YOUNG AMERICA at Bannerman's Island

YOUNG AMERICA at Bannerman's Island

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

November 22, 2011

From Oriental, we zipped across the Neuss early in the a.m. (8 o’clock) while the winds were calm.  We anchored in Adams Creek for awhile to get done the things we didn’t do yesterday (some interior cleaning) and around 11a.m. lifted Knute and headed for Morehead City.

Tom and Patsy Conrad, aboard their new Nordic Tug TRUE NORTH had saved us a place at the Town Docks, newly purchased by Denard, who has owned Portside Marina for some time.  The current is vewwy twicky there, but by 2 p.m. we were secured.  Spent the afternoon and evening with the Conrads, ending with a great dinner at the Ruddy Duck and a very brisk walk home!

That current tried to slap us around as we backed out of our slip at 7:15 Friday morning, but once again, Fred won!  After no boats in the water in the Chesapeake, we now are in a 7 boat parade. One of the boats confused us a bit when we heard “[garble] America” on the radio.  Turned out they were saying “Yacht America”, and indeed she was a lovely yacht.   All 7 of us hovered at the Onslow Bridge where the Marine on duty actually chatted and seemed to have a sense of humor.  (No offense to Marines, but we’ve had some less than happy experiences at Onslow.)   Tom, on TRUE NORTH allowed AMERICA, who was able to go fastest (and burn the most fuel) to move to the head of our little‘fleet’.  Next bridge is Surf City, and using the chart plotter, we were able to time the trip, arriving just in time for the opening.

Our home for this day is Harbor Village Marina, just past Surf City and about 10 miles north of Wrightsville Beach.  Fred’s cousin Jane and her husband Pete very kindly made the trek from their home near the W’ville bridge, and took us to dinner at Baja, and then to Harris Teeter for groceries.  Bless them.   What a great evening!

By noon on Saturday we were through the Figure 8 bridge, and at Wrightsville, where a flock of paddle board sweepers were having a ball!  We waited for the bridge to open although we believed there were 21 feet of air at the center of the bascule.   The bridge tender says 19 means 19 so we chose discretion and waited.

It was a gorgeous day, and lots of boaters were out enjoying it! The water was calm and the Cape Fear River held no fear for us. we passed by Southport, and stopped at St. James Marina.  What a delightful spot!  Very low dockage rates, clean, well marked floating docks, a nice store and restaurant, and for a special bonus, a fork lift taking boats out for winter storage and stacking them in the gi-normous shed.  We could have spent a few days relaxing here, but we have a Thanksgiving date in Beaufort!  We laughed as we left St. James---the retaining wall was so clean that the barnacles almost looked like copper-y art intentionally placed.

We passed through Lockwoods Folly easily; couldn’t raise our old friend Phil Robinson at his dock.  His Shrimp store may or may not have been open, (but dockage is still available) so we continued on and by noon were in South Carolina!  First stop, Myrtle Beach.  We didn’t shop at the outlet mall at Barefoot Landing, just took a long walk around it.  Delicious evening—the end of a delightful week.

On that note, I’ll depart, and see you all next week.  Have a happy Thanksgiving.  Heaven knows we have oh, so much to be thankful for—and we are!   





Thursday, November 17, 2011

November 16, 2011

11-11-11.  Some numerologists say it doesn’t have much great significance, but I say it’s kinda fun.  For us, it’ll be a day in port, as the Bay is kicking up a celebration---not the kind we want to take part in.  There’ll be high winds, lotsa waves and probably some rain just to make it special.  The date kinda looks like corduroy, doesn’t it?

We’ve not had much rain since arriving back in Solomons.  Has it been chilly? You bet. Nighttime temps have been in the 40’s many times.  Our dandy new furnace sprung a leak in its muffler, and as the exhaust fumes were going into the engine room instead of outside, we shut it down until further notice.  Gook and new clamps are waiting in the wings to tighten things up and keep the air we breathe fresh, clean and warm.   Fred has it rigged so that when the engines are running, he can turn on the fans and blow heat into the boat without running any motors.  Silent, free heat (if you don’t count the installation costs…).

Tuesday was our last day in Solomons, and the weather was beautiful.  Crisp and clear.  Our trip south began with a long stop at the marina’s spiffy pump-out station.  I’m not sure if you are interested in the waste removal system on our boat, but it is an important topic for us, and this pump out machine is the best!  It is tied directly into the hotel sewage line, and self operated so we were able to run large amounts of water thru and really wash out the holding tank.  It seems we bought some TP that doesn’t dissolve, and the holding tank motor was letting us know regularly that a problem existed. So once again, the tp test was done with three brands.  Turns out that cheap works best—7-11’s house brand won the test by breaking right up in the test glasses.  Walgreen’s came in a close second.  West Marine’s new WM brand?  We won’t be using that any more.  The motor is now happy, and this is good.

