The Portsmouth Navy Yard, established in 1800, has a long shipbuilding tradition. The shipyard began building submarines during World War I, including the L-8, the first built by a US Navy yard. The yard produced seventy submarines during World War II, launching a record four in one day, and in the 1950s and 1960s built…
FPB 78 Video: A Very Fine Panama Canal Transit
Watch FPB 78-1 Cochise transit the Panama Canal, using a unique side thrusting technique to keep the fenders clean… Yachts …Read More
ENVOY MAINTENANCE IN GOUVIA MARINA
Envoy is in Lefkas Marina for the northern hemisphere winter and we are home in New Zealand. Back to mid-October. After Charles departs we stay for a few days at Gouvia Marina to take advantage of its excellent technical infrastructure and technicians …
That’s Boating (they tell me)
Five days into our trip to Charleston, we’re enjoying a spate of gorgeous weather – sunny skies, flat water, variable light winds, current going our way for the most part, when an engine room check comes back with less than stellar reviews. The s…
Back by Popular Demand…..
Good morning my patient friends!It’s been over a year since I last shared my life with you and MUCH has happened during that time. A sincere thank you to those who asked if I was ok, to those who demanded I get back to this blog, and to those who…
That’s Boating (they tell me)
Five days into our trip to Charleston, we’re enjoying a spate of gorgeous weather – sunny skies, flat water, variable light winds, current going our way for the most part, when an engine room check comes back with less than stellar reviews. The s…
Back by Popular Demand…..
Good morning my patient friends!It’s been over a year since I last shared my life with you and MUCH has happened during that time. A sincere thank you to those who asked if I was ok, to those who demanded I get back to this blog, and to those who…
Dakota’s Carnegie Hall Debut
Diana and I spent our Thanksgiving weekend in New York City so that we could see our “unofficial” granddaughter perform at Carnagie Hall. It was exciting weekend and a very special treat.
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| Carnegie Hall |
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| Steve, Dakota and Becky |
I’ll let Dakota’s American Protege participant’s bio fill you in on Dakota’s musical background.
“Dakota Betts, a 13 year old (who just turned 14) from Glenview, IL has been captivated by the piano ever since learning the distinctive staccato rhythm of “Mexican Jumping Beans” at age 5. She is a student of Dr. Akiko Konishi and has won top prizes in several competitions and festivals. In 2013, Dakota won second place in the Robert Savler Music Competition sponsored by the Chicago Music Teacher’s Association, and in 2014 she was a prize winner again in a higher division, winning third place. In addition, Dakota was the youngest prize winner of the 2014 Triton College Concerto Competition. She also competes on her school’s Science Olympiad team and earned the privilege to represent her district at the Illinois state competition in 2015. When she is not playing the piano or in the science lab, Dakota can be found on the tennis court, soccer field, or writing poetry that reflects her free spirit and vivid imagination.”
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| Becky, Dakota (14), Nathaniel (12) and Steve after the performance |
Dakota is an amazing young women and we have had the privilege of watching her grow up.
Now to the competition. American Protégé Piano and Strings Competitions are open to independent solo musicians of all ages, nationalities and countries. Participants submit their performance on video. The first round of the audition process includes screening of the submissions by the American Protégé Organizational Committee. Then a panel of judges consisting of high-profile musicians and teachers review the finalists and make the final decisions.
Needless to say, when the process is completed the judges have selected young people who have considerable talent.
Now the venue. “The Winner’s Recital” took place on Saturday afternoon at the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. The three hour-long program of classical music included the performances of 34 young people ages 8 to 16. They were absolutely amazing.
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| Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall |
And now to Dakota’s performance. She played a segment from Gershwin’s Prelude No. 1.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zeYTFzypdw
And finally we come to “Dakota’s Carnegie Debut Dinner,” which was held at Ai Fiori, an Italian restaurant at the Langham Place Hotel on 5th Avenue. Dinner was spectacular but this was no surprise given the restaurant’s credentials as described below.
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| Dakota on the staircase to the restaurant |
Ai Fiori received three stars from The New York Times as well as Michelin Star recognition the past several years. The restaurant was also included in Esquire Magazine’s 2011 List of Best New Restaurants in America. Additionally, New York Post critic Steve Cuozzo labeled the signature dish Astice the “greatest dish in the world.” Ai Fiori also ranks among Zagat’s Best Italian in NYC, and the Forbes Travel Guide awarded it four stars.
What a party. It started at 5:30 PM and lasted until after ten. In attendance were family and friends from all over the US and the UK.
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| Becky, Paula, Martha (Dakota’s grandmother) and Gail |
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| Diana and Gail (Becky’s sister) |
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| Dakota’s grandfather John Betts with his friend Doreen |
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| Dakota with her cousin, Audrey |
Now to the rest of the weekend.
Diana and I arrived on Thursday evening after a problem free flight from Tampa and promptly adjourned to the Bianca Restaurant at the Wyndham New Yorker Hotel for Thanksgiving Dinner. This was followed by a walk north on 5th Avenue, where we looked at Christmas decorations and back south through Times Square.
