Hi All!
Just talked to my hubby. We've hired Captain Red to get him to Norfolk. They will be heading out early Friday morning. If all goes well. they should be arriving at the marina in Norfolk on Saturday late afternoon. I just booked his flight home from Norfolk to Arkansas for Sunday. I'll be picking him up there Sunday evening! Keep your fingers crossed!
NautiNell
NautiNell in all her glory
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
The Adventures of the NAUTI-NELL!
A Modern Day Pirate Ship
December 14, 2010
Hi Everyone!
I know it's been a while since I posted anything. I really didn't have too much to report for the past few months. We were just searching for the right boat. Well, now I have enough to write a novel! I'll try to be brief, but you know how I go on and on and on..... :-)
On the day after Thanksgiving we signed a Purchase Agreement on a 42' Jefferson MotorYacht. The boat was on Long Island in New York! Mike had gone to see it a few weeks before. We had it all checked out - Marine Survey, sea trial, etc. It was a good buy that was hard to pass up. SO! On December 7, we closed the deal. That means we now own a boat in New York! Our first item on our list was to get the boat out of the cold and frigid weather of New York. On Wednesday, December 8, he flew to Long Island to meet with a captain we hired. The plan is for them to bring the boat down the coast as far as Norfolk, VA. We would leave it there for a while and then bring it on down to Daytona after Christmas. IF all goes well, it should take about four days travel.
Mike spend the first night on the boat at the marina on Long Island. He sounded so excited! Of course, things didn't go as planned. Do they ever? About 7:00 p.m. that evening the power went out. That also meant he had no heat! It was 19 degrees out! He said he tried to figure it out, but couldn't in the dark and of course, he was unfamiliar with the boat. He said he about froze! That morning he was able to fix whatever it was. I'm not sure, but it didn't sound like too much of a big deal. He then spent the day shopping for provisions and checking out the boat. There were also a couple of things that were supposed to be done but weren't. The broker said they were but......Sometimes brokers lie! The owner or should I say the "seller" came and changed out a water pump to one of the engines. He seems like a pretty good guy.
Anyway, on Friday December 9, Captain Bill Darling showed up. Seemed like a pretty nice guy and seemed to know his stuff. All was a go.
On Saturday moring, they headed south. They had to go out into the Atlantic to find enough water. The area along there during this time of year is not dredged so there is seldom enough water along the coast. He said they only had to go out about 8 miles. but it was still quite an experience. They set the headings and set the autopilot. They maintained the course at about 12.5 knots or about 15 mph. It was a good day. When I talked to Mike, he was so excited. He sounded like a little boy on Christmas morning! They were at a marina somewhere on the Jersey Shore.
When I talked to him on Sunday morning, he didn't sound so good. They had ran into 6-8 foot waves and he had turned a bit green. Seasickness is inevitable! Anyway later that day, the waves settled down and they made it to Atlantic City. They stayed at the Trump Marina. Things were still good.
Monday morning they headed out only to come back into a marina in Wildwood, NJ. Their weather window had closed. It was gale force winds along with frigid temperatures. They have to stay there probably about 3 days. HOWEVER, that's not all. Here's the kicker! Captain Bill Darling deserted ship! He said the he had another boat that he had to deliver to the islands and if he stayed with Mike he would miss that schedule! He said "sorry, but you can't do anything about the weather" and left! He told Mike that he'd get him another captain. isn't that something! He didn't fulfillh is contract to deliver our boat to Norfolk. But what can you do! Mike is at a loss. All Mike knows is that he's at this marina with his boat and it's cold! The heater works, but a boat like this isn't meant to be warm and cozy in 19 degree weather. Captain Bill has contacted him a few times. He gave Mike a name of another captian. Captain Red O'Kane. Think he's Irish? Anyway, he is to come by tomorrow morning (Wednesday) to check things out. Mike said that it looks like if all works out, they will leave out Thursday morning. They are not far from Capt May, NJ. This is where they have to cross the Delaware Bay. That can be a little treacherous this time of year.
