Things are just ducky, new years, and other such ramblings.

We had a fun new years, as these pictures can attest. We had a party up at the marina office, even though the pool was broken (it's usually heated like a giant hot tub). It didn't matter though. It was tons of fun anyhow.

Nate claims not to enjoy new years, but these first two pictures would claim otherwise....

Christina kept kissing people. Even when posing for pictures apparently. Hah!

Whoever says that white men can't dance hasn't met our friend Mark.

On second thought maybe they have met Mark....

We couldn't catch or friend Dave dancing on camera, but smiling on camera is a rarity enough. (Dave and Christina are the ones who bought our first boat, the Fitzcarraldo from us, btw)

It was a fun party and even without a giant hot tub it was a good way to get us all out of the cold. And really, it's cheaper to turn the heat down on the boat and all go hang out at the same place for the evening!

This duck however, is finding her own way to cope with the cold. Jenny recorded this just aft of our boat a couple days ago.

High Tide

So, two days ago we had a super high tide. There was a sea breeze (and a drawn out low pressure system just sitting on top of us) and a lunar tide. The combination gave us the highest tide I've seen in the 3 years of being here.

I took the two pictures below of the gate into the marina. This is normally the top of the gangway, but as you can see, it is under a couple inches of water. The water (ice water mind you!) was about ankle deep before you went 'up' onto the gangway and into the marina. It was crazy. Of course, I had a full dock cart with me at the time and Willie refused to step into the water. I had to tuck him under one arm like a football, steer the dock cart with the other hand, and wade through ice water. Sometimes, living aboard is hilarious.

And here is the other gate into the marina (we have two). This one wasn't swamped, and if I'd have realized it I would have went that way. But the picture is neat because it shows the slope of the gangway 'down' off of the ocean. That sure is a different feeling.

And, just for fun. Here is some great old prog rock from the band HIGH TIDE.

-Justin

Christmas

Justin and I were lucky enough to make it home for Christmas again this year and see both of our families. It is always a somewhat difficult task, as our families are 7 hours apart on a day that the roads are good, and it has taken us as much as 10 hours to get from one family to the other during Christmas. The weather is somewhat predictable in Michigan in December, and it generally involves lots and lots of snow. Luckily nothing was too terribly delayed and while Justin was stuck for 14 hours in airports all across the country, we both still made it home.

It was fantastic to see everyone and we're thankful for the time that we were there. It never feels like long enough, but it was nice to get back to Willie who had a fun time with our friend Miles in Maine. Gollum (the cat) held down the fort at home, and while we're quite certain she has evil thoughts, she didn't sink the boat.