#30 Nov. 17 to December 4th

This is December 4th and we have enjoyed a wonderful sojourn in Washington for Thanksgiving and meeting all but one of our family for sightseeing and being together.

Here at Isle of Hope Marina the tides are 8 foot. It is hard to describe how the water comes and goes every six hours. So catch these pictures below. I'm standing on the deck of our boat.

The streets of this little community (just 20 min from busy Savannah) is beautiful homes, quiet streets lined with live Oaks and Spanish Moss.

We toured all around on our bikes. Horatio says he would like a slightly bigger basket. Simpatico is seen in the background.

We rented a car and traveled to DC taking two days to do so. This is how Horatio entered the Hotel. Can you find him?

The memorials we visited were all impressive. This of course, is the Iwo Jima.

Washington Monument as seen from Lincoln Memorial

Lincoln, my favorite!

Below are the views from the top of the Washington Monument.
N, E, S, W.  The mall is being re-sodded. Our Nation's Capital is the most impressive city with the most impressive buildings.

Then on to the Capital building. This is the first Supreme Court chamber a hundred fifty years ago.

This is a replica of the Statue "Freedom" that sits above the Dome on the Capital Building.

Thanksgiving day Morning we all gathered in the Shadow of the Washington Monument on the Mall for a game of Flag Football. 

Team Green: Emma, Jeff, Kelly, Owen, Conor, John, Wendi and
Charlie

Team Blue: JR, Sandi, Hugo, Aidan, Terri, Miranda and Charlie

Of course, Bucco was referee, whistle, flag and all!

What a great family picture!

Back at the Hotel we took over the lounge to watch the Lions game before we shared dinner at Tabard Inn in DC.

We left DC on the 27th and headed to Terri's in Wilmington Delaware for the weekend then on to Isle of Hope on Monday December 1st. We have provisioned the boat, visited friends, and we are ready to shove off tomorrow at 10am heading South.

See Simpatico in the forground and the festive boats behind; looking forward to the coming Christmas season,

#29 Nov. 6th - Nov. 15th

Nov. 6th - We traveled a rather short distance this day from Oriental to Swansboro NC. We anchored just off the town center. Around 8 pm (dark, dark), a fellow sailboater, had come in and anchored very near us. He hollered at us fearing a collision.  We moved to the far end of the anchorage. Gives us practice!

Nov. 7th We are on our way to Wrightsville Beach, near Wilmington. It was "thick o fog" as they say in Newfoundland but cleared by noon. One little incident today, we ran aground near an inlet. Very touchy, these inlets. Shifting sands from tide and currents. Fortunately we could wiggle off.  We had a delightful visit with Bob and Nancy. They have one son, Tom, married now and Matt has a March wedding planned. Bob and Nancy are fit and busy.

Nov. 8 - 10th we anchored each night these are some of the sights along the way South to Charleston SC.

Pink House

Trying to get a dolphin picture as he surfaces

Campground

Flooding caused these breaches in breakwalls and there was very high water encroaching many of the waterway homes in N & S Carolina, still effects from the recent Hurricane rains.

This is a 'floating" swing bridge

AAHH! Nov. 11 we arrive in Charleston SC at our slip at 10:30 am. The tidal current was ebbing extremely fast. and made it impossible for us to get in the slip. We got hung up on the big boat. Fortunately, his anchor snugged into our top railing and held us there.  We could not move the boat for 3 more hours till the tide was at its 'slack'. UGH! I was a wreck. All turned out OK.

While in Charleston we ran errands, thanks to Michael, and then spent an evening with Miranda, Michael and Hagrid. Cute couple. Doing well and planning their futures

A ship building/repair facility along the wateway

A-Ha! caught him in the lens!

Nov 13 - 15th we made our way South again anchoring and crossing into Georgia on the 15th. We are at anchor just North of the Marina till tomorrow at High Tide.

At anchor just outside the ICW.

Our Marina, Isle of Hope is just beyond the anchored sail boats. We are going to stop here for at least two weeks, visiting with other cruisers, relaxing, catching up on laundry and a few chores.
We are going then by rented car to Washington DC, meeting all our children and Grand children for a 4 day Thanksgiving  togetherness.

Happy Thanksgiving to each and everyone of you!

#28 October 30 - Nov. 5th

Oct. 30 - This second morning brought Northwest winds 10 to 15. Being we are going South it will be behind us. Its clear skies and we are ready to go. 

Bill is checking this and that before we get underway. He is standing in the engine room where most of his tools are stored.

