ET Boat Home

Up Friday morning again really early, only this time even closer to 630am. It was a warm and sunny start and by all accounts expected to be a lovely summer-like day. I enjoyed coffee and internet until almost 8am when I set out for a run.

It was noticeably warmer than it’s been, probably close to 65 degrees. Once again I kept the run to only three miles. Not sure the time when Mindy got up but I’m guessing just ahead of 9am. We spent time together on the deck drinking coffee and enjoying flowers and sunshine. Around 10am I headed off to bring the boat home but had to turn around about a ½ mile down the road realizing I’d forgotten to bring the boat shed keys. That delayed me only by a few minutes. Hadn’t seen the boat since October 2010. She pretty much looked like I last left her. I pulled the boat out of the storage shed then stopped to apply the 2012 trailer license sticker that I’ve had in my possession since last September. I had the boat license sticker with me too but didn’t plan to put that on until at home. Supposed to remove the old one first.

Mindy was upstairs putting the kids’ bathroom back together while started on the boat. I checked all the fluids then reattached the battery. It was probably 11am before I installed the motor muff with running water and tried cranking it over. The battery had some juice but not close to a full charge. This, however, was something I expected given that it had been sitting for 20 months. As usual, the boat needed several reps to get the fuel flowing. The battery went full dead before I could get it started. Crap! Not to be detoured, I decided to jump it with the Accord. That work only marginally. The According supplied enough of a charge to get it to crank and start but I couldn’t keep it running. Eventually it died to a click-click.

Dang it! Mindy came out asking how it was going. I shared our dilemma – a dead battery. She called my dad asking if we could borrow his battery charger. He agreed but instead of me going after it, he offered to bring it over. The only catch was that he wasn’t home. Sounded like he was at the grocery store. Figured to be about 30 minutes. While waiting, I planted to three purple dahlia’s we bought at Lowe’s last Sunday. I worked up one heck of a sweat with just that little bit of digging. It was already very warm and humid.

Dad showed up near noon I’m guessing. Not only did he bring his trickle charger but also his portable jump starter. We put the battery on charge then used the portable jump starter to see if we could get the boat started. After about 5 or 6 tries I got it running. It would start fine but stall after a few seconds. Finally, though, after several tries it ran decent. The only thing that proved was that the engine and starter were fine. I’d have to leave the trickle charger on for a few hours to see if the battery was still good. Dad hung out for only about 45 minutes leaving his charger behind and attached to the boat battery.

While Mindy continued her work on the bathroom I detailed the boat including installing the new boat license. The old stickers came off easy enough but removing the sticky residue required lots of work. I used a combination of Fantastik, Windex, rubbing compound, and elbow grease eventually getting most of it off. After the new license sticker was applied I gave the entire boat a bath. At the same time, Mindy ran to the grocery store for the first time in a few weeks. While she was gone I washed the boat and the Pilot. I noticed that more of the original plywood backing that still remains on the boat cushions is rotting. I have no idea why they would think using regular plywood a smart move. I’ve replaced much of it over the years.

Mindy was home late afternoon and I helped her carry in all the groceries. I’m guessing it near 4pm when I removed the trickle charger from the battery and gave it a go. It held a strong charge and eventually started. I let it run for a while. Now near 5pm, I got busy wrapping up preparing the boat for a possible Saturday launch. While getting the top snapped down Theresa, a long-time neighbor and acquaintance stopped by on her bike to chat. We talked about our kids for quite a while. Mindy eventually came out to join us. Theresa shared that for the first time ever both of her kids, now 14 and 16, were heading to Florida to spend time with their dad at the same time. This would be her first alone time in years. We invited her to stop by if she wanted to hang out.

Mindy and I made plans to go to CBC for dinner and drinks. This would be our last evening at home without kids. We were expecting them home from the Outer Banks sometime Saturday evening. To that end I headed up for a shower a sweaty, stinky mess, somewhere near 530pm, and left the house around 630am destined for CBC.

A decent crowd but not a packed house. Still, we had to wait for stools to free at the bar, but no more than five minutes. I think it was Vince who queued us in on who had already requested their tab. Wink- wink! I ordered a Bodhi and Mindy a glass of wine. We handed Vince an empty growler we planned to have filled before heading home later. The Bodhi was delicious. Kevin was working bar too and reminded us that he and his band were playing at the Woodland’s Saturday evening at 630pm. As much as we want to see him perform, we had to leave it as a maybe since we weren’t sure what time the kids would be pulling into town Saturday evening.

We eventually ordered food (dinner). We started with deep fried risotto balls as an appetizer. I then ordered the parmesan encrusted walleye special, while Mindy went with blackened scallops. Our meals were delicious. In addition to dinner, I enjoyed three beers. Mindy was driving. We had our growler filled before setting out for home where we planned to hook up with the neighbors watching a movie in their yard. I suggested we stop at Barley’s and get some wings to take over. Mindy agreed but only as long as we kept our stay there brief. Agreed.

I’m guessing it was 9pm when we arrived at Barley’s. Hardly anyone at the bar, which isn’t all that uncommon come summer. I guess people just have so many other choices and options. We placed our food order (20 wings K.C. well-done). I also ordered a Galaxy hopped IPA to enjoy while waiting. We chatted with banker Dan, who was one of only a couple folks inside at the bar. Since I picked up the lofty dinner tab, Mindy paid for the wings and my beer. It was almost dark by the time we set out for home.

We weren’t home long before we moseyed on down to the neighbors with the pug, jug and wings. Kenny, Chrissy, Mike & Teri and all the kids were just settling in to watch Cowboys & Aliens. I poured about half a beer then took the wings inside for others to enjoy. I had no idea what to expect from the movie. Wasn’t sure if it was meant to be like an authentic western or not. It was, only mix in an alien attack. Decent flick. I enjoyed it, as did most others. Mindy quickly peeled off for home once the movie was over. Don’t recall her saying much to me about leaving. Chrissy vanished too, and even before Cowboys and Aliens was over. Next thing I knew I woke nodding from the neighbor’s deck watching some war type movie with Mike & Teri. The kids and the others no where to be seen. I quickly gathered the pug and my jug and headed for home. Good night moon!