May 15-20, 2009 The Hampton Public Piers were our home for 5 days. We needed to rest, do laundry and clean, finish some maintenance, and wait out some nasty weather. There were plenty of places to go that were within walking distance. Larry and Margie visited the Virginia Air and Space Museum and the carousel museum. The four of us went to the farmer’s market Saturday morning and a street fair in the evening. On Monday we rented a car to facilitate errands and also drove to Newport News to visit the Mariners’ Museum, recommended by several people. It’s a wonderful place with several permanent exhibits that are fascinating: a collection of miniature ships, a Chesapeake Bay gallery, New World explorers gallery and others. The most interesting was the USS Monitor Center. The Civil War iron-clad ship was finally located about 10 years ago and recovery is ongoing, with many of the artifacts coming to this museum. The famous revolving gun turret is here being conserved in an enormous vat of a liquid solution to get all of the salt out of the metal; the process will take about 25 years. There are several other, smaller vats for smaller pieces.
May 20, 2009 With an early start and very calm Chesapeake Bay waters, we were able to go almost 100 miles in 12 ½ hours. Wanderin’ L & M traveled with us. About midday we encountered a fleet of boats catching menhaden, small fish used for bait, fish oil (omega 3), fertilizer, and many other things. Above the boats were two small planes flying around, which we thought were locating schools of menhaden for the boats. At Solomons,MD, on the Patuxent River, we found a nice anchorage for the night, although there was some noise from water skiers at first and later, from planes out of the naval air station nearby.
May 21, 2009 Again, the Chesapeake Bay was fairly smooth. We reached Annapolis, MD, in the early afternoon and motored past the Naval Academy on the Severn River to Weems Creek, where we anchored. That’s a popular spot and we had plenty of company. Larry got the dinghy down in the water and the four of us buzzed around in that and explored, although we had to abandon an attempt to go back past the Academy and into downtown Annapolis. Too rough, too much water splashing in.
May 22, 2009 We felt we didn’t need to leave until 8 AM, since the home marina for Going There was only about ½ a day’s travel away. However, as we approached the Naval Academy, we started to see armed patrol boats, both Navy and Coast Guard. What was going on? Soon we heard the Coast Guard on the VHF radio, broadcasting the navigation changes for the day: "The Severn River will be closed from 0900 hours to 1300 hours." What? We finally figured it out-graduation! Dignitaries-maybe the president! In any case, we were permitted to pass the patrol boats, run into Spa Creek for a quick look at downtown Annapolis, and be on our way.
Arriving back at Porter’s Seneca Marina, our Loop trip was completed. Raymond Porter helped us tie up in our slip and welcomed us back. Larry and Margie anchored in Seneca Creek to stay for the night. Our car was waiting for us in the parking lot, courtesy of Barb, Bruce, and Katie, who delivered it last week. We knew, due to a phone call today from Becky, that our house was aired out, and the majority of weeds in the flower beds were gone. Thanks, y’all, we appreciate everything you did! Check back in a few days for some more pictures.
Here are some stats:
Vessel: "GOING THERE"
1980 34 ft. Mainship I w/165 hp. Perkins turbo
Left Porters Seneca Marina in Baltimore on 05/20/2008 at 0745 hrs.
Returned 05/22/2009 at 1300 hrs.
Travel days 129
Traveled 5970 statute miles
Engine hours 809.9
Fuel used 1504.75
Average MPG 3.97
Average gals per hour 1.86
Average price per gal. $4.49
Highest price paid $5.95
Lowest price paid $1.74
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Going There is HOME!!
Mom and Dad pulled into their home marina last Friday. They traveled home on Memorial Day. Yippee!!! They are home!
Saturday, May 16, 2009
05/08/09 to 05/14/09
Working Snag Boat in the Dismal Swamp Canal
Narrow Channel
Mistletoe in Sweet Gum Trees
Free Docks at Elizabeth City, NC
Blimp Factory in Elizabeth City, One of the largest wooden structures in the world.5/08/09 to 5/14/09 We traveled for 7 days in a row, reaching Wrightsville Beach, NC, the first night, where we docked at a marina right along the ICW. On almost every mile marker post we saw nesting ospreys. The second day of travel, we had to wait for two different swing bridges to open, each with a clearance of 12 feet (our boat needs 18 feet to clear, because of the antennas). About noon Lois called a marina in Morehead City, NC, to reserve a slip for the night. The dockmaster said, "You don’t want to stay here for the night. This wind will bounce you against the dock all night long. Call Morehead City Yacht Basin, which is more protected." We thanked him and took his advice, although the wind was still substantial. Many of the slips at the Morehead City Yacht Basin were occupied by big sport fishing boats, but there were several cruisers traveling together who had stopped for the night on their way to Ocracoke. They were all out on the dock about six PM having hors d’ouevres and invited us to join them. One couple was starting their Loop adventure and we talked to them for a while.
