Saturday, October 31, 2009
today's departure was at 8:30 a.m. from river dunes near oriental nc - what a beautiful place. traveled the neuse river and entered adams creek at 9:15 - the trip was absolutely flat - experienced a lot of passing situations where you ask permission to pass the slower boat (usually a trawler or sailboat) - the channels are narrow (usually 50-100 feet wide and in some places the land on both sides is not much more - at about 11:30 i started passing through Moorehead city - from then on, i periodically saw porpoise frolicking but they didn't follow the boat yet - again many boats to pass and now many folks out fishing in the channel - passed through 2 swing bidges that i had to wait to open - onlsow brigde was about 30 minute wait and surf city bridge was about 50 minute wait (just missed an opening) - so at about 4:30 i decided to call it a day (just below surf city bridge) and went into harbor village marina for fuel and an overnight stay. i have covered about 460 miles so far and thankful that it is very uneventful but interesting and beautiful - being on these waters traveling south is not like being in a car on 95 - for the most part the water is turning to a nice green (not chesapeake whatever) - tomorrow i hope to be somewhere in sc (not far now) - it is getting warmer - i will try to upload some pics from the last couple of days (none today - to busy)
Friday, October 30, 2009
10/30 Good morning world! It's a beautiful sunrise and we're off again at 7:15AM. It's a chilly morning and I have heat at my feet with a little space heater, all the comforts of home. We saw part of the Yankees game at a bar last night. There was no electrical hook-up at the dock and the generator was bothering another boat. We left at the bottom of the 7th - score was 3 to1 -man on first and second with one out. Phillies changed pitchers - to long to wait so we left. Hope the Yankees won.
Now, back to boating. We've left Elizabeth City through Pasquotank River and now we're in the Albamarle Sound. We've got some chop of 1 to 2 feet but the boat is doing well. Waves are escalating, but it's a gentle roll. We can see the Alligator River Bridge in the distance. We're dodging crab pots and sighting buoys easily. We radio the bridge for it to open. It's a swing bridge welcoming us to the Allegator River. The water depth is 13 to 14 feet so we need to be aware. There's a fleet of sailboats also heading south. Dolphin sighting across our bow! It surely perks us up! Wow!
Now, we have entered the Alligator Pungo River Canal. It's narrow, long and with lots of tree debris along the sides. As we pass other boats in this canal, there's a definite process. We slow down not to cause a wake and radio the boat we are overtaking for permission. After passing them, they acknowledge us and thank us for passing slowly and we resume speed.
We're out of the Canal and entering the Pungo River. Buoys are reversed, red on the port, green to starboard. The river is quite wide, but still has low depths 10 to 14 feet. I just catered a lovely lunch and as I made my way to up to the bridge, it tipped and spread lunch all over the cockpit. Now, lunch is whatever is left in the frig.
1:00 We're in another narrow area, where we are, who knows! But, it is lovely! The sun is shining, water is calm and all's right with the world. It has now opened up to the Pamlico Sound leading us to Neuse River. Last, we're heading into Broad Creek at the River Dunes Marina for the night. We have a complimentary car to food shop and have dinner in Oriental at the Silos. The marina is lovely, Meredith is so helpful and their steam showers are the best! Today, we traveled 130 miles. Tomorrow, will be another traveling day!
Now, back to boating. We've left Elizabeth City through Pasquotank River and now we're in the Albamarle Sound. We've got some chop of 1 to 2 feet but the boat is doing well. Waves are escalating, but it's a gentle roll. We can see the Alligator River Bridge in the distance. We're dodging crab pots and sighting buoys easily. We radio the bridge for it to open. It's a swing bridge welcoming us to the Allegator River. The water depth is 13 to 14 feet so we need to be aware. There's a fleet of sailboats also heading south. Dolphin sighting across our bow! It surely perks us up! Wow!
