The Wrights Wild Ride

The Nineveh is no longer our primetime home. We packed all of our belongings up (raising her about a foot or more out of the water) and went to Memphis. Josh has some projects in Memphis so its logical to stay there while we looked for a home in Knoxville, TN. We decided to look over the holidays since we were driving to Baltimore for Thanksgiving.

After looking at 6 houses or so (and plenty more on the internet for weeks prior) we decided to look at one that we weren't too excited about but we hadn't been too excited anything yet and we couldn't loose anything, right? Well, turns out we really liked the house and decided to get a signed contract! Now, it needs renovation - which we are not a stranger to - but it's in the neighborhood we like, in a good school district, and we can afford it. If the inspection goes great then we will be in our new (to us) home in early January!! I'll post photos as soon as we get some!

The Nineveh Mutiny - to Demopolis

So after Bates Lake everything went fairly smooth. We adjusted to having to use the generator in the morning to start the engine and using our kerosene lamps at night for light. In the meantime we were able to meet up with Last Paradise (whom we first met in Memphis. They have been our inspiration to continue sailing with Will since they have their own little one!) and have a nice dinner. Thank you Abby, Jeff and John for a fabulous night!

The day after was when Hurricane Ida hit land and brought tons and tons of rain our way. The river ran so fast that we could only make 4 knots by hugging the bank (thank you Josh! Such a fabulous Captain!). We didn't mind having to deal with rain or only being able to go 30 miles a day - what we did mind was the change in river height and the lack of information on the bridges straddling the Tenn-Tom.

I am not lying when I say we may have had to grease up the masts to get under the bridge at mm 174. Not only did we just barely make it (we maybe had 3 inches of clearance), there was a new bridge (new bridge!!) downstream of the bridge on the map. Had we have waited to pass these bridges we would have been stuck on the river until the river height went down 5 or more feet.

What should have taken us 4 days took us 6 days. Without all the mutiny and weather the Tenn-Tom is quite pleasant and I would travel it again, but maybe not in a sailboat with her masts up!

We were so happy to make it to the Demopolis Yacht Basin - they are so nice and friendly. Great staff and a nice marina with good facilities.

The Nineveh Mutiny - Mobile to Bates Lake

We leave Grand Mariner Marina in Mobile on Saturday November 7, 2009. Everything is going great - we get through the Mobile Bay and into the Mobile river (which is much calmer than the bay). Soon we realize that our batteries are not charging and Josh checks the alternator - which is obviously not working. We turn off everything except our depth finder to try and conserve as much of our batteries as possible. I am convinced, as is Josh, that The Nineveh is rebeling from being dry docked at Demopolis. She knows what is coming and is screaming and kicking. We push as far as we can and hand anchor on the Tensas River at mile marker 45.

Josh checks the alternator and the engine and finds a series of unfortunate events has unfolded - the water pipe (which has been just fine for as long as we have lived aboard) burst immediately next to the alternator. It shorted out and therefore couldn't charge the batteries. It also meant that our water pump had been pumping water into the bilge for however long and we now didn't know how much water we had left. We turn on only the anchor light and Josh raised a portable anchor light as well just in case.

The next morning - a Sunday - Josh calls the Coast Guard (who couldn't get enough of us on the Gulf) who recommended calling our insurance. Our insurance was as helpful as could be - finding someone in Mobile who might help. Only that company would charge us 6 hours (at $150/hour!!) just to come out and charge our batteries. This is on the offchance that our alternator would work after this charging. Boo. We decide this isn't an option and Josh figures he will take the dinghy to shore and try to find someone to help.

Let me tell you right now that the hunters and bass boaters of the river are the volunteer Coast Guard and should be respected and upheld for being good people. We flag down a bass boater who offers to take Josh to shore to get the starter battery charged. Josh and I accept and this wonderful hunter/bass boater not only helps us charge our starter battery but also takes Josh to AutoZone to get a generator!! Too sweet. They return, Josh gets the generator aboard and realizes he left the oil onshore. But we have enough onboard and are fine. We get the batteries charged and set off to try and get even 10 miles up river (the alternator is now working - hmm). Only one mile or less up the river another bass boater flags us down and pulls up beside us to give us the oil we left ashore! They found us on the river to give us our oil for the generator. Too awesome!

