sailFar.net

At 0700 this morning Laura took in the lines and left the marina on the first leg of our prolonged cruise. Unfortunately due to some hanging work and pending family business I couldn't go along.

We have given up our slip though, and the dock box is empty- might be a year before we get the boat back over here.

She'll be single hand for several weeks until I can get free to join her.

MUCH incentive to work my tail off to complete what I need to complete and get over with her. But I'm sure she'll enjoy her time single hand also.

On Edit - inserted spaces into thread name so that the Search function would pick up "Tehani" as a standalone word. :) CapnK

I am sure we all wish we could help get you out too, Fair winds for Laura

Bon Voyage!

Where will you be checking in, here or at the trailer sailor site?

Hi Skylark-most likely, as we can, we'll post on both sites. I consider either my "home forum" although we've been on TSBB a long LONG time.

Laura can post from her IPhone- it's slow to key into, but works pretty much every where.

Congratulations to you both. I am envious.

sail fast and eat well, dave
S/V Auspicious

%$&* wish I were getting under way. May your days pass quickly until your able to rejoin your boat and wife

Well hurry and and git going Charlie... Tell Laura congratulations for me.. :)

The boat I'm restoring is scheduled to deliver on July 31. Should finish it by this Monday or Tuesday

Then I have to help my mother resolve a problem next week and weekend.

Then I'm done and on the way.

Can't happen soon enough :D

Quote from: CharlieJ on July 14, 2009, 08:09:45 PM
The boat I'm restoring is scheduled to deliver on July 31. Should finish it by this Monday or Tuesday

Then I have to help my mother resolve a problem next week and weekend.

Then I'm done and on the way.

Can't happen soon enough :D

Good to hear. Enjoy! ;D

Keep in touch you guys, are you going to be around NC too?

If you make it to Marathon, fl or Key West, let me know.

Keep a dry boat.

JUST talked to Laura- she's at anchor in Offats Bayou, Galveston, Tx. Had a 50 mile run today in the ICW, with two hours riding to the anchor enduring squalls in Galveston's West Bay. She said it "BLEW stink" and "I LOVE that all chain anchor rode" :D :D

She'll hang around there for several days, then is moving to another Galveston spot where she can get some water and hit a grocery store

Two more weeks and I'll be joining  her.

Getting excited CJ ??     

No, just tired. I really have been going too hard to get excited yet. I've been hitting the shop around 0700, 0730 and going til I run out of gas. And 95 degrees outside ain't helping this old body.  But either tomorrow or the next day, the boat I'm finishing will be all back together.

Then I have to set the water tanks and run some waterlines and I'M DONE!!

Project to help my mother with and I'm gonna be outta here :D :D Two weeks tops. IF all goes well of course. Don't want to tempt fate ;)

I was down in Freeport this weekend working on Aquila when the rains hit. It was no joke, that stuff was coming in sideways! Its good, we needed it, but darn! I hear Houston got rocked on Sat noon/night. Some co-workers have been telling me power was out, lots of lightening strikes, and flooding. I can imagine how it was out on the bay.

Good luck you two! Fair winds and following seas!

And here at the house we have not had a drop >:(

Bet you are feeling like you can't get the delivery finished soon enough... I know I would be. 

  CJ, you two will have to let me know when you are passing my way.  Sure would like to meet you both and maybe share a meal.

  Fair winds!

Ok I'm aboard Tehani. We are currently at anchor in
the CAlcasiu river in LOuisiana. Heading east. learning to type on this IPhone-grin.

Will Try to keep posting as I can.

Great to hear read :)

Good for ya. Have fun kids    ;)

Bet Laura is happy to have her cabin boy aboard ;D( sorry couldn't resist)

Hers hoping everything goes well, I enjoy the read and can't wait to get finished with my project so me and the wife can experience the same type of adventures. 

Man! A guy turns his back for a couple of weeks and look what happens!!

Seriously, it is great to read threads like this.  There are many, if  not all, on this board that deserve it, but it makes a genuine smile appear to know you two are living it again.  It must be the good karma coming back around for all the input and help you offer the rest of us. 

A heart felt thanks and a sincere congratulations from the frozen, flooding, mosquito infested Northlands of Minnesota.

(of course we demand a full account of the adventure in both word and pictures)

We are tied up in a friends slip. In Cyremort Point YC, Vermilion Bay, La. Heading toaards New Orleans on Sunday. More when we get near Wifi . Keying thiis with 1 finger on L's IPhone.   
But having a ball !!!

Your doing quite well with that one finger stuff ;D, great to hear your having fun, Have a good time in N.O.

Good to hear from you guys.  Keep having a blast and keeping us posted. Lisa types with one finger. If we get a IPhone she'll be right a home.

We're sure missing you guys. We are shooting for Sept 21st to leave if I can pull it off. Maybe I'm the one that needed the balls.  ;D

Are you planning to head South, Laura asks? She says that's the right way, end of Sept. Grin

Had hoped to go the other direction. Not really interested in staying in Texas or going to Mexico. We'd leave tomorrow but I think you know why we  need to stay a little longer.

Got an email from CJ&L today - they are anchored by Jones Point (fittingly, eh? ;D).

QuoteHey guys-theInavx email is where we are anchored. About 15 miles before the Miss river. Should get into Ponchantrain tomorrow. IF the weather permits us-supposed to be rainy.

Charlie

Mapquest link:
http://tinyurl.com/lrwbv3

Screengrab below, so you don't have to actually go to that site... ;)

Thanks Capt. Looks like we're gonna be here today. Thunderstorms all around, 70% chnce of boomers. Sure don't want to be in a lock or Industrial  canal and get hammered. Tight enough in there with the towboats in clear weather. We have least 4 locks and 2 bridges to transit to get into Pontchantrain.

Couple of photos that Charlie sent me tonight.

In Harvey Canal
(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/_RefFiles/photo1.jpg)

Tugs in Harvey Canal
(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/_RefFiles/photo2.jpg)

Mississippi River Bridge N.O.
(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/_RefFiles/photo3.jpg)

We are currently at anchor in an offshoot of the Pearl River, border between La and Miss.  Rain clouds all around us so we'll just stay put today :D

Had planned to sailout to Cat Island. Guess that's tomorrow's plan- grin.



This cruising is tough work ;D

Lisa and I had planned on sailing today but with a 40% chance decided not to. We are headed to the boat anyway. Let it rain, let it pour we need all we can get right now.

For those of you keeping up with CJ and L's location they can be found on chart 11367.

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/_RefFiles/01ba.jpg)

Have a wonderful time cruising around you guys !!!!

Thanks guys.

At the moment we are tied up in the county docks in Ocean Springs , Miss.

We'll probably be here another day then on to Horn Island , then to meet some saolors at Petit Bois Island for Labor Day weekend. Then on to Pensacola.

Tonight we had a dinner of Shrimp bought off boat two slips down. Two. Ignts ago was fresh caught crab.

Having a great time.

Hello Tehani,

Sorry to come at you out of the blue but I get the impression you are sailing (based?) on the Gulf Coast and as I am thinking about heading that way early next year I wondered if you had any advice.

Will be heading south from Annapolis in October and hope to go to the Bahamas Dec09? and end up finally in Galveston my mid May 2010. Thinking of coastal hops and the ICW to go west. Wondering how cold it might be and so the right time to leave Florida.

Any advice will be helpful.

Yours
Owen Zeimer
sv Velpanore

Sorry- really know very little about Galveston.. it's still undergoing extensive rebuilding since Hurricane Ike.

CAN tell you that the anchorage in Offat's Bayou is still open for use, is well protected ( from normal storms) and is fairly near to stores, including a WALMART and a West Marine.

Tehani is currently in a guest slip in Pascagoula, Miss. I'm ( Charlie) aboard by myself.

Laura's father passed away last Monday and she flew back to Texas on Tuesday evening- from Mobile. She'll be returning  to the boat next week sometime and we'll continue on towards Florida- slowly.

Quote from: CharlieJ on September 04, 2009, 12:13:04 PM
Tehani is currently in a guest slip in Pascagoula, Miss. I'm ( Charlie) aboard by myself.

Laura's father passed away last Monday and she flew back to Texas on Tuesday evening- from Mobile. She'll be returning  to the boat next week sometime and we'll continue on towards Florida- slowly.

Our condolences on your loss.

Greg & Adina

Charlie,

  I am so sorry to hear about Laura's mother.

Prayers go out for her and the family.  I am sure you recall Rose's mom passed away when we were cruising.  I know that we were thankful that if it had to happen, at least it did when we were able to get back easily (relatively).

  Please let me know if there is anything we can do.  You guys are getting close and I would be happy to help in any way I can.  Make sure to give me a heads up when you get close for sure.


