We left Alligator River Marina at 7 a.m. The mosquitoes were huge and thick this morning! I saw five at one time on my coffee mug alone! It was a beautiful, sunny day on the water. No long underwear or jackets today. It was T-shirt weather.
At 10:20 a.m., we entered the Pungo River Canal. It was beautiful with natural vegetation and lots of trees on both sides of the canal. and lots of stumps. It was like the lazy river...a smooth, easy day.
A Sun Odyssey 49 with a 65 ft. mast tried to go under a 64 ft. bridge and got stuck. He did a lot of damage to his boat and Boat U.S. asked us to wait until they got him on the other side of the bridge for us to go by.
We arrived at Dowry Creek Marina about 3 p.m. or so. Jazzy was a sailor girl for Halloween and Sailor was a Jack-O-Lantern.
I cooked an early dinner and we went to a party at the marina lounge and met other boaters. It was BYOB and everyone brought some type of snack. It was a great time.
The weather is iffy tomorrow so we're going to hang here another day. Plus, we can't cross the Cape Hatteras line until after Nov. 2 because of insurance...the official end of hurricane season is tomorrow.
Patti and I plan to catch up on uploading photos and more computer stuff.
Happy Halloween!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Tonight at Miss Wanda's Alligator River Marina
I'm sitting in the boat with Jazzy asleep at my side and Chuck playing the keyboard to the blues on Sirius Satellite Radio. Way cool! He bought a 61-key keyboard for the trip and plays it quite a bit. I love it and it's therapy for him.
We left Elizabeth City dock around 7:50 a.m. I was at the helm most of the day, avoiding crab pots, while Chuck was looking at the charts. It was a beautiful, sunny day motor sailing Albemarle Sound. At about 10 a.m., the U. S. Coast Guard was patrolling and stopping boats to check them. The pulled up next to us and three seaman boarded our boat. Jazzy went crazy barking, we had to stay in the cockpit while they went downstairs to make sure no weapons were in view, then one of us was allowed to go down to get all our paperwork together.
They were on our boat close to an hour and we lost Bum's Rest. After they departed, I took the helm again while Chuck was looking at charts and checking the GPS and Chartplotter to find out where we were and where we needed to go.
Patti and Wayne arrived at Alligator River Marina at about 12:30 p.m., and we were about an hour behind them. We had a soft grounding in the mouth of the Alligator River, a very small channel that has shoaled over further than the Garmin showed. We were following the preferred line! We tried not to panic and motored off the edge of the shoal under our own power.
Patti and I did laundry and watched the dogs play in the big field.
Miss Wanda's special tonight was fresh-cooked pork chops with choice of two sides and that sounded good to Wayne, so I got off the hook of cooking tonight and we got takeout and ate on their boat. We have a longer day tomorrow to Belhaven, NC.
We left Elizabeth City dock around 7:50 a.m. I was at the helm most of the day, avoiding crab pots, while Chuck was looking at the charts. It was a beautiful, sunny day motor sailing Albemarle Sound. At about 10 a.m., the U. S. Coast Guard was patrolling and stopping boats to check them. The pulled up next to us and three seaman boarded our boat. Jazzy went crazy barking, we had to stay in the cockpit while they went downstairs to make sure no weapons were in view, then one of us was allowed to go down to get all our paperwork together.
They were on our boat close to an hour and we lost Bum's Rest. After they departed, I took the helm again while Chuck was looking at charts and checking the GPS and Chartplotter to find out where we were and where we needed to go.
Patti and Wayne arrived at Alligator River Marina at about 12:30 p.m., and we were about an hour behind them. We had a soft grounding in the mouth of the Alligator River, a very small channel that has shoaled over further than the Garmin showed. We were following the preferred line! We tried not to panic and motored off the edge of the shoal under our own power.
Patti and I did laundry and watched the dogs play in the big field.
Miss Wanda's special tonight was fresh-cooked pork chops with choice of two sides and that sounded good to Wayne, so I got off the hook of cooking tonight and we got takeout and ate on their boat. We have a longer day tomorrow to Belhaven, NC.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
We're in Elizabeth City, NC
We're at a free city dock in Elizabeth City, NC. We left the free dock at Chesapeake Yachts at 7 a.m. and arrived at the lock at 7:40 a.m. We waited until 8 a.m. for the first opening of the lock.
What a neat experience. We put out our fenders and batter boards on both sides because we weren't sure which side we would end up on in the lock. We sat in a line with eight other boats waiting for the lock to open. One by one, we pulled into the lock and the locktender took our lines. I held the front line, Chuck held the back. After the last boat was in the lock, the lock was closed. We took our Sharpie and wrote: SV Sheet Music, Chuck, Kathy & Jazzy 10-29-09 on the canal wall.
The water starting filling up the lock and raising our boat until we were ground level. Jazzy wanted to hop off the boat, we were so close.