May 10 was a beautiful traveling day; the wind didn’t increase until afternoon On Adams Creek we saw a beautiful wooden yacht that seemed familiar; the name on the transom was Sophie. She was in Clearwater Beach when we last saw her. Reputedly owned by a well-known Fox News reporter, she is kept in mint condition. When we mentioned her to the dockmaster at Belhaven, NC, where we stopped for the night, he recognized her immediately, and said she would be spending some time at the marina there.
Monday, May 11, we left Belhaven early and continued on the Pungo River to a land cut (canal) about 20 miles long that led us to the Alligator River. Although the day was overcast and breezy, it was not until we came out into the Alligator River that things started to get interesting. At first, the waves were 1-2 feet and we were headed north directly into them, which is doable. Then the river got wider and the waves increased to 4-6 feet. When we went through the Alligator River swing bridge and turned west toward a marina, the waves hit us broadside for the ½ mile or so to the marina, repeatedly tilting us back and forth. Finally we reached the breakwater for the marina, where numerous other boats had also taken refuge. Fortunately, experienced dockhands were there to secure us to the dock. The winds continued to blow until dark. For the first time, Bob used fender boards to help cushion us from the dock.. On the plus side, we bought diesel fuel for $1.85/gal., the best price since Clearwater, FL, in December.
Tuesday, May 12 This was the day for crossing the dreaded Albemarle Sound. In talking with other cruisers last evening, we agreed that an early start was best, so at 6 AM, several boats set off. The weather had to be sunny with little wind for a good passage. It went very well. As we approached the mouth of the Pasquotank River, we could see the Coast Guard Air Station and the enormous building which houses a blimp factory. Many years ago the same building was where they built dirigibles. We reached Elizabeth City by 10 AM., pulled in to the free city dock, and were assisted by volunteer "greeters". When we returned to the boat after walking around town and visiting the Museum of the Albemarle, other boats were arriving and by late afternoon all 14 slips were filled. In the afternoon, we went to the grocery store and ran into Bill and Joy from the Marilyn J, whom we last met a year ago in New Jersey, where they guided us through the harbor at Ocean City and the maze of lift bridges in Ventnor City.
May 13 and 14 We waited until 7:30 for the Elizabeth City lift bridge to open, then traveled 18 miles on the twisty Pasquotank River to the South Mills lock, which raised us 8 ft. to the level of the Dismal Swamp Canal. The canal has a long history, dating back to George Washington’s time, when he and some partners got the idea to drain the swamp and harvest the timber. They built part of the canal and then Washington sold his interest to someone else. Eventually a lumber company bought the swamp, harvested the rest of the virgin timber, and donated the land to create a national wildlife refuge. The care of the canal is now supervised by the Army Corps of Engineers. It is very narrow, the water is tea-colored, depths rarely exceed 8 feet, and it is used mainly by recreational boaters. Along each side is a narrow strip of lush green trees and bushes which tends to make you think that civilization is far away (it’s not!). The honeysuckle was in bloom and its scent filled the air. Hanging in the trees we saw dark green mistletoe twined around itself to make big balls. Although we heard songbirds, we didn’t see them and there were just a few wading water birds (probably no fish to attract them). Overnight we stayed at the dock at the North Carolina State Visitors Center, near the border with Virginia. The next day was an early start in order to be at the 8:30 opening of the Deep Creek lock, 17 miles away. There were 3 other boats at that location, who had used a dock nearby overnight. This lock, the final one for us, was fun. There was a tiny white house, used for the lockmaster’s office, with a very attractive flower bed in the front. When all the boats were tied to the side of the lock, Robert the lockmaster picked up a conch shell, one of several on the edge of the flower bed, and blew through it, playing a little tune. ( Bob bought himself a conch shell when we were in the Keys, but can only play one note, no variations. This gives him something to aspire to.)