 

Charlie
As I said to Laura on TSBB, my best and prayers for all of you.
Tim

Sorry to hear that. Condolances to Laura and the entire family.

I hate to hear that My condolances to Laura and her family

Fair winds to Laura's Dad.

Very sorry to hear that Charlie, our families prayers are with Laura and your family.
jim

My condolances to Laura and family our thoughts are with them.

Sorry for Laura's loss.

We be in Florida, experiencing LOTS of rain.

Anchored for a couple days at old Fort Mcrae, just across from P'cola NAS. Had hoped to meet Craig and Rose (S/V Faith) but things didn't work out. Our loss I think.

We are now anchored in a spot called Little Sabine Bay off Santa Rosa Sound, where we've been sitting out this frontal passage. Tomorrow looks much improved with west winds even instead of on the nose so we MAY even get to sail- grin

We'll be around Ft Walton Beach in few days for a few days.

Please give Laura my condolences.

Just a short note from them. The chart is 11385

This is the east end of Choctawhatchee Bay. Had a great sail today but will have to motor through the land cut tomorrow.

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/_RefFiles/1662.jpg)

Last year, when I went through the same area in April; 3 dolphins followed and swam under the boat for several miles. They bumped the hull several times, and did flips in front of the boat. Some people call the cut east of there, the little grand canyon. It's a pretty spot. I anchored in West bay, near Botheration Bayou, when I came out of the cut.

WOW!! I can see why the nick name. I emailed Grme some pics so every one can see. Hope he sees this and posts them.

Any recommends for anchorages around Panama City?

Quote from: CharlieJ on September 22, 2009, 12:26:36 PM
WOW!! I can see why the nick name. I emailed Grme some pics so every one can see. Hope he sees this and posts them.

Any recommends for anchorages around Panama City?

Yes, there is one just past the municipal marina.  You will enter under a bridge and find a wonderful basin known as 'Joe's bayou' that is well protected.  There is a restaurant that we ate at (the service was quite entertaining, enjoyed the garbage burger).  The pictures have disappeared, but you can read about it in this post (http://sailfar.net/forum/index.php?topic=72.msg15048#msg15048) on our thread.

 

Quote from: CharlieJ on September 22, 2009, 12:26:36 PM


Any recommends for anchorages around Panama City?

I had a good NW wind when I left West Bay, so I put up sails and made 45 miles that day to a creek on the ICW just past the ST. Joe cut-off. I prefer the solitude to the city, so I passed up Panama City. The ICW from East Bay to Apalachicola, was the prettiest part of the trip for me.

Tehani is in Apalachicola, Fl. Almost to the end of the northern Gulf ICW. Next stop is Carrabellle where we head out for a short sail in the gulf to  Tarpon Springs. About 140 miles. Waiting for some winds other than right on the nose. The course is SSE and that's where the winds are hitting from. Supposed to be a small front come through and maybe we can get some northerly winds behind it. That's the hope anyway. Right now forecast is SE at 10-15,, increasing to 15-20. DON'T want to beat into that in the shallow shallow waters of the Florida big bend, for sure. Water is about 20 feet deep for miles offshore here.

last year, I left Apalacicola for Tarpon springs, with a 30 hour window for fair winds. I was just able to make Tarpon in about 32 hours. The winds started from the west, but clocked around through the north to ENE by the time I made the Anclote river. You can see the power plant stack near the river for miles if it's clear.

We sailed from Clearwater, so the trip was a couple miles longer.... funny I don't remember it as a particularly notable passage, but then again I was going the other way.  ;)

QuoteThe ~ 150nm passage took us 2 days and a night.  We had good wind the entire way, and the Sea was kind to Faith as she had her first real taste of the Gulf of Mexico.

  Fair Winds to the crew of Tehani.  ;D

Sorry Charlie got brain fog and forgot to post them when you sent them to me.

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/_RefFiles/1663.jpg)

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/_RefFiles/1664.jpg)

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/_RefFiles/1665.jpg)

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/_RefFiles/1657.jpg)

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/_RefFiles/1658.jpg)

great pictures I am ready to go already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yesterday
We picked up two stainless rod holders for $5 a piece at the community yard sale in Apalachicola this morning. Charlie is installing one where the flag staff holder was. We left the dock and are anchored in the river outside of the channel now.

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/_RefFiles/1674.jpg)


Today
We are poised to head across the gulf as soon as the weather permits. On the advice of Charles Brennan, we have decided to go to Cedar Key, weather permitting of course. Until then we are doing a few odd chores and resting. Flea and Kathy are here waiting also. We will probably dinghy over for a visit later today.

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/_RefFiles/1675.jpg)

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/_RefFiles/1676.jpg)

Looking at your pictures...laying back reading...Laura out back fishing. Ruff life CJ  ;D....I guess someone has to do it  :o

LOL-yeah we had a few good days. Right now trying hard to get across the gulf to Tarpon Springs. Gearing up for our fourth squall since 0100 this morning. Easiest one has had 25 knots. Last one we stuffed the bow at least a half dozen times.

Weather forecast lie.

And you're surprised by the weather forecast being wrong why???

 ;D I'm not-I'm used to it ;D

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/_RefFiles/1679.jpg)

Well we finally made it to Tarpon Springs. 29 hours offshore, most of which was great sailing. Did a good bit of motor sailing too but the pure sailing was wonderful-29 hours on one tack, and an aosr full moon too.

Glad we waited the extra day or so.

Glad you're in and had a good passage. Full moons are beautiful out there ;D The first night 'in' after a passage is always nice. Relax...enjoy

Yep-had a nice 12 hour nap :D

Planning to wander around T.S. today

September 29 - October 7

A fuzzy white caterpillar clings to a leaf as it sweeps past Tehani's hull. A palm tree log gets caught on our anchor chain.  It takes a boat hook and some maneuvering at the helm to convince it to move along. Flood waters to the north have brought leaves, twigs, limbs and logs down the Apalachicola River then led them through Saul Creek where we are anchored. The banks of the creek look like a backdrop for a Tarzan movie. I recognize a few cypress and palm trees but the rest is a jungle of unknown trees, vines and underbrush. It comes alive with mysterious screeches, hoots and growls that echo hauntingly between the two shores as the sun goes down.

It's the mysteries that lay ahead that concern me. A few early mornings spent under covers when the temperature dropped into the fifties remind me that I am further north than I was when I left Port Lavaca in July.  I am anxious to get south before the northers start marching down with a vengeance and to go south means venturing into the Gulf of Mexico when the protection of the waterway ends at Carabelle. I need to study the coast, plan routes, set waypoints, watch the weather patterns, think about the "what if's", allow for options and make sure the boat and our gear is ready. I feel my pulse quicken just thinking about it.

It's time to find a dock in town. I have no cell phone coverage here so I cannot watch the frontal systems on the internet. I need to download updated charts to my Iphone and laptop, fill the water tanks, top off with fuel and buy a few groceries. Then we will wait. Wait for a weather window to cross the Gulf. 

I have sailed in the Gulf twice before. One was a miserable seasickness ridden twenty-four hours in 15-25 kt. winds with waves that sloshed around like they were trapped in a bathtub. The other was two and a half days, a large portion of which was spent with 3-5 ft. waves on the beam causing Tehani to nearly dip the end of her boom in the water on every wave and me in a dull stupor caused from the medication I took to keep away the seasickness. I want this time to be different. I need a GOOD offshore trip. I know one can be had. 

Charlie said he thought we would jump across to Cedar Key when I asked him a couple of days ago but looking at the chart my inclination is to head for Anclote Key at Tarpon Springs. Cedar Key is not that much farther south and stopping there would mean another jump in the Gulf to get to Anclote Key where the waterway begins again. It is about seventy miles to Cedar Key from the Dog Island anchorage just south of Carabelle so we would need to leave before dawn to arrive by nightfall and I'm not sure I am comfortable with heading into the Gulf in the dark. On the other hand, a couple of people have told me that Cedar Key would be a worthwhile stop and Anclote Key is more than twice as far making for a longer stay in the Gulf. I don't know what to do. 

We watch a cold front stall just to the north of us on the weather maps while we explore the town of Apalachicola, make new friends and get Tehani ready to go. The forecasts projecting the movement of the cold front seem to change every few hours so we wait.

Did I mention that I enjoyed a long, relaxing hot shower at the marina yesterday evening? I can't remember where or how long ago it was when I had the last one. Don't misunderstand. I get showers all the time but they are quick, usually lukewarm showers from our pressurized garden sprayer or it is a sponge bath on the cabin sole when it is too cool and windy or there is a lack of privacy in the anchorage.  A long hot shower is a luxury these days but that's okay.  

