Ice, ice baby (or, Winter 2014 strikes again...)

Yesterday at sunset all remained calm, though the temperatures had begun to drop.



Today, we woke up to this:

Before I opened my eyes, it sounded like tiny pebbles hitting the deck of the boat above our heads. Our usually cozy interior had grown cold, even with two space heaters still blasting away (our main diesel heater is still being finicky). I quickly threw another blanket on our bed and added a few layers before taking a peek outside the companionway.

"Boots" by Scotty

Yep, we're smack in the middle of a ice storm, with both sleet and freezing rain. As any good Midwesterner knows, there IS a difference between the two types of yucky stuff. Today is more than enough to make me want to hop on a plane to somewhere very warm. But there are some things we need to do before we go anywhere, so wait it out we must. Waiting: it's something I'm starting to feel like we've doing all winter.





We were going to put on our new rudder today. Instead, this is what we did:

7:30 a.m.: Woke up with hot lemon water and some writing time in the main salon.

10:45 a.m.: Scotty started the van to melt the thick layer of ice that had accumulated so we could drive to Dunkin' Donuts for coffee.



11:15 a.m.: Actually left for coffee.

11:40 a.m.: Caffeinated beverages procured, we decided to drive to Taco Bell for lunch.

12:15 p.m.: "Mission: Taco Bell" is a success.

"Dish me up, honey," he said. ;)

1:00 p.m.: Stopped at the grocery store for milk so Scotty can make biscuits and gravy for breakfast because we know it's going to be cold and there's nothing like a hot breakfast on a frigid day to cheer up with.

1:15 to 2:00 p.m.: Go for a short drive in our warm vehicle. See a very cold-looking egret with its head tucked into body for warmth. Surprisingly, the roads aren't that bad.

2:00 p.m.: Return to the boatyard. Scotty works on our piece of s*%$ heater that has completely stopped working while I shovel icy snow off the boat deck with a plastic dustpan. And I thought we were going to escape winter this year...



Tomorrow I'll be be back with a post on our recent escape to warmer latitudes (i.e. Florida) and until it heats up somewhat, planning our next one. Our designated theme song of the day: "Escape: The Piña Colada Song". Stay warm, amigos!