Day 18, December 3, 2008

Port: Oriental (35.02N 76.66W)

Weather: Sunny! Warm! Light winds!

And we decided we needed to stay at dock. We are crazy! I know! We know! We couldn't believe it! We were almost mad that we weren't out there chalking off more miles. Instead though, we were preparing ourselves so that we will no longer be cold. I mean a person can only handle so much coldness. We have been freezing our butts off for days and days, often a damp, chilling cold too. We are tired of it. We are trying to get south to get to warmer weather, but so far the journey has been taxing. It is just too darn cold. It would be different if we had one of those biminis or one of those dodgers that cover your cockpit and help keep you warm, but we got nothing! We stand in the freezing cold all day, open to all the elements. I feel I can identify with an Eskimo. All I need is a pet penguin on board.

So enough complaining. We did something today to solve this problem. We bought and installed a heater that runs off the engine. Yes, it only works when the engine it on, but its when we are moving that we lose most of our heat. This heater will work to keep the cabin warm while we are moving, then at night the little kerosene heater can maintain that heat (given that it will continue working, shhhhh don't jinx it). We spent most of the day doing this project. I worked mainly on all the electrical; I am becoming quite the electrician. Dad installed the plumbing parts that connect to the engine. Mom enjoyed a day of catching up on news, emails, and relaxing.

For the most exciting part of the day (one should never let Dad and I out with money alone), we bought 3 of those really awesome fold up bikes. We can fold them up for easy and small storage, then pop them together for a ride into town. The past few places we have stayed, we have found transportation around town to be interesting and having a bike would really be cool. They even come with a rack on the back so you can strap a basket down or a bag.

Tomorrow we hope the weather stays as nice as it was today! We are headed out towards Swansboro, past Morehead City, then hope to make it to Wilmington the next day.

Good weather and Happy sailing!