tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34654305659122018952024-03-13T03:52:25.269-05:00HarborLake Michigan water quality from the perspective of Speakeasy, a Catalina 320 sloop. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970217281822567665noreply@blogger.comBlogger268125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3465430565912201895.post-43260247913925449362015-06-25T11:57:00.003-05:002015-06-25T11:57:23.303-05:00I've got two bars: Putting the solar panel above the bimini<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6qfNYfqvO20fqlTffZjKDQ91mUaXV3Vk1gic-qvF9sqrDO1imE2WZHKoHn9uzthyko83UkTO1eEY35KBlF0bMrHFnU-BAz7ojSpCCqKKmeEbNyoo4NWQrrzMV1CksisIImTWwhNkp5Tc/s1600/IMG_9020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6qfNYfqvO20fqlTffZjKDQ91mUaXV3Vk1gic-qvF9sqrDO1imE2WZHKoHn9uzthyko83UkTO1eEY35KBlF0bMrHFnU-BAz7ojSpCCqKKmeEbNyoo4NWQrrzMV1CksisIImTWwhNkp5Tc/s400/IMG_9020.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">George and Sterling add hardware to the bimini in preparation for two new stainless bars.</td></tr>
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I liked having the solar panel on the <a href="http://matban396.blogspot.com/2014/09/solar-panel-on-stern-pulpit.html" target="_blank">stern pulpit</a> because it was out of the way, but it interfered with using the swim platform and made the crew less safe. I had my sailmaker add reinforced holes in the bimini cloth and hardware to the structure so that two 6-foot stainless bars could be stretched across the frame. I placed the panel atop these bars using the same quick-release plastic clamps that I have been using.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B_g3kVfQoac/VYwx4rKCFgI/AAAAAAACc54/M4OWMrlolR0/s1600/IMG_9071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B_g3kVfQoac/VYwx4rKCFgI/AAAAAAACc54/M4OWMrlolR0/s320/IMG_9071.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Solar is so inexpensive and easy to add that all boaters should consider adding a panel to their vessel. </div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970217281822567665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3465430565912201895.post-46661612490108772292015-06-08T16:38:00.001-05:002015-06-08T16:50:37.768-05:00Waiting It Out<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-azilTTT-z0ruub2S12sIKCXD3rmL_oJHvOXn4MnchqFokEZBUknE6KvJOLTlsRO2-HpPsGwXUbbmJwxVqt95pYQyvS2EawU3AIoIsyZV_jI-sGVnTwFkAuEFTiWcW6gK0pqeRf8k45M/s640/blogger-image--1839281633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-azilTTT-z0ruub2S12sIKCXD3rmL_oJHvOXn4MnchqFokEZBUknE6KvJOLTlsRO2-HpPsGwXUbbmJwxVqt95pYQyvS2EawU3AIoIsyZV_jI-sGVnTwFkAuEFTiWcW6gK0pqeRf8k45M/s640/blogger-image--1839281633.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div>Much of a charter captain's life is spent waiting for weather to come and go. Weather is not usually a surprise because we have great systems to predict the weather and watch it move on our computers and mobile devices. Currently, I'm waiting for a fast-moving storm to pass through. After it passes, I expect nice weather in which to sail. <br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I hope the weather is nice because I'm taking a father and daughter sailing. I know the father wants this to go well for her. So do I. I imagine that he has dreamed of the comradary he will develop with his family through sailing. Of course, he probably hasn't imagined heavy rain, wind, hail, and lightening. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I hope the weather is nice. </div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970217281822567665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3465430565912201895.post-83020925547170352072015-05-14T14:14:00.004-05:002015-05-14T14:14:59.403-05:00Hull Bottom SinsWe've been bad to Speakeasy over the years. We being my yard and me. Also our Chicago weather. First, Speakeasy's cradle is made to Catalina Yachts specifications and she's been resting on this cradle each off-season since 1999. It turns out that we've added stress to the hull by positioning the cradle so that the carpet-covered pad was not directly beneath a bulkhead on the aft port quarter. Very cold weather and age made the gelcoat brittle so that it cracked. Poor cradle support added to the problem. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gaqWzluJL7I/VVTZfmq9FLI/AAAAAAACbcM/zDkD9sfj7yY/s1600/Speakeasy%2BCrazing%2Bon%2BPort.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gaqWzluJL7I/VVTZfmq9FLI/AAAAAAACbcM/zDkD9sfj7yY/s320/Speakeasy%2BCrazing%2Bon%2BPort.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cracks in the gelcoat above and below the waterline on Speakeasy. </td></tr>
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The repair required the gelcoat, coremat sublayer, and some fiberglass to be cut away and built back up. In the photo below, material has already be applied to the hollowed-out section and fairing compound applied.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UIb2SuMrlWo/VUp58dTjNRI/AAAAAAACbQg/lJ5DULqh2Qw/s1600/unknown" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UIb2SuMrlWo/VUp58dTjNRI/AAAAAAACbQg/lJ5DULqh2Qw/s320/unknown" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speakeasy bottom near the port quarter after grinding and fairing. </td></tr>
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The next image shows the completed project. The white and blue (for the water stripe) gelcoat was applied to bring the repaired section to the same thickness as the original. Then, it was polished with cleaning compound. Once the bottom paint is applied, it will be better than new.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-raGcfk7J9Eg/VVTZQjcmUPI/AAAAAAACbcE/--uM0GLQu5A/s1600/Speakeasy%2Bhull%2Brepair%2B3200" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-raGcfk7J9Eg/VVTZQjcmUPI/AAAAAAACbcE/--uM0GLQu5A/s320/Speakeasy%2Bhull%2Brepair%2B3200" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished repair before the addition of bottom paint. </td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970217281822567665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3465430565912201895.post-29548070804688148252015-04-29T09:49:00.000-05:002015-04-29T09:49:26.134-05:00Clean and Green Boating<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K6Iezisqrag/VUDmopOBorI/AAAAAAACa-8/jrdoHvVKKP0/s1600/IMG_8864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K6Iezisqrag/VUDmopOBorI/AAAAAAACa-8/jrdoHvVKKP0/s1600/IMG_8864.jpg" height="315" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mark Gillingham (Columbia Yacht Club Cruisers Fleet member, SPLASH Great Lakes) and Kim Kreiling (Illinois Department of Natural Resources)</td></tr>
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On Saturday, April 25, 2015 the Columbia Yacht Club Cruising Fleet sponsored a seminar on keeping our marinas and surrounding water clean (<a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1GNjf9ZmHOGnwh6CQ5b4E5Vu43G9oPg7mVDIeDfChOUw/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">slides from the seminar)</a>. We had a special guest from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Kim Kreiling, who is the director of the <a href="http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/cmp/Pages/IllinoisCleanMarina.aspx" target="_blank">Clean Marinas program in Illinois.</a> The Clean Marinas program exists throughout the Great Lakes Region 5 (see the <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?ll=45.042478,-84.177246&msa=0&spn=11.054105,30.893555&mid=zhMpmqiYgiZg.kNz2itcP2ePo" target="_blank">map of Great Lakes Clean Marinas</a>).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Screen Shot 2015-04-21 at 10.53.40 AM.png" height="414px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/91-0Gb0RSU9KP3-49Y4elGy4J0vz-guk5uepkKlKAfWD0NVRN-sq3zaGnqJy77xep2JRODPVxUZ83BASuHNuRBXGp47ibDzzm0XZUwPG1Av7TC2LxtbYURQEkfrgdF7_-sQcvLyJYQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="650px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Each pin represents a certified clean marina. Colors distinguish states. All of Chicago marinas are certified or are in the process of being certified including the Columbia Yacht Club. </td></tr>
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Bottom washing, especially using a power sprayer releases heavy metals, which do not degrade quickly or easily and can accumulate in the food chain. Some states require marinas to have a special permit to wash boat bottoms, but Illinois is not one of them. See these <a href="http://www.miseagrant.umich.edu/downloads/greenmarina/boatwash/HarrisMar12.pdf" target="_blank">slides</a> from the Wisconsin Sea Grant for more details. </div>
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A clean and shiny boat is easier to keep clean. Wash with nontoxic cleaners and use as little as possible throughout the boating season. A pail of water and a soft brush can remove most particles. Use a hand spray bottle filled with a mild soap solution for tougher dirt and stains. Deeper stains can be removed from fiberglass with a paste of baking soda and water. This fiberglass stain remover has other uses too. I used this stain remover on a faux stone countertop with great results. When a disinfectant is needed (e.g., the head), use a solution of borax and water (1/4c borax in a gallon of water). For nasty mildew, make a paste of lemon juice (or white vinegar) and salt. Rub the paste on the stain and flush with water.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7l63TF4vUlZsVKHVYdeTxWxz6PF5Tbaq0hUcQvxTZvIeQRMzSZ0QUAd4jCUMzB3maIBk-s4af-0ubdpgh_8Y8BMrKiMRLHuwLsOOe4Ilz2Gw94DzalM6q_8d1BpKJZNZYsoZHES1T1so/s1600/IMG_8865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7l63TF4vUlZsVKHVYdeTxWxz6PF5Tbaq0hUcQvxTZvIeQRMzSZ0QUAd4jCUMzB3maIBk-s4af-0ubdpgh_8Y8BMrKiMRLHuwLsOOe4Ilz2Gw94DzalM6q_8d1BpKJZNZYsoZHES1T1so/s1600/IMG_8865.jpg" height="276" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Common household products can become your standard go-to boat cleaning and polishing agents. Recipes for brass, fiberglass, aluminum, and other surfaces are available from the Clean Marinas site (see text).<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVkA8UXKsWaJt2mNnwDmHIFD_EYebhl1i1Jy__a4H_6HRBXuB2XquMDAQvCmQWVCvAI67LbX7zubXexhk9IRTetF1WqgWoc1xloUjmaJULf9RbzAFgLWlTDLFxam85eBdpEIC_rnWjeE/s1600/IMG_8866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVkA8UXKsWaJt2mNnwDmHIFD_EYebhl1i1Jy__a4H_6HRBXuB2XquMDAQvCmQWVCvAI67LbX7zubXexhk9IRTetF1WqgWoc1xloUjmaJULf9RbzAFgLWlTDLFxam85eBdpEIC_rnWjeE/s1600/IMG_8866.jpg" height="231" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Nontoxic cleaning products are available from the Columbia Yacht Club store. </td></tr>
