We rolled out of Demopolis at 8:25. An hour much more palatable for Pam. Tourist was content to run at trawler speed all day. We rose 35′ in Heflin Lock and continued on to our anchorage for the night at Upper Cook’s Bend, mm 278. No sooner had we gott…
May 22 – Annapolis, MD
City Mooring Field
“If we were meant to stay in one place we’d have roots instead of feet.” –Rachel Wolchin
We woke to another cold wet day, more of a fog, which meant Stan had to drive from the flybridge so he could use the radar. The Chesapeake becomes considerably narrower when you approach Annapolis with a lot to see along the shorelines and lighthouses in the bay, but our weather today made these treasures hard to see. It’s a beautiful area and I’m glad we’ve been through this area before on sunny days.
CONTINUE READING HERE…»
May 21 – Lexington, MD (Solomons)
Lewis Creek – Anchorage
“Just another day in Paradise where every hour is happy.” —Unknown
When it rains all day and is also cold, what do you do for entertainment…read, watch TV, sleep, cook, go to the mall? When you’re on a boat, anchored in a little cove, your options are a little more limited. We seem to be stuck in what I’d call Texas March weather…damp, grey, drizzly, foggy and a little on the cold side. We do get the occasional day of sunshine thrown in just to keep our hopes up. It’s kind of like the movie Groundhog Day where Bill Murray wakes up to the same day over and over. Every day seems to be the same this cruising season.
CONTINUE READING HERE…»
Ketchikan to Wrangell
May 15-18, 2016
After arriving in Ketchikan on May 15 we spent the remainder of the day cleaning some of the salt from Spirit and laying out our plans for the next few days. The rain intensified as the day progressed. As a celebration for a smooth crossing of Dixon Entrance we went to the new Bar Harbor Restaurant in a drenching downpour. Even with a taxi it was wet.
On Monday Patrick went to the post office and picked up the parts we had shipped in, including the new Tecma toilet seat which had failed. The main navigation computer had also failed in heavy seas in Johnstone Strait and we had been using a laptop as a stopgap. We had a mixture of sun and showers as the weather front began to move onshore.
Midday we met the crew of Seaducktress at the Cape Fox Lodge for lunch and found that the funicular to the lodge was broken, so we had to hike up “married man’s trail” from Creek Street to the lodge to enjoy the views of downtown Ketchikan and Thomas Basin. Patrick found a new power supply at a local computer store and by the end of the day we were back in business.
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| Hiking up Married Man Trail to Cape Fox Lodge |
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| The trail has 150 vertical steps plus gravel paths |
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| The view from the dining room was worth the hike |
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| Salmon Sculpture alongside Ketchikan Creek |
The weather continued to deteriorate and the predicted gale began on Tuesday, with cold temperatures, wind and rain. Even the eagles looked bedraggled as they fought over food on the boat launch ramp close to our slip. That evening we shared dinner on board “Misty One”, a custom Rayburn that also moors at Anacortes Marina.
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| The bedraggled eagles fighting over a fish |
Wednesday was just as bad from a weather standpoint, so we stayed in Ketchikan and hoped the weather would clear, although a few boats were arriving from Prince Rupert and asking for slip assignments.
May 19, 2016
The rain had stopped and the wind had shifted to the northwest, so at 0715 we cast off the lines and said goodbye to Ketchikan until we are headed south across Dixon Entrance later in the summer. Proceeding north up Tongass Narrows we had hopes of a smooth day in Clarence Strait and that was the case until we got to Ship Island, south of Meyers Chuck. Then the flood tide combined with NW winds to 30 knots created conditions just like Johnstone Strait. There were short, very steep seas and Spirit put the anchors on the bow pulpit underwater on several occasions. We slowed down to keep from pounding to avoid a repeat computer failure. Once again, even though the rain of the past few days had washed off the salt, in in a few minutes we were covered once again. Passing Meyers Chuck we could see that the dock was full so we continued past Misery Island (well named), since the seas were the roughest right off of the island, and then turned into Ernest Sound. The wind continued to blow for another few miles, but now on the beam, and the seas gradually calmed. Once past the tip of Deer Island, the wind and waves both disappeared and we had a flat calm approach into Santa Anna Inlet.
