Palm trees, beaches, pelicans, dolphins overcast but 72 degrees was a good way to spend Christmas. A very laid back day with some boat cleaning, baking and munching. A 4 pm cruisers gathering with munchies equalled no Christmas dinner for us later in the day! Today we will have the dinner planned for yesterday.
Having our own car here has proven a real treat. The 3 of us have gone to the beach for reading, walking, throwing the ball for Chester's exercise, and we drove to Green Cove Springs to pick up our mail. It's a lifestyle to which we have easily become accustomed!
We hope you all had a very Merry Christmas.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
St Augustine
We have now been here for one week. Time flies. We moved over to Camachee Cove, which is a 250 boat marina in a very protected cove. Nice place. Facilities are good and includes a loaner car.
Sat eve there was a boat parade by town. Did the logical thing and took the water taxi in. Parade was fun with 100's of people lined up to watch. Music everywhere. The town has done an amazing job of lighting , all with white lights everywhere. What was amazing was that the fog was very thick right up to the parade. And just at the right time, the cannons fired and it lifted. After the parade it came and went many times. The bars and restaurants were all busy but we found spots. Ended at the "Tini Martini"right on the main drag. And of course, the water taxi home.
There has been lots of fog but yesterday we saw rain downpour for hours. Had plans to go to a fun restaurant on the ICW. But outside dining just didn't work out. Had the car so did errands. The water was ankle deep everywhere. Of course 70 some degrees didn't hurt. Hit 81 yesterday.
Doing boat projects....never run out of those.
Lu is returning home this week to visit her ailing Aunt & family and will bring the car back. Will be pretty quiet here.
Sat eve there was a boat parade by town. Did the logical thing and took the water taxi in. Parade was fun with 100's of people lined up to watch. Music everywhere. The town has done an amazing job of lighting , all with white lights everywhere. What was amazing was that the fog was very thick right up to the parade. And just at the right time, the cannons fired and it lifted. After the parade it came and went many times. The bars and restaurants were all busy but we found spots. Ended at the "Tini Martini"right on the main drag. And of course, the water taxi home.
There has been lots of fog but yesterday we saw rain downpour for hours. Had plans to go to a fun restaurant on the ICW. But outside dining just didn't work out. Had the car so did errands. The water was ankle deep everywhere. Of course 70 some degrees didn't hurt. Hit 81 yesterday.
Doing boat projects....never run out of those.
Lu is returning home this week to visit her ailing Aunt & family and will bring the car back. Will be pretty quiet here.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Charleston to St Augustine....really
Friday evening, Lu goes with Dawn, Louis and I head out the bay and way out the breakwalls....probably two+ miles. Up goes the sails and a course for St Augustine. One hundred ninety miles. With speeds in the sevens and eights we realize we will arrive in the middle of the night. The temperature rises as we get further offshore. Comfortable. We are on a broad reach which means the wind is from the side and back. A bit of rock and roll but fun. Sat night brings a little less wind and as we get within forty miles it drops way down. A good thing as we must waste some time so as to not arrive too early. Daylight arrives and we see another couple boats to follow in. This inlet is known for shoaling and lots of running aground. Stay between the marks, watch the chartplotter and the depth sounder and....no problem.
190 miles, 36 hours later and we are in tee shirts. Lu, Chester and Dawn arrive Sun afternoon. A Dark and Stormy and life is good.
As I write this I am in shorts and tee shirt. The sun is out and our fan is running. Comfortable!
Today we made the decision to stay here in St Augustine for the month of Dec.
190 miles, 36 hours later and we are in tee shirts. Lu, Chester and Dawn arrive Sun afternoon. A Dark and Stormy and life is good.
As I write this I am in shorts and tee shirt. The sun is out and our fan is running. Comfortable!
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| Boat speed |
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| Water temperture |
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Charleston to St Augustine ----
More to come..... and here it is.
Monday 11/26 we arrive in Charleston Harbor. There is incredible hoistory here. From an early settlement to the civil war to now.