I hear from friends that they will be at Government Cut in the bay just south of Apalachicola waiting to head out into the Gulf. He has made this crossing before.  I want to see them and talk to them but there is no protected anchorage near the cut. St. George Island will protect us from any wind with a southerly slant but if it goes to west with this frontal system it could get rough. Then again, it is only a few miles back to the river. 

I don't know what to do. I have never been so full of indecision. I am stalled just like that darn cold front. I have to do something; make a choice; do anything. Maybe I am looking for answers or reassurances that can't be found but I decide to go see my friends.

We spend the evening sharing stories of our journeys then dinghy back to Tehani and drift off to sleep. The howling wind wakes me as a storm blows through and I watch through the companionway to make sure we are not dragging down on our friend's boat. 

Dark clouds marching eastward this morning bring nasty west winds but there is no thunder or lightning and little rain. Wind and waves build with each approaching cloud then dissipate as they pass. Tehani pitches wildly, stuffing her bow threw a wave at times. Perhaps prudent seamanship and a protected anchorage would have been the better choice but I am here now and although it gets uncomfortable, we are in no real danger. 

The storms finally abate and the forecast for the next two days is west and southwest winds at 10-15 kts., waves 2-4 ft. and diminishing. From here it is about 100 miles to Cedar Key so we can leave this morning and arrive during daylight hours tomorrow. I start the motor, Charlie hauls in the anchor and we head for the jetties.

The outgoing tide helps carry us throuh the narrow cut toward the Gulf as Charlie raises the main but the current pushes us westward on the bay side then eastward as we near the other end. I have to keep an eye on the channel markers to keep us from straying beyond them. As we near the mouth I see what I hoped I wouldn't: rollers coming in from sea and stacking up at the jetty entrance because of the opposing tide. I don't think they are as bad as the ones Charlie led us through for my first offshore trip but this time I am at the helm. I concentrate on keeping Tehani's bow pointed straight into them and give the motor a little more throttle. Tehani pitches up and down barely managing to clear one wave before the next is under her bow. It is truly amazing that a boat can make forward progress in this poop.  She does but it seems we are at the last channel marker before the wave period becomes more manageable. 

Waves rolling in from the south are on our beam as we head for Cedar Key even though the winds are more westerly. I have flashbacks of our sail from Southwest Pass, Louisiana to Freeport.  Sights and sounds become muted and a sense of nausea seems to linger in front of my face. I feel like that caterpillar clinging to the leaf being swept somewhere he really didn't want go when I remember something my friend had said, "You can choose which route is most comfortable." At the very same moment, Charlie turns to me and asks if I would rather go to Anclote Key. "Yes. I would!" I change course putting the waves forward of the beam and my seasickness begins to subside. 

We will have to maintain an average speed of four and a half miles an hour to make Anclote Key before dark tomorrow. Five will give us time to get to a secure anchorage off the river. We sail with the main and the jib until our speed drops to four then we start the engine and motorsail. At 11:30 we are out of sight of land making hull speed under sail with Charlie at the helm. We are taking two hour watches giving us time to do a few things and still get a good hour's sleep during our time off. I am down below trying to rest after my first watch when I feel my seasickness creeping back. I slice off a piece of fresh ginger, place it between my cheek and gum then pray that it works. Within minutes I am back to normal. "Yay!" 

At four in the afternoon we set up the tiller pilot to steer and ease our burden. Waves off the stern quarter cause it to stray further off course than I would like during my watch and I fuss at it like it was a person. I have no idea why I called it Albert but I did.  

Before I go to sleep I heat water to put in the thermos for making hot cups of tea or soup during the night. The sun will be setting soon. I wake when Charlie turns the motor off. It is dark and we are moving at five to six miles an hour under full sail with Albert at the helm when I come on watch. I watch the moon rise and sit in the warm evening breeze with a cup of tea listening to the water rush by.  The beauty of motion and harmony give me an overwhelming sense of joy. This has to be the ultimate in voyaging. 

Two-thirty in the afternoon we pass the entrance marker at Anclote Key and at four-thirty we are anchored in a snug hole just off the river. I'm going to sleep like a rock tonight. :)

Thank You Laura for taking us along :)

excellent read very good story telling, makes you feel like you are there in person

Laura,

  Beautiful job.  It is so much more simple isn't it?  The little things you notice, and can recall are one of the major differences from the normal (mundane) shore existence.

  A caterpillar drifting by, the joy of a hot shower... how much more do we enjoy them?  Hard to say, but thanks for taking the time to share.   ;D

You guys are almost to Edgemont Key, then on to Venice, Boca Grande and Pelican Bay. I'm so excited! The best part of Florida lays ahead and you are just getting there at the perfect season! Don't forget to explore Edgemont- the old fortifications are fascinating! Good anchorage in the south-east half moon bay. Man I wish I could be there!

Quote from: s/v Faith on October 12, 2009, 06:06:00 PM
Laura,

  Beautiful job.  It is so much more simple isn't it?  The little things you notice, and can recall are one of the major differences from the normal (mundane) shore existence.

  A caterpillar drifting by, the joy of a hot shower... how much more do we enjoy them?  Hard to say, but thanks for taking the time to share.   ;D

Ditto that!  Nice story-telling... Enjoy the cruise!  ;D

Thanks very much for sharing.  I felt like I was a fly on board.  I look forward to more updates. 

Fair winds!

Howdy folks- We're at Clearwater Beach fl tied to a friends dock. Got a bit nippy here the last few nights - Laura doesn't like cold in the least so she wasn't a real happy lady- grin.

Weather has turned nice so in the morning we plan to head for Egmont Key
on the outside for a couple of days then on to either St Pete or Bradenton for a few.

Sent some pics to the Capt to post but I guess he's still incarcerated. Grin
Charlie

no sympathy here CJ. Been scraping ice off the car window in the mornins for a week  ;) Have fun

Don't forget the old fortifications on the northwest side of Edgemont. Have fun! And why stop at Brady, when Venice is so much more a cruising town? (take the outside for a great sail and up into town) Make sure and have some Spinach-crab dip at the Crows Nest for me!

VIsiting friends in Bradenton. No reason to not stop at both though-no schedule

Good on you CJ and Laura. Your not missing much here at home. Took 3 days off last weekend, and got a bit of a sail in when the weather was a perfect (for our area) 73. Still wish I was southward bound with you guys tho!

Stay safe!

A note from Charlie today.

Chart 11412
We are NOT ashore. We are actually anchored in 9.5 feet of water about 300 yards off the beach. Had a great broad reach making anywhere from 4.5 to 7 mph in the Gulf today under just the main.

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/_RefFiles/1686.jpg)

And a quite unpleasant anchorage it turned out to be!!

NE winds gusting over 20 most of the night which was no problem other than being cold BUT

that wind generated some small annoying waves that wrapped around the north end almost a mile away and swept themdown the western side- hitting us dead on the beam. So we'd roll win each and every one with a period of about two seconds and a roll of about 10 degrees each way. Impossible to sleep.

Around midnight we rigged a small anchor, cranked the engine, motored ip to weather and set that. Then hauled th stern around so we were into the waves. Huge improvement. Still not really nice but bearable. Still blowing hard and chilly this morning. I suspect we'll b searching for a quieter spot today. May not get ashore on Egmont Key - We'll see.

I'm betting you were wishing you were in your old trimaran last night....they handle rolly anchorages a lot better than monohulls.

Charlie and Laura,
You may already know this, but for the benefit of those reading who may not, there's another way to go if you don't really need the second anchor for holding power, or wish to go through the hassle of running a second anchor out.  Take a warping line and attach it to the rode with a rolling hitch.  Lead the line outside of everything (stanchions, shrouds, etc.) and make it off to the stern or quarter cleat on the appropriate side.  Let the rode out until it pulls the stern around.  The exact angle can be set by adjusting the relative length of rode and warping line.  The boat can be set at any angle to meet waves or wakes from an adjacent channel.  In five minutes, you can have the whole thing done and leap back in the sack.

I love reading your reports.  For one thing, I'm jealous.  My wife can not longer sail with me due to health reasons, so it's wonderful to see the two of you being able to share the sailing and cruising experiences together.  Being able to share them make the experiences all the more precious.
Jim   

Jim-I tried that a few weeks ago- hooked the chain snubbed to the chain and let it out so the connexion was way out. Intent was to stop her from hunting on the wind. She promptly ran over the whole works- chain, snubbed and all and hunted to the other side :P :'(

the anchor we set was our 4 pound Danforth-made things bearable anyway.

We'vs since shifted to a new anchorage in the lee of Mullet Key. MUCH calmer
here only five miles away.

Did I screw you up? I anchored next to the pilot  lookout area, you can go right next to the beach (50 ft or so) with a dual anchor. I can't tell where you are with the GPS.  Watch out for the shoaling around Passage Key (directly south of you), its shallower than on the charts until you are out in the gulf.

