New look at surroundings

We finally finished the big clump of laundry.  Took all day! It is nice to have a washer and dryer, but only one washer and one dryer is tough to share.  In between our load, folks snuck in and washed two shirts or two towels...wth...it slowed down our ability to get it all done.  One last load.  I got it in before the sneakers.

One of the local places we found was Killkenny Marina on Killkenny Creek in Georgia.  Georgia AICW is traveled down wild rivers joined by man made cuts.  The Killkenny Marina is located on the site of the old Killkenny plantation founded in the early 1800's.  The same family has owned the land since then.  The marina is a local fisherman/waterman stop.  We needed fuel.  I called and asked if they had diesel.  The said sure and come on over.  He told me not to bother with the radio because they were real busy and would be on the docks, off we went.  As we entered the creek, I ran aground.  Got off and found the deep water and progressed toward the marina.  Looked up the creek and saw a floating dock constructed of wood with 2x4's sticking up near the water edge side.  A man was waving and pointing toward the dock.  Matt looked at me and said...this must be it, take it in slow.  We pulled in, dock master helped us tie up and looked a bit perplexed.  He said, 'why didn't you use your fenders, you wouldn't have scraped the rub rail?'  Matt replied, 'that teak is sacrificial, fenders are expensive'.  The dock master laughed.

We filled up and went up to the office to pay.  The marina operates a sling lift to launch small boats.  A family was getting into a just launched boat.  An older gentleman walked up and extended his hand.  Matt shook it and wished him a great time on the water.  The man said he had never been on a boat before.  We told him that we hadn't been off our boat for two weeks.  We had a nice talk about boats and living aboard and waved to them as they sped off.  At the top of the ramp, there were two tanks.  What are these?  Bait, was the reply.  There were shrimp and little fishes swimming around. ' Are these snapping shrimp?'  The dockmaster shook his head and told us that he had heard about those snapping shrimp all is life but never saw one.  He said he thinks the noise you hear on the hull is from the reaction of tides and tempertures.  He pointed to the office and said his brother would ring us up. 

The office was a great little store.  Must have biting bug problems because they had lots of kinds of insect repellent.  Got some sodas and some beer and went to pay.  His brother was a bit cool to us until I said, 'this is such a beautiful place' he smiled and started telling us about the store and the marina and his family.  The atmosphere was warm and friendly.  His first impression of me must have been as a stuck up yachty.  I complimented him and his family on their good choice to make this beautiful part of Georgia their home and business.  He rung up our purchases on an adding machine with a tape.  He told us we were welcome back anytime.  We were tempted to stay.  They have a restaurant next door that cooks up what the local fisherman bring in to the marina.  They have live music and everyone just sits around and enjoys.  What a concept...people enjoying and talking and being neighbors. 

At Marineland yesterday we met a fellow boating couple from Germany.  They have been traveling up down the east coast of the USA on their way to Rio Dulce, Guatemala.  Walking back on forth to the laundry, Matt was stopped by a family walking around the docks.  They said, it is so peaceful here.  He agreed and said this was one of our favorite places.  The father shook his head and replied,' we are from Israel, and the USA just always feels so peaceful and calm.  The people are kind and generous.  You all seem to get along.'  'We try' , Matt said.  As the family walked toward the beach, Matt and I were a bit overcome by their statements.  We had just finished one of the most contentious elections in our memory.  It seemed that our country was torn up and at each other throats.  When you look around, you see that we are ok.  The parts of the world that are in turmoil look to us as a place of peace.  We are lucky.  We should be thankful.

OK, the laundry machines are free, time to again dominate. I found another load.  May as well get the linens washed. We shove off tomorrow for new track on the chartplotter into the heart of Florida.  Miami, here we come! 

From Maryland to Florida

We are now in Marineland!  This is how far we got last year.  The weather is warm and we are washing the boat and our laundry.  It is amazing how much laundry you can accumulate when you are traveling. 

Last year we were so tentative about the depths and about anchoring.  We would agonize about running aground.  Then when it was time to anchor, we would stay awake and monitor the position of the boat with graphs and charts.  Although it was so wonky and fun to make the charts and graphs, we were tired the next day and slept instead of traveling.  We went sightseeing and generally donked around.  We loved every minute of our trip.

