Georgie is still going strong. Looks like we won’t have to use the Pet Smart warranty that came with him guaranteeing that they would replace our $3 pet if he (she?) didn’t last three months. He seems to eat better than any of us with Ali making him a fresh gourmet salad every day, and whipping up hard boiled eggs the minute she gets her hands on some. We still can’t convince him we’re friends, though. He’ll draw blood if you try and pick him up.
Really the only thing the Marquesas anchorages are missing are the clear blue waters. Too much silt from the runoff of these steep lush hills.
We named this one Happy because, well, it was an obvious choice. Ouest is petting Old Man. He cries when he sees us.
Everyone gets their own pile of food.
I told Ali I thought the alternator looked like a piece of art. She rolled her eyes. I guess beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder.
The install, which should have taken five minutes, took the better part of the day thanks to two stuck bolts. I finally got the stuck mounting bolt to come loose, but one of the wiring bolts refused and I just couldn’t reach it well enough to really get after it. I could probably have cut the two wires and spliced in new connectors, but one of them I didn’t really have a good replacement for, and then there was the bigger problem of the installers not leaving even one inch worth of extra length. Why must electronics installers always snip their wiring as tight as possible? In the end I cut the bolt. This would prove to be a mistake in the end, as I don’t think the alternator was the problem and I could still use it as a spare. I’ll have to somehow get the rest of the bolt out so I can use it again if need be.
The new alternator ran too hot at first, but after a little belt adjustment it settled in at a still hot, but not extreme temperature. I was immediately happy with the amperage output. I was almost immediately unhappy with the voltage alarm firing off again. Turns out that, in the end, my analysis of the problem was wrong, and the problem wasn’t the alternator at all. It was the battery isolator. It’s a fancy unit with two alternator inputs and three outputs. Turns out one of the inputs is doing something wrong and over 16v is going through it, causing battery alarms to fire off. Bummer.
So, thinking it through some more I figured I didn’t really need an isolator on both alternators. I moved the new alternator to the isolator that was working, and the old alternator, which has been working fine on its own, directly to the house bank batteries. That seems to have done the trick and everything is now working again.
At least we don’t all have work to do.
Ali laid a no-see-ums (gnat) protector/grocery bag over Old Man’s butt, which he seemed perfectly happy with.
Rains blowing through the valley.
The morning we were leaving for the Tuamotus we found lettuce and tomatoes for the first time. Certain fruits grow in abundance on these islands, but everything else just seems to be a random hit or miss, either imported and arriving on the supply ship every few weeks, or grown in a local’s backyard and showing up in a pop-up roadside stand one morning.
Grammy update. After the year we’ve had with my mom it is absolutely incredible that we are where we are at today. A few short months ago she was near death (covid and pneumonia combo pack) and we were caring for her with the help of hospice. But she’s stronger than any of us would have believed. She was still weak when we helped move her to an assisted living home in Vancouver, just across the bridge from her sister and countless other amazing family members. From day one in her new home, she made giant strides.
Today, just three months after moving in, she is happier and healthier than she has been in probably thirty years. She eats healthy every day, she works out in the gym, she participates in an endless series of events, and spends a ton of time with family. Due to all the positive improvements in her life, her mental health is drastically improved, too.
I just wanted to give everyone a quick update, as I know a lot of you were pulling for her and thinking of her. I also want to say thank you again to all of the family that has been there for her. She’s surrounded by love. I know a lot of people are dealing with aging parents right now. There’s definitely a stigma attached to moving from “home” to assisted living, but I can’t even begin to adequately explain how drastic the improvement in Grammy’s quality of life has been since moving in, and how quickly all of our pre-conceived notions were proven wrong.
Grammy, on the right, on Memorial Day.
27 Comments on “Last Days on Nuku-Hiva”
Grammy looks beautiful, so happy for her. Bless her
Your mom looks 10 years younger. I’m sure you heard Uncle Bobby passed away. Family keeps getting smaller, but that’s life. Be safe on your voyage and keep us all updated.
She looks amazing, so healthy and happy. It’s like the fountain of youth.
Thanks for the Grammy update. She is looking better than ever!
A friend’s dad has MS and is rapidly getting to the point where he’ll need to move an assisted living facility. The family is torn about taking that step. It’s very reassuring to see that your mom has been thriving since the move!
Wonderful to hear the Grammy update; she looks fantastic! So glad to see Ali and the kids feeding the street dogs. We always fed them in Mexico and Belize, and it was a good feeling to be able to help, even if only for a short time. I miss those dogs.