In the meantime, I'm here in Joplin! I still haven't even seen the boat. All I know is I want my hubby home soon! Hopefully the first of next week. Keep your fingers crossed!
We're still planning to make the Great Loop. Our plans are to keep the boat in Daytona (once we get it there!). We then can go down to Florida to spend time on her. She needs a little TLC and some "lipstick". I know Mike will want to fix her up to his standards. After all, she is the ---
NAUTI-NELL!
"A modern day pirate ship setting sail to pillage and plunder
these here United States, while collecting a treasure chest -
full of sunsets and memories!"
Till next time,
Admiral C
I'll keep you posted!!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Moving right along.......
Here's my monthly blog - at least that's seems to be what it's turned into - for now!
It seems things are moving right along..... hopefully! This summer is a strange one for Mike and me. No boat! Not going to the lake every weekend! Oh well, we try to focus on the big picture.
Status on the downsizing... we sold all the mini bikes - 9 of them in all,plus enough parts to probably build another one. Camaro still for sale! Price reduced! Tell your friends!
We've been spending alot of time working on the rental house that we're selling. We decided it needed some fixing up - you know, I've been watching the DIY channel again. I'm good on ideas, but not very good in the actually work - just ask Mike. I'm not sure I'm much help, but he says I am. We're remodeling the bathroom and the kitchen. Then we're applying a lot of lipstick! Looking good!
We plan to have an open house in a couple of weeks. If we don't get much from that, we're going to list it in September.
Speaking of September, we're still on for a huge estate sale. Be prepared to shop! Bring money!
We're going to get rid of most everything in the attic, closets and garages!
We've decided not to sell our house since the market is so soft now. We'll probably sell later. We're going to lease it out while we're gone.
Mike has found us the perfect boat. The problem is that it's in New York! The logistics are crazy. However, if we could get it cheap enough................. New York!?!
When we sold the mini bikes, we ended up with a couple of Honda Super Cubs. They are great! I'll post a couple of pictures later. BTW, they'll be for sale too, later. :-)
We continue to sell stuff, save money and count the days. Only 168 days from today (Aug 4) until I retire! Spring will be here before we know it and we'll be off on our adventure! Hard to believe!
Well until next time - hopefully I'll have more news!
Take care!
Admiral C
It seems things are moving right along..... hopefully! This summer is a strange one for Mike and me. No boat! Not going to the lake every weekend! Oh well, we try to focus on the big picture.
Status on the downsizing... we sold all the mini bikes - 9 of them in all,plus enough parts to probably build another one. Camaro still for sale! Price reduced! Tell your friends!
We've been spending alot of time working on the rental house that we're selling. We decided it needed some fixing up - you know, I've been watching the DIY channel again. I'm good on ideas, but not very good in the actually work - just ask Mike. I'm not sure I'm much help, but he says I am. We're remodeling the bathroom and the kitchen. Then we're applying a lot of lipstick! Looking good!
We plan to have an open house in a couple of weeks. If we don't get much from that, we're going to list it in September.
Speaking of September, we're still on for a huge estate sale. Be prepared to shop! Bring money!
We're going to get rid of most everything in the attic, closets and garages!
We've decided not to sell our house since the market is so soft now. We'll probably sell later. We're going to lease it out while we're gone.
Mike has found us the perfect boat. The problem is that it's in New York! The logistics are crazy. However, if we could get it cheap enough................. New York!?!
When we sold the mini bikes, we ended up with a couple of Honda Super Cubs. They are great! I'll post a couple of pictures later. BTW, they'll be for sale too, later. :-)
We continue to sell stuff, save money and count the days. Only 168 days from today (Aug 4) until I retire! Spring will be here before we know it and we'll be off on our adventure! Hard to believe!
Well until next time - hopefully I'll have more news!
Take care!
Admiral C
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Time to get down to business!
