The gecko joined us for a picture at the pirate festival. Another year, another pirate festival. Cathy's picking up sewing jobs again. We continue to split time between Orion and Jr. History does have a way of repeating itself.
Not everything is same old, same old. Sue and Steve had us over to their big, beautiful, new boat for dinner. Very comfortable. We volunteered at the Pirate Festival for the first time. There was the Memorial Day re-enactment at Fort Monroe. It's a good mix of the familiar and the new.
Not everything is same old, same old. Sue and Steve had us over to their big, beautiful, new boat for dinner. Very comfortable. We volunteered at the Pirate Festival for the first time. There was the Memorial Day re-enactment at Fort Monroe. It's a good mix of the familiar and the new.
Orion Jr Boat Stuff
Orion Jr continues to get attention in preparation for her trip north to the Erie Canal. In addition to some regular maintenance such as waxing the hull and cleaning the cushion covers, we made some changes and enhancements. In order to maximize our broadcast reach on the ham radio, we decided to add some bronze screen lining to the hull from the stern to the kitchen sink. This will improve our ground plane which will be more important once we go into fresh water. (Since fresh water is a poorer conductor than salt water.) Since this involved Cathy climbing inside the cockpit locker, the sooner we got this done the better. While she was stuffed down there, Cathy discovered one of the fuel locker vent hoses needed to be re-attached, which she took care of. Hopefully, it will be a long while before we need more work down in there.
Orion Jr continues to get attention in preparation for her trip north to the Erie Canal. In addition to some regular maintenance such as waxing the hull and cleaning the cushion covers, we made some changes and enhancements. In order to maximize our broadcast reach on the ham radio, we decided to add some bronze screen lining to the hull from the stern to the kitchen sink. This will improve our ground plane which will be more important once we go into fresh water. (Since fresh water is a poorer conductor than salt water.) Since this involved Cathy climbing inside the cockpit locker, the sooner we got this done the better. While she was stuffed down there, Cathy discovered one of the fuel locker vent hoses needed to be re-attached, which she took care of. Hopefully, it will be a long while before we need more work down in there.
The latest version of Jr's flags. And we had more time to take care of some projects associated with trailering the boat. After some research, we found the right material for the warning flags that are required for Jr when she's on the trailer. Cathy sewed a couple of seams and installed grommets. The result, our 3rd attempt at this, looks less like rags and more like true flags. With the sewing machine out, she solved another problem – this time with the stackpack. By adding a webbing flap at the mast end of each pocket, she made the PVC poles removeable and thus easier to stow. David took a couple of cans of Fluid Film to apply a protective coating to the trailer while it is still clean and no saltwater has hit it.
Fresh Cetol on cap rail. Orion's projects were mostly the same as last year. Cetol on the wood, polishing the stainless steel, diving on the bottom, etc. We did track down and solve a small leak that had been bugging us. The port forward stanchion needed to be re-sealed with LifeCaulk. A huge thunderstorm passing through the same night as the fix confirmed that this leak is history.
Governor passing sentence on Blackbeard's band Pirates, Take Warning
Blackbeard and his gang have met justice once again. Huzzah! This year they met their fate on an absolutely beautiful weekend, with sun shining and cool breezes blowing. Too bad for the pirates, but great for us. We had lots of pirate visitors as well, with Adam's family in full regalia. Pirates big and small had a great time. On Sunday, we volunteered at the festival. We were supposed to distribute ice. Well, with the cool temperatures, that was a pretty boring assignment. But we were glad to help out. And we got a T-shirt and a mug for our service.
Blackbeard and his gang have met justice once again. Huzzah! This year they met their fate on an absolutely beautiful weekend, with sun shining and cool breezes blowing. Too bad for the pirates, but great for us. We had lots of pirate visitors as well, with Adam's family in full regalia. Pirates big and small had a great time. On Sunday, we volunteered at the festival. We were supposed to distribute ice. Well, with the cool temperatures, that was a pretty boring assignment. But we were glad to help out. And we got a T-shirt and a mug for our service.
Memorial Day weekend was the 153rd anniversary of a key ruling made during the Civil War at Fort Monroe. We visited the fort as re-enactors helped us turn back the clock and experience the "contraband of war" decision made by then Fort Commander, General Benjamin Butler. Escaped slaves having made their way to the fort just after the beginning of the war, were given protection by the fort's commander, opening the doors for freedom for any slave that could reach it. The program was well-done and gave us a new perspective on this local history.
