It has been a very busy summer for Trefoil's crew. After 3 weeks at home in July, working on the yard and flower garden, we returned to Trefoil on her cradle at Van Slooten Harbour Marina in Port Henry, on Lake Champlain. We had decided to proceed with the bottom job, and we were prepared with the necessary materials: Soy Strip to remove the old bottom paint, a Festool sander/vacuum borrowed from our friend and fellow sailor Jim Morris, 5 gallons of epoxy barrier coat, and 2 gallons of bottom paint, along with brushes, rollers, Tyvek suits, etc. This was a major undertaking: the Soy Strip worked well to remove the majority of the old bottom paint, the sander was a fantastic tool to use, and then we faired, sanded, faired and sanded again a number of spots on the bottom (not one blister, however!). Finally, we applied 6 coats of Interprotect 2000, and 2 coats of bottom paint. Also during this time, we had a new arm made for the centerboard; Dick installed this and made sure this time that he wedged it in with some King Starboard, to prevent it from ever backing out again!
Trefoil was re-launched on Friday, September 3, and after 2 days of rigging, we set off for a week's vacation on the lake. We had a wonderful time, visiting some of our favorite anchorages: Kingsland Bay, Valcour Island (Spoon Bay), Shelburne Bay, Burlington Harbour, and Westport. Several of those days we were in the company of our friend Larry, who was also on vacation that week aboard his O'Day 30. Kim and Pete on their O'Day joined us on Valcour as well. While in Kingsland Bay, we spotted a familiar looking boat: it was Leonard and Lynnea Rosner, whom we had met in Charleston this spring! We enjoyed chatting with them and hearing about their trip north from Charlston.
On September 19, son Emil and Michelle, Ceiarah, and Noah joined us for a day on the water. The weather was perfect as we sailed to Cole Bay, had lunch, and then powered back to the marina. This past weekend we had a great 2 day trip with good sailing again. On September 24, we saw some more friends from the winter: Peter and Claudia Hornby, whom we had met in Florida, live in Plattsburgh. They drove to Port Henry and we enjoyed lunch together and a visit to the nearby Iron center Museum.
Now it is time to store Trefoil on her cradle for the winter. We have decided to stay home this winter, do some winter hiking and cross-country skiing, as well as some projects at home. Trefoil will travel again to other destinations, but the crew is ready for a landlubbers' winter!
Travels aboard Trefoil to be continued.....
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
It's nice to be home!
We arrived back on Lake Champlain on June 29, after two days in the Champlain Canal. Our trip has lasted nine months; we departed on September 26, 2009. Although we have seen many beautiful spots on our trip south, none of them is more beautiful than our home waters! And after much hot, humid weather during our trip north, including the two days in the Champlain Canal, we were treated to some wonderful "Adirondack weather" for our first couple of days back!! Nights in the 40's, daytime highs in the low 70's and blue skies and sunshine!! What a treat! Two fleece blankets and wool socks at night!
Trefoil came out of the water the next day, and we pressure washed the bottom. We had had the bottom cleaned by a diver in Florida just after we headed north, and there was surprisingly little growth in the past two months. Then Ron moved the boat over to the area where we will work on her until she is ready to go back in the lake. Dick opened up the access to the centerboard, and was unable to dislodge the arm that holds the pin in place. So the centerboard will not be an easy fix, that much we know.
July 1 and it was time to go home. Our friend Mark had given Dick a ride to pick up our car, so we packed up the dirty laundry, and headed home! We are now busy catching up on "home jobs," and will be back at the marina soon, preparing Trefoil for some time on the lake this summer. We are strongly considering the idea of stripping the bottom, doing an epoxy barrier coat, and then new bottom paint. It is a job that needs to be done, and since we are on the hard at the moment, it seems to be a good time to do this job. However, we are also looking forward to enjoying the lake and doing some sailing!
Trefoil came out of the water the next day, and we pressure washed the bottom. We had had the bottom cleaned by a diver in Florida just after we headed north, and there was surprisingly little growth in the past two months. Then Ron moved the boat over to the area where we will work on her until she is ready to go back in the lake. Dick opened up the access to the centerboard, and was unable to dislodge the arm that holds the pin in place. So the centerboard will not be an easy fix, that much we know.
July 1 and it was time to go home. Our friend Mark had given Dick a ride to pick up our car, so we packed up the dirty laundry, and headed home! We are now busy catching up on "home jobs," and will be back at the marina soon, preparing Trefoil for some time on the lake this summer. We are strongly considering the idea of stripping the bottom, doing an epoxy barrier coat, and then new bottom paint. It is a job that needs to be done, and since we are on the hard at the moment, it seems to be a good time to do this job. However, we are also looking forward to enjoying the lake and doing some sailing!
Friday, June 25, 2010
Sleepless in Manasquan and other highlights
With a good weather forecast, we departed Cape May early on June 18, a beautifully cool day with light north winds. We rolled out some jib and had a great ride up to Atlantic City. "Sammy" the tillerpilot really did his share that day. We opted for Gardiners Historic Basin, so that we could easily get our friend Colby ashore and go for a walk. Up and away early the next morning, headed for Manasquan. This is a very busy inlet, lots of fishing boats, and recreational boats, especially on a weekend. We arrived at 3:00 on Saturday afternoon: not a good plan. Our plan was to anchor at "dog beach" as we have done before. On this beautiful, hot, sunny Saturday afternoon, the boats were like ants moving all around the inlet. In the past, we have "hunted around" a bit with the depth finder to find a good spot to drop the hook. This time, we went to the spot we thought we had anchored before, put the hook down and made sure it was set. Whew! Colby was in a hurry to get ashore, so Dick put the dingy in the water and took him to "dog beach." Well, by the time they returned, we were aground, and only 2 hours after high tide! With all of the activity, we had not done our usual careful job of anchoring. Oh, boy, this is going to be interesting! We decided that we would just wait for high tide, and we should be able to get off by ourselves. High tide would be 2:30 AM. OK, cook dinner quickly before it becomes too difficult, sit on the rail for a while and wave at all of the people who pass by on their boats. A few asked if we needed food or water! By low tide, we were at a heel of 35 degrees...very uncomfortable. We rested for a while, and waited for the tide to come back in. About 2:00 AM, we were upright again and we started working to get ourselves off. Dick tried to winch us out with the windlass, and Karen was at the helm, assisted with the engine. We moved an inch or two, tried again, another inch or two, but we finally decided we weren't going to be able to get off under our own power. The hide tide at 2:30 AM was not quite as high as the high tide in the afternoon, by a few inches. So we called BOAT US, and asked for a tow. Within minutes, we were floating free once again! This was the same BOAT US operator who had assisted us back in October in the same inlet! Very professional and helpful. So we re anchored in deeper water, to regroup and rest a bit. By 5:00 AM the fishing boats were underway, and in this narrow channel were were rocking and rolling. We were underway soon after.
The plan had been to return to the anchorage behind the Statue of Liberty, which we have enjoyed before. However, we had received a call from Brian and Deb, whom we had met at Utsch's, saying that the whole area around the Statue was closed off because of the Red Bull Air Races. So on to Plan B: some other folks had told us that Great Kill Harbor on Staten Island is an excellent anchorage. A little out of the way, but we decided to check it out. Only 35 (nautical) miles from Manasquan, but we needed a short day after our sleepless night in Manasquan. This was a very good stop; excellent holding, a good dinghy dock, and a nice place to walk. We certainly slept well that night!
As we were leaving the channel at 7:30 the next morning, a fishing boat passed us: it was Norman, whom we had met a couple of times while he was visiting our friend Rick Kelley on Lake Champlain. Norman lives in New Jersey, and we had told him we would call when we were on the Jersey coast. On the phone the night before, he had told us he would be fishing in Great Kills Harbor the next morning! The timing was perfect!
It was a long slog to Haverstraw that day, 51 nautical miles, with the tide against us most of the day. Our lowest speed of the day was 2.8 knots, but by the time we reached Haverstraw we were up to 6.0 knots. About a half mile from Haverstraw Marina, at 5:00PM, we ran out of fuel!! ARGH!!!! So Dick quickly added diesel to the tank, and we motored to the fuel dock, where we topped off. The fuel dock was very busy, and it was 7:30 by the time we got to our slip, exhausted. Did we mention that it was 90 degrees and humid?
We slept in the next morning, and it was almost 9:30 by the time we were underway. Tide was against us again this day, but our lowest speed was 4.2 knots, better than the day before. Some rain on and off, hot and humid, then thunderstorms forecast for the evening. We picked up a mooring at Hyde Park, and once again our enclosure was an asset, as we had dinner in the cockpit during a downpour! This would be a good spot to return to, as it is walking distance to the Roosevelt Historic Site and the Vanderbilt Mansion.
On to Riverview Marine Services the next day, arriving at noon. Another 90+ degree day, and very humid. UGHH! And an unpleasant surprise: our mast crutches, which we use to hold the mast on the boat while we motor up through the Champlain Canal and back to Lake Champlain, were gone. When one has the mast stepped on the trip south, one stores the mast crutches at the marina, with no guarantees. It is an honor system. Well, someone obviously needed our mast supports, and took them. Fortunately, there was a boat at Riverview when we arrived that had just come from Chicago, through the Erie Canal. Sue and Leo are headed south with their Westsail 32, and do not intend to return. So they offered us their mast crutches! Thank you!! Only minor modifications were needed to make them work for us. We enjoyed some time chatting with Sue and Leo as we all took some breaks in the shade while trying to work on our boats. They were rigging to head south; we were de-rigging to head north on the canal. Thursday morning we finished de-rigging, the mast was down and we were underway by noon. We really appreciate the skill of the staff at Riverview.
Thunderstorms were threatening for the afternoon, and we listened to the weather radio to track the progress of the storms. Once when the skies were really dark and the wind picked up, we picked up a mooring at Castleton for a few minutes. When the conditions quieted down, we were underway again. Later as we entered the Port of Albany, it started to rain, so we hugged the bulkhead, and kept moving. Through the Troy Lock at 6:45; just as we exited the lock, our friend Larry called to see where we were. Larry lives in Waterford; when we arrived at the free docks at Waterford, Larry greeted us and helped us with our lines! Great to see a familiar face! We walked to a nearby pizzeria, and brought pizza and wings back for dinner in the cockpit. Thanks Larry!
This morning, our son Emil picked us up, and drove us to Queensbury so that Colby could see his vet! Colby had developed a skin condition which we wanted checked out. Back to Waterford, lunch with Emil, and he was on his way. We are happy to be here in Waterford, and will probably stay an extra day. Three days from here to Van Slooten Harbour Marina!!
The plan had been to return to the anchorage behind the Statue of Liberty, which we have enjoyed before. However, we had received a call from Brian and Deb, whom we had met at Utsch's, saying that the whole area around the Statue was closed off because of the Red Bull Air Races. So on to Plan B: some other folks had told us that Great Kill Harbor on Staten Island is an excellent anchorage. A little out of the way, but we decided to check it out. Only 35 (nautical) miles from Manasquan, but we needed a short day after our sleepless night in Manasquan. This was a very good stop; excellent holding, a good dinghy dock, and a nice place to walk. We certainly slept well that night!
As we were leaving the channel at 7:30 the next morning, a fishing boat passed us: it was Norman, whom we had met a couple of times while he was visiting our friend Rick Kelley on Lake Champlain. Norman lives in New Jersey, and we had told him we would call when we were on the Jersey coast. On the phone the night before, he had told us he would be fishing in Great Kills Harbor the next morning! The timing was perfect!
It was a long slog to Haverstraw that day, 51 nautical miles, with the tide against us most of the day. Our lowest speed of the day was 2.8 knots, but by the time we reached Haverstraw we were up to 6.0 knots. About a half mile from Haverstraw Marina, at 5:00PM, we ran out of fuel!! ARGH!!!! So Dick quickly added diesel to the tank, and we motored to the fuel dock, where we topped off. The fuel dock was very busy, and it was 7:30 by the time we got to our slip, exhausted. Did we mention that it was 90 degrees and humid?