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| The view out of a placid Santa Anna Inlet |
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| Remains of mining machinery in Santa Anna Inlet |
Spirit was the only boat in the inlet, so we anchored at the head of the inlet in 50 feet of water at 1435. Patrick and Miriam got the prawn pots ready and by 1530 three pots were set at our favorite site near the opening to the inlet.
We spend a peaceful night at anchor trying to watch a movie, but either the movie was boring or we were actually too tired, so at 2100 we turned out the lights after watching a nearly full moon rise over the trees.
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| Bald Eagle |
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| Full Moon rising over Santa Anna Inlet |
May 20, 2016
With no particular schedule, Patrick checked the prawn pots sometime after 0800 and brought back our limit of spot prawns plus a number of squat lobsters. After cooking all of them, we pulled the anchor at 0925 and headed up Seward Passage, past Thoms Place and into Zimovia Strait. Regardless of the tide, the current seems to always run towards Clarence Strait down Seward Passage.
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| Some of our spot prawns |
Entering Zimovia Strait we saw something in the water and it turned out to be two deer out for a mid-day swim. As we passed by they turned around and headed back to shore. It is not the first time we have seen this behavior.
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| Deer in Zimovia Strait out for a swim |
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| Approaching Wrangell from Zimovia Strait |
By 1435 we were moored at Wrangell’s Heritage Basin, having covered 90 miles since leaving Ketchikan. That evening we shared the spot prawns with Pat & Rick Lennon on the Selene 53 “Tranquility” along with another apple pie baked by Miriam.
A ridge of high pressure is predicted to build over the Gulf of Alaska over the next few days, so we should continue to have clear but somewhat windy weather.
Decisions
North or South?All went fairly well on our shake-out cruise. A few minor glitches but nothing I couldn’t fix myself. It was good we were aboard Istaboa as one of our ACs decided to overflow it’s condensation well. Mel woke me up to point out we were dr…
May 20 – Lexington, MD (Solomons)
Lewis Creek – Anchorage
“The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.” —William Arthur Ward
Today we said good-bye to our new Monk friends and moved up the Bay towards Solomons. The weather couldn’t have been better…the water was flat, the sky bright blue and we even got to wear shorts part of the day. It was a wonderful day on the Chesapeake.
CONTINUE READING HERE…»
Naples
Earlier this month we rented a car and made a road trip to Naples, Florida to have lunch with a friend. On the way there, we made a couple of stops to take in some Everglades wildlife. We didn’t see the elusive Florida Panther, but we did see plenty of alligators. Trip highlights from May…
3 January 2016 St. Pete, FL- 20 May 2016 Mt. Pleasant, SC
It’s been so many months since I posted a blog that there’s no need in rehashing history. Will include a few pictures and high lights and will begin with more current travels.
We said “goodbye” to the Pinellis Trail as we cycled across the peninsula and back home by way of Gulfport which was a glimpse back into the 1940’s. we tossed our lines. The time there flew far too fast. Hope to spend the entire season there next year. Although we love the city, we do begin to get the itch to move on but knowing we’ll return lessens the sadness of leaving.
During one St. Pete weekend, we were on Treasure Island, and attended the Tampa Bay Cruisers mini-rendezvous. Great conversation and wonderful food. So glad we were included.
Besides yoga, cycling, swimming, and walking, we were so fortunate to attend numerous concerts from all venues. For us, musical opportunities are usually few and far between.
We had a lovely cruise after leaving St. Petersburg, arriving mid afternoon at Bradenton Yacht Club where we were welcomed by our friends, Eddie and Fred. Dinner in the dining room and the entire evening was delightful. The pool is 3 giants steps away from our slip so I took a plunge even before coffee. What a way to start the day.
This is one of our most treasured possessions! Our friend, Rich, did this water color of our boat! When he and Sue presented it to us, I had NO words. First time ever that I’ve been rendered speechless! We are so humbled by the gift of his talent.