This year, tides and currents are our friends.  We are covering 50 or more miles a day.  We sailed in the ocean twice.  We watch the sunrise, then anchor up and away we go.  It seems that every other day we run aground.  We work to get off or we make a pot of coffee and wait for the tide to come up.  Both work equally as well.  We battled 20 days of north winds and clouds.  We have gotten groceries in Beaufort, SC and here in Marineland.  We have cooked on the boat.

Over the summer we added an hydrolic (simrad) autopilot and a set of simrad chartplotter and an echo sounder.  The new instruments are such a good addition to the boat.  The autopilot is easy to use and we can let it steer and give us a rest.  The chartplotter is big and easy to read and the echo sounder shows the characteristics of the sea floor.  We can see fish and our anchor chain.

The things that have worked well: simrad instruments
                                                   windlass
                                                   washdown
                                                   Trader Joe Vacuum packed meats
                                                   freeze dried vegtables
                                                   camping meals

The camping meals are a welcome treat for lunch when the wind is cold.  Matt goes below and heats up some water and a nice warm meal comes delivered to the helm.  The last time we had camping meals they all tasted the same, lots of salt and something to chew.  Now the meals have taste and low sodium.

The election is over.  So glad we are done with all the commercials and signs.  All the towns and people seem to be less stressed and looking forward. We missed the whole Black Friday madness.  Since we live on a boat, buying 'stuff' takes on a new meaning.  You have to throw out a blouse or pair of pants if you get new ones.  A 50 inch flat screen will not fit on the boat.  There are also no big box stores out on the water.  I don't feel deprived.

Onward we go!  Can't wait until we get to the Bahamas.

on the move...2012

We are heading south again, this time to the Bahamas.  

First we got to go thru super storm Sandy.  We had been watching the storm develop for at least a week before it hit.  We knew we were going to be on the NE quadrant of the storm.  The storm surges and fiercest winds are in the NW quadrant of a hurricane.  New Jersey got hit by the NW quadrant.  We stayed on our boat during the storm.  The strongest winds we saw were in the low 50's.  We did a bit of surfing.  We left two days after Sandy.  The bay was full of all the commercial traffic that had been waiting out the storm off shore.  We played freighter dodge all the way to Norfolk. 

The weather has been cold.  Each day we got dressed in heavy pants, sweaters, double socks, and foul weather jackets.  Gloves and hats were a must.  Each time we go out in the fall I am so glad that we had the cockpit enclosure made.  We anchored out each night.  We did our best to run in front of the nor'easter roaring up the east coast.  We rode the storm out in Slade Creek, just north of Oriental.  Two days of blowing cold.  Rain was cold. 

As the sun returned we made our way down to south river, across from Oriental.  The river is wide and beautiful.  We saw eagles and pelicans.  No motor boat traffic.  Night time stars were putting on a show just for us.  Tried to look for meteors.  Didn't see any.

We got to hear the election results on XM radio.  It was a good night for the common people.  I was glad to see that the American people could not be bought by millionaires and billionaires.

Tried to stop along the ICW to get fuel.  Wind and tide were sending us straight for a gnarly metal bulkhead.  Hit reverse and backed out of danger.  On to the next fuel station.  We started sailing with the light air head sail  The winds decided to pick up.  I blamed Matt, he had been whistling earlier and just whistled up a blow.  As we dropped the sail the halyard escaped and sail, sheet and halyard took a swim.  Put the engine in neutral and wrangled the sail on the deck.    Got the boat anchored for the night and started to clear the decks.  Wet sails dried and stowed.  Next task crank Matt to the top of the mast, all 55 ft.  I am not that strong and it took a while with many breaks for rest.  Glad Matt is not afraid of heights!  He said the view was great, but we forgot the camera.  I was glad when his feet reached the deck. 

Pulled into Morehead City Yacht Basin.  Got fuel, got a shower and washed all our clothes.  Had a burger in town.  Our wash down hose nozzle got a hole in it and was spewing water every time you cleaned off the anchor.  Walked to the hardware store and found a Veteran's Day Parade.  Pulled up a piece of curb and were treated to marching bands, scout troops, mayors, small boats driving down the main drag.  What a fun time!  Senior housing vans filled with Vets were waving and trowing candy to the crowd  The street was lined with families cheering and shouting, "thanks for your service".  After the election, wasn't sure that everyone could come together and show love and support for each other.  The feeling was all positive.  People were cheering and enjoying each others fellowship.  Made me smile from ear to ear.