Now, we have entered the Alligator Pungo River Canal. It's narrow, long and with lots of tree debris along the sides. As we pass other boats in this canal, there's a definite process. We slow down not to cause a wake and radio the boat we are overtaking for permission. After passing them, they acknowledge us and thank us for passing slowly and we resume speed.
We're out of the Canal and entering the Pungo River. Buoys are reversed, red on the port, green to starboard. The river is quite wide, but still has low depths 10 to 14 feet. I just catered a lovely lunch and as I made my way to up to the bridge, it tipped and spread lunch all over the cockpit. Now, lunch is whatever is left in the frig.
1:00 We're in another narrow area, where we are, who knows! But, it is lovely! The sun is shining, water is calm and all's right with the world. It has now opened up to the Pamlico Sound leading us to Neuse River. Last, we're heading into Broad Creek at the River Dunes Marina for the night. We have a complimentary car to food shop and have dinner in Oriental at the Silos. The marina is lovely, Meredith is so helpful and their steam showers are the best! Today, we traveled 130 miles. Tomorrow, will be another traveling day!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
10/29 Rise and shine, but it's mostly overcast. We are being served coffee and danish at Robert, the lock-master's office while we wait for him to open and close the lock for the next set of boats to come through. Then he will open the Deep Creek Bridge for all the boats to continue on through the swamp. He's a gem in the swamp! At 9:30, we've become a caravan of 10 boats traveling one behind the other at about 5 to 6 mph.
It 's a no wake zone. We're paced just right to reach the next lock at 1:30PM. The swamp is beautiful and tranquil. We're approaching the lock at 1:20. It's time to go to work! I'm on the bow and I've lasoed the post at the first try and tied it off. Ira's at the stern and ties it off easily. In a half hour, we drop 8 feet, loosen our lines gradually, the gates open and we're ready to continue through the swamp. I'm perched on the bow as we go, the scenery is beautiful with many winding turns. We're watching for dead-heads which are huge tree roots resurfacing. Submerged tree trunks are also a hazard. The wind is kicking up and the temperature is dropping. Soon, it will widen so we may increase our speed to reach our destination. We are through the swamp.
At 4:30, the Elizabeth City Bridge opens, we go through and tie up at Mariner's Wharf for the night. The town welcomes boat travelers with wine and cheese for a meet and greet. We have a nice dinner at Groupers Waterfront with Jim and Peg Healy who have been cruising and living aboard for 5 years. It's been a day full of various sights and sounds.
Tune in tomorrow!
It 's a no wake zone. We're paced just right to reach the next lock at 1:30PM. The swamp is beautiful and tranquil. We're approaching the lock at 1:20. It's time to go to work! I'm on the bow and I've lasoed the post at the first try and tied it off. Ira's at the stern and ties it off easily. In a half hour, we drop 8 feet, loosen our lines gradually, the gates open and we're ready to continue through the swamp. I'm perched on the bow as we go, the scenery is beautiful with many winding turns. We're watching for dead-heads which are huge tree roots resurfacing. Submerged tree trunks are also a hazard. The wind is kicking up and the temperature is dropping. Soon, it will widen so we may increase our speed to reach our destination. We are through the swamp.
At 4:30, the Elizabeth City Bridge opens, we go through and tie up at Mariner's Wharf for the night. The town welcomes boat travelers with wine and cheese for a meet and greet. We have a nice dinner at Groupers Waterfront with Jim and Peg Healy who have been cruising and living aboard for 5 years. It's been a day full of various sights and sounds.
Tune in tomorrow!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
10/28
12:00-Ira joined our crew today.
1:00-We fueled up at the Ocean Marine. A nice young man at the dock is flying to Florida next week in hopes of becoming part of a crew. He's passed all his tests. Anyone out there in need!
We can see old Navy ships, W.W. II types as we go.