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Polishes are also be made from common products. Olive or almond oil can be used to keep interior wood polished bright. Chrome can be cleaned with apple cider vinegar and polished with baby or mineral oil.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lOl9CzACPoo/VUDnIBXtC8I/AAAAAAACa_E/RSpiwLSDtic/s1600/IMG_8844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lOl9CzACPoo/VUDnIBXtC8I/AAAAAAACa_E/RSpiwLSDtic/s1600/IMG_8844.jpg" height="159" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">A DIY brass cleaner consisting of salt, vinegar, water and 5-minutes of brushing with a soft toothbrush made a huge difference in the shine of the 60-year-old gimbaled candlestick on the right.<br /></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970217281822567665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3465430565912201895.post-16388516073871174702015-01-31T16:16:00.000-06:002015-02-16T16:18:01.189-06:00It Is Really Grand: The Grand Canyon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJ0XS0blAryWAfdFwOBYdXHVX-0oq1aWkVm1jolnEX7D2CGv5-a5vQj65uhyphenhyphen7TRZNqvlPlFZWnrybtpykfjgkSBvye6uP82yfiqvwyTQIPrAupbbgJIAEhwkm_w_tZLgajKai8vt4n10/s1600/IMG_8371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJ0XS0blAryWAfdFwOBYdXHVX-0oq1aWkVm1jolnEX7D2CGv5-a5vQj65uhyphenhyphen7TRZNqvlPlFZWnrybtpykfjgkSBvye6uP82yfiqvwyTQIPrAupbbgJIAEhwkm_w_tZLgajKai8vt4n10/s1600/IMG_8371.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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When we reach the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, the fog was so thick we couldn't see the path. We walked along the path gingerly so we wouldn't take a wrong turn and hoped that the fog would lift in a few minutes. After an hour, we decided to get a camp site and try our luck in the morning. Once we registered our site, we went back to the rim where the fog had lifted enough so that we could see the bottom of the canyon. The fog looked like icing on a very large layer cake. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFvWVr2mEhYCYF-XAjsGz7NQK4zAAZfg9RDeX_usxwCaPHI1bgnlRoBc93sYoZnjIQz3JA4jZuQ_aB3QBc9AsvxdlaTuc5zFFngVi6dwf7RoOCdUjEpuLWgT_2FIO5QpCKXWvDW-aryk/s1600/IMG_8379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFvWVr2mEhYCYF-XAjsGz7NQK4zAAZfg9RDeX_usxwCaPHI1bgnlRoBc93sYoZnjIQz3JA4jZuQ_aB3QBc9AsvxdlaTuc5zFFngVi6dwf7RoOCdUjEpuLWgT_2FIO5QpCKXWvDW-aryk/s1600/IMG_8379.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beth has a big smile when the fog lifts and the canyon comes into view. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq8RO8dfafKpgc5p8DBGn2IeONoz0RWJZ_iTl6ZnTht9agUE71zQ2cbLx5-jdLtVSMVWhY0jG-DXbB33BcyllTi5vx30n6gj5cJmDTiLyB_47lYUsAp06289tv97ELni9OR5H06UeAf4s/s1600/IMG_8393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq8RO8dfafKpgc5p8DBGn2IeONoz0RWJZ_iTl6ZnTht9agUE71zQ2cbLx5-jdLtVSMVWhY0jG-DXbB33BcyllTi5vx30n6gj5cJmDTiLyB_47lYUsAp06289tv97ELni9OR5H06UeAf4s/s1600/IMG_8393.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shadows and fog over the Grand Canyon. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLBRcxGyJpFZ7LCiyejmQvj-PwT5b7-HvVdxTYtGCEH1balQC7egSL-4olSveav-a4xIcqvMPIvW2VtN4uJ4PQja6GwCfMb9U1F6_Ve3JVdiay-d1jyeVILGgL4PZziulun3IWBe3VYhE/s1600/IMG_8365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLBRcxGyJpFZ7LCiyejmQvj-PwT5b7-HvVdxTYtGCEH1balQC7egSL-4olSveav-a4xIcqvMPIvW2VtN4uJ4PQja6GwCfMb9U1F6_Ve3JVdiay-d1jyeVILGgL4PZziulun3IWBe3VYhE/s1600/IMG_8365.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Java meets new friends at the South Rim. </td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970217281822567665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3465430565912201895.post-88616004770296689912015-01-28T15:44:00.000-06:002015-02-16T16:06:34.854-06:00Oracle, Arizona<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_6toeUEhPX33Yq2Oaf2_VeuC10I6mp8GqfK8-zaet7dQ8jFSTMSfEeA58jp_dtswuXh9AKIelOaFodwpA87rGjWAqtBq61Duro4y_-ak4kiU3-amlfG0x0kT9iT_ZsQw7dLAXuTuO5No/s1600/IMG_8277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sunrise in Oracle AZ" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_6toeUEhPX33Yq2Oaf2_VeuC10I6mp8GqfK8-zaet7dQ8jFSTMSfEeA58jp_dtswuXh9AKIelOaFodwpA87rGjWAqtBq61Duro4y_-ak4kiU3-amlfG0x0kT9iT_ZsQw7dLAXuTuO5No/s1600/IMG_8277.JPG" height="300" title="Sunrise in Oracle AZ" width="400" /></a></div>
I'm sitting on the south-facing veranda of our friends' casita in Oracle, Arizona watching the sun rise over the small orchard in the yard. The sky is a bright orange after a star-lit night. And such stars as I've never seen. The air is clear and clean and we are far from the city lights of Phoenix and Tucson. In fact Oracle is designated as a dark sky site by <a href="http://www.darksky.org/" target="_blank">Dark Sky International</a>.<br />
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On the veranda the sun is up and burning away the chill of the night. Java is basking in the sun on stones that are beating quickly. Soon, Beth and I have moved our chairs to the sun and are also basking. Java oscillated from warm stones in the sun to cool ones further away and back again. She knows how to live. I'm starting to get the hang of it. </div>
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The casita was once a chicken coop that the gardener converted to a grand bedroom. That shed was extended to create a companion room for sitting and dining. It's a lovely space created with many local and homey touches fitting for the area. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970217281822567665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3465430565912201895.post-60727460011467735372015-01-23T10:17:00.001-06:002015-01-23T12:14:39.563-06:00Santa Barbara in JanuarySanta Barbara has blooming flowers in January! It's hard for me to get my head around that fact. I'm used to frozen ground covered with snow. The only gardening is some pruning once a short thaw has reduced the snow cover a bit. <div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwhkKf4RG9752sYBz3opoK3A60wBMtUb1R2AZ8K31dx8HakWgXCe_fKZvPwayve_gjEYDWcFB3S3nojFngEPH0Mha74uxK81J7v8I8QSLZ7kzZ0T2GnHfzBhqWWAz9OXKzoP1arGMCu0/s640/blogger-image--1148146715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwhkKf4RG9752sYBz3opoK3A60wBMtUb1R2AZ8K31dx8HakWgXCe_fKZvPwayve_gjEYDWcFB3S3nojFngEPH0Mha74uxK81J7v8I8QSLZ7kzZ0T2GnHfzBhqWWAz9OXKzoP1arGMCu0/s640/blogger-image--1148146715.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Beth and Java got to play at the beach near UCSB. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2VBXCpM1JtxSwrX3AWJrqJZVP3IiGIgi4FoJQCokPENYiWrNzionjsjlfSzF3ItMUkmyHy1LeGhKHZjW9kwM-fUUJz4R3VdGZqyY6PsHUdYc0x9gMatHH4PxlR3UL_FB53DbUegWQeqM/s640/blogger-image-994000442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2VBXCpM1JtxSwrX3AWJrqJZVP3IiGIgi4FoJQCokPENYiWrNzionjsjlfSzF3ItMUkmyHy1LeGhKHZjW9kwM-fUUJz4R3VdGZqyY6PsHUdYc0x9gMatHH4PxlR3UL_FB53DbUegWQeqM/s640/blogger-image-994000442.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">During a wine tour near Stearns Pier in Santa Barbara, we saw an Oscar Meyer Weiner Mobile—an unlikely sight, I would have thought. I lived for a time in the 80s near an Oscar Meyer facility at which an older Weiner Mobile was parked. Back then, I saw it regularly. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzWdYLaagLu4uFa0rOH5OwZxJnUvI34Q9aUZCrn2iz1HaZ414ch669XWB2mm1tACxX3YcZYOsjcZd03Ff8syGFDB-aNRz1S1oKO8qdpdDN-qK97vU-ZvK3P489j4YOL0sGkWnGiUUwmo/s640/blogger-image--1056172359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzWdYLaagLu4uFa0rOH5OwZxJnUvI34Q9aUZCrn2iz1HaZ414ch669XWB2mm1tACxX3YcZYOsjcZd03Ff8syGFDB-aNRz1S1oKO8qdpdDN-qK97vU-ZvK3P489j4YOL0sGkWnGiUUwmo/s640/blogger-image--1056172359.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The mission in Solvang, which got its mission bell in a second wave of missions. The Mexican government secularized it and eventually the ranch it was on was sold to Danes. The Danes created a folk school. Now it is a tourist village with a Danish-wine motif. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVSGBspCIBhoV_jFfabnmMcbsX3yujX1fdkeAnnncYaROVZRCvEr09znAY6LEU2_L6ejCu0s-Z94pxRW1lIWwwxM78ETnPG1aDc6WYfkFUNgF-hXBNHlezPVy19DrnuSMW6ztqA454g0A/s640/blogger-image--27396881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVSGBspCIBhoV_jFfabnmMcbsX3yujX1fdkeAnnncYaROVZRCvEr09znAY6LEU2_L6ejCu0s-Z94pxRW1lIWwwxM78ETnPG1aDc6WYfkFUNgF-hXBNHlezPVy19DrnuSMW6ztqA454g0A/s640/blogger-image--27396881.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We did sample some of the Santa Barbara County wine. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUC0Z0g3COqLuIupaHIsyAr3Ca60d92TYZnaFDcGtCg79HAR5SbcqXgI4_LxRN6jsDaj-pEp2nvG7z9-t9GdR5wCSVw-Xl6PKfcCmr40PiAeplEXres5MKsnlouDhibnOS7s4kovDsxmE/s640/blogger-image--2069678273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUC0Z0g3COqLuIupaHIsyAr3Ca60d92TYZnaFDcGtCg79HAR5SbcqXgI4_LxRN6jsDaj-pEp2nvG7z9-t9GdR5wCSVw-Xl6PKfcCmr40PiAeplEXres5MKsnlouDhibnOS7s4kovDsxmE/s640/blogger-image--2069678273.jpg"></a></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970217281822567665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3465430565912201895.post-84593749783488276222015-01-19T12:18:00.001-06:002015-01-19T12:52:18.348-06:00The RV Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpt5KXmpW8PBgoRzp8X4BMxJs09ccDqa4IuSgWjza2pUMXrRgRJYrLtdbCehoXBDF2PbWb-g65chV3Mng3y9swAeDPzelpeqIsmiLCYpQdRaVC-SqkpPhd1GlkCIv1Phk82t_PPdYGynw/s640/blogger-image--1779665680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpt5KXmpW8PBgoRzp8X4BMxJs09ccDqa4IuSgWjza2pUMXrRgRJYrLtdbCehoXBDF2PbWb-g65chV3Mng3y9swAeDPzelpeqIsmiLCYpQdRaVC-SqkpPhd1GlkCIv1Phk82t_PPdYGynw/s640/blogger-image--1779665680.jpg"></a></div><br>