We anchor at Bates Lake (mm 54) - we use our oil lamps during the evening and have only the anchor light on. We are now on "conserve battery" mode even with a generator. I write very little down in our log hoping to not upset The Nineveh. I have quickly become quite supersticious.

New Orleans to Mobile

Our trip from New Orleans to Mobile went smoothly - thanks to our crew! Plus the weather was very nice - maybe a little chilly with the wind.

We didn't sail our first day because there was not enough wind. However we did have plenty of action. We were boarded twice (twice!) by federal agents. First by Customs (en route) and then by the Coast Guard (once anchored). We saw dolphins and jellyfish! Very cool - the jellyfish were very numerous. It was like a school of jellyfish going around our boat. Better than any aquarium!

Our first night we anchored behind Ship Island and had a beautiful sunset. Unfortunately, our anchorage was great for the wind (coming NNE) but bad for the waves (coming east) - so we rocked and rolled all night.

The next day we decided to push through to Mobile. We were able to sail for about 2 hours and then the wind died. Boo.

Close to Mobile we were approached by Marine Enforcement (why are we getting picked on?) but they just asked us to be careful and didn't board. We approached Mobile during sunset - which was very pretty except that the wind had picked up blowing perpindicular to us and huge huge ships were entering the channel as well. They didn't bother us too much (they look out for the little guy unlike on the Mississippi river). However, we had to find an unlit channel to Fort Morgan Marina. A fabulous little marina that has new facilities and great people working there. But try to get there in the daytime - the channel is clearly marked but not lit.

Our awesome sailor enjoying the wind and not minding his Magic Jacket.

Under way sailing!

The Nineveh at anchor south of Ship Island.


Daddy and Will enjoying the sunset in the cockpit.

Entering the Mobile channel.

A huge THANK YOU to Lil and Katherine for their help during the leg of this trip!

The Last Great Adventure

I will have to post photos later as technology is not cooperating this morning - Boo!

Josh and I have been thinking about moving back to Knoxville, TN for a little while now. With that comes the hard decision as to where we should live. Should we get a house? Should we move The Nineveh?

Moving The Nineveh to Knoxville would take about a month of non-stop sailing and motoring. We've done two weeks before and didn't feel like four weeks would be a wise nor comfortable choice. Plus this time we would be fighting the current the whole time. Another factor is that Will is curious, full of energy, adventurous and almost a year and a half. Our 275sf living space is getting a little cramped. Plus, there is no space for Josh's Architecture firm and CoolCorC on the boat. So, we have decided that The Nineveh will have to have other keepers to make her happy.

But, we have to move the boat out of New Orleans (out of the hurricane zone - insurance is cheaper as is slip fees). Hence our Last Great Adventure!

Josh's mom and sister became our crew and we sailed The Nineveh from New Orleans to Mobile, AL. From there our crew left and Josh, Will and I headed up the Tennesee TomBigBee waterway to Demopolis, AL (the first marina north of Mobile). During this time Hurricane Ida hit land. We have quite a story and some nice photos which will be posted soon.

The short of it is everyone and The Nineveh arrived safe in Demopolis. The long of it will be in the next post!

Barnacles Galore!

Being in salt water has pros and cons. Currently the main con is the sea life that grows on any surface touching the water. These pictures sum it up.

Though not technically barnacles, these mussels found a little home in our raw water intake cylinder for our air conditioner.

The Barnacle Cluster on our dinghy: my enemy for the day.

My tools to fight off said enemy (Goggles are not pictures as I am wearing them). I would advise anyone to use GoofOff on barnacles - they lose their footing much easier.

Close up of the horrors.


Half-way there!

Once the dinghy's hull was free of barnacles Josh and I had to laugh - there were bits of barnacles (shell, oozy things, and little crawly things) all over me. I was even wet from the rain that had passed through. I looked like a crazy lady who just hacked her way through four months worth of barnacles.

If everything is going well - you've obviously overlooked something.

The previous owners of our boat had left it "as is" for quite some time (3 years I think). There were pots and pans, old linens, clothing, towels, toilet paper, cups, and soda along with miscellaneous boat parts and tools throughout the boat. In the galley lay a sign reading "If everything is going well you've obviously overlooked something." We had a laugh and thought it was a neat sign. Through our 5 years of living onboard we have realized it is not just a funny saying but a very true one.