The lock opened and we moved out, one by one. We followed in a single line through the Dismal Swamp Canal for hours. The ICW switches from nautical miles to statute miles here, so we adjusted the GPS. Jazzy loved the day...it was like going down the lazy river and she pranced around in her new pink life jacket like she was in charge. I made popcorn on the stove while we were in the Dismal Swamp (cut open a microwave packet and put it in a pot with a little vegetable oil and moved it around like Jiffy Pop).We didn't stop at the Visitor Center or we wouldn't have made it to Elizabeth City tonight.
We averaged about 5.2 knots and arrived at the second lock for the 1:30 p.m. opening. This time we were on the left, in front of the line, and the water was lowered 8 ft. The lock opened and we followed in a single line again falling into our place behind Bum's Rest.
The leaves are just starting to turn and I couldn't help but think how beautiful this would be in the next week or so with all the autumn colors.
We entered the Pasquotank River. I took the helm from 3:30 p.m. until the bridge opening at Elizabeth City at 5:30 p.m. Of course, 40 minutes of that was circling waiting for the Elizabeth City bridge to open!
All in all, it was a great day on the water.
We met the nicest couple, Lou and Lina, (I hope I spelled your names correctly) who are also cruisers and just moved to Elizabeth City a few months ago. He went to high school in Egg Harbor Township! They took Patti and I to the grocery store a few miles away to reprovision the boat. We bought them a bottle of wine for their trouble.
Tomorrow: Miss Wanda's in Alligator Alley, Columbia, NC.
What a neat experience. We put out our fenders and batter boards on both sides because we weren't sure which side we would end up on in the lock. We sat in a line with eight other boats waiting for the lock to open. One by one, we pulled into the lock and the locktender took our lines. I held the front line, Chuck held the back. After the last boat was in the lock, the lock was closed. We took our Sharpie and wrote: SV Sheet Music, Chuck, Kathy & Jazzy 10-29-09 on the canal wall.
The water starting filling up the lock and raising our boat until we were ground level. Jazzy wanted to hop off the boat, we were so close.
The lock opened and we moved out, one by one. We followed in a single line through the Dismal Swamp Canal for hours. The ICW switches from nautical miles to statute miles here, so we adjusted the GPS. Jazzy loved the day...it was like going down the lazy river and she pranced around in her new pink life jacket like she was in charge. I made popcorn on the stove while we were in the Dismal Swamp (cut open a microwave packet and put it in a pot with a little vegetable oil and moved it around like Jiffy Pop).We didn't stop at the Visitor Center or we wouldn't have made it to Elizabeth City tonight.
We averaged about 5.2 knots and arrived at the second lock for the 1:30 p.m. opening. This time we were on the left, in front of the line, and the water was lowered 8 ft. The lock opened and we followed in a single line again falling into our place behind Bum's Rest.
The leaves are just starting to turn and I couldn't help but think how beautiful this would be in the next week or so with all the autumn colors.
We entered the Pasquotank River. I took the helm from 3:30 p.m. until the bridge opening at Elizabeth City at 5:30 p.m. Of course, 40 minutes of that was circling waiting for the Elizabeth City bridge to open!
All in all, it was a great day on the water.
We met the nicest couple, Lou and Lina, (I hope I spelled your names correctly) who are also cruisers and just moved to Elizabeth City a few months ago. He went to high school in Egg Harbor Township! They took Patti and I to the grocery store a few miles away to reprovision the boat. We bought them a bottle of wine for their trouble.
Tomorrow: Miss Wanda's in Alligator Alley, Columbia, NC.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Settled at entry to Dismal Swamp
We are settled for the night at a free dock off the Hwy. 64 bridge. My alarm went off at 5:45 a.m. and it was pouring rain outside. Chuck was already up charting the course for the day. We launched around 7:10 a.m. expecting a miserable day ahead. I took two ginger root capsules expecting the worst.
The Chesapeake Bay was very calm. The rain quickly dissipated. It was very overcast. We pulled the main around 9:30 a.m. While passing Wolf Trap light, a brick structure, I was thinking about what an amazing array of lighthouses and markers we've seen on the water so far.
At 10:30 a.m., the sun came out and was burning off the haze. It was reflecting off the water, creating a glare, a very welcome sight! With the jib and main sail fully out, we were doing 6.5-7.5 knots motorsailing.
After making a turn, we pulled in the jib and reefed the main to reef one. It was now sunny and you could see for miles.
We passed the Chesapeake Bay Tunnel Bridges on our port and were approaching Norfolk. The Norfolk Naval Base is huge and we passed two huge aircraft carriers and numerous navel ships a short distance away (300-400 yds.)
At 3:30 we pulled into Tidewater Yacht Marina to top off our fuel. The Naval Shipyard was really close and there were patrolling boats all around so no posting of pictures!
We went under a series of bridges and at 4:30 p.m., we got an opening for the Gilmerton Highway Bridge with a tugboat. After going under the Hwy. 64 bridge and entering the Dismal Swamp, we pulled up to a free dock for the night. No electric, but we're fine with our LED lights and battery power.
Patti cooked dinner. Tomorrow we go through the locks of Dismal Swamp and on to Elizabeth City!