Our first day here we connect with old friends from Holland. Louis and Dawn have been here about five years. Spent the first evening with them. A dinner with a view and good friends. Made a proposal to Louis...let's go for a sail. After discussing it we deide to stay in Charleston until Fri when Louis gets out of work.
Many things to see and do here. The retired aircraft carrier, the Yorktown was right across the bay. The beautiful new bridge was right behind us. On Wed, we did the tourist thing....took the sightseeing boat to Fort Sumter. Very interesting! They have not rebuilt it so you can see true history. This is where the Civil Was started.
The city of Charleston christened a new fire boat. But the best part is the ceremony was right in our marina.
Monday 11/26 we arrive in Charleston Harbor. There is incredible hoistory here. From an early settlement to the civil war to now.
Our first day here we connect with old friends from Holland. Louis and Dawn have been here about five years. Spent the first evening with them. A dinner with a view and good friends. Made a proposal to Louis...let's go for a sail. After discussing it we deide to stay in Charleston until Fri when Louis gets out of work.
Many things to see and do here. The retired aircraft carrier, the Yorktown was right across the bay. The beautiful new bridge was right behind us. On Wed, we did the tourist thing....took the sightseeing boat to Fort Sumter. Very interesting! They have not rebuilt it so you can see true history. This is where the Civil Was started.
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| Yorktown |
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| Cannon |
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| Fireboat |
Monday, November 26, 2012
Isle of Palms SC
This destination is for you Ron & Margo! Even though we didn't plan on being here. But with skinny water heading into the marina we had reservations with at McClellanville, (we saw five feet of water at the entrance), so we headed 30 miles further south to here. It made for a long, chilly day but it's a nice place to have to be. No time for sightseeing here as we move south to Charleston, about 12 miles . Isle of Palms is pretty!
Traveling Sunday proved to be a little tense as the water levels on the ICW in spots was quite low. Looking at tide tables has become part of the daily routine when planning the following day as to what time to leave and the necessary time to arrive. We saw 7.1 feet of water and held our breath. Both South Carolina and Georgia are not dredging the ICW well. The Great Lakes makes life easier.
Traveling Sunday proved to be a little tense as the water levels on the ICW in spots was quite low. Looking at tide tables has become part of the daily routine when planning the following day as to what time to leave and the necessary time to arrive. We saw 7.1 feet of water and held our breath. Both South Carolina and Georgia are not dredging the ICW well. The Great Lakes makes life easier.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Heading South (where's the warm?)
Thanksgiving was a quiet day at the marina so took advantage of the laundry facility, took long hot showers and then a nap. Dinner was salmon, potato and veggies followed by cheesecake. It was a good day.
The next day we left early morning with the decks of the boat rather frosty. Cleared multiple fixed bridges and a couple of swing bridges. The shoreline is a real estate tour. Big, beautiful homes with docks and boat lifts at almost every one of them but very few boats. Perhaps they have been put up for the winter. There are folks who live in northern SC who go south for the winter which kind of cracks us up because we feel we are in the south! But where's the warm? Natives of the area say this weather is quite unusual for this time of year with temps much lower than they are used to having. We can only wonder if the news is correct in saying this weather is the 'new normal'. However the travel along the ICW today was balmy, sunny and the most enjoyable day we've had since Hurricane Sandy. Along our way we look up and see a beautiful eagle perched on top of a tree. We docked at Bucksport Marina about 30 miles south of Myrtle Beach. It is on a bend in the ICW, very quiet, 30+ acres for Chester, nothing around except an adjacent campground with 4 campers, a restaurant/bar on site that closes at 9 p.m., and one other transient boat.
