I have hacked into the blog to let you all know that I am back at college with my bro. Had a great time on vacation with the folks swimming and playing at the beach and I was really liking those dingy rides. But I had to get off the freaking boat. The rocking kept putting me to sleep. I needed to get back to nacho’s, pizza and beer pong. The guys depend on me and bro needs a study partner even if I’m just snoozing next to him 😉 Mom snapped the picture below of me on my last day. This was my favorite place to relax after a hard day of watching dad and mom work on the boat. I would catch the sea breezes and it was good night Louise! Say hi to Dakota, Bam, Peca, Mollie, Mickey Mantel, Lefty and Bogie. Was sad to hear about Princess, give Jeff and Veronica my condolences. See you in Mexico for Christmas, Mom and Dad!
Happy trails, Oakley

My favorite spot on the boat

We set sail for Mexico on October 27th, 7 weeks from today. We have quite a list of things to get done and several big decisions to make. One decision is on our communication needs for keeping in touch with Austin for emergencies if we are outside cell phone range. Right now we are considering a satellite phone. We will be able to purchase a modem and data through a Mexican company so we will have internet and email in most places. But there will be times when we will be in remote areas with no cell coverage. What to do?

We are working on installing a water maker and solar panels at the same time. This was not the plan, however, the guy who is making the stainless steel structure for the solar panels has been shall we say not very customer oriented! The water maker we choose produces 20 gallons of water an hour. I think that will get us each a shower every day don’t you? The system is designed and manufactured by a small company here in San Diego so we met the two owners when we picked the system up. Both are cruisers who were not satisfied with the water makers that were on the market. We know several boats, some as far away as the Caribbean, who have installed one of these systems. We had Sereno II hauled out last Friday so two thru hulls could be installed. One for intake and the other for discharge. Didn’t really want to put new holes in the boat but it was recommended by the owners that the intake not share the same thru hull as the engine. Seemed like sound advice 🙂

With the clock ticking we haven’t really maintained a good balance between work and play. And the last week or so has been stinking hot and humid. We did have visitors though and that is always fun! An old friend from high school (old as in “from way back when” LOL), Dave Piemontesi, was in the area on business. We enjoyed a great German dinner along with great conversation. Having retired from the Navy, Dave was excited to see Sereno II and I think he liked her. He officially was our first east coast visitor.

Over the weekend we had lunch with a couple from my past. I worked with Mac and Georgia McCarty back in the 1980’s. We have kept in touch over the years and since they were in town for a wedding, Gary and I were able to meet up with them. These are two people who have enjoyed their retirement by traveling, visiting friends and family, (I think they enjoy the racetrack as well), and opening their home up to anyone that wants to come and visit them. Their annual Christmas card is never dull. We enjoyed great conversation and were happy the planets were all in alignment so we could visit with them. As it turns out, the work on the water maker kept us in town so things do happen for a reason. The one bummer though was right after we said our goodbyes I remembered I wanted a picture with them 😦 Next time……

Mission Control

Dave Piemontesi, Cindy, Gary