We continued on the Elizabeth River to Portsmouth and Norfolk,VA, across Hampton Roads (junction of the Chesapeake Bay, Elizabeth River, James River, and Nansemond River) to the city of Hampton, VA. It was a relief to get there, as Hampton Roads was quite choppy. At the Hampton Public Piers, we tied up next to Wanderin’ L & M, whom we hadn’t seen since Fort Pierce, FL. In the evening, all of us went out for Italian meal.
May 10 was a beautiful traveling day; the wind didn’t increase until afternoon On Adams Creek we saw a beautiful wooden yacht that seemed familiar; the name on the transom was Sophie. She was in Clearwater Beach when we last saw her. Reputedly owned by a well-known Fox News reporter, she is kept in mint condition. When we mentioned her to the dockmaster at Belhaven, NC, where we stopped for the night, he recognized her immediately, and said she would be spending some time at the marina there.
Monday, May 11, we left Belhaven early and continued on the Pungo River to a land cut (canal) about 20 miles long that led us to the Alligator River. Although the day was overcast and breezy, it was not until we came out into the Alligator River that things started to get interesting. At first, the waves were 1-2 feet and we were headed north directly into them, which is doable. Then the river got wider and the waves increased to 4-6 feet. When we went through the Alligator River swing bridge and turned west toward a marina, the waves hit us broadside for the ½ mile or so to the marina, repeatedly tilting us back and forth. Finally we reached the breakwater for the marina, where numerous other boats had also taken refuge. Fortunately, experienced dockhands were there to secure us to the dock. The winds continued to blow until dark. For the first time, Bob used fender boards to help cushion us from the dock.. On the plus side, we bought diesel fuel for $1.85/gal., the best price since Clearwater, FL, in December.
Tuesday, May 12 This was the day for crossing the dreaded Albemarle Sound. In talking with other cruisers last evening, we agreed that an early start was best, so at 6 AM, several boats set off. The weather had to be sunny with little wind for a good passage. It went very well. As we approached the mouth of the Pasquotank River, we could see the Coast Guard Air Station and the enormous building which houses a blimp factory. Many years ago the same building was where they built dirigibles. We reached Elizabeth City by 10 AM., pulled in to the free city dock, and were assisted by volunteer "greeters". When we returned to the boat after walking around town and visiting the Museum of the Albemarle, other boats were arriving and by late afternoon all 14 slips were filled. In the afternoon, we went to the grocery store and ran into Bill and Joy from the Marilyn J, whom we last met a year ago in New Jersey, where they guided us through the harbor at Ocean City and the maze of lift bridges in Ventnor City.
May 13 and 14 We waited until 7:30 for the Elizabeth City lift bridge to open, then traveled 18 miles on the twisty Pasquotank River to the South Mills lock, which raised us 8 ft. to the level of the Dismal Swamp Canal. The canal has a long history, dating back to George Washington’s time, when he and some partners got the idea to drain the swamp and harvest the timber. They built part of the canal and then Washington sold his interest to someone else. Eventually a lumber company bought the swamp, harvested the rest of the virgin timber, and donated the land to create a national wildlife refuge. The care of the canal is now supervised by the Army Corps of Engineers. It is very narrow, the water is tea-colored, depths rarely exceed 8 feet, and it is used mainly by recreational boaters. Along each side is a narrow strip of lush green trees and bushes which tends to make you think that civilization is far away (it’s not!). The honeysuckle was in bloom and its scent filled the air. Hanging in the trees we saw dark green mistletoe twined around itself to make big balls. Although we heard songbirds, we didn’t see them and there were just a few wading water birds (probably no fish to attract them). Overnight we stayed at the dock at the North Carolina State Visitors Center, near the border with Virginia. The next day was an early start in order to be at the 8:30 opening of the Deep Creek lock, 17 miles away. There were 3 other boats at that location, who had used a dock nearby overnight. This lock, the final one for us, was fun. There was a tiny white house, used for the lockmaster’s office, with a very attractive flower bed in the front. When all the boats were tied to the side of the lock, Robert the lockmaster picked up a conch shell, one of several on the edge of the flower bed, and blew through it, playing a little tune. ( Bob bought himself a conch shell when we were in the Keys, but can only play one note, no variations. This gives him something to aspire to.)