Saturday morning we leave for Georgetown SC. We were the only southbound boat for this passage. Quiet day with sunshine and there's that chill once again! The Waccamaw River is sided with cypress swamps, the water is the color of tea and we are informed our bow will have a brown moustache! The water depth is good on this stretch. There are numerous fishing boats with their fishermen in the nooks and crannies of side rivers. We arrive in Georgetown and head to their 'boutique' downtown. It reminds me of Frankfort MI only three times the size. We see signs in storefronts that boast that they have 'Carolina Rice'...hmmm, time for a little research.
We come back to Journey and turn on the heat....
The next day we left early morning with the decks of the boat rather frosty. Cleared multiple fixed bridges and a couple of swing bridges. The shoreline is a real estate tour. Big, beautiful homes with docks and boat lifts at almost every one of them but very few boats. Perhaps they have been put up for the winter. There are folks who live in northern SC who go south for the winter which kind of cracks us up because we feel we are in the south! But where's the warm? Natives of the area say this weather is quite unusual for this time of year with temps much lower than they are used to having. We can only wonder if the news is correct in saying this weather is the 'new normal'. However the travel along the ICW today was balmy, sunny and the most enjoyable day we've had since Hurricane Sandy. Along our way we look up and see a beautiful eagle perched on top of a tree. We docked at Bucksport Marina about 30 miles south of Myrtle Beach. It is on a bend in the ICW, very quiet, 30+ acres for Chester, nothing around except an adjacent campground with 4 campers, a restaurant/bar on site that closes at 9 p.m., and one other transient boat.
Saturday morning we leave for Georgetown SC. We were the only southbound boat for this passage. Quiet day with sunshine and there's that chill once again! The Waccamaw River is sided with cypress swamps, the water is the color of tea and we are informed our bow will have a brown moustache! The water depth is good on this stretch. There are numerous fishing boats with their fishermen in the nooks and crannies of side rivers. We arrive in Georgetown and head to their 'boutique' downtown. It reminds me of Frankfort MI only three times the size. We see signs in storefronts that boast that they have 'Carolina Rice'...hmmm, time for a little research.
We come back to Journey and turn on the heat....
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Weather
Never thought I would complain about too much wind. Coming out of Morehead City, and where did it get that name, we battled high winds and current. Who thought you could sail/motor-sail on the ICW? Also had to watch the buoys, chartplotter and depth sounder at all times. Made one stop and then to Wrightsville Beach. Sat for an extra day to let rain and winds, 20s and 30s kt subside. Working our way down on the Cape Fear River , past Southport, with an overnight at St James Plantation Marina (Just thought the name sounded good) back on the ditch. We came into North Myrtle Beach yesterday. Decided to stay here for Thanksgiving.
The ICW got very pretty yesterday, with lots of scenery and a wider ditch. We are taking our time as most of the marinas in Charleston are full for the weekend.
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| Barge on Cape Fear River |
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| Chartplotter: green represents marshes |
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| Good Deals?????? |
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| Would you keep your boat here? |
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| Fixer up-er |
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Morehead City & New Bern Trivia
On February 10, 1938, two partners, Tony Seamon and Ted Garner, opened a fresh seafood market on the Morehead City waterfront. A small building had been rented from Charles S. Wallace for $5.50 per week with the understanding that no beer or wine would be sold and that the premises be kept clean and neat. The name "Sanitary Fish Market" was chosen by the partners to project their compliance.
We couldn't help but wonder "Sanitary Fish Market" ..? A very popular restaurant with people always wondering about the name. Is this the whole story? :)
New Bern was founded in 1710 and was a Swiss settlement. The people named it Bern after the capital of their home Switzerland. Bern actually means "bear". In 1979, the city started a revitalization of their city called the Swiss Bear project. Thus the bears throughout their town along with several artistic galleries and shops.
We couldn't help but wonder "Sanitary Fish Market" ..? A very popular restaurant with people always wondering about the name. Is this the whole story? :)
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| Sanitary Fish Market |
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| Good food |
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| Lu couldn't resist |
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| Bear |
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| New Bern |
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Morehead City
For the Nicholas Sparks fans, I feel like I am part of a new novel of his! This is his stomping area. He lives in New Bern NC and his stories are centered in the area we are now cruising: New Bern, Oriental, Morehead City, Swansboro, Wrightsville Beach. And yes the area is as intriguing and romantic as he makes them sound.
