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Jews of Ipswich

By Trawlers on April 14, 2014 in Dora Mac

Cheers,
Happy Passover to those who celebrate. There’s no synagogue in Ipswich or Suffolk for that matter; however the local Sainsbury sells matzos. Here is some interesting Jewish history about Ipswich.
Ru
After visiting a number of churches in Ipswich I wondered if there were a synagogue. Nope, not since 1877 when the derelict synagogue was […]

Found some things, lost some things

By Trawlers on April 14, 2014 in She:Kon

Temps have risen to the 20 C mark today so back out to the shed for some puttering & cleaning up. Ground is still soaked! I lost a box of Raptor Nails and found them then figured out I’ve lost the slide thingy for the Raptor nailer! *sigh* Found my…

April 13 – Palatka, FL

By Trawlers on April 14, 2014 in The Pearl

Palatka City Dock

“In every walk with Nature one receives far more than he seeks.”―John Muir

We decided to stay in Palatka another day and explore the Ravine Garden State Park. It is located in a ravine that was created over thousands of years by water flowing from the sandy ridges on the shore of the St. John’s. The CCC transformed this ravine into a garden in 1933. Described in the 1934 Florida Municipal Record as the “Nations Outstanding Civil Works Administration project,” the 59 acre ravine was planted with over 95,000 azaleas including 64 varieties, 11,000 palm trees and more than 250,000 ornamental plants. The gardens were maintained by the City of Palatka until the park was deeded to the State of Florida in 1970.

One of nine Florida state parks with New Deal Era structures, Ravine Gardens is the only park with a formal designed landscape. The extensive fieldstone terraces, rock gardens and massive cypress building construction are typical of the era. Near the park entrance is The Court of States and a 64-foot obelisk dedicated to Franklin D. Roosevelt. Much of the original landscaping still exists as formal gardens and an extensive trail system. The garden’s peak flowering period is azalea season, late January to April. We were a little too late to see the real beauty of the azaleas, but we enjoyed hiking the trails of this beautiful park on such a wonderful morning.

Our morning view…the First Presbyterian Church has a wonderful site on the river.

Sights from the park and our morning hike

Day 93 – 365 Project…Spring Blossoms

By Trawlers on April 13, 2014 in Misty Moose

Welcome to day 93 of 365 photos…I thought I would share a few spring blossoms today. The blossoms varied and colorful – you gotta love spring even when it brings all that pollen.Camera: Nikon D7100 – Lens: Nikon 80-400mm Focal Length: 400mm – Aperture: f/5.6 – Shutter Speed: 1/1000 second – ISO: 125 My favorite… Continue Reading

The post Day 93 – 365 Project…Spring Blossoms appeared first on Moosetique Musing.

4-10 thru 13-2014; Hope Town Inn and Marina

By Trawlers on April 13, 2014 in Kim Jo III

4-10-2014, Thursday: Lazy morning. Rained off and on during the day. We got a pump-out this morning. It is probably the best kept secret in the Abaco and we didn’t find out about it until we got here. It is the only pump-out in the Abaco that we know of. Took a walk over to the Lighthouse Liquor store to replenish our wine and rum supply.

4-10-2014: Painted our new anchor so we can see it better in the clear water.

4-10-2014: They have short fingers here so we have room for the dinghy. The CO would rather have a longer finger.

4-11 through 4-13-2014, Friday through Sunday:

Friday: Happy Birthday Don!

More lazy days with intermittent sun and rain. We took the shuttle over to Hope Town Settlement and did some shopping around and picked up a few groceries. This will probably be the last place to buy groceries until we get back to the US.

Michael, the Shuttle Boat driver and all around dock hand, told us about a local fisherman. Friday afternoon the local fisherman came into the marina with his catch for the day. He fishes for all the local restaurants in the area but he let us buy a fillet of Mahi Mahi. When we cut it up it made 5 meals for the two of us. Can hardly wait to try it.

Our friends from “Wind Warrior 1” got here Thursday with their company from Nova Scotia. We got together for drinks on our boat Friday evening and had a very enjoyable visit.

On Saturday it really stormed hard from 14:00 to 17:00 with very high winds at least 25 knots with higher gusts. Then it stopped raining and the winds calmed down to almost their norm. This was the worst storm we have had since we have been in the Bahamas.

Sunday we woke up to the sun and winds a little stronger than normal. The weather forecast doesn’t look good for the next week. There does look like a little break on Monday and Tuesday with thunder storms only predicted for part of the days so we are going to try and boat over to Treasure Cay.

CO comments: I told Michael that I was going to apply for his job driving the shuttle. He said fine, go ahead, but you will be on the night shift because I am not giving up my day shift and I have seniority. He is a good guy and likes to kid around. All the locals here are very nice and helpful.

4-12-2014: Hope Town Inn and Marina.

4-12-2014: Marina slips with Lighthouse in background.

4-12-2014: Hope Town Inn and Marina main dock.

4-12-2014: Hope Town Inn and Marina main pool with waterside bar.

4-12-2014: Hope Town Inn and Marina Bar, Restaurant, and play area.

4-12-2014: Hope Town Inn and Marina second pool and hot tub located in back of the resort.

