Christmas Season in the Yard

It's DECEMBER!  And everything feels "Christmas-y", well, kind of!  We've been hard at work in the yard.  We've removed and replaced 7 thru hull fittings, installed a new depth gauge, had the cutlass bearing replaced, corrected bottom wear, completely sanded and prepped the hull and bootstripe and got the first coat on yesterday.   Rob has been nonstop and wears the scars of hard, continuous work - busted knuckles, stained fingers, bruised arms - he's a trojan horse, this guy!  But we're almost done and due to "splash" some time tomorrow and continue our journey south.

All along this yard adventure, Christmas has been happening.  In bits and pieces, the inside of the boat is taking on a holiday charm.  Our mast is decorated and presents are in the planning and creation process.  The city of St. Augustine is contributing with great holiday celebrations one after another.

To add to the fun, we've made new friends here.  Along with Scott and Paula Sullivan, our yard "neighbors", we've made some memories amidst the craziness of our mutual situations.  Being that there's not much that can be done after dark, when all of the mess gets put away, we have shared a sundowner, a pot luck dinner and a meal out at a new favorite restaurant.  The first gathering was a simple "can I get you a beer?" situation that turned into several hours of getting to know each other.  The pot luck was an attempt for us all to have a decent meal without anyone having to work too much and Carmelo's (more on this one later) was a necessary evil after days and days of hard work!

Scott and Rob have been able to run errands for each other, Paula and I get to laugh at our lovely lifestyle!  They have a car (an amazing helpful amenity) and have carted us back and forth to West Marine, Home Depot and such and Paula and I have taken in a yoga class together.  That, by the way, was quite the treat!  After not having a space aboard to do a decent yoga move, I got an hour of intense practice leaving me rubbery armed and happy!  8 Limbs Yoga - you rock!

Yesterday saw a lot of progress on the boat along with some holiday fun.  After finishing my "mast tree", Paula and I biked over to the local Christmas Parade.  Although not rivaling the Charleston parade by any means, this one did the trick!  We quickly pedaled home ahead of a squall line and spent the rainy hours running errands again.

Last night, having gotten the first coat of paint on the bottom (SUCH a goalpost!), Rob and I had a quick bite and headed downtown for the British Illumination.  St. Augustine was under British rule for a short time in the 1700's.  There are large numbers of reenactors in the area and they gather for a candlelit parade and "securing of the city walls" ceremony with a volley of muskets and all!  It was a delightful night with the candles illuminating the walk through town to the sound of fifes and drums.  At the end of the ceremony and musket fire, the crowd of thousands sang Christmas carols in a light falling rain.  Another one of those nights that make you glad to be alive!

Walking home, the rain picked up and we decided maybe it was time to check the college football scores along with finding a way to ditch the rain.  Back to Carmelo's we went.  Carmelo's was a place we passed numerous times because it's attached to a gas station (think truck stop here).  What a surprise to find amazing food and friendly service matching many or even most of the Italian places Rob and I normally frequent.  The eggplant parm is a definite must!

Despite the later night time, Rob reveled in a piece of pizza and a beer and I had a glass of wine and (SSSHHHH!!) french fries!  Funny detail about Carmelo's if you ever find yourself there . . . don't bother with a glass of wine.  I learned this last night after I was sipping from mine - they have bottles offered at just dollars over the cost of one glass!  OK, this is certainly a detail I wish I hadn't missed the first visit!  We had fun talking to the manager and staff, drying out and replenishing.  All in all it's been another banner day in a week of new friends and memories!