This is down river a bit ... not on open water and we notice the ketch on shore. (again we miss our good camera and the lenses!)
Leaving Whittaker Marina at lower tide than upon arrival, we kissed the channel bottom and needed to work our way off. Tides can be a pain but they are inevitable. Very hazy morning as we glided through the markers back into the ICW. We entered Adams Creek toward Morehead City with one Nordic Tug. It's a quiet morning with little boat traffic. The beginning of Adams Creek is lined with an upscale real estate tour.
On approach to Morehead City one can take a left to Beaufort or a slight right to Morehead. Also there is an approach here to head out to the Atlantic Ocean. Journey will stay on the ICW for a few more miles. As we turn to Morehead City we are greeted by a pod of dolphins who continue to play in the marina waters during our stay. Will we ever tire of seeing dolphins?!
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| Shrimpers |
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| Pelicans |
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| Oriental |
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| ICW Mile Marker 200 |
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| Up Adams Creek |
On approach to Morehead City one can take a left to Beaufort or a slight right to Morehead. Also there is an approach here to head out to the Atlantic Ocean. Journey will stay on the ICW for a few more miles. As we turn to Morehead City we are greeted by a pod of dolphins who continue to play in the marina waters during our stay. Will we ever tire of seeing dolphins?!
Oriental Bound
Dowry Marina at Belhaven NC is not close to anything but what a beauty. The location is country, the buildings like on a seashore and well maintained. The road leading into the marina is lined with pines with minimal streetlamps making it eerily dark when walking Chester at night. Beneath the feet is the pine needle crunch and the smell is heavenly! Felt we could only spend a night since the sunshine & warm weather keeps calling. The next hazy morning we head to Oriental. The forecast is a sunny mid-70 day.
The haze burns off quickly and it is a beautiful day = peel off layer #1 of jackets and gloves. We head down the Pungo River which is uneventful even with an earlier warning of possible stumps and logs in the ICW at mile mark 99.5 The Pungo River joins Goose Creek (about 125' to 300' wide) and getting closer to an area of known shoaling. We cruise along about 6 knots following five other boats when Journey lunges forward and dips her bow ... we are aground. It's soft so we back off, move to the left of the channel and are on our way. With 5 boats ahead of us, why are we the ones who run aground?! Deeper draft or 6" off course?
We dock at Whittaker Creek in Oriental. Oriental is called the 'sailing capital'. Its where a large majority of circumnavigators end up. It is a town of 900 people and 2000+ boats at least. Marinas everywhere you look. Friendly people, fun restaurants. We rode our bikes to the hardware store, post office, thru town, dinner at M&Ms, grocery store and back. Dark and quiet! The whole town is 1/2 mile long and maybe a couple blocks wide. Everything that we've read about Oriental in the boating realm, we anticipated a much bigger place. However the marinas did not disappoint.
Our really nice camera is sitting at home, oops. We miss our lenses.
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| Looking back at Dowry Marina, Pungo River |
The haze burns off quickly and it is a beautiful day = peel off layer #1 of jackets and gloves. We head down the Pungo River which is uneventful even with an earlier warning of possible stumps and logs in the ICW at mile mark 99.5 The Pungo River joins Goose Creek (about 125' to 300' wide) and getting closer to an area of known shoaling. We cruise along about 6 knots following five other boats when Journey lunges forward and dips her bow ... we are aground. It's soft so we back off, move to the left of the channel and are on our way. With 5 boats ahead of us, why are we the ones who run aground?! Deeper draft or 6" off course?