The Chesapeake Bay was very calm. The rain quickly dissipated. It was very overcast. We pulled the main around 9:30 a.m. While passing Wolf Trap light, a brick structure, I was thinking about what an amazing array of lighthouses and markers we've seen on the water so far.
At 10:30 a.m., the sun came out and was burning off the haze. It was reflecting off the water, creating a glare, a very welcome sight! With the jib and main sail fully out, we were doing 6.5-7.5 knots motorsailing.
After making a turn, we pulled in the jib and reefed the main to reef one. It was now sunny and you could see for miles.
We passed the Chesapeake Bay Tunnel Bridges on our port and were approaching Norfolk. The Norfolk Naval Base is huge and we passed two huge aircraft carriers and numerous navel ships a short distance away (300-400 yds.)
At 3:30 we pulled into Tidewater Yacht Marina to top off our fuel. The Naval Shipyard was really close and there were patrolling boats all around so no posting of pictures!
We went under a series of bridges and at 4:30 p.m., we got an opening for the Gilmerton Highway Bridge with a tugboat. After going under the Hwy. 64 bridge and entering the Dismal Swamp, we pulled up to a free dock for the night. No electric, but we're fine with our LED lights and battery power.
Patti cooked dinner. Tomorrow we go through the locks of Dismal Swamp and on to Elizabeth City!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
We're at Deltaville Marina
After a hair-raising day, we landed at Deltaville Marina about 1 p.m. We left Ingram Bay at 9 a.m. through a very narrow channel, with 2 ft. of water on one side of us and 3 ft. on the other. About 45 minutes into the trip, I went downstairs for about two minutes and I heard Chuck holler.
We caught a crab trap. With the rough seas, he didn't see it until the last second and couldn't get out of the way and our speed slowed way down, so he knew we caught it on one of our rudders. I grabbed his Leatherman tool and open the knife. I took the wheel and he hung off the back of the boat and cut the line to the trap.
About 10:45 a.m. the seas were very rough so we reefed the main sail. We couldn't go faster than the waves because we didn't want the boat to "broach." (How's that Steve? LOL).
Bum's Rest was out in front of us. I didn't finish securing the downstairs before we caught the crab trap and the coffee pot flew into the sink and soaked my mail to Maryann and Faye. That's what I get for not getting them to a mailbox. They've been sitting here all week!
I grabbed the ginger gum to ward off nausea. Between the big fishing boats and the fish factory smell, I was feeling sick to my stomach. We were looking at satellite weather and home is getting slammed with rain and there's a huge storm from Va. to Georgia.
To add to our day, about 12:30 p.m. our GPS lost satellite and showed that we were in Williamsburg, Va.! So I went down to get the 492 Garmin out of the V-berth and the hand-held from the ditch bag and we plugged those in while we rebooted the 4208 GPS. Of course, all that happened while we were getting near the narrow Deltaville Channel.
Long story short, we arrived safely, the GPSs are all working just fine and we're off past Norfolk tomorrow to the entrance of the Dismal Swamp canal.
My turn to cook dinner, so I'd better get at it!
We caught a crab trap. With the rough seas, he didn't see it until the last second and couldn't get out of the way and our speed slowed way down, so he knew we caught it on one of our rudders. I grabbed his Leatherman tool and open the knife. I took the wheel and he hung off the back of the boat and cut the line to the trap.
About 10:45 a.m. the seas were very rough so we reefed the main sail. We couldn't go faster than the waves because we didn't want the boat to "broach." (How's that Steve? LOL).
Bum's Rest was out in front of us. I didn't finish securing the downstairs before we caught the crab trap and the coffee pot flew into the sink and soaked my mail to Maryann and Faye. That's what I get for not getting them to a mailbox. They've been sitting here all week!
I grabbed the ginger gum to ward off nausea. Between the big fishing boats and the fish factory smell, I was feeling sick to my stomach. We were looking at satellite weather and home is getting slammed with rain and there's a huge storm from Va. to Georgia.
To add to our day, about 12:30 p.m. our GPS lost satellite and showed that we were in Williamsburg, Va.! So I went down to get the 492 Garmin out of the V-berth and the hand-held from the ditch bag and we plugged those in while we rebooted the 4208 GPS. Of course, all that happened while we were getting near the narrow Deltaville Channel.
Long story short, we arrived safely, the GPSs are all working just fine and we're off past Norfolk tomorrow to the entrance of the Dismal Swamp canal.
My turn to cook dinner, so I'd better get at it!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Settled in Reedville, Va. for the Night
We left Solomons at 9:30 a.m. for Ingram Bay. Seas were 1-2 ft. with 17-20 knots of wind. It was great to see Bum's Rest sailing with us! The sun was shining bright and temps were to be in the 60s. Not bad.
Skipper Chuck pulled out the main sail to help give us momentum and stabilization. We moved at 6.-7 knotw. At 10:50 the winds decreased to 12-15 knots so we turned off the motor and sailed for about an hour. We were falling far behind Bum's Rest so pulled up the keel and started the motor. Winds were about 13 knots and we were going 7.5-8 knots. We saw a submarine at our port and a huge Bouchard ship with cranes passed us, as did several other large ships.
