Memorial Day Weekend

The plan was to take the entire long weekend off, rent a pick-up truck, load up my R-6 race bike and all the gear that goes with riding it, then drive up to Jennings for two days of tearing around the track   It's been three months since I last rode and I've been itching to do so.  Holiday Monday I would spend at home with Cathy. 

 

I did rent a pick-up truck for the weekend, but the rest of the plan did not happen. 

 

Instead of driving to the track on Saturday, I was at the marina all day taking care of charter operations.  Such is the continuing level of business activity at Sailing Florida.  There was simply too much going on for me to be away.  Instead of going to the track I used the pick-up for trips to our storage unit to sort and bring home boxes of clothing, kitchen items, and miscellaneous things that have been packed away for more than a year.  It was not our first choice for how we'd spend our long weekend, but it seemed necessary and I had the pick-up truck to get it done. 

 

Moving boxes from storage to the truck, then from the truck up to the condo - in summer humidity and heat - was tough work.  That's how we spent Sunday and the holiday Monday.  After unpacking and sorting through the contents of all those boxes, we made several trips to the Good Will donations drop-off.  It was a lot of work, and it wasn't fun.  But now our belongings from the Portland condo are now here in the St Petersburg condo.  We have dozens of framed photos and pieces of artwork to hang yet, but most of the rest of our stuff is organized, or nearly so.

 

Last week we sent out invitations to our Open House Warming Party on June 9^th.  I think we might soon be ready for the event.     

Settling in.

It's been a long time since I've had time and energy to write.  This past month has been brutal.  Demands at work as well as all the finishing touches to the condo renovation, packing the old apartment and then moving had both of us feeling like our lives were a constant stream of effort.  We've been going full speed for so long that it's difficult to remember a time when we weren't.  But here we are now, our first Sunday morning in the new place, and while the art work and pictures are still in boxes and there are empty boxes waiting to be taken away, I'm sitting in a room that is otherwise feeling near-ready and home-like.  The balcony is two floors directly above the pool and courtyard.  Beach Drive is a block and half block away.  Tampa Bay and the marina where I work is a five minute walk. 

 

It would be nice if I could take the entire day off.  Sit around catching up on some of the motor-racing on the DVR.  Later walk to the movie theater to see a film.  But there are still several small projects waiting for me around the condo, and this afternoon there's a four hour sail on the Catalina 39 that I volunteered to do - easy money.

 

I'm beginning to feel settled here, but there's also a level of curiosity about what the future holds.  It feels like we're now staged for a new chapter.  Cathy's position with NOAA has evolved to a place where she is secure but still faces many challenges.  My position with Sailing Florida has evolved - and so has Sailing Florida.  The following perspective came to me last week – in the time I've been with Sailing Florida (just over a year and a half) the charter fleet has doubled in size.  That's a remarkable fact.  And the growth hasn't stopped.  Just this week we brought a lovely little like-new Catalina 309 into the fleet.  Next month we're to take delivery of a 2012 Hunter 50.  In September we'll get the 2013 Jeanneau 53.       

               

The week ahead – I'm teaching ASA curriculum Monday through Thursday.  So far Friday is clear and it would suit me well if it remains so.  I would use it to take my time getting myself and my R6 ready for a long overdue weekend at the track.  It's been three months since my last.  I'm planning a pre-dawn Saturday departure for the drive to Jennings, up next to the Georgia border.  I'll do my best to tear up the track on Saturday and Sunday, then return home Sunday evening.  After this month it will probably be too hot to contemplate putting on leathers and helmet.  I'll likely not do another trackday until the fall, after the trip to Europe in September. 

 

 

    

Today is move into our renovated condo day.

It has been a huge effort to get to this point, but I believe we are well prepared. One last morning walk around the lovely grounds of our soon to be vacant apartment.

Skipperroy.blogspot.com

An email sent to my boss - the owner of Sailing Florida

Capt Dave,

 

My wife Patti and I just completed your ASA101, 103, 104 class with Capt Roy, and we wanted to let you know what a tremendous experience we had! Capt Roy is extremely knowledgeable, personable and a true pleasure to work with. He helped us gain the experience and confidence we were looking for and we would highly recommend him to others.

 

Starting with 20+ knot winds on our first two days on the water, Capt Roy instilled confidence in us from the start.

 

As my wife said, "Capt Roy took me to the other side of my comfort zone, and I enjoyed it"!

 

Sincerely, Patti and Greg

In the new home stretch

This week I'm taking time away from the marina to finish the remodel on our new condo.  The contractor is now done with the big items – the new kitchen and bamboo flooring throughout, both of which look great! 

 

I've finished the two new bathroom vanities, countertops, sinks and plumbing.  I'm now working on installing all new electrical devices.  Next will be all new door hinges and knobs.  Then install new window treatments and put together new book cases.

 

We haven't yet started to pack for the move, and we move one week from today. 

 

Yikes!.      

Happy Canadian couple off on their cruise on the Beneteau 323

Skipperroy.blogspot.com

Check in

It's again one of those weeks that have me running as fast as I can to keep up with demand at Sailing Florida.  At least it's been a week that had me out on the water with some great students.  Their enthusiasm and thirst for understanding everything there is to know about sailboats and sailing keeps me refreshed and on my toes.  My best students make me a better sailor and a better instructor.