We slept in the next morning, and it was almost 9:30 by the time we were underway. Tide was against us again this day, but our lowest speed was 4.2 knots, better than the day before. Some rain on and off, hot and humid, then thunderstorms forecast for the evening. We picked up a mooring at Hyde Park, and once again our enclosure was an asset, as we had dinner in the cockpit during a downpour! This would be a good spot to return to, as it is walking distance to the Roosevelt Historic Site and the Vanderbilt Mansion.
On to Riverview Marine Services the next day, arriving at noon. Another 90+ degree day, and very humid. UGHH! And an unpleasant surprise: our mast crutches, which we use to hold the mast on the boat while we motor up through the Champlain Canal and back to Lake Champlain, were gone. When one has the mast stepped on the trip south, one stores the mast crutches at the marina, with no guarantees. It is an honor system. Well, someone obviously needed our mast supports, and took them. Fortunately, there was a boat at Riverview when we arrived that had just come from Chicago, through the Erie Canal. Sue and Leo are headed south with their Westsail 32, and do not intend to return. So they offered us their mast crutches! Thank you!! Only minor modifications were needed to make them work for us. We enjoyed some time chatting with Sue and Leo as we all took some breaks in the shade while trying to work on our boats. They were rigging to head south; we were de-rigging to head north on the canal. Thursday morning we finished de-rigging, the mast was down and we were underway by noon. We really appreciate the skill of the staff at Riverview.
Thunderstorms were threatening for the afternoon, and we listened to the weather radio to track the progress of the storms. Once when the skies were really dark and the wind picked up, we picked up a mooring at Castleton for a few minutes. When the conditions quieted down, we were underway again. Later as we entered the Port of Albany, it started to rain, so we hugged the bulkhead, and kept moving. Through the Troy Lock at 6:45; just as we exited the lock, our friend Larry called to see where we were. Larry lives in Waterford; when we arrived at the free docks at Waterford, Larry greeted us and helped us with our lines! Great to see a familiar face! We walked to a nearby pizzeria, and brought pizza and wings back for dinner in the cockpit. Thanks Larry!
This morning, our son Emil picked us up, and drove us to Queensbury so that Colby could see his vet! Colby had developed a skin condition which we wanted checked out. Back to Waterford, lunch with Emil, and he was on his way. We are happy to be here in Waterford, and will probably stay an extra day. Three days from here to Van Slooten Harbour Marina!!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Hurray, Hurray, we're at Cape May!!
Sorry for the lapse in blogging!! The 3 of us are fine, and we are here at Cape May in a downpour, waiting for the three day weather window we need to get up the New Jersey coast.
To backtrack at bit: the trip from Norfolk to Deltaville was a long one. It took us 11.5 hours to make the trip (56 nautical miles). We had the tide and current against us for a while, and that really makes a difference in a slow boat like ours. Doziers Regatta Point Marina was very nice; Dave and Linda arrived ahead of us and were there to take our lines when we arrived! We stayed two nights here, and enjoyed the pool, a wine and cheese party and dinner with Dave and Linda.
On to Solomons; another long day, but we made better time on this section: 58.8 miles in 11 hours. The tide was with us, and that helped a lot. Nothing happening at the Navy firing range this trip! It was a good day, we rolled out some jib and motorsailed most of the day. At Solomons we anchored; it is an excellent anchorage, with the dingy dock at the Holiday Inn close by, so it is easy to get Colby ashore. Also a great grocery store and West Marine within walking distance. We stayed 2 nights here as well; the problem with 11 + hour travel days is that we need a rest day in between! It became very hot and humid while we were here; we sure do look forward to some cool Adirondack weather! All fall we kept looking for warm weather; now we are looking for relief from the extreme heat and humidity!
From Solomons we crossed over to the eastern shore, entered the Choptank River, and went in "the back door" to St. Michael's. Our friends Carol and Rick Clarke live just a few minutes away, and Carol met us at the dinghy dock and took us back to their house for showers!! Wow, what a treat after being anchored out for 2 nights in this weather!! After, we went out for pizza and then back to the boat. Colby opted to stay with "Auntie Carol" for the night, in the cool, air-conditioned house! Dick needed to go home for a few days; we had planned to find a marina, where Karen and Colby would stay on the boat, and Dick would rent a car to make the trip home and back. Carol came up with a wonderful alternate plan; we could anchor the boat in front of their friends' house in a nearby quiet creek, Dick would fly from Baltimore to Albany, and Karen and Colby would stay with the Clarkes in that cool, air-conditioned house! Thank you Carol! This was a great plan, especially since the temperatures and humidity were at record breaking levels for early June in the Chesapeake. Our good friend Toby picked Dick up at Albany airport in our Toyota. Colby and Karen truly enjoyed the time off the boat with our good friends Carol and Rick. Karen got to sail with Carol on Caspar, a 19' Cape Dory! This was a different and fun time. And Colby finally got to go swimming a couple of times; first time since leaving Lake Champlain in September! Very happy dog! Carol has come to our rescue several times; it is wonderful to have good friends, especially ones who are strategically located on the Chesapeake!
After Dick returned we spent another day anchored near St. Michaels, waiting for a front to pass through. There were several boats in the same anchorage, which was well protected.
From St. Michaels we passed through Knapps Narrows, and then on to Annapolis. We were finally able to sail! It was a beautiful day, with the breeze really picking up as we arrived at Annapolis. It truly is the sailing capital of the East Coast; sailboats all over, and lots of skill evident in the handling of those boats. In Annapolis harbor, moorings are available for $30 per night. A small price to pay to watch the circus! Boats of all sizes coming and going, sailboats, powerboats, tour boats, kayaks, dinghies; it is constant motion, and one can watch it all from the comfort of one's own cockpit! And then of course, when you venture ashore, there are people all over, watching the boats, strolling along the boardwalk, enjoying the beautiful weather. We enjoyed the sights so much we stayed 2 nights.
Then on to Tolchester. This is where we had ended our trip south in the fall of 2008 when we arrived a week before Thanksgiving and the temperatures were in the 20's. The folks at Tolchester Marina took very good care of us when we decided to store the boat here for the winter. It was nice to return in warm weather! Actually, it was another hot and humid day; after visiting with friends here, we enjoyed a swim in the pool and a drink at the pool bar! Colby enjoyed another swim on the beach!
Next day we traveled to Chesapeake City; we were very happy to get a spot at the free town dock! Chesapeake City is another pretty town, with lots of friendly folks. We enjoyed a great crab dinner at the Tap Room. We studied the tide and current charts in preparation for the trip down the Delaware Bay. This is a long trip (62 nautical miles), and the current is significant in the Delaware River and Delaware Bay. Timing is critical to making a successful trip in one day. We left the dock at 5:20 Am, had the ebb tide with us, then current against us for 3 hours, then the current with us. We made the rip from Chesapeake City to Utsch's Marina in 12 hours. We were very pleased to have had such a successful day.
This is our fourth stay at Utsch's Marina; we really enjoy our time here. The staff are friendly and helpful, the protection is excellent, the facilities are very good, and the village of Cape May is a fun place to visit, with a good grocery store and a hardware store. It was beautifully cool here yesterday; what a welcome relief form the temps and humidity we have experienced lately. We arrived here Monday night; we anticipate leaving either Thursday or Friday, depending on how quickly the seas settle down after today's storm. We are using the time here to provision, do laundry, clean the boat, change the engine oil, and catch up the blog! The New Jersey coast for us is a 3 day trip: Cape May to Atlantic City, Atlantic City to Manasquan, and Manasquan to New York City. Then we will be back on the Hudson River! Trefoil can almost see the barn door!
To backtrack at bit: the trip from Norfolk to Deltaville was a long one. It took us 11.5 hours to make the trip (56 nautical miles). We had the tide and current against us for a while, and that really makes a difference in a slow boat like ours. Doziers Regatta Point Marina was very nice; Dave and Linda arrived ahead of us and were there to take our lines when we arrived! We stayed two nights here, and enjoyed the pool, a wine and cheese party and dinner with Dave and Linda.
On to Solomons; another long day, but we made better time on this section: 58.8 miles in 11 hours. The tide was with us, and that helped a lot. Nothing happening at the Navy firing range this trip! It was a good day, we rolled out some jib and motorsailed most of the day. At Solomons we anchored; it is an excellent anchorage, with the dingy dock at the Holiday Inn close by, so it is easy to get Colby ashore. Also a great grocery store and West Marine within walking distance. We stayed 2 nights here as well; the problem with 11 + hour travel days is that we need a rest day in between! It became very hot and humid while we were here; we sure do look forward to some cool Adirondack weather! All fall we kept looking for warm weather; now we are looking for relief from the extreme heat and humidity!
From Solomons we crossed over to the eastern shore, entered the Choptank River, and went in "the back door" to St. Michael's. Our friends Carol and Rick Clarke live just a few minutes away, and Carol met us at the dinghy dock and took us back to their house for showers!! Wow, what a treat after being anchored out for 2 nights in this weather!! After, we went out for pizza and then back to the boat. Colby opted to stay with "Auntie Carol" for the night, in the cool, air-conditioned house! Dick needed to go home for a few days; we had planned to find a marina, where Karen and Colby would stay on the boat, and Dick would rent a car to make the trip home and back. Carol came up with a wonderful alternate plan; we could anchor the boat in front of their friends' house in a nearby quiet creek, Dick would fly from Baltimore to Albany, and Karen and Colby would stay with the Clarkes in that cool, air-conditioned house! Thank you Carol! This was a great plan, especially since the temperatures and humidity were at record breaking levels for early June in the Chesapeake. Our good friend Toby picked Dick up at Albany airport in our Toyota. Colby and Karen truly enjoyed the time off the boat with our good friends Carol and Rick. Karen got to sail with Carol on Caspar, a 19' Cape Dory! This was a different and fun time. And Colby finally got to go swimming a couple of times; first time since leaving Lake Champlain in September! Very happy dog! Carol has come to our rescue several times; it is wonderful to have good friends, especially ones who are strategically located on the Chesapeake!
After Dick returned we spent another day anchored near St. Michaels, waiting for a front to pass through. There were several boats in the same anchorage, which was well protected.
From St. Michaels we passed through Knapps Narrows, and then on to Annapolis. We were finally able to sail! It was a beautiful day, with the breeze really picking up as we arrived at Annapolis. It truly is the sailing capital of the East Coast; sailboats all over, and lots of skill evident in the handling of those boats. In Annapolis harbor, moorings are available for $30 per night. A small price to pay to watch the circus! Boats of all sizes coming and going, sailboats, powerboats, tour boats, kayaks, dinghies; it is constant motion, and one can watch it all from the comfort of one's own cockpit! And then of course, when you venture ashore, there are people all over, watching the boats, strolling along the boardwalk, enjoying the beautiful weather. We enjoyed the sights so much we stayed 2 nights.
Then on to Tolchester. This is where we had ended our trip south in the fall of 2008 when we arrived a week before Thanksgiving and the temperatures were in the 20's. The folks at Tolchester Marina took very good care of us when we decided to store the boat here for the winter. It was nice to return in warm weather! Actually, it was another hot and humid day; after visiting with friends here, we enjoyed a swim in the pool and a drink at the pool bar! Colby enjoyed another swim on the beach!
Next day we traveled to Chesapeake City; we were very happy to get a spot at the free town dock! Chesapeake City is another pretty town, with lots of friendly folks. We enjoyed a great crab dinner at the Tap Room. We studied the tide and current charts in preparation for the trip down the Delaware Bay. This is a long trip (62 nautical miles), and the current is significant in the Delaware River and Delaware Bay. Timing is critical to making a successful trip in one day. We left the dock at 5:20 Am, had the ebb tide with us, then current against us for 3 hours, then the current with us. We made the rip from Chesapeake City to Utsch's Marina in 12 hours. We were very pleased to have had such a successful day.
