Here she is.

This is the Miss Gracie on the quay at Forked River.  We drove down on Wednesday and fired up the new Yanmar 30 horse diesel.  A thing of purring beauty.  OMG.  No glow plugs, just turn that shiny key!  We drove around for an hour or so, varying the speed to break her in.  We went up the channel almost to Barnegat Light so Husband could get a feel for the channel.  Then it was back to the boat yard for a BBQ.  Grilled tuna steak for me and burgers and dogs for everyone else.  What?  No one else wanted tuna!

Thursday we headed out, but it was BLOWING!!  We couldn't put the sails up as the winds were over 30.  We headed over to Tices Shoal and spent a few hours on the hook.  Husband and the kids went to the beach, while I stayed on the boat.  I admit, I got the creeps for a while, being in a new place, alone, all alone on our new boat that I don't know well.  I was relieved when my family came back!  We headed home in winds over 35 - it was WET!!  The kids went down below and fell asleep.  Then it was out to dinner for my birthday!!  We went to the local Tiki Bar.  Good food and live music with a nice breeze.  Lovely.  I was very happy! 

Friday brought light rain, LOTS of humidity and lots of work to get ready to go home.  I tried to keep the kids busy while Husband closed up the boat and loaded the car.

Soon, Miss Gracie will be home.  The first thing is getting her CLEAN.  She's pretty gross right now.  Then the electric will be checked, repaired or whatever needs to be done to bring it up to top condition.  In the 17 years we had our '69 Pearson, we never had shore power.  Can you imagine the luxury that will be for us now?  I'm excited!  More to come....