Lol-no, you didn't screw us up. We were on the gulf side, on what's left of the SW corner. Looks devasted with hundreds of dead palm trees and deep water much closer in than the chart shows. Also
some sort of ruined building down there.

What screwed us up was the 20 + knots of wind wrapping the wags around the north end. It's still blowing close to 15, or at least 12, but the St Pete weather says 9. But it's MUCH better here at Mullet. The shoals to the north break any wave activity nicely so it's calm. Wouldn't be fun in a NW wind though !!

We may sailback over on Friday- they are predicting
light SE by then-we'll see. We aren't used to frntal system winds that last fr a week. At
home we get one or two rough days , then a few
warmer ones. Took a long time to warm back up- in fact I'm wearing a sweat shirt now. Still in shorts
though so it isn't all THAT bad- grin.

Where are you located? We'll be in St Pete in a bit for a while. Laura wants to see the Dali museum.

I'm back in Utah freezing my hind off. I have chartered many times from that marina in St. Pete next to the Dali museum. The wind will not be good going up the bay :(. I hate northerners.

Hey CharlieJ
I sitting on-board riding our nightly wave machine (Tampa Bay), listening to WUSF 89.7 FM (Jazz all night/classical all day) watching the cat try to wrap around the laptop to keep from sliding off the table. I'm in St. Pete Municipal Marina, (Demens Landing/South Docks). Let me know if you want to have coffee, or a drink, etc.
There is Jazz at the Palladium Thurs at 7 PM if you like Jazz.   8)

Ok- a question for you guys. I can't post pics pics from this IPhone. I've
sent some to Captk but he's really a busy guy, what with jailand such-grin

I can email them to someone to post.

Anyone want to volunteer? I've sent some to Grime and he has posts them but he also does
it on TSBB. Seems unfair to ask him to
make muliple posts on various boards. So I'm asking.

Send away Charlie, I can post them on both and CSBB!

In fact Charlie I can do one better, if you send me your pics I will put them on my Pbase site which will make them linkable whenever you want. Unless of course the gallery gets back up here, then I will post them on SailFar.

Hello CJ, hope you guys are doing well. Check in sometime, and mail any shots you wish to me and I will post them.
Mike.

A few photos that Charlie sent me taken in the St. Pete area. The bridge is 175 feet tall and can be seen for miles. He was in his foul weather gear laying on his back on the deck to take it going under.

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/_RefFiles/1689.jpg)

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/_RefFiles/1892.jpg)

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/_RefFiles/1893.jpg)

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/_RefFiles/1894.jpg)

Howdy folks
- Been a while since we sailed under that bridge.

We w ent to Bradenton beach for almost a week. Nice place. Good  anchorage along the municipal pier. Pier has restrooms and aa seperate shower(free), a dinghy dock close to everything and a free trolley system that'll take you to a grocery, hardware, West marine.
And a block and a half walk to the beach.

Spent nearly a week there.

Then a night at Sarasota and then on down to Venice. Good holding, free town dock for one night and a decent bus system to get you around.

Touristy kind of town but featuring a lot of local artists in the shops. We were there during the 22nd annual art festival and Laura was impressed with much that she saw..

Also a very short walk to the beach- known for sharks teeth. We found some and Laura got som nice shells too.
Stayed there a week, largely due to high winds, then moved on.

Spent this last weekend in company of the WCTSS - West Coast Trailer Sailor Squadron- at Cayo Costa State park, just south of Boca Grande Pass. Met some nice folks and had a good time.

Then went up a few miles to Boca Grande for groceries and ice. Anchored with the stern tied to mangroves. Today sailed back to Cayo Costa where we are anchored.. Tomorrow we'll prbably wander over to the beach.


So that's a recap. Having a pretty  nice time and the weather has been very nice-supposed o be 84 tomorrow-grin

Great to hear, maybe David will post the pics he put up on TSBB. I am going to post this link that Ron Hoddonitt put up of the pics from the Cayo Costa Island Cruise

http://ftp.ij.net/wctss/wctss/photos45.htm

From Venice to Thousand Islands- you guys are in my favorite place to cruise! And 84- I am so jealous. Enjoy while your there!

The photos that Tim was talking about taken over on Boca Grande.

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/_RefFiles/1902.jpg)

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/_RefFiles/1903.jpg)

And pretty ones they are, Thanks David

Anchored off the very southern tip of Cayo Costa State park. Water 12 feet deep about 30 feet offshore on the bay side. Captiva Pass in the background.

We walked a path cut through downed and dead trees around the south tip and onto the beach. Shells by the thousands piled six or eight inches deep in spots.

Then moved to an anchorage off Part Island since the current was so strong. Didn't want to have set a second anchor.


(http://www.starwind22.wolfcreeksolution.com/1905.jpg)

(http://www.starwind22.wolfcreeksolution.com/1906.jpg)

Posted by Laura on TSBB

No regrets

We will leave Tehani in Punta Gorda on Thursday afternoon and will spend one night in Dallas before going on to Port Lavaca. There is a 20% chance of snow with temperatures in the low thirties forecast for Dallas. The forecast for Port Lavaca predicts wind, rain and temperatures in the forties and fifties. I am not anxious to return.

This morning Charlie and I were in town mailing a package of things we did not want to tote with us on the airplane. At the park where we land the dinghy there are three older gentlemen, each in their respective vehicle reading the newspaper. Why sit in your car at the water's edge to read the paper? Surely they would be more comfortable at home. I think there is more on their minds than the daily news.

Tonight I stand on the bridgedeck watching the moonlight dance between the mangrove shores of the Peace River. There is the illusion that the wind blows moondust toward me across the surface of the water. Down below the tiny oil lamp spreads light and shadows with a warmth and softness that envelops me. I want to remember these things. Maybe I can hold onto them until we return in January. . .

Have a safe trip home.  Hope to if you are not swamped to make contact while you are home

Richard
s/v Gypsy Soul

After looking at the forecast, I donwanna come home!!!  SNOW???? They are talking light snow? In Port Lavaca? And here we sit in shorts and short sleeves.

And we are spending Thurs nite inDallas- talking snow and 20's!!

Good thing we are being met at both airports- we don't have clothes with us for that. First stop will for sure be at the house for long pants and coats.

LOL, I can hear Laura crying from here  ;D

Dont come! Its already covered the yards and roads and people are driving like idiots on it! Stay there! heck, let me come and crew! =)

They should be off the plane and headed home by now. Not a good welcome home they are getting. Its 32 degrees with 39mph wind gust that adds up to a wind chill of 13 degrees.

It was 13 degrees here  today. :(

Got that right Grime!!! Rode home into that wind, along with a mix of rain, sleet and snow. Sally (and Kathy who rode along) had the van parked right outside the doors, but we still froze.

Took us longer to get from Corpus to Magnolia Beach than it did to fly from Dallas to Corpus.

Laura DOES NOT want to be here. But we must be here for this month to take care of some stuff for L's mom. Have to do it.

See ya tomorrow at the warehouse. Ryan and Maria are coming and might have something interesting to relate.

Quote from: newt on December 04, 2009, 05:43:38 PM
It was 13 degrees here  today. :(

yeah but- yesterday I was in Florida, washing down the dinghy, wearing shorts and a short sleeve shirt, and barefooted- (Haven't had shoes on but twice in four months) and it was near 80.

So the change was sudden, and drastic- and Laura absolutely detests cold. and she considers anything under about 50 degrees cold. ;)

Quote from: CharlieJ on December 04, 2009, 07:15:09 PM
{snip} Laura absolutely detests cold. and she considers anything under about 50 degrees cold. ;)

Wimp.



/me ducks and runs for cover... ;D

Tell her I loved the 'No Regrets' post. :)

And on the bright side family-wise, at least - it is the Holiday/Christmas month that y'all are home.

Plus it gives y'all the chance to do some easy 'tweaking' for things cruise related, if needed. Grab a few extra shackles, some 'wag bags' :), maybe sew an extra rain/spray curtain, something like that perhaps...?

Hi all  Talked to Charlie the other day and they are on the way back to  their home they hope to be flying back to the boat in a few days but they are safe and sound.  Hope to be  joining them myself sailing almost the same route,  Just thought you all might want to know.

They are back on Tehani now. We took them to the airport in Corpus Saturday evening to fly back. Charlie called from Dallas and we were still not home.

He call yesterday afternoon to let us know they were back on Tehani. FREEZING  They move over to a marina for the night to get the boat straight and get some quite need rest. Both were very tired from everything they had to do for family.

Gypsy Soul
When do you plan on leaving? We are planning on the the end of March or the fist part of April. We're doing the same route.

