We did a little less boating than we usually do in the summer now but came close to normal as the season drew to an end. We had a little more than the usual number of doctor visits as those numbers continue to increase as we get older. At least we are getting older. Two visits to oncology, two to dermatology, two to the dentist and one for eyes and one general physical make for a busy summer. An interesting medical event was watching a computer create a new cap for a tooth in a big machine before my eyes. Technological advances in medicine can be very interesting as well as expensive. Keeping us alive anyways. I think. Maybe.
We did more than go to doctors although it sometimes seems that's all we do. I volunteered to work at Mystic Seaport Museum for most of the summer. Except for holiday boating weekends I worked on Sundays and some Mondays introducing visitors to the Seaport, giving an overview to help them decide what to see. Had fun challenging some kids to find certain things and report back to me in return for me giving them a sticker. Kids still love stickers. I did about 90 hours from June to the middle of September. Next year I'll probably do more. When we get back down to Marathon I'll go back to Crane Point Hammock and volunteer there again. All this is assuming they both want me back.
We did more than just work of course. Carol actually cut back on her work for the Joint Commission to one week per month. We started off the season going to Hamburg Cove up the Connecticut River to join the Waterbury Power Squadron on our annual start-of-season cruise. Heather, Mike and Cobbe met us there. We had seen Cobbe a month earlier so it hadn't been too long since we had seen him. Growing and evolving rapidly as kids do between ages one and two. Still fun 'tho.
Cobbe came to the boat a couple of times, with Mom, but not for any cruises. We did head out to Block Island and the Cape and Islands beyond for a two week cruise at the end of July and beginning of August. Had pretty good weather and Cobbe really enjoyed the ocean. Waves broke over him several times without him getting very upset. Or drowning. He loves the beach.
We had our annual haulout at Essex Boat Works but, because the weather was extremely hot and humid, we had them do the sanding and painting. More than $1200 extra but very worth it. Getting too old for that. Still had some health problems from the heat but nothing too serious or long term. It would have been awful if we had done the heavy work ourselves. Was still tough just doing the engines, the saildrives and sanding and Awgripping (painting) the scrapes on the topsides. Of course it turned cooler and dryer right after all the work was done. Been fairly cool since then, too.
We went over to Watch Hill/Napatree for the Labor Day weekend. Everyone joined us and we met Tom and Vicky of Afternoon Delight there. The rest of the Squadron headed to Block but we did not have time to get there early enough to get a spot to anchor.
So that's summary of the summer. As best as I can remember. More or less. Close enough. A lot of things revolved around activities at the Seaport but after 36 years of membership there I'm still learning new things about the place as an insider now. I know the secret entrances, get insider briefings and gather the behind the scenes gossip, too. What fun.
Next blog should be from Annapolis. Next weekend we'll be dodging the hurricanes and the United Nations New York City schedules to try to get near to there in one piece.