We dock at Whittaker Creek in Oriental. Oriental is called the 'sailing capital'. Its where a large majority of circumnavigators end up. It is a town of 900 people and 2000+ boats at least. Marinas everywhere you look. Friendly people, fun restaurants. We rode our bikes to the hardware store, post office, thru town, dinner at M&Ms, grocery store and back. Dark and quiet! The whole town is 1/2 mile long and maybe a couple blocks wide. Everything that we've read about Oriental in the boating realm, we anticipated a much bigger place. However the marinas did not disappoint.
Our really nice camera is sitting at home, oops. We miss our lenses.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
North Carolina yea hoo
Well, the problem with the heat/AC system is still with us. The inlet thru the hull keeps clogging. We have been considering hauling the boat and fix it once and for all. But one more idea was suggested first....try running a hose down and pressure wash from the inside out. Seems to have helped it quite a lot. Will try it again a few times before resorting to a haul out. We walked up and bought an electric heater...nights are in the 30's...burrrrrrr.
Headed south again. Spent the first night in Coinjock. Even went out to dinner at the only restaurant which happens to be at the marina. It was so cold on the way down.....I know, but this is true. Forties and windy. After Coinjock it has gotten better. See pictures. Came across the albermerle Sound today. Winds were up to 2-3 sometimes. Dead flat and calm. We are on the Alligator River and the sun is shining. Tomorrow on to Belhaven. Yeah, I never heard of these places either. Lots of boats moving south.
Headed south again. Spent the first night in Coinjock. Even went out to dinner at the only restaurant which happens to be at the marina. It was so cold on the way down.....I know, but this is true. Forties and windy. After Coinjock it has gotten better. See pictures. Came across the albermerle Sound today. Winds were up to 2-3 sometimes. Dead flat and calm. We are on the Alligator River and the sun is shining. Tomorrow on to Belhaven. Yeah, I never heard of these places either. Lots of boats moving south.
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| Convoy after bridge opening |
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| Shivering |
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
hurry up and wait
As related in the last post, we tied up at the city wall in Great Bridge, va. Nice place and nice people. But, as we are winding down Fri night, the Generator is running to run the heat. After the gen quits we discover a leaking injector line. Damn. When we get up the next morning, it is cold. So we move to the marina on the other side of the bridge. BUT, it is Sat...nothing open until Mon. As this is by far the best place to get repairs, we decide to stay. Monday I order the line. One left in existence. Now the over night shipping got goofed up so Wed. But being we are plugged in, it is warm place. Wed it comes in, installed, bled and running. Now about where we are.
As I have learned, the Atlantic Yacht Basin is the premiere boatyard coming down the east coast. There are separate buildings for the wood shop, fabrication, etc. Now what is really cool is the in the water storage. it is all covered! And on three sides. These boats from probably 100+ ft down to 30 are all stored basically inside, but in the water. And we are talking acres here. See the website, it is amazing. atlanticyachtbasin.com. Look at all the buildings. Now a 70 footer came in from outside for a water pump repair. sitting in front of us.
Check out the pics.....I call it eye candy...or boat porn.
These beautiful boats store here ...including the presidential launch, the Sequoia. Lots of high end boats.
As I have learned, the Atlantic Yacht Basin is the premiere boatyard coming down the east coast. There are separate buildings for the wood shop, fabrication, etc. Now what is really cool is the in the water storage. it is all covered! And on three sides. These boats from probably 100+ ft down to 30 are all stored basically inside, but in the water. And we are talking acres here. See the website, it is amazing. atlanticyachtbasin.com. Look at all the buildings. Now a 70 footer came in from outside for a water pump repair. sitting in front of us.
Check out the pics.....I call it eye candy...or boat porn.
These beautiful boats store here ...including the presidential launch, the Sequoia. Lots of high end boats.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Slow Go but Going
Survived Hurricane Sandy without any injury or fright. We shove off at first light and meet several other boaters doing the same heading South to hopefully warmer climate. It is chilly, we are layered with clothing including hats and gloves. Nothing is finer than a hot cup of coffee once under way.
