July 15, 2024
SO CLOSE !!!

We are so close to finally being able to embark the ship and sail away on our maiden voyage. The rudders should be fully replaced and functional by the end of this week, allowing them to flood the drydock in Belfast and float our lovely patiently waiting Ship. Then we just have to pass the various coast guard and agency drills and inspections and we are good to embark and sail away. Right now that date is targeted at July 27th to 30th (update*). Below is a video showing the intricacies of machining these rudder connections.
* Thanks so much to faithful readers - who caught my date mistake above June corrected now to July! (Thanks Joan - love how vested you are in my journey!!)

Normally I would call Philadelphia Home but after 9 months of living on the Ship, I am beginning to call the Ship HOME! To that point, the main reasons I flew across the country this week was to come home and get my Condo in Philly ready to sell! I needed to clear out my remaining personal effects, so that I could possibly turn the place over to a realtor to liquidate and /or sell my remaining furniture and household items, along with the condo itself. I met with a few realtors and spent a good amount of time cleaning out all my closets, cabinets and drawers. I tried to get as much as possible into the willing arms of family members and friends. I was happy for them to take any items they could put to good use! My nieces Colleen and Laura were my 2 best recipients pictured below in the elevator as we hauled out numerous loads to their uber ( for Colleen) and car ( for Laura). I even got my bestie Laureen to take a bag home with her!