4-12-2014: Michael driving the shuttle that takes us from the marina to the other side of the harbour to Hope Town Settlement.

4-12-2014: Resident kitty napping in the bird bath.

4-12-2014: Storm coming in.

4-13:014: CO really knows how to relax.

4-13-2013: When you have a problem on your mast, you have to fix it, even in 20 knot winds.

4-13-2014: Our friends from Ontario are here and plan on staying for 6 months.

Beautiful Day

By Trawlers on April 13, 2014 in Pineapple Girl

It’s beautiful out on the Mokelumne today. I believe the two boats behind us are also Ox Bow members on their way back from a fantastic cruise to Grindstone Joe’s.

Beautiful Day

By Trawlers on April 13, 2014 in Pineapple Girl

It’s beautiful out on the Mokelumne today. I believe the two boats behind us are also Ox Bow members on their way back from a fantastic cruise to Grindstone Joe’s.

2014-06 Preparations for the Alaska Inside Passage

By Trawlers on April 13, 2014 in Wild Blue

Once again this spring the Wild Blue will be cruising the Inside Passage to Alaska. This is our 7th consecutive year northbound on the Passage, although in 2010 we turned left early and circumnavigated Vancouver Island. If all goes well, the Wild Blue will depart Anacortes for Alaska on May 6th, with Vancouver, BC as the first port. Since this year we have just 14 days to make Ketchikan, we’re planning a FAST cruise with several 12 to 14-hour daily runs. After Vancouver, it’s Gorge Harbour, then Lagoon Cove, Pruth Bay, Shearwater, Lowe Inlet, and Dundas Island, arriving in Ketchikan by the 19th. There is always a chance we will get stopped by a storm, prawn festival and/or crab stampede, and if so we will hook the boat to the bottom, and drop our traps. And if we do get behind schedule, Wild Blue’s bright forward facing lights allow us to motor safely at night.

The Pot of Gold is always just off the bow of the Wild Blue.
Thanks to crew Elliott Olson who captured this photo from Tillamook, Oregon.

Preparations and provisioning have began: We loaded 900 gallons of diesel at $3.59/gallon; purchased two additional kayaks and racks; had the diesel heater and main engine serviced; started the deep freezer; loaded $400 of Trader Joe’s frozen goods and $400 more of dry goods and supplies. We have the critical staple to keep us alive: “seafood surprise” canned cat food for prawning, and frozen chicken thighs/drumsticks for crabbing.

The detailed itinerary follows. See you in May on the Passage.

2014 WILD BLUE ALASKA CRUISE ITINERARY
Revision 2, March 25, 2014

Leg #1 TUE-May 6 ANACORTES, WA TO MON-MAY 19 KETCHIKAN, AK.
Northbound BC cruising with Vancouver and small resort visits, prawning and crabbing. Vancouver, Gorge Harbor, Broughton Islands, Port McNeil, Namu, Shearwater, Boat Bluff/Alexander Inlet, Hartley Bay, Prince Rupert, Dundas Island, Ketchikan – 14 days: To Boat fly www.AlaskaAir.com to Seattle. From boat fly www.AlaskaAir.com from Ketchikan to home.

Leg #2 WED-MAY 28 KETCHIKAN, AK TO SAT-JUN 7 SITKA, AK.
Northwest bound Alaska cruising, anchoring at night, visiting Craig, fishing, prawning and crabbing: Ketchikan, South Kaigani Harbor, Craig, Port McArthur or Kell Bay, Port Alexander, Red Bluff Bay, Warm Springs Bay, Peril Strait, Kalinin or Fish Bay, Sitka – 11 days: To boat fly www.AlaskaAir.com to Ketchikan. From boat fly www.AlaskaAir.com from Sitka to home. Crew with Alex only: Gerard Ages, Bill Lee.

Leg #3 SUN-JUN 8 SITKA, AK TO TUE-JUN 17 SITKA, AK.
Local Sitka cruising with King Salmon fishing and crabbing, anchoring at night. Short cruises northwest or southwest along coast of Baranof Island in support of King Salmon fishing: Sitka to Sitka – 10 days: Fly www.AlaskaAir.com to Sitka. Fly www.AlaskaAir.com from Sitka to home. Crew with Alex only: Roger Larsen, Sid Findley, Dave McNamara

Leg #4 WED-JUN 18 SITKA, AK TO FRI-JUN 27 SITKA, AK.
Local Sitka cruising with King Salmon fishing and crabbing, anchoring at night. Short cruises northwest or southwest along coast of Baranof Island in support of King Salmon fishing: Sitka to Sitka – 10 days: Fly www.AlaskaAir.com to Sitka. Fly www.AlaskaAir.com from Sitka to home. Crew with Alex only: Willie Benedetti, Joe Cebe, Mike Celentano

Leg #5 SAT-JUN 28 SITKA, AK TO SUN-JUL 6 SITKA, AK.
Cruising the southwest coastline of Baranof Island with King Salmon fishing in local Sitka area, anchoring at night, hot springs visit: Sitka, Goddard Hot Springs, Jamboree Bay, Whale Bay, Sitka – 8 days: Fly www.AlaskaAir.com to Sitka. Fly www.AlaskaAir.com from Sitka to home. Crew: Max Benson-Katie Patterson

