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September 14, 2019

How all of this got started…

We get this question a lot so I will let you all know how it began. A few years ago, Wes wanted to go to the Florida Keys and go fishing on a boat. So, I looked for something that we would both enjoy and finally found Ron and Paul who own Key West Pro Guides as well as Houseboats of Key West. We rented a houseboat and they took us about 5 miles out and left us on our own. We fell absolutely in love with living on the ocean. I must give them credit for getting my sea legs! We have spent a few weeks over the years on the houseboat where they take us out and drop us somewhere off the coast of Key West on the houseboat and say, “See you in a week!” When we got married one of their fishing guides took us fishing- Anthony was awesome and I caught my very first ocean fish– a yellow jack. Wow…good eating there. Here are their links- https://keywestproguides.com/ and https://houseboatsofkeywest.com/faq.cfm. To check them out. Here are some pictures I took from the houseboat while we were in Key West.

We had so much fun out there and we decided to find a boat and become cruisers. I started looking at others who are full time cruisers and what their life is like on the water. There are entire families who cruise the world full time! We had been looking all over the south east for a boat. There are many out there. Then one day Wes saw who we now call ATB, on Lake Lanier and said he was going to go look at her. He looked at her online every day until he met with the seller. Now I was not to sure about her because she was a mess, but I had faith that Wes could get her up and running with no problem.

So, we could have bought a brand-new boat that would have cost the same as a house or bought a boat that was in somewhat good condition, but he found a diamond in the ruff. We have no plans since the boat is no longer being made but we have had lots of feedback from others who have this type of boat. We look at pictures and I just happen to find some electrical wiring diagrams for a similar boat that will be useful later. By looking at her, I can not believe that she has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a kitchen but she does, and it is a bit tight. The houseboat is a lot smaller and we managed well on that. Wes said the other day that at least he will know her inside and out! Which will be good, especially when we are out in open water.

So, that is how we got started with the boat!

September 6, 2019September 6, 2019

Another Day…

Good Morning,

So yesterday, Wes and I went out to the boat just to see what he has done new and how she is coming along. The lake was quiet with just a few people out working on their boats. We are on Lake Lanier now and are looking forward to going to Mobile and being on the ocean. Lake life is nice but we much rather prefer the ocean. So, Wes has removed a rotten wall that is called the bulkhead wall. This wall helps to keep the boat from flexing in on itself. Something like a load bearing wall in a house.

She looks so different then we first obtained her! She is still not a functioning boat yet, but we are making progress. We also put in a kitchen sink which Wes found on Craig’s list. A little here, a little there… We also have one light installed in the main cabin. We have been looking at compost heads (toilets), which will break down the waste into compost with the help of some peat moss. But we shall see how that goes.

We have been following some other sailors on you tube if you want to check them out. Some have big boats some are smaller. There are couples and some are families. We have been watching Project Atticus because they have a lot of boat and sailing knowledge which we have been taking notes from. I also like to read a blog called the Boat Galley. Carolyn and her husband are a retired couple and have gone from a Monohulled boat to a Catamaran. She talks a lot about how to store things on the boat, what equipment is necessary and basically “how to” just do everything on a boat.

Have a great day!

August 21, 2019

Getting Going!!!

Wow! Getting this, Instagram and FB up and running has been a challenge but in a great way!!!

News about ATB- she has all new windows and a new door. No leaks as well, just a bit around the AC unit but we will fix that in due time. She is nice and dry and Wes has fixed the outside wheel as well as build new seats for outside.

May 15, 2019

Hello World!

Since I have started this blog…and it is going slow due to all of my other activities but I will prevail and get this moving along! But since I have started this I basically wanted to use it as a journal for rebuilding our boat, Around The Barn. But since that has just began I wanted to include our travel adventures. Today we are in lovely Marathon Island in the Florida Keys. We absolutely love it here! Wes bought a vintage Shasta camper that he restored and we bought it down to the Jolly Roger RV Resort. This is our first time in a camper! Now there are so many different kinds of campers that I cannot even begin to describe all that I see but you get the point. This place has beautiful flowers and trees with ocean not 10 feet away from my door. You can swim in the ocean as well as snorkel, they also have a pool, very clean showers and bathrooms, a laundry matt as well as all the fishing you can stand. My husband Wes is a huge fisherman and he has gone fishing everyday that we have been here. I think my favorite is the snorkeling and just floating around in the swim/snorkel area. We will definitely have to come back here.