This is our fourth stay at Utsch's Marina; we really enjoy our time here. The staff are friendly and helpful, the protection is excellent, the facilities are very good, and the village of Cape May is a fun place to visit, with a good grocery store and a hardware store. It was beautifully cool here yesterday; what a welcome relief form the temps and humidity we have experienced lately. We arrived here Monday night; we anticipate leaving either Thursday or Friday, depending on how quickly the seas settle down after today's storm. We are using the time here to provision, do laundry, clean the boat, change the engine oil, and catch up the blog! The New Jersey coast for us is a 3 day trip: Cape May to Atlantic City, Atlantic City to Manasquan, and Manasquan to New York City. Then we will be back on the Hudson River! Trefoil can almost see the barn door!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Back in Norfolk again
The Dismal Swamp Canal trip went well: there are 2 locks to go through on this route. We got through the first one on Sunday, and arrived at the North Carolina Visitors' Center about 12:30 PM. We could have kept going and made it to Norfolk that night, but thunderstorms were imminent, AND there were no boats tied up at the wall when we arrived!! Last fall on the trip south, we were the last of 17 boats to arrive and raft up at this location! This was a treat; we secured our lines, got Colby ashore for a bit, and then the thunderstorms and heavy rain began. We were really glad to be where we were and to have our enclosure in place. A couple of hours later, some of the other boats from Elizabeth City arrived and were were able to help them get tied up. Five of us spent the night here. What a great stop! Lots of space to walk the dog, clean restrooms, and friendly folks!
Through the second lock the next day and on to Waterside Marina in downtown Norfolk. We had stayed here in the fall. It is a great location; step off the boat and into a city. What an abrupt change from 2 days in the Dismal Swamp! Norfolk is a great spot; lots to see and do, and a beautiful waterfront park. We had intended to stay two nights here, but we have opted for a third. Our friends Dave and Linda on Off Islander, dock neighbors from Stuart this winter, arrived last night. They tell us they have been chasing us for weeks, trying to catch up! We stayed an extra day to spend time with them and to avoid the 3 - 4' chop at the mouth of the bay today.
Tomorrow we begin our trip up the Chesapeake! Approximately 200 miles. Some weather is moving in over the next couple of days, so we will monitor that. We did hear reports of a major storm brewing over the Atlantic, with waves to 18'. Glad we are not out there for that!
Through the second lock the next day and on to Waterside Marina in downtown Norfolk. We had stayed here in the fall. It is a great location; step off the boat and into a city. What an abrupt change from 2 days in the Dismal Swamp! Norfolk is a great spot; lots to see and do, and a beautiful waterfront park. We had intended to stay two nights here, but we have opted for a third. Our friends Dave and Linda on Off Islander, dock neighbors from Stuart this winter, arrived last night. They tell us they have been chasing us for weeks, trying to catch up! We stayed an extra day to spend time with them and to avoid the 3 - 4' chop at the mouth of the bay today.
Tomorrow we begin our trip up the Chesapeake! Approximately 200 miles. Some weather is moving in over the next couple of days, so we will monitor that. We did hear reports of a major storm brewing over the Atlantic, with waves to 18'. Glad we are not out there for that!
Saturday, May 22, 2010
On the move
A short trip from Seagate Marina to Oriental, where we once again put down the hook in the very nice anchorage there. Just a short trip to the dinghy dock and we were all three ashore for a nice walk in this pretty town.
Next day, NOAA called for 50% chance of showers and East winds 5 - 10 knots. Now, remember we sat out a day recently when the forecast was for 90% chance of rain and thunderstorms, and nothing happened, except for a quiet day at the dock! So we set out, and within minutes, it was pouring and the winds were 15 -20, from the wrong direction, of course!! And fog. Sure were glad we had that enclosure and the Garmin! Well, the rain didn't last long, and the conditions improved, and we increased from 3.8 mph to 6.3 mph in the afternoon. We were glad to arrive at Dowry Creek Marina, just outside Belhaven. We had spent 5 days here in the fall when Ida passed through. This is a beautiful spot and Mary is a wonderful hostess! Our friends John, Linda and Roscoe on Triton's Trumpet have wintered here and it was great to see them again. They are the folks who helped us out so much the first time we headed south a year and a half ago. We stayed an extra day here, to clean the boat and use the loaner car to go to town for provisions and propane.
Off the next day for the 50 mile trip through the Alligator River-Pungo River Canal and through the Alligator River Bridge. The Canal passes through a beautiful, remote area. We had heard reports of bear swimming across the canal! We didn't see any, but we did spot some deer. This time we opted for the Alligator River Marina, just past the bridge. A great spot, and helpful dock hand! An alligator had been swimming in the marina within the past year, so no swimming for Colby! We saw some turtles floating around off our stern. Colby had a chance to run and play it the open space here.
Today, the trip up the Abermarle Sound has been completed. This large, shallow body of water is an area to be crossed carefully and not in high winds. Even today with 5-10 knots from the east, it was really bouncy for a while. Then it got calm, so we couldn't sail, and then the breeze picked up just as we were coming in! Tonight we are tied up in Elizabeth City at the free docks. Looks like a full house tonight! Still a bit bouncy right now, but forecast is for a calm night tonight. (We'll see about that!)
Tomorrow we start through the Dismal Swamp Canal and we hope to be in Norfolk by Monday night.
Next day, NOAA called for 50% chance of showers and East winds 5 - 10 knots. Now, remember we sat out a day recently when the forecast was for 90% chance of rain and thunderstorms, and nothing happened, except for a quiet day at the dock! So we set out, and within minutes, it was pouring and the winds were 15 -20, from the wrong direction, of course!! And fog. Sure were glad we had that enclosure and the Garmin! Well, the rain didn't last long, and the conditions improved, and we increased from 3.8 mph to 6.3 mph in the afternoon. We were glad to arrive at Dowry Creek Marina, just outside Belhaven. We had spent 5 days here in the fall when Ida passed through. This is a beautiful spot and Mary is a wonderful hostess! Our friends John, Linda and Roscoe on Triton's Trumpet have wintered here and it was great to see them again. They are the folks who helped us out so much the first time we headed south a year and a half ago. We stayed an extra day here, to clean the boat and use the loaner car to go to town for provisions and propane.
Off the next day for the 50 mile trip through the Alligator River-Pungo River Canal and through the Alligator River Bridge. The Canal passes through a beautiful, remote area. We had heard reports of bear swimming across the canal! We didn't see any, but we did spot some deer. This time we opted for the Alligator River Marina, just past the bridge. A great spot, and helpful dock hand! An alligator had been swimming in the marina within the past year, so no swimming for Colby! We saw some turtles floating around off our stern. Colby had a chance to run and play it the open space here.
Today, the trip up the Abermarle Sound has been completed. This large, shallow body of water is an area to be crossed carefully and not in high winds. Even today with 5-10 knots from the east, it was really bouncy for a while. Then it got calm, so we couldn't sail, and then the breeze picked up just as we were coming in! Tonight we are tied up in Elizabeth City at the free docks. Looks like a full house tonight! Still a bit bouncy right now, but forecast is for a calm night tonight. (We'll see about that!)
Tomorrow we start through the Dismal Swamp Canal and we hope to be in Norfolk by Monday night.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Trefoil gets "mooned" and other adventures!
We've had a busy travel schedule, and haven't been able to update our blog until now. Leaving Charleston, we "cranked it up" to get through the Ben Sawyer bridge for the 9:00 opening. We were the last boat through for that opening! Traveling against the current all the way, we motored to Leland Oil in McClellanville. We had stopped here on the trip south; McClellanville is a very pretty town, and there is a fresh seafood market just 2 blocks from Leland Oil, which provides overnight docking for transients. We enjoyed fresh shrimp for dinner!
Colby has been having some occasional intestinal problems, and we decided it was time to get him to a vet for a check-up. Cruising friends had told us about a good vet in Georgetown, so on we went the next day. We hadn't stopped here on the way south, but we are very glad to have made this stop this time. Georgetown is a very pretty town, with a boardwalk and lots of shops and restaurants along the water. Colby had a very thorough check up with Dr. Judy at Harborwalk Veterinary Clinic; she said he has colitis, and prescribed the same medication our vet from home had prescribed back in February when he had a similar problem. We are glad to have had the checkup and certainly happy that it is not anything more serious. Next time we would anchor here, but this time we stayed at a marina, so that we could get our friend to his appointment easily.
An easy day the next day, on to Osprey Marina, near Myrtle Beach. It was a beautiful day traveling on the Waccamaw River. We had the current with us, and could have easily gone farther, but we decided to stop and we were so glad we did! As we were approaching the fuel dock, we spotted "R Hope". We had met Lorne and Edy last fall in Elizabeth City, had enjoyed time with them, and have been emailing ever since. This is the first time we have seen them since November! We enjoyed dinner, wine and conversation with them on their 40' DeFever.
Then we did 2 "marathon days!" 59.7 miles then 69.1 miles the next day! (Normally we travel between 30 and 50 miles per day, depending on location of anchorages and/or marinas, as well as tide and current conditions.) We didn't really plan it that way, but that's the way it worked out. No good places to anchor, some marinas too shallow to get into, etc. The first day was the day Trefoil was "mooned!" When the sun and the moon are in close proximity, the result is "astronomically" (exceptionally) low and high tides. On this particular day, the tide was so low that the Sunset Beach Pontoon Bridge closed for two hours due to the low tide. So we and several other boats anchored, waiting for the tide to come up enough for the bridge to open. First time we had encountered this situation! This was an 11.5 hour day. On the second day, we had a great ride up the Cape Fear River; tide with us, we motorsailed and made between 7.5 and 8.0 mph all the way! This can be a tricky run, so we were very pleased to have excellent conditions and the current with us. We were making such good time we decided not to stop at Wrightsville Beach, but to keep going. The tide was with us, but the "weekend warriors" were out in full force. Lots of wakes, and boaters looking the other way as boats "flew" by. This area along Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach is full of recreational weekend boaters. The marina we had wanted to stop at was full, so we kept going. 11.5 hours under way that day as well.
We decided to do a short day the next day, just 18 miles to Swansboro. We had been here in the fall, and enjoyed the town. So we made reservation at Casper's Marina, and envisioned a restful time. Boy, were we surprised! The southeast wind was blowing directly into the marina, and we were on the outer dock, right into the wind. Add to that the fact that it was Saturday, and lots of boats were in and out, leaving many wakes. Not a restful afternoon, to say the least.
On the next day to a totally different situation! Forecast was for 90% chance of rain and thunderstorms, so we were looking for a "hidey-hole" where we could rest up a bit and have protection from the weather. We found Sea Gate Marina, on the Adams River Canal, between Morehead City and Oriental. A very protected spot, friendly staff, peaceful, good place to walk a dog. We decided to stay 2 nights, due to the unsettled weather. No cell phone service, but great Wifi! So far, grey skies, but no rain or thunderstorms, as predicted. That's OK! Hopefully tomorrow we will move on to Oriental.
A few notes of interest:
1. It is so important to always have the VHF radio on 16. We have seen examples of boaters who apparently only turn on their radios when they want to call someone else. But you try to contact them, and no response! Just today, we heard the Coast Guard hailing a vessel, and there was no answer. Apparently no radio on. Not smart.
2. The dinghy davits have been great, as the dinghy is out of the water, but relatively easy to launch. They do add a maneuverability problem, however, when docking, especially when getting into a tight spot! Also, visibility over the stern is limited. Now we have to stand up frequently to check for traffic astern.
3. Fans are so important in hot weather. We have 2 DC Caframo fans, which we thought might be overkill. We use them all the time in this weather. Also we have two battery powered "personal fans" which get a lot of use as well.
4. We have used the tiller pilot some, and it has been a very welcome break for Richard when it is in use. However, much of the route needs to be hand steered, because of so many turns and also needing to alter course to steer into wakes from powerboats.
5. We have done quite a bit of motorsailing with the jib. The roller furling jib makes this easy. We never roll out more than 70 to 80% of the fore triangle, so as not to put too much stress on the rig. But we do pick up anywhere from a half a mile to a mile an hour when we use it. A real savings on diesel!
