February 5-11, 2024
Even though we’re not actively cruising, Lailia needs maintenance. The bonkers windstorm that hit us last month bent the metal davit that supports our dinghy. John recently noticed that all the bouncing during that same storm pulled off a skeen chock, the thingy that keeps dock lines from rubbing on the bow pulpit when they’re cleated on the dock.
Because they can absorb a lot of force, skeen chocks have to be through bolted, meaning it’s not just a matter of screwing a bolt through the top – John has to get into the chain locker to make sure it’s securely fastened all the way through the deck.
The chain locker is a tiny compartment at the bow. It’s not deep enough to climb into, so any work that has to be done in there requires boat yoga contortions.
John had experience with these contortions (from all the repair work on the windlass and the wash down pump) and made the repair. No doubt there are several f-bombs still floating on the ICW towards Port Royal Sound.
John also thinks he’s found and addressed the source of the leak that somehow finds its way into the hold where I store my pants. Hopefully this is true as there’s nothing as irritating as pulling soaking wet jeans out of a drawer.
Lailia also needs her inverter/charger replaced. This will require a different yoga pose as the system weighs about 70 lbs and needs to be installed on a panel in our narrow engine room. John will tackle this job soon.
Boat life – it’s not all sunrises and dolphins.
This week also started gray and cloudy so when the sun finally started to shine, it felt like a gift. I’ve been working with some out-of-state consultants who suggested going out for dinner on Wednesday. Of course we suggested Fish Camp. Along with great food and service, they have a gorgeous view of the sunset from their porch.
And after a very, very busy week, John and I headed to DQ for Friday sundaes.
Back in the 80s Loverboy sang about working for the weekend. Saturday is our day – we can reconnect and relax. A February Saturday with temps in the upper 60s is a bonus!
We took a quick afternoon hike to Little Hunting Island.
The stinkhorns are emerging! These orange fungi smell awful but the odor isn’t too strong. I used to see them in the spring at Caw Caw, too. They do attract flies probably because of their nasty funk.
It’s cool to see this beach at low tide: there’s cool sand textures left by the retreating water and swaths of clam shells.
Little Hunting Island has a boneyard beach marked with dozens of drowned trees left behind by the massive erosion on this island.
Low tide brought out both wading birds (like herons) and shorebirds (like sanderlings and willets). It’s entertaining watching the shorebirds scampering along the edges of the water.
Two cool birds were at the nature center feeder – a pine warbler and a rose finch. I heard the painted buntings are back, too.
Yep…this bird watching thing sneaks up like aging does.
All the rain and yuck from the beginning of the week perked up the resurrection ferns, which grow on many live oaks.
Clouds returned Saturday evening, muting the bright sunset but we still had some evening color to end our shiny day
Life on Lailia 