Eureka is hauled

May 30 - June 3

It has been nearly 2 1/2 years since we've pulled Eureka out of the water and painted the bottom.  This is usually a once-a-year task, but the paint job we had done in Marathon, Florida held up real well.  But it is time!

On Tuesday, we motored from Morehead-Beaufort Yacht Club to Bock Marine a few miles North.  Over the next three days, we have waxed the hull, painted the bottom with two coats of very expensive ($250/gallon) paint that keeps things from growing on the bottom.  We also had Bock Marine put new bearings and packing for the drive shaft to the propeller.

We do manage to get most of the black bottom paint on the boat where it should be

All parts of the bottom have to be painted, which sometimes requires some back-breaking work.

Eureka is back in the water Friday morning.  We take her back home and spend a couple hours cleaning her up and changing the oil - another task we've put off too long.

A fun week with Evan

April 4 - 12

On Thursday, April 4 Slade, Anna and Evan came down to Beaufort for a long weekend of relaxing and catching up on what's happening.

Saturday, we spent a fun few hours at Fort Macon enjoying the nice Spring weather and watching a reenactment/story telling session.

The Tourism visitors center has added a nice opportunity for everyone to enjoy 

Slade and Anna take the kayak out on a chilly Taylors Creek

Evan helps put a bird house in place above the swing.  Sure hope the birds don't spend much time there while people are sitting in the swing.

Sunday, Slade and Anna left for home and Evan is spending the week with us.  We also have my father for the next couple of weeks, so we've stayed busy.

On Wednesday, Evan and I go out to the airport for Evan's first flight in a small aircraft.  This is something I've wanted to do with him for a while.  I put Evan in the copilots seat and I sat in the back.

The pilot flew out to Cape Lookout and then along Shackleford Banks.  He let
Evan take the controls for a few minutes.  Evan did real well in spite of not being able to see over the instrument panel.  "This isn't like a video game" was Evan's comment.

Fort Macon from a different perspective

Cape Lookout and Shackleford Banks

Madelyn, our neighbor and her dogs spent a lot of time with us this week.

Evan truly loves any dog that he sees.  I've never seen a kid who enjoys them more than he does.

Evan and Annie

Friday afternoon, I met Slade in Goldsboro and Evan went back home.  We are now looking forward to summer when we'll have a chance to spend some quality time with both he and Anna.