Still not home yet

 Well our first full week as sailboat owners was a little depressing since we did not actually have our boat at home. We are hopeful that we be able to retrieve her and bring her home soon. Maybe this weekend if all works out well. The fact that we did not have our Memory Maker home did not detour us from lots of conversation about future plans and what we want to do and get for our new camper on the water. Cindy is busy making plans for the cushions we will need to make. We differ in our opinions on how best to make the cushions for the main sleeping area over the table. I sure once we get her home and get to play around inside her a bit we will soon figure out which is the best direction to go on that issue. I have been busy looking for a grill, stereo, and other accessories we think are "must haves". Still searching for a outboard motor as well. Have a few on Craigslist that I think would work fine but of course they are located some distance away. The ones that are close enough to go get are all more money. Go figure. Isn't that how it always go. We have plenty of time before sailing season gets here so I am not too worried that we get it all worked out.
 We are still unsure just where exactly on Monroe we will be keeping her this coming summer. I think we are leaning more towards the fenced in storage at the Lake Monroe Sailing Association. The power that flushing toilets has over Cindy is quite comical. Hot showers and not having the fear of our boat sinking in the night while tied to a buoy I think are the real plusses to dry storage over the buoy.
 It turned out that we were at Lake Monroe both days this weekend. Friends of ours from Fort Wayne met some friends of theirs there Saturday to kayak and camp. We went over Saturday night to share their campfire with them and catch up. It was beautiful night with clear skies and a annoying wind that would not choose one direction nor lay down for the night till after we left. I got to see the two wooden strip kayaks that Jay had built for himself and his wife Joyce. There is just something beautiful about a stripper. Stripper in this sense referring to a cedar strip kayak LOL. I have long wanted to build one and still do. Even more so after seeing Jay's boats out in the light. I was really hoping to build us a tandem strip kayak this winter but I could tell that Cindy was really wanting a real boat more than a new tandem kayak. I was fine with that knowing we would probably get more use out of the sailboat than the kayak. That does not change my desire level to build one though. There is always next winter and realistically I will have more than enough projects to keep me busy  around the house this winter.
 Yesterday we met Jerry and Amy at Yellowwood State park and paddled around the lake there in the afternoon. It turned out to be a beautiful fall afternoon with the fall colors probably at peak. It is not the most colorful of falls that I can remember but none the less it is still a nice change of pace to see all the different colors mother nature has on her palette. The lake was calm and there were a few other kayakers canoeist out. The shore line was busy with people walking the trails and taking pics of us out on the water.



 

 

 Here is one of us taken by Jerry. Hard to see but I was fishing with my pocket fisherman while "trolling motor" Cindy was leading the way. Jerry and I each caught a fish so all was good. My fish did me a favor and got off the hook by itself just as I reached for it so I did not have to smell like fish. We took sandwiches and warm red wine with cinnamon schnapps and had a lil picnic on the water as we enjoyed a very relaxing paddle. It was not long before the descending sun brought us longer shadows and cooler temps. We headed back to the ramp and loaded up, destined for our favorite restaurant at Monroe, the Scenic View. We opted not to take the short cut that Jerry and Amy discovered on their way to Yellowwood fearing the restaurant might close before we got there LOL.   

 In warmer temps we really enjoy their outside dining but the girls seemed a bit reluctant to dine under the stars last night so we took the last four open seats that they had which were at the bar. We are always treated to good eats and drinks every time we go there and last night was more of the same. It was dark when we finished and thinks to daylight savings time that started earlier that morning 6:15 felt like 8 o'clock. As we left I tried my best to give the gang a demonstration of the high 85 on the Little Ceaser's commercial. Like I told them, it is pretty much impossible to jump up and get your feet out that far then back down before your rear impacts the ground. I was right, as I landed firmly on my rear on my second attempt. It was a good laugh none the less and I at least get points for being the only one brave/stupid enough to try it.

 We crossed over the causeway at Lake Monroe on our way home just as the last few lumens of light from the setting sun were being extinguished. We looked as far as we could out over the lake but no sails were to be seen. It was not long before Cindy had her head on my shoulder and was fast asleep. There is something about riding in a car that just puts her to sleep. A good copilot she is not LOL.  As I drove I wondered to myself how well she will sleep on the sailboat as we sail. I can see her all stretched out on the cockpit seat asleep in the sun as I sail us off to no where. Good times await and I can't wait!