2:00-We're having trouble with the dinghy. It's on the swim platform and taking in water from the side. The plug is out for drainage but we're idling to the bridge and haven't been able t0 open it up yet. Poor Ira. He loves speed! The Gilmerton Bridge is opening as all the boats are lined up to go through from tugs to sleek yachts to sailboats to us. Now, we've entered the Dismal Swamp area. With a speed limit of 6 mph and Ira at the helm, he's quite disappointed with the speed. It is amazingly scenic and densely lined with lovely fall hues on either side of the 50 foot expanse of water. It's forever winding from side to side with small outboard boats fishing as we go. Now, we are surprised to see homes built beside the water with private boat docks. We need to stay in the middle of the channel with the green markers to the port. Ira just passed the green marker on the starboard by mistake. The water was low but we are fine.
From the Gilmerton Bridge, we travel 6miles to the first lock and arrive at 2:50. As a courtesy, Robert opens it at 3:10 rather than 3:30. We are tied up, waiting for another boat to come and our friends, Mary and Paul with their sailboat to catch the open lock. The process takes an hour. We've been invited to meet Robert for coffee and donuts at 8:30 before he opens the Deep Creek Bridge at 9:00 so we may continue our trip. Now, we are tied up to Elizabeth's dock in the Dismal Swamp for the night.
12:00-Ira joined our crew today.
1:00-We fueled up at the Ocean Marine. A nice young man at the dock is flying to Florida next week in hopes of becoming part of a crew. He's passed all his tests. Anyone out there in need!
We can see old Navy ships, W.W. II types as we go.
2:00-We're having trouble with the dinghy. It's on the swim platform and taking in water from the side. The plug is out for drainage but we're idling to the bridge and haven't been able t0 open it up yet. Poor Ira. He loves speed! The Gilmerton Bridge is opening as all the boats are lined up to go through from tugs to sleek yachts to sailboats to us. Now, we've entered the Dismal Swamp area. With a speed limit of 6 mph and Ira at the helm, he's quite disappointed with the speed. It is amazingly scenic and densely lined with lovely fall hues on either side of the 50 foot expanse of water. It's forever winding from side to side with small outboard boats fishing as we go. Now, we are surprised to see homes built beside the water with private boat docks. We need to stay in the middle of the channel with the green markers to the port. Ira just passed the green marker on the starboard by mistake. The water was low but we are fine.
From the Gilmerton Bridge, we travel 6miles to the first lock and arrive at 2:50. As a courtesy, Robert opens it at 3:10 rather than 3:30. We are tied up, waiting for another boat to come and our friends, Mary and Paul with their sailboat to catch the open lock. The process takes an hour. We've been invited to meet Robert for coffee and donuts at 8:30 before he opens the Deep Creek Bridge at 9:00 so we may continue our trip. Now, we are tied up to Elizabeth's dock in the Dismal Swamp for the night.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Evening Update
We are here at Waterside Marina in Norfolk VA. My former boss/his wife/and their daughter meet us for a lovely afternoon with some food at a local restaurant (HOOTERS). The Dolan family arrived this afternoon and things seem to be back on track for them. We plan to leave with them tomorrow and travel together at least through the Dismal Swamp. I have met a number of folks traveling south including a person going to the same place as me. Believe it or not, we met the folks from the sailing vessel Mirasol who are also going south - Kevin and Andrea, can you believe what a small world. All is well - we are having some on and off rain but such is life on the water.
Until next time - take care and have fun
Until next time - take care and have fun
Monday, October 26, 2009
10/26/09
We've begun our second day at 7:45 AM. Beautiful sunrise! We see sail and power boats, some traveling south. It's rough and we're not out to the bay yet. We've cut our speed to 12 mph from 22. It's a comfortable speed for the conditions. Now our speed is 23 and we're on auto-pilot. It is rough and we're at 18. Jim's had 2 bathroom breaks and I've been at the wheel. Luckily, all has been fine.
At 9:50 AM, we passed where the Chesapeake Bay meets the mouth of the Potomic River. It's 8 to 10 miles wide. There is little out here now. We're passing Smith Point Light. It looked like a ship from a distance.
