The Voyage Continues...
s/v IRON MAIDEN - Sailing Adventure 2009...
Capt. Bill & Laura Simpson
Fri 13 Feb 2009 19:05
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Co Captains log:
Star Date - Jan 1, 2009 – 34:02:0560N 119:42:0310W
We were jettisoned into 2009 aboard
"Space Mountain" the rollercoaster at Disneyland… the countdown was on as we
boarded; it had taken till the stroke of midnight when everyone fled to
Cinderella’s castle for the celebration of fire works to finally be freed of the
2 hr wait that seemed to be the norm for the day no matter the ride. Our friends
Jeannette and son Ryan braved the blizzard up north to drive down to spend the
holidays with us… we had decided it would be fun to ring in the new year
together at what is often coined as "The happiest place on earth"… I have to
chuckle a little remembering a frustrated mother trying to calm her small child
down in the midst of what seemed to be the West Coast version of New Years Eve
at Times square; the mother stating "I’m sorry this is no longer the happiest
place on earth". We had a great time together… just check out the look on the
Captains face riding space mountain in our photo log… in the craziness of the
whole experience it say’s it all. Jeannette and Ryan had to say goodbye New
Years day; they had a very long drive ahead of them… as it always is it was very
hard to say goodbye; they have become a part of our family over the 28 yrs that
we have known them.
We originally were going to leave for
Mexico on the 5th of Jan. but instead Bill spent the next few weeks on repairs
and additions of new equipment…We have been here so long we are growing a
barnacle and sea weed garden… the ducks make their daily visit to the salad bar
compliments of "The Iron Maiden". We finally decided it was time to have the
bottom of our boat cleaned to the ducks dismay; and also the rudder checked
since Bill didn’t like the sound it was making on the trip coming down the coast
from Santa Barbara. It was discovered that of the six bolts holding the rudder
on, all but two were sheared off or hanging by a thread… Bill said "it was
amazing that those two bolts hung in there with the pressure"… on a rudder and a
prayer… only by the grace of God.
Bill was able to replace them without
hauling the boat out; using his hooka system, he dove down with tools in hand
and replaced them all. Apparently the boat yard that had installed them used the
wrong kind of bolts for the rudder.
We have grown quite fond of Oxnard,
being here as long as we have; we’ve made some new friends and the marina here
is beautiful; palm trees line the walkway and 2 blocks over is the beach with
spectacular views of Anacapa and Santa Cruz islands. In the evenings we ride our
bikes that take us on a route that meanders for miles along the beach
communities of Channel Islands and Mandalay beach… As the sun sets down behind
Santa Cruz Island the day gives way to its final show with a symphony of colors…
I will miss these rides and the islands that sit offshore.
The Santa Ana’s seem to be a frequent
visitor here; last week they blew over 70 miles an hr all day and into the night
and today they seem even stronger… they’re great for blow drying your hair…I
guess there’s an upside to every downside if you look hard enough.
 Capt. Bill and Laura in the front with Ryan riding solo just
behind
 Ryan his mom Jeannette on Main Street Disneyland New Year
Eve. 08
 Capt. Bill and his mischievous elf Binky
Feb 12, 2009 – A Special
Day!
This day is a very special day for
us; our granddaughter Aussie Eden came into the world… she weighed 9 lbs 4 oz…
she’s gorgeous! I wish we were there… that’s the downside to cruising on a
budget. We’ll be looking forward to meeting her where it’s sunny and
warm.
Our time here in Oxnard and the
Channel Islands has come to an end; we will be heading south on the next weather
window… should be within a few days… catch-up with you then… God
bless |