We cast off around 8 am and had beam seas for the first 3 miles as we left the anchorage at Solomons. Horatio did NOT like the rolly polly action of the boat. Panting and shaking, very distressed. He wanted to be sitting right next to and leaning on us. When we turned South it was much better but we did have 4 - 6 footers pushing us. 55 miles this day to the South side of Deltaville peninsula. Arrived at a nice quiet anchorage at 3:45.

This is our countertop oven we brought from home. Weren't sure if it would fit. We had to move it on to the cooktop due to it getting extremely hot. So run the Generator for 30 minutes on convection setting and Pot Pies for Supper! Mrs. Calendars', very good. Oh yes, we are almost out of Kraken!

This is where the oven lives when not being used. We are glad it fit. We have done a pork roast, baked cookies and the pot pies.  So I think it will make a nice addition to domestic life aboard. Speaking of domestic life, we also bought a Nutri-Bullet. Been emulsifying everything you can think of. Bill's having a ball.  Ha!

Peaceful sunset! Looking forward to many more.

Oct. 31  - Happy Halloween! We arrived in Norfolk/Portsmouth at 3:30, 6 hour run and 45 miles. 

As we entered the Elizabeth River at Norfolk we encountered this sailing ship with her crew of intrepid tourists.  All around the shores are ship, big ship, berths, loading docks, military installations. Our Navy has an impressive presence here.

As you can see, Horatio survived his personal ordeal of cruising with his Bucco. They found a coffee shop just up the street from our free dock at Portsmouth, shown below. We stayed a second night and enjoyed the Breakfast Buffet at the Hotel Renaisance you see there alongside Simpatico. 

Note the ferry that entered and exited the harbor every 40 minutes. Surprisingly, it did not really disturb the boats.

Nov. 2nd - Speaking of boats! when we left we were amazed at the number of  boats, sail and power that were heading South. We chose to do the Virginia Cut rather than the Dismal Swamp route as we did when going North. About 11 miles out of Norfolk there are two bridges and a lock. A lot of delays, one hour and half just at the lock due to 11 boats locking through. Openings are only on the hour.
Below are some photos (that we aren't supposed to photograph Naval "Assets"). There are at least 80 of these behemoths in various stages of retrofit.

Horatio was much happier today being in the Intercoastal well protected from wind and waves. Very overcast, and misty rainy all day, 8hours and only 40 nautical miles due to delays. Anchored just off the channel at 4:30 (gets dark at 5)

I shouldn't show this but I did bring my guitar and hope to get some dedicated practising in.  It is really not very pleasant for the other beings on board.  Shouldn't show it because I may not follow through!  It's a bucket list thing~

11/3 We were first into our anchorage this evening arriving around 1pm; we were tired from the day before. We crossed Albemarle Sound, notorious for its bad wind and waves but our crossing was uneventful and relatively flat. By sundown there were 20 more boats anchored all around us. 

11/4 Ready to enter the Alligator/Pungo River Canal. Like the Dismal Swamp, 27 miles of straightaway. Did not see one alligator.

Halfway there is a shrimping operation at Hobocken, NC.

We arrived at Oriental NC 54 Nautical miles at 4pm. Took slip #5 after several days at anchor we are ready for Laundry, groceries (snacks), washdown of the boat, fuel and water. Its been really good getting back into the rhythm of cruising. 

 Did I mention there is a "Tiki Bar" and a great restaurant? The Tiki bar was the first place Connie hit! I dragged Bill along! Ha! They had all the decor for Halloween still up - - - candy corn lights, witches and spiders. Funny thing though, we were the only boaters there, all the rest all around the bar were locals. Very friendly and fun. Dinner at the restaurant this evening was a treat and very good.

11/5 We have the laundry done, the groceries shopped, boat watered and in the process of washing the salt off Simpatico. And, it isn't even noon yet. 
Tomorrow we will set out South again. Anchoring between here and Wilmington NC; hoping to have Bob and Nancy Rudary, old sailing friends form Michigan join us for a cookout.  Then a few more days to Charleston, SC to visit with granddaughter Miranda.
All is well.

I'm going to the Tiki Bar  --  smile!

By the way, Happy 1st Birthday, Horatio

#27 October 29th - Onward!

Hello again! Since we left you in late June, due to a cranky back of Bill's, we headed home after winterizing and putting Simpatico on the hard. Since then have been extremely busy. There were Drs., PT professionals, MRI's, Xrays, more Dr appts and a very close relationship with the DRUGist. If you know what I mean. As you may be aware we have been very sure we would sell the house and just live on the boat!!! Well, while home recuperating we did just that. Gleaned and Cleaned and Listed the house. Then began yearning for our seafaring liftestyle! What about Bill? Well, he figured he could be uncomfortable on the boat as well as at home. So here we are.  