Around 2 p.m. the Potomac River got rough and the sun disappeared. Winds were 20 knots and seas were 2-3 ft., but rolling in close together, making it very choppy. We reefed the main and jib sails. Winds increased to 20-22 and waves were increasing, but the sails helped us bully through the waves and steadied us. We arrived at Ingram Bay Marina around 4 p.m. It's very shallow here, so it was a little hairy getting to our dock.
How's that for a report Steve? LOL.
Patti made dinner tonight and we ate on the "big boat." We're settled for the night and listening to the Eagles game on Sirius Satellite Radio.
Tomorrow: Deltaville.
Skipper Chuck pulled out the main sail to help give us momentum and stabilization. We moved at 6.-7 knotw. At 10:50 the winds decreased to 12-15 knots so we turned off the motor and sailed for about an hour. We were falling far behind Bum's Rest so pulled up the keel and started the motor. Winds were about 13 knots and we were going 7.5-8 knots. We saw a submarine at our port and a huge Bouchard ship with cranes passed us, as did several other large ships.
Around 2 p.m. the Potomac River got rough and the sun disappeared. Winds were 20 knots and seas were 2-3 ft., but rolling in close together, making it very choppy. We reefed the main and jib sails. Winds increased to 20-22 and waves were increasing, but the sails helped us bully through the waves and steadied us. We arrived at Ingram Bay Marina around 4 p.m. It's very shallow here, so it was a little hairy getting to our dock.
How's that for a report Steve? LOL.
Patti made dinner tonight and we ate on the "big boat." We're settled for the night and listening to the Eagles game on Sirius Satellite Radio.
Tomorrow: Deltaville.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Wayne & Patti on Bum's Rest Finally Arrived!!!
Wayne and Patti finally arrived on Bum's Rest this afternoon. We moved to Calvert's Marina directly across from where we were to be with them. Jazzy and Sailor are passed out after two hours of playing. They were so excited to see each other!
I'm cooking dinner tonight. Patti's making salad and dessert. We start heading south together tomorrow.
Just a short day...we're going less than 30 miles to make for an easier day Tuesday.
I'm cooking dinner tonight. Patti's making salad and dessert. We start heading south together tomorrow.
Just a short day...we're going less than 30 miles to make for an easier day Tuesday.
Friday, October 23, 2009
New Friends from Maine
While anchored in St. Michael's the other day, we pulled our dinghy up to a 42 ft. Catalina and met Art and Beth Bauer. We exchanged cards. Today while out in our dinghy, we saw them pulling into the harbor and went up to speak with them. After they anchored, they called us to meet them for a drink...at the Dry Dock Restaurant, which is at our marina.
We sat and talked for more than two hours. They have been sailing for more than 25 years. She is retired from sales and he is a retired electrical engineer. What a nice couple!
We hope to get together with them tomorrow night over a bottle of wine if the weather is good enough for us to take the dinghy to their boat. If not, we'll catch up with them along the ICW.
This morning, we took courtesy bicycles from our marina and rode all over Solomons. There's a small "boardwalk" made of plastic boards along the bay. Beautiful scenery. We visited the University of Maryland Chesapeake Biological Laboratory along the water. I watched two interesting videos on the facility and the research they are doing to bring oysters back to the bay to help clean the water.
We went back to our boat for lunch, then took a 3-hour dinghy ride all around the harbours.
We had a fun day and I'm exhausted, so calling it an early night. We're in this marina until Sunday morning, waiting for Wayne and Patti to catch up to us! They are visiting friends in Annapolis.
We sat and talked for more than two hours. They have been sailing for more than 25 years. She is retired from sales and he is a retired electrical engineer. What a nice couple!
We hope to get together with them tomorrow night over a bottle of wine if the weather is good enough for us to take the dinghy to their boat. If not, we'll catch up with them along the ICW.
This morning, we took courtesy bicycles from our marina and rode all over Solomons. There's a small "boardwalk" made of plastic boards along the bay. Beautiful scenery. We visited the University of Maryland Chesapeake Biological Laboratory along the water. I watched two interesting videos on the facility and the research they are doing to bring oysters back to the bay to help clean the water.
We went back to our boat for lunch, then took a 3-hour dinghy ride all around the harbours.
We had a fun day and I'm exhausted, so calling it an early night. We're in this marina until Sunday morning, waiting for Wayne and Patti to catch up to us! They are visiting friends in Annapolis.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Arrived in Solomons, Md.
We left St. Michael's around 7:30 a.m. with light winds at the bow and the tide in our favor. Speed over ground was 6 knots. As the day progressed, winds were favorable for sailing, so we pulled the main sail to help us with speed and SOG increased to 6.5-7.5 knots. Seas were about 2 ft. and water was breaking over the bow.We arrived in Solomons, Md., around 4:15 p.m. and have a slip at Zahniser's Yachting Center for two nights. They had a sign in our slip, Reserved Sheet Music. First time we saw that!
