M/V MAERIN

Our pilgrimage home to York, PA is complete, ortho doc visited,  family visited, gifts exchanged, the homestead checked and put to bed, we’re now back on board. The return car rental dance card has been retired, and we’re anticipating a quiet Christmas Day on board. This afternoon we’ll head to the Marina Club House for the traditional Christmas dinner hosted by the folks at the Brunswick Landing Marina. Meats and basics are provided by the Marina, and cruisers bring side dishes for a feast and wonderful time of fellowship. At $5 each, it’s a meal that simply can’t be beat. This will be our second year in attendance and we’ll renew some old friendships and make some new ones.

Yesterday we took advantage of the balmy 65 degree weather and motored down to Ocean Petroleum to fill up the fuel tanks.  New floating docks make fueling easier yet. We took on 698 gallons of diesel. We had considered fueling prior to driving home, but the frigid weather kept us inside. With fuel prices increasing daily (literally!) we decided that no better time than the present. Cost at $3.04/gal. is the highest we’ve had since 2008 when we paid $4.24/gal. Lowest was in December of 2008 at $1.99.  We’ve taken on fuel every time we’ve been here in Brunswick since Ocean Petroleum typically has the lowest fuel prices in the southeast. They pump a lot of diesel!  Our fuel consumption is just under 3 gal/hr.- respectably efficient for a vessel our size.

With another arctic blast forecast for next week, we’re undecided about departure. When the night temperatures dip into the 20’s and 30’s, being tied to the dock with heat and cable TV becomes more appealing than being on the hook and making those evening dog runs to shore in the dink. So much more convenient to throw on a coat and hop off the boat! But we’re anxious to get moving again, three weeks is a long time to be in one place, although this place  is as good a place as any we’ve been if we have to stay put!