Everytime we get the boat straightened up and organized something on the boat breaks or needs repairing. In order to fix whatever it is, all the tools and boards and things need to be brought out of their hiding place and into our main salon. This makes the boat very hard to live in for a day or two with just two people. But then whatever needed fixing is fixed and we clean up and wait for the next event to occur.


Our latest event concerned our infamous air conditioner. Yep - once again. Josh had cleaned up and repaired the aft cabin for Will. Will really enjoyed his personal piece of The Nineveh and took to sleeping there during the night without protest (he still feeds 2 or 3 times at night but that's another story). Everything was really looking great and Josh and I were thinking we could really get use to living in New Orleans (we still don't know if we'll be staying in New Orleans or moving to Knoxville, but that is a different story for another posting).


Then Josh is sick for a week, then I get sick and the air conditioner stops working. Thank goodness Josh is feeling better! Josh believes he knows the problem (the pipes need cleaning) so Will and I get out of the boat and Josh gets to work. We aren't use to brackish water and the constant maintenance of the water pipes. So this seemed like a plausible reason for the air conditioner to not work. Cleaning the pipes didn't help.


So we make the best of it for the night, turning on our portable air conditioner in the forward cabin. We try to entertain Will as best we can in our v-berth. The next day Josh continues to work on the air conditioner - being quite fluent in working on it we are both positive he will fix it. Unfortunately even after replacing a number of things that had gone bad and cleaning out the raw water intake strainer (which had little clams growing in it) the air conditioner did not work. Will and I traveled around town checking out the playgrounds and malls keeping him as cool and active as possible. I am completely worn out as is Josh. That night he tells me that the bilge pump is broken. I ask "the automatic or the manual?" to which he replies "both." Oy.


For a week we are without air conditioning and work to keep Will cool and happy. We have two air conditioner guys come out to repair it. The first started to tell Josh about other air conditioners we should look into while he is working on ours. He makes no headway in fixing it. The second guy rings in success by finding the internal breaker has gone bad. Apparently marine air conditioners do not need it and it's a nuisance so its removed and our air conditioner roars to life bringing cool, dry air into our boat. Ahhhh.


Now, onto the bilge pump . . . Josh finds that the pump itself is bad. He goes and gets a new one with an internal float switch (which seems like a great idea) and after checking it and hooking it up it doesn't work. The float switch doesn't work and nothing is turning on. So he has to unhook everything and go back out and get another one. He decides to get one without an internal float switch and installs it and Hazaa! it works.


I would like to point out that through all of this Will was a complete trouper and brought even more joy to Josh and I. We would be so exhausted and frustrated with everything and Will would smile or murmur something or do a dance and Josh and I would smile and laugh and just be filled with happiness. No matter what the circumstances, being together just makes everything better. I have learned so much from Will.

Rainy Weekend

The great thing about rain is that it usually signals a time of cooler temperatures here in New Orleans. Another thing about rain is that it always exposes leaks within the boat - ones that are new, ones that we thought were fixed and ones that we've known about. Apparently we must appease the Rain Gods by some sacrifice; these sacrifices end up being linens, towels, and books not to mention our own comfort sometimes.

I was awoken at 3am first by Will - then by my knee being cold and wet. A past leak decided to rear its ugly head in our forward cabin while we were sleeping. The best time for a surprise.

Josh let me sleep in and took care of Will - and some of our books that were soaked by the nights rain as well. Josh has salvaged them. Such a fantastic man!

Rain Gods be appeased!

August '09

Hey Everyone!

Here's an update on Will and the Wright family:

We are still in New Orleans and on The Nineveh. Although it's a rather large sailboat, it is now seeming a little small since three walking and playing people live aboard. Will is definitely energetic and interested in every aspect of the boat. He's already figured out how to get into the engine compartment and is increasingly interested in our propane switch above the stove (he can get there by climbing onto the bench and reaching over the divider while on his tippy-toes). But not to worry! While one of us cooks, the other distracts Will from playing with this important switch.