I'm also including a photo of Skipper Chuck in his new hat from an all-things-Jimmy-Buffett store in St. Michael's called Bleachers.
We'll walk around town tomorrow. Chuck tells me there's a breathtaking view from Chesapeake Biological Laboratory. It's part of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. We'll be sure to take our cameras!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
St. Michael's Harbour Inn Marina and Spa
This morning, Jazzy and I shopped the little shops uptown and bought some Tervis insulated glasses with an embroidered blue crab on them. For those who aren't boaters, they're an insulated tumbler with a lifetime guarantee to keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold. Also bought a few t-shirts. Chuck worked on the electrical panel. Condensation ran behind the panel and our tank levels gauge wasn't working. It seems to be okay now.
We pulled anchor to go for pumpout after lunch today and found out the St. Michael's Harbour Inn Marina and Spa is only $1/ft. this time of year, so we took a slip for the night so the Captain can get a good night's sleep. Plus, we have electric and heat.
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We left Jazzy on the boat after settling at the marina and went uptown. Bought Chuck a straw cowboy-style hat, a sweatshirt and a few other things.
He walked back to the museum store and I picked up some groceries at the Acme and cooked dinner. I caught up on laundry. We're leaving for the Solomons in the morning. It's about 42 miles so a long day on the water.
Patti and Wayne are in Rock Hall and heading to Annapolis to visit friends tomorrow. We'll wait for them at the Solomons.
We pulled anchor to go for pumpout after lunch today and found out the St. Michael's Harbour Inn Marina and Spa is only $1/ft. this time of year, so we took a slip for the night so the Captain can get a good night's sleep. Plus, we have electric and heat.
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We left Jazzy on the boat after settling at the marina and went uptown. Bought Chuck a straw cowboy-style hat, a sweatshirt and a few other things.
He walked back to the museum store and I picked up some groceries at the Acme and cooked dinner. I caught up on laundry. We're leaving for the Solomons in the morning. It's about 42 miles so a long day on the water.
Patti and Wayne are in Rock Hall and heading to Annapolis to visit friends tomorrow. We'll wait for them at the Solomons.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Relaxing in St. Michael's, Md.
Not a breath of wind today and the same is expected tomorrow. Chuck rowed the dinghy to shore and we walked with Jazzy all around town. Stopped and bought some coffee cake at the local bakery for breakfast tomorrow and picked up a few groceries.
Will go back to the Acme tomorrow with our cart to restock. May go back to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum for a stroll. Expect to leave Thursday morning for the Solomons.
Wayne and Patti on Bum's Rest are in Chesapeake City, Del., and should arrive in Annapolis tomorrow. We expect to meet them in the Solomons by the weekend.
Jazzy will be surprised to see her buddy, Sailor!
Will go back to the Acme tomorrow with our cart to restock. May go back to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum for a stroll. Expect to leave Thursday morning for the Solomons.
Wayne and Patti on Bum's Rest are in Chesapeake City, Del., and should arrive in Annapolis tomorrow. We expect to meet them in the Solomons by the weekend.
Jazzy will be surprised to see her buddy, Sailor!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Docked in St. Michael's
We're docked at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. As members, you can dock for $1.50 a foot, plus $10 for electric and we have full use of shower facilities, even if we don't dock here.
I'm enjoying the heat and drying out the boat. It feels great! Tomorrow we'll anchor and bring the dinghy over to tour the grounds. Pets are welcome, so Jazzy can join us.
We went to the Crab Claw tonight and I picked 16 crabs and downed a few Coors Light. Yum! I've been looking forward to picking crabs for a long time. Couldn't help but think about my dad who taught me long ago to pick a crab clean! Wished my sister, Penny, was with me. She's the only one I know who can pick crabs as long as I can. Chuck was patient, but doesn't like to pick crabs, so after an hour and a half, he had enough.
The view is beautiful and the weather was perfect today. Looking forward to enjoying our day tomorrow here.
Wayne and Patti on Bum's Rest are in Cape May and working toward us.
I'm enjoying the heat and drying out the boat. It feels great! Tomorrow we'll anchor and bring the dinghy over to tour the grounds. Pets are welcome, so Jazzy can join us.
We went to the Crab Claw tonight and I picked 16 crabs and downed a few Coors Light. Yum! I've been looking forward to picking crabs for a long time. Couldn't help but think about my dad who taught me long ago to pick a crab clean! Wished my sister, Penny, was with me. She's the only one I know who can pick crabs as long as I can. Chuck was patient, but doesn't like to pick crabs, so after an hour and a half, he had enough.
The view is beautiful and the weather was perfect today. Looking forward to enjoying our day tomorrow here.
Wayne and Patti on Bum's Rest are in Cape May and working toward us.
On Our Way to St. Michael's
Took the dinghy to Harbormaster facilities this morning, showered and did a load of laundry. Left 10 a.m. for St. Michael's. Topped off fuel. We're going 6.5-7 knots with a 3-4 ft. following sea, which is helping our speed.
