Hi Everyone!

I'm finally finding time to update our blog! Lots of things are happening now! It's countdown time!
First: Mike made it home safely from his first voyage in the Nauti Nell in December - right before Christmas!!
Second: January 18 finally arrived and I am finally retired from Empire District. Well, it was official February 21, but my last day there was January 18. What a party! Thanks to all that came. And thanks for all the cards and well wishes. It is a major change for me, but I think I'm going to like it! Of course out of the first three weeks, we were snowed in two of them! That was a true test on our compatibility! We passed the test.
Third: We scheduled our Auction for April 2. If you're interested in any of our "wonderful stuff", you better get there early! We're selling just about everything! If it won't fit in our boat then we don't need it. right? Well, I am keeping a few keepsakes and of course, pictures, etc. But all furniture, antiques, kitchenware, decor, tools and whatever else we have is going! We sold the camper. We still need to sell the Camaro and Mike's truck. Oh, and we still have a pair of Honda Cubs for sale. This will all be at the auction, if we don't sell them first.
Fourth: We've leased the house! yea!!
Fifth: Still need to sell the rental house on Massachusetts..
Sixth: We're planning to take a trip up to the boat after the auction. We need to get it ready to be our home. I haven't even seen it! I'm ready to start nesting though. We'll probably be gone 3-4 weeks. Well be back in time for a Bon Voyage party and to say goodbye to our family and friends. We plan to attend a Rendovous that is being held by the AGLCA (American Great Loop Cruisers Association) in Norfolk in mid-May. After that, we will cast off our lines and set our compass on "N" with our engines full ahead. Let the good times roll!

BTW: The AGLCA has a website that has lots of information about the Great Loop.

I'll do my best in keeping up with our blog. I'll try to post pictures when we get to the boat. Remember, I haven't even seen it yet!

Till next time!

Admiral "C"

Hi everyone!

Below is a posting from Mike that should have been added in December. Hopefully this will help update everyone.

From Mike (aka: Captain Chappy) December 23, 2010

Capt. Chappy is back in Missouri after 2 weeks aboard our new floating home. Nauti Nell (you know Twyla, Twyla's mother and her grandmother were all Nells). Starting in Long Island with a narrow weather window, and a hired delivery captain named Bill Darling, we made a hasty trip down the Atlantic. Well as hasty as you can make it at 10 knots (or about 12 mph). the plan was to be out of NY before "winter" arrives. We ALMOST made it! The first day was very nice, well thats one! Then came the wind and the dipping temperatures. We made it two days - past Atlantic City and stayed at Trumps Marina. it was so cold, no one came to collect docking fees. Further on to Cape May, NJ. - when we got caught by a gale force storm and snow. We pulled into a yacht club at Point Lighthouse and locked down for 3 days. Did I mention I was having trouble with the heating units and could only run for 4 hours (boats don't have insulation)? I picked up a new captain, Red (Cornelius) O'Kane (Darling jumped ship to deliver a boat to the Bahamas) and resumed the run to beat the weather. We didn't think it might have leapfrogged ahead and froze some of the bays. so a lot of off course traveling dodging the ice! We stopped in Annapolis and then on to Norfolk. Well almost - the boat is now laying at Smith Point Marina in Reedville, VA., which is about half way between Annapolis and Norfolk. You can log in on their website www.smithpointmarina.com using the ID and password "user". You can see a live shot with her flag flying. so Merry Christmas! I will resume as soon as I get another weather window. Capt. Chappy!!