Will is now 13 1/2 months and can say "Dada, Momma, What's this?, and this?, duck, fish, uh oh, yeah, shoes, hello" and he is able to say how old he is by holding up his index finger. He can find his nose if you ask him as well as his feet, belly button and hair. He is starting to imitate the sounds the animals make from his book "Moo, Baa, La La La." And he is usually on the move when not figuring out how something goes together (by tearing it apart). We are finding more and more music Will likes to dance to: Dee-lite "Groove is in the Heart," Blind Melon "No Rain," Prince and of course Sting and The Police.

As for ourselves we are still waiting to see how the wind blows for The Nineveh. We may stay in New Orleans if a job presents itself, or we may move on inland to Knoxville, TN - we're kind of in limbo right now. We are also looking at a larger boat or at condos . . . we might become land lovers. But, it's hard to think of leaving the boat or living on one so I won't until we have to.

We are enjoying ourselves however and have been able to travel to see family and have our family come down. My parents came in from Baltimore for a long weekend and had a great time with Will. Will even said "I love you" to my mom - it's the only time he has said it.

Luckily we survived the heat of New Orleans through these travels since our air conditioner broke while it was in the 100s for two weeks - we have had many woes with this A/C and with the manufacturer. After two months we were able to get it fixed and are now enjoying the 85 or so degree weather in New Orleans. We can finally enjoy New Orleans during the day!

Here are a few pictures of Will from the last month and a half:

Will at the local brand name mogul coffee shop. He just climbed into one of the chairs and we had to take a photo.

Will in Destin, FL. He just picked up one of our toothbrushes and started brushing. We will have to get him his own.

Will standing in the aft cabin of The Nineveh - soon to be his own bedroom.

I didn't pose him for this photo.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WILL!

Happy Birthday to Will! He turned one year on Monday July 13th. He got his very own little cupcake and number one candle (I couldn't help myself). We will try lighting it next year. Will was a little timid with his cup cake at first but then he dove right on in!

So happy about chocolate, icing and cake! (oh, and sugar, lots and lots of sugar)

He is such a little gentleman! Fortunately the sugar didn't give his nap schedule a whirl. He got his cupcake at noon and still napped at 2ish. Not too bad (I was so worried!)

Will and Music - in Knoxville

The Nineveh got into her new slip in Slidell, Louisiana on June 12th and we've had quite a ride since then. We will have to update and fill in the blanks shortly, but as for now here is a video of Will rockin' out to the Police.

We found out he really liked Sting and the Police when we had dinner with friends at the Crown and Goose in Knoxville, Tennessee (Thanks Sean, Sara, Shannon, Mike, Sam, Robyn, Carter, and Chris!). Their greatest hits (I suppose) was playing and Will just kept dancing and smiling and just carrying on. Once something else played he calmed down . . . so Will likes the Police and Sting.

The Grand Canyon

We had to pass through Bakersfield, CA on our way to the Grand Canyon. While in Bakersfield, Will fell asleep and then crossed his legs!

While in Williams, AZ (1 hour south of the Grand Canyon) Will got into the toilet paper. The first of many times I'm sure!

I got the wear the backpack this time around and Will kept leaning over and getting my attention and smiling. Whatta cutie!

The Wright Family at the Grand Canyon!

Grand Canyon panoramic - you can see the Colorado river on the east and west sides.

Close-up of the Colorado River.

I got a little adventurous and Josh caught me!

Will loves playing under tables. He caught me taking his photo and now he is out to get me!

The aftermath of eating/smearing a strawberry!

San Francisco - We forgot the flowers for our hair

San Francisco was a lot of fun - and a lot of work! We had the most samples to give out here: 38! And we did it all in one day. So we had to go have fun and play downtown. We had the famous sourdough bread and walked the waterfront. From the Fishermans Wharf to the Port of San Francisco - which is quite a walk. We took the trolley back - and Will made eyes at a young lady. I think he made her day!

Alcatraz - pretty depressing. There were "Alcatraz" onsies that had inmate numbers on them and everything. They are cute, but I didn't want Will to start going down the wrong path . . .

The Wright Family. Will loves this backpack - he will put his feet against the bar and push up and stand straight. He likes to turn his body all to one side to get a better look at what is around him.

The sea lions are crazy! I'm glad we didn't bring the Nineveh up to dock here!