Winds are light, only 4 or 5 knots. We are motorsailing. The main sail is out to help stabilize the boat. Expect to arrive by 3 p.m.
Winds are light, only 4 or 5 knots. We are motorsailing. The main sail is out to help stabilize the boat. Expect to arrive by 3 p.m.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Going to St. Michael's in the Morning
Weather permitting, we're leaving for St. Michael's in the morning. It's only a short trip. Hoping to pick some crabs while we are there. Not sure if we're heading back to Annapolis to meet Patti & Wayne or meeting them in the Solomons.
Took a two hour walk through Eastport today. It was the first day without rain since Thursday, so we were happy to get in a good walk.
Took a two hour walk through Eastport today. It was the first day without rain since Thursday, so we were happy to get in a good walk.
Brrrr....It's Cold in Annapolis
It's cold in Annapolis, with a high of 44 degrees today. It's about 52 degrees in the boat. The walls and ceiling are dripping everywhere from condensation. We had 1.5+ inches of rain.
Patti and Wayne are trying to leave this afternoon to stay in AC or Brigantine, then to Cape May. It will take 4-5 days of good weather for them to get here. Can't wait, so we can move south!
We're tucked in St. Mary's Cove and well protected here. Not sure if we're moving in the morning or staying on this mooring. I'd like to get to a marina to get the heat on and dry this place out!
We've been conserving water and still have 1/2 tank left. Yesterday we took the dinghy to Harbormaster's facilities for showers and laundry. Boy, did that hot shower feel good!
Taking Jazzy for a walk around town today. She has a raincoat to help keep her dry (and save me hours of grooming). We may go to the Naval Museum today or tomorrow.
Hope all is well with all of you.
Kathy & Chuck
Patti and Wayne are trying to leave this afternoon to stay in AC or Brigantine, then to Cape May. It will take 4-5 days of good weather for them to get here. Can't wait, so we can move south!
We're tucked in St. Mary's Cove and well protected here. Not sure if we're moving in the morning or staying on this mooring. I'd like to get to a marina to get the heat on and dry this place out!
We've been conserving water and still have 1/2 tank left. Yesterday we took the dinghy to Harbormaster's facilities for showers and laundry. Boy, did that hot shower feel good!
Taking Jazzy for a walk around town today. She has a raincoat to help keep her dry (and save me hours of grooming). We may go to the Naval Museum today or tomorrow.
Hope all is well with all of you.
Kathy & Chuck
Thursday, October 15, 2009
On Mooring Ball in St. Mary's Cove, Annapolis
We're hooked on a mooring ball in St. Mary's Cove in Annapolis, overlooking the bridge and the powerboat show. No power here, so Under Armour Cold Gear is keeping me warm. Rain the next few days, so I hope to get to read a book or two. There's a dinghy dock a stone's throw from us, so in between raindrops we may dinghy to shore and walk the Annapolis city streets.
We're just hanging around waiting for The Bumms. Annapolis is a nice place to be.
We're just hanging around waiting for The Bumms. Annapolis is a nice place to be.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Dinner at Pusser's Tonight, Moving to Mooring Ball in a.m.
We're taking our host, Ron Pence, to Pusser's in the Marriott tonight. I won dinner for two at the Eastport Yacht Club's raffle fundraiser on Saturday night, the sailboat show's "Big Bash."
We're planning to move to a mooring ball in Spa Creek, on the inland side of the bridge, early tomorrow to get away from the dock before the nasty storm that's coming up the coast.
Trying to hang out in Annapolis until Monday or Tuesday waiting for The Bumms to catch up to us.
St. Michael's will be our next stop.
Will miss our Viking friends this weekend at A dock's chowderfest. Stay dry, guys and gals!
We're planning to move to a mooring ball in Spa Creek, on the inland side of the bridge, early tomorrow to get away from the dock before the nasty storm that's coming up the coast.
Trying to hang out in Annapolis until Monday or Tuesday waiting for The Bumms to catch up to us.
St. Michael's will be our next stop.
Will miss our Viking friends this weekend at A dock's chowderfest. Stay dry, guys and gals!
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Having Fun in Annapolis
We're having fun in Annapolis. Took the dinghy out and about today. Went to a park and took a walk. Cooking a steak dinner tonight. Nothing exciting to report. We'll probably be here until Thursday if all goes well.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Jamaican Night with B Dockers in Brigantine
Docked in Eastport
Left 8 a.m. after a quick walk. We reached Eastport at 1 p.m. after navigating through 22-25 knot winds and rough seas in the Chesapeake. The wind was in our faces most of the way. It was a fun ride, dunking the anchor for a good amount of the way.
As we were getting closer to Annapolis/Eastport area, we saw a sailboat race going on. Pretty cool.
As we were getting closer to Annapolis/Eastport area, we saw a sailboat race going on. Pretty cool.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
All is Well in Rock Hall
All is well in Rock Hall. Winds are still gusting, but the worst is over.
We took a walk downtown this afternoon. Two blocks from the marina, you wouldn't even know the winds were gusting up to 50 knots on the water! White caps were smacking the back of our boat at the dock.