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We are sitting at the Mission Bay RV Resort in San Diego cleaning the mini-motor home that my generous brother loaned us to try out the RV life. We pushed from Chicago across the southern plains to get to better weather—we have it now. The temperature is mid to upper 60s with a few lazy clouds. The routine includes walking Java along the Bay, making coffee, and preparing for the day. We don't have far to go today, just to the other side of town where we are meeting our cross-street neighbors from Chicago who have taken an apartment in San Diego. Tomorrow we get to sail with them.<br>
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I met a women in the laundry room who said they had been here a week and are moving on to Riverside where there is a nice park. She's a full-timer and only stays a few days at any spot. Next for her is Lake Perris State Recreaction Area near Riverside, CA. We have not not found our perfect campsite or RV park yet. Campsites usually offer scenic beauty and natural recreation like hiking. RV parks are similar to motels near cities or attractions. In the oil-producing states, RV parks are filled with working men. In LA, filled with movie-industry workers. We've come to rely on AAA and Google reviews of sites to judge appearance and cleanliness. It's an art to read a review and get the correct image of a place. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div>
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<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmFer3wFugKm8bdMs65yaM4FnsBFecy3kTkHuAKCOU4toyCsKhsRTec7cV4fGbkUIpkC7X3TQ6KcDHEqF3mfHUWWHi89Ept-VRukr_CoxNmyMikPTD5smqpaHda6ptOPPIdL1hXRvxGY/s640/blogger-image-1296891760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmFer3wFugKm8bdMs65yaM4FnsBFecy3kTkHuAKCOU4toyCsKhsRTec7cV4fGbkUIpkC7X3TQ6KcDHEqF3mfHUWWHi89Ept-VRukr_CoxNmyMikPTD5smqpaHda6ptOPPIdL1hXRvxGY/s640/blogger-image-1296891760.jpg"></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970217281822567665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3465430565912201895.post-28589089206005292422014-12-30T05:30:00.000-06:002014-12-29T15:22:13.844-06:00Meters That Use Light Versus Meters That Use ElectrodesI'm just beginning to understand the differences between meters that measure pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, and other components of water. The traditional meter measures light or color. For instance in the <a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secchi_disk" target="_blank">Secchi</a> scale, one drops a disk in the water until it just fades from view. What is measured is the length of line played out. The Secchi disk is easy to use by volunteers to monitor inland lakes (e.g., <a href="http://www.indiana.edu/~clp/volunteermonitoring.php" target="_blank">Indiana Clean Lakes Program</a>, and <a href="http://www.pca.state.mn.us/index.php/view-document.html?gid=6198]" target="_blank">Citizen Lake Monitoring Program in Minnesota</a>). A modification of that principle is used in the <a href="http://www.worldwatermonitoringday.org/TestKits.aspx" target="_blank">World Water Monitoring Challenge Test Kit</a> in which the distance is controlled by the depth of the container and the clarity of the water is compared to a standard chart. Charts are also used in the Kit for color comparisons when color-activating chemicals are added.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Modified Secchi Scale controls the depth and compares the clarity of the disc on the right to a standard shown on the card to the left. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Color spectrometry is used to calculate the pH value. The chart on the left is compared to the chemical-filled water sample on the right. </td></tr>
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Although the naked eye can do a good job of comparing standards to samples, there is error introduced from the light source and the human eye. Spectrometers are more accurate. Chemicals are available to colorize for many molecules contained in water (or soil). For instance, Phosphate and Nitrate amounts can be detected using appropriate chemicals and a spectrometer. An example of a spectrometer used to measure swimming pool water is the <a href="http://www.sensafe.com/idip/" target="_blank">eXact iDip</a>.<br />
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An alternative to measuring color through spectrometry is to measure electrical conductivity with a galvanometer and electrodes. Doing so requires specific electrodes and calculations, but not added chemicals. A simple device is the total dissolved solids meter (e.g., <a href="http://youtu.be/ecE9VoYzZl4" target="_blank">Dr. Meter TDS conductivity meter</a>). To learn more, read about <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ion_selective_electrode" target="_blank">ion selective electrodes on Wikipedia</a>. One advantage of using electrodes is the elimination of chemicals and color analysis. Another advantage is automation. For instance, an electrode-based probe can be connected to a smartphone to read, geolocate, calculated, store, and transmit automatically. For instance, <a href="http://www.sensorex.com/support/more/smart_aqua_meter_sam_1_introduction_video" target="_blank">Sensorex</a> makes a general smartphone interface for its probes and pH interface for iPhone (approximately $300). <a href="http://www.fondriest.com/ysi-prodss-multi-parameter-water-quality-meter.htm" target="_blank">YSI</a> has an interesting multi-electrode product that is portable [Meter ($1500), assembly ($1700), and sensors ($450-$1000].<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sensorex iPhone adaptor and probe.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970217281822567665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3465430565912201895.post-46146265263131535182014-12-23T12:01:00.000-06:002014-12-23T12:01:17.724-06:00A Lake Michigan Cruiser Takes to the LandBeth and I have been cruising on Lake Michigan for 8 seasons and have put about 8,000 miles on Speakeasy, mostly going from Chicago to Beaver Island, Michigan. In October, we got the chance to try a small motorhome for a weekend and since then have been to Bay Field on Lake Superior, Lake Winnebago, both in Wisconsin, Traverse Bay in Michigan, and Lake Eloise, where Cypress Gardens used to be in Florida. In a few months, we've traveled 4,000 miles. Our next land-cruising trip will be to Los Angeles via the great Southwest United States—another 4,000 miles. We'll have put as many miles on VERA in 6 months as we have on Speakeasy in 8 years.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beth, Mark, and Java before VERA in Winter Haven, FL</td></tr>
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We're so lucky that I have a generous brother who is willing to travel vicariously while he waits for more time off. It's his family's motorhome. The van is a Dodge Sprinter conversion by Winnebago. At 24-feet long, it is a perfect size for a couple with a dog. Like Speakeasy, it has a large berth for sleeping, comfortable salon seats, a salon table, galley, head, and fresh water. In addition, VERA has both heating and air conditioning. We're still learning about the land cruising world, but will share more along the way. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lakewood RV Resort in Hendersonville, NC is near Flat Rock where Carl Sandburg lived the last 2 decades of his life. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fort Clinch State Park on Amelia Island, FL is a wonderful beach park. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the old train station with old friend on Amelia Island, FL</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970217281822567665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3465430565912201895.post-22737263071886326602014-10-26T10:53:00.000-05:002014-10-28T12:48:56.660-05:00Cruising Down the RiverEach fall our crew takes Speakeasy from its mooring in Monroe Harbor, through the Chicago Lock, and down the Chicago River to Canal Street Marina. This fall we had a beautiful day—sunny and warm. I was greeted by a sunrise while on the tender to pick up Speakeasy at her mooring in Monroe Harbor. Tender Captain Mayre bid me a safe trip and pleasant off season as I stepped onto Speakeasy's deck. <div><br></div><div>Twenty minutes later, I had the mooring bridal and ball (can) cover aboard the swim platform and was headed to the pier at Columbia Yacht Club. After a quick wash of the cover, I began taking down the foresail when my crew arrived to assist. It was 8 am and we were scheduled to cross beneath the Lake Shore Drive lift bridge at 9, but first, we had to enter the Chicago Lock. The Lock divides the Lake Michigan-Huron basin from the Chicago River and, ultimately, the Mississippi River. <br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise on the increasingly empty Monroe Harbor.</td></tr>
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<br>The river has amazing views of Chicago architecture including Jeanne Gang's Aqua building [<a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aqua_(skyscraper)" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aqua_(skyscraper)</a>]<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">—the first skyscraper to have balconies that are safe for residents from wind gusts. </span></div><div><br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_lgwK2qL1nHHKkKcrZJFbf_SzSAxjfejtT4qTla-p9xi5ZFW2-b0wCb73WKaoR560yjTRNZPnctZFlkOdIzB2iJkNAP1LFDU34rFkoFPG-r5qzVqfA8Z49WtlPRwE7kXTCWyCEhNwH8/s1600/IMG_7408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_lgwK2qL1nHHKkKcrZJFbf_SzSAxjfejtT4qTla-p9xi5ZFW2-b0wCb73WKaoR560yjTRNZPnctZFlkOdIzB2iJkNAP1LFDU34rFkoFPG-r5qzVqfA8Z49WtlPRwE7kXTCWyCEhNwH8/s1600/IMG_7408.JPG" height="320" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skyscrapers along the Chicago River including one designed by Jeanne Gang in the background. </td></tr>
