Neuse River and the Cruiser's Rally (Click here)

Southbound Cruisers Rally Several people had told us about a “Southbound Cruisers Rally” in New Bern NC, about 20 miles to the West of Oriental. After deciding to stay for Halloween, this became an ideal side trip. http://www.ncgam.com/ While there we met a bunch of people who are going south, some who wish they were going south, and many who had made the trip before. The information was great, we learned a lot. The presenters included Cartographers, Meteorologists, Oceanographers, Doctors, Veterinarians, and people who had made the trip many times. It was a very busy couple of days, and a very worthwhile experience. Sunday we had a boisterous sail back to Oriental and are now anchored securely in the harbour. We are around the corner to the left of this webcam http://www.towndock.net/harborcam.shtml (Click on next title) It has cooled off considerably, but I know there is no sympathy to be had! Sunday morning when Janine opened the fridge she was greeted with warm scented air. It seems that our engine driven fridge has taken a holiday. Gary recharged the refrigerant and checked for leaks, but it is still not working properly. We are seeing a mechanic this week. Tropical depression Noel is off the north coast of Cuba this morning (Tues) and is expected to travel northward, well offshore over the next few days. It poses no threat, but everyone is watching it carefully. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/#NOEL We are eager to continue south, and are spending our time readying the boat and crew. The boys continue to do well at boat school, even though motivation is often difficult. Tia is still defying the odds and is as perky as ever. Hope everyone is well High Five V

Neuse River and the Cruiser's Rally (Click here)

Southbound Cruisers Rally Several people had told us about a “Southbound Cruisers Rally” in New Bern NC, about 20 miles to the West of Oriental. After deciding to stay for Halloween, this became an ideal side trip. http://www.ncgam.com/ While there we met a bunch of people who are going south, some who wish they were going south, and many who had made the trip before. The information was great, we learned a lot. The presenters included Cartographers, Meteorologists, Oceanographers, Doctors, Veterinarians, and people who had made the trip many times. It was a very busy couple of days, and a very worthwhile experience. Sunday we had a boisterous sail back to Oriental and are now anchored securely in the harbour. We are around the corner to the left of this webcam http://www.towndock.net/harborcam.shtml (Click on next title) It has cooled off considerably, but I know there is no sympathy to be had! Sunday morning when Janine opened the fridge she was greeted with warm scented air. It seems that our engine driven fridge has taken a holiday. Gary recharged the refrigerant and checked for leaks, but it is still not working properly. We are seeing a mechanic this week. Tropical depression Noel is off the north coast of Cuba this morning (Tues) and is expected to travel northward, well offshore over the next few days. It poses no threat, but everyone is watching it carefully. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/#NOEL We are eager to continue south, and are spending our time readying the boat and crew. The boys continue to do well at boat school, even though motivation is often difficult. Tia is still defying the odds and is as perky as ever. Hope everyone is well High Five V

Oriental NC

Norfolk Virginia Norfolk is a very large navel ship yard, sailing into town you pass at least 20 military ships, including at least 4 aircraft carriers. We toured the USS Wisconsin, a Iowa class battleship, 832’ long, it is quite imposing. While at the marina, “Buster” a 37’ Nordic Tug that we had met in August at Waterford NY on the Hudson river, arrived. Ken and Georganne live in Florida and had spent the summer up north. They we going to leave the boat soon and travel home. After a few days in Norfolk, we got up early and headed down the canal towards the first bridge ( a little bit behind Buster). By 8:30 when the bridge opened, there were at least 12 other boats. About 5 miles (and about 3 hours) along there is a small lock, that controls the water level between Chesapeake Bay and the canal. At the end of the lock we had caught up with Buster, they had arrived at their marina where Buster would stay for the winter while they returned to Florida. It was a bit sad to see them sitting on their boat knowing that their trip was over, but it sounded like they had a great summer. After a long day we tied to the side of the canal at Coinjock. While the kids watched a movie Janine and I got to have a dinner for 2 in the local restaurant. The next day, again was a long power down the canal, a short sail across Aberlmarle sound, and a long power up the Alligator river, and through the Alligator/Pungo river cut to Dowry Creek. This day was a little too long as we arrived at the dock an hour after dark, with 15kts of breeze, into a lee shore creek marina with unlit navigation markers that didn’t show up well on the radar. Fortunatly the marina operator was there and helped us through the markers to the dock, where 8 or so people greeted us and helped us dock. Dowry Creek had a pool, and a courtesy car, so after a sleep in, a pump out and a swim, we went into town for ice cream. The next morning we headed down the Pungo river, across the Pamlico river , up Goose creek, and into the Bay River. Several of the guide books said that we may see dolphins in this area, Janine and the kids were hopeful, I was skeptical. Everyone had there eyes peeled, and we were rewarded with a small pod, who played in our bow wave for 2 or 3 minutes. Every one was very excited, especially Janine, hope fully we will see lots more dolphins along the way.. By the end of the day, we made it to Oriental North Carolina. Coming into the harbour we saw a few more dolphins around, but none would come and play. The kids had bee complaining that we had not seen any other “kid” boats for a while so when we saw “Salt&Light” with 3 kids aboard we went straight over to say hi. It turns they are from Seattle, and are doing pretty much the same thing we are. They bought the boat in Charleston and are headed to the islands. After going ashore we met Kristopher, who works at the local marine store, and his wife Rebbecca, who works at M&M diner. They have 5 kids and their boat is currently out of the water being repainted and readied to return to the Bahamas in 4 or 5 weeks. If 5 kids was not enough, they take in a “troubled teen” for the winter to keep things interesting. Oriental is a nice small town. There are 6 or 8 eighty foot shrimp boats in the harbour. We want to be back here for Halloween. PS I think i linked the title to the town webcam