10:27 - I really just saw the Little Engine that Could. It was pushing a barge in the middle of the Bay.
11:00 - Another barge or 2 or 3 are being pushed by tugs. Those little engines really get around!
12:00 - We have 25 miles to go to Norfolk. Waves and wind are kicking up. Jimmy's taken over the wheel and I need the bathroom. He's done most of the piloting.
I stopped writing the rest of the trip so I could hang on to my seat. When we entered the Intracoastal waterway, it became calmer. We passed the Navy Base with many ships. We had to stay 100 yards from all ships and the base.
At about 1:45, we docked at Waterside in Norfolk. It was a 6 hour trip and we made very good time, especially with the conditions. Many of the shops are gone. There are a few restaurants. Tomorrow, with rain forcasted, we'll visit with Jimmy's friends the Zimmermanns and Ira will meet us here on Wednesday to continue the trip.
We've begun our second day at 7:45 AM. Beautiful sunrise! We see sail and power boats, some traveling south. It's rough and we're not out to the bay yet. We've cut our speed to 12 mph from 22. It's a comfortable speed for the conditions. Now our speed is 23 and we're on auto-pilot. It is rough and we're at 18. Jim's had 2 bathroom breaks and I've been at the wheel. Luckily, all has been fine.
At 9:50 AM, we passed where the Chesapeake Bay meets the mouth of the Potomic River. It's 8 to 10 miles wide. There is little out here now. We're passing Smith Point Light. It looked like a ship from a distance.
10:27 - I really just saw the Little Engine that Could. It was pushing a barge in the middle of the Bay.
11:00 - Another barge or 2 or 3 are being pushed by tugs. Those little engines really get around!
12:00 - We have 25 miles to go to Norfolk. Waves and wind are kicking up. Jimmy's taken over the wheel and I need the bathroom. He's done most of the piloting.
I stopped writing the rest of the trip so I could hang on to my seat. When we entered the Intracoastal waterway, it became calmer. We passed the Navy Base with many ships. We had to stay 100 yards from all ships and the base.
At about 1:45, we docked at Waterside in Norfolk. It was a 6 hour trip and we made very good time, especially with the conditions. Many of the shops are gone. There are a few restaurants. Tomorrow, with rain forcasted, we'll visit with Jimmy's friends the Zimmermanns and Ira will meet us here on Wednesday to continue the trip.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
10/25/09
The first day is done and my sister will post much more detail later. Briefly we left Maryland Yacht Club at 10 a.m and arrived in Solomons Island (spring cove marina) at 1:20 p.m. The trip was a breeze and the weather was beautiful. Anybody want to comment on an item - a lot of water came into the dinghy and didn't drain out - i had the plug out the entire time - after we tied up, i fiddled with the drain on the inside of the dinghy and it appeared to drain out - maybe it was clogged - any other thoughts. Tomorrow we hope to leave early and head for deltalville va and if the weather is good maybe we will try for norfolk va. will see - take care and have fun.
HELEN's Report - It's the evening of the 25th as I recount the day. We're off! We formally left at 10:00 from the MYC, sun shining, few stratus clouds stretching across the horizon, temperature about 60 degrees, intense fall colors and ripples of water inviting us south.
As we proceed, we see sailboats leaning gracefully as they tack into the wind, ships traveling north or south toward their destinations, motor boats of various sizes fishing for the sport or their dinner. After we travel under the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, we align our boat with the shipping lane, racing and beating the huge ships. Our little engines really could. Remember, I'm the kindergarten teacher!
To our west is Annapolis where streamline sailboats cover the skyline. Jim brings attention to a sub traveling south with tugs pushing it. A group of about 25 sailboats are racing east of us. The sailboats surely outnumber the power boats in this area.
At 11:00, we pass Thomas Point Lighthouse that helps to keep ships away from the western shores. As we head south now, there are fewer boats. Our boat is on auto-pilot. Lunch was catered by me and I'm not seasick from being in the cabin!