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<br>
A new feature of the river cruise this season was a barge that partially sank in the middle of the South Branch. During our trip, salvage barges were on either side of the troubled barge. Boat traffic had to line up single file to pass near the east bank. </div><div><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMSKVwA7NIyD8FxpGszURwxVDVFs0jjLx-8H9nOJLWKiHdxifv1KF88VrTFELOFFKF-XW4-f3tgPvemnT_8tKfNOVuYFSFl086mYriUA2R7vuj-x8_65DFey1ibkajlHBzIHgBOONX_Xc/s1600/IMG_7412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMSKVwA7NIyD8FxpGszURwxVDVFs0jjLx-8H9nOJLWKiHdxifv1KF88VrTFELOFFKF-XW4-f3tgPvemnT_8tKfNOVuYFSFl086mYriUA2R7vuj-x8_65DFey1ibkajlHBzIHgBOONX_Xc/s1600/IMG_7412.JPG" height="320" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barges on the South Branch, one of them sunken. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj66CIaorYRqvHfi0bozNFiIa7ceUCZ9CIHjcPCfEmM2J4CqquevxYQySSW6SerBGQiGfv3AmVsZJ8q_KLRylUnqyyB7fvGZfMQcUG1A-wFFCKiRG6AFM_im7Jx6abhWzM3mxMXGQSd8S8/s1600/IMG_7418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj66CIaorYRqvHfi0bozNFiIa7ceUCZ9CIHjcPCfEmM2J4CqquevxYQySSW6SerBGQiGfv3AmVsZJ8q_KLRylUnqyyB7fvGZfMQcUG1A-wFFCKiRG6AFM_im7Jx6abhWzM3mxMXGQSd8S8/s1600/IMG_7418.JPG" height="320" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helper barge on South Branch. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTwZH68dVdmzQQqz-K3eVYYY__iO29BisQc3ArMwwg4NPGC6sQobJb6tBMzD5CHqRV46ZtNKYqTy2-Em-nOLTKPZgcy7upqOTJZoIme87aLXpc0Tu6eg3MrBDB7Y7h4_gUilIQn4_tqo/s1600/IMG_7424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTwZH68dVdmzQQqz-K3eVYYY__iO29BisQc3ArMwwg4NPGC6sQobJb6tBMzD5CHqRV46ZtNKYqTy2-Em-nOLTKPZgcy7upqOTJZoIme87aLXpc0Tu6eg3MrBDB7Y7h4_gUilIQn4_tqo/s1600/IMG_7424.JPG" height="320" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Broken and sunken barge on South Branch. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1rNumv0S1esZgkPpJrbtRJyzXRTJeqwrn8v2UkDDznMpE5lqnXVJ0edWe7AuW28taBEDi95p8c0CV3idTSFJYtJRn-0n94HA7UxyFtftfGGxD-CUBx7px7ajPWfATKdOeWKMsxqaG7dI/s1600/IMG_7425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1rNumv0S1esZgkPpJrbtRJyzXRTJeqwrn8v2UkDDznMpE5lqnXVJ0edWe7AuW28taBEDi95p8c0CV3idTSFJYtJRn-0n94HA7UxyFtftfGGxD-CUBx7px7ajPWfATKdOeWKMsxqaG7dI/s1600/IMG_7425.JPG" height="320" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last sloop around the barges on the South Branch.</td></tr>
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<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br>Speakeasy was first in line at Canal Street Marina to be hauled out. Straps were place beneath her to hoist her up out of the river and over to land. Once overs land, Speakwasy was power washed and set on a trailer. <br><br><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiodjZ1kKY6YrCIcbSlVYyDs31_hdy4riSqUBcGLhh14okLdFuNB5HfXt1Csq1eAPK222puQVXb10v8NIbA6lB-TsV6-WUHSAhKU0YssRqgRh-NVBcxq3swzupkdqUTqwvutGt-zKS9QRc/s1600/IMG_7452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiodjZ1kKY6YrCIcbSlVYyDs31_hdy4riSqUBcGLhh14okLdFuNB5HfXt1Csq1eAPK222puQVXb10v8NIbA6lB-TsV6-WUHSAhKU0YssRqgRh-NVBcxq3swzupkdqUTqwvutGt-zKS9QRc/s1600/IMG_7452.JPG" height="240" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speakeasy getting a wash down at the Canal Street Marina. </td></tr>
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<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;">The trailer was pushed into place near other boats for the winter. Shortly thereafter, I prepared her for a cold winter by changing oil, conditioning fuel, and winterizing the engine and water systems. <br><br><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigUTDopjZLw204Qd51AfuI246HIwOU8AaL3Gmehu_geTxbFYAQnNlZiV8U3-0kITd2dHjkI7PqDKPP7I41OMq1sCnWptOsESN9cMnMPfcp6Vt-O5JurMK4ZSqUMoxRDAxJ_yGUCoNcvNY/s1600/IMG_7459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigUTDopjZLw204Qd51AfuI246HIwOU8AaL3Gmehu_geTxbFYAQnNlZiV8U3-0kITd2dHjkI7PqDKPP7I41OMq1sCnWptOsESN9cMnMPfcp6Vt-O5JurMK4ZSqUMoxRDAxJ_yGUCoNcvNY/s1600/IMG_7459.JPG" height="240" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speakeasy's winter resting place at Canal Street Marina. </td></tr>
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<br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970217281822567665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3465430565912201895.post-52189656095723624082014-10-22T12:48:00.003-05:002014-10-22T16:45:52.901-05:00World Water Monitoring Challenge in Northern Lakes<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3b7lWXLO8ym2aX_99GzqThJvXZI4xGhaqc-1Nb_SO6D3vd8ZnQ2xSforaBk8q8hPPjzwtlzVI7puVuuzDBB4c35V1W2_fM_mX3zogSKb4nFAoQ4sFM9VkSBMksLrOo7OFUmL0B4KFHm4/s640/blogger-image--979384399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3b7lWXLO8ym2aX_99GzqThJvXZI4xGhaqc-1Nb_SO6D3vd8ZnQ2xSforaBk8q8hPPjzwtlzVI7puVuuzDBB4c35V1W2_fM_mX3zogSKb4nFAoQ4sFM9VkSBMksLrOo7OFUmL0B4KFHm4/s640/blogger-image--979384399.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boat launch at High Cliff State Park on Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin. </td></tr>
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I have had the <a href="http://www.worldwatermonitoringday.org/" target="_blank">World Water Monitoring Kit</a> for a few weeks now and have collected water samples from my local harbor in Chicago and three lakes in Wisconsin including a very small (Clear) and very large lake (Superior). The activity is fun and gives me the opportunity to talk about the local water and how temperature, turbidity, pH, and dissolved oxygen affect water quality. I keep my data in the kit's notebook and transfer it to the World Water Monitoring Challenge database and a spreadsheet that I keep. In general, the northern lakes are a little more acidic and less turbid than our local harbor on Lake Michigan in Chicago (see Chart).<br />
<h4>
Chart 1: World Water Monitoring Challenge Data Collection<img src="webkit-fake-url://bf1e9b6e-a653-41f0-acdb-bb07994656b0/image.tiff" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrublgAQVoDZZ9xJVai1CK6BaQ-cw1dQTP09DXXiVH8NTl_xpXVMvrwmj5QnRXYXoRgelUwQD9UDco5g_6jx-hDDXg_JxDDI1Zrj77rUUU48xJIhu52QW-mYhyphenhyphenWzqJbxThjc0E2FTYyo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-10-22+at+4.43.17+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrublgAQVoDZZ9xJVai1CK6BaQ-cw1dQTP09DXXiVH8NTl_xpXVMvrwmj5QnRXYXoRgelUwQD9UDco5g_6jx-hDDXg_JxDDI1Zrj77rUUU48xJIhu52QW-mYhyphenhyphenWzqJbxThjc0E2FTYyo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-10-22+at+4.43.17+PM.png" /></a></h4>
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<h2>
The Lakes</h2>
<h3>
Clear Lake in Hayward Wisconsin</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQkcDBLxoX446zS3be3TejqWAfXwxe265uiVrpdi3vnZzpxRRL09SgVMqAQjYmUNsh9lGiJ8LvhCOyJ5NLhfF40iuFX8OJ_0096s5N5L_Lkoe-wDJk5alin421uOI1bg8rp3R2_43mXU/s1600/IMG_7176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQkcDBLxoX446zS3be3TejqWAfXwxe265uiVrpdi3vnZzpxRRL09SgVMqAQjYmUNsh9lGiJ8LvhCOyJ5NLhfF40iuFX8OJ_0096s5N5L_Lkoe-wDJk5alin421uOI1bg8rp3R2_43mXU/s1600/IMG_7176.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clear Lake near Hayward, Wisconsin. </td></tr>
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Clear Lake is part of the Spider Lake chain of lakes near Hayward in northern <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Wisconsin. In the late 19th century, Hayward was a lumber area where camps of lumberjacks lived and worked at cutting and removing trees from the forest. Once the best trees were cut, which took only about a decade, the land was </span>sold to immigrants as farmland, <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">abandoned (some of which was transformed into the</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 17.136001586914063px;">Chequamegon</span> National Forest</span></i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">), or transformed into vacation resorts and homes for urban dwellers. Today, Clear Lake has a couple dozen personal dwellings, a golf course, and a boys camp on its shore. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKRiJCnp1CXapLaDusFS5rxJLlxbdXiKBZ6GbHdraexcKD9UCntXNG-I8SPc_zPtbR8HDMwlYUuz5s5H5ygmgIjJUTsDWNzeq7dCfHny6XIrdNlIk0_ST-lgxIVqbYSgABlrAkZLeqmB0/s1600/IMG_7204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKRiJCnp1CXapLaDusFS5rxJLlxbdXiKBZ6GbHdraexcKD9UCntXNG-I8SPc_zPtbR8HDMwlYUuz5s5H5ygmgIjJUTsDWNzeq7dCfHny6XIrdNlIk0_ST-lgxIVqbYSgABlrAkZLeqmB0/s1600/IMG_7204.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A cut area where previously a forest stood. Photo at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center in Ashland, Wisconsin. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLb4CZ_p1zjHnOKCpxm2dBYXrgggidQqwxJDrTYXNKpHtkGuF1puJwRKiUmxUNu42qKbuhKAL5wGEKJQ4_ov43VRPTn89RrR4FiEqsAPfa0r_IxntFEagU0FkneQJPxEeO4L9XenYVUbY/s640/blogger-image--203824328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLb4CZ_p1zjHnOKCpxm2dBYXrgggidQqwxJDrTYXNKpHtkGuF1puJwRKiUmxUNu42qKbuhKAL5wGEKJQ4_ov43VRPTn89RrR4FiEqsAPfa0r_IxntFEagU0FkneQJPxEeO4L9XenYVUbY/s640/blogger-image--203824328.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clear Lake is a small shallow lake near Hayward Wisconsin. A water sample was taken close to shore near the deepest part of the lake—about 6 meters. </td></tr>
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<h3>
Lake Superior at Bayfield, WI</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsdxJFt4LsBNc3ogr1vL8VHyNhREbv55_e_qDOvDp3C28ksu1KrdUCO7L_CoYrQPqWeE0rpSiqqNzTWI28cyHeVKvd5ja_JAW4B4J8eEFoigGNZzcNTNlcXTYf10Y7y7-eZbn-9dfA2E/s1600/IMG_7226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsdxJFt4LsBNc3ogr1vL8VHyNhREbv55_e_qDOvDp3C28ksu1KrdUCO7L_CoYrQPqWeE0rpSiqqNzTWI28cyHeVKvd5ja_JAW4B4J8eEFoigGNZzcNTNlcXTYf10Y7y7-eZbn-9dfA2E/s1600/IMG_7226.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise over Madeline Island from the Dalrymple Campground in <br />
