IT'S PERFECT IS MOVING

FEBRUARY 21, 2016

It's a beautiful day here in Florida, 77 degrees, partly cloudy skies.  We arrived in Green Cove Springs, Fla yesterday and had our first look at It's Perfect in 10 months.  She is looking rather neglected in the storage yard.  We hauled a ladder across the field and climbed aboard.  From the outside it appeared not much had changed except the lock on the companionway was broken off.  Not a good sign.

We climbed down below into the dim, cool interior.   While we were cruising the Caribbean  we left It's Perfect in Grenada for 2 months while we came back to the states to visit family and friends.  Upon our return we found the boat damp and a little moldy. We had her back in shape the next day.  This time we are not so lucky. Our first look inside It's Perfect this time was a surprise.  Below decks was wet with condensation, covered in mold and mildew and smelled something awful.  We have our work cut out for us.

While Rod tried to make some semblance of order on deck I took my trusty bottle of bleach and rag bag and began the job of wiping down the interior.  After a full day of throwing things away and wiping down paneling, ceiling, inside cabinets, doors and  bathrooms we called it a day.  Even with all the work ahead of us just working aboard lifted our spirits. 

On Sunday the work yard is locked so making more progress will have to wait.  On to the laundry and the task of 12 loads of smelly laundry.  Yuck.  While working on the boat we have stayed in Fleming Island, a beautiful, busy part of Florida.  The boat is not due to move to the work yard until March 1, so we decided to see a little more of Florida.

WHERE THE MANATEE'S SWIM

We drove the 35 miles into St Augustine and took a look at what Sailors Exchange had to offer in used parts.  Not much has changed in the 4 years we have been away, we will return here soon.  Then it was on to the Ocala National Forest where we found Salt Springs US Forest Service Recreation area.  It is a great RV campground with woods all around.  The going nightly rate is $32 a night, with our America the beautiful pass we paid $18.  We checked in for a few days of relaxation before we headed back to the hard work ahead.

 

The park is crossed with nature trails and alive with birds, black bear, alligators, manatee's and deer.  On one of our walks 2 Bald Eagles flew overhead as 2 huge manatee's swam in the spring 20ft from where we stood.  The people were friendly, the nights cool.  As the sun set the campground was dotted with campfires.  After 4 quiet days we were ready to head back to It's Perfect and our job ahead.