Friday Funny 08/18 (Off to the Library)

I love to read.

We do more than read at the library. Since moving to Denali Rose, all of our internet needs come from our ATT cell data plan. We can't afford to do most of the updates that all of our devices require, so we park ourselves at the library for an afternoon, and use their free wifi.

Wrangell's Irene Ingle Library, is a modern facility, with a terrific selection of books, DVD's, magazines, newspapers, children's section, and checkout equipment.

Irene Ingle Library in Wrangell.

This summer, we have had to carefully pick our times to visit. When a cruise ship comes in, many of the passengers beeline it for the wifi, and it gets crowded. That's when the wifi sloooows down to a crawl. Cruise ships are the smaller ones, and don't come to Wrangell every day, so some days are better than others. Last winter, of course, no ships, kids are in school, most folks at their jobs, and we have it all to ourselves.

Bill, catching up on "Cruising World" magazine.

Watching the updates roll by.

We have three computers, three ipads, two cell phones, and my kindle. Most of these devices are used for navigation, or backups to the navigation. That's why it's important that we keep the weather, and the navigational aids up to date. There are power strips located at every seating area, so power to devices is readily available.

In my previous life, (in which I wore formal office clothing), one of my last projects, was to work with an outstanding group of people who were awarded a large federal grant. The program was named "OWL", for Online With Libraries.

We had funds and sponsorship from:

• US Department of Commerce, Broadband Technology Opportunities Program
• The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
• The Rasmuson Foundation
• Alaska Department of Education and Early Development

We worked to bring as large an internet connection to 96 libraries as we could afford, and new computers, laptops, digital learning, staff training, and video conferencing. I'll make the story short, and just say there were challenges, meetings, setbacks, and successes. 

Here's a link to a short youtube video that the Gates Foundation made in Craig, Alaska, about the program. Craig is a small fishing community on Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska.  

Libraries: Expanding Boundaries, and Shrinking Borders.

I had no idea at the time, that later, I would be using, and reaping the benefits of the hard work that we put into this project. Hooray for serendipity! 

Yes, like this!

As always, we enjoy hearing from you, either here in comments or on our Facebook Denali Rose Sailboat page.

Friday Funny 08/11 (What is Where?)

Or maybe that should be: Things I can't find now; Things I can't find later; Things I'll never find.

I've written a bit about my organization, and labeling on Denali Rose in previous posts. I've asked myself the question; Can I remember where I put things, without writing it down? Here's the answer.... nothing. I remember nothing. I usually go out and buy an item again, because I couldn't find it, or I didn't want to look for it.

It's a good thing, to know where the booze is, when you can't find anything else.

Here's what that looks like.

Locker above lower dinette. I know when to have a margarita! Thanks Alexa.

Under stairs to back cabin

In bilge, before aft head door

We're stocked up for a couple of months of cruising. We have crackers, cookies, nuts, cheeses, snacks, and the freezer is full of proteins. We'll need to replenish our supply of orange juice, creamer, milk, and fresh veggies along the way, as available. We might even catch a fish or two, and possibly some crab and shrimp. One can always hope. Oh, yeah, and cat food, must have the cat food.

Under one side of dinette bench

Notes about what is where on the lid.

We filled the upper bunk in the v-berth, complete with the lists with what is up there.

I must own the Rubbermaid company by now.

We use plastic bags all of the time, so I made this holder for them. Sandwich, quart, and gallon bags are ready for a quick grab.

Need a bag? Pick a bag.

Here's a great idea I got from The Boat Galley.

Whiteboard for fridge contents.

The whiteboard is for the contents of the refrigerator. This keeps us from forgetting what we have in there, eliminating the science experiment gone bad. The other two notes describe what's in the "snack locker". I think I should get another whiteboard, it'll just fit there. Oh, and check out the lower left corner, doesn't everyone have caulk, and a temperature reader on their countertop in the galley?

V-Berth

I made diagram in Google Draw, so it can be updated in our shared Drive. This is the v-berth, with descriptions of what is underneath, and in the drawers. I left plenty of room for Bill to put Denali Rose's spare parts.

Above and below waterline.

This diagram is a very important one, but I didn't do it. The previous owners left this terrific map of the above and below the waterline thru-hulls. Land-lubber interpretation; Holes in boat, yikes. No worries, we have a wooden bung tied on a string to each lever that opens and closes each thru-hull, so if the fitting fails we whack a stopper in the hole.

No need to label the first aid kits, but maybe we need to document or label where they are. 

Marine Medical kit

The everyday stuff.

The large kit is behind the settee cushions in the pilothouse. We don't store anything on top, so that it is an easy pull and out it comes quickly. The everyday stuff plus a bit more, is in the step leading to the galley. I should probably put red cross stickers on them, but also these locations are shared in the "welcome onboard" speech for guests.

I still need to do a diagram of what is under our bed, and inside a few more lockers, but like everything else, this is a work in progress.

Do you know where your "stuff" is? Do you keep a description on paper, computer, or is it in your head? Would you ever do this in your house?

As always, we enjoy hearing from you, either here in comments or on our Facebook Denali Rose Sailboat page.