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Bayfield, Wisconsin. </div>
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Dalrymple Park Campground is operated by the city of Bayfield, Winsconsin and located just north of the city. Campsites are available for rustic packing in or plugging in recreational vehicles. All sites are near Lake Superior and the Apostle Islands.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2WooI4q2Jjvrj-QeuHNkcZCKQ40IiBIjsKrfPG6sDcTRGdCPyTWnLz-9pX9OZCvfXNyUkCYRV0DCuCQqGC3NbULwOBUfuqCqmQ4XJMfXwjsNPiR0VExLKKFN9wenVG0VAXI1meClG-c4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-10-20+at+11.26.11+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2WooI4q2Jjvrj-QeuHNkcZCKQ40IiBIjsKrfPG6sDcTRGdCPyTWnLz-9pX9OZCvfXNyUkCYRV0DCuCQqGC3NbULwOBUfuqCqmQ4XJMfXwjsNPiR0VExLKKFN9wenVG0VAXI1meClG-c4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-10-20+at+11.26.11+AM.png" height="498" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dalrymple Campground, Bayfield Wisconsin is on Lake Superior with a view of Madeline Island.<br />
A water sample was taken from the shore of the campground.<br />
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<h3>
Lake Winnebago at High Cliff State Park in Wisconsin</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8l_2o5oOZrqXtXjK0cZfaikZ6IJUgdyeq4FNF4AI3jWHFkypuv5b7z-nBtuCbAKzyF60Celo6LdvN_QGV2rebg7qnlYhV-U1V5wKdk1M2TD43CGbig6lkL-9KV1ErVqakaIlXhcF_SkQ/s1600/IMG_7241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8l_2o5oOZrqXtXjK0cZfaikZ6IJUgdyeq4FNF4AI3jWHFkypuv5b7z-nBtuCbAKzyF60Celo6LdvN_QGV2rebg7qnlYhV-U1V5wKdk1M2TD43CGbig6lkL-9KV1ErVqakaIlXhcF_SkQ/s1600/IMG_7241.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cliff above Lake Winnebago shows a crevice <br />
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a few meters from its face. </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
High Cliff State Park was created from an abandoned lime kiln that had been in operation from the 19th century to its closing in 1956. High Cliff (a.k.a., Clifton) was named after the limestone cliff, a prominent feature in the northwest corner of Lake Winnebago. The park features camping, hiking, swimming and other water sports including a marina. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXZ0NIsVaPjm8FLQ4y0geTMjXNfjlco5GvQiMkQ9Z3n-VWKCoqXQhyZiehwskC5j2-olVugJKbgLpRbb2SMTaSvxQbZJqEC98RSdhlewYCfJCQRCTFEVCkuOpwozhDJobJo1dKiTZHas/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-10-20+at+11.31.23+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXZ0NIsVaPjm8FLQ4y0geTMjXNfjlco5GvQiMkQ9Z3n-VWKCoqXQhyZiehwskC5j2-olVugJKbgLpRbb2SMTaSvxQbZJqEC98RSdhlewYCfJCQRCTFEVCkuOpwozhDJobJo1dKiTZHas/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-10-20+at+11.31.23+AM.png" height="432" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The marina at High Cliff State Park is on Lake Winnebago, which is part of the Fox River watershed and home to ancient sturgeon. A water sample was taken from the end of the boat launch ramp. </td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970217281822567665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3465430565912201895.post-45229327268328302092014-10-15T16:43:00.000-05:002014-10-20T08:33:00.270-05:00Sailing the Dalmatian Coast of CroatiaThe guys were talking enthusiastically about the 53-foot-long sloop that Peter had chartered. It had everything—four rooms each with its own head, duel helms, and electric winches. "It even has bow thrusters," Peter shouted over the traffic noise. "Bowel thrusters! What's that?" asked Jill from the furthest seat back. Immediately, everyone broke into wild laughter and did again several times per day for the next week as we imagined what "bowel thrusters" might be.<br />
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Thus began our magical week sailing along the coast and islands of the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vis Luka (harbor). Views like this one was why we came to the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia. </td></tr>
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In early September, 2014, a group of three couples sailed a Jeanneau 53 named Trinity to the islands of the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia. We flew to Split and sailed out of Marina Kremic. One of the crew, Peter, had sailed the Dalmatian Coast previously and chartered our sloop for us, which made the trip very easy. Beth and I flew from Chicago to Geneva through Zurich to meet the rest of the crew before we flew to Split. Our sailing itinerary took us from Kremik to Primosten, Maslinica, Vis City, Budakovac (also off of Vis), Palmizana, and Necujem. We also toured via taxi the UNESCO Hertitage Sites of Trogir and Diacletian's Palace in Split.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Captain's Log from September 6 to September 12, 2014</td></tr>
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<b>Itinerary </b></div>
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Saturday: Our group flew from Geneva to Split on EasyJet and took a taxi to <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3qGKoj4SnFscUgwa1NGX2FDN2M/view?usp=sharing" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Marina Kremik</a> where we met our <a href="http://www.jeanneau.com/boats/jeanneau-53.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jeanneau 53 </a>sloop, which we sailed a short distance to <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3qGKoj4SnFsUENHTnlRRVp1aGM/view?usp=sharing" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Primosten</a> to spend the night swinging on a mooring ball and enjoying the ancient city.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trinty had plenty of room, two wheels, electric winches, thrusters, solar panels, four state rooms, and four heads. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The peninsula of Primosten was a beautiful introduction to Dalmatia. We dine on fresh fish and walked to the church at the top of the hill.<br />
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Sunday: From Primosten, we had a leisurely day in light wind to the beautiful harbor of <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3qGKoj4SnFsRGV2Sms0TExTNzg/view?usp=sharing" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Maslinica</a> on the island of Solta. We arrived at rush hour in the late afternoon. Boats were lined up for 3 hours backing into the quay. Only one of our crew had every moored in this manner before and it showed. Other crew made it look so easy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--QPg3RlJ81Y/VD6WLiAII5I/AAAAAAAAZeQ/FAYK92LrxII/s1600/IMG_6640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--QPg3RlJ81Y/VD6WLiAII5I/AAAAAAAAZeQ/FAYK92LrxII/s1600/IMG_6640.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from Tinity's cockpit while moored in Maslinica. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKIVRCfzjBk/VD6WGUUwSoI/AAAAAAAAZeE/FhrWBkkJI34/s1600/IMG_6648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKIVRCfzjBk/VD6WGUUwSoI/AAAAAAAAZeE/FhrWBkkJI34/s1600/IMG_6648.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nearly all of these boats and many others arrived in the late afternoon at Maslinica, our introduction to Med Mooring. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KaoIOCgGWAg/VD6V49M_93I/AAAAAAAAZdY/yFz4xsZ4poY/s1600/IMG_6654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KaoIOCgGWAg/VD6V49M_93I/AAAAAAAAZdY/yFz4xsZ4poY/s1600/IMG_6654.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Each harbor had fresh food and lovely surroundings and views. This restaurant in Maslinica was named after bats: Sakajet. </td></tr>
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Monday: From Maslinica, we sailed to the large and ancient port of <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3qGKoj4SnFsNnVqbGVwa1lRR1U/view?usp=sharing" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Vis</a> where we picked up a mooring ball near a popular restaurant. We didn't realize the wonderful antiquities we would see in Vis Grad.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nWeJSpQmxA0/VD6WCl-UQuI/AAAAAAAAZd0/Igu83FD-Xh0/s1600/IMG_6683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nWeJSpQmxA0/VD6WCl-UQuI/AAAAAAAAZd0/Igu83FD-Xh0/s1600/IMG_6683.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 16th Century Church of St. Jerome was built from the remains of a Roman theater on a small peninsula in Vis harbor. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JOpwd2ippCE/VD6VRBSIl8I/AAAAAAAAZbo/Xyx3GlZv9Ck/s1600/IMG_6684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JOpwd2ippCE/VD6VRBSIl8I/AAAAAAAAZbo/Xyx3GlZv9Ck/s1600/IMG_6684.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beth takes pictures of the beautiful harbor in Vis. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fRhXo1r7_3Q/VD6Vp_jyEEI/AAAAAAAAZck/aPHg9_QFFvE/s1600/IMG_6703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fRhXo1r7_3Q/VD6Vp_jyEEI/AAAAAAAAZck/aPHg9_QFFvE/s1600/IMG_6703.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beth met a biking nun at the door of the 16th Century Palace Gariboldi in Vis. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">16th Century Church of Our Lady of Spilice in Vis. </td></tr>
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Tuesday: From Vis harbor, we sailed around the island to the Blue Caves and then further around to <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3qGKoj4SnFsNmZBblZGZ05IYjg/view?usp=sharing" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Budakovac</a> where we picked up another mooring ball. We took the dinghy into the cave to see the amazing blue light reflecting up from beneath the surface. Budakovac was both beautiful and rustic and became a favorite spot.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OSPRjecomQo/VD6VTRqJUoI/AAAAAAAAZbw/VWupxqvLfDk/s1600/IMG_6718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OSPRjecomQo/VD6VTRqJUoI/AAAAAAAAZbw/VWupxqvLfDk/s1600/IMG_6718.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset at Budakovac, one of our favorite spots. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beth relaxes in Trinity's cockpit at Budakovac. </td></tr>