That’s my feeling too – make one day less hard on them. Man I could clean up this island so fast with a free spray/neuter clinic – there were so many roaming, a few in heat. I’m sure some had homes nearby.
Go Grammy…go! Goodonyas!
Pat, I can’t believe the change in your mom. She looks fantastic – her old self again! She looks so happy.
I’ve been a follower for years and really want to congratulate you for your lifestyle choices! Having adventures is vital to a well-rounded happy person!
One request – could you put the ‘read in browser’ on the first screen? I have developed macular degeneration and am now ‘exploring’ better Internet options.
Thanks!
Great news about Grammy. And she really does look 10 years younger. I have to agree with you, Pat, about the alternator looking like a piece of art. I’d hang that thing on the wall.
I would have a boat load of dogs from bringing all of them along with me. Guessing they have homes since this place is so small and are just loving the extra food and love. Also must say that Your mom is looking so GOOD!
Oh my gosh, your mom looks great. There’s a lot to be said for the positive medicine of friendship and activity for elders when they’re past the point of being able to live alone. My momma too, at 95, is thriving in an independent/assisted living place. She has tons of friends and activities that keep her engaged and happy. It’s the best! Love all the doggy love in your travel journals. Stay safe and keep on keepin’ on.
My Grandma too, thrived in assisted living – all the stresses from living in a house (stairs, cleaning, cooking, falling when home alone). And she enjoyed all the people always around to visit with.
So glad that you gave us a Grammy Update! She looks truly wonderful. Quite a transformation! So glad for all of you….
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We found the same thing with my mom. Don’t get me wrong, her facility has their fair share of issues, but my 93 y/o mom is up and about everyday now, eats with friends, plays games, exercises. Before moving into assisted living, she sat home doing nothing because she had so much pain and couldn’t drive anymore. She was depressed. Now she’s moving again, less pain, and admits it was a very good idea to move in there. Continued good health to your mom!
Awesome! That’s great! Yes, Grammy can no longer drive either, so it really is the best for her right now.
Beautiful pics but more important the incredible recovery of Auntie Linda! She looks fab! Safe travels to you all, and so enjoy your updates.
Your mom looks awesome! So nice to see her smiling face again and hear that things are going well. My 85 yo mother has been falling a lot this year and really needs assisted living, but she will go look at places and then put off the decision. It’s so tough to give up what we are used to, but most times there are new blessings and adventures right around the corner. What a miracle your mom is and how lucky to have such a loving and supportive family 💗. Happy sailing! Love following your adventures.
Good luck with your mom finding a place. It is a hard decision but as seen with Pat’s mom – change can be the best!
That is a beautiful alternator. And lord, Grammy positively glows with renewed health.
Maybe Georgie could be induced to be affectionate if you gave him his freedom and the run of the boat. Probably not the best idea for wiring tho’. Bon Voyage!
So happy to hear that your mom is doing so well. I suspect that her attitude has a lot to do with her success there. So many enter those places unwillingly that they doom themselves to failure. If my father went into assisted living he would complain relentlessly about everything – and so of course, it would be the death of him rather than enjoying the company of people with similar memories–and wouldn’t necessarily remember if he’d told that story before. Your mother is a treasure. (And photogenic. ) Love the pics of the kids airborne. They’re going to love looking back at those. Also… what on earth do you do with that many limes? Thanks for posting so often. It’s always a treat to find a new post from you!
Exactly, attitude going in! At first she was calling it “the old folks home” – and now when we talk with her, she jokingly ends our calls with “that’s all the news around the old folks home” – she always has funny stories of neighbors or dogs around the building.
Your Mom looks great!!!
My great aunt had loved to paint and garden but gave these up as she aged because it was too hard to keep the garden up often enough to keep things from dying and too difficult to clean up from painting and manage the supplies. At her assisted living place she could garden when she felt like it with the facilities gardeners taking up the slack when she wasn’t up to it. She could go to the art studio and paint with someone else handling clean up. She went from being lonely to having tons of friends to talk to every day . She was busy and happy. Those who think “home” is always best could not be more wrong.
My dad loved assisted living. So glad your mom enjoys it. Keeps them active.
I used to work at a Continuing Care facility and could never understand why people fight them so hard. Now I live in one myself and am thankful every day that we are “in place”. Folks, it is not the end of the world and glad to see so many agreeing with me. Just look at how wonderful your Mom looks! She must be a really great person. Thank for taking us along on your voyage – beautiful pictures of a beautiful family.