With the tings going on right now Iam looking at about the same time.  :D  I am still on the hard in Rockport  :-\ but plan to be in the water around the first of Feb, check and sea trial a few items then off I go.  :) Would love to teavel in company,  What are your plan as to travel ICW / Gulf.  I have no time constrants so let me know.  If you wish to communicate other than this site my e-mail is flgypsysoul (at) gmail (dot) com

Edit: by S/V Faith to protect the email from the spam bots...
(they harvest email with internet searches to send spam too....)

^{(Well, that and they eat puppies and kittens on moldy bread with jam made of toe cheese...)}

Tehani is FINALLY on the move again  ;D

After six weeks tied to a dock, four while we were back in Texas, and two here in Fl whlle we FROZE, we dropped the lines today and headed out again. Made it back to Cayo Costa St park, two months to the day since. We first anchored here.

We are both SO glad to be on our own anchor again. Now to resume the southerly trip.

Great to hear you are underway again.  Hope to be joining you soon.  Take care and keep us updated

Catch some tuna for me off Marco Island....Man I wish I was there.

Will be glad when we can view sunsets like Charlie J and Laura are seeing. Hope they don't get the rains that we have been having the last 24 hours. 4.74 inches.

(http://www.starwind22.wolfcreeksolution.com/2006.jpg)

(http://www.starwind22.wolfcreeksolution.com/2007.jpg)

Now anchored off Sanibel Island. Probably gonna head over to take a mooring at Ft Myers Beach tomorrow. Winds were pretty stiff today- we had a few gusts above 30, from the south, which is our direction. Pretty much offshore from here to Tortugas through the Ten Thousand Islands.

FINALLY warmed up enough to be without jackets today, but really really sad to see the hundreds and hundreds of dead fish from the freeze. The waters are still quite cold for Fl- in the 50's. Which of course is keeping the winds chilly. And NOT conducive to snorkling, for sure.

More later.

What do you mean not condusive to snorkling  ;D

Quote from: CharlieJ on January 21, 2010, 06:08:09 PM
Now anBred off Sanibel Island. Probably gonna head over to take a mooring at Ft Myers Beach tomorrow. Winds were pretty stiff today- we had a few gusts above 30, from the south, which is our direction. Pretty much offshore from here to Tortugas through the Ten Thousand Islands.

Been there many times. You have good ports at Naples (although up the river a bit) and Marco Island (they actually are not that anit-crusier) I also like to hang around the 10K islands- there are some sheltered areas there- and good snorkling. The mooring balls in Ft. Myers are nothing to be excitied about. If you have a stiff north/south wind I would avoid them altogether. Ft. Myers beach is not Vience- I would keep going. Fantastic beaches in 10k islands.
If you have a strong southern wind- try waiting it out while on the beach in San. island, or go up the creek a bit around Ft. Myers.(The mooring balls cost 12 a night), instead you can head east  and into a little cove with a good muddy anchorage and fanstastic food just over (south) the highway bridge. A little tricky to get there, but much more protected.

LOL @ Leroy.

Laura says" he's one of those Montana sheep boys. What else would you expect?"
;D ;D

Thanks for the info Newt. We just plan to stay in FT Myers Bch long enough for a grocery run and to hit a laundry. Right now waiting out this little front. Once we regrocery, we'll head on south.

LMAO Leroy, so many things come to mind, none of which I dare write. ;D ;D ;D

Laura out driving again. She looks pretty cold. Well from what I understand the sun came out and they have the sails up.

(http://www.starwind22.wolfcreeksolution.com/208.jpg)

We did, we did-we had sails up. Sun did come out and I have shorts and a short sleeve shirt on for the first time since Dec 3rd when we left to go to Texas.

We are on a mooring ball in Ft Myers Bch. First folks we met were from Palacios Tx-across the bay from us, and a friend of Grime's from Port O'Conner(where Grime lives)

nice place so far ;D

East mooring field at Ft. Meyers Beach.

(http://www.starwind22.wolfcreeksolution.com/210.jpg)

Dropped the mooring at 0700.

This being posted from about 4 mi out into the GOM. Main, jib, beam reaching at about 5 - 5 1/2 to a NE wind. Destination-Gordon Pass, Naples area. Beautiful sunny day but chilly- was 43 when we left-warms to 48 now.

Enjoy your day....sounds great

Grog and thumbs up to you!

Thanks for the update.

Looks like they are snug as a bug in a rug in their new anchorage.

(http://www.starwind22.wolfcreeksolution.com/2012.jpg)

Naples is kinda out of your way- but a good place to rest from the winds...

We're about 4 miles above Marco Island. plan to hang here for a day and  do some fishing :)

Then stop to pick up a couple of things at the Winn-Dixie in Marco and out to the 10K Islands.

We'll probably be out of cell phone range for several weeks then.

QuoteThen stop to pick up a couple of things at the Winn-Dixie in Marco and out to the 10K Islands.

We'll probably be out of cell phone range for several weeks then.

Ahh, that should be nice, I hope the weather starts to treat you guys good for awhile, you deserve it!

Got these this morning from Laura. No note but why write when you are enjoying this so much.

Have a great time and looking forward to hearing all about 10,000 islands.

(http://www.starwind22.wolfcreeksolution.com/2013.jpg)

(http://www.starwind22.wolfcreeksolution.com/2014.jpg)

Happy Birthday Charlie.

A note and update from Laura.

We'll be heading up the Big Marco River on the rising tide tomorrow. Thought I might buy CJ a birthday dinner at Goodland before we head into the wilderness of the Ten Thousand Island

(http://www.starwind22.wolfcreeksolution.com/2015.jpg)

Thanks David.

Gray and gloomy here this am. Cool north wind blowing. As L said, we are waiting for the tide. Some shoaling reported in the river just past the bridge and we want to run that channel on a rising tide- close to a 3 foot tide range here.

You guys are having the time of your lives!!!  I wish I and Lorinda were there also.  Marc

CJ...is it your birthday?  If so...have a good one. 29 again?  Hope Laura and you have a great day...gloomy weather or not. Have fun.

Rofl 29? Yeah right- plus 40.

But thanks :D

We want pictures of your birthday dinner. That way we all can celebrated. 

Quote from: Grime on January 31, 2010, 03:58:08 PM
We want pictures of your birthday dinner. That way we all can celebrated. 

Good thinkin' David

Birthday dinner at Marker 8

(http://www.starwind22.wolfcreeksolution.com/2017.jpg)

Happy Birthyday, CJ (& L too, soon!) Looking happy at that table, and - although it's dark, I don't think that is quite a Shiner Bock? Well, I guess you can't have *everything* all at once. ;D

Thanks CapnK. No, it isn't a Shiner Bock- it's a Yuengling. Pretty decent substitute, and made by the oldest brewery in the US. Same family owned for 175 years.

Thanks for remembering Laura's B'day too- it's on Thursday. She won't be as old as I am!! ;D ;D

Hi Charlie & Laura, I have not posted for so long that I should probably reintroduce myself. Anyway, I have enjoyed your posts, photos, and following your cruise around the Gulf.

I got down to the area you have just been through a couple times and sailed a 30-foot S2 out of Clearwater in the late 70s. Was headed down again in 1980 with a friend to sail again when the boat, which had been up for sale, sold. Ended up making a land cruise to Key West instead, not long after the Mariel Boatlift had taken place. Almost caught a ride out to the Dry Tortugas then, but it didn't quite work out. Would like to get back down to the Keys and possibly out to the Tortugas sometime. 

Last night I was checking out the "before-and-after" photos of Tehani. Remarkable, the work you have done. Seems that the small boat aspect is enhanced when it's also a vintage boat that the owners have restored--saved--perhaps in your instance, and gone on to cruise in.

Great work. Looking forward to continuing to follow your progress. Grog to you. Fair winds.

Laura has done the entire Gulf Coast.

Feb. 13th got it this evening.
Good place to be during a squally frontal passage like last night!!

This won't send til we get somewhere with cell phone coverage- who knows?

Grin

(http://www.starwind22.wolfcreeksolution.com/2022.jpg)

Position reports.

(http://www.starwind22.wolfcreeksolution.com/2023.jpg)

(http://www.starwind22.wolfcreeksolution.com/2024.jpg)

The accepted end of US gulf coast. She was wearing two pairs of sox, long johns, jeans, t-shirt, hooded Sweat shirt, fleece hooded jacket and foul weather jacket. Plus the blanket- grin

We are SO tired of cold weather!!!

(http://www.starwind22.wolfcreeksolution.com/2025.jpg)

(http://www.starwind22.wolfcreeksolution.com/2026.jpg)

From what Charlie said they were well anchored with 2 anchors out when the squall hit. The wind put them over to 30 degrees but the anchors held.

Looking good laura...

