On Monday, May 11, we finally left Marina Grande Dunes as the wind forecast was calm for the first time in two weeks. By 11 AM, we wondered about the forecast as the winds picked up and we were pounded by torrential rain with lighting in the distance! Fortunately, by 1 PM the weather had cleared and we arrived in Southport, NC with an overcast sky. We left the next day and continued to Sneads Ferry and then on to Morehead City. Brenda and Geoff joined us for dinner at the Ruddy Duck which was excellent. We stayed an extra night as the forecast for the Neuse River was SE 15-20 with frequent gusts of 25 knots -- not for us! On Friday May 15, we cruised into Sailcraft Service in Oriental and we hauled the next day. Now we are exactly one month behind on our schedule! After the jackstands and ladder were in place, we left Palmetto Moon for a relaxing lunch with Brenda & Geoff at Toucan Grill where we ran into many of our Oriental friends.

Our list of projects was handy and we were ready to get started; however, by noon on Sunday, May 17 a cold front with strong NE winds came in with heavy rain. The cold temps and wind continued through Tuesday so only indoor projects were completed. Our days are routine through the rest of the month with potlock dinners at the pavilion every Wednesday night. By month end, Jim had cleaned and compounded the bottom of the dinghy, compounded and waxed the hull, sanded and varnished the name boards, had the props removed, took them to a prop shop to be trued and balanced (whatever those mean), and picked them up when they were ready.

Su's projects were cleaning thoroughly the microwave/convection oven and the oven which now looks brand new! She also cleaned fenders which are hiding behind the jackstands in this picture, unfortunately -- 4 large, 2 ball, and 3 small.

The temps are now climbing into the high 80s so we are really counting down the days until we go back in the water and can turn on the air conditioner, not to mention using the heads and showering aboard. Just minor details.