Colby has been having some occasional intestinal problems, and we decided it was time to get him to a vet for a check-up. Cruising friends had told us about a good vet in Georgetown, so on we went the next day. We hadn't stopped here on the way south, but we are very glad to have made this stop this time. Georgetown is a very pretty town, with a boardwalk and lots of shops and restaurants along the water. Colby had a very thorough check up with Dr. Judy at Harborwalk Veterinary Clinic; she said he has colitis, and prescribed the same medication our vet from home had prescribed back in February when he had a similar problem. We are glad to have had the checkup and certainly happy that it is not anything more serious. Next time we would anchor here, but this time we stayed at a marina, so that we could get our friend to his appointment easily.
An easy day the next day, on to Osprey Marina, near Myrtle Beach. It was a beautiful day traveling on the Waccamaw River. We had the current with us, and could have easily gone farther, but we decided to stop and we were so glad we did! As we were approaching the fuel dock, we spotted "R Hope". We had met Lorne and Edy last fall in Elizabeth City, had enjoyed time with them, and have been emailing ever since. This is the first time we have seen them since November! We enjoyed dinner, wine and conversation with them on their 40' DeFever.
Then we did 2 "marathon days!" 59.7 miles then 69.1 miles the next day! (Normally we travel between 30 and 50 miles per day, depending on location of anchorages and/or marinas, as well as tide and current conditions.) We didn't really plan it that way, but that's the way it worked out. No good places to anchor, some marinas too shallow to get into, etc. The first day was the day Trefoil was "mooned!" When the sun and the moon are in close proximity, the result is "astronomically" (exceptionally) low and high tides. On this particular day, the tide was so low that the Sunset Beach Pontoon Bridge closed for two hours due to the low tide. So we and several other boats anchored, waiting for the tide to come up enough for the bridge to open. First time we had encountered this situation! This was an 11.5 hour day. On the second day, we had a great ride up the Cape Fear River; tide with us, we motorsailed and made between 7.5 and 8.0 mph all the way! This can be a tricky run, so we were very pleased to have excellent conditions and the current with us. We were making such good time we decided not to stop at Wrightsville Beach, but to keep going. The tide was with us, but the "weekend warriors" were out in full force. Lots of wakes, and boaters looking the other way as boats "flew" by. This area along Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach is full of recreational weekend boaters. The marina we had wanted to stop at was full, so we kept going. 11.5 hours under way that day as well.
We decided to do a short day the next day, just 18 miles to Swansboro. We had been here in the fall, and enjoyed the town. So we made reservation at Casper's Marina, and envisioned a restful time. Boy, were we surprised! The southeast wind was blowing directly into the marina, and we were on the outer dock, right into the wind. Add to that the fact that it was Saturday, and lots of boats were in and out, leaving many wakes. Not a restful afternoon, to say the least.
On the next day to a totally different situation! Forecast was for 90% chance of rain and thunderstorms, so we were looking for a "hidey-hole" where we could rest up a bit and have protection from the weather. We found Sea Gate Marina, on the Adams River Canal, between Morehead City and Oriental. A very protected spot, friendly staff, peaceful, good place to walk a dog. We decided to stay 2 nights, due to the unsettled weather. No cell phone service, but great Wifi! So far, grey skies, but no rain or thunderstorms, as predicted. That's OK! Hopefully tomorrow we will move on to Oriental.
A few notes of interest:
1. It is so important to always have the VHF radio on 16. We have seen examples of boaters who apparently only turn on their radios when they want to call someone else. But you try to contact them, and no response! Just today, we heard the Coast Guard hailing a vessel, and there was no answer. Apparently no radio on. Not smart.
2. The dinghy davits have been great, as the dinghy is out of the water, but relatively easy to launch. They do add a maneuverability problem, however, when docking, especially when getting into a tight spot! Also, visibility over the stern is limited. Now we have to stand up frequently to check for traffic astern.
3. Fans are so important in hot weather. We have 2 DC Caframo fans, which we thought might be overkill. We use them all the time in this weather. Also we have two battery powered "personal fans" which get a lot of use as well.
4. We have used the tiller pilot some, and it has been a very welcome break for Richard when it is in use. However, much of the route needs to be hand steered, because of so many turns and also needing to alter course to steer into wakes from powerboats.
5. We have done quite a bit of motorsailing with the jib. The roller furling jib makes this easy. We never roll out more than 70 to 80% of the fore triangle, so as not to put too much stress on the rig. But we do pick up anywhere from a half a mile to a mile an hour when we use it. A real savings on diesel!
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Be careful what you wish for...!
All fall and winter we complained about the cold. We couldn't wait to get to a dock at night so we could plug in the electric heater. People all along the way kept saying that this was the coldest winter anyone has seen in years, especially in Florida. We just wanted warm weather and sunshine.
Well, folks, the weather has changed! For about a week we have been experiencing temperatures in the high 80's and low 90's, and high humidity. Very uncomfortable. Wow! What a difference. Now local people are saying that this is early for this kind of weather, even for the south! It isn't even summer yet; this is July and August weather!
We enjoyed our time at Isle of Hope, visiting our friends there and taking care of some boat chores. Isle of Hope Methodist Church provided a warm welcome on Sunday morning. We left Isle of Hope on Tuesday, headed for Beaufort, South Carolina. It was a grey day with light rain showers and little wind, but we were making fine progress under power. Then at about 1:30 PM, NOAA announced a tornado warning, with severe thunderstorms and heavy rain headed toward Hilton Head. We were about 5 miles south at that point. The sky turned black, and the wind piped up. It just happened that we were near Haig Point, where there was a series of docks. We radioed, and received no response, so we went in to the dock anyway and tied up. Just in time! Heavy rain, gusty wind, then it all passed in a half hour, and we were on our way again! At that point, we didn't want to cross Port Royal Sound in unsettled weather, so we opted for Skull Creek Marina on Hilton Head. We were soaked, and we needed a break.
On the next day to Beaufort, only 18 miles. This made a very short travel day, but we had enjoyed Beaufort in December, and wanted to visit again in warm weather. So we put the hook down near Downtown Marina, and dinghied ashore to enjoy the beautiful waterfront area. It was just too hot to do any sightseeing, but it was nice to enjoy sitting outside along the waterfront.
Next day was again hot and humid we motored to an anchorage in the South Edisto River, where we had anchored on our way south in the fall. Last time we were all alone; this time two other boats joined us! When we got up at 5:30 the next morning, it was 73 degrees in the boat and 93% humidity. Yuck.
On to Charleston, this time to the Charleston Maritime Center. Good choice. This location is close to the center of Charleston: the Battery, the restaurants, and really all of the action! Last night a front moved through, bringing cooler weather, after a day in the 90's. Overnight temps dipped into the 60's and today has been beautiful, with temps in the 70's and low humidity. This morning we were privileged to attend services the the First (Scots) Presbyterian Church. This was our second time here; we had made a special effort to be in Charleston on Sunday so we could return to this beautiful church.
This has been a busy weekend in Charleston; graduation weekend for the College of Charleston, high school prom night and Mother's Day! Flowers and sundresses are abundant! Very colorful and a different flavor from our November visit.
This afternoon we cleaned the boat, filled water tanks, did some provisioning at Harris Teeter, and reviewed the route north. We plan to cross Charleston Harbor and continue north in the AM. While here we have enjoyed conversation with Lynnea and Leonard Rosner on their Sabre 362. They are from Burlington, VT and keep their boat at LCYC. It is a small world!
Well, folks, the weather has changed! For about a week we have been experiencing temperatures in the high 80's and low 90's, and high humidity. Very uncomfortable. Wow! What a difference. Now local people are saying that this is early for this kind of weather, even for the south! It isn't even summer yet; this is July and August weather!
We enjoyed our time at Isle of Hope, visiting our friends there and taking care of some boat chores. Isle of Hope Methodist Church provided a warm welcome on Sunday morning. We left Isle of Hope on Tuesday, headed for Beaufort, South Carolina. It was a grey day with light rain showers and little wind, but we were making fine progress under power. Then at about 1:30 PM, NOAA announced a tornado warning, with severe thunderstorms and heavy rain headed toward Hilton Head. We were about 5 miles south at that point. The sky turned black, and the wind piped up. It just happened that we were near Haig Point, where there was a series of docks. We radioed, and received no response, so we went in to the dock anyway and tied up. Just in time! Heavy rain, gusty wind, then it all passed in a half hour, and we were on our way again! At that point, we didn't want to cross Port Royal Sound in unsettled weather, so we opted for Skull Creek Marina on Hilton Head. We were soaked, and we needed a break.
On the next day to Beaufort, only 18 miles. This made a very short travel day, but we had enjoyed Beaufort in December, and wanted to visit again in warm weather. So we put the hook down near Downtown Marina, and dinghied ashore to enjoy the beautiful waterfront area. It was just too hot to do any sightseeing, but it was nice to enjoy sitting outside along the waterfront.
Next day was again hot and humid we motored to an anchorage in the South Edisto River, where we had anchored on our way south in the fall. Last time we were all alone; this time two other boats joined us! When we got up at 5:30 the next morning, it was 73 degrees in the boat and 93% humidity. Yuck.
On to Charleston, this time to the Charleston Maritime Center. Good choice. This location is close to the center of Charleston: the Battery, the restaurants, and really all of the action! Last night a front moved through, bringing cooler weather, after a day in the 90's. Overnight temps dipped into the 60's and today has been beautiful, with temps in the 70's and low humidity. This morning we were privileged to attend services the the First (Scots) Presbyterian Church. This was our second time here; we had made a special effort to be in Charleston on Sunday so we could return to this beautiful church.
This has been a busy weekend in Charleston; graduation weekend for the College of Charleston, high school prom night and Mother's Day! Flowers and sundresses are abundant! Very colorful and a different flavor from our November visit.
This afternoon we cleaned the boat, filled water tanks, did some provisioning at Harris Teeter, and reviewed the route north. We plan to cross Charleston Harbor and continue north in the AM. While here we have enjoyed conversation with Lynnea and Leonard Rosner on their Sabre 362. They are from Burlington, VT and keep their boat at LCYC. It is a small world!
Saturday, May 1, 2010
The dog that wouldn't "go"!
Palm Coast was a great stop; friendlly staff, good facilities, great walking. We stayed 2 nights, and while we were there, we had the bottom of the boat cleaned and the zinc changed. Both long overdue jobs!
Then on to St. Augustine, where we decided to anchor out this time. When we first arrived, all was fairly calm, but soon after the hook went down, the breeze really piped up from the south, so all the boats in the anchorage were moving around a lot. It was several hours before we could finally lower the dinghy and go ashore. We went to the same restaurant where we had an excellent dinner on Valentine's Day, but after a long wait, and still no dinner, we finally had to leave to get back before dark. Oh, well, better luck next time!
On to Palm Cove Marina, Jacksonville Beach, another spot we had stopped at on the way down. Two nights here, as the forecast was for thunderstorms. These actually did materialize (NOAA got it right for once!), so we were glad we stayed. It gave us a chance to do laundry, walk to Publix, and clean the boat. Here we met Ted and Malla on their Freedom 33, and enjoyed cocktails with them in our cockpit. That the thunderstorms and heavy rain moved through while they were aboard was not a problem, thanks to our new enclosure!
On to Fernandina Beach. We had planned to pick up a mooring here, but the wind was gusting up to 25 knots from the west, right across the mooring field. Would not be a problem, except that once again, we need to get our good friend Colby ashore, so we arranged for dock space. The dock hands at Fernandina Harbor Marina are excellent! They are skilled at boat handling. Given the conditions, we really needed help getting in. We had not stopped here on the way south, so we enjoyed walking around this pretty town, enjoying ice cream and chatting with the many friendly folks who wanted to talk to Colby. We bought fresh seafood at the Atlantic Seafood Market, right next door.
Underway the next day, we were hailed by "Black Powder," a Navy ship (200+ feet long) that was out doing manuvers along with another ship just as large. We were under sail at that time, and were asked simply to "keep to the red side" of the channel. We passed St. Mary's submarine base, but no subs in sight today. On to Cumberland Island. We had heard from several friends that this was a beautiful spot to visit. We anchored at the Plum Orchard anchorage, in the Brickhill River, and really enjoyed this spot. A great dinghy dock and wide open fields for Colby to run and play!