We travel along the ICW adding boats to our caravan as we go: Mama boat hailed the bridges for us and we all followed her being the good little boaters that we are! We did encounter some wait for bridges to open on the Interstates and busy areas during high commuter traffic. As we wait, the boaters get to know each other a little bit until the signal of the bridge opening. Then we trail each other to the next bridge. The wait cramps the timeframe so we did not get far. We are only 12 miles into the ICW!
After locking through the Great Bridge Lock, we see fellow boaters from Catskill on sailboat Autumn Borne! The decision whether we should stop or not for the night is made when we see them. Dean and Susan watched over our boat in Catskill while we were home for a month this summer. Would you believe we lacked for nothing to talk about?! It amazes us how the world of cruising is a small one. (and Great Bridge Chesapeake VA has a Panera!)
IT IS COLD evenings and nights. The generator is not to be parted with when on a dock w/o electricity for heat! However, Friday night it stopped. Mark has discovered a fuel line leak which will need repaired. We go to bed to stay warm. This morning we weren't sure if it was steamy coffee or our breath we were seeing. It actually ended up being both. Saturday (today) with the 9 a.m. Great Bridge opening we move to a marina and plug in for heat. Of course with it being Saturday, marine shops are not open. Monday morning we are on it. Must get south!
We travel along the ICW adding boats to our caravan as we go: Mama boat hailed the bridges for us and we all followed her being the good little boaters that we are! We did encounter some wait for bridges to open on the Interstates and busy areas during high commuter traffic. As we wait, the boaters get to know each other a little bit until the signal of the bridge opening. Then we trail each other to the next bridge. The wait cramps the timeframe so we did not get far. We are only 12 miles into the ICW!
After locking through the Great Bridge Lock, we see fellow boaters from Catskill on sailboat Autumn Borne! The decision whether we should stop or not for the night is made when we see them. Dean and Susan watched over our boat in Catskill while we were home for a month this summer. Would you believe we lacked for nothing to talk about?! It amazes us how the world of cruising is a small one. (and Great Bridge Chesapeake VA has a Panera!)
IT IS COLD evenings and nights. The generator is not to be parted with when on a dock w/o electricity for heat! However, Friday night it stopped. Mark has discovered a fuel line leak which will need repaired. We go to bed to stay warm. This morning we weren't sure if it was steamy coffee or our breath we were seeing. It actually ended up being both. Saturday (today) with the 9 a.m. Great Bridge opening we move to a marina and plug in for heat. Of course with it being Saturday, marine shops are not open. Monday morning we are on it. Must get south!
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Halloween am
We are still sitting safe and sound in Portsmouth,Va. Plan to cast off Thur am. Others are saying the Dismal Swamp Canal is open and clear. Will call today to make sure.
Yesterday we installed a WiFi booster. Very minimal power draw but what a difference. Hopefully it will make keeping up on this blog easier. They say it is good for up to a mile.
To get a visual on how much water we had, see pictures. These are at normal high tide. When the surge came in the water was up to the building. This wall behind us had been rebuilt to stop the surge. This is the road behind that wall.
This next pic is us in our slip. Floating docks are great. Notice all the fenders. Next door is a Navy yard.
The two problems we had were condensation in Journey and getting stir crazy. The water just dripped from all hatches and ports. Others had the same problem. Cold, wind and rain with heat in the boat. Think this added to the stir crazy. Of course Chester still had to go out. Don foul weather jacket, bibs and boots and out we went. Even he didn't like it. Did I mention wet dog in small area.
Today is putting canvas back up and preparing to CRUISE.
Yesterday we installed a WiFi booster. Very minimal power draw but what a difference. Hopefully it will make keeping up on this blog easier. They say it is good for up to a mile.
To get a visual on how much water we had, see pictures. These are at normal high tide. When the surge came in the water was up to the building. This wall behind us had been rebuilt to stop the surge. This is the road behind that wall.
This next pic is us in our slip. Floating docks are great. Notice all the fenders. Next door is a Navy yard.