Our Lake Okeechobee crossing couldn’t have been more ideal. The lake was like a mill pond. Many people asked if we’d ever been to Moore Haven so that was a planned stop and now we can now answer in the affirmative. Moore Haven occupies 1 square mile and is a pitifully sad little town. Making the acquaintance of Suzy and Michael made our stop there well worth it. We shared our anniversary dinner with them at a Mexican mom-pop joint ON paper plates and drinking water. They don’t have a liquor license. A unique experience to say the least.
As cruisers, we really don’t need reminders of the fragility and stupidity of making plans, agendas, itineraries, schedules. Vero Beach was never on our list of intended stops but when the temps were/are low and the winds were/are howling, thanks to a kind-hearted friends, Jim and Betsy, who finagled a slip for us, they were able to tuck in safely.This is why we choose to say that our cruising plans are cast in very dilute Jello. We can tell you where we’ll be or hope to be—but just not when. Jim and Bets took us to one of their favorite places in Ft. Pierce, Taco Dive. Love their decor—pallets on the wall and dusty bed springs hanging from the ceiling! Food is very tasty and we highly recommend the Drunken Burrito. I was more than enough to share.
A nippy and windy Vero Beach, FL. sunset but despite those 2 factors, we covered some territory on our bikes. Quite a few changes here since we were here last…and we can’t recall when that was. 
One evening we had a delightful dinner with Dick and Mela and just as we arrived home, the rain began. The next day the sun was shining beautifully but the wind was blowing like mad. We have 2 bow, 2 stern, and 4 springs and we’re still rocking and rolling. No complaints. We’re safe and a great day to accomplish some long-neglected “wanna do’s”.
We’re being able to connect with so many of our boating friends but motor homing isn’t like this. Out of 6 months we connected not with a single soul. Guess all our friends are water lovers.
We were able to spend several days with our wonderful friend, Bobbi, on Merritt Island. Love love love going to visit her. She’s a wonderful hostess and a bunch of fun.
Good morning from NASA Causeway Anchorage. This is a glorious morning!
Our stop at Smyrna Yacht Club is always a wonderful few days because we get to spend them with John and Cozette. Saturday was spent appreciating first class music of all genres and remarkable art displayed the length of Canal Street, Riverside Park, and a lengthy portion of Riverside Drive. Our visit concluded (till we meet again) Saturday night with a view of the sunset from their dock, cocktails beside the fire pit and one of Cozette’s masterful dinners. John and Joan, whom we’d not seen in several years, were also there and we lapped up tales of what’s transpired in our lives since last we were together. Thank you, Cozette and John, for a memorable evening.
Loved my trek down the beach south of Marineland in search of coquina outcroppings, until the skies opened up and there I was in shorts and a tee shirt, wet to the bone, and shivering to the point of chattering teeth.The high point of being here was having dinner with our friends Gary and Vicki at Captain’s BBQ Bait and Tackle. The 4 of us talked a mile a minute just trying to catch up since last we had the opportunity to leisurely visit.This was a great and very enjoyable evening.
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| Brunswick Landing Marina Dock Master, Sherrie, and me. |
Enjoying a wonderful dinner of fillets tender enough to cut with a fork in Brunswick. We’re sitting too close to the bar not to be reminded of the truth that alcohol does NOT bring out the best in those who are imbibers. Wonderful date night. You never get too old for romancing.
Cycled length of St. Simon’s Island, south to north and back—from The Village to Fort Frederica, returning to The Village. Beautiful day and perfect weather. Tried my hardest to hurl sticks at those oranges tempting me in so many front yards but no luck. Fear I might’ve been throwing like a gurl.
I made a mad dash into a store and there stands my next patient. Again, TMI, but she told me all about her Crohnes and the trials, tribulations and embarrassing moments that has caused her. Gave her the name and number of a possible solution and bid her farewell. I should keep a diary.