Next day, on to the anchorage by Fort Frederica, mentioned in Skipper Bob as a dog-friendly anchorage. Boy, was Colby disappointed! Skipper Bob says the dinghy dock is only available at high tide. OK, we could all deal with that. It was low tide when we anchored, so we waited. Then dinghy down, Richard and Colby off to the dinghy dock. BUT, the dock was under construction, and only half of it existed! Fort Frederica is a National Monument. Our federal tax dollars are definitely not at work here. Dick was able to get himself and Colby on the half dock, found a few loose planks lying around (this project had been abandoned a long time ago), and put some in place as a ramp for Colby. He took one look at this, and turned around and jumped back in the dinghy!! Uh uh, not doing that! So back to the boat, and then we walked Colby up to the foredeck, and gave him permission to relieve himself there. He promptly turned around and ran back to the cockpit! Uh, uh, not doing that on MY boat!! So in the AM, we tried again, to no avail, so we set off, both of us feeling bad for our good friend. And this day was a long one, 9 and 1/2 hours on the water. We finally made it to Kilkenny Creek Marina, and as soon as the dock lines were tied, Karen had Colby off the boat. Now this was a happy dog! 36 hours is a long time!!! We all went for a nice long walk.
Yesterday, we traveled to Isle of Hope Marina, near Savannah. This is where we left our boat to go home for Christmas. It was kind of like being back home again! A friendly greeting from the dock staff, and Patty, the office manager, even showed up on her day off to say hello to us and Colby! One of the many nice features about this marina is the courtesy cars; we went to a nearby Mexican restaurant that we enjoyed last time, then to Walmart for some provisions. We plan to be here a few days, to do some boat projects and to be sure that we are well provisioned before we start up through South Carolina and North Carolina.
The weather certainly is different than when we left in February. Today it is 88 degrees! Temps have been definitely on the warm side recently! A down side to this is the bugs; lots of "no-see-ums" especially in the evening. We are certainly glad that we have all opening ports with screens. Today is Saturday, and there is lots of boat traffic, folks out enjoying the beautiful day!
Then on to St. Augustine, where we decided to anchor out this time. When we first arrived, all was fairly calm, but soon after the hook went down, the breeze really piped up from the south, so all the boats in the anchorage were moving around a lot. It was several hours before we could finally lower the dinghy and go ashore. We went to the same restaurant where we had an excellent dinner on Valentine's Day, but after a long wait, and still no dinner, we finally had to leave to get back before dark. Oh, well, better luck next time!
On to Palm Cove Marina, Jacksonville Beach, another spot we had stopped at on the way down. Two nights here, as the forecast was for thunderstorms. These actually did materialize (NOAA got it right for once!), so we were glad we stayed. It gave us a chance to do laundry, walk to Publix, and clean the boat. Here we met Ted and Malla on their Freedom 33, and enjoyed cocktails with them in our cockpit. That the thunderstorms and heavy rain moved through while they were aboard was not a problem, thanks to our new enclosure!
On to Fernandina Beach. We had planned to pick up a mooring here, but the wind was gusting up to 25 knots from the west, right across the mooring field. Would not be a problem, except that once again, we need to get our good friend Colby ashore, so we arranged for dock space. The dock hands at Fernandina Harbor Marina are excellent! They are skilled at boat handling. Given the conditions, we really needed help getting in. We had not stopped here on the way south, so we enjoyed walking around this pretty town, enjoying ice cream and chatting with the many friendly folks who wanted to talk to Colby. We bought fresh seafood at the Atlantic Seafood Market, right next door.
Underway the next day, we were hailed by "Black Powder," a Navy ship (200+ feet long) that was out doing manuvers along with another ship just as large. We were under sail at that time, and were asked simply to "keep to the red side" of the channel. We passed St. Mary's submarine base, but no subs in sight today. On to Cumberland Island. We had heard from several friends that this was a beautiful spot to visit. We anchored at the Plum Orchard anchorage, in the Brickhill River, and really enjoyed this spot. A great dinghy dock and wide open fields for Colby to run and play!
Next day, on to the anchorage by Fort Frederica, mentioned in Skipper Bob as a dog-friendly anchorage. Boy, was Colby disappointed! Skipper Bob says the dinghy dock is only available at high tide. OK, we could all deal with that. It was low tide when we anchored, so we waited. Then dinghy down, Richard and Colby off to the dinghy dock. BUT, the dock was under construction, and only half of it existed! Fort Frederica is a National Monument. Our federal tax dollars are definitely not at work here. Dick was able to get himself and Colby on the half dock, found a few loose planks lying around (this project had been abandoned a long time ago), and put some in place as a ramp for Colby. He took one look at this, and turned around and jumped back in the dinghy!! Uh uh, not doing that! So back to the boat, and then we walked Colby up to the foredeck, and gave him permission to relieve himself there. He promptly turned around and ran back to the cockpit! Uh, uh, not doing that on MY boat!! So in the AM, we tried again, to no avail, so we set off, both of us feeling bad for our good friend. And this day was a long one, 9 and 1/2 hours on the water. We finally made it to Kilkenny Creek Marina, and as soon as the dock lines were tied, Karen had Colby off the boat. Now this was a happy dog! 36 hours is a long time!!! We all went for a nice long walk.
Yesterday, we traveled to Isle of Hope Marina, near Savannah. This is where we left our boat to go home for Christmas. It was kind of like being back home again! A friendly greeting from the dock staff, and Patty, the office manager, even showed up on her day off to say hello to us and Colby! One of the many nice features about this marina is the courtesy cars; we went to a nearby Mexican restaurant that we enjoyed last time, then to Walmart for some provisions. We plan to be here a few days, to do some boat projects and to be sure that we are well provisioned before we start up through South Carolina and North Carolina.
The weather certainly is different than when we left in February. Today it is 88 degrees! Temps have been definitely on the warm side recently! A down side to this is the bugs; lots of "no-see-ums" especially in the evening. We are certainly glad that we have all opening ports with screens. Today is Saturday, and there is lots of boat traffic, folks out enjoying the beautiful day!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Colby's mantra: "Been there, sniffed that"
We left Stuart last Tuesday, April 13, with sad farewells to some good friends. On to Vero Beach, this time on a mooring. With a good breeze, we rolled out some jib and picked up about 1.5 miles per hour. We stayed there 2 nights, and enjoyed the peacefulness of this lovely anchorage, after 6 weeks at a dock. We walked to the beach, and watched some big waves crashing on the shore. No sails or other boats in sight that day!
Then on to Eau Gallie, where we had stayed before. Again, a good breeze and help from the jib. Just as Karen was falling asleep, after a long day, a furry creature landed on her head, entering through the hatch overhead!! It was a cat, off one of the other boats at the marina. A few screams were emitted when the cat landed!
Next stop Titusville. Our dinghy davits had arrived, so Dick had his next day planned. The installation went quite smoothly, and we are pleased with the quality of the davits. Now our dinghy rides out of the water, no longer available to barnacles looking for a home. With our enclosure and the davits, we are really looking like a true cruising boat now. Speaking of enclosure, we are already pleased with its effectivenss. It is very versatile, and we can have 1, 2, 3 or all 4 panels in place. We have had several rainy periods already, and it is wonderful to stay dry during a rainstorm. And Dick has found that he is much less fatigued at the end of a travel day, with the protection from the wind. It was a lot of work, but is already very useful.
While in Titusville, we visited Cliff and Judy again in their comfortable Florida home. Love that screen porch! We had a great dinner and enjoyed an evening with them. We won't tell who cooked the burgers, but they were excellent! Also while in Titusville, we spent an afternoon with Dawn and Rob Zimmerman. Dawn is the sister of Karen's best friend from high school, and it has been 43 years since they have seen each other!!! Dawn and Rob cruised and lived aboard a Tartan 34 for 9 years, spending time in the Bahamas and the Keys, so it was a lot of fun to chat with them.
In Titusville, we had our first manatee sighting! We saw several swimming in the marina, and one swam by and under the boat. We think it may have cleaned off the knotmeter, as it is now working again!
Then on to Daytona Beach. Tide was against us, and so was the wind, so we powered all the way. It was a long day. The engine was running a bit warm all day, so the morning after we arrived in Daytona, Dick cleaned the heat exchanger and replaced the anode. It was definitely time to do this. Our friends Linda and Ed invited us to their house for dinner. Again, another great meal and an enjoyable evening with friends.
Today the engine temperature was back in the "comfort zone" again, so Dick's work yesterday seems to have solved the overheating problem. Tonight we are at Palm Coast Marina. This is a new spot for us, but a good place to be. And there is free Wifi!! This is the first time we have had a good Wifi connection since leaving Stuart. Hopefully we'll be able to post more often now to the blog, as our experience moving south was that Wifi availability was better north of Florida.
Next stop: St. Augustine, then Jacksonville Beach, and we'll be saying farewell to Florida for this year!
Then on to Eau Gallie, where we had stayed before. Again, a good breeze and help from the jib. Just as Karen was falling asleep, after a long day, a furry creature landed on her head, entering through the hatch overhead!! It was a cat, off one of the other boats at the marina. A few screams were emitted when the cat landed!
Next stop Titusville. Our dinghy davits had arrived, so Dick had his next day planned. The installation went quite smoothly, and we are pleased with the quality of the davits. Now our dinghy rides out of the water, no longer available to barnacles looking for a home. With our enclosure and the davits, we are really looking like a true cruising boat now. Speaking of enclosure, we are already pleased with its effectivenss. It is very versatile, and we can have 1, 2, 3 or all 4 panels in place. We have had several rainy periods already, and it is wonderful to stay dry during a rainstorm. And Dick has found that he is much less fatigued at the end of a travel day, with the protection from the wind. It was a lot of work, but is already very useful.
While in Titusville, we visited Cliff and Judy again in their comfortable Florida home. Love that screen porch! We had a great dinner and enjoyed an evening with them. We won't tell who cooked the burgers, but they were excellent! Also while in Titusville, we spent an afternoon with Dawn and Rob Zimmerman. Dawn is the sister of Karen's best friend from high school, and it has been 43 years since they have seen each other!!! Dawn and Rob cruised and lived aboard a Tartan 34 for 9 years, spending time in the Bahamas and the Keys, so it was a lot of fun to chat with them.
In Titusville, we had our first manatee sighting! We saw several swimming in the marina, and one swam by and under the boat. We think it may have cleaned off the knotmeter, as it is now working again!
Then on to Daytona Beach. Tide was against us, and so was the wind, so we powered all the way. It was a long day. The engine was running a bit warm all day, so the morning after we arrived in Daytona, Dick cleaned the heat exchanger and replaced the anode. It was definitely time to do this. Our friends Linda and Ed invited us to their house for dinner. Again, another great meal and an enjoyable evening with friends.
Today the engine temperature was back in the "comfort zone" again, so Dick's work yesterday seems to have solved the overheating problem. Tonight we are at Palm Coast Marina. This is a new spot for us, but a good place to be. And there is free Wifi!! This is the first time we have had a good Wifi connection since leaving Stuart. Hopefully we'll be able to post more often now to the blog, as our experience moving south was that Wifi availability was better north of Florida.
Next stop: St. Augustine, then Jacksonville Beach, and we'll be saying farewell to Florida for this year!
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Movin' on north!
We finished what we wanted to accomplish on our enclosure on Tuesday!!! What a wonderful improvement to our traveling comfort this will be. Just sitting at the dock, we have great protection from the wind and rain. Underway, on those nasty days, we will be so much more comfortable. At least two other couples around us have decided that "we too can do this" after seeing what we have accomplished! And many folks and dog lovers have commented on Colby's new "Super Dog" jacket....made of the almost white Sunbrella that matches our dodger, bimini, and new enclosure, this light colored jacket really helps keep a black dog cool in the bright sunlight! Colby continues to make new friends wherevever we go.