We had hand-dipped ice cream cones for lunch (yum!) and went to the grocery store for Italian bread to go with the sausage and spaghetti I cooked for dinner. Tomorrow we'll go to Watchman's Restaurant for all-you-can-eat crabs (they have a two hour limit so crab pickers like me don't eat the profits).
Tomorrow we'll put the canvas back on and reorganize the boat. Everything is downstairs with us at the moment and it's a bit crowded down here! No damage, thank God.
Ran into a fitter from home who docks his boat at Gardner's Basin. He anchored last night and his anchor dragged and he hit another boat, then he anchored again and the anchor didn't hold in all the winds and he went aground. He was able to get off this morning with the higher tide. Glad we were able to find a slip in a marina.
We're calling it an early night. Lots of work tomorrow and very little sleep last night, especially for Chuck who was on deck 1:30-5 a.m. keeping an eye on the boat and dinghy.
We took a walk downtown this afternoon. Two blocks from the marina, you wouldn't even know the winds were gusting up to 50 knots on the water! White caps were smacking the back of our boat at the dock.
We had hand-dipped ice cream cones for lunch (yum!) and went to the grocery store for Italian bread to go with the sausage and spaghetti I cooked for dinner. Tomorrow we'll go to Watchman's Restaurant for all-you-can-eat crabs (they have a two hour limit so crab pickers like me don't eat the profits).
Tomorrow we'll put the canvas back on and reorganize the boat. Everything is downstairs with us at the moment and it's a bit crowded down here! No damage, thank God.
Ran into a fitter from home who docks his boat at Gardner's Basin. He anchored last night and his anchor dragged and he hit another boat, then he anchored again and the anchor didn't hold in all the winds and he went aground. He was able to get off this morning with the higher tide. Glad we were able to find a slip in a marina.
We're calling it an early night. Lots of work tomorrow and very little sleep last night, especially for Chuck who was on deck 1:30-5 a.m. keeping an eye on the boat and dinghy.
Waiting Out High Winds
We put out all of our fenders and lines and secured the hatches before going to bed last night. We zipped out all the windows to the dodger, took down the dodger canvas and secured the bimini. About 4 a.m. winds were really tossing us around and Chuck stayed outside to keep an eye on things and adjust some lines. He took down the diesel containers and anything else catching wind and helping to rock the boat. We can't put the keel down too much to stabilize us because we're in shallow water. We are totally safe but don't want any damage to our boat!
The winds calmed for a few hours this morning and Jazzy and I took a 1.5 mile walk around town, while Chuck caught a few zzzzzzzzzzzs after a night of sporatic sleep.
Right now the winds are really gusting. I'm sitting here watching TV while Chuck is checking everything outside.
Jazzy's calming collar is doing wonders. If anyone reading this has a dog who is a worrier, I highly recommend a calming collar. I'm amazed at how well it works!
We may walk over to Waterman's Crab House tonight or tomorrow. It's a stone's throw from our boat. They have all-you-can-eat crabs and many of you know I LOVE them!
The high winds are supposed to end around 6 p.m. Will post again tonight to let you know how we weathered the storm.
The winds calmed for a few hours this morning and Jazzy and I took a 1.5 mile walk around town, while Chuck caught a few zzzzzzzzzzzs after a night of sporatic sleep.
Right now the winds are really gusting. I'm sitting here watching TV while Chuck is checking everything outside.
Jazzy's calming collar is doing wonders. If anyone reading this has a dog who is a worrier, I highly recommend a calming collar. I'm amazed at how well it works!
We may walk over to Waterman's Crab House tonight or tomorrow. It's a stone's throw from our boat. They have all-you-can-eat crabs and many of you know I LOVE them!
The high winds are supposed to end around 6 p.m. Will post again tonight to let you know how we weathered the storm.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Safe at Rock Hall Landing Marina
We are at Rock Hall Landing Marina in Rock Hall, Md. Expect to stay here for three days and head to Annapolis on Friday for the sailboat show. Chuck is batting down the canvas in preparation for the high winds. They are calling for 35-39 knots, with gusts up to 57!
Enjoyed a nice homemade dinner and took a little stroll around the marina grounds. Reorganizing the boat tomorrow during the storm and maybe I'll even have time to start reading a book!
Hoping to pop open a bottle of wine later. Finally. We'be been too tired to even think about it thus far.
Enjoyed a nice homemade dinner and took a little stroll around the marina grounds. Reorganizing the boat tomorrow during the storm and maybe I'll even have time to start reading a book!
Hoping to pop open a bottle of wine later. Finally. We'be been too tired to even think about it thus far.
On the Delaware Yesterday
Enjoying the ride on the Delaware yesterday with Jazzy on my lap. "I don't want to be a boat dog, daddy!"
Sunset on the Delaware River Monday Night
On Our Way to Rock Hall, Md.
We're on the C & D Canal on our way to Rock Hall, Md. It's a beautiful, sunny day today. High of 67 expected. Current is against us again because of the difference in elevations from the Chesapeake to the Delaware. There used to be locks here. This is a much shorter distance than yesterday, so we're in no hurry to get there. Going to spend two days in Rock Hall b/c bad weather and high winds are coming tomorrow.