Along that same vein, Bill and I had a very unusual experience and it was particularly so for him because this kind of thing happens to me ALL the time and when I come home and tell him, he’s probably thinking, “Yeah! Right!”. Strangers invariably approach me to tell me their medical and psychological issues. Don’t know what it is about my face that invites total strangers to come up to me and bare their souls. They don’t even know I’m a RN when they start reeling off symptoms and telling me far too much about their physical maladies.
We were taking a little walk one day adorned with our Santa hats when a woman pulled up beside us in her car and yells out the window, “Merry Christmas”. She was grinning from ear to ear. She sprung from her car, called us ‘darling’ and ‘precious’ and held our hands. She asked if we “live around here” so Bill always launches into that story with the same exuberance and enthusiasm in his voice as the first time he ever told it…so long ago and far way. I thought she might’ve been a little lady we’d met last night at the Christmas service but no. She introduced herself as ‘Brender” and began to bend our ears about her 3 husbands. One had a gear shift accident to the groin and she regaled us with graphic detail of post op results of his reconstruction. Definitely TMI.
She told us she’s almost 65 and wants a husband so bad. She grabbed onto Bill’s hand and she wants a man who’ll be good to her, love her, and hold her hand. Suggest she try E-Harmony but got the impression that she isn’t computer literate so I asked if she went to church and she does but there’s one 49 y/o man who is alway groping. She demo’d on me and I’m about to get the heebie jeebies. She said she probably shouldn’t let him enter her home anymore…but “he’s so nice and he prays for me evertime he comes over.”
How about singing in the choir? Her church doesn’t have a choir but when last husband left her, she wrote a song and sang it for us as she held our hands. She has a beautiful voice. Would she like to be a volunteer pet walker for the pound or deliver Meals on Wheels or volunteer in her church or go visit with the elderly shut-in’s in nursing homes. Don’t think she was receptive to any of my supposed solutions. We caught her eye because we were holding hands as we walked and she thought that was so sweet. We hugged her goodbye and continued on our way. 30 minutes later she tracked us down, blows the horn as she drives by, and waving to beat the band. Of all my similar experiences, that one takes the cake! Just an unusually long and puzzling encounter with a stranger who just needed to share
Our interactions never go this long and it’s usually just a medical question. I could be a housekeeper for all they know. In Belk the other day a woman came up to me asking if I shop there often and her face was so contorted like she was in a world of hurt. So then she asked if I knew where the restroom was. THAT I knew so sent her on her werry may and hope she got there quickly enough.
In Valdosta, we picked up our motor coach and now we’re back in Mount Pleasant, SC. It feels so much like returning to our roots. First day here we were gone for for 12 hours–appointments, coffee with Deidre and Bob, dinner with Betsy and Jim and quite a bit of errand-running. Although we lived in Greenville for so many years as well as retired from there, this is where we feel really at home. Bill and his good buddy Mark reconnected and lots of old car and British car talk has ensued between them with more to come. We’ll be here for a couple of weeks in the KOA Campground. Great location. Publix is near as is great cycling and walking opportunities. Had to go to Apple Store one afternoon and the things we saw twixt here and downtown was amazing. We were here 5 months ago and it’s surprising how much King Street has changed. Many new shops just begging me to wander through their portals. Construction here has gone berserk as is evidenced by a forest of cranes hard at work regardless of the direction that you look.. Charleston/Mt. Pleasant is looking VERY prosperous. After Day 1, we’ve taken it easy, enjoying our pastoral environment, sitting in the great outdoors doing absolutely nothing, loving the breeze and rustling leaves and that feels good. A long weekend visit to Greenville so Bill could catch up with his Michelin buds and sadly, attend the funeral of one of the nicest men you’d ever hope to meet. Barney will be terribly missed!
Bill and Laura
Monaco Dynasty Motor Coach
KOA Campground
Mt. Pleasant, SC
エステサロンやエステにおきましてワキ気になる脱毛サロンを行いたくても…。
気になる脱毛サロンやエステサロンで一番ウリとなっている光ミュゼなどの脱毛は、肌に及ぼす負担を低減したミュゼなど…
Best Buddies!
Ahhhhhhhhh….