Since then it has been preparations to leave Stuart: provisioning, laundry, clean the decks and the dodger, open the coconuts we have been collecting, etc. We had planned to head to Key Biscayne before turning around to head back to Lake Champlain, but 2 major items have changed this plan. First, the weather: although we are now having beautiful, sunny, warm Florida weather, the wind is out of the East. To go south, it would be best to "go out" along the coast, rather than go through the 29 bridges between Palm Beach and Miami. With the wind direction and no centerboard, we decided that this would not be the best plan. And then yesterday, Dick pulled the dinghy out of the water, and the bottom was totally covered with barnacles!!!! We have talked about getting dinghy davits, but hadn't done that, because of our narrow stern and the expense. After a quick trip to the hardware store, and a muriatic acid bath (in an absolute downpour) for the dingy bottom, we researched dinghy davits and placed an order today!! The davits will be shipped to Titusville, to the DIY yard where we stayed a few weeks ago, and by the time we get there (3 days from here), the davits will also arrive. We will install them there, and then continue north. Cliff and Judy are still in Titusville, so we look forward to seeing them again.
This has been a great place to work on our enclosure, and we have made some wonderful new friends here. We had planned to be here a month, and it will be six weeks ago tomorrow that we arrived here. Although we will really miss our friends here, we do look forward to getting underway again. And while it would have been fun to go farther south, there are some spots along the route north that we look forward to visiting and re-visiting. So the plan is to leave here Monday, stop and visit our friends Neil and Deanne from Newfoundland, who have moved their boat to a different location nearby, and then head for Vero Beach.
Since then it has been preparations to leave Stuart: provisioning, laundry, clean the decks and the dodger, open the coconuts we have been collecting, etc. We had planned to head to Key Biscayne before turning around to head back to Lake Champlain, but 2 major items have changed this plan. First, the weather: although we are now having beautiful, sunny, warm Florida weather, the wind is out of the East. To go south, it would be best to "go out" along the coast, rather than go through the 29 bridges between Palm Beach and Miami. With the wind direction and no centerboard, we decided that this would not be the best plan. And then yesterday, Dick pulled the dinghy out of the water, and the bottom was totally covered with barnacles!!!! We have talked about getting dinghy davits, but hadn't done that, because of our narrow stern and the expense. After a quick trip to the hardware store, and a muriatic acid bath (in an absolute downpour) for the dingy bottom, we researched dinghy davits and placed an order today!! The davits will be shipped to Titusville, to the DIY yard where we stayed a few weeks ago, and by the time we get there (3 days from here), the davits will also arrive. We will install them there, and then continue north. Cliff and Judy are still in Titusville, so we look forward to seeing them again.
This has been a great place to work on our enclosure, and we have made some wonderful new friends here. We had planned to be here a month, and it will be six weeks ago tomorrow that we arrived here. Although we will really miss our friends here, we do look forward to getting underway again. And while it would have been fun to go farther south, there are some spots along the route north that we look forward to visiting and re-visiting. So the plan is to leave here Monday, stop and visit our friends Neil and Deanne from Newfoundland, who have moved their boat to a different location nearby, and then head for Vero Beach.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Almost finished!
We hope none of our good friends and readers have been holding their breath waiting for this enclosure to be finished! This is very different from all of the other boat projects we have done, and it has not been easy. But barring any earthquakes, natural disasters or major health problems, we may actually be finished tomorrow. The last panel should be in place tomorrow. There is still one more panel, the one to go across the aft end of the cockpit, but we will do that at a later date.
Folks are starting to leave; people who have been here several weeks or even several months are leaving to move their boats to storage, north for the summer, or across to the Bahamas. We are still not sure what our next move will be, whether we will go further south or start heading back north from here.
We had a lovely Easter yesterday; Dick sang in the choir at First Presbyterian Church in Port St. Lucie, and Karen and friend Claudia attended the 10:00 service. Our friend David spent some time with us, sorting out some computer problems, and then 8 of us went out to dinner! We had a great time, and enjoyed the company of some fine new friends.
We have been enjoying some beautiful weather, finally. Temps in the high 70's, occasionally 80, and 60's at night. Sunny skies, and light breezes. It feels like Florida!
Folks are starting to leave; people who have been here several weeks or even several months are leaving to move their boats to storage, north for the summer, or across to the Bahamas. We are still not sure what our next move will be, whether we will go further south or start heading back north from here.
We had a lovely Easter yesterday; Dick sang in the choir at First Presbyterian Church in Port St. Lucie, and Karen and friend Claudia attended the 10:00 service. Our friend David spent some time with us, sorting out some computer problems, and then 8 of us went out to dinner! We had a great time, and enjoyed the company of some fine new friends.
We have been enjoying some beautiful weather, finally. Temps in the high 70's, occasionally 80, and 60's at night. Sunny skies, and light breezes. It feels like Florida!
Monday, March 22, 2010
Sewcializing in Stuart!
Progress on our enclosure is slow (does that come as a surprise to anyone?). Getting used to the new machine, which certainly has its idiosyncrasies, weather (two days of heavy rain since the materials arrived), inexperience with this type of project (story of our boat restoration: just when we learn a new process, it is time to move on to the next project!). However, some zippers have been installed on the existing canvas, and as soon as the bimini dries out from last night's rain, we are ready to move on! It is helpful that David and Linda on Off Islander, the Catalina 34 next door, made their own enclosure and are willing to answer questions.
Of course, there is some time for fun as well! Saturday we went to the Stuart Arts Festival; many, many booths of local artists displaying their work, and a great Reggae band, and some very talented performers who danced on stilts! A very impressive show, and a beautiful day to be out. Last Sunday we went to the Farmer's Market, and had lunch out with our friends Kathy and Denny. Stuart has a very attractive downtown area with lots of shops and restaurants. And it is only a short dingy ride away!
The weather has definitely improved; most days are high 60's to mid 70's and sunny (except for the two days of monsoons mentioned above!). Quite a lot of wind, mostly from the west, often 15 - 25 knots. As nice as it is here in Stuart, we look forward to finishing our project and moving on.
Of course, there is some time for fun as well! Saturday we went to the Stuart Arts Festival; many, many booths of local artists displaying their work, and a great Reggae band, and some very talented performers who danced on stilts! A very impressive show, and a beautiful day to be out. Last Sunday we went to the Farmer's Market, and had lunch out with our friends Kathy and Denny. Stuart has a very attractive downtown area with lots of shops and restaurants. And it is only a short dingy ride away!
The weather has definitely improved; most days are high 60's to mid 70's and sunny (except for the two days of monsoons mentioned above!). Quite a lot of wind, mostly from the west, often 15 - 25 knots. As nice as it is here in Stuart, we look forward to finishing our project and moving on.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Ready, set, sew!
It is hard to believe we have been here in Stuart for over 2 weeks! We just received our order from Sailrite with all of the materials we need to build our enclosure. It was actually very time consuming to make all of the measurements, figure out where we wanted to put the zippers, how we would fasten it to the dodger, etc. Then once we placed the order, it took several days for the materials to arrive. In the meantime, we have tried out the new sewing machine, and it works!
We have also been doing some other boat tasks, and doing some major cleaning. After all of the traveling we have done since September, with lots of humidity, there were some areas of mildew that needed to be attacked!! Also, Dick has installed bow and stern lights to our dingy, for those evening cruises!
Having the use of a vehicle has been wonderful. Stuart has every store imaginable, but very little is within walking distance of the marina, so it has been a real asset that Claudia and Peter loaned us their car.
The biggest problem we have had is internet access via wifi. The marina does offer "free Wifi", but it is often difficult to get on and stay on, as there are so many users here. And now we are into "spring Break" time of year, so some folks have their college age kids visiting, so now there are more people trying to get online. We have had great luck all the way down the East Coast using wifi to connect to the internet. Once we got to Florida, it has been much more difficult. We did go to Best Buy yesterday to investigate purchasing a prepaid aircard, but decided it wasn't worth the expense for the time we have left. In conversation with the salesperson at Best Buy, we did learn that, in general, Wifi reception is not good in Florida. Broadband, yes, but Wifi, not so good. Today hopefully we'll be able to post this addition to the blog!
So now we need to get sewing, and get this enclosure built! So long for now.
We have also been doing some other boat tasks, and doing some major cleaning. After all of the traveling we have done since September, with lots of humidity, there were some areas of mildew that needed to be attacked!! Also, Dick has installed bow and stern lights to our dingy, for those evening cruises!
Having the use of a vehicle has been wonderful. Stuart has every store imaginable, but very little is within walking distance of the marina, so it has been a real asset that Claudia and Peter loaned us their car.
The biggest problem we have had is internet access via wifi. The marina does offer "free Wifi", but it is often difficult to get on and stay on, as there are so many users here. And now we are into "spring Break" time of year, so some folks have their college age kids visiting, so now there are more people trying to get online. We have had great luck all the way down the East Coast using wifi to connect to the internet. Once we got to Florida, it has been much more difficult. We did go to Best Buy yesterday to investigate purchasing a prepaid aircard, but decided it wasn't worth the expense for the time we have left. In conversation with the salesperson at Best Buy, we did learn that, in general, Wifi reception is not good in Florida. Broadband, yes, but Wifi, not so good. Today hopefully we'll be able to post this addition to the blog!
So now we need to get sewing, and get this enclosure built! So long for now.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Settled in Stuart
We arrived here at the Harborage Yacht Club and Marina in Stuart, Florida last Sunday, and checked in on Monday, March 1. We are staying here for a month. Our primary reason for staying in one place is to sew a full enclosure for our cockpit. After all of the cold and rain we have experienced during the 1775 miles we have traveled since leaving Port Henry, we decided that we really need to have protection from the elements for our trip back north.
While in Titusville, Cliff and Judy took us to Walmart, where we bought a sewing machine for $79! We have examined the enclosures on some of the boats around us, and tomorrow we will make a pattern, then order materials. By the end of next week, we should be sewing merrily away on the enclosure! With that and the tillerpilot installed, the trip home will be very different from the trip down.
The facilities here at the Harborage are very nice; two swimming pools, a hot tub, great showers (that is always an important factor!), access to the Yacht Club, a restaurant on the premises, a courtesy van, and very friendly staff. All for only $10 per foot per month. It is a rather long walk off the dock to shore, but exercise is a good thing.
The other boaters here are very friendly. A couple of days ago, we noticed "Plattsburgh, NY" on the stern of a Mariner 28 at the dock. We of course introduced ourselves; the next day we spent some time chatting over a glass of wine, and learned that Claudia and Peter were leaving today to go to the Keys. This morning, they asked if we would mind "taking care of" their car while they are gone for the month. Would we mind?! Wow, what an offer! It will be great to be able to run errands, get supplies (more dog food!), and explore the area a bit.
This evening we enjoyed dessert with Linda and David from Ohio on their Catalina 34and Kathy and Denny from Michigan, who have a Tartan 37. It is fun to meet new people who have have had similar experiences.
Everyone we meet says this is the coldest winter anyone in Florida can remember. Nights are still in the 30's, and while many days have been 40's and 50's, this week has been mostly in the 60's and sunny. Very windy, so it really feels cold. The sun, however, makes all the difference. And next week the forecast is for 70's!!!!
While in Titusville, Cliff and Judy took us to Walmart, where we bought a sewing machine for $79! We have examined the enclosures on some of the boats around us, and tomorrow we will make a pattern, then order materials. By the end of next week, we should be sewing merrily away on the enclosure! With that and the tillerpilot installed, the trip home will be very different from the trip down.
The facilities here at the Harborage are very nice; two swimming pools, a hot tub, great showers (that is always an important factor!), access to the Yacht Club, a restaurant on the premises, a courtesy van, and very friendly staff. All for only $10 per foot per month. It is a rather long walk off the dock to shore, but exercise is a good thing.
The other boaters here are very friendly. A couple of days ago, we noticed "Plattsburgh, NY" on the stern of a Mariner 28 at the dock. We of course introduced ourselves; the next day we spent some time chatting over a glass of wine, and learned that Claudia and Peter were leaving today to go to the Keys. This morning, they asked if we would mind "taking care of" their car while they are gone for the month. Would we mind?! Wow, what an offer! It will be great to be able to run errands, get supplies (more dog food!), and explore the area a bit.
This evening we enjoyed dessert with Linda and David from Ohio on their Catalina 34and Kathy and Denny from Michigan, who have a Tartan 37. It is fun to meet new people who have have had similar experiences.