While in San Francisco we visited the seminary in Berkley. We all took the tour - a personal tour - and Josh was able to sit in on a class. Then we shared the Eucharist and had dinner with the whole graduating class. While Josh took the class Will and I played outside near a fountain. It was a beautiful day and everyone was so nice and inviting. I have never felt so welcome at a new school/place before!

California - Sequoia and Kings Canyon Park

On our way from San Diego to San Fransisco, we decided to check out the huge Sequoias at the national park. Definitely worth the trip! We stayed the night - thank goodness we brought our sleeping bags because it was cold! - and survived bear country. We didn't see a bear, but we saw a lot of deer and chipmunks! It's camping at it's best - you can go as rustic as you want. Camp out or stay at a lodge. Cook over a campfire or go eat at a restaurant. Fabulous for all!

They say there are shapeshifters in this area - those who can change their appearance. Some shift from human to animal to another animal or back to human. This photo is evidence that the tales are true.

The Wrights in front of the base of General Grant - the 3rd largest tree in the world.

Will touches a fallen giant tree. There's that question: If a tree falls in the woods and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? If one of these trees falls I'm sure someone would hear it!

Will and Daddy in front of a fallen giant. This tree was actually used as a shelter and saloon in the parks early years. It's pretty cool to walk through it.

California - San Diego

San Diego was our biggest hit yet with 22 samples handed out! Yippee. But it wasn't all work, we got to play as well. We checked out the boats and submarines at the Embarcadero.

HMS Surprise - the ship used in Master And Commander the Far Side of the World.

We went to the San Diego zoo and saw all kinds of animals including the Golden Takin which is specific to the cork forests.

Will falls asleep during the Sea Lion show at the San Diego Zoo.

Will is so excited to see all the animals at the zoo.

"By the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea. You and me, you and me oh how happy we'll be!"

We had to visit the hotel featured in "Some Like it Hot!" It was beautiful but hard to get into. You can still stay there and the views from the rooms must be fantastic! Unfortunately, it is surrounded by parking lots so the only good view is from the beach.

Hotel Del Coronado.

The Wright family in front of the Hotel Del Coronado.

California - Los Angeles!

Since we were stuck in Los Angeles traffic the whole time we were handing out samples - we really only took photos of Will. Which is a much better way to remember our time in Los Angeles!

Will playing with one of his favorite toys - a pen.

Daddy is one of Will's favorite places to fall asleep.

Will fell asleep propped up and watching TV.

Will enjoys dinner in Los Angeles with his Daddy (and Momma taking the photo).

Arkansas to Arizona - A Little Bumpy Start

Will helps get us out of Memphis, Tennessee.

We were off to a little bit of a bumpy start in Arkansas. On our way to the KOA in Hot Springs, our rear drivers side tire blows out! Luckily we were only about 5 miles away from the KOA but it was night out - so it was really dark! Again to our luck, a trooper came by to help out. We were lucky he did because we didn't have a correct sized wrench to get the spare tire off the back. Ugh! But, he was a great help and very nice!

Keep Arkansas Clean and Green!

The KOA in Hot Springs is really nice and the people are very friendly. I would highly recommend staying there if the opportunity arose.

While on our way out of Hot Springs, we lose power steering. Luckily again we are near a gas station. So we check in there, get gas, and get someone to check out our power steering. Turns out, the van uses a serpentine line which means that without it we won't have power steering, air conditioning, or run the engine coolant. We would have had a lot more to fix if we had kept on driving! So we get the belt fixed and are on our way to Dallas.

We get into Dallas really late (about 2 in the morning) and are wiped out! Dallas was our recover city. We did hand out samples - but most companies use styrofoam cups . . .

So, we're off to Houston! We were able to stay with a family friend (Thank you Larry!).

In Houston Will tries out cereal - which he likes!

Houston, Texas!

On our stayover in Austin, Texas we try out a sushi restaurant. It's pretty good. Although Will can't have sushi, he enjoys the chopsticks!

The KOA at Junction, Texas. Great surroundings to look at!!

The drive from Junction, Texas to Phoenix, Arizona was hairy! It was so windy that the van was being blown around. The wind was so strong that the flags were almost straight out from the poles!

Some of the cactus in Phoenix!

Once we got into Phoenix it rained the very next day. Now, there is a nice breeze! Here's hoping our drive to L.A. won't be so windy!

What a great smile!