By the time we finished the pump out, cleaned up and lingered on the dock over lunch, it was mid afternoon, so we spent Tuesday night anchored at the mouth of the Patuxent River in Mill Creek,  a run of about 3 whole miles. In the morning, it looked as if we would have yet another late start.  The fog was oh, so thick, and in no hurry to burn away.  Schools in the area had 2 hour delays, so we weren’t the only ones held up!  By 10:30 though, we were off, and after 6 hours tied up in Reedville. 

We had a good time watching, and maneuvering around, the fishing boats.  Reedville is one of the major centers for the processing of Menhaden---a member of the herring family that has a long history. Native Americans taught the Pilgrims to use menhaden as fertilizer for their corn crops, and today it continues to be used as fertilizer, bait and the manufacture of fish oil products, as well as providing food for wild and farmed fish. So heavily harvested is the fish that today the population is only about 10% of what it was in colonial times.  This week the Atlantic States fishing commission decided to impose limits, to phase in over the next year, in order to give the species a chance to build up its numbers.  The estimates say that reducing the catch by 25% will leave about 60,000 metric tons of fish in the water.  The boats we saw netting and scooping the fish out of the nets are big business!

It is too late in the season for the Crazy Crab Restaurant to be open every day, but we docked there and left our fee in the mailbox provided.  Walked downtown to Tommy’s restaurant for dinner.  Hallowe’en in Reedville was a very highly decorated event, and Tommy’s, as well as many houses along the street, still had goblins and ghouls on display.

The Bay was friendly early on Thursday, with a promise of winds and waves kicking up late in the day. We decided to investigate the Rappahannock River, and by noon had made the turn, leaving the large black cloud behind.

Remember the bridge that collapsed in Minneapolis?  An identical one (only this one is 110 ft. high) crosses the Rappahannock. After the Mpls. event, tests were done, and 80 stress points found to need reinforcement, we’re told.  I’d not want to be that guy doing the work.  We’re happy that the bridge held as we passed under it—twice.

Our destination was a resort hotel/marina called the Tides Inn.  It’s on the Northern Neck of VA, an area we’ve not explored before.  Only 40,000 folks live in the 4 counties of the Neck, and they reportedly love the ‘small town’ flavor.  The Tides is an old, used-to-be-family owned resort that has retained the family feel and offers lots of amenities--- including a ride to and from the grocery store, a bonfire on the deck every nite with complimentary s’mores, and then milk and cookies in the ‘View Room’ at bedtime.  We especially enjoyed meeting Craig as he delivered the newspaper to the boat every morning!

At this time of year, if you want to get anywhere, early starts are mandatory.  Daylight only lasts until 5 o’clock or so. Even being underway at 7 (who, US?) we weren’t able to make it to Portsmouth and the Commodore dinner/movie.  Enjoyed Hampton Marina, though, and had a nice long walk.  We did stop in Portsmouth the next day for fuel, and then headed for the Dismal Swamp.   The 1:30 p.m. lock was the earliest we could make, and once inside the Canal, couldn’t resist the Mexican Restaurant.  George, the Lockmaster joined us, and shared stories of his 18 year career at the Canal.  Robert, the usual lockmaster at Deep Creek (the northern end of the Swamp) was docked by the lock when we finished lunch.  Last time we were through, Robert said he was  planning to open a Dismal Swamp Tour Boat service.  He now has 4 boats and 3 captains and is a frequent speaker at meetings and events in the Norfolk area.  Good for him!

That thing about dark came into play as we motored along the Swamp.  Couldn’t do 17 miles to the Visitors’ Center, so we tied up opposite the Feeder Ditch.  Lake Drummond supplies the water for the Canal, which is maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers strictly for recreational boater use. One of the duties of the Lockmasters is to monitor the water level in the Canal. Dry weather last spring had forced a cutback to 2 lockings per day, instead of the usual four, but Hurricanes Irene and Lee took care of that problem very nicely, thank you.

If you have a wee boat (under 1000 lbs) you can ride up the Feeder Ditch and across a railroad (not unlike the Big Chute in Canada, we think) and go boating in the lake.  Sure enough, around 8 pm a little boat came paddling out of the Ditch and headed for Deep Creek.  In the dark.  And man, was it dark!  We’d planned to go for a walk at dusk, but when we saw the “What to do if you meet a bear” signs, returned to YA and had a delightful dinner on the foredeck under the dark, dark sky. 