Summertime in Galesville, MD

We got back from our travels and realized that we needed a few things.  When we bought the boat we kept it simple and decided to add parts/systems as we needed them.  As we were sailing into Beaufort, NC we got our autopilot smoking, as in could smell the burning. 

We did some research and decided to buy a Simrad non linear autopilot, and an AIS displayed on a NSE8 chart plotter.  We thought about getting a touch screen chart plotter, but were worried about not being able to use the chartplotter in the rain or if it was cold enough that gloves were needed.

We had to create two shelves affixed and fiber glassed to the hull.  Matt and I made the shelves and strung the electric wires.  MTS, our electronic gurus, came buy and hooked up all the parts and made sure they were working.  Matt and I have no problems doing the grunt work of installations, but when it comes to getting all the parts to talk to each other, we call in the experts.  MTS does a great job.  They are professional and cost appropriate. 

Just had the boat pulled.  We are getting new zincs, the bottom painted, and a set of Spur Sharks installed.  Over the years we have drug crab pots with us until we could safely dive on the prop and cut the fouled line.  The spurs will hopefully cut the fouling line and keep the prop free of tangled stuff. 

Planning on going on a bit of a shake down cruise after we get back in the water.  There are so many places on the Chesapeake we have yet to explore. 

Summertime in the Chesapeake

Getting through the Virginia Cut was fun and beautiful.  We sailed over night in the Chesapeake and arrived in Galesville as the sun was setting.  Got a nice welcome home from the folks on the dock.  Good to back in home waters.

Being in Galesville is great!  We have a car, a slip, metered electric and know the stores and vendors.  Time to get some work done.  When we bought the boat we weren't sure what electronics we wanted to install as the final choice.  We bought an internal antenna chartplotter and a wheel pilot autopilot.  The chartplotter has been a good choice, but the wheel pilot is a bit undersized for large sea applications.  Time for a new autopilot.

We chose a Simrad system.  We are getting an AP24 autopilot with a hydraulic drive, an 8 inch chartplotter and a sonar/depth system.  We saved the money from our original purchase six years ago.  We always planned on upgrading our electronics when we REALLY went cruising.  The time has come for some serious electronics install.  We are working with MTS, a company located in Herrington North.  We have worked with them before in having our SSB radio installed.  We meet with them, they acquire the hardware, we run the wires, and they do the hookups.  We get their expertise and save money by doing the scut work.  Works for us. 

We have become a cruising station for the friends that are moving north.  Annapolis has made some restriction to the anchoring areas.  Galesville has no restrictions.  We have a town dock and we let the cruisers use our marina head and showers.  There are two restaurant/bars close and we let people use our car if needed for laundry or groceries.  Dirk and Silvie stopped by and used a slip while the went back to Germany.  They just finished their circumnavigation and need to get back to Michigan, to sell their boat and their house before starting new jobs in Germany.  Kenny is a fellow Valiant owner we met in Beaufort.  He has family in the area and was hanging out before his trip north to Massachusetts for a major rig refit.  He left his boat in the basin and went visiting.  Matt and Karen, Valiant owners, were in Herrington North.  They stopped by.  Lots of good meals, good conversation and good libations.  Had barbeques and pot lucks with our boaters in transit and our friends from the marina.  It is like cruising and being home at the same time. 

Got to go to Liam's t-ball game.  Watching 4 and 5 year old kids play ball is like watching cat herding.  The boy and girls watch the ball roll by and them scramble to get it.  It almost looks like a rugby scrum.  They lose their hats and gloves.  When they get bored the kids dig in the dirt of the infield.  They watch birds and butterflies in the outfield.  The cute factor is almost too much.  Thank goodness the games are only three innings long.

Galesville Welcome

Our wonderful crew...

Marshall at the ball field

I think Liam found a bug!

Don't even think about stealing second

Liam rounding second

Got to visit my parents and good friends in the Shenandoah Valley.  It feels funny not planning a course and moving around the next bend.  We will just have to take some road trips till all our boat chores are complete.

From Charleston to Beaufort,NC

We left Charleston, SC on April 25, 2012 at 4pm  We picked up Chris and Philbert, got them settled and were on our way.  We cleared the seawall and I got immediately sick.  I have only been seasick twice and both times it was predicated by fumes.  This time it was gasoline fumes from the tank we had stowed under the dingy.  We opened the hatch under the dingy and the cabin was filled with fumes.  We forgot to close the air vent on the top of the tank.  The fuel splashed out.  I immediately closed the vent and the hatch, in between hurls.  The NOAA weather channel predicted 3-5 ft swells, we had 7-10 ft swells.  That was fine, the wind was on the stern, we pulled out the headsail and were nicely making 8 knots with a push from the Gulf Stream.  Matt, Chris and Phil were having a great time sailing.  I kept them fed and hydrated.  They were wearing foul weather gear, harnesses and tethers. 

