Day 22. Tuesday, July 15, 2025

At 6:55 AM With heavy dew outside and chilly

Weather:

Inside boat: Temp low 86.9°F high 86.9°F, 68.4

humidity: low 58%, high 86%, current 86%

Casper couldn’t wait to go outside in the cockpit first thing after I got up. We keep the screen companionway hatches in at night. We don’t want to run the risk of cats falling off the boat. It’s so good to see him comfortable with going in the cockpit again. Cold air was coming in, so I put the topmost screen board (there are 3) in and put a towel over it and closed the hatch so the cats can get out but the cold air doesn’t come in.

Phil and I started working on the sump pump bilge water situation. The sump pump is working, but weneed to clear out the stinky water. Phil got water in a bucket fr9m the river and I poured in the bilge while the pump ran. It took 4 partial buckets until the water was better. Will remember to keep the sump pump switch on. I swear all these stupid things that happen makes us look like we don’t know what we’re doing, but this is the process of learning the new systems on the boat. Each mistake we make is a learning experience. We have sailed our friend Ted’s Z. Tartan 37 for a few summers, but this one is different.

We decided to have cold cereal for breakfast at 0840. Then a little before 9am, we took our 3 large dry bags of dirty clothes to Dick and Ruth’s house on Colborne street very close by. they are very good offering the use of their washer and dryer. We had a full load, then a partial load. This machine works better with very full loads, some went back to get dirty towels to get a full 2nd load. We enjoyed ourself talking boating and some politics. They like the United States and still plan to visit, but not sure this winter yet. It depends on what life brings. I check the 2nd load of clothes in the dryer and decided to hang up the partially dry towels on the clothesline, and then was able to get the balance done more quickly. I’m sure the towels will dry quickly in the hot sun and it will take a lot less drying time. Hydro (electricity in the States) is very expensive especially during the day. We were done by 1240pm and will get the towels later after lunch.

After we dropped off the 3 dry bags on the boat, we arrived at Two Forks Restaurant for lunch by110pm. Phil had a burger and I had Fish and Chips. Unfortunately this restaurant doesn’t have air conditioning but we sat by an opened window.

After lunch, we got the towels and went back to the boat to relax. Tony L. came about 230pm and waited while I put the clothes away for us to go see his boat, a C&C 38 SV Second Chances that he’s fixing up. The name is apropos as he’s received a liver transplant and is doing well followed the doctors instructions. It still needs a lot of work, but everything he’s done is top notch and it keeps him busy. Part way through the visit, his wife Diane joined us as they had hoped to go sailing but I don’t think there was enough wind.

About 430pm I went to the club house deck and Phil went to the boat. I started work on a post until my Uncle Dale called and we talked. After the call Diane came over and I invited them for supper of spaghetti with meatballs and broccoli that I cut up and put in the sauce. We cooked in the clubhouse and ate on the deck. We had most of it eaten, but enough sauce and pasta for Phil and I to split for a side dish. After supper I worked on the blog and back to the boat by 830pm.

Phil and I talked about sailing. When we were cruising to the Bahamas and Caribbean, he let me have the lead for the weather about if we stay or leave early or later and will now he will do the same for depth.

We looked at the weather forecast for crossing Lake Erie. The wind has gotten worse for crossing Thursday and the wave would be coming from the south. It’s not fun pounding into the waves for 9 hours. We are looking at crossing Friday to Fairport Harbor. We need to get some meds that aren’t available in Canada. While there we’ll take the opportunity to get some things we need and take off the boat some things we find we’re not using. Starting to make lists so we do forget.

We relaxed until time for bed.