It was still dark when we tossed off the lines in the a.m. and so still and beautiful as we hummed along toward South Mills Lock.  3 sailboats were tied up at the visitor’s center, with a fourth waiting at the lock.  We were happy to see more travelers, and led the parade out of the lock at 8:30 a.m., through the gorgeous Turner’s Cut, and on down the twisty Pasquatank River to Elizabeth City.  It was only 1 o’clock, and the wind was barely blowing, so we decided to pass on the traditional wine and cheese party (given to groups of boaters by the Mayor of Eliz. City) and hop right across Albamarle Sound.  Our usual plan is to cross that Sound in the early a.m. as it is very shallow, and it doesn’t take much wind velocity to create a really unpleasant---even unsafe---ride.  We lucked out though, and were snuggled into the Alligator River Marina before dark!

In the morning we passed through the Swing Bridge that we drove across last July when we went to the Outer Banks.  Headed south in the Alligator River, and then the Alligator River-Pungo River Canal.  The canal is another straight line with a deep channel and very little water on either side.  We saw a sailboat actually sailing ahead of us, a rare sight, as we see a lot of ‘masted motorboats’ but rarely see boats under sail---especially in a heavily wooded canal where the wind is puffy, gusty and unpredictable.

Turns out that Dale, aboard CHANCE ENCOUNTER with his English Springer, Chili, was counting on the wind to get to Belhaven—about 25 miles away.  His engine was running on fumes and he was pretty much ready to choose a spot to drop the anchor and call for a tow boat.   A few minutes later, we became that guy.  The boats were rafted together and we all had a pleasant afternoon ride.  And the best part?  Dale was heading south from Rondout Creek in Kingston, NY.  He'd had the boat hauled at Certified Marine, where YOUNG AMERICA 2 lived for 17 years! Gave Fred a good excuse to call and say hi to Sharon and Fred!  How small is this world, anyhow?  CHANCE went into the River Forest Marina just inside the breakwater on the Pungo River, and a few minutes after we were tied up at Belhaven Marina, Dale and Chili drove up on a golf cart.

We were soon joined by Brant Wilson, with whom we chat whenever passing by Belhaven, and enjoyed a happy happy hour in the marina’s gazebo. 

This morning the weather persons announced small craft advisories and 2-3 foot waves in Pamlico Sound, but it looked so lovely at 7 a.m. that we decided to go as far as was comfortable, and then anchor if necessary.  Wasn’t necessary.  The waves were low, as was the wind, and it wasn’t until we rounded Maw Point in to the Neusse River (our old friend!) that the bow began to slap the water.   By then we were too close to quit so we just endured until 2 p.m. when we made the turn into the Oriental Marina.  Our July slip was damaged by Hurricane Irene, so we’re snuggled in by the Tiki Bar.  The wind and lots of rain are my companions as I write this.

So it took me from 11/11/11 until today, 11/16/11, to get to the blog.  Biggest deterrent was the 1522 page book, 11/22/63, Stephen King’s latest.  (Those are e-pages.  I think the real book is only 800 or so pages long.) It is a hard-to-put-down story of ‘what if JFK hadn’t been assassinated?’  But now it is done, and so off I go to post photos.

Be well, and keep in touch!




Wednesday, November 2, 2011

November 2, 2011

AAAAAAHHHHHH Baltimore!  Loved it.  Stayed for 5 days, docked at the Inner Harbor East Marina.  It is owned by a USPS member, and gave a discount to us Power Squadron persons.  Love that, too.

The Tall Ships made a parade through the Baltimore Harbor before departing for the to race to Newport.  It was a windy, rainy, sludgy day, but they braved it, and so did I.  The Marina had a lovely waterside area with tables and benches!   Turned out (according to Mary, aboard the WHALER) that during the race, the Bay got so nasty that few prizes were awarded.   Many boats turned back and their crews drove to Norfolk for the festivities.  The WHALER arrived at the end of the race, but had motored thru a calm before the storm, and so did not place this year.

We spent a day at the Annapolis Power Boat show.  Drove down with Mike and Linda Borum (SEA DREAM is also in Baltimore), and had a fun dinner with them and also Ron and Tina (SEA GYPSY) at Mike’s Crab Shack.  Phoned CAROLYNN ANN to include Joe and Punk in the evening.  Earlier in the day Bettie and Klass (MOON BEAM) and Richard and Shannon (ESMERALDA) were known to be at the show as well.  Great Harbours everywhere!