Everyone we meet says this is the coldest winter anyone in Florida can remember. Nights are still in the 30's, and while many days have been 40's and 50's, this week has been mostly in the 60's and sunny. Very windy, so it really feels cold. The sun, however, makes all the difference. And next week the forecast is for 70's!!!!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Three is not a crowd!
Not on a cold, blustery day in the ICW, anyway! After a couple of days at Westland Marine in Titusville, where we enjoyed spending time with Cliff and Judy, and appreciated them taking us to Winn Dixie and Walmart, we invited Cliff to join us for the next leg of the journey. We were glad he decided to join us (Judy said, "Are you sure you want to go today? It is 39 degrees!). We rolled out some jib, and made quick progress, 8 mph much of the way. But it was cold! And winds gusted to 25 mph, making for a rather bone-chilling day. It was nice to have the extra set of experienced hands on the boat that day. Cliff's son Russell picked him up at Eau Gallie, just north of Melbourne. This was a very nice overnight stop, in a well-protectd basin.
Colby had been experiencing some digestive difficulties for a couple of days, so upon arrival at Eau Gallie, we called our vet in Queensbury. He phoned in a prescription to a nearby Walgreen's, which we picked up that evening. We were very happy to get some help for our good friend.
The next day, we traveled on to Vero Beach. It was a very nice day, warmer, and a bit less wind. We motor sailed again, and still made good time. Vero Beach is well known for its "friendly to cruisers" services. Many people pick up a mooring ball here, but Dick was coming down with a cold, and temps were forecast to be in the 30's overnight. As our diesel heater still isn't cooperating fully, we decided to go for dock space so we could plug in the electric heater. The Municipal Marina is a great spot, with excellent facilities. Also, the free city bus stops right at the marina, making trips to the grocery store, West Marine, etc. very easy. We learned the Vero Beach is also called "Velcro Beach" for good reason!
Our friends Ed and Linda on "Seasmoke" had traveled down to Vero Beach a few days ago. (We had visited them at their home in Daytona Beach last week.) They are on a mooring, and with no heat on their boat, they were cold, so we invited them over for dinner the night we arrived. We were happy to offer them a hot dinner and a warm place to relax for a while!
The next morning, we called our friends Bill and Ellie Meyer, friends from our church in Northville. They have a condo on Hutchinson Island, just a short ways from Vero Beach. (Bill and Ellie were the high bidders on the two day cruise on Trefoil at our church auction last summer!) After a short conversation, and agreeing to call them when we reached Stuart, Karen took the bus into town to get some cold medecine for Dick and a few groceries. When I returned, Bill and Ellie were conversing on the boat with Dick! They invited us to go to their house for dinner that evening. We enjoyed our time with them in their comfortable home, right across the street from the ocean. We certainly are eating well these days!
Colby had been experiencing some digestive difficulties for a couple of days, so upon arrival at Eau Gallie, we called our vet in Queensbury. He phoned in a prescription to a nearby Walgreen's, which we picked up that evening. We were very happy to get some help for our good friend.
The next day, we traveled on to Vero Beach. It was a very nice day, warmer, and a bit less wind. We motor sailed again, and still made good time. Vero Beach is well known for its "friendly to cruisers" services. Many people pick up a mooring ball here, but Dick was coming down with a cold, and temps were forecast to be in the 30's overnight. As our diesel heater still isn't cooperating fully, we decided to go for dock space so we could plug in the electric heater. The Municipal Marina is a great spot, with excellent facilities. Also, the free city bus stops right at the marina, making trips to the grocery store, West Marine, etc. very easy. We learned the Vero Beach is also called "Velcro Beach" for good reason!
Our friends Ed and Linda on "Seasmoke" had traveled down to Vero Beach a few days ago. (We had visited them at their home in Daytona Beach last week.) They are on a mooring, and with no heat on their boat, they were cold, so we invited them over for dinner the night we arrived. We were happy to offer them a hot dinner and a warm place to relax for a while!
The next morning, we called our friends Bill and Ellie Meyer, friends from our church in Northville. They have a condo on Hutchinson Island, just a short ways from Vero Beach. (Bill and Ellie were the high bidders on the two day cruise on Trefoil at our church auction last summer!) After a short conversation, and agreeing to call them when we reached Stuart, Karen took the bus into town to get some cold medecine for Dick and a few groceries. When I returned, Bill and Ellie were conversing on the boat with Dick! They invited us to go to their house for dinner that evening. We enjoyed our time with them in their comfortable home, right across the street from the ocean. We certainly are eating well these days!
Monday, February 22, 2010
Florida's East Coast: The Entertainment Coast!
So much to report since our last entry upon our arrival at St. Augustine! We enjoyed our time there so much that we stayed three nights. We visted the old fort (the Castillo de San Marcos), attended services at Trinity Episcopal Church, visited the Cathedral and the Presbyterian Churches, walked around the historic downtown, had a delicious Valentine's Day dinner, and just thoroughly enjoyed this lovely city and the great marina facilities. It helped that this was the first nice weather we have had! Still a bit cool, but sunny.
On Tuesday, we departed St. Augustine and traveled 53.8 miles to Daytona Beach, Halifax Marina. We were very happy to get to Daytona, as we had friends to visit! On Wednesday, Carolyn and Charlie Unger, friends from our church in Northville, picked us up, took us for a beautiful drive along the beach and to their lovely home in Ormond Beach for dinner. Carolyn and Charlie spend their summers in Northville and their winters in Ormond Beach. A sunny(cool) day, and so nice to spend time with friends from home!
Then on Thursday, Linda and Ed Thorne, whom we had met last spring at Cape May on our return trip from the Chesapeake, took us to visit Ponce Inlet and its beautiful surroundings. Another beautiful day, and warmer temps! And a great dinner at their very nice home in Daytona Beach. Linda and Ed spend their winters at their home in Daytona Beach, and their summers traveling north on their lobster boat to visit friends and family. We feel so fortunate to have such wonderful friends!
We stayed an extra day in Daytona Beach, as we were waiting for a package which was being delivered to the Unger's house. Charlie brought it to us on Friday, and then took Dick to an Astronomy Club session at Embry Riddle University that evening. Very interesting!
Saturday, our route took us through some prime fishing territory, en route to Titusville. We saw lots of dolphins along the way. They are so beautiful and graceful as they surface briefly and then dive again. Dolphins have become an everyday sighting, but it is still a thrill for these northern New Yorkers every time we see them! Sunday morning, our friends Cliff Bean and Judy Clary, who have a Morgan 34 at Van Slooten Harbour Marina (Trefoil's summer home) on Lake Champlain, arrived with bagels and coffee! We enjoyed time with them in the morning, then later that afternoon, they picked us up and we went back to their house for dinner! Cliff and Judy spend thir winters in Titusville and their summers at Lake Champlain and in Massachusetts. (We are happy to report that all of our female friends are excellent cooks!)
Today, we moved from Titusville Municipal Marina to Westland Marina, a DIY yard right next door. The energy here is amazing! There are many boat projects going on, both in and out of the water. Today, Dick worked on the installation of the tillerpilot. This will be a welcome addition to our cruising!
Yesterday and today, temperatures were in the 70's, sunny skies (until the rain and thunderstorms this evening!). So wonderful to have Florida weather finally!
Today, Karen met a couple from Albany, NY, who have a camp in Galway! They have been cruising for 4 years, and Rob offered an interesting comment, "When you are retired and staying in one place, you see the same people all the time. When you are cruising, you meet different people all the time. And some of them will become very good friends." We realized that this accurately describes what we have encountered. We greatly enjoy all of our friends back home but meeting new people is what makes cruising so great!
Trefoil continues to be a small but comfortable home for the three of us. We love having new adventures every day, but being in our own home every night.
On Tuesday, we departed St. Augustine and traveled 53.8 miles to Daytona Beach, Halifax Marina. We were very happy to get to Daytona, as we had friends to visit! On Wednesday, Carolyn and Charlie Unger, friends from our church in Northville, picked us up, took us for a beautiful drive along the beach and to their lovely home in Ormond Beach for dinner. Carolyn and Charlie spend their summers in Northville and their winters in Ormond Beach. A sunny(cool) day, and so nice to spend time with friends from home!
Then on Thursday, Linda and Ed Thorne, whom we had met last spring at Cape May on our return trip from the Chesapeake, took us to visit Ponce Inlet and its beautiful surroundings. Another beautiful day, and warmer temps! And a great dinner at their very nice home in Daytona Beach. Linda and Ed spend their winters at their home in Daytona Beach, and their summers traveling north on their lobster boat to visit friends and family. We feel so fortunate to have such wonderful friends!
We stayed an extra day in Daytona Beach, as we were waiting for a package which was being delivered to the Unger's house. Charlie brought it to us on Friday, and then took Dick to an Astronomy Club session at Embry Riddle University that evening. Very interesting!
Saturday, our route took us through some prime fishing territory, en route to Titusville. We saw lots of dolphins along the way. They are so beautiful and graceful as they surface briefly and then dive again. Dolphins have become an everyday sighting, but it is still a thrill for these northern New Yorkers every time we see them! Sunday morning, our friends Cliff Bean and Judy Clary, who have a Morgan 34 at Van Slooten Harbour Marina (Trefoil's summer home) on Lake Champlain, arrived with bagels and coffee! We enjoyed time with them in the morning, then later that afternoon, they picked us up and we went back to their house for dinner! Cliff and Judy spend thir winters in Titusville and their summers at Lake Champlain and in Massachusetts. (We are happy to report that all of our female friends are excellent cooks!)
Today, we moved from Titusville Municipal Marina to Westland Marina, a DIY yard right next door. The energy here is amazing! There are many boat projects going on, both in and out of the water. Today, Dick worked on the installation of the tillerpilot. This will be a welcome addition to our cruising!
Yesterday and today, temperatures were in the 70's, sunny skies (until the rain and thunderstorms this evening!). So wonderful to have Florida weather finally!
Today, Karen met a couple from Albany, NY, who have a camp in Galway! They have been cruising for 4 years, and Rob offered an interesting comment, "When you are retired and staying in one place, you see the same people all the time. When you are cruising, you meet different people all the time. And some of them will become very good friends." We realized that this accurately describes what we have encountered. We greatly enjoy all of our friends back home but meeting new people is what makes cruising so great!
Trefoil continues to be a small but comfortable home for the three of us. We love having new adventures every day, but being in our own home every night.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
St. Augustine Sunshine: superlative !
Trefoil left Jacksonville Beach this AM (after sitting out a day of heavy rain with temps in the low 40's yesterday) with temps in the high 30s and the wind at about 15 knots. Not a comfortable outing. However, as time went by, conditions improved, incrementally. A west wind with a southern route of travel: roll out some jib to supplement the iron main. 7mph, 8mph, 9mph (briefly). Hey...a good ride and only 22 hundred on the tach. Something (not quite) like sailing the boat. We put up the plastic enclosure (ha,ha,ha!; a shower curtain held in place with plastic (LOWES) clamps and kept the 38 degree breeze in the sail and off ourselves: HEAVEN! (It looks a little weird but we got some insight about enclosures.) Then, before we could say "itsforeveritsforeveritsforever" a thousand times, we were in St. Augustine!!!
St. Aug is a BEAUTIFUL city with an attractive waterfront, museums, art galleries, ancient stone buildings, an ancient stone fort as well as parks, eateries, and boutiques. We had planned to stay for two days; we will stay again and longer on the return trip (the what????). The St. Augustine Municipal Marina is an excellent facility and well managed. The scenes from our cockpit are lovely and interesting. We truly feel like we are CRUISING for the first time in a long while. WOW! A nice walk through the old city with the dog, a good meal on the boat and an adult beverage. Life is Good!
Gear: Karen bought me a Wool sweater (Cabelas) for Christmas and I am very pleased with it. "K" and I have used polypro and fleece as our mainstays for many years but I was finding something missing. I believe the difference may be the strength of the weave in a good sweater that physically separates the clothing layers. As good as fleece is, two or more layers seem to bond together. The strong wool knit seems to keep the layers separated for better insulation. (Some hypothesis!)
