Hot Days In Houston

By Mark Read on March 8, 2005 8:00 AM | Permalink

March, 2005 - After months of consideration, extensive travel, and looking at various boats, The Reads purchase Calpurnia, a 2005 Beneteau Oceanis 461. We lived aboard in the Waterford Harbor in Clear Lake, Texas for a months while getting the boat outfitted for the adventures ahead. Many thanks to the folks at Blue Water Ship Store and at South Texas Yacht Services for their invaluable help, service and advice.

Mark and Robert enjoying life aboard Calpurnia.

Robert enjoying a sunny day sailing in Galveston Bay. He is securely strapped in his car seat, which is strapped to the cockpit bench.

Mark's battle wounds from playing paint ball at his cousin John Elam's 10th birthday party in Houston. The wound was proudly inflicted by his 9-year old cousin Nate Elam.

Amy and Robert walking near the Sam Houston statue along the I-45 highway from Houston to Dallas and admiring the Texas wild flowers which were in full bloom. Blue bonnets and Indian Paint- brush ruled the day. Robert got his first history lesson regarding the nation of Texas and its first President.

First half of June, 2005 - After a few months back home in KC, we headed back down to Texas. To avoid the hurricane season in the southern latitudes, we decided to have the boat trucked up to Bellingham, WA, which is just north of Seattle.
In Houston, we took down the mast, the davit (which holds the dinghy) and some other pieces from the top deck so that the boat would be short enough to go on the road. That took Mark and a crew from the South Texas Boat Yard about three scorching hot days to do.

Taking a cool swim after a 103 degree day of HOT work on the boat

Robert's head wounds from diving head first out of his stroller while waiting for Mom and Dad to load up the car in the Waterford Yacht Club parking lot.