We left home October 14, went South right away to Ohio and visited Gary and Teresa, Aunt Corinne 92, (still Sharp and a bit outspoken); Aunt Helen 88 (Best pie maker!) and Uncle Maury 92 (very sharp and so interesting to hear stories of my Dad in the service). All are in good spirits and enjoying life to the best.

Oct. 15 we traveled on to Herrington Harbor North in Deale Maryland unloaded all the stuff for the boat stayed there the night. So good to know we would soon be back in the water.

Yep, right there "on the hard" Nope, it won't fall over. We been running around all over her until the 26th when she launched.

Oct. 23rd We arrived at Terri's, our daughter in Wilmington, DE, helped her with some projects, had another Dr appt., enjoyed Terri's company and visited our Grandson Hugo at his school. 

He is about to gear up for a task of barge inspection.

The helmet weighs at least 40 lbs. There are always two helpers for each diver, one helps with gear, tending the air and communication lines and the other talking thru microphone to diver and logging as the diver reports what he sees.

It was a very interesting tour. Hugo is learning all aspects of commercial diving and underwater welding and inspection of all types of underwater objects. Truly a young man's profession. He is doing very well and loves what he is learning and doing.

Oct. 21st we set out for the boat. We spent the next days, organizing, cleaning, checking systems, purging the winterized water tanks, changed zincs in the engine, and on the rudder. Zincs are anodes attached to the boat to protect other metals on the boat. We painted the bottom, stowed all our belongings, bought groceries and finally we are ready. 

Well, almost. And I am still laughing about this! The bicycles needed the tires pumped up and as I started to ride one back to the boat to load -  the chain broke. so after acquiring a new chain, we put the bike up on a picnic table to install the chain. You have to connect the two ends with a little two-piece link. First the chain has to be threaded through all the sprockets of the 3-speed mechanism; one part being spring loaded. I'm holding one end, Bill the other while trying to put these two teeny tiny pieces together, oops, slipped out. Tried again, got them together and something happened; the spring mechanism let loose and - - - -I heard Bill say, "We lost the part!" We just looked at one another and fell to our knees and began searching the leaf strewn grass all around the picnic table. Very systematically, on our hands and knees for at least a half hour, searching - - - people walking by - - - wondering if we were looking for mushrooms- - - - I should have had them take a picture!! I got up to look at the spring thingy again to see which way it flung and started searching again. by this time I'm laughing at what a site we must be -- two old fools crawling around on their hands and knees - - - we looked at the bike again and there the piece was stuck in the big sprocket. So all ended well. I'm still laughing!

We enjoyed the South County Cafe in the mornings with their fresh baked pies and great coffee. I must confess Connie bought a whole peach pie and ate the whole thing!! over two days. Breakfast, lunch and supper. Ha! I love peach pie! 
The Dockside restaurant here at the Marina has 25 cent oysters on Wednesday nights. Managed two visits for those! Then there is the Happy Harbor Bar and Grill - they do 25 cent oysters and $5 hamburgers. 1/2 lb burgers. - on Monday nights. Wednesday, its meatloaf $10, Thursday Fried Chicken $10.95 (huge plate of chicken) and all fix-ens. Friday nights Steak dinner with a draft $10. All very good.  We shared one dinner and went away fulfilled.
This area is very rural and quite hilly. Lots of farms, horse farms, sod farms, all just a short distance from the shores of the Chesapeake Bay. Only 35 miles from DC.

Horatio? Poor little guy, he is a little upset we think!  He was fine with all the moving, packing, traveling in different cars - - but when we hit the water, different story. He just could not get comfortable in the Salon. Shortly after we were underway he came up in the cockpit and wanted to be held. So he sat with Bill, right up against him for quite a while; then finally laid down and began to relax. Even tho he previously had no trouble going business on the back deck and his green pad; we had to encourage him it was OK to do so. He is such a good boy! 

Oct. 26th - the day finally arrives - Simpatico is cradled to the launch slip.

...and put afloat

we were grinning all day!

Our friends Ann and Tony DeNiccola shared a couple of meals with us while we have been here.  Great folks, who are about to haul their boat for the winter and travel to Savannah to meet Ann's son returning from Afghanistan, then on to Ohio where they are from. We hope to meet up with them again in the Southern climes.

We meet the nicest people!

This was a 25 cent night at Dockside.

Oct 28th Wednesday, we were ready to go but Mother Nature thought different. Predicted Winds and waves not in our favor to go South and it looked to be nasty for the next two days delaying our departure til Saturday morning. 

