Goode, Stryker, and Ferrari-Carano, we sampled reds primarily and continued to fill the 'trunk' in the Mini before heading back to the hotel to get ready for the tram ride to the wedding site. Three, San Francisco trolley style trams picked up the guests and drove us out to another winery/vineyard where, as we exited, we were given glasses of cold water/lemonade in the 90+ degree heat.
You can see numerous pictures from the wedding and our trip to the various wineries at snapfish. But the wedding was beautiful, the dinner delicious, and Carolyn and I tore up the dance floor again, so much so that we were getting comments (goods ones!) for the rest of the night and the next morning at brunch.
Sunday, we finished our winery tours with Seghesio and placed the last of our twenty-two bottles of wine in the car! This time, we drove down the 5, generally at 85 to 90 mph and the car performed flawlessly on its first road trip, and it only took about 8 and 1/2 hours for the return trip including dinner and a few gas/rest stops.
A very full and fun three days!!
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Wedding Weekend
Tomorrow, Friday, we're leaving early in the a.m. on a drive north to Santa Rosa above San Francisco to attend Blake Rothschild's wedding. We hope to have an enjoyable road trip up Hwy 101 through Santa Barbara and then over the Golden Gate bridge about an hour north.
Friday night we'll be on our own with the wedding scheduled for Saturday afternoon. Maybe we'll have some time for wine tasting on the trip up or on Sat. morning. Saturday night, after the reception, we've been invited to some sort of chocolate dessert get-together and then a nice brunch at our hotel on Sunday morning.
Hope you all have a good weekend.
Friday night we'll be on our own with the wedding scheduled for Saturday afternoon. Maybe we'll have some time for wine tasting on the trip up or on Sat. morning. Saturday night, after the reception, we've been invited to some sort of chocolate dessert get-together and then a nice brunch at our hotel on Sunday morning.
Hope you all have a good weekend.
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
July Pics
Some pictures from our July (so far): our new windows in the game room and master bedroom; the/our winning boat in the LF parade; Carolyn and Debbie hanging out on the bow during our afternoon sail.
Monday, July 18, 2005
Update
Paper, paper, everywhere and not a place to sit! Well, not exactly, but the stacks of magazines and the filing to be done was getting a little out of hand, so Saturday was spent bringing order out of chaos and now you can see empty tables and a neat desk! But it took the better part of the whole day.
Sunday, Carolyn had to prepare for her procedure today and so we just stayed home and close to the comforts of home. Wanda came over and checked out our new windows and got a chance to see the photos of Ash and Bryce's new flat. She approves and can't believe how big the tomato plants are.
Today, I stayed home from work so I could take Carolyn to the gastroenterologist's (sp?) for her test. I did some mall wandering while she endured a not too pleasant procedure. Unfortunately, they didn't completely knock her out, but thankfully we're home now and just resting for the rest of the day. Hopefully, they'll be able to ascertain why she is having 'abdominal' pains. Please keep Carolyn in her prayers.
Sunday, Carolyn had to prepare for her procedure today and so we just stayed home and close to the comforts of home. Wanda came over and checked out our new windows and got a chance to see the photos of Ash and Bryce's new flat. She approves and can't believe how big the tomato plants are.
Today, I stayed home from work so I could take Carolyn to the gastroenterologist's (sp?) for her test. I did some mall wandering while she endured a not too pleasant procedure. Unfortunately, they didn't completely knock her out, but thankfully we're home now and just resting for the rest of the day. Hopefully, they'll be able to ascertain why she is having 'abdominal' pains. Please keep Carolyn in her prayers.
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
New Windows
Well, Carolyn played her familiar role as construction superintendent as we had new double-pane, vinyl clad windows installed in all the upstairs windows (except the crank-outs in our bedroom). We finally got rid of the aluminum framed windows that barely kept out the wind and rain.
We also replaced the window in the back downstairs room and now all we need to do is to repair the three feet of drywall that's missing. And they were also replacing the long tall stained glass window in the garden room, but Carolyn didn't like the way it was looking, so she spoke with the company and got them to re-make it at no cost!
They look really nice and are definitely quieter and more energy efficient.
We also replaced the window in the back downstairs room and now all we need to do is to repair the three feet of drywall that's missing. And they were also replacing the long tall stained glass window in the garden room, but Carolyn didn't like the way it was looking, so she spoke with the company and got them to re-make it at no cost!
They look really nice and are definitely quieter and more energy efficient.
Sunday, July 10, 2005
Keeping Busy
Friday came a day earlier due to the 4th of July three day weekend. I just wish there were more three or four day weekends.
Saturday, Steve and Debbie Kanda arrived at our home around 1 p.m. so that we could head down to the harbor for an afternoon of sailing. Dennis and his son, Steve, were on the boat when we arrived as they finished up checking out how much effort would be required to remove the engine for an overhaul. The engine has been running a bit rough and we want to fix any problems before it creates any more damage.