The two problems we had were condensation in Journey and getting stir crazy. The water just dripped from all hatches and ports. Others had the same problem. Cold, wind and rain with heat in the boat. Think this added to the stir crazy. Of course Chester still had to go out. Don foul weather jacket, bibs and boots and out we went. Even he didn't like it. Did I mention wet dog in small area.
Today is putting canvas back up and preparing to CRUISE.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Oct 29 11am Still here
We are still sitting at Tidewater Marina in Portsmouth Va. This is on the Elizabeth River across from Norfolk. It is raining hard and blowing 30+. The biggest concern was high tide, which was at 9:20.The water was so high I could barely climb on to the ramp to the solid dock to shore.
Although this is extreme, I find it less than a Michigan BLIZZARD. There is lots of flooding here and all up and down the coast. But we are not freezing.
Until later.
Although this is extreme, I find it less than a Michigan BLIZZARD. There is lots of flooding here and all up and down the coast. But we are not freezing.
Until later.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Oct 26 We are Back
Drove back to Norfolk. Arrived this afternoon to warnings for Hurricane Sandy. Welcome back!
Unloaded the car, stowed our gear, Now why does it always seem we have more coming back than what we took home. And we forgot too many things. Went after groceries and replacements for forgotten items. Take the rental car back in the am.
More to come on Sandy.
Unloaded the car, stowed our gear, Now why does it always seem we have more coming back than what we took home. And we forgot too many things. Went after groceries and replacements for forgotten items. Take the rental car back in the am.
More to come on Sandy.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Norfolk/Portsmouth Va 9/21 Dolphins
Leaving Deltaville and heading south, the wind is from the north, but blowing less than we are moving. Another motor day. Shortly we pass the mouth of the Potomac River. We would love to turn in and go up to Washington DC, but 30 miles and the time of year, we pass. Maybe in the spring. Interesting that the Navy has ships in the area.
As we approach the bottom of the Chesapeake Bay, we see more and more Navy presence. The highlight was the pod of dolphins we crossed paths with. How cool!!!! As we head for the Elizabeth River we see more Navy. From helicopters to small boats, the highlight was the aircraft carriers parked side by side. Huge!!!!
We had talked with a marina where we could leave Journey for a month. Unfortunately, when we arrived we realized that it was not going to work. Many of the marinas have two pilings and a short, maybe 12 ft finger pier. No way to get Lu and Chester off the boat bow in and to go stern in, which is how you need to be, the dingy would be over the dock... IF I could back it in. Gave up that idea and called a high priced marina. Now we have nice floating docks with full finger piers. Everthing at a cost.
We again pick up a rental car and head for Holland for a month. To be continued........
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| Potomac River |
As we approach the bottom of the Chesapeake Bay, we see more and more Navy presence. The highlight was the pod of dolphins we crossed paths with. How cool!!!! As we head for the Elizabeth River we see more Navy. From helicopters to small boats, the highlight was the aircraft carriers parked side by side. Huge!!!!
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| Norfolk |
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| Aircraft Carrier |
We had talked with a marina where we could leave Journey for a month. Unfortunately, when we arrived we realized that it was not going to work. Many of the marinas have two pilings and a short, maybe 12 ft finger pier. No way to get Lu and Chester off the boat bow in and to go stern in, which is how you need to be, the dingy would be over the dock... IF I could back it in. Gave up that idea and called a high priced marina. Now we have nice floating docks with full finger piers. Everthing at a cost.
We again pick up a rental car and head for Holland for a month. To be continued........
Deltaville 9/20
A good days passage south to Deltaville. On the way in we found bottom in the channel....a very narrow approach. Worked our way off and into Deltaville Marina. Very quiet. The best part was the eye candy...boats that is. Next to a Santa Crus 52, behind us an Oyster 63, an on and on. A short one night stay and on to Norfolk area.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
To Annapolis sept 13
As we leave Baltimore we again view the beautiful sights
The motor to Annapolis was uneventful. As we go under the Bay Bridge, the William Preston Lane jr....... Bridge, we head in toward Annapolis. And again it's dodge crab pots. This is a way of life here. Somehow there is room at the City Dock. Now the City Dock has probably 75 moorings, twenty five docks which are short 12 ft docks with pilings tot tie to , and room on the wall. Unfortunately, to do a dock you almost have to back in. These are made for power boats. Can't back in with the dingy in the davits. So on to the wall on the inlet. This is right in the historic district. Beautiful buildings.