We continued on the Elizabeth River to Portsmouth and Norfolk,VA, across Hampton Roads (junction of the Chesapeake Bay, Elizabeth River, James River, and Nansemond River) to the city of Hampton, VA. It was a relief to get there, as Hampton Roads was quite choppy. At the Hampton Public Piers, we tied up next to Wanderin’ L & M, whom we hadn’t seen since Fort Pierce, FL. In the evening, all of us went out for Italian meal.
Friday, May 8, 2009
04/23/09 to 05/07/09
4/23/09/to 4/25/09 On Thursday we arrived in Savannah in mid-afternoon and tied up at a dock along the riverfront. During the rest of the day at least 6 ocean-going vessels, mostly container carriers, passed on the way to or from the port of Savannah. At one point two of them met in the Savannah River right in front of us. All day Friday there were similar commercial ships passing by. We’ve been having overheating problems with our boat again; both Wednesday and Thursday while we were underway, we had to stop and anchor to clean out a strainer or change a fuel filter. On Friday, Lorenzo and Chuck(a friend of Lorenzo’s who is accompanying them with his wife Julie) came aboard to help Bob try and identify the problem and remedy it. They removed the inner cooler and tried to clean it all out. Bob also replaced the impeller in the water pump, a job that requires him to squeeze into the engine compartment and lie uncomfortably alongside the engine. Saturday we headed out, traveled all day, no apparent problems. In the evening, we anchored at a nice wide area in the Edisto River, south of Charleston, SC. We were joined at a distance by several sailboats, also the vessel belonging to John and Phillipa, from New Zealand, and their 2 teenagers. Before sunset we were passed by a boat 150 feet long, proceeding back the way we had come. It surprised us, because this area is relatively shallow and we had to be careful because of possible shoaling.
4/26/09 to 4/28/09 Although we ran into fog shortly after leaving the anchorage this morning, we kept going with the help of radar and eventually ran out of it, arriving at the Charleston Marine Center about 1 PM. It’s off of the Cooper River, and close to the historic district. On Monday Lil’ David and crew left early, will probably arrive at their home port of Holden Beach, NC, in a couple days, completing the Great Loop. We took the water taxi across the river to Patriots Point and spent most of the day touring the aircraft carrier Yorktown, a World War II and Vietnam era vessel. At numerous locations within the ship are small museums and special exhibits. Tuesday we boarded a trolley near the marina to go to the Visitor’s Center, then took a minibus tour of Charleston. The driver gave the usual commentary on the city’s history and architecture. Later we went into the Charleston Museum near the Visitor’s Center for a short time. Then it was time for dinner at Sticky Fingers, a barbecued rib restaurant, your choice of 5 different flavors, from Carolina Sweet to Habanero Hot. The ribs were wonderful!
4/29/09 to 5/01/09 Wednesday, the 29th, was a beautiful boating day. We left Charleston in calm water with no wind and it remained that way for the entire trip to Georgetown, SC., a quiet town just a short way off the ICW. After docking, we went to pay the dockmaster and ask him where we could buy shrimp. He gave us directions, saying,"These won’t be local shrimp. Our season hasn’t started yet. These’ll probably be Georgia shrimp." ( And we were thinking non-local would be South American!) We went and got shrimp, ignoring the white heron hanging around the stoop at the market, and fixed ourselves yet another seafood meal, one of many we’ve had on the east coast. Dessert was intended to be ice cream, but till we ventured out to walk the town, most stores were closed. On Thursday, we had only 30 miles to go to our next stop, so we started out about 9 AM, 2 hours later than usual. Most of the trip was on the Waccamaw River, which had tree-lined shores, instead of the marsh grass that has predominated for the last few weeks. We stopped for the night at Osprey Marina, just a few miles from Myrtle Beach, SC.
The marina was very pleasant, situated in the trees off the ICW. We were concerned that smoke from last week’s extensive fire in the area would be a problem, but it was not. Shortly after starting out on Friday, the smoke detector sounded. Bob went down to the engine compartment and discovered a small connector in the fuel line leaking. He quickly repaired it with special tape and we got underway again. On this section of the ICW we began to see large, beautiful homes and a multitude of golf courses. Approaching Holden Beach, NC, we had to stop at a pontoon bridge across the waterway and wait for it to open. We had missed the opening at 12 noon by just a few minutes and had to wait until 1 PM. By then, there were probably 10-12 boats waiting for the pontoon to move out of the way. Within a short time after the bridge, we were docking at the Holden Beach Marina, with Lorenzo and John(from New Zealand) there to catch our lines.
