This is the Year

Well it's official, Mary said this is year.  YEAH!  We went out to dinner last night to celebrate the completion of the bathroom at the same restaurant we were at just before Christmas when we decided Passport would work for us.   It was there that I decided to put in an offer just before Christmas in hopes it's acceptance would be our Christmas present.   The offer was accepted but not until after Christmas, still a good present.

Durning dinner Mary said she is ready to retire this year and we should do the Loop as long as everything works out when we do the boat inspection in early May. It sure was fitting that Mary said this is the year at the same restaurant we decided to go for the boat.

Equipment

Been busy buying misc. equipment that would be needed for any boat.   Mary talked me into a color floating hand held GPS instead of the monochrome without a map feature.  Ordered a PLB and floating hand held VHF.    We looked at a couple of used Dahon folding bikes on Sunday, did some additional research and found some at REI at a very good price.  There are some items I want to upgrade and add to the boat but will wait until after survey before purchasing.

Been busy putting together a list of needed charts and guidebooks, quite expensive new. Will wait a bit and see if some used ones show up.   Have purchased a couple charting apps for the IPad, which seem to work very well.  I have also just started to add all our CD's to the laptop, which will then be synced with the IPad.

Outfitting

Well, I finally finished the bathroom and the shower doors were installed yesterday.  Last weekend I  completed putting together a tool box for the new boat.  I was able to do it with a lot of old tools from Mary's Dad and ones I had on Sea Jay.  Still had to buy a few, but not too many.  We continue to assemble items needed for the new boat and eventual Loop trip.