Recently in Preparation Category

Second half of June, 2005

Aunt Ellen and Cousin Kate host the Reads in Seattle for two days while they wait for Calpurnia to arrive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calpurnia arrives in Bellingham.

Mark works for two weeks in the Seaview North boatyard in Bellingham, Washington.  Our goal was to get the boat reassembled so that we could get it back in the water.

 The Boat Yard was poorly managed and understaffed. We called several times before sending our boat to confirm that there would be people to help us put the boat back together, and we were assured each time that it was not a problem. However, when we got there, we worked on our own for at least 4 days before anyone was assigned to help us.  Our saving grace was one of the electricians, Zach.  He was extremely helpful and was the only reason our boat ever saw water again.  Meanwhile, we slept at the Rodeway Inn and ate lots of fast food. The motel was not the Hyatt, but we were not willing to pay the Hyatt rates.  It worked out great for the $65/night we were paying.  The rooms were clean and very convenient to the marina (so long as you had a rental car).

We highly recommend the halibut and chips at the Web Locker in the Squalicum Harbor, a.k.a. Bellingham Marina.  The harbor is your last chance to get the equipment (any equipment) before you head north.  We were shocked at how little marine equipment or supplies was available until we got to Ketchikan, Alaska, and that still paled to what was available in Bellingham.  I could not emphasis enough to anyone planning a trip up the inside passage, that you should not count on having any equipment or supplies available one you are past Bellingham.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When do we get to go sailing???

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calpurnia, re-equipped with her mast, boom, davit, granny rails, and all-important satellite TV dish, and newly equipped with ........................................................ Now she's ready to go back in the water!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark taking the dinghy for a test drive before departing Bellingham to pick up Kay in Vancouver.

While in Bellingham, Amy and Robert met Alexandra and Jan from Austria. Jan is six months older than Robert, and Alexandra and her husband Karl had been living on their sailboat and cruising around different parts of the world, including Brazil and Argentina, for the past 10 years. Alexandra's friendship was invaluable to Amy as she had all sorts of wisdom regarding cruising and raising a child on board. Unfortunately, we left Bellingham without a picture of Alexandra, Karl and Jan.  Alexandra, if you read this send me a photo!

• March, 2005 - After months of consideration, extensive travel, and looking at various boats, The Reads purchase Calpurnia, a 2005 Beneteau Oceanis 461. We lived aboard in the Waterford Harbor in Clear Lake, Texas for a months while getting the boat outfitted for the adventures ahead. Many thanks to the folks at Blue Water Ship Store and at South Texas Yacht Services for their invaluable help, service and advice.  

Mark and Robert enjoying life aboard Calpurnia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert enjoying a sunny day sailing in Galveston Bay. He is securely strapped in his car seat, which is strapped to the cockpit bench.

 

 

 

Mark's battle wounds from playing paint ball at his cousin John Elam's 10th birthday party  in Houston. The wound was proudly inflicted by his 9-year old cousin Nate Elam.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amy and Robert walking near the Sam Houston statue along the I-45 highway from Houston to Dallas and  admiring the Texas wild flowers which were in full bloom.  Blue bonnets and Indian Paint- brush ruled the day.  Robert got his first history lesson regarding the nation of Texas and its first President.

• First half of June, 2005 - After a few months back home in KC, we headed back down to Texas. To avoid the hurricane season in the southern latitudes, we decided to have the boat trucked up to Bellingham, WA, which is just north of Seattle.

  In Houston, we took down the mast, the davit (which holds the dinghy) and some other pieces from the top deck so that the boat would be short enough to go on the road. That took Mark and a crew from the South Texas Boat Yard about three scorching hot days to do.

 

Taking a cool swim after a 103 degree day of HOT work on the boat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert's head wounds from diving head first out of his stroller while waiting for Mom and Dad to load up the car in the Waterford Yacht Club parking lot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The bulb keel is EXACTLY 3 feet wide, the width of the trailer to set it in was 3' exactly.

Thomas was a hoot and had a motorcycle

Had to remove davit

South Texas - professional and helpful