Accomplishment is the word for the month of July. The three of us survived the incredibly hot weather with temps in the hundreds and new heat index records. Should we mention the air conditioner issues that we experienced during some of those days -- probably not, it was too uncomfortable to explain; however, Jim did fix the problems both times!

Another accomplishment -- On Thursday, July 7, we celebrated our sixth anniversary of living aboard by grilling dinner and dining with other cruisers in the picnic area at the marina. Then, we celebrated again by going to Cocomo's for dinner the next night with our friends, Jimmy and Nancy.

And now for the transformation of Palmetto Moon...

Palmetto Moon with the dark green bimini and enclosure or how she looked for the last five years.

On Tuesday, July19, the hardtop frame was delivered to the parking lot. It looked enormous, and we wondered if Palmetto Moon had grown to 60'. OK, just wishful thinking.

On Wednesday, July 20 we moved out of the shed at Dozier's Regatta Point Marina into the main basin so the hardtop frame could be installed. Actually we moved back into the shed as soon as we could to get out of the sweltering heat since we did not have any protection from the sun.

On Thursday, July 21 the canvas guys came and spent the day. They measured and drilled holes for the new enclosure. The next day was the record temperature of 105 with the heat index of 120. That was when Jim started his drilling to pull the wires throughout the frame. Some wires are for LED ceiling lights over the table and others are now there for anything else he may want to add at a later date. All this needed to be finished before the next step.

On Saturday, July 23, the hardtop arrived for installation, and we moved out of the shed into the marina basin again. It was another scorcher day of 103.

Palmetto Moon back in the shed with the hardtop installed. We are now waiting for the new enclosure, and then we can go cruising.