We're still in Oriental and the painting project progresses: on December 1, we put on the second coat of teal bottom paint and followed that with a coat of red the next day. December 3 was very cold, and the Admiral almost started a mutiny! No more painting -- too cold and three coats are finished However, the part of the keel that was resting on blocks still needed paint, and Jim took care of that on Saturday, December 4. Alex and Su stayed inside huddled by the space heaters.

After dinner, we went outside even though it was frigid, and this was what greeted us....snow falling heavily. Now the Admiral was really ready to get Palmetto Moon back in the water to have heat blasting instead of space heaters blowing into cold air.

It was amazing how quickly the snow stuck to the strata glass on the flybridge. The snow followed by sleet only lasted about two hours; however, neither of us wanted leave the boat and attempt going down the metal ladder.

On Monday, December 6, Palmetto Moon was back in the water with the heat blasting as it tried to reach the set temperature. On Tuesday, December 7, we planned to leave but it was sooooo cold and sooooo windy that we stayed and had a farewell dinner with Brenda & Geoff at M&M's.

On Wednesday, December 8, we were getting ready to leave when Jim went to the engine room for his usual check. Fortunately, he does this every day we travel, and today he discovered diesel fuel on the port engine. He called TowBoat US and arranged to be towed to Gregory Poole (the Cat people) at Jarrett Bay just north of Beaufort, NC. This picture is M/V Captain Ralph pulling Palmetto Moon across the Neuse River.

TowBoat US-Oriental handed us off to TowBoat US-Beaufort about five miles away from Gregory Poole. Needless to say it was a pleasant ride and uneventful as both captains called any approaching boats to ask for a slow pass. On Thursday, December 9, Gregory Poole removed the fuel pump on the port engine and replaced the seal on the throttle shaft.

Finally, on Friday, December 10, we were on our way south: the sun was shining but it was cold. On Saturday, December 11, we left the dock in the rain which was the first time in 5 1/2 years that we had done that. We wanted to get back to SC and the wind and tides were running together at Cape Fear. So, we braved the wet and cold.

On Sunday, December 12, we docked at Marina Grande Dunes with relief that this cold trip was over. We had a quick dinner with Joe and Dale who take care of Jim's car and went back to finish packing for the road trip.

On Monday, December 13, we drove to the condo in Greer for doctor/vet appointments, Christmas shopping, haircuts, grocery shopping, and socializing. Jim spent Christmas with his family in Spartanburg, and Su flew to West Palm Beach to spend the holiday with her family.

On an extremely sad note, our good friend, Jim Brown, passed away on Monday, December 20. While in Florida, Su drove up to Vero Beach to attend the viewing and funeral. Fortunately, we have many, many fond memories of the times we spent with the "other Jim and Sue" from living together in the EMT shelter Canajoharie in June/July 2006 to going to dinner in Myrtle Beach this past April. We will miss him!

As December closes, we haven't decided whether we will stay in the condo or head south for the winter season. Part of us wants warm weather, although FL wasn't warm last winter, and part of us wants to stay in SC rather than travel in cold weather again. We'll let you know our decision....