Hi everyone
I thought I'd write a little and let you know how things are going as far as our big adventure.
Everything is still a go!
We've seem to come to a standstill in downsizing, however. Haven't sold much lately. SO we're in the process of "pricing it to sell". So don't be surprised if you start getting some emails from me about items we're selling. We still have my camaro, the old camper and the rental house! Pass the word!
We've about decided to sell our home too. We're tentatively planning a big sale in September. We'll be selling items that are stacked in the garage, attic and closets. In other words, items we aren't really using or we need. We'll probably have another sale when the actual parting date is known. That will be everything else I can part with!
It feels strange at times to think of selling practically everything but I really think it's right. After all, they're just things. If you've ever watched Clean House or Hoarders you know what I mean. It won't take long for Mike and I to accumulate new things! And if/when we come home, I'll finally get to move into a different house!
Stay tuned! I feel everything is about to start happening.
By the way, I have less than 200 days until retirement! Not that I'm counting.
Till next time!
Admiral C
I thought I'd write a little and let you know how things are going as far as our big adventure.
Everything is still a go!
We've seem to come to a standstill in downsizing, however. Haven't sold much lately. SO we're in the process of "pricing it to sell". So don't be surprised if you start getting some emails from me about items we're selling. We still have my camaro, the old camper and the rental house! Pass the word!
We've about decided to sell our home too. We're tentatively planning a big sale in September. We'll be selling items that are stacked in the garage, attic and closets. In other words, items we aren't really using or we need. We'll probably have another sale when the actual parting date is known. That will be everything else I can part with!
It feels strange at times to think of selling practically everything but I really think it's right. After all, they're just things. If you've ever watched Clean House or Hoarders you know what I mean. It won't take long for Mike and I to accumulate new things! And if/when we come home, I'll finally get to move into a different house!
Stay tuned! I feel everything is about to start happening.
By the way, I have less than 200 days until retirement! Not that I'm counting.
Till next time!
Admiral C
Monday, June 21, 2010
Welcome to YW8T!
Welcome All!
6-21-2010
Welcome to my new blog - YW8T!
As some of you know, Capt. Mike and I (aka Admiral C) are about to strike out on a whole new adventure. While the actual trip is still a few months away - we're actively preparing! You know just how much Mike and I usually prepare for things.... HA! Well, for this adventure - WE HAVE TO PREPARE!
In the beginning there may not be daily posts - not a whole lot to talk about yet! :-)
However, I will try to keep you posted on all our decision making and other "goings on" as we go along.
First of all, for those of you who don't know what I'm talking about - Capt. Mike and I are going to take an extended trip by boat. This trip is called the "Great Loop". It's a 6500 mile loop that extends up the eastern seaboard - through the Erie Canal to the Great Lakes - down the rivers to Chicago and St. Louis - on south down the Mississippi and then the Tennessee River - on down to Mobile AL and over to Florida. Now, that's very simplified, but you can get the jest.
Mike and I will be gone about a year or so. I'm retiring in January 2011 after almost 39 years at Empire. Mike retired last year. We decided that if we were going to do this - the time was now! We have always dreamed about retiring on a boat somewhere. However, this trip is an added bonus!
We will most likely be leaving in March 2011. That's what I mean when I say there is a lot of planning. We're not leaving until March but the planning started more than a year ago.
We will be downsizing (another word for "selling all our stuff"). We have already sold 2 Ol Cats - our 24ft SeaRay we had for 6 years. This is the first time Mike has been without a boat in over 40 years! But this is only the beginning! This is the time where we start selling things and stashing the cash! The cash for the "big boat" that is. We are currently perusing all the websites for a trawler. We want one that is about 35'-40'. Of course, it will be a used one. We haven't won the lottery, yet!
We have our rental house, my camaro and several other toys for sale. Mike's mini-bikes (the last count was nine) are for sale. We keep tossing around the idea of selling our house and everything in it. I'll keep you posted on that. I'm all for becoming a "minimalist". I need to find that old routine by George Carlin about stuff. Remember it? If anyone knows where I can find it - let me know.
