July-Aug 2017, sushi and Irma

Shannon driving Lil' Pick'N
July-Aug 2017

Sweltering heat and oppressive humidity makes for a challenging creative environment for blogging, or doing much of anything really besides hiding from the climate.  In this post we will share our experiences with July-Aug 2017, sushi and Irma.  We learned this lesson during the month of August here in New Bern, NC where, as the old saying goes, it wasn’t so much the heat but the humidity that made our days a struggle.  We did what we could to stay cool and endured very well with the pups and have been grateful over the past week which has provided much cooler and temperate days.

Shannon & Shawn sunset
Shannon & Shawn sunset
Colorful sky canvas
Colorful sky canvas
Sagira’s New Fascination

Sagira revealed her newest, most-favorite “thing,” which is watching (and eagerly salivating) over the local community of geese and ducks that make our harbor their home.  Each time we walk the docks, she repeatedly pauses to watch and, what can only be described as, “plan her attack.”  Shannon and I chuckle at what must be going through her mind on a daily basis: “on of these days dad, you’re gonna drop this leash,” or “maybe if I just drift closer while walking one of them will get a little too close and… yummm.”  Regardless, she loves to just watch them with intent focus and obstinate refusal to continue our walks until she has had a few moments to observe.

...but... DUCKS!!!
…but… DUCKS!!!
Sagira dialed in on the ducks
Sagira dialed in on the ducks

Venus made a new friend this past weekend.  She has always had an affinity for smaller dogs and she got to meet a new chihuahua named Modello.  Modello’s people recently purchased one of the trawlers located in the marina that had previously been for sale.  Venus seemed to take to Modello right away and she immediately showed signs of wanting to play, even on the docks.

Although we suffered the loss of our only male dog, Obi, in July, we have had some great experiences since then, with several visits from friends and family, an eclipse, the purchase of a new car that we hope to sell in about a year, lots of rain, some work on Banjo, a couple fantastic cookouts and some brilliant sunsets.  We also celebrated Shannon’s Birthday last weekend!

Sagira loves this couch
Sagira loves this couch
Shannon & Sarah
Shannon & Sarah
Shannon, Rob & Shawn
Shannon, Rob & Shawn
Storms over New Bern
Storms over New Bern
Shawn as the Gordon Fisherman
Shawn as the Gorton Fisherman
Solar Eclipse

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Shannon & Shawn sunset New Bern NC
Shannon & Shawn sunset New Bern NC
August 2017 Squall New Bern, NC
August 2017 Squall New Bern, NC
Shawn walking the boat dogs
Shawn walking the boat dogs
Sagira & Shawn
Sagira & Shawn
Time for Sushi

Oh, and sushi. 😀

Shannon Sushi
Shannon Sushi

Oh, and more birthday Sushi!!

Birthday Sushi at Sake Grill BBQ Sushi & Bar in New Bern, NC
Birthday Sushi at Sake Grill BBQ Sushi & Bar in New Bern, NC
Birthday Sushi at Sake Grill BBQ Sushi & Bar in New Bern, NC
Birthday Sushi at Sake Grill BBQ Sushi & Bar in New Bern, NC
Rainbow Birthday Shot invented just for Shannon
Rainbow Birthday Shot invented just for Shannon

And even some sushi lessons

Sushi Lessons aboard SV Freya
Sushi Lessons aboard SV Freya
OH!, The Sunsets.

And then there were the sunsets.

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Banjo sunset New Bern NC
Banjo sunset New Bern NC

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Servicing Lil’ Pick’N

During the month of August, we had our tender, which we lovingly named Lil’ Pick’N, sent off to the fantastic people at Offshore Rafting for service and a little TLC.  All three main valves were replaced, a new bow lift handle installed.  In addition, about 14 patches were added to strengthen worn areas or provide additional support for the 9′ Caribe hard-bottomed inflatable.  We cannot recommend Zoey, Kat, Mark and the rest of the Offshore Rafting Group highly enough!  Their work was top-notch and their prices were fair and reasonable for the amount of time and energy they invested into servicing and restoring our Lil’ Pick’N.

Offshore Rafting delivering Lil' Pick'N
Offshore Rafting delivering Lil’ Pick’N
Offshore Rafting delivering Lil' Pick'N
Offshore Rafting delivering Lil’ Pick’N
Lil' Pick'N back from service
Lil’ Pick’N back from service
Lil' Pick'N back from service
Lil’ Pick’N back from service
15HP Yamaha Enduro Outboard Dinghy Motor Service

While the tender was having service, we also decided to send the motor off to have service as we were unable to get the motor to turn using the pull cord.  Luckily, we found a great group over at Pelican Bay Boatworks who painstakingly tore down the 15HP Yamaha Enduro 2-stroke motor and got her back into fantastic shape!  We would also like to mention and thank Jimmy, and Mike for the careful and thorough work to bring our dinghy motor back to life.

Lil’ Pick’N Goes Boating

We had a great time last weekend reuniting our tender and motor and taking them both out for a tour around the area.  We even had a chance to bring the Banjo Boat dogs, Sagira and Venus, out for a ride and they seemed to love being out on the water even though it was a little choppy.  Shannon got to drive and dock Lil’ Pick’N and was even able to get her to plane-out as long as I leaned far forward.  We will need to adjust the trim on the motor but she should work out as a great “car” for us and the dogs once we begin traveling.

Shannon driving Lil' Pick'N
Shannon driving Lil’ Pick’N
Shannon at the helm of Lil' Pick'N
Shannon at the helm of Lil’ Pick’N

The past few days have seen us, and everyone else in our marina, shift into preparation-mode for Hurricane Irma.  Which, according to the ‘spaghetti models,’ could begin its landfall as early as Saturday or as late as Monday next.  Everyone here has been eagerly awaiting the decision from the marina on whether we will need to move the boat.  Or whether we can stay in the marina.  We are tentatively scheduled to have the boat hauled out at the end of the week if conditions indicate Irma to be a threat.

Boat Projects If We Haul Out for Hurricane Irma

Shannon and I have been discussing some projects for Banjo including painting out rudder, pressure washing the entire boat, washing & waxing the hull, and re-bedding the thru-hulls and servicing all of the sea-water valves.  If we do indeed have to haul out before October, we are also going to have some service done.  Our autopilot has been struggling a bit when steering to starboard.  Our guess is that the loss of steerage power is due to reduced pressure within one of the autopilot motors.  We should be able to have it checked and evaluated before we re-splash.

Hurricane Irma spaghetti models
Hurricane Irma spaghetti models

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