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Wednesday: We sailed north to the island of St. Klement off the big island of Hvar to <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3qGKoj4SnFsd2pxNWtoVk5Uenc/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Palmazana</a> harbor. St. Klement has many small inlets surrounding the island where boats may anchor alone, but the larger Palmazana harbor features restaurants and resorts, which we didn't want to miss.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5YJDGt9_ILw/VD6VsbEhqlI/AAAAAAAAZco/HHPwlClOZSQ/s1600/IMG_6746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5YJDGt9_ILw/VD6VsbEhqlI/AAAAAAAAZco/HHPwlClOZSQ/s1600/IMG_6746.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Signs for three restaurants near Palmazana. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZssP3zzJlJ8/VD6VQ-MzNiI/AAAAAAAAZbk/2_uS64F2atE/s1600/IMG_6781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZssP3zzJlJ8/VD6VQ-MzNiI/AAAAAAAAZbk/2_uS64F2atE/s1600/IMG_6781.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beth at the helm leaving Palmazana. </td></tr>
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Thursday: We left Palmazana in unstable weather and had to duck into the large anchorage of <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3qGKoj4SnFsTzF5Z1VPRzdsSUk/view?usp=sharing" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Necujem</a> at the end of the day. We waited out a squall and scouted good anchor ground before putting down our anchor in a picturesque spot. The weather cleared just before sunset. Two of us rowed the dinghy to a taverna for their special risotto and brought it back to the hungry crew. We never tasted such good risotto. In the morning, we saw a Dalmatian riding in the bow of a dinghy. A good omen, we thought.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pV6ihPTisc4/VD6VJS6VKHI/AAAAAAAAZbM/lEkaLK9vrj4/s1600/IMG_6665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pV6ihPTisc4/VD6VJS6VKHI/AAAAAAAAZbM/lEkaLK9vrj4/s1600/IMG_6665.jpg" height="128" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone read.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had plenty of time to read. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1hheuAD8UjA/VD6VxFeNUrI/AAAAAAAAZdA/SU4_zCJ8mUk/s1600/IMG_9346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1hheuAD8UjA/VD6VxFeNUrI/AAAAAAAAZdA/SU4_zCJ8mUk/s1600/IMG_9346.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Dalmatian rides the bow of a dinghy past Trinity and our cameras. A good omen, we thought as we prepared to leave Necujem for our home port, Kremic. </td></tr>
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Friday: From Necujem, we motor-sailed to our home port of Kremik where we got fuel and prepared to check in the next morning. In the late afternoon, we took a taxi to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trogir" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Trogir</a>, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U5r_Zhw5lok/VD6VgB2rPwI/AAAAAAAAZcU/-NHAo3OlPBs/s1600/IMG_9355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U5r_Zhw5lok/VD6VgB2rPwI/AAAAAAAAZcU/-NHAo3OlPBs/s1600/IMG_9355.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Marina Kremik, the line for the fuel dock was an hour. We were glad to have thrusters against the growing breeze. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A short taxi ride took us to the walls of Trogir and another fine dinner, this time in the pouring rain. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the hotels along the quay in Trogir. </td></tr>
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Saturday: We checked Trinity into the charter company and took a taxi to Split to see <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diocletian's_Palace" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Diocletian's Palace,</a> which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Later that afternoon, we left Split for Geneva<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beth hams it up with the Roman actors in Diocletian's Palace, Split. <span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; white-space: nowrap;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Church at Diocletian's Palace, Split. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hotel on the quay in Split. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beth tries out her Croatian on the clerk at the fruit stand in Split. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36zQ1RY7f-t0l_4xu-JvpX7aUJf-QFhsG4YclCY3m_ezss1KVWY7hJasgbTqltSusnp8XRHVFUqXrIicYjcZRCQT0Qqs3mVMdAoHfeETTMpmfknV4EyWbwnGk-LzA4hsrKX38kWX8QAM/s640/blogger-image-1393658323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36zQ1RY7f-t0l_4xu-JvpX7aUJf-QFhsG4YclCY3m_ezss1KVWY7hJasgbTqltSusnp8XRHVFUqXrIicYjcZRCQT0Qqs3mVMdAoHfeETTMpmfknV4EyWbwnGk-LzA4hsrKX38kWX8QAM/s640/blogger-image-1393658323.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The islands near Split on the Dalmatian Coast, Croatia. </td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970217281822567665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3465430565912201895.post-12441322144193928262014-10-09T15:25:00.000-05:002014-10-09T15:25:24.892-05:00World Water Monitoring ChallengeIn 2013 there were 180,000 data entries from 51 counties. Data collection continues throughout the year so get your kit a start monitoring your water.<br /><div>
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World Water Monitoring Challenge™ (WWMC) is an international education and outreach program that builds public awareness and involvement in protecting water resources around the world by engaging citizens to conduct basic monitoring of their local waterbodies. </blockquote>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #404040; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4;">I just got my World Water Monitoring Challenge kit and began testing the water in the local harbor: Monroe Harbor, Chicago IL. </span></td></tr>
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See what's inside the kit: <a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/+MarkGillinghamWater/albums/6067874736204364865/6067874742303902322?pid=6067874742303902322&oid=110207741356527154922&authkey=CNWZusnXjcj1Cg">slide show</a>.<br />
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The kit contains everything one needs to monitor four parameters of water including temperature, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, and pH. The kit is suitable for children and adults. <a href="http://www.worldwatermonitoringday.org/Guides_Lesson_Plans.aspx">Teacher guides and lesson plans</a> are available in English and Spanish. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970217281822567665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3465430565912201895.post-5476753176384795072014-09-23T10:36:00.002-05:002014-09-23T10:36:41.917-05:00Driving a Water Cab<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj719UrdvNdHgv7cH8eOCiAoDWFTegEVwneA7AYGJKihcdQTuR824bGCR2skb-8LfUCSc3N9ZpZRegyWjTTDNTrDrZ8HdFH-5qMuiY_W78iM2VXCv6hGiEaq7Bl93VBmSqrhMxqb_3F8IA/s400/Great+Loop+08-15-10+126+Large+Web+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj719UrdvNdHgv7cH8eOCiAoDWFTegEVwneA7AYGJKihcdQTuR824bGCR2skb-8LfUCSc3N9ZpZRegyWjTTDNTrDrZ8HdFH-5qMuiY_W78iM2VXCv6hGiEaq7Bl93VBmSqrhMxqb_3F8IA/s400/Great+Loop+08-15-10+126+Large+Web+view.jpg" height="235" width="320" /></a></div>
Cab drivers are ubiquitous. They come from around the world and each has a story. Some are willing to tell theirs. For instance, on a sub-zero night in Madison, WI, a drive with a PHD in physics came into a dark bar to retrieve us so we needn't huddle outside in the cold. Drivers work hard as documented by the driver from Bangladesh who had saved enough to buy a second cab medallion at a tens-of-thousands-of-dollars each.<br />
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I recently signed-up to be one of the drivers for the tender service at Monroe Harbor in Chicago. During my 4 days of training I got to know the other drivers. Each had a rich story of how they got to be cab drivers on the water. Retirement or summer work were only part of their stories. The drivers had rich and varied backgrounds. Some were poets, actors, engineers, fathers, beach bums, educators, and philosophers. A great environment in which to tell stories between rides. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970217281822567665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3465430565912201895.post-88468123584218804842014-09-02T10:54:00.000-05:002014-09-23T10:55:01.329-05:00Solar Panel On Stern Pulpit<div class="mobile-photo">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAyV9DPFxeTwP-y7-mFAZH_PiGUTRw1rTjt6X0culLOdwwOLw_1uqVqX1h0JThPoc3HslJppTdxUBz5JTZzoVNRkHqO034aPD-6Ac7cw0EZGYsj-uG-FFsi4KKFA6Ho_DnceHXh4CS8o/s1600/photo-704986.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Photovoltaic Panel On Stern Pulpit" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAyV9DPFxeTwP-y7-mFAZH_PiGUTRw1rTjt6X0culLOdwwOLw_1uqVqX1h0JThPoc3HslJppTdxUBz5JTZzoVNRkHqO034aPD-6Ac7cw0EZGYsj-uG-FFsi4KKFA6Ho_DnceHXh4CS8o/s320/photo-704986.JPG" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6044051953530105282" title="Photovoltaic Panel On Stern Pulpit" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PV panel hung on the stern pulpit of Speakeasy.</td></tr>
