By Don
Shannon and I left our apartment in Cocoa Beach with a giant battery box sitting on the fridge in hopes that it would power through any disruptions from Hurricane Milton not knowing if the building would be there when we returned. Our neighbors now report this Friday that all is well despite a tornado that ripped through the town pulling the roof off several commercial buildings. In general, it sounds like all is well.
We made it to Virginia where we stayed for the night before arriving in Annapolis and walking around for the afternoon on Wednesday. The wonderfully cool Autumn weather was a shock to our Floridian bodies but Henry was very happy wandering from shop to shop where he was welcomed and many proprietors offered him a treat. He now believes every nice person on the street secretly hides bacon treats and you can see his disappointment when only a kind scratch on the head and warm welcome greets him. Oh the bougie life of a Boston Terrier.
They say that a life at sea is, “… sailing to beautifully exotic places and fixing your boat, “ and so this trip has prepared us for the future. Despite the mechanical repairs on the Honda before leaving, it wouldn’t start at the hotel. Thankfully, I carried my tools in their fancy Pangolin bags and considered that perhaps the battery contacts were not making sufficient connection for the starting current required by the starter. Indeed, everything was corroded and I quickly cleaned things ups and the Pilot roared to life.
In truth, I dropped a small plate holding the main power cables to the battery clamp into the engine compartment where it lodged into the underbody panels. Well beyond reach it would require complete disassembly of the entire plastic array. So I did what any good electrician would and jammed the cables between the battery post and the old clamp before torquing the living daylight out of it. I later purchased the correct replacement clamp. I’ll put that on before we head home (in my head at least). I love those tool bags and I am very glad my son Jack talked me into buying them.
We dropped Henry off at daycamp for dogs and they have been a wonderful help. He is having a great time and if you need a recommendation in the area, I don’t hesitate to point out that Fieldstone Animal Inn provides loving, professional care for your dogs. The staff is friendly and has gone the extra mile for us.
Our Cruiser’s University classes have been very instructive and we learned a lot in the Bahamas Planning course with John Herlig, a very entertaining and thoughtful speaker who sails the Ave Del Mar.
Our brains full, our bodies tired, and our tummies empty, we stopped at O’Brian’s Oyster Bar for a sidewalk meal and enjoyed the rest of the evening before heading back to get Henry. The food was delicious as well as the service. What a treat to sit casually and watch the fanfare of the impending show coming the next day.
It’s a strange mix of anticipation and calm that comes with this show. The city streets are so friendly and inviting. Walking around just eases the mind and yet you are constantly filled with a sense of wonder and awe over the colors and sounds. Knowing that all the boats and booths are coming soon provides this energy inside, like a racehorse trembling under the saddle, but strangely ready for the challenge ahead.