Way to go girl and you to Charlie.  March 1st is the launch date for 'Gypsy Soul' .Wish you safe sailing and hope you don't mind more wind cause it coming your way.  The last two nights have we experienced wind 20 to 30 knots with a few gusts to 50 here in Rockport and thats on the hard here at Hook and Bull.
Hope to see you guys soon.   
If you get time it would be great if  you to post your anchor way points and stop overs.   

Take guys we miss you

Richard
s/v Gypsy Soul

Congratulations Laura!

Nice wardrobe, too.

Keep sailing!

--Joe

CJ/Laura    You're not alone with bad weather. I've had jeans,socks,fleece pullover and a jacket on WAY too long here. Front after front. Today was the first nice day in a while...another front moves in tomorrow. Boat next to me clocked a 52 knt gust friday night. Here's to hoping for T shirts and shorts....SOON  ;D

At least you guys are sailing. It is 3 degrees here with the wind chill and about 8 inches of new snow. The only water that is not frozen is...in the toilet. ???

Have fun. Enjoy reading about your adventure.

Jerry

You sure have not had the weather you expected (or should have had) here is hoping it starts getting better SOON!

Are you going in to take it out on Charles? ;D

Rainy, windy but warmer this morning. Sure glad we jumped from Flamingo yesterday. We had zero wind all day and motored for 46 miles in a flat calm gulf.  Butt Flamingo was fifty bucks a night so we'd have dropped another $100 had we stayed. No mooring balls open here and HUNDREDS of boats but we are snugly anchored. Moorings run $112 a week or $48 for dinghy dock and showers if anchored. Much cheaper :D

Thank goodness for Alfred(our tillerpilot) The only thing more boring than steering in open waters is steering in flat calm, out of sight of land, under power!!!

Quote from: bbqjerry on February 15, 2010, 10:24:32 PM
At least you guys are sailing. It is 3 degrees here with the wind chill and about 8 inches of new snow. The only water that is not frozen is...in the toilet. ???

I don't mind the cold or even the snow so much, but the ice on the creek has become a real irritation. I've got fuel enough for about three more weeks of heat before I either get to the fuel dock or start jugging. If I can get to the fuel dock I might as well go sailing afterwards.

(http://www.starwind22.wolfcreeksolution.com/2027.jpg)

(http://www.starwind22.wolfcreeksolution.com/2028.jpg)

(http://www.starwind22.wolfcreeksolution.com/2029.jpg)

(http://www.starwind22.wolfcreeksolution.com/2030.jpg)

And if you think she looks cold, you'd be right- she was. She bought that sweat shirt first ten minutes we were in Key West and except for the pic, had her jacket over it rest of the day.

This cold is beginning to be discouraging.

But it does beat working :D

Been unseasonably cold down in Florida this winter. Blame the little spanish boy, El Ni?o... :D

Tehani and crew are still kinda stuck in Boot Key Harbor, Marathon, Fl due to weather- it's been crummy.  Winds yesterday for example, were NW, 28, gusting 35. Not the sort of stuff you want to head north in . Or across the stream.

We decided that since we were stuck here we'd have all the income tax goop sent to us and get that over and done with. 

Also, we went to Key West, to the Customs Office to pre register for the Local Boaters Option which allows us to make a phone call when we come back from the Bahamas, rather than immediately having to taxi to the customs people for clearance. Still need to go,, but not immediately and crew can leave the boat Something to look into for anyone heading to the Bahamas.

Hopefully the weather will finally settle down by next week and we can move on up the keys. I sure hope so cause we are both tiring of just sitting here.

Gee, CJ - tell ya what - y'all come sit up HERE, and I'll go sit down THERE...

I'll leave y'all a list of clients who have work which needs to be done. You can leave me a list of where to find nice cold beers and fresh seafood...

I'll be sure to let you know when the weather gets better.

I'll even wait a bit and stay some extra, long enough to ensure that it won't relapse when you come back down... ;)

Hey-it's SUPPOSED to still be chilly up there. It ain't SUPPOSED to be this cold in the Keys (or the Bahamas- ask Frank)

We were told this is the 2nd coldest winter on record-EVER!!

Cold SUX!!!!

Quote from: CharlieJ on March 04, 2010, 04:11:55 PMCold SUX!!!!

Grog.

QuoteDear beautiful Spring weather, I miss you.  Was it something I said? - 'Skipper' Kim Corbin

Well, Charlie, it sure looks nice.  But I bet that sweatshirt took a 'bite' out of the cruising kitty if for no other reason just the fact that you needed one!  

Keep up the outstanding....uh...work, you two.

and YES cold sux!  nicely put.

LOL. Thanks, but the sweat shirt was cheap. One of the first shops we walked past was selling everything inthe store-5 bucks. Why I didn't get myself one is beyond me- just didn't't think of it.

After a month and three days in Boot Key harbor, Tehani is once again underway. Currently under main and jib, sailing up the Keys on the outside. Woopee!!!

Destination Channel Five and then to the Florida Bay side. Plan is to sail to Angelfish Creek And wait a weather window to jump over to Bimini.

Fair Winds for the crossing kids if we don't hear from you.

For those keeping track of them. Channel Five can be found on chart 11449 and Anglefish Creek on chart 11451

Quote from: CharlieJ on March 18, 2010, 11:30:34 AM
After a month and three days in Boot Key harbor, Tehani is once again underway. Currently under main and jib, sailing up the Keys on the outside. Woopee!!!

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

I must have seen Tehani then as I look at the  Boot Key Harbor webcam daily for escape.

Sigh...

Winds were aft of the beam and just right for sailing- infill we turned to come in here. Cloudy over, winds picked up and it was flippin COLD! not cool, not chilly- cold.

Average low for here normally is 69. This morning was 60. Nine degrees below average!!!

Got anchored, came below and wrapped in a blanket til we warmed up! Should mention- we both sailed all day wearing hooded jackets with the hoods UP.

This is getting very tiresome

Still beats working though!!!

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/2031.jpg)

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/2033.jpg)

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/2032.jpg)

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/2034.jpg)

Warmed a bit today. Got all the way up to 69.

Ya know, it kinda sorta sux when it's colder in the Florida Keys, than it is in ONTARIO!!!

That second position is Blackwater Sound on the.  Florida Bay side of Key Largo. 300 yds off of the club where Bogie and Bacall filmed Key Largo.

They weren't there!! ;D ;D

Did you check under the tables?

As of this evening, Tehani is at anchorat Angelfish Creek, waiting for winds to carry her and crew to Bimini, Bahamas, less than 65 miles to our NE. We are hopeful that we can pull the hook around 0dark 30 Weds morning, if the winds come as forecast.

Will post more when possible.

Have a pleasant crossing, guys. Enjoy Bimini harbor and I hope the fronts slow down now, it's about time. Just returned from a 3 month trip myself. C.J.'s deli, a nice and cheap place to eat reopened up along the beach. If you don't want to pay for a marina and the winds are strong there is good holding opposite the government dock next to the two little islands. It's a really cool feeling to yank your hook at night at Angelfish and head out into the big blue. If for some reason you need an alternative spot to drop your hook when you reach Bimini, then Nixon's Harbor under S. Bimini is a wide and safe entrance. Maybe a little rolly but safe and secure to get into to regroup. Stay safe and enjoy your trip.

Hi Charlie/Laura and everyone else.  We are in Bimini now at the charted anchorage north of the old Big Game Club...there is a lot of current but the holding is fine and it is not a bad anchorage.  We stayed our first night at Weechs marina.  It was $35 minimum but was pleasant enough and checking into customs was a breeze.  We were also able to was the boat down for free.  They didn't answer on the VHF when we arrived, but just head towards the marina and someone will come out to guide you into a slip.

Already been to CJs twice, hah.  We probably will be in the Bimini area until Friday waiting for weather to cross to the Berrys, so we'll definitely see you!  Though we may head out to do some exploring south of Bimini in the next few days.  Hope you have a good crossing.

Hi Nick. We'll be looking for you. Weechs was our planned check in also.

Were planning to sail in the morning, but the forecast now is totally changed from the 0330 one. They've taken ALL the south out and replaced with East and NE. Now Thursday looks better.

Really difficult to plan when forecasts change so drastically within just a few hours. I'm still hoping for Weds though. We are going to be ready anyway.

Just read on another site that CJ and Laura have made it to Alice Town.  Looking forward to hearing about the crossing.

Yep, we are here. Long long sail and long long night on the banks. Laura is writing something up so I won't steal her thunder.

Congratulations to another happy landfall.


Where are you now? Bahamas?  :D

Grog to ya's.   Hope the crossing was good and things have warmed up.   Post a few pics when ya can   Have fun.

More grogs for you both for "doin' it!"

Things seem to be going well, looking forward off Laura's report.  Enjoy yourselves.