Cooked turkey bacon and egg on English muffins while we were underway. Defrosting chicken breast for a nice dinner tonight.
Yesterday was a cup of canned soup at 6 p.m. and a sandwich at 11 p.m., so a good dinner with a salad will be welcome.
Cooked turkey bacon and egg on English muffins while we were underway. Defrosting chicken breast for a nice dinner tonight.
Yesterday was a cup of canned soup at 6 p.m. and a sandwich at 11 p.m., so a good dinner with a salad will be welcome.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Finally Reached Summit North Marina in Bear, Del.
We FINALLY arrived at Summit North Marina in Bear, Del., off the C & D Canal at 10:45 p.m., after a long, tedious day on the Delaware. The day started out rough, then was smooth for a while, but the tide and current were against us all day and we were only moving about 3.5 knots over ground, even while going 6.5-7 over water.
We are docked for the night and may head to Rock Hall, Md., in the morning. Will keep you posted.
We are docked for the night and may head to Rock Hall, Md., in the morning. Will keep you posted.
On the Delaware Bay
We are on the Delaware Bay heading for the C & D Canal in Bear, Del. today. Winds were 22-25 knots with 6 ft. seas, a bit rough this morning, but are now down to 14-17 knots. The wind was at our bow and we dunked the anchor over and over.
We've passed several huge barges and tankers. I managed to sneak downstairs long enough to grab a loaf of bread, some smoked ham from the refrigerator and a few packets of mayo and mustard and made my way back up to the cockpit to make lunch.
Now it is sunny and beautiful and we're enjoying the ride. Jazzy stayed on my lap in rough seas, but is now downstairs in her bed taking a nap.
Expect to arrive at Summit North Marina by 7 p.m. or so, but the wind and tide are working against us so we're not making good time.
We've passed several huge barges and tankers. I managed to sneak downstairs long enough to grab a loaf of bread, some smoked ham from the refrigerator and a few packets of mayo and mustard and made my way back up to the cockpit to make lunch.
Now it is sunny and beautiful and we're enjoying the ride. Jazzy stayed on my lap in rough seas, but is now downstairs in her bed taking a nap.
Expect to arrive at Summit North Marina by 7 p.m. or so, but the wind and tide are working against us so we're not making good time.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Settled in Cape May
The fog lifted enough by 10:30 a.m. that we eased out of Brigantine to test the waters. Visibility was only about a half mile when we left. It was a little nerve racking for the first hour or so, but by 1 p.m. visibility was about 3 miles and we could see the coastline.
Winds were about 22 knots by 3 p.m. so the ocean was a little rough, but we were fine. I wore my wristband and took some ginger and that helped a bit. I ate a few saltines to keep the nausea to a minimum.
Jazzy laid on my lap with our stadium blanket over both of us to help block the wind.
We're settled at Utsch's Marina for the night. I went for takeout at the Lobster House while Chuck hosed down the boat. I took Jazzy for a nice long walk. We're headed for the bath house for a nice hot shower and will return to check the weather for tomorrow while enjoying a glass of wine, compliments of Utsch's.
Will keep you posted.
Winds were about 22 knots by 3 p.m. so the ocean was a little rough, but we were fine. I wore my wristband and took some ginger and that helped a bit. I ate a few saltines to keep the nausea to a minimum.
Jazzy laid on my lap with our stadium blanket over both of us to help block the wind.
We're settled at Utsch's Marina for the night. I went for takeout at the Lobster House while Chuck hosed down the boat. I took Jazzy for a nice long walk. We're headed for the bath house for a nice hot shower and will return to check the weather for tomorrow while enjoying a glass of wine, compliments of Utsch's.
Will keep you posted.
Anchored in Brigantine in the fog...
We are still anchored in the black hole in Brigantine. Can't see 50 feet to the bank! Had a fun time with the B dockers last night who are moored together out here. Awoke to a thick fog bank and can't move until it lifts. Hoping to leave for Cape May today, but it may not happen.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
We're on our way!
There was champagne and tears as we left after a severe rainstorm this afternoon. Pulled off the dock around 3:15 p.m., stopped to gas up and arrived at Brigantine around 7:30 p.m.
We are safely anchored at Black Hole in Brigantine. Took our dinghy over to visit six "B" dockers who are moored together here. They made us a fabulous dinner and drinks. Great way to start a vacation!
Don't know how much sleep we'll get tonight with the music, but we're exhausted and the yummy tropical rum drinks may help us sleep.
Plan to head to Cape May in the morning. Will keep you posted.
We are safely anchored at Black Hole in Brigantine. Took our dinghy over to visit six "B" dockers who are moored together here. They made us a fabulous dinner and drinks. Great way to start a vacation!
Don't know how much sleep we'll get tonight with the music, but we're exhausted and the yummy tropical rum drinks may help us sleep.
Plan to head to Cape May in the morning. Will keep you posted.
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