The upside to being tied here is being right on the wall. The downside is how busy it is. At least a couple thousand people walk this every day. And three/quarters of them have dogs. Chester just could not control himself....Mr social. To sit in the cockpit put us on display.
Toured the Navel Academy. Only a block away. There was definitely a discipline that went with the opportunity. Interesting to watch 4000 midshipmen line up in formation for lunch.
While there our friends from last year at Tonnawanda ( the beginning of the Erie Canal) pull up in their dingy. They have been cruising since last year . Nice to catch up
Prepared to head further south.
The motor to Annapolis was uneventful. As we go under the Bay Bridge, the William Preston Lane jr....... Bridge, we head in toward Annapolis. And again it's dodge crab pots. This is a way of life here. Somehow there is room at the City Dock. Now the City Dock has probably 75 moorings, twenty five docks which are short 12 ft docks with pilings tot tie to , and room on the wall. Unfortunately, to do a dock you almost have to back in. These are made for power boats. Can't back in with the dingy in the davits. So on to the wall on the inlet. This is right in the historic district. Beautiful buildings.
The upside to being tied here is being right on the wall. The downside is how busy it is. At least a couple thousand people walk this every day. And three/quarters of them have dogs. Chester just could not control himself....Mr social. To sit in the cockpit put us on display.
Toured the Navel Academy. Only a block away. There was definitely a discipline that went with the opportunity. Interesting to watch 4000 midshipmen line up in formation for lunch.
While there our friends from last year at Tonnawanda ( the beginning of the Erie Canal) pull up in their dingy. They have been cruising since last year . Nice to catch up
Prepared to head further south.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Sassafras to Baltimore sept 10
As usual we left just after daylight. A pretty day as we motor down the river...8 miles to the bay.As we get close the wind picks up. Out goes the headsail and we motor-sail down the bay. Now the main activity is dodging crabpots. They are everywhere. Lu watches and calls out "go left or go right" She does a great job. Down the bay to the Patapsco River that runs out of Baltimore. A right turn heads us in the shipping channel. The wind goes from 5kts to 20 kts and back. Finally we turn more into it and roll up the jenny. We passed lots of piers where freighter after freighter were tied up loading or unloading. As we weave our way up the river we pass the Francis Scott Key Bridge and Fort McHenry where all the history went on. We turn into our marina...Harbor East.
Baltimore hit bottom in the 70s and urban developement has really taken place. The harbor has all new buildings with lots of shopping and restuarants. There is a light ship, submarine,coast guard boat, and the last sailing only built ship, the Constellation. Lots of cannons etc. Somewhere here is the tall ship, the Pride of Baltimore II.
We bought a day pass for the water taxi and ran around the bay. Got off at Fells Point and played tourist. Lots of old,old buildings restored....again all galleries, bars and restaurants.
Tomorrow, Thur, we are off to Annapolis
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| Docks |
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| Navy medical ship "Comfort" |
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| A Pink Freighter?????? |
Baltimore hit bottom in the 70s and urban developement has really taken place. The harbor has all new buildings with lots of shopping and restuarants. There is a light ship, submarine,coast guard boat, and the last sailing only built ship, the Constellation. Lots of cannons etc. Somewhere here is the tall ship, the Pride of Baltimore II.
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| The Constallation |
We bought a day pass for the water taxi and ran around the bay. Got off at Fells Point and played tourist. Lots of old,old buildings restored....again all galleries, bars and restaurants.
Tomorrow, Thur, we are off to Annapolis
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