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/2037.jpg)

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/2038.jpg)

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/2039.jpg)

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/2040.jpg)

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/2041.jpg)

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/2042.jpg)

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/2043.jpg)

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/2044.jpg)

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/2045.jpg)

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/2046.jpg)

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/2047.jpg)

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/2048.jpg)

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/2049.jpg)

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/2050.jpg)

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/2051.jpg)

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/2052.jpg)

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/2053.jpg)

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/2054.jpg)

CONGRATS !!!!!!!!!!!!!   I see 2 very significant things....Laura in shorts and blue green waters !!  "all's good"  ;D

Congratulations, I would say you have finally arrived.

Congratulations, Laura and Charlie. Wonderful photos with such vivid colors and capturing the  character of the place. Looking forward to seeing more of them and reading your posts.

Wonderful colours!

enjoy!  ;D

Something quite interesting I noticed today-

At the marina here in Bimini that is the recommended place to stay for check in, since it's right next to customs and immigration, and it's fairly cheap :D

There are four cruising boats in at the moment, three full time long term liveaboards, and us, going onto 8 months away from home-

THREE of those four use no refrigeration. No ice,, no cooling at all. We are one of those three.

Interesting eh? We, and they,  have found it  to be simply to much of a hassle and we can live quite well without.

Congrats,  looking forward to your report on the crossing.  Had a delay in the First launch of Gypsy Soul,  Cracked Rudder stuffing box.  I completed repairs today and hope to launch around the 1st.  Wish I could be out there with you guys.  Maybe we can meet up somewhere on your return as I head to Jacksonville / St. Augustine.

Richard
s/v Gypsy Sou

Well deserved you two.  It is very nice to scroll through those pictures.  There are times when no words are necessary.  And I really wish I could 'bump' into you down there, but, unfortunately for me, not this year.

Oh how I envy you...real nice place!!!

We've really enjoyed wandering around here, particularly since the weather has turnd very nice after the last front. Sunny, warm, nice winds instead of blasting.

We are hanging here awaiting a friend who should be crossing today. After he's cleared in and has a chance to visit Bimini, we'll be off across the bank. Passing briefly through the Berrys and New Providence (Nassau perhaps but just very quickly) and on to our goal- the Exumas.

Laura has a partial write-up on our crossing but we've been busy having fun!!!

Quote from: CharlieJ on April 01, 2010, 09:38:43 AM
We've really enjoyed wandering around here, particularly since the weather has turnd very nice after the last front. Sunny, warm, nice winds instead of blasting.

We are hanging here awaiting a friend who should be crossing today. After he's cleared in and has a chance to visit Bimini, we'll be off across the bank. Passing briefly through the Berrys and New Providence (Nassau perhaps but just very quickly) and on to our goal- the Exumas.

Laura has a partial write-up on our crossing but we've been busy having fun!!!

Congrats guys!

  We anchored just a bit up the creek from the marina you are staying in.  We were out bound there, so pretty much just passing through at that point (I think we may have spent a night after crossing the banks... we had planned to clear out and elected to just 'mail it in'.)

  Looks like you are extracting maximum viewing pleasure from it!  ;D

Fair winds for the rest of the trip! 

We moved to the anchorage onTuesday. Had it all to ourselves for a few days, but that's changing. Easter weekend is a big deal here-party time!

Waiting for a friend (offshore and headed in now) then off toward the Exumas.

Weather has FINALLY gotten nice.

We'll be outbound for Nassau, via Chub Key tomorrow. Depends on if the wind does what's forcast.

Hoping to meet up with Nick on Tura Lura in the next few days. He posts on here also.

HAVE FUN !!   PICS...WE NEED PICS    ;D

Hi Guys  great to see you made it and the pics are great,  Just let you know I am now following Nick on Tura Lura also.  got a lot of info from the blog site.  Looking forward to hearing about your crossing...but understand when your having fun it hard to write,

Keeping touch with Dennis and still planning on accompanying him if all goes well.  He's having some health issues and not sure if will make it,   How the good news,   After the first launch the rudder problem, we will launch tomorrow afternoon.   I am hoping all is going to go well.  I will post on my blog the out come and you will receive an alert email on your gmail account. 
Take care and be safe but have fun   Hope to join you all soon.

Richard
soon to be on
s/v Gypsysoul

 ;)  HEY Guys....We're in  had a great day launch  check out the blog at

http://www.sailblogs.com/member/gypsy-soul/

Hope all is well with yu guys

Richard
s/v Gypsy Soul

Latest Photos from Charlie and Laura.

Frasel (not sure of the spelling) cleaning conch for lunch at the restaurant.

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/2055.jpg)

Making conch salad

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/2056.jpg)

End of dock.. Lisa said she wanted one.

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/2057.jpg)


Found wifi at the Berry Islands Club. Went snorkeling yesterday then made conch salad for dinner. We have arrived. :) Heading to Nassau in the morning. I have to fly back to Texas to help out a friend for a couple of weeks.  Hopefully CJ and Bob can stay out of trouble while I'm gone. ;)

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/2058.jpg)

(http://www.pocwebdesign.com/2059.jpg)

Just a quick note- sitting in an internet cafe (Starbucks-LOUSY coffee) in Nassau, Ba too far on the nose to easily sail, so we motor sailed. We seem to have to do a lot of that. >:( >:(

But we are here- now off to the straw market. Laura is flying home in the am for a few weeks to help out a sick very close friend, so I suppose I'll have to just sail around Nassau til she gets back.

Hope things go well CJ.  s there anything I can do to help while she is here?  Engine sea trials went well....Take care and have fun.

Richard
s/v Gypsy Soul
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/gypsy-soul/

Thanks Richard, but I think it's all covered.

She's coming home to help a very close friend move to Houston. The lady has to await a liver transplant and is selling her home in Magnolia Beach, and moving to a retirement apartment  in Houston to be closer to the hospital.

This is a special woman to both of us.

Charlie & Laura, Best wishes for your friend's health, and for Laura's trip.

Kuddos to Laura for being there and also to you Charlie its not everyone that has friends like you two. My thoughts are with you friend. Hope everything works out well for her. 

So you don't get board, i'll just ask a bunch of questions  so hopefully I can be where your at come December  Like when I put the mast back up on my Chrysler C-26 (Tailer sailer) how do I tune the rigging?  (I can't even carry a tune in a bucket so telling me what octive they should be won't help this tone deaf newbie ;D)  I'll move to another thread. 8)

Hi folks. Still in Nassau, now anchored in the west anchorage. Laura should get back sometime thi.s week, I hope.

Spent 8 or 9 days anchored out at Rose Island, NE of the Nassau harbor about 7 miles or so. But it was getting boring, plus it's open to the SW and we are expecting 25-30 knots SW tonight. Nassau harbor is protected from the SW. Besides, I can wander around "old Nassau Town" even tho I'm not on the "sloop John B" :D :D

When Lauraa returns we expect to head for the Exumas.

Oh- another thing- now anchored along with Tura Lura. NMwarren on this board. That's the Compac 23 from our home dock ;D

Their blog is  sailingturalura.blogspot.com

More later and ya'll have fun.

Quote from: CharlieJ on April 26, 2010, 10:43:03 AM

More later and ya'll have fun.

The same to you two!  She's almost on her way back now, isnt't she?  ;)

 ;D ;D

Gonna find out in just a few minutes.I sure hope so!!!!

It's not that easy to relate to those Sloop John B lyrics..."I wanna go home, let me go home..." Being in the Bahamas seems like a nice problem to have.

I've been following Nick and Melissa aboard Tura Lura on their blog, and was beginning to wonder what happened to them since their previous post (until a few days ago) leaving Bimini for the Berry Island on March 25. I was about to ask if you or anyone had spotted them.

Enjoyed your photos from the Berry Islands. Breaks my heart to see that pile of conch shells... I bet you can get $10 each for those in tourist shops back in Key West.

Your friend must have been glad to have Laura visit and assist her. Hope that the trip went well.

Fair winds to the Exumas.

YAHOOO!!! Laura flies back into Nassau this afternoon. We'll be on the move again soon- Exumas, here we come!!

See below for my CJ impression when he heard this news:

(http://www.capnk.com/.smileys/dancing_figure.gif)


;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Great figure Capt K.   Only thing missing is a ear to ear  G R I N !!!!!!!!!!   ;D ;) :o ::) :D







Have fun Kids   ;D

Howdy from Tehani-

We are anchored off a town known as Black Point Settlement, Great Guana Cay, Exumas. Got here yesterday after pounding into 25 knots and 3-5 foot seas from Staniel Cay. Much nicer here.

Black Point is the second largest community in the Exumas, after Georgetown. Ut still ain't all that big!!!

We'll be here fro a few days- the winds have been howling for 5 days and are forecast to continue through Tuesday. will try to post some pics in the next day or so.