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After stringing wire and installing the controller and battery monitor, I thought installing the photovoltaic (PV, solar) panel would be a breeze. This has not been the case at all. My first mistake was thinking that a single bar would support the panel, which is over 30 pounds and it's dimensions are nearly 3' by 5'. I had Sterling (Sterling Sails) create a bar made of 1" stainless steel that spanned the aft Bimini from starboard to port. Brian, our club's dock master, and I attached the panel to this bar and judged it "too floppy" to be trusted in wind and waves. We removed the panel and stowed it in the salon for a month while we sailed around Lake Michigan. </div>
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While out on the Lake, I saw a few PV panels affixed to Bimini stanchions and in all cases two bars were used. I needed to go back to Sterling. I also did some web browsing and noticed that a <a href="http://smallboatprojects.blogspot.com/2011/01/locked-in-position.html" target="_blank">New Zealand sailor</a> kept his panel on his side rail, which allowed him to bring the panel in close during poor weather and to angle the panel toward the sun during better conditions. I also saw this arrangement on a sloop in Marina Kremic, Croatia. This got me thinking about placing the panel on the stern pulpit, which is the only rail wide enough to hold the 5' long panel.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I saw PV panels on a boat in Croatia similar to this setup.</td></tr>
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The benefits of having the panel lower is that it catches less wind and can be removed more easily than atop the Bimini. The issues include access to the ladder and swim platform, which is a matter of safety. Borrowing from the New Zealand sailor! I added two quick-release plastic hangers near the side of the panel and began to fashion an angle adjuster made from a marine antennae adjuster affixed to a vertical bar made of PVC similar to the one the New Zealander made. I also attached two sail ties from the bimini structure above the panel secured to the Bimini structure. These two points of contact seemed to add more support than the single bar made from the PVC and antennae adjuster. </div>
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When the panel is parallel to the water, the ladder can be raised and lowered and one can duck under the panel to reach the swim platform. This is a good solution when we leave the boat unattended for days or weeks. However, when actively sailing, I'd rather have the panel out of the way above the Bimini. So, Sterling will have to add another bar up top.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical PV panel hung on davits.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Each PV panel is hung from a single rigid bar.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970217281822567665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3465430565912201895.post-43732720612474446522014-08-27T11:27:00.000-05:002014-08-27T11:27:05.365-05:00What if Water Quality Testing Were Easier?Although we are very dependent on abundant clean water, we only test the quality of our water in a relatively few places and few times. Mostly, we rely on local and national government agencies (e.g., water treatment facilities, EPA). Hach of Boulder Colorado realized that if testing were easier and could be done in less time, more tests would be taken. That's why Hach's new water tester is a big win for clean water.<br />
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Take a look at <a href="http://hachppa.com/video/HachPPA-Overview.mp4" target="_blank">Hach's video</a> portraying the old (30 minutes) and new (8 minutes) way to test water.<br />
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Sometime in the near future, citizen scientists will be able to take high-quality measurements of nearby water sources and provide this data to a global database. We will know quickly where the hot spots are and be able to take action before pollution is out of control.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970217281822567665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3465430565912201895.post-12394960651419942412014-08-12T11:29:00.002-05:002014-08-12T11:29:57.328-05:00It's not just Lake Erie that's dying. <div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://eoimages.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/imagerecords/84000/84125/LakeErieBloom_amo_2014215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://eoimages.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/imagerecords/84000/84125/LakeErieBloom_amo_2014215.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from NOAA, August 3, 2014</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What's being done to protect Lake Erie from Phosphorus runoff? Nothing official although some individual farmers set aside about 3% of their land to create a runoff buffer. The rights of the millions who drink Lake Erie water are pitted against the rights of landowners to do what they wish. Actually, what most farmer's wish is that the nutrients would stay on their land and not run off, but preventing runoff has different solutions and different properties and always involves costs. The consequence of this laissez faire policy is a nearly dead Lake Erie along with hundreds of smaller lakes throughout the Country. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In the 1970s detergent manufacturers were compelled to remove phosphorus from their products, which over a decade brought Lake Erie back to health. Since then, however, the runoff from unregulated farms has driven the lake back to the brink. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jy_wYM1uM9P4_90zICZOdy8CuwPVyQbzBlNlejYrmtMrNQbkd2wLYSi6eK5UjMmavy1uQixWIAUKGJQg7U-MYDz7iJEtsM2BmNFt_ODoMRluu1B-kzKABxajubhf0ZyTD6M5yJQfTiE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-08-12+at+11.25.26+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jy_wYM1uM9P4_90zICZOdy8CuwPVyQbzBlNlejYrmtMrNQbkd2wLYSi6eK5UjMmavy1uQixWIAUKGJQg7U-MYDz7iJEtsM2BmNFt_ODoMRluu1B-kzKABxajubhf0ZyTD6M5yJQfTiE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-08-12+at+11.25.26+AM.png" height="259" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff Reutter, Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">"Flooded by tides of phosphorus washed from fertilized farms, cattle feedlots and leaky septic systems, the most intensely developed of the Great Lakes is increasingly being choked each summer by thick mats of algae, much of it poisonous." </span><span style="font-size: small;"></span>For more information read <a href="http://nyti.ms/1osw9ND" target="_blank">Behind Toledo's Water Crisis.</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://ohioseagrant.osu.edu/news/?article=697" target="_blank">Ohio Sea Grant recommends</a> that each contributor reduce their phosphorus output by 40%. This would have a similar effect to that of removing phosphorus from detergent and bring Lake Erie back to life and protect drinking water and the lake's ecosystem. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Pollution concerns persist about tides of phosphorus in the Great Lakes and in waterways across the United States.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970217281822567665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3465430565912201895.post-83802727919276080172014-08-05T11:20:00.000-05:002014-09-23T11:20:49.121-05:00Port Washington Power<span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);"><b style="background-image: none; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Port Washington Light (right-center) and Generating Station (far left). </td></tr>
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Port Washington Generating Station</b><span style="background-image: none; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> i</span>s an intermediate-load, <a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_gas" style="background-image: none; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Natural gas">natural gas</a>-fired, <a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_power" style="background-image: none; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Electric power">electrical</a> <a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_station" style="background-image: none; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Power station">power station</a> located on <a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Michigan" style="background-image: none; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Lake Michigan">Lake Michigan</a> in <a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Washington,_Wisconsin" style="background-image: none; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Port Washington, Wisconsin">Port Washington, Wisconsin</a>. The natural gas facility replaced an older coal-fired station in the early 2000s. In time, this plant may be retired or converted once again to an even less polluting source of power. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnKPWxj4yzbsztVJRiKDtM3-xHI-xlQ9gT2-Jv1pUx_G1TJNz6f0du8EqH2PYlNT_N4uUBpo4yC0XG1-71ksJaGJUGypWMgKsLaubaxy2-iPrA-WNtBSiOzFxwswuYB7uqNJbiBy_khE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-09-23+at+11.13.01+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnKPWxj4yzbsztVJRiKDtM3-xHI-xlQ9gT2-Jv1pUx_G1TJNz6f0du8EqH2PYlNT_N4uUBpo4yC0XG1-71ksJaGJUGypWMgKsLaubaxy2-iPrA-WNtBSiOzFxwswuYB7uqNJbiBy_khE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-09-23+at+11.13.01+AM.png" height="163" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.we-energies.com/home/pwgs.pdf" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">https://www.we-energies.com/home/pwgs.pdf</a></td></tr>
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<a href="https://www.asme.org/getmedia/848eba0a-e66f-47b5-8cc8-6de3c8e2936b/51-Port-Washington-Power-Plant.aspx">Initially constructed during the depression </a>(1930-1935) to supply power to the growing needs of Milwaukee. It burned pulverized coal until 2000 when it was shut and converted to natural gas. Two turbines are online (2003 and 2005). <a href="http://www.energyjustice.net/map/displayfacility-65832.htm">These turbines produces as much CO2 each day as 50-thousand people</a>. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970217281822567665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3465430565912201895.post-52832157841769913232014-08-04T09:59:00.000-05:002014-08-04T09:59:19.593-05:00The Long Curve<span id="goog_860613194"></span><span id="goog_860613195"></span><br />