Also did some sight seeing in Baltimore…Fred gave a submarine tour aboard the TORSK, and I gave the  USS CONSTELLATION a cursory glance before walking to the American Visionary Museum.   What a fun place that is---lots of inspiring and waaaayyy out there exhibits.  My favorite was the screen painter, who showed how to decorate your door or window screen.  The technique was used by Baltimorians to a) distinguish their home---with 12’ wide row houses everywhere, that is important, and b) provide air and privacy inside.  Very nifty, and she made it look oh, so easy.  Maybe I’ll paint our porthole screens one day.  Maybe.

We had dinner with Lynn, Jeffrey and Denia one evening, and the next day after shopping at the Whole Foods store—walking distance from the marina---headed out.  We took a side trip up Curtis Bay looking for the US Coast Guard construction site. We were able to get under the first bridge, but not the second.  We could see tall masts in the distance; maybe the EAGLE? 

Back in the Bay and on to the Magathy River.  We did the upriver U-turn. all the way to the Causeway.  From there you can look across the road (accessible only to members of the Club on the private island and their guests…there is a guard, we’re told) and watch the traffic on the Bay.  We opted for a more protected anchorage ‘back a bit’. 

The next morning was beautiful, and the Bay calm and quiet, so we simply motored on until about 4 when we were tucked neatly (stern first) into A-2, our Solomons slip at the Holiday Inn Marina.

A day later, the car was packed and we headed north.  Our new urban travel mode is  to depart at 0-dark-thirty and avoid the commuters.  Worked like a charm and by noon we were back in Condo-land.

While there I helped out with a couple of UU fundraisers and we attended the Annual meeting of the Condo Association, where, sadly we were 6 signatures short of a quorum.  On Thursday we gave what Fred calls our ‘dog and pony show’ at the Westchester Power Squadron Meeting.   Talked (with power point) about the boat and living aboard it in general and the Great Loop in particular.   People seem amazed that we have shared 37x16 feet of living space (592 sq. ft.) for 3-1/2 years—and still enjoy each other’s company.  Other ‘live aboards’ understand.   And yes, it really has been 3-1/2 years! 

We went to the Power Squadron’s D2 fall conference in Danbury, CT, and changed our plans a bit to include the Arlington High School Marching Band’s Parents concert (Alan’s son Paul marches).  Sadly, we had to go to Plan C on Saturday when the October blizzard arrived. Concert cancelled. The snow began in mid afternoon and the ride home from Danbury was exciting to say the least.  Our Jeep held the road, unlike many cars and trucks whose passengers were shaking their heads and wondering how to get out of the ditch.  The best part was being the only people in a Dunkin’ Donuts near Fishkill, soaking up a Dunkin’MochaChino (or whatever they call it) and giving the teenaged employee someone to talk to.   He’d had a very quiet day!

On Sunday the family gathered at HPC to celebrate the three J’s.  Son-in-law Jimmy and daughter Jenny had birthdays during that week, and it was with great gratitude and thankfulness that we welcomed grandson JT (age 15) home from Westchester Hospital.  He’d been airlifted there on Friday after a car bounced him from the school bus stop onto the highway.  He was thrown 25 ft. through the air, lost consciousness for about 5 minutes (lying in the highway's traffic lane) and miraculously suffered only scrapes and bruises!  As Jenny said, “It’s official,  JT is made of rubber!”  It can’t hurt that he plays ball, of the foot, base and basket varieties, and so is in great physical shape!  ‘Twas a harrowing experience for all, with, thankfully, a happy ending.

We’d decided not to bring the car back to the boat, as our journey now will take us to Marathon in the Florida Keys.  So on Monday we packed, once again, and Tuesday a.m. set out for a many-legged trip back to the Boat.   Kris drove us (and our 4 suitcases, 3 large tote bags and a pocket book) to the shuttle bus. The bus took us to the Metro North train.  Elevator out of order, but a nice lady helped us up the 40 steps, and we made the train by at least 10 seconds!  In New York a taxi got us to Penn Station where another kind man helped us down the steps to the Amtrack level.  Somewhere there must have been a down escalator, but we sure didn't see it.  At the station level we found a Porter who loaded everything on a cart, found the secret escalator to the track level, and got us into a quiet car well before the throng of passengers arrived.

Our friend Lynn was waiting when the train pulled into the Baltimore train station. She’s a Private Investigator who conveniently has a case in Solomons, and needed to take photos of a restaurant about 10 minutes from our marina.  It certainly worked for us!  Had time to chat during the drive, and also over lunch.  Now we are ‘back in boat’, and happy to be so.

When next we meet, our journey south will have begun, and, as we’ll be cruising, I’m thinking of returning to the Monday Messages.  We’ll see.   In the meantime, be well, live long and prosper!