Or “Dog days of Summer.” It’s been a few weeks (seems like months) since we added a post, and we are starting to receive inquiries. Where are you? How’s the engine replacement coming along? Can you move yet? Etc. So, here’s a quick recap on what we’ve been doing and where we stand.
The sales guy said,”It’s straight-forward, just pop it out and put in another!” The technician said, “It’s a bit more than that; it’s, well, it’s a process!” There wasn’t a salesperson, but you catch the drift.
We’ve been working on so many “little” tasks (too many to list), going to the service yard six days a week (thank goodness they’re closed on Sundays). No picture postcard-worthy photo ops, there – just plenty of sweaty work. Our hard-working mechanic took some well-deserved days off, affording us the opportunity for a few days of R&R, as well. Susie, its R&R! Oh, okay, let’s go visit something!
First stop: the Elliott Museum right here in Stuart, Florida, where Susie picked up a fairly determined hitchhiker.
All fun until someone gets thrown from the running board! No-o-o-o!
The only one of its kind in an American museum, the three-story system holds more than 50 vehicles in climate-controlled storage. Each car can be lowered on a robotic tray to rotate on a turntable for museum guests to view. Pretty cool!
During our short break, we just had to make a very quick road trip a bit north in Florida to meet the newest member of the Olsen clan, great granddaughter Crimson, and to surprise daughter Tracee and granddaughter Kayla. Ladies in the clan, even the brand-new ones, are quite beautiful!
True to form, we always try to stop and look around at the wondrous world. Out behind the condo, this couple showed up one day with at least ten ducklings in tow. Amazingly, they are very noisy, Black-bellied Whistling Ducks. The little gang jumped in, and over the next few days, they slowly disappeared. Mom and Dad, forced to jump in also, spent multiple days gathering the rascals. We choose to believe the little ones figured out how to walk out of the pond…
It was fantastic to see family (and do some nature-watching), but all too soon, our break was over. We needed to return to work on boat projects. After all, we want to get the SaltyMare moving… even galloping (and out of Florida) ASAP.
One of the many steps, but probably the most important: running the new engine wiring harness. Oh, boy, what fun.
On a side note, as we’ve mentioned, Murphy occasionally (often?) comes aboard. Completely unrelated to the engine “process,” our very stout windlass “conveniently” decided to demand some attention. Certainly, better now than later when we’re at anchor. Anchor? We think we remember how! 😊
In order to remove it for servicing, one of the technicians had to go completely INSIDE our anchor chain locker! (Todd claims he won’t fit!)
So that’s what we’ve been up to: a bit of lighthearted pleasure, but mostly scrubbing, wiring, wrenching. You know, boat loads of fun! 😊
Our Travels 