Oriental NC

Norfolk Virginia Norfolk is a very large navel ship yard, sailing into town you pass at least 20 military ships, including at least 4 aircraft carriers. We toured the USS Wisconsin, a Iowa class battleship, 832’ long, it is quite imposing. While at the marina, “Buster” a 37’ Nordic Tug that we had met in August at Waterford NY on the Hudson river, arrived. Ken and Georganne live in Florida and had spent the summer up north. They we going to leave the boat soon and travel home. After a few days in Norfolk, we got up early and headed down the canal towards the first bridge ( a little bit behind Buster). By 8:30 when the bridge opened, there were at least 12 other boats. About 5 miles (and about 3 hours) along there is a small lock, that controls the water level between Chesapeake Bay and the canal. At the end of the lock we had caught up with Buster, they had arrived at their marina where Buster would stay for the winter while they returned to Florida. It was a bit sad to see them sitting on their boat knowing that their trip was over, but it sounded like they had a great summer. After a long day we tied to the side of the canal at Coinjock. While the kids watched a movie Janine and I got to have a dinner for 2 in the local restaurant. The next day, again was a long power down the canal, a short sail across Aberlmarle sound, and a long power up the Alligator river, and through the Alligator/Pungo river cut to Dowry Creek. This day was a little too long as we arrived at the dock an hour after dark, with 15kts of breeze, into a lee shore creek marina with unlit navigation markers that didn’t show up well on the radar. Fortunatly the marina operator was there and helped us through the markers to the dock, where 8 or so people greeted us and helped us dock. Dowry Creek had a pool, and a courtesy car, so after a sleep in, a pump out and a swim, we went into town for ice cream. The next morning we headed down the Pungo river, across the Pamlico river , up Goose creek, and into the Bay River. Several of the guide books said that we may see dolphins in this area, Janine and the kids were hopeful, I was skeptical. Everyone had there eyes peeled, and we were rewarded with a small pod, who played in our bow wave for 2 or 3 minutes. Every one was very excited, especially Janine, hope fully we will see lots more dolphins along the way.. By the end of the day, we made it to Oriental North Carolina. Coming into the harbour we saw a few more dolphins around, but none would come and play. The kids had bee complaining that we had not seen any other “kid” boats for a while so when we saw “Salt&Light” with 3 kids aboard we went straight over to say hi. It turns they are from Seattle, and are doing pretty much the same thing we are. They bought the boat in Charleston and are headed to the islands. After going ashore we met Kristopher, who works at the local marine store, and his wife Rebbecca, who works at M&M diner. They have 5 kids and their boat is currently out of the water being repainted and readied to return to the Bahamas in 4 or 5 weeks. If 5 kids was not enough, they take in a “troubled teen” for the winter to keep things interesting. Oriental is a nice small town. There are 6 or 8 eighty foot shrimp boats in the harbour. We want to be back here for Halloween. PS I think i linked the title to the town webcam