Oct. 29th Thursday - WHAT! we awoke to clear skies, sun and the seas were almost like glass at 7am. We looked at one another and smiled, checked the weather again, and sure enough, light winds and calm seas!

. . . on our way South

we picked up a mooring ball at Solomons Island. First days end of our next adventure.

#26 June 17 - June 25th

June 16th traveling up the Chesapeake, as I said previously, was like sailing the Great Lakes at home. We ducked into a cove just south of Deltaville VA just before a strong squall rolled over us. Turned the sky black for about 40 minutes, thunder, lightening, rain. Then the sun came out and we enjoyed a pleasant evening on the back deck.  

June 17th we arrived in Tangier Island VA. An Island still lingering in the 40's. Trying desparately to preserve their heritage from the Elizabethan era. Strong element of watermen and their crab shacks, clamming etc.  The canal leading into the Island was lined with these crab shacks and docks.  Some in excellent repair, some in various stages of disintegration.

We had planned on docking here for the night, especially when we saw Restless Spirit, whom we met in Carolina Beach, was docked there.  Also another Nordic 37.  A couple of gentlemen came to help with our lines but the current was so strong we could not maneuver the boat into the slip. After several tries we abandoned the idea and headed for the next Island 10 miles North. Smith Island Maryland proved to be a much better landing option.  We were able to tie up to a face dock. Smith Island is very similar to Tangier, but, holds the distinction of being the ONLY inhabitated island in Maryland. Smith is a little more into the present in that they have a Verizon cell tower.  Some tourists we talked to when we arrived 3pm said everything was closed. In spite of brochure stating 4pm closures.  Museum, Restaurant, Visitor center - - no townspeople around zippo! Strange.  We spent a quiet night and continued on to the Solomons on the 18th.

Solomon Island proved to be a contrast to Smith Island, Many marinas and thousands of boats. We picked up a mooring around 3pm deployed the dinghy and tooled around the harbor after paying our fee at the office.  It is within an hour and half of Washington DC and environs. The perfect getaway from the hustle bustle of the city. 

Around 4pm the sky went dark again - - yep, yet another severe squall rolled over us. Thunder, Lightning, Rain and howling wind. By 5 the sun is out, clearing and creating this rainbow on the retreating rain

On the 19th the three of us went to breakfast in town. The brought Horatio his own menu. Quite a selection - - even "pooched eggs"!

Then off to the Museum. Don't ask me how I got this black and white picture of the Museum's lighthouse moved here from 4 miles on the point entrance from the Bay. two areas of interest covered was the unique design of fishing boats over the years and the archaeological finds from the cliffs of the are dating back some 23 million years. Fascinating!

June 19, oldest Daughters Birthday brings us to Herrington Harbor, MD. We were amazed - - the largest marina we have ever seen. Very well run, clean, accommodating and every amenity. Friends on Stella Maris we met on the Dismal Swamp Canal suggested we might enjoy this marina.  This picture was taken as we walked on the bricked path from one end of the marina to about the middle where the pool complex was located (white tent). We had been invited to their annual Dock party. Wine, fresh oysters, two meats, gumbo, salad and desert. 

Yep! The evenings festivities ended with another brewing Thunderstorm. This too, passed quickly. 

June 21st We are truly impressed with this marina and all the services it provides. It is a full service repair yard as well as storage long term and Marina.  For some time we have been speaking of maybe terminating our Loop trip for this year and putting the boat up on the hard for storage this winter. We would then return in the late spring and continue at a leisurely pace going North through the Champlain canal, St. Lawrence, Montreal, Ottawa, the Canadian Historic Canals, Georgian Bay and eventually crossing our wake in Detour, MI where we started on July 13,2014.
This is the end of June already -- we would have to really have to push to finish before the weather ccloses in.

So, that's what we are going to do. We feel bad to have taken a little cruise a way from our daughter Terri, but we will make that right next spring.  We rented a car, drove to Terri's in Wilmington and spending a few days with her before going back to the boat and have Simpatico Hauled out. We will have to strip her of any liquids that might freeze and arrange for the yard to winterize and shrink wrap her. It does bring a tear to my eye to be stopping this great adventure - but it is only temporary.

Besides, we have plenty to do at home to get the house ready to sell, get it listed and take care of things that that whole business entails.

As you can see Horatio is enjoying a renewed acquaintance with his cousins Charlie and . . . 

Baxter.

This will be the last Blog for a while. You  might check back again after the snow melts in Michigan; I am sure we will be antsy to get on the move again.  Love to all, Connie and Bill