On another note: We haven't mentioned our fleece sheets before. Many people on boats use sleeping bags. We use sheets and blankets. Sleeping warm and comfortably is important. Karen made sheets from lightweight (polyester) fleece, and we use two fleece blankets as well. We always sleep warmly, even in the cold temps we have experienced. Cotton is not good in a marine environment. Who wants to climb into a cold, damp bed at night? Climbing in between fleece sheets is almost as good as using an electric blanket!
We will soon be "in range" to visit some of our friends from the north country and we look forward seeing so many good people that we have spent time with in the past.
"That's all for now" - Dick and Karen
St. Aug is a BEAUTIFUL city with an attractive waterfront, museums, art galleries, ancient stone buildings, an ancient stone fort as well as parks, eateries, and boutiques. We had planned to stay for two days; we will stay again and longer on the return trip (the what????). The St. Augustine Municipal Marina is an excellent facility and well managed. The scenes from our cockpit are lovely and interesting. We truly feel like we are CRUISING for the first time in a long while. WOW! A nice walk through the old city with the dog, a good meal on the boat and an adult beverage. Life is Good!
Gear: Karen bought me a Wool sweater (Cabelas) for Christmas and I am very pleased with it. "K" and I have used polypro and fleece as our mainstays for many years but I was finding something missing. I believe the difference may be the strength of the weave in a good sweater that physically separates the clothing layers. As good as fleece is, two or more layers seem to bond together. The strong wool knit seems to keep the layers separated for better insulation. (Some hypothesis!)
On another note: We haven't mentioned our fleece sheets before. Many people on boats use sleeping bags. We use sheets and blankets. Sleeping warm and comfortably is important. Karen made sheets from lightweight (polyester) fleece, and we use two fleece blankets as well. We always sleep warmly, even in the cold temps we have experienced. Cotton is not good in a marine environment. Who wants to climb into a cold, damp bed at night? Climbing in between fleece sheets is almost as good as using an electric blanket!
We will soon be "in range" to visit some of our friends from the north country and we look forward seeing so many good people that we have spent time with in the past.
"That's all for now" - Dick and Karen
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Freezing in Florida
Our first day in Florida today, and we were soooooo cold. Forecast for 40's and rain tomorrow. Oh joy.
We had some sunny days after leaving our last stop at Kilkenny Creek. We anchored out the first night (Colby got to go ashore, but came back very muddy!), then on to Jeckyll Island. We motor sailed both days, with 10 - 15 knot breeze, and sun, 50's. Really very nice. A good stop at Jeckyll Harbour Marina. Left there, intending to stop at Cumberland Island, which is supposed to be very beautiful. But forecast was for cold, and gale force NW winds. So we opted for St. Marys, just up the St Marys River, and this was a good choice. A beautiful little town, very nice people, and well protected from the winds. Even so. we rocked a bit in our slip! Stayed there 2 nights, and headed south today. Past Fernadina Beach,, across the St. Johns River, and to Jacksonville Beach. A calm day, but we fought the current most of the day. so progress was slow until the end of the day when we caught a good tide. Temps dropped throughout the afternoon, and we were really cold by the time we reached Palm Cove Marina. So glad to plug in the electic heater, have a glass of wine and a hot dinner! Temps in the 40's, same for tomorrow, with the addition of rain tomorrow. Welcome to warm, sunny Florida!
We had some sunny days after leaving our last stop at Kilkenny Creek. We anchored out the first night (Colby got to go ashore, but came back very muddy!), then on to Jeckyll Island. We motor sailed both days, with 10 - 15 knot breeze, and sun, 50's. Really very nice. A good stop at Jeckyll Harbour Marina. Left there, intending to stop at Cumberland Island, which is supposed to be very beautiful. But forecast was for cold, and gale force NW winds. So we opted for St. Marys, just up the St Marys River, and this was a good choice. A beautiful little town, very nice people, and well protected from the winds. Even so. we rocked a bit in our slip! Stayed there 2 nights, and headed south today. Past Fernadina Beach,, across the St. Johns River, and to Jacksonville Beach. A calm day, but we fought the current most of the day. so progress was slow until the end of the day when we caught a good tide. Temps dropped throughout the afternoon, and we were really cold by the time we reached Palm Cove Marina. So glad to plug in the electic heater, have a glass of wine and a hot dinner! Temps in the 40's, same for tomorrow, with the addition of rain tomorrow. Welcome to warm, sunny Florida!
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Underway, but cold!
Underway yesterday from Isle of Hope, we only traveled 26 miles. Forecast was for 15to 20 from the west, which we thought would be great. Turned out that it was a steady 20 to 25, gusting to 30, and the waters were more open than appeared on the chart, at least for the first 15 miles, so it was uncomfortable traveling, and very noisy. Temperatures around 50 degrees and mostly cloudy, not a pleasant day to be on the water. And not good sailing conditions, with some narrow channels and many changes of direction. We had planned to go further, but we opted for Kilkenny Marina, about 1.5 miles off the ICW. Adequate facilities, good protection, and we were happy to plug in the electric (and therefore the electric heater). It is a great place to walk the dog and we enjoyed meeting the 14 year old yellow lab who lives here. Also met Kevin and Nadia on their Pacific Seacraft 27, who had traveled from the City Dock in Savannah yesterday.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Running away from home...
Isle of Hope feels like home, we have been here so long! But the anticipated storm (and it was worth sitting out) passed through today, and we are ready to head south tomorrow, finally! As nice as it is here, we are more than ready to move on. We look forward to sharing time with some of our friends in Florida, with sunny skies and warm weather!
We have enjoyed all the folks here at Isle of Hope Marina, and our new friends, Grace, Agnes and Mike from Maryland.
We have enjoyed all the folks here at Isle of Hope Marina, and our new friends, Grace, Agnes and Mike from Maryland.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Weather, weather, weather
Well, friends, It seems that Georgia has a hold on us!
Our first order of business upon our return was to complete some boat jobs. So far we have mounted our new 44 pound anchor on the bow, mounted a new winch, installed doors and a knife rack in the galley, added an interior compass, installed new parts in our diesel heater so that it will burn more consistently, and cleaned the burner as well, added a chase to increase the air supply to our diesel, as well as a fan to direct air to the engine. We have refilled a propane tank, done laundry, done a major provisioning, scrubbed the decks (amazing how many bird droppings accumulate when you leave your boat for 6 weeks). The route is in the chartplotter from here to Fernandina Beach, FL.
We were planning to finally leave this morning, but then the forecast was for 100% chance of rain. As you all know, we are an open cockpit boat, and even with a dodger, it isn't a lot of fun to be underway with rain and 50 degree temps. So here we are, still. Our dockspace is paid for until Sunday, Feb 7, so it is easy to just stay until the weather is better. Forecast is for rain again Thurs and Friday, and then a high pressure system is due to move in on Saturday. So that looks like our chance to make a break for it! We need 3 to 4 good days to get into Florida; there is only one marina between here and Jekyll Island, and it is too close to where we are now to be a useful stop, so we will be anchoring out, which is fine, but we would like to have some decent weather. Florida beckons, but we need a good weather window to get out of Georgia!
Speaking of weather, it has been unusually cold here; we have had three or four nights of temperatures in the high 20's. Yesterday I said to Dick, "The docks are crunchy this morning and we aren't walking on granola!" Daytime temps have been mostly in the 50's. Certainly warmer than back home, but not what one would expect in Georgia. Florida is having warmer temps, so we look forward to getting there!
Isle of hope Marina has been a wonderful place to be. We highly recommend it to our cruising friends. The people are friendly, helpful and love dogs, the floating, concrete docks are in excellent condition, the showers are hot, Wifi is provided by the marina, and they have not one but 2 loaner cars! It is very easy to get to the grocery store, Walmart, etc, etc. We are really getting to know our way around here! In fact, we would seriously consider moving here eventually. Isle of Hope is a beautiful residential area. On Sunday we took the day off, went to church in downtown Savannah (the Independent Presbyterian Church, a beautiful building, and it was full!), and spent some time touring the downtown historic area. It was a very chilly (40's) day, so we didn't walk around too much, but Savannah is a very beautiful city. Would like to see more in warmer weather.
Our first order of business upon our return was to complete some boat jobs. So far we have mounted our new 44 pound anchor on the bow, mounted a new winch, installed doors and a knife rack in the galley, added an interior compass, installed new parts in our diesel heater so that it will burn more consistently, and cleaned the burner as well, added a chase to increase the air supply to our diesel, as well as a fan to direct air to the engine. We have refilled a propane tank, done laundry, done a major provisioning, scrubbed the decks (amazing how many bird droppings accumulate when you leave your boat for 6 weeks). The route is in the chartplotter from here to Fernandina Beach, FL.
We were planning to finally leave this morning, but then the forecast was for 100% chance of rain. As you all know, we are an open cockpit boat, and even with a dodger, it isn't a lot of fun to be underway with rain and 50 degree temps. So here we are, still. Our dockspace is paid for until Sunday, Feb 7, so it is easy to just stay until the weather is better. Forecast is for rain again Thurs and Friday, and then a high pressure system is due to move in on Saturday. So that looks like our chance to make a break for it! We need 3 to 4 good days to get into Florida; there is only one marina between here and Jekyll Island, and it is too close to where we are now to be a useful stop, so we will be anchoring out, which is fine, but we would like to have some decent weather. Florida beckons, but we need a good weather window to get out of Georgia!
Speaking of weather, it has been unusually cold here; we have had three or four nights of temperatures in the high 20's. Yesterday I said to Dick, "The docks are crunchy this morning and we aren't walking on granola!" Daytime temps have been mostly in the 50's. Certainly warmer than back home, but not what one would expect in Georgia. Florida is having warmer temps, so we look forward to getting there!
Isle of hope Marina has been a wonderful place to be. We highly recommend it to our cruising friends. The people are friendly, helpful and love dogs, the floating, concrete docks are in excellent condition, the showers are hot, Wifi is provided by the marina, and they have not one but 2 loaner cars! It is very easy to get to the grocery store, Walmart, etc, etc. We are really getting to know our way around here! In fact, we would seriously consider moving here eventually. Isle of Hope is a beautiful residential area. On Sunday we took the day off, went to church in downtown Savannah (the Independent Presbyterian Church, a beautiful building, and it was full!), and spent some time touring the downtown historic area. It was a very chilly (40's) day, so we didn't walk around too much, but Savannah is a very beautiful city. Would like to see more in warmer weather.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Welcome back!
Here we are, the three if us, listening to the wind in the rigging! Sustained winds of 30 knots, the boat shuddering with each gust of 50 knots or more...been there before!
We arrived back here at Isle of Hope Marina, Savannah, Georgia, on Friday afternoon, after six weeks away, home for Christmas. Last week it was so cold here in the south that we extended our time at home in front of the woodstove for an extra few days. And when we returned to Savannah, we were wondering why we had returned, with the raw day we experienced yesterday. Today the temps were around 70 degrees, and very welcome, but a front is moving through, and the wind has really piped up this afternoon. Just before dark we saw a boat, previously at anchor, move on by, with no one aboard! Once again, we are glad to be tied to a very secure dock. Wouldn't want to be in a lowlands anchorage tonight, even with our new 44 pound anchor!
A few boat jobs to do, and we will be underway in a couple of days, seeking sunshine and warm weather!
We arrived back here at Isle of Hope Marina, Savannah, Georgia, on Friday afternoon, after six weeks away, home for Christmas. Last week it was so cold here in the south that we extended our time at home in front of the woodstove for an extra few days. And when we returned to Savannah, we were wondering why we had returned, with the raw day we experienced yesterday. Today the temps were around 70 degrees, and very welcome, but a front is moving through, and the wind has really piped up this afternoon. Just before dark we saw a boat, previously at anchor, move on by, with no one aboard! Once again, we are glad to be tied to a very secure dock. Wouldn't want to be in a lowlands anchorage tonight, even with our new 44 pound anchor!
A few boat jobs to do, and we will be underway in a couple of days, seeking sunshine and warm weather!
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