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We usually think of going from point A to point B in a Cartesian manner: a straight line. Sailboats are not so linear even with all of their electronic navigation gear. As Beth and I set out for Washington Island, WI from Beaver Island, MI we'd hoped for a Southeast wind and a beam reach. What we got was wind that was slightly west of south, which put Speakeasy on a very close haul, which it does poorly and with our regret due to the uncomfortable ride.<br />
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I determined from a wind map based on NOAA data that the wind would become more southerly as the day wore on so after a conference with the sleepy crew, we decided to set the auto helm to 30 degrees apparent and let the boat follow the changing wind. When locked into the wind rather than a compass point, the auto helm keeps the boat pointed toward a particular angle to the wind direction. If the wind did not change for the better, we would end up on the shore of the Garden Peninsula rather than Rock Island and Washington Island, which are south of it. </div>
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Fortunately, NOAA had predicted the wind shift accurately and our track followed this bow curve toward our intended destination. In the following image, the blue triangle represents Speakeasy current location and direction. The grey dashed lines behind the triangle represent the actual locations in the past. Notice that this dashed line has curved toward the southwest as NOAA predicted.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Qf1m8H8DWCeB-aVSSveDJmXs1HSWB_BLOFo-yfBCfFTDaZyaK3yukLQwPLd0tEsW0AV5hASJhUt02U7VlM2ybYX0cc_6WFCdK5RrghjYdnPWlS4JjMFtbNIwPA-G5QqNDq_xjwOnRss/s1600/IMG_5888.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Qf1m8H8DWCeB-aVSSveDJmXs1HSWB_BLOFo-yfBCfFTDaZyaK3yukLQwPLd0tEsW0AV5hASJhUt02U7VlM2ybYX0cc_6WFCdK5RrghjYdnPWlS4JjMFtbNIwPA-G5QqNDq_xjwOnRss/s1600/IMG_5888.PNG" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970217281822567665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3465430565912201895.post-29147014642762857962014-07-31T10:05:00.000-05:002014-08-04T10:05:41.401-05:00Going Home<div class="mobile-photo">
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We've been aboard Speakeasy for 30 days and look forward to sleeping in our "big" bed tonight. Java seems happy enough, but she may be happier in her cot at home too. Sampling the hedonistic pleasures of the Lake shore in Michigan and Wisconsin has been a fun adventure. We can't see a beautiful sunset in Michigan without ice cream (Beth's favorite is French Silk) and Java can't go by a boat ramp without walking down into the water followed by a fast run around. We thoroughly enjoyed our month-long sail.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfcQuqV7XyVJfxkHbJlDZDXSxWPuv7yhDdPwYkcrxeVwlia68UHrLr6-QsiSIyQK64I-obZ8xtnTnEjrUTtqMjjqpxjHc8Rwqdhi5V9LOBGxswBXEZyBdtLDQ9aVsMB-HCR3zJyc4X8VY/s1600/IMG_0303-715622.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfcQuqV7XyVJfxkHbJlDZDXSxWPuv7yhDdPwYkcrxeVwlia68UHrLr6-QsiSIyQK64I-obZ8xtnTnEjrUTtqMjjqpxjHc8Rwqdhi5V9LOBGxswBXEZyBdtLDQ9aVsMB-HCR3zJyc4X8VY/s320/IMG_0303-715622.JPG" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6042241667313813330" /></a></div>
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The Lake is also an historical marker of what has been before from large pleasure liners ferrying tourist from Chicago and Milwaukee to lighthouses and power generation plants. The latter make use of the cold water for cooling and water shipping lanes for coal. Some of the coal plants have been converted to gas (e.g., Port Washington) or nuclear (Zion) years ago. I can imagine how things used to be and see how they are. In the future, we will need to take more care of our Lake to remove the corrosive effects of algae blooms and toxic chemicals. After all, the Lake is our fresh water source as well as a source of great pleasure. </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970217281822567665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3465430565912201895.post-4559762123392403662014-07-29T10:57:00.000-05:002014-09-23T10:58:10.052-05:00NOAA Is Our Friend<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZSugH1JQEDXla_XsFfNlFkzQjYirGmpcCo9927uD1GPCmqrZDBEyLDUJ05Fyr1KJ0-WUV-j3xwY1P1ux3E3SsWoyzfz3Kd-1WrO7owQ3E99v-QNaJVriCPoP70hn28Px9i6h0RLUgzs/s1600/IMG_6103-784779.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZSugH1JQEDXla_XsFfNlFkzQjYirGmpcCo9927uD1GPCmqrZDBEyLDUJ05Fyr1KJ0-WUV-j3xwY1P1ux3E3SsWoyzfz3Kd-1WrO7owQ3E99v-QNaJVriCPoP70hn28Px9i6h0RLUgzs/s320/IMG_6103-784779.JPG" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6041158780835445650" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NOAA weather station at Kewaunee, WI.</td></tr>
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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has weather stations all over the USA to help citizens make informed decisions while they work and play. NOAA data informed us to stay put for a few more hours until the waves diminished along with the wind gusts above 25 mph. I thought the wind would help dry my nylon shirt that I had hung in the cockpit, but it just blew it away<br />
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Many Web and device applications use NOAA data to portray the information to special audiences. Sailors have many choices including NOAA's own site, <a href="http://weather.gov/">weather.gov</a>. </div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970217281822567665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3465430565912201895.post-72974101170636280922014-07-22T14:30:00.001-05:002014-07-22T14:30:21.159-05:00Classic: Finding a Leak<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmAPufssDkzPwsa1eZnZofnGbEUcf0N3lEcFpDXu_WDAEi7gIfZFnZU3TQO7DQDxqWHvwYK-GUyXQGXJyKFKBHOD6PNm66yajzMXtWeMfeC7sZkb5fP6jv43fQ9nxmk9pMyVOZyeqNyy4/s1600/photo-761006.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmAPufssDkzPwsa1eZnZofnGbEUcf0N3lEcFpDXu_WDAEi7gIfZFnZU3TQO7DQDxqWHvwYK-GUyXQGXJyKFKBHOD6PNm66yajzMXtWeMfeC7sZkb5fP6jv43fQ9nxmk9pMyVOZyeqNyy4/s320/photo-761006.JPG" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6038948914465891714" /></a></div>
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The tried and true method for finding a leak on a fiberglass boat is to use food coloring. We finally dedicated a super market run to getting the stuff and applied two colors to possible leak locations. One of them appeared below deck, so we had our culprit. It was a nasty ding on the rub rail gotten last year and not taken care of. There's a lesson for us. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970217281822567665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3465430565912201895.post-2841737723379630122014-07-18T07:21:00.000-05:002014-07-18T07:21:03.044-05:00Sunset on the Beach<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90cAtmGRti1OqYyyoX8WzAbo5APQdZYl0bpRSlpqYMQRi6xkTXjZ5rhd0hG0dq4XtCvN9MMAjGHNMLhAx-_wPPpk02E6qHUEm1z1WOjV4wVUw6_48s-QFAQOY_37sCwYdtFfmokOWMPM/s1600/photo-786174.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90cAtmGRti1OqYyyoX8WzAbo5APQdZYl0bpRSlpqYMQRi6xkTXjZ5rhd0hG0dq4XtCvN9MMAjGHNMLhAx-_wPPpk02E6qHUEm1z1WOjV4wVUw6_48s-QFAQOY_37sCwYdtFfmokOWMPM/s320/photo-786174.JPG" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6037373626926994162" /></a></div>
There's a slogan in Michigan (perhaps elsewhere) that one should live their life one sunset at a time. That slogan surely has sunsets like the one last night on the beach in Charlevoix. If you look closely in the photo, you can see Beth and Java walking along the beach in the fading light.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970217281822567665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3465430565912201895.post-22951546228857483772014-07-18T07:20:00.003-05:002014-07-18T07:20:32.728-05:00Dinner with a FreindLeland, MI is a great place even when the wind and waves are up and the temperature is 10 degrees below normal. We don't usual get to enjoy Lelamd when the weather is nice because we push off the dock then. So it was a special delight that our single-hander friend, David, sailed Windwise south from Petosky to dine with us at the Riverview Inn.<br />
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Earlier in the day we walked Java along the wooded streets and passed a campsite of cyclists at the school. The cyclists had ridden from Frankfort that morning. Just as we had sailed from there the day before. </div>
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We made friends with boaters who had been in Frankfort with us and Java made friends with other sailor dogs, except one Schnauzer. </div>
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When David pulled into the harbor the wind was 20 kts from the NW making it challenging to dock, but he had help from Harbormaster Russell and others and slipped in up close to the boaters lounge. Very convenient. We invited David over to Speakeasy for chess and a new drink we named Leland Stormy consisting of hot ginger tea and rum. </div>
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That evening we dined on Whitefish and Walleye with lots of conversation about sailing and destinations. For desert, we each had a Hummer, which consisted of ice cream, Kahkua, and rum. Yum!</div>
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Mark Gillingham | @markgillingham | 773-797-9560 | <a href="http://loftnet.com/">loftnet.com</a> | <a href="http://101010scholoarship.info/">101010scholoarship.info</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05970217281822567665noreply@blogger.com0