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| Saks Fifth Avenue constantly changing lighted facade accompanied by Nutcracker Suite music |
Friday morning we took the subway and visited the 9/11 memorial. Very moving. The names of every person who perished in the terror attacks of February 26, 1993 & September 11, 2001 are honored in bronze around the twin Memorial pools.
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| One World Trade Center in the background |
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| 911 Memorial Pool |
Then a quick subway ride north to the theater district where we took in a hysterical broadway show, Front Page with Nathan Lane, John Slattery and John Goodman.
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| John Goodman |
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| Nathan Lane and John Slattery |
Friday’s dinner was with Becky, Steve, Dakota, Nathaniel, John and Doreen at Joe Allen in the theater district.
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| Les, Nathaniel and Diana discussing Minecraft at Breakfast at the Tick Tock Restaurant |
Saturday was devoted to Dakota’s performance at Carnegie Hall. However, a funny (well not that funny) thing happened on the way to Carnegie. I lost my cell phone, which I discovered when I used it to get the time right after exiting the taxi cab (approximately 12:30 PM). &*#%%#@@ (expletives deleted). Diana to the rescue. She suggested I use her phone to call mine. Bingo. I got a hold of the passenger in the cab we had just vacated and he arranged for the driver to return to Carnegie with the phone. Believe it or not I still was on time for the start of the 1:00 PM performance.
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| Betts family as we arrive at Pennsylvania Station for the train ride to Newark Airport |
Sunday was a travel day. All of us departed the hotel at 12:30 PM and headed for Pennsylvania Station for the train ride to Newark Airport ($18.00 for Diana & I – best deal in NYC). No hassle at the airport, a smooth flight and we were home.
A spectacular weekend in the Big Apple with spectacular people.
Written by Les.
November 2016 Mount Pleasant/Charleston, SC – St. Mary’s, GA – Gainesville, FL – Wildwood, FL
Today is a splendid day for a bike ride on Wild Dunes, Isle of Palms, Mt. Pleasant, and Sullivan’s Island. Loving our lives!!
I LOVE bridges and the Ravenel Bridge is my very favorite.
This facade is all that remains of the old Bennett Rice Mill standing at the center of the SC State Port Authority’s Union Pier Terminal, downtown Charleston Harbor.
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| One of Charleston’s architectural gems |
The mill opened in 1845 and is considered one of the best examples of 19th century American industrial architecture. Governor Thomas Bennett, who commissioned the rice mill’s construction, envisioned its design to surpass all other mills of its time. It was acclaimed for its successful blending of Classical Revival and Italian Renaissance styles.
After church on Sunday, we had a great catch-up visit over brunch with Martha and Jim in Mt. Pleasant, then did a rare thing for us—we went to see the movie, Sully. Less than infrequently do we do that even though there are many movies that have peaked our interest. We just don’t want to waste that much time not being outside. Yesterday was rainy so we jumped at the chance.
After church on Sunday, we had a great catch-up visit over brunch with Martha and Jim in Mt. Pleasant, then did a rare thing for us—we went to see the movie, Sully. Less than infrequently do we do that even though there are many movies that have peaked our interest. We just don’t want to waste that much time not being outside. Yesterday was rainy so we jumped at the chance.
A majestic reindeer
Our one and only campfire while in Mt. Pleasant’s KOA
This guy’s made of trash that washed ashore
A Mt. Pleasant Sunset
A Mt. Pleasant/Awendaw icon
We’ve heard about the Sewee Restaurant for a long time so decided it was way past time to check it out.
The swimming pool at Mt. Pleasant’s KOA–a terrible waste!!!
Time to leave Charleston/ Mt. Pleasant. We’ve been here 2 weeks but that still isn’t long enough.
Thanks to each of you for my many happy birthday wishes for it was a wonderful day. Bill crowned me Princess for the Day and I marinated in it.
We went to St. Mary’s Boat Yard, GA, to pay homage to our lonesome and forlorned Kindred Spirit III. We slithered beneath her shroud to go inside and deeply inhale the fragrance of diesel fuel that resurrects a jillion memories of being on the water. We have far less room on the coach than on our trawler so we off-loaded extraneous clothing and other non-necessities. We picked up some warm clothes since we’ve decided to extend our land cruising for a few more months in order to reposition our boat. We found all to be well with her inside and out. Despite loving our vagrant lifestyle in our coach, I pine for the boat but we’ll be back aboard soon—time passes so fast, it seems, the older we get.
We went to St. Mary’s Boat Yard, GA, to pay homage to our lonesome and forlorned Kindred Spirit III. We slithered beneath her shroud to go inside and deeply inhale the fragrance of diesel fuel that resurrects a jillion memories of being on the water. We have far less room on the coach than on our trawler so we off-loaded extraneous clothing and other non-necessities. We picked up some warm clothes since we’ve decided to extend our land cruising for a few more months in order to reposition our boat. We found all to be well with her inside and out. Despite loving our vagrant lifestyle in our coach, I pine for the boat but we’ll be back aboard soon—time passes so fast, it seems, the older we get.
