We’re back on the boat and it’s about time for an update (or two) on our mariner adventures. Frankly, there’s just not enough of it!
This paragraph was written by the captain last summer and I thought I should share his perspective. "After a few short weeks at home we turned around and headed back to Texas. Then Sue flew back to Florida to retrieve the motor home and have another short visit. Once she delivered the motor home back to Palacios, First mate Sue left the vessel to secure the home front in Lexington. Meanwhile I've elected to continue living my dream by staying here on the Texas gulf coast for the summer. After a two day career at Wal-Mart in Port Lavaca, Dennis, the manager of Serendipity Bay Resort offered me a job at the marina/RV park. It is so much more convenient and in keeping with the plan to have the boat, motor home, my old truck and a job all at the same place. But even more pertinent to the vision is having the means, time and resources to make Refugio the vessel of our (my) dreams. Admittedly, I never envisioned 10 hour days of physical labor in the intense heat and humidity, but I am acclimating. It's a great way to work-out, but maybe not so great for one of my age; time will tell."
Tom spent 5 months puttering on the boat and working for the folks at Serendipity. I did return to Lexington and got a job at Transylvania University (to pay for the boat). One true benefit of Tom's arrangement with Serendipity was the free RV site, which afforded him a place to cool off during the sweltering summer heat of south Texas. During his time in Texas Tom was able to ward off the continual march of mold, and take care of many repairs on our boat.
We have been asked (many times) if we had named our boat after Refugio, Texas, or perhaps we were FROM Refugio, Texas. As I mentioned earlier on in this blog, our boat name, Refugio, comes from the state park on the coast of California, where our family spent many a wonderful night camping out, hiking the cliffs and gathered around the evening campfire; warm memories for us all. We were intrigued and set out to find this place - Refugio, Texas. As it turns out the town is about 80 miles south-west of Palacios, nice little town with a history of Irish immigration and battles.
Tom’s Mom and brother joined us for a few days, along with their dogs, Bruno & Annie. I thought the boat was big until their dogs came aboard for a visit. They were very brave in spite of being surrounded by water – which neither dog is fond of.
This paragraph was written by the captain last summer and I thought I should share his perspective. "After a few short weeks at home we turned around and headed back to Texas. Then Sue flew back to Florida to retrieve the motor home and have another short visit. Once she delivered the motor home back to Palacios, First mate Sue left the vessel to secure the home front in Lexington. Meanwhile I've elected to continue living my dream by staying here on the Texas gulf coast for the summer. After a two day career at Wal-Mart in Port Lavaca, Dennis, the manager of Serendipity Bay Resort offered me a job at the marina/RV park. It is so much more convenient and in keeping with the plan to have the boat, motor home, my old truck and a job all at the same place. But even more pertinent to the vision is having the means, time and resources to make Refugio the vessel of our (my) dreams. Admittedly, I never envisioned 10 hour days of physical labor in the intense heat and humidity, but I am acclimating. It's a great way to work-out, but maybe not so great for one of my age; time will tell."
Tom spent 5 months puttering on the boat and working for the folks at Serendipity. I did return to Lexington and got a job at Transylvania University (to pay for the boat). One true benefit of Tom's arrangement with Serendipity was the free RV site, which afforded him a place to cool off during the sweltering summer heat of south Texas. During his time in Texas Tom was able to ward off the continual march of mold, and take care of many repairs on our boat.
We have been asked (many times) if we had named our boat after Refugio, Texas, or perhaps we were FROM Refugio, Texas. As I mentioned earlier on in this blog, our boat name, Refugio, comes from the state park on the coast of California, where our family spent many a wonderful night camping out, hiking the cliffs and gathered around the evening campfire; warm memories for us all. We were intrigued and set out to find this place - Refugio, Texas. As it turns out the town is about 80 miles south-west of Palacios, nice little town with a history of Irish immigration and battles.
Tom’s Mom and brother joined us for a few days, along with their dogs, Bruno & Annie. I thought the boat was big until their dogs came aboard for a visit. They were very brave in spite of being surrounded by water – which neither dog is fond of.
Our son, Brian, was able to take some time off work, drive down to Texas and check out the boat. We tested our live-well as Brian did some fishing and actually caught a big ole fish, which was later released. Towards the end of the summer Tom moved Refugio out of our end slip to a small outlet. It’s in the same location the owner keeps his 44 foot shrimp boat.
It’s been a year and summer has come around again. Tom has already returned to Texas and I've got a couple of weeks till school is out and I can join him. I'll be updating the blog a couple more times so keep checking back.
