It’s been two months since I last posted. We had a much-needed and super fun break by housesitting for Jason and Rachel. They live near Paso Robles on a 40ish acre olive tree farm–and future tea plantation. (Yes, I’m going to keep saying that until it happens.) Rachel has become one of my longest relationships. We met by chance about 16 years ago when we both started new jobs at UNLV. Jason, it turns out, is Mark’s brother from another mother. They are SO ALIKE.
With two full-sized people and one 160lb doggo, a king-size bed is not that big.
Before heading to the ranch, we spent a week living in the van in the Eastern Sierras. Most of the time was spent in Alabama Hills (California), which looks other worldly. If you are thinking that we were on Mars or something, keep in mind that sci-fi films are filmed here. So was most of the Lone Ranger.
It was a wonderful few days of hardly anyone, sunshine, and despite how it looked, cool temps. The last night of van life was spent in Kennedy Meadows at about 6,100 feet in elevation in the Inyo National Forest. We had the entire campground to ourselves for free because, well, it was below freezing. That night was not as pleasant!
Since we’ve been back at Stockton Sailing Club, it’s been boat project after boat project. We have accomplished several things in preparation for haul out. Some of the biggest improvements are:
- Mark moved the water system in the “generator room” ahead of adding a fuel polishing system. This is the job that Mark is most proud of accomplishing!
- We have drinking water now! No more bringing drinking water home from the store.
- Because we have drinking water, we don’t have 2.5 gallons of water on the counter anymore which means COUNTER SPACE!
- Mark (I can’t really say “we” about this task) cleaned the fuel tank several times and it is looking good! The auxiliary fuel tank may be on the way out soon…
- We ditched the very old life raft and ordered a new one.
- I cleaned the rust off the life raft cradle so we can reuse it with the new one. This is ~ $600 savings.
What’s next? More blog posts? Perhaps. I have details about jobs that I can share. But first, we haul out! Today, we drove the van to Napa and parked her. A friend met us and drove us back to Stockton. On Tuesday, we will motor to Benicia and then on to Napa to haul out. Our instructor will be with us so it should be a good learning experience!
Sunset at the ranch.
Crossing the Sierras in Inyo.
Visiting Manzar and wishing for unity.
A filming truck with some gear that we spotted in Lone Pine and Alabama Hills.