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| Week 1 - We picked up the 24 foot long 1977 Dodge Titan from Art's RV in Glen Ellyn and drove back up to Arlington Heights, about a 15 mile drive.
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| Within the first week, we had started "deconstruction" of the interior. This will allow us to start from a clean slate and build up from there.
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| Week 2- Starting off the second week, the special projects team put together and tested a prototype cannon. The goal of the cannons is to create a realistic sound, yet remain safe to use in the parade crowds. We will be using small amounts of compressed air to achieve the desired sound. The special project team is doing an excellent job of creating the look and sound we are going for.
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| Week 3- During week three there was a hostile takeover of the ship by a local (a bird found its way into the motorhome). Authorities have released the following sketch of the suspect. Luckily, we were able to regain control of the vessel. Arrr.
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| Week 4- Week four finally brought us back to the disassembly of the motor home. The build team, plagued by sickness and other priorities, are having to make up valuable lost time to meet the July 4th deadline. Time for power tools! Out come the windows and off comes the roof.
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| Week 5- We are finally starting to put the pirate ship together in week five. We finished removing the extra materials, measured for the new materials, and started constructing. Thanks for the brownies Mary Kay!!!
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| Week 6- The pressure is on in this final month, but this week we are really making progress. We have most of the framing put together to start laying on the paneling on the outside. It's finally starting to look like a pirate ship!
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| Update- Authorities have released the following picture of a possible suspect involved in the hostile takeover that occurred in week 3. The suspect is considered armless and probably not dangerous unless flying overhead.
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| Week 7- In week 7 we are continuing to assemble the ship and panel the sides. The cannons will be installed this week as well as the masts. We also welcome our newest addition to the team, Robin. Thanks for the pizzas Mr. and Mrs. V!!!!
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| Day 48- Food supplies and morale are running dangerously low. Eek is getting skinnier by the minute. Haven't seen land in weeks. The sea has us firmly in her grips. One thing I've learned: parrot tastes like chicken. It's not pretty out here. Cap'n says 12 more days. I'm not buyin it. OOPS, wrong journal.
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| Week 8- The final week. Pressure is on now. The special projects team is continuing work on the cannons and trying to tweak them for the best sound while incorporating the smoke effect. Three more volunteers have joined the crew and are working on finishing touches, like the waves in the front of the ship and detailing the sides. The sound system is next to go in and the masts still need to be mounted.
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| 4th of July- We Made It!!! The parade was a great success and we had a blast!!! Everyone was impressed and amazed with the float and made the last two months of work worth it. The weather was perfect and we claimed first place for creativity. Arrrr, it truly was a perfect day. Thanks again to everyone involved in the building of the float, the administrative duties, costumes, etc. We definitely could not have done it without you. Watch the ebay auction for the next week to see who the next lucky owner will be! She be a beautiful vessel.
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