St. Mary’s Anchorage for the sumptuous Cruisers’ Thanksgiving Dinner
I uninstalled FaceBook on my phone and when I attempted to reinstall, I inadvertently created another account. I’m hoping to merge my 2 accounts and will delete Laura Sue Lane and hope it doesn’t take Laura Lane Bender with it so you may or may not see my posts in case I vaporize.
After eating more Thanksgiving dinner than we should, we drove up to St. Simon’s Island to spend a few hours with my brother, Bob, from ATL. We had an enjoyable afternoon walking the beach and the sweet little town.
My only sibling, my little brother, Bob, on St. Simon’s Beach, Thanksgiving Day
Trusting each of you had a grateful Thanksgiving. We ALL are so blessed with so much for which to be thankful.
Onward to Gainesville and Big Wheel RV Park, a tranquil and woodsy respite with a very down-home, comfy warmth. As we were departing, Karen, the owner, came out to thank us for staying there and to say goodbye. We’ve never experienced that before.
Although I’m a native Floridian, I’d never visited Gainesville. We strolled around the old downtown area and cycled the Gainesville – Hawthorne 37 mile rail trail. We haven’t been on bikes in weeks or months so that was a bunch to bite off for a first time ride. Ouch!
A downtown Gainesville sculpture
Our next destination, Wildwood, FL, for routine maintenance and a few repairs on our coach at Alliance Coach. They put us in a bay in the mornings then back into our site late afternoon. We’re happy to have some down time to tend to things that we let slide so we can go outside and play. Interestingly, The Villages, a development of 157,000 for adults 55 and older, is right here so we’ve spent some time exploring some of those communities.
On our first day, we cycled 27 miles through The Villages and our posteriors hadn’t recovered from the Gainesville ride. Had hoped to acquire saddle time gradually…but no. I needed some saddle time but didn’t want 64 miles in a period of 2 days. 
These beautiful birds that looked to me like red-headed herons are actually Sandhill Cranes. They’re so exquisite and stately.
I’ve never seen SO many golf carts and they are driven by The Villagees and with naked aggression! They’re all over the place like little ants in overdrive.
Our 2nd day in The Villages but no cycling today. Took our bikes to a local shop to have their periodic checkup. Should be ready Friday which’ll give our ‘sit-upons’ a much needed rest.
Think we’ll be here for a while yet—at least till the weekend. This was day 2 of a technician searching for an electrical connection which seems to be elusive. The hourly rate isn’t peanuts, either, so hope it reveals itself soon because it MUST be identified.
We discussed our take on The Villages. It is TOO homogenous for me. Of all the people we saw, they were every one white caucasians. Every conversation we heard was only English. There wasn’t a single child or young adult that we saw. Don’t think I could ever settle in a community where everybody looked the same, spoke the same, acted the same, were close to the same age and all living in little cookie cutter houses. The property is very well maintained and beautiful—lawn maintenance folks are working all the time and everywhere we looked. Despite the recreational facilities available, SO many of them are grossly overweight. In their little golf carts, regardless of gender, their bellies where just flopped over into their laps. It would/should be an easy life. They have ‘clubs’ upon ‘clubs’–cycling club, corvette club, mahjong club, swim club, ad infinitum, so all you have to do is wake up, dress, look at list of events that day, and just show up. Quite interesting.
This is embarrassing but some may find humor in it—when we were in Wild Dunes where golf carts also abound although not so prolifically, I’d noticed a semi-clear plastic container with a neck on it always riding on the back of the carts so today I said to Bill, “I don’t understand why these golfers have no decorum. That is so absolutely gross that they ride around with their urinals in plain view.” Without falling on the floor laughing, he kindly and patiently explained to me that those are used to repair the grass when it’s damaged when the golfer digs up the turf when hitting the ball. So now I know. Live and learn. But they sure do look like male urinals to me!
This is 30 November and here we sit. We were told to be ready to release the coach at 7:30. At 9:30 we learned that they need to get a part so “go back to your coach and relax today.” No bikes to ride; temps in the 80’s; so will investigate a day trip to somewhere. No complaints from us–happy to have some “do nothing” time.
Till later—
Bill and Laura aboard our coach
Wildwood, FL
This is 30 November and here we sit. We were told to be ready to release the coach at 7:30. At 9:30 we learned that they need to get a part so “go back to your coach and relax today.” No bikes to ride; temps in the 80’s; so will investigate a day trip to somewhere. No complaints from us–happy to have some “do nothing” time.
Till later—
Bill and Laura aboard our coach
Wildwood, FL
Mt. LeConte
Over the past 10 years, November has been a month for moving Idyll Time south to warmer waters. The Atlantic ICW is busy with boaters of a similar desire. The waterway can be very congested and marinas may be full so reservations are always suggested. We have also used November to take a boating break […]
