Heading South -- At Last

October 17 - 22, 2012

Frequently we are asked why we don’t have a plan or some kind of a schedule.  Well, to put it simply -- every time we try to schedule a bit of our life – life changes.  ‘Our plan’ had been to leave Solomon’s Island when the Krogen Rendezvous ended on October 7^th.  Instead we pulled away from the dock on the 17^th.  The main reason for the delay was my broken rib.  But, the weather, wind direction, current and wave height all control our travel decisions.  This time of the year the shortened daylight hours are an additional factor.  Compounding those conditions is coordinating schedules with friends.

 

Bonnie and Jon had been at The Tides Inn Marina in Irvington, Virginia for most of the month.  We had made arrangements two previous times to meet them there only to have something interfere.   Now that the stripper pole is installed and I’m off pain pills we can get under way.  Bonnie had a physical on the 16^th, the doctors said they needed a little more information before they would give her an all clear.  We woke up on the 17th and decided to leave immediately.  We wanted to wait out the doctor’s decision with them.  By the time we arrived, they had talked to both of her doctors and the consensus was – “come back in a year – you are good to go”!  Great news!  

 

Brian and Jon left the marina on the 19^th at 7 AM to deliver Jon’s car to Charleston and drive back in a rental.  That’s a 1000 mile road trip in one day.  They arrived back at the boats at 2 AM.  Bonnie and I had the day to enjoy the resort, do a little shopping and walk for miles and miles (at least it felt like miles and miles).  Strange as it sounds – that was the first day that Brian and I were apart for a full day since we left Minnesota over a year ago.  Wow, that is a lot of togetherness---

 

Saturday morning we did some last minute prep and got under way.  It was a perfect Fall day.  The water was flat; the sun was shining; only a whisper of wind and the boat was purring.  How many days like this can we possibly have?  The weatherman predicts a full week of beautiful mid 70’s days.  Just once maybe he will be right!  As we prepared to drop anchor for the night, we got a call from Jon that their windless was not working.  (The windless is the mechanism that lowers and raises the anchor chain.)  We decided that they should ‘raft’ with us. (Tie to our boat and we both swing off one anchor.)  Well, as long as we are connected, we might as well have dinner together.  I prepared a quick main course and dessert while Bonnie made a salad and heated bread.  The guys worked on the windless and got it working.



Walkie talkies are used to talk between boats
when  underway.  We forgot to give one to Jon before
we left the marina.  Safely passed in a plastic bag 
and fishing net.  Communication can commence.    



    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday morning the engines were running as the sun came up.  The Chesapeake was slapping our port side with 3 - 4 foot waves for the first three hours.  Just as I was thinking that I should have taken my new sea sick pills, we turned and the waves were hitting our stern.  A much more comfortable ride.  We arrived at the Atlantic Yacht Basin in Chesapeake, Virginia in time to take on 500 gallons of diesel and tie up for the night.  Meanwhile, Bonnie and Jon’s water pump quit working.  Not a problem: connect to marina water for the night and order a new pump at 7:30 Monday morning.  The pump was delivered by 11 and we were heading south on the intercoastal by noon. 

Brunch on Bon Voyage as we wait for parts to arrive.

 

Rafted for the night

Monday night brought continued maintenance.  We rafted in a quiet North Carolina bay.  Jon installed his pump and Brian worked on our generator.  One thing that is reinforced daily – to live this life you better have a mechanic on board or your trip is going to have a lot of interruptions waiting for repairs and parts.  Bonnie and I combined efforts for a dinner that we inhaled just before the third Presidential debate. 

Dueling hoses clean the anchor chain!

 

Tube Dude can't keep from smiling about 
another beautiful morning!

 

 

Gotta smile – we’re lovin the ride!