5/02/09 to 5/07/08 There were repairs to be done to Going There, so that was the focus of our week in Holden Beach, NC. Monday Bob removed the injectors and the inner cooler and he and Lorenzo took them to Wilmington, NC, for diagnosis and treatment. The inner cooler had to be cleaned at a radiator shop; a diesel parts place ordered new injectors. Both promised he would have the parts "tomorrow", but it was Wednesday afternoon till they were available. When Bob finished putting things back together and ran the engine on Thurs., he was satisfied. Aside from the engine, we went to Calabash, NC, one night with Lorenzo and Lois for seafood. What we saw of the town was lined with seafood restaurants, at least a dozen of them, one after the other. The one we went to had lots of options and was very reasonably priced.
4/26/09 to 4/28/09 Although we ran into fog shortly after leaving the anchorage this morning, we kept going with the help of radar and eventually ran out of it, arriving at the Charleston Marine Center about 1 PM. It’s off of the Cooper River, and close to the historic district. On Monday Lil’ David and crew left early, will probably arrive at their home port of Holden Beach, NC, in a couple days, completing the Great Loop. We took the water taxi across the river to Patriots Point and spent most of the day touring the aircraft carrier Yorktown, a World War II and Vietnam era vessel. At numerous locations within the ship are small museums and special exhibits. Tuesday we boarded a trolley near the marina to go to the Visitor’s Center, then took a minibus tour of Charleston. The driver gave the usual commentary on the city’s history and architecture. Later we went into the Charleston Museum near the Visitor’s Center for a short time. Then it was time for dinner at Sticky Fingers, a barbecued rib restaurant, your choice of 5 different flavors, from Carolina Sweet to Habanero Hot. The ribs were wonderful!
4/29/09 to 5/01/09 Wednesday, the 29th, was a beautiful boating day. We left Charleston in calm water with no wind and it remained that way for the entire trip to Georgetown, SC., a quiet town just a short way off the ICW. After docking, we went to pay the dockmaster and ask him where we could buy shrimp. He gave us directions, saying,"These won’t be local shrimp. Our season hasn’t started yet. These’ll probably be Georgia shrimp." ( And we were thinking non-local would be South American!) We went and got shrimp, ignoring the white heron hanging around the stoop at the market, and fixed ourselves yet another seafood meal, one of many we’ve had on the east coast. Dessert was intended to be ice cream, but till we ventured out to walk the town, most stores were closed. On Thursday, we had only 30 miles to go to our next stop, so we started out about 9 AM, 2 hours later than usual. Most of the trip was on the Waccamaw River, which had tree-lined shores, instead of the marsh grass that has predominated for the last few weeks. We stopped for the night at Osprey Marina, just a few miles from Myrtle Beach, SC.
The marina was very pleasant, situated in the trees off the ICW. We were concerned that smoke from last week’s extensive fire in the area would be a problem, but it was not. Shortly after starting out on Friday, the smoke detector sounded. Bob went down to the engine compartment and discovered a small connector in the fuel line leaking. He quickly repaired it with special tape and we got underway again. On this section of the ICW we began to see large, beautiful homes and a multitude of golf courses. Approaching Holden Beach, NC, we had to stop at a pontoon bridge across the waterway and wait for it to open. We had missed the opening at 12 noon by just a few minutes and had to wait until 1 PM. By then, there were probably 10-12 boats waiting for the pontoon to move out of the way. Within a short time after the bridge, we were docking at the Holden Beach Marina, with Lorenzo and John(from New Zealand) there to catch our lines.
5/02/09 to 5/07/08 There were repairs to be done to Going There, so that was the focus of our week in Holden Beach, NC. Monday Bob removed the injectors and the inner cooler and he and Lorenzo took them to Wilmington, NC, for diagnosis and treatment. The inner cooler had to be cleaned at a radiator shop; a diesel parts place ordered new injectors. Both promised he would have the parts "tomorrow", but it was Wednesday afternoon till they were available. When Bob finished putting things back together and ran the engine on Thurs., he was satisfied. Aside from the engine, we went to Calabash, NC, one night with Lorenzo and Lois for seafood. What we saw of the town was lined with seafood restaurants, at least a dozen of them, one after the other. The one we went to had lots of options and was very reasonably priced.
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