Last month Mike and I took a trip to Florida to look at some boats. We wanted to get a feel of what was really out there and see how the pictures on the internet compared with the actual thing. We found several we liked. We're not ready to buy yet. First things first. Sell the "stuff" - buy the boat. We don't see any reason that we should own the boat and have to pay to keep it somewhere when we aren't really ready to use it yet.
I read in one of the many books I've been reading lately - that the purchase of the boat should be pretty much the last thing we do. Also, if we already have a boat - first thing to do was to sell it. I guess we're on the right track there!
I hope to continue sharing this experience with all of you. As the day of "send off" nears, I'm sure I will have several thoughts and experiences to share. Once we are truly on the trip, I plan to update this blog regularly with pictures and stories.
I'm new at this blogging so bear with me. Hopefully I'll become an expert!
If you have any ideas or suggestions, please let me know.
Till next time
Admiral C
6-21-2010
Welcome to my new blog - YW8T!
As some of you know, Capt. Mike and I (aka Admiral C) are about to strike out on a whole new adventure. While the actual trip is still a few months away - we're actively preparing! You know just how much Mike and I usually prepare for things.... HA! Well, for this adventure - WE HAVE TO PREPARE!
In the beginning there may not be daily posts - not a whole lot to talk about yet! :-)
However, I will try to keep you posted on all our decision making and other "goings on" as we go along.
First of all, for those of you who don't know what I'm talking about - Capt. Mike and I are going to take an extended trip by boat. This trip is called the "Great Loop". It's a 6500 mile loop that extends up the eastern seaboard - through the Erie Canal to the Great Lakes - down the rivers to Chicago and St. Louis - on south down the Mississippi and then the Tennessee River - on down to Mobile AL and over to Florida. Now, that's very simplified, but you can get the jest.
Mike and I will be gone about a year or so. I'm retiring in January 2011 after almost 39 years at Empire. Mike retired last year. We decided that if we were going to do this - the time was now! We have always dreamed about retiring on a boat somewhere. However, this trip is an added bonus!
We will most likely be leaving in March 2011. That's what I mean when I say there is a lot of planning. We're not leaving until March but the planning started more than a year ago.
We will be downsizing (another word for "selling all our stuff"). We have already sold 2 Ol Cats - our 24ft SeaRay we had for 6 years. This is the first time Mike has been without a boat in over 40 years! But this is only the beginning! This is the time where we start selling things and stashing the cash! The cash for the "big boat" that is. We are currently perusing all the websites for a trawler. We want one that is about 35'-40'. Of course, it will be a used one. We haven't won the lottery, yet!
We have our rental house, my camaro and several other toys for sale. Mike's mini-bikes (the last count was nine) are for sale. We keep tossing around the idea of selling our house and everything in it. I'll keep you posted on that. I'm all for becoming a "minimalist". I need to find that old routine by George Carlin about stuff. Remember it? If anyone knows where I can find it - let me know.
Last month Mike and I took a trip to Florida to look at some boats. We wanted to get a feel of what was really out there and see how the pictures on the internet compared with the actual thing. We found several we liked. We're not ready to buy yet. First things first. Sell the "stuff" - buy the boat. We don't see any reason that we should own the boat and have to pay to keep it somewhere when we aren't really ready to use it yet.
I read in one of the many books I've been reading lately - that the purchase of the boat should be pretty much the last thing we do. Also, if we already have a boat - first thing to do was to sell it. I guess we're on the right track there!
I hope to continue sharing this experience with all of you. As the day of "send off" nears, I'm sure I will have several thoughts and experiences to share. Once we are truly on the trip, I plan to update this blog regularly with pictures and stories.
I'm new at this blogging so bear with me. Hopefully I'll become an expert!
If you have any ideas or suggestions, please let me know.
Till next time
Admiral C
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