At 12:00, we see Sharps Island Light to the east. Solomons Island is 20 miles away. We're in the middle of the bay and all of a sudden we see crab pots sneak up upon us. We do need to always be watching!
It's 12:20 and we spot Calvert's Nuclear Power Plant and later, the LNG drop off for ships to unload their liquified natural gas.
It's 1:00 and we've traveled 65 miles and we're turning west to Solomons Island. A few other boats have the same plans.
Lovely homes line the western side with a backdrop of crisp fall colors uniting the view. We docked at Spring Cove Marina at 2:00.
I did some walking, saw the Calvert Marine Museum and the Drum Point Light House. We had dinner at the Naughty Gull restaurant and it was okay. Back on the boat while i am doing this post jimmie has assumed the correct position for snoring and is happily carrying out that endeavour.
Jim is back - nap is done, now it is time to get ready for Mondays trip - see yah all next time - take care and have fun
The first day is done and my sister will post much more detail later. Briefly we left Maryland Yacht Club at 10 a.m and arrived in Solomons Island (spring cove marina) at 1:20 p.m. The trip was a breeze and the weather was beautiful. Anybody want to comment on an item - a lot of water came into the dinghy and didn't drain out - i had the plug out the entire time - after we tied up, i fiddled with the drain on the inside of the dinghy and it appeared to drain out - maybe it was clogged - any other thoughts. Tomorrow we hope to leave early and head for deltalville va and if the weather is good maybe we will try for norfolk va. will see - take care and have fun.
HELEN's Report - It's the evening of the 25th as I recount the day. We're off! We formally left at 10:00 from the MYC, sun shining, few stratus clouds stretching across the horizon, temperature about 60 degrees, intense fall colors and ripples of water inviting us south.
As we proceed, we see sailboats leaning gracefully as they tack into the wind, ships traveling north or south toward their destinations, motor boats of various sizes fishing for the sport or their dinner. After we travel under the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, we align our boat with the shipping lane, racing and beating the huge ships. Our little engines really could. Remember, I'm the kindergarten teacher!
To our west is Annapolis where streamline sailboats cover the skyline. Jim brings attention to a sub traveling south with tugs pushing it. A group of about 25 sailboats are racing east of us. The sailboats surely outnumber the power boats in this area.
At 11:00, we pass Thomas Point Lighthouse that helps to keep ships away from the western shores. As we head south now, there are fewer boats. Our boat is on auto-pilot. Lunch was catered by me and I'm not seasick from being in the cabin!
At 12:00, we see Sharps Island Light to the east. Solomons Island is 20 miles away. We're in the middle of the bay and all of a sudden we see crab pots sneak up upon us. We do need to always be watching!
It's 12:20 and we spot Calvert's Nuclear Power Plant and later, the LNG drop off for ships to unload their liquified natural gas.
It's 1:00 and we've traveled 65 miles and we're turning west to Solomons Island. A few other boats have the same plans.
Lovely homes line the western side with a backdrop of crisp fall colors uniting the view. We docked at Spring Cove Marina at 2:00.
I did some walking, saw the Calvert Marine Museum and the Drum Point Light House. We had dinner at the Naughty Gull restaurant and it was okay. Back on the boat while i am doing this post jimmie has assumed the correct position for snoring and is happily carrying out that endeavour.
Jim is back - nap is done, now it is time to get ready for Mondays trip - see yah all next time - take care and have fun
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
INITIAL SETUP
Hello to all - this is my intial effort to set up a blog of my travels on my boat - i am not a computer person, so it maybe rough - anyhow it is 10/14/09 and i am 11 days from my departure (currently planned for 10/25/09, weather permitting) - so you might ask where am i going - the answer is: i am taking my boat to florida for the winter and will return next spring - i am hoping to keep some kind of log through this site but time will tell how good i really do this.
until next time TAKE CARE AND HAVE FUN
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