Boat parts go on...

...and boat parts come off.

Schmitty, (our world class marina manager) had a busy week. We noticed last weekend that someone had painted a dashed white line from the road to the bath house, under the bows of Nomad's row of boats. The great State of Illinois (apparently spending some stimulus money) is laying new sewer lines in the campground. The white lines on the ground suggested that the marina bath houses might be included in the new plumbing. Indeed they are, but the State waits not for sailing season and a whole row of boats sat in the way of progress. With digging due to start tomorrow they all had to be moved, cradles, ladders, anchors and all. It was a pleasant surprise to find that little Nomad now sits right in front of the marina's work shop. (Never underestimate friends in high places, thanks Schmitty!)

Which helped the work go a bit easier today. Spring has apparently taken a "spring break" of its own. Though it isn't really winter again, with drizzle, a stiff breeze and temps in the mid 40s, the marina would not make any one's "places to go" list this weekend. It certainly wasn't the best of days to be working outside, but I really wanted to see some parts go back on the boat. We fumbled a bit with gloved hands and cold fingers and I made a few extra trips up and down the ladder to pick up dropped washers and assorted bits. When she wasn't up in the V-berth helping mount the bow pulpit, Deb started pulling the carpet off the steps in the companionway. The plan was to install some non-skid and get rid of the old, smelly, dirt encrusted fabric. But with the carpet removed the steps were just too trashed to leave in place, so...boat parts come off. The steps have taken the place of the bow sprit in the shop, next to go under the palm sander.

Still, little Nomad looks a little less like some forlorn project boat now that her bow sprit and pulpit are back in place. With new mica backing plates (cut on Barry's band saw located in the warmer shop, thanks Barry) under the bow pulpit stanchions to help spread the load, she may even be a bit better than factory. And, since the mica came from the toolbox of a friend who works on the jet, (thanks Randy!) with aircraft quality mica under her deck, Nomad will probably be a little faster as well, don't you think?

While up on the bow bolting some bolts, a marina friend wandered by (Deb and I weren't the only people working in the drizzle) to ask when the boat would be for sale. Apparently word has gotten around that we hope to have both the boat and the house ready for market by the end of this year. "Maybe next spring," we told him. He kind of smiled, "So many people talk about going, but you two are actually doing it."

It is a nice thought but I had to remind him that we haven't left yet. It is a plan. It is a plan we are working hard at seeing through. But so far it is still just a plan. I am a firm believer in working hard for a goal. I know well that without a vision nothing of value ever happens. But vision and work cannot account for everything, it also takes a little luck. And so far, Deb and I have been pretty lucky.

After all, some boat parts did go back on today.