The night was uneventful.  Just good sailing with the guys on 4 hour watches.  I was still sick, but could function.

dolphins playing in the waves

Captain Matt enjoying the ride, headsail still flying.

The morning light brought a cloudy sky and bigger waves.  The seas were now above the arch.  The boat was handling the motion.  Matt was taking a break and Chris and Phil and I were watching the dolphins swimming around us.  Some of the dolphins were black, some were grey with spots, some looked like compact dolphins.  They would jump out of the waves and spin.  Some did somersaults, some twirled.  You would look through the wave above your head and see a dolphin swimming.  I was too mesmerized by the display to remember to be scared of the big seas.  I still was seasick, but paused long enough to watch the show.  Chris and Phil were taking videos.  For three hours were enjoyed the dolphins sharing their water world with us.  Then we arrived at Cape Fear and the thunderstorms were are the horizon.  We decided to reel in the head sail.  The sheet got tangled in the roller spool and the sail started to tangle and come apart.    We needed to get the sail untangled, cut the sheets off the roller and get the sail off the headstay.  Matt and Phil started working.  Chris and I tried to turn the boat into the wind and against the Gulf Stream.  We partly succeeded.  Good thing Chris is used to working out and is very strong.  It took 20 minutes to accomplish the headsail removal.  We stuffed the sail down the front hatch and pulled the wet sail into the salon of the boat.  Thank goodness I had the cushions covered by a water proof mattress cover.  I pulled the sail onto the floor and folded it up as much as possible.  I yanked the sheets off the vberth.  We had to walk on the sail, but everyone had a dry place to sleep.  I was still sea sick.


We debated if we should try to go into a closer inlet than Beaufort, NC.  We turned on the TV and were able to see the weather radar showing that the storms were staying south of us.  If we kept going to Beaufort, we might out race the thunderstorms.  We headed for Beaufort.  We saw a large ship on the radar.  Then it disappeared. We saw a warship approaching.  Great.  We tried to hail them on the radio, but no reply.  They passed within 3 miles of us.  It was quite surreal.

We could only see the red and green marks when we both were on the top of the wave.   We managed to get into the channel and find the seawall.  We anchored right off the coast guard station.  Everyone shucked off their wet gear, found a berth and got some much needed rest.

When we are traveling down the ICW our boat seemed a bit stout for the task.  In the ocean the boat performed beautifully.  We slid down the waves without getting water in the cockpit.  The stainless lifeline cage gave you many hand holds.  It was one of those moments in sailing when the awe of the oceans power was everywhere.  It was terrifying and amazingly beautiful at the same time.

I reminded Matt that I never wanted to be in seas that big again.  He laughed.

good morning in Beaufort,NC

Beaufort SC fun

We are having a pot luck dinner with the cruiser's here at the Butler's and the Rae's.  Both the Butler's and the Rae's are so generous with their time and property.  The provide transportation, a place to put your trash, water, electricity and a floating dock to tie your boat to.  The other cruiser's, Mike and Anne, are from England and have been cruising around the world for the past few years.  They had a transmission/engine problem and our hosts found them a welder that worked on a Saturday!   Ken, their buddy boat captain, is cruising up from the islands, on his way to Maine.  He has a Valiant 40.  It was so fun to compare boats and modifications.  I always get such good ideas from other cruisers. 

We were in the grocery store in Beaufort, SC with the after church crowd.  I was looking for stuff and people in the store were so helpful.  Not just the store employees, but the other shoppers went out of their way to help me find the stuff on my list.  I guess they took pity on me.  I must have looked very lost.

Have been watching the swallows catching bugs all around the boat.  I wonder if you could have a swallow as a pet to eat all the mosquitoes, flys and other critters that are such a pain.  There probably is a rule about keeping swallows as pets.

Here are some pictures that were taken along the way that I didn't get to post.  We are off tomorrow am to find an anchorage for a few days.  The weather is warm, but the wind is a bit cool.  TTFN

saw this little plane land on the water while we were anchored in MacKay Creek, SC

the blimp hovering over Hilton Head Island for the RBC Classic golf tourny