It is so much fun living in a boatyard ~ says no one, ever.
We've been on the hard at the marina for almost two months now (!), making good progress on our stern extensions & very thankful to have the relative comfort of apartment-living during this time. Even so, the work is hard and there are good and bad days.
The good days often include visits with friends who support us when times are tough or offer fun diversions for a change of scenery... how lucky are we to have such good friends?!
Judy & Michele took to the town on a regular basis for shopping & an occasional meal in a local comedor.
Football Sunday's just aren't the same without her! We had many wonderful people offer us a ride to watch the games each week: Thank you so much Rich & Lynda, Art & Joan, Ian & Lori, Kevin & Louisa and Bob & Jeannie!!
Rich was a good sport to give us a ride even when Judy was waving the flag for the Packers, who happened to beat the Bears this year.
With two other Mantas in the yard we made some new friends.
Eli & Marla were so helpful to us when we first arrived, helping us get oriented to the marina and move into the apartment.
They are back to do some engine work and are contemplating using our molds for a stern extension on Iguana Dance this spring!
Matt & Renee on Outlandish stopped by often to watch the progress and were very enthusiastic about our project.
It was great to have a little supportive boost as you're inhaling fiberglass dust day after day.
They already have a Manta 42 and soon Reach will be a few centimeters longer than Outlandish, but I doubt as fabulously shiny!
After the new year, Scott & Cindy came to join us on the hard ~ hello neighbors! It is great having them here to make the best of life in a boatyard. After 6 months of doing yoga solo, I now have a partner again to share the morning motivation.
We trade off making dinners to make sure Scott & Mark are well fed and carb-loaded.
There is a lot in common in this group and we enjoy the camaraderie and mutual support.
Friends Bob & Trish have saved our sanity on many more than one occasion!! They check in on us & Reach whenever they find themselves in the area and offer to join them on an excursion by truck or boat when taking a trip.
We've had quite a few excellent shopping therapy trips to local towns...
(I'm a pro, but have a thing or two to learn from Trish!)
...and have gotten into our own food ruts at Monday night dinner trips to Kangaroo Las Mexicanas restaurant.
They even found a Denver Broncos flag in a barbershop on our last trip (go figure) and came home with it for the Superbowl!
Not to forget our new local friends, the wonder-team of Noé, Saul, Dony & Mark (+ hostess Michele) often take a break under the bridge-deck of Reach for some shade, an impromptu Spanish/English lesson or a celebratory lunch over fried chicken to celebrate the first completed extension!
Cheers friends!