Leg #6 TUE-JUL 8 SITKA, AK TO SUN-JUL 20 CRAIG, AK.
Cruising the southwest coastline of Baranof Island with King Salmon fishing, crabbing and prawning, anchoring at night, and maybe a hot springs visit: Sitka, Whale Bay, Port Alexander, Port Arthur, Port Alice, Sonora Island, Craig area islands, Craig – 13 days: Fly www.AlaskaAir.com to Sitka. Fly www.IslandAirX.com from Craig to Ketchikan then www.AlaskaAir.com to home. Crew: Vince Fonte, Bob Silva, and Marvin Dee

Leg #7 TUE-JUL 22 CRAIG, AK TO WED-JUL 30 KETCHIKAN, AK.
South bound Alaska cruising, anchoring at night, with salmon and halibut fishing, crabbing, prawning, and whale viewing, visits to Craig, Hydaburg, Nutkwa Inlet, Hessa Inlet, Nichols Bay, Ketchikan – 9 days: Fly www.AlaskaAir.com to Ketchikan, then www.IslandAirX.com to Craig. Fly www.AlaskaAir.com to home. Crew: Vince and Marianne Fonte, Chuck and Carolyn French

Leg #8 SAT- AUG 2 KETCHIKAN, AK TO SUN-AUG 10, SHEARWATER, BC
Alaska to British Columbia Southbound, anchoring at night, Coho salmon fishing, crabbing and prawning, and a visit to Prince Rupert: various northern BC ports on the “outside” inside passage, Klemtu, Roscoe Inlet, Ocean Falls, Shearwater – 8 days. Fly www.AlaskaAir.com to Ketchikan. Fly www.Pacific-Coastal.com from Shearwater-Bella Bella to Vancouver, and then fly www.AirCanada.com from Vancouver to home. Crew: Rudolf Budginas and Mr. Budginas.

Leg #9 TUE-AUG 12 SHEARWATER, BC TO THU-AUG 21 PORT MCNEILL, BC.
Central British Columbia Southbound cruising, anchoring at night, fishing-crabbing-prawning, visits to small boat resorts, Namu, McNaughton Islands, Fish Egg Inlet, Pierce Bay, Rivers Inlet, and Port McNeil – 10 days. Fly www.AirCanada.com to Vancouver and then fly www.Pacific-Coastal.com airlines to Shearwater-Bella Bella. Fly www.Pacific-Coastal.com airlines to Vancouver, then www.AirCanada.com to home. Crew: OPEN

Leg #10 SAT-AUG 23 PORT MCNEILL, BC TO MON-SEP 1 ANACORTES, WA.
Southern British Columbia cruising, anchoring at night, fishing-crabbing-prawning, visits to small boat resorts, Port McNeil and Vancouver: Port McNeil, Lagoon Cove, Desolation Sound, Smugglers Cove, Vancouver, Anacortes – 10 days. Fly www.AirCanada.com to Vancouver and then fly www.Pacific-Coastal.com airlines to Port Hardy. Fly www.AlaskaAir.com from Seattle to home. Crew: Ryan Benson and Dr. Ross Icyda?

April 12 – Palatka, FL

By Trawlers on April 13, 2014 in The Pearl

Palatka City Dock

Today we moved further up river to the historic town of Palatka. At one time is was the major steamboat port on the St. John’s River, shipping timber, oranges and cattle north. It was also a popular spot for seniors to escape the harsh winters of the north. Large hotels were built on the waterfront offering sailing, fishing, rowing, walking, riding in buggy and on horseback and hunting. The town burned in the 1884 and tourism gradually shifted elsewhere and the city lost trade, shipping and transportation to Jacksonville.

We enjoyed a beautiful spring day exploring the nice waterfront town and visiting with locals in the park. There was a sidewalk chalk art festival being held close to the dock…it was fun to see what they had come up with and listen to the music from a live band. We had dinner at Angel’s Diner, the oldest diner in Florida. It’s been operating in the same spot since 1932.

St. John’s History: In the 1800s, steamboats carried freight and passengers on the river and its tributaries. During the peak period of commerce on the river 150 vessels traveled the St. John’s making daily trips between ports and carrying nearly 100,000 tons of freight each week. The U.S. Census of 1880 recorded that there was a larger fleet of steam vessels carrying passengers and freight on the St. Johns than on any river south of the Hudson in New York.

Steamboats made the St. John’s River a popular winter destination for northerners. By the 1860s, several steamers were making weekly round trips from Charleston and Savannah to Jacksonville, Palatka and other settlements along the river. The St. Johns River had become one of Florida’s first tourist attractions. Large paddle wheel boats cruised along the river’s swampy byways, stopping at warm artesian springs and extravagant hotels that dotted the shoreline. But, somewhere through the years, the St. Johns lost its place among the top Florida destinations. Speckled with cypress and egrets, live oaks, palms and ibises, the St. Johns meandering stretch below Jacksonville is as delightful today as it was centuries ago.

Our morning view