They helped us shove off and we headed out with what seemed like a light wind. But as we left the harbor, the wind seemed to strengthen and our new GPS unit showed that we were sailing at 4.5 to 6.0 mph! I think our GPS gives us a better speed reading than our knot meter. We sailed south directly out from the harbor and then up past Monarch Beach and I gave Steve a fair amount of tiller time while Carolyn and Debbie relaxed on the bow, so much so that Debbie slept!
Coming back towards the harbor, the wind dropped dramatically around the headlands so we took the sails down and motored in. After a perfect docking (I'm getting better), we enjoyed a bottle or two of wine along with a few appetizers as the sun set over the harbor.
We then drove down to the Beach House where we had a great dinner and an entertaining waiter who was newly arrived from Colorado and was enjoying the weather and the possibilities.
Sunday we were off to church at 8 and then I met up with Steve K. and David Leu around noon to go to the Angels game. Steve had great seats behind the Angel's dugout up 15 rows or so and we had a good time even though the Halos lost their fourth game in a row from Seattle!
Tomorrow night I again venture into the world of friendly Texas Hold 'Em.
Saturday, Steve and Debbie Kanda arrived at our home around 1 p.m. so that we could head down to the harbor for an afternoon of sailing. Dennis and his son, Steve, were on the boat when we arrived as they finished up checking out how much effort would be required to remove the engine for an overhaul. The engine has been running a bit rough and we want to fix any problems before it creates any more damage.
They helped us shove off and we headed out with what seemed like a light wind. But as we left the harbor, the wind seemed to strengthen and our new GPS unit showed that we were sailing at 4.5 to 6.0 mph! I think our GPS gives us a better speed reading than our knot meter. We sailed south directly out from the harbor and then up past Monarch Beach and I gave Steve a fair amount of tiller time while Carolyn and Debbie relaxed on the bow, so much so that Debbie slept!
Coming back towards the harbor, the wind dropped dramatically around the headlands so we took the sails down and motored in. After a perfect docking (I'm getting better), we enjoyed a bottle or two of wine along with a few appetizers as the sun set over the harbor.
We then drove down to the Beach House where we had a great dinner and an entertaining waiter who was newly arrived from Colorado and was enjoying the weather and the possibilities.
Sunday we were off to church at 8 and then I met up with Steve K. and David Leu around noon to go to the Angels game. Steve had great seats behind the Angel's dugout up 15 rows or so and we had a good time even though the Halos lost their fourth game in a row from Seattle!
Tomorrow night I again venture into the world of friendly Texas Hold 'Em.
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Long Weekend
I love 3 day weekends, although 4 or 5 day weekends would even be preferable!
Housework and yard work on Saturday, church and sailing on Sunday, brunch, boat parade, BBQ, and fireworks on Monday. And throw in a couple of naps and watching a little golf and tennis, it was a good break from the routine.
Sunday sailing was amidst very light winds so we didn't get too far or test our sailing skill but I definitely got burned. Previously we (actually I) helped Darla and Denny decorate the pontoon boat for Monday's parade with a rockin' Betsy Ross and an Uncle Sam on top of the boat.
Monday was champagne brunch at the club and a boat parade where our decoration earned a first place award for the Bethkes! Later in the afternoon we headed down to Niguel Shores and took Wanda down to the bluff for the annual BBQ where we enjoyed steaks, twice stuffed potatoes, corn on the cob and Carolyn's fruit tart for dessert.
After dropping Wanda off, we then drove down to DP to watch the fireworks, but the police had blocked the roads into the harbor so we had to park on PCH and walk down Golden Lantern and then over the bridge to our boat. There was a fair amount of activity around the slips as many had celebrations dockside. We enjoyed the display from the bow even though the fog obscured the top 25% of the fireworks. Then it was the long and steep walk back to the car and the slow drive home.
It was thoughtful of our Founding Fathers to have declared independence in the summer rather than in the dead of winter!
Housework and yard work on Saturday, church and sailing on Sunday, brunch, boat parade, BBQ, and fireworks on Monday. And throw in a couple of naps and watching a little golf and tennis, it was a good break from the routine.
Sunday sailing was amidst very light winds so we didn't get too far or test our sailing skill but I definitely got burned. Previously we (actually I) helped Darla and Denny decorate the pontoon boat for Monday's parade with a rockin' Betsy Ross and an Uncle Sam on top of the boat.
Monday was champagne brunch at the club and a boat parade where our decoration earned a first place award for the Bethkes! Later in the afternoon we headed down to Niguel Shores and took Wanda down to the bluff for the annual BBQ where we enjoyed steaks, twice stuffed potatoes, corn on the cob and Carolyn's fruit tart for dessert.
After dropping Wanda off, we then drove down to DP to watch the fireworks, but the police had blocked the roads into the harbor so we had to park on PCH and walk down Golden Lantern and then over the bridge to our boat. There was a fair amount of activity around the slips as many had celebrations dockside. We enjoyed the display from the bow even though the fog obscured the top 25% of the fireworks. Then it was the long and steep walk back to the car and the slow drive home.
It was thoughtful of our Founding Fathers to have declared independence in the summer rather than in the dead of winter!
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