Southern Chesapeake

Now that Grandpa and Grandma have gone home, the weather has turned cool. The trees have started to turn and all the cruisers are hurrying south. It is very pretty, but we are anxious to get going. We stopped at Solomon Island, and in the morning discovered that we had anchored right beside Lenny, a single-hander from Long Island, that we had met a week or so previous. After a trip to the museum, where they had a display of Rays and Skates, a screwpile lighthouse, and a pair of sea otters, Len joined us for dinner. The next day we went across the mouth of the Potomac river to Reedsville, where we spent a few days. We were finally able to pick up our new outboard, a Nissan 9.8hp four stroke, it makes the dinghy move along nicely. Monday(Oct 15) we powered south to Deltaville where we planned to spend a night or two, unfortunately wet met our old friend the mud in the middle of the channel into Jackson creek. After backing off the mud we retreated to the other side of the bay and anchored for the night. Tuesday we traveled down the bay to Norfolk VA. The US Navel yard is here and there are dozens of ships including at least 5 aircraft carriers. We have taken a marina downtown and will grocery shop and clean up tomorrow before entering the Inter coastal waterway. We hope to be in Beaufort NC to celebrate Halloween.

Southern Chesapeake

Now that Grandpa and Grandma have gone home, the weather has turned cool. The trees have started to turn and all the cruisers are hurrying south. It is very pretty, but we are anxious to get going. We stopped at Solomon Island, and in the morning discovered that we had anchored right beside Lenny, a single-hander from Long Island, that we had met a week or so previous. After a trip to the museum, where they had a display of Rays and Skates, a screwpile lighthouse, and a pair of sea otters, Len joined us for dinner. The next day we went across the mouth of the Potomac river to Reedsville, where we spent a few days. We were finally able to pick up our new outboard, a Nissan 9.8hp four stroke, it makes the dinghy move along nicely. Monday(Oct 15) we powered south to Deltaville where we planned to spend a night or two, unfortunately wet met our old friend the mud in the middle of the channel into Jackson creek. After backing off the mud we retreated to the other side of the bay and anchored for the night. Tuesday we traveled down the bay to Norfolk VA. The US Navel yard is here and there are dozens of ships including at least 5 aircraft carriers. We have taken a marina downtown and will grocery shop and clean up tomorrow before entering the Inter coastal waterway. We hope to be in Beaufort NC to celebrate Halloween.

Baltimore

Baltimore’s inner harbour has a few marinas and a sort of Yaletown, Granville Island feel to it, brick sea wall, restaurants etc. We are docked right in the middle of it all. It has been a busy week, Keith and Ladora, Gary’s parents, have been here and the grandchildren have been spoiled. Sleepovers in the hotel, swimming in the pool, and eating whatever they want. Gary and Janine were able to get to the Annapolis sailboat show, and the Latitudes and Attitudes cruisers party. We bought a used hard bottom dinghy, and plan to buy an outboard in Reedsville, from a dealer we met at the show. This should be a lot of fun. Hopefully it will save us money in the long run. It will allow us to anchor out and not have to pay dockage fees as often. We have been on 2 “field trips” to Washington DC. The air and space display has the Wright bros plane, the Spirit of St Louis, Gossamer Condor, and many others. It also had John Glenn’s space capsule, the command module and an unused lunar module from the Apollo spacecraft. We had to go back a second day to digest it all. It was sad to leave Baltimore, and Grandpa and Grandma, not only did they spoil the grandchildren but Gary, Janine and the dog as well.

Baltimore

Baltimore’s inner harbour has a few marinas and a sort of Yaletown, Granville Island feel to it, brick sea wall, restaurants etc. We are docked right in the middle of it all. It has been a busy week, Keith and Ladora, Gary’s parents, have been here and the grandchildren have been spoiled. Sleepovers in the hotel, swimming in the pool, and eating whatever they want. Gary and Janine were able to get to the Annapolis sailboat show, and the Latitudes and Attitudes cruisers party. We bought a used hard bottom dinghy, and plan to buy an outboard in Reedsville, from a dealer we met at the show. This should be a lot of fun. Hopefully it will save us money in the long run. It will allow us to anchor out and not have to pay dockage fees as often. We have been on 2 “field trips” to Washington DC. The air and space display has the Wright bros plane, the Spirit of St Louis, Gossamer Condor, and many others. It also had John Glenn’s space capsule, the command module and an unused lunar module from the Apollo spacecraft. We had to go back a second day to digest it all. It was sad to leave Baltimore, and Grandpa and Grandma, not only did they spoil the grandchildren but Gary, Janine and the dog as well.

