Thursday, 26 March 2015 - Day One of a four day in-water boat show. I awakened in my private, grassy field approved by the fellow that seems to be the "man in charge" at the boat show, and I had two beautiful white egrets in my front yard looking for frogs, lizards, and insects in the grass. It rained a little, but was over by the time the show started at 12:30 pm. I attended classes on Weather, Charting, Communications Equipment, and the Realities of Cruising. The weather and communications seminars had way too much information to cover in the one hour allotted, especially since neither had handout sheets to cover the information; the charting seminar covered mostly information that I already knew, but I did learn a few things, and the cruising seminar by a British lady, Liza Copeland, that has raced and cruised extensively with her husband and children was very enjoyable. She had four books for sale and I bought one that promises to have lots of great information about the little things about life on a boat that most books skip over.
                  After the seminars, I spent a couple of hours seeing the vendor displays. The vendors had displays for boats, sails and repairs, water makers, depth sounders, communications, radar, cruising tours, sailing lessons, boat chartering, rigging, anchors, etc.

Friday, 27 March - Went to a good seminar on sail repair and another on the weather. The first was taught by the owners of the largest sail loft in the area and was very good. The weather program was by a well known and very knowledgeable meteorologist that was the first weatherman to actually predict the occurrence that developed into "The Perfect Storm" of movie fame. Unfortunately, I didn't think he was a very good teacher. Sometimes the very knowledgeable have a hard time getting down to "your level" to make themselves understood. Again, there was way too much information to cover in one hour. I also went to another class by Liza Copeland, this one about "Cruising the Caribbean."
                  I left the show early to have dinner with Gary and Lorrie Powers at a really good, but inexpensive, bayside seafood restaurant. I hadn't had catfish in a long time and it was really good, but the margarita sucked. Sometimes I wonder if the owners of restaurants ever taste their own items. After a while, I guess, probably not. Oh, well. A very enjoyable evening anyway.

Saturday, 28 March - I had stayed in my own little parking pasture again and didn't have time to go to any of the seminars before I was due to go over to Waterford Marina to go for my sailing lesson. I rode my bicycle over since I'm not allowed to park my vehicle there anymore. I had hoped the lesson would be not be given on the same vessel that I had been on before for the social cruise, but it was. I would have liked to experience a different vessel. Another scenario occurred that I had hoped to avoid. I already knew virtually everything that was covered in the lesson...and, again, as I mentioned before, sometimes the best sailor isn't the best instructor. I don't think the lady had taught this class for quite awhile. As she was giving the class, the lady couldn't think of several sailing terms and I had to refresh her memory and she actually gave out some incorrect information. We had great winds and I thought she let a few opportunities to teach slide by, too. Rather than take the opportunity to show the students how to shorten or reef the sails, we all just held on in overpowered situations 'til the wind died off. By shortening sails, we could have been sailing faster and a lot more comfortably with less heel, especially since these new boats are equipped with roller furling mainsails and jibs, making reducing sail rapid and easy; and, after all, we were there to learn. Still, a day on the water is a lot better than not.
                  Saturday evening the sponsors of the boat show threw a party for about 300-400 sailors with free beer and pizza. I wasn't about to miss that so I scurried back to the show after sailing, saw a few more displays and partied to some good music.

Sunday, 29 March - Four more seminars and I got a call about a message that I had left on a sailboat, the SV (Sailing Vessel) Scallywag, a 37' CSY Cutter. The fellow called to say he'd be glad to show me his boat, so I went over there immediately after the seminars. Interestingly, he had just returned from some training as a locomotive engineer in Salt Lake City. He's bought the boat to live on and doesn't know anything about sailing; but he is an "enthusiast" and loves the boat.

Monday, 30 March - Nothing really planned today. After going like crazy for the last couple of days, I may relax a little. ...got bored and went to look at "So Rare", a CSY in a marina that I had seen previously. I got the lock combination from the salesman in the office, (they're not supposed to do that) and he said to check back with him before 6:00pm, when he would be locking up the office for the day. I went over to the boat by myself, looked over the exterior, and realized that there has been some work done on it since I was there last; sail covers repaired and lines replaced. I wondered if it has already been sold. I attempted to go below decks and found that I had been given the wrong lock combination. Back to the office at 5:10pm and the guy has already left and locked up. That means I'm locked in the marina until someone else leaves.

Tuesday, 31 March - I got another combination to the locks and rode my bike over to see the CSY "So Rare" again. I wanted to refamiliarize myself with the interior layout once more. Success! Right combination. Finished my inspection and decided to ride my bike over the bridge over the bay that separates Kemah and Clear Lake. It had been mentioned that there is a sailing club on the other side, but I was afraid to drive over there in the motor home. Too many dead end streets. The club wasn't where I had understood it to be, but by riding around a bit, I did find it. Luckily, a member of the club drove up and I talked to him. He said that there would be several sailboarders there tomorrow, Wednesday, and that I should come join them. There is room to park and turn around in their facility, and if it doesn't rain as predicted, I'll probably go back. I then rode over to another marina that is on the same side of the bridge, went into the office and asked if they have any CSY's in the marina. I told the lady that I'm looking for one to purchase and she said that there are two in slips there. I asked if I could contact them and she said, "No," but she would contact the owners and give them my phone number. I'd say there is a slim chance of them getting back to me, but you never know.
                  After coming back across the bridge on my bike, I was hot and thirsty, so I went over to the bar at the end of the parking lot where I'm staying for the evening. I hadn't been to a bar by myself in a long time. The cold beer tasted good, but the company didn't inspire me to stick around. Went back to the motor home.

Wednesday, 1 April 2015 - I had to get going a little earlier this morning to move from one parking lot this morning to another. The one I was in doesn't allow you to park for more than 24 hours. I was just one hour short, and I don't want to give the cops any excuse to force me to move on. I moved across the street and two lots away to a "Public Parking" area that I found yesterday while riding by bike. There aren't any restrictions posted about parking an RV there, but we'll see. Perhaps if I only spend one night at each location, I can stay under the radar longer.
                  I called Dan Worrell to have him file for an extension for my taxes. I hope all of you already have yours filed and get lots of money back.
                  I think I'll go for a bike ride to another marina just down the street.
                  Well, that was a surprise. I found yet another CSY only about a block from where I am parked, in a nearby gated marina. Unfortunately, I am told it is being prepared for a long journey (good) by its current owners (bad.) Not for sale. Oh, well, I had my hopes up for a minute or two.

Okay, it's time to go windsurfing! I hope we get some wind!

            Until next time,
                        May you have fair skies and fair winds.