Sunday, August 1, 2004
Northport, MI (still)
Cousin Jane, Binga, and Daddy
We’re past the time of passing time. Time for messing around is over. Time to get back, get the boat together, and get moving; our hiatus over. We are currently at Steve’s parents in southwestern Michigan doing laundry and getting organized, as tomorrow we will head back north and begin preparing for the arrival of the new engine which is due any day. We are all getting anxious. We feel the need to get back under sail and continue with our adventure.
We arrived “down-state” to get away, have some family time, and take care of a few things. For starters, Sidonia’s second birthday meant it was time for booster shots. Our cousin Jane (one of our most regular readers and supporters – “Hi Jane!”), works for the Allegan County Health Department and got us appointments for Bing’s shots. In the end, we all got shots, as Steve and Vanessa both needed renewals for tetanus. Binga did great, happy about the two “Boo-boo stickers” (band-aids) she got from the “guy” who gave her the injections.
 Vanessa Painting . . . |
 While Supervisor Sid . . . |
 Manages the Painting Project |
With more time to kill before our side-trip to Cedar Point, we became involved in the remodeling project at Steve’s parents summer cottage. We picked out some colors and painted, helping move things along before the new kitchen cabinets arrive. A nice distraction to take our minds off out boating issues – a shifting of gears of sorts. Passing time. Waiting.
 Rock ‘n’ Roll Binga . . . |
 Gettin’ Funky! |
With access to family, Binga got a “Kid Fix,” playing with cousins Melissa, Hannah, and Stephanie again. As the pictures show, we are trying to get an early start on her singing career, hoping to make a quick million so we can buy another new engine to keep as a back up! She has her diva wardrobe, now all she needs is a manager and fans! Talent might help, too.
Friends Brain & Tammy in Sandusky for some fun!
The real break from reality came last Tuesday when we met our Las Vegas friends, Tammy and Brian, at Cedar Point for our planned rendezvous of adults acting like children. It was great. Neither couple had kids, so we immediately went out to dinner and completely delighted in glutenous pleasures fancy food, drink, and desserts. We thoroughly gorged ourselves before spending the next two days on “America’s Roller Coast” riding all 14 of Cedar Point’s roller coasters.
Now, I’ve been to Cedar Point many times before and am fully aware of the park’s reputation as “Mecca” for roller coaster enthusiasts. After living in Las Vegas, where everything is the world’s largest, best, or highest, the idea of riding the current offering in the tallest, fastest coaster category was simply secondary to seeing our friends and “getting away” – not even a priority. But, holy-skid-marks-in-the-seat-of-my-pants Batman! The Top Thrill Dragster is really something to behold, especially since I am used to thinking I’m really moving when we sail at 6.5 knots! This thing launches you off a catapult, down a track, 0 – 120 miles per hour in four seconds, only to angle vertical up a tower, over the top, and spin you as you rocket straight back to earth and level off down another track almost as fast. Whew Hoo! YeeHah! My voice is hoarse from screaming! There just isn’t any real way to explain it. I suppose it feels a little like reaching over your head, grabbing you upper lip, and pulling your face off you skull like a hood of a jacket, but in a really fun way. It truly is unlike any roller coaster I’ve ever ridden before. I felt like a kid again . . . at least for a couple of days.
Cedar Point’s Top Thrill Dragster
But now, we are settled firmly back in reality. The same issues patiently waiting for us: the new engine and our trip out of the Great Lakes. We still have time, so there is no urgency yet, but we are ready to go. The stress is building, impatience winning over the laid-back cruiser’s attitude we’ve come to enjoy. So, it is back North to continue the waiting game.
That’s all for now. Next time, I hope to post photos of our shiny new Westerbeke engine getting lowered into the engine room of Nereus. Until then, fair winds to those of you who can make use of ’em.
– Steve