Dodging Crabpots in the Chesapeake

From Chesapeake City we caught the tide and with the help of a 10 - 20 knot tail wind we blasted into Chesapeake Bay. The bay is quite shallow and littered with crab pots, so we had to keep to the main channel most of the way, and keep a sharp look out. After a great sail we had a brief stop in Rock Hall Harbour, then after talking to Len on Dreamer, who we had met in Chesapeake City, we motored around the corner into Swan Creek and anchored in 7 ft of water. With an 18-inch tide, we had 6” to spare. We are still not really used to the shallow water but are getting better. There were at least a dozen boats, in the creek with us, and the bottom was soft mud so even if you do touch bottom there is no damage. Rock Hall was having their fall fair; we went into town and were treated to musicians, crafts and food. There is a trolley service in Rock Hall that allows dogs onboard. Tia was very content to ride the air-conditioned trolley around town. The dog treats the driver handed out were an added bonus! The next day Bill, from New York on Second Wind arrived and shortly after Don, Heesook, and Christopher arrived on Patience. Tom on Mover, who we had met in Waterford on the Erie Canal, was already in the anchorage. The fall migration of cruisers has begun, and every anchorage we are meeting more people. George, who we met in Chesapeake City and again in Rock Hall, has been on his boat 11years. He has spent winters in Iceland, 2 years in the Baltic Sea, bought and sold a house in Portugal. He brought his slide show to our boat to show us some of his adventures; we were all most impressed, especially Tavish who decided we should never go home because there is so much in the world to see. On Tuesday Oct 2 we traveled from Swan Creek across the Chesapeake to Baltimore. The school day started with the kids learning to plot our course and calculate our estimated travel time. They successfully had us arriving in Baltimore in time for dinner. We were even ahead of schedule thanks to a favorable current. Janine had the unfortunate task of cleaning the fridge enroute; this task is more difficult for the vertically challenged. The fridge is deeper than her arms will reach so mopping out the bottom involves hanging head first into the fridge balancing on her abdomen. This is not a job to be undertaken if there is any sort of swell, as the abdominal pressure combined with the smells in the fridge are nauseating enough. We arrived in the Baltimore inner harbor at 4pm. It is a vibrant busy waterfront which reminds us all of False Creek. We are secured at the city docks, which will be our home for the next week while we visit with Gary’s parents, Keith and Ladora.

Dodging Crabpots in the Chesapeake

From Chesapeake City we caught the tide and with the help of a 10 - 20 knot tail wind we blasted into Chesapeake Bay. The bay is quite shallow and littered with crab pots, so we had to keep to the main channel most of the way, and keep a sharp look out. After a great sail we had a brief stop in Rock Hall Harbour, then after talking to Len on Dreamer, who we had met in Chesapeake City, we motored around the corner into Swan Creek and anchored in 7 ft of water. With an 18-inch tide, we had 6” to spare. We are still not really used to the shallow water but are getting better. There were at least a dozen boats, in the creek with us, and the bottom was soft mud so even if you do touch bottom there is no damage. Rock Hall was having their fall fair; we went into town and were treated to musicians, crafts and food. There is a trolley service in Rock Hall that allows dogs onboard. Tia was very content to ride the air-conditioned trolley around town. The dog treats the driver handed out were an added bonus! The next day Bill, from New York on Second Wind arrived and shortly after Don, Heesook, and Christopher arrived on Patience. Tom on Mover, who we had met in Waterford on the Erie Canal, was already in the anchorage. The fall migration of cruisers has begun, and every anchorage we are meeting more people. George, who we met in Chesapeake City and again in Rock Hall, has been on his boat 11years. He has spent winters in Iceland, 2 years in the Baltic Sea, bought and sold a house in Portugal. He brought his slide show to our boat to show us some of his adventures; we were all most impressed, especially Tavish who decided we should never go home because there is so much in the world to see. On Tuesday Oct 2 we traveled from Swan Creek across the Chesapeake to Baltimore. The school day started with the kids learning to plot our course and calculate our estimated travel time. They successfully had us arriving in Baltimore in time for dinner. We were even ahead of schedule thanks to a favorable current. Janine had the unfortunate task of cleaning the fridge enroute; this task is more difficult for the vertically challenged. The fridge is deeper than her arms will reach so mopping out the bottom involves hanging head first into the fridge balancing on her abdomen. This is not a job to be undertaken if there is any sort of swell, as the abdominal pressure combined with the smells in the fridge are nauseating enough. We arrived in the Baltimore inner harbor at 4pm. It is a vibrant busy waterfront which reminds us all of False Creek. We are secured at the city docks, which will be our home for the next week while we visit with Gary’s parents, Keith and Ladora.