Look forward to pics CJ.  Have fun out there.

Just made a long post on TSBB- lots of pics. Too many to redo so here's the link

http://bbs.trailersailor.com/forums/trailersailor/index.cgi/read/743661

Nice pics...thanks. I'm sure all of us are envious right now. Nice to see you safe below keeping the camera dry in the rough stuff   ;D   Tuff job, but someones gotta do it. Have fun you 2

Great photos! Interesting staircase--and that slavery ended there 30 years before it did here.

Yup that does look like a little wet sailing there... What a trooper.

Staniel? Did you guys get to meet the much-fabled-but-rarely-seen Pixie Dust? If not, @Staniel you were within 1/2 or maybe 1 mile at most of her. And that crazy lady owner Ms. Bligh, too. ;D Sampson Key, across the little bay to the N. of Staniel - other side of that island - you could have dinghied over and walked up the airstrip from the beach there, there's a footpath. :)

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=24.210647,-76.473534&spn=0.00955,0.029311&t=h&z=16

Now ya know. :)

Great pics. Laura needed a shower! (OK, maybe not just then...)

Lovely - inspirational - to see y'all out there, Doin' It! ;D

I know it's a lot to ask, but - Keep up the good work!  ;) ;D ;D

NO, we didn't see Pixie Dust, Nor Connie. Probably because we had no idea she was at Staniel. We'll be back there in a day or so. and if a certain CaptK willl finally give us some info on how to contact her, we will.

He was supposed to email contact info ;) ;) ;)

Ouch!  :D My impression was that y'all were in touch already - I'd sent her y'alls email address, she responded on April 9 with:

QuoteI just emailed Charlie and Laura trying to find them.

I wrote her back on that same day:

QuoteCJ & L are over there, I think maybe headed your way - more specifics on their position later, I haven't been able to read sailFar or TSBB in the past week so I don't know exactly where they are or what their plans are.

and 2 days later with:

QuoteWRT CJ&L, they posted the following on the TSBB:

"...we are anchored off Frazer Hog key, at the Berry Islands."

...and L is going back to Texas for a couple days to 'help a friend',
while CJ stays @ boat.

Let me know what your plans are, and when you will be back at your
Cay, and I will pass that along to them.

After that, I have not corresponded directly from her. She forwarded a couple emails from the Georgetown Regatta on May 3, and since then there has only been radio silence.

I'll PM her email address to you; she doesn't use the phone over there ($$$). Email for her is intermittent at times. But Sampson has an airstrip, & on the E side of the airstrip to the northern part of the island is the maintenance sheds, hangers, and the docks where they keep the boats. There is a good channel over there, you could go right up to their docks and introduce yourselves. ;D

We missed Connie. Found her place, but she was in the US.

Just made two picture posts on TSBB- link-

http://bbs.trailersailor.com/forums/trailersailor/index.cgi/read/745283

http://bbs.trailersailor.com/forums/trailersailor/index.cgi/read/745298

Back in Nassau, US bound. We sailed over to Eleuthera, spent some time there, then decided to head on back stateside. Probably spend one day here, (Or not :D) We'll be out of internet range most likely till then.

Then looks like we'll cruise up the east coast-Captk and Smollet- look fer us ;D ;D 

Have a safe crossing. I'm sure Capt K and Capt S will be looking forward to seeing you 2. Take lots of rum for Capt K   ;)

Give me a holler when you get back to de States, mon! I know y'all probably don't want to leave the islands, but then again, there are those pesky little cyclonic weather patterns that start cropping up this time of year... ;)

Looking forward to seeing y'all, checking out yer charts and hearing some stories!

Back in the USA. Cleared customs and all. Anchored
off Key Biscayne for this evening. More when I can use the laptop, but we'll be wandering up the coast soon.

Oh- and NOAA STILL can't get it right. Forecast today was East winds. We crossed the Gulf Stream in NW, N and NE winds. Sitting here in E and NE winds listening to them STILL say SE!!!

Glad you're back across safely. Now that you's 2 are closer to services.....pics and stories please ... inquiring minds want to know...and see  ;D

Will try.

For now, anchored JUST inside the jetties at Hillsborugh Inlet, above Ft Lauderdale. We had our best sail of the season today, from Miami to here-roughly 30 miles. Around 5+ knots under main and genny on a reach. Plan is to jump back outside in the morning for another 30 miles up to Lake Worth Inlet. Attempting to dodge the concrete canyon of Miami Beach, Lauderdale, Pompano, etc, with the 30 some odd timed bridges!!!

I've been through there on a sailboat once-once is enough-grin.

Have a great sail. Lake Worth is a super easy entrance day or night. I usually anchor just in front of peanut island...you'll see a few boats there and dingy around to the city marina. Nice Tiki bar, reasonable prices on food and usually a guy playing guitar and singing. It used to be a dump, but its quite nice now. Makes for an easy exit. PS..the nieghbourhood declines rapidly once beyond city marina...don't venture out after dark.

Thanks.  It was around 1300 wnhen we got there- too hot to stop. We
ran on up to anchor at the very north end of Lake Worth. Dingied ashore and walked to the Publix a block away.

Oh by the way- Laura wants to know what is "the front" of a round island???
;D ;D ;D

 Glad you's are in. Hope ya had a great sail up the coast. Good question about a round island  ;D...I call the 'front' the part closest to the harbour entrance...'fronting' on the ocean. I'm sure there's a proper name for it but beats me. Have fun kids

At the moment we are on a mooring in Stuart, Fl. Sunset Harbor Marina. Nice place-$10 per night, showers, free wifi ON the mooring. Nice little town. I think we are gonna spend a few days here, just slowing down. We've been on the move for quite a while. Need to do some boat maintenance and this seems like a good place.'

Sliding along northward up the Indian River toward Vero Beach Fl, under our genny. Motor not used most of yesterday and all of today, once we cleared the first bridge.

Just got passed by a gaff rigged Flicka. Neat looking. He claimed he was cheating since he was motor sailing. Told us he had recently come trans-Atlantic. Laura says she doesn't want to cross the Atlantic in a 20 foot boat!!!

Charlie,
I am slow in the head, I know, but I just remembered and found the link to this site again, then had to discover again that I was already a registered member. I think I need some coffee. ;D

Edith and I have been wondering about how you and Laura have been doing.  It is good to know you all are doing well.  I am going to start reading your thread to catch since Nov09.
Greg.

Hi Greg- good to hear from you again. Those boys must be big enough to sail boats of their own now;)

Yeah, we're having fun. Anchored in Cocoa, fl at the moment, waiting out the holiday boating madness-grin.

Keep in touch

I am thinking that as you move north that you might make the mess about at Graham & Carla's in October.  Just a thought.

You are correct. Those two boys are grown into young men now and both sail on their own.  Sam is like running into a brick wall and plays football at the high school this year after playing at the Middle School for 3 years. Ben is taller than me now but not as stout as Sam.  He likes baseball.  They have outgrown Dragon and are discussing selling her. I, being a sentimental dad, want to keep her around a bit longer.  There are grand children that might enjoy being Vikings...LOL.

We made another trip to Texas last June. Both of my parents' health is failing. Not much time for anything else while there but I am looking forward to the day when I can sail off with Edith and enjoy some adventures together as you and Laura have done.
Your friend,
Greg.

One year ago today, (and over 2900 miles ago) I handed Laura the last dock line and she backed Tehani out of the slip to begin this cruise.

It's been an interesting year!! Some not so good days, but mostly a great trip.

We are currently nearing the island where I built my trimaran a lotta years ago. We'll stay there a few days visiting kids and grand kids, then on into Georgia.

Laura posted this on TSBB. I thought folks here might enjoy it-

"Marking an anniversary
Once the center of activity for daring individuals building boats that would take them on adventures across the sea, the island at Pablo Creek is now quiet. All that remains is a couple of trees, some scrub brush and a realtor's sign. Charlie built his trimaran here thirty years ago. As he watches from the bow I wonder if his dream has finally been fulfilled. Was that opportunity lost? Did this one make up for it? I don't know.

It has been one year and 2937 miles since I sailed Tehani out of her slip in Port Lavaca. This adventure has been more than I ever dreamed. We have motored miles and miles on the ICW through wilderness, small communities, bustling ports and big cities. We had a perfect moonlight sail across the Gulf of Mexico then bashed our way across the Gulf Stream in the Straits of Florida. We sailed the Great Bahama Bank, the Tongue of the Ocean and Exuma Sound. We faced narrow inlets, powerful currents and cresting seas, anchored over fields of starfish and under a blanket of stars. We shared stories with other sailors, met up with old friends and made new ones.

Tonight I try to think of a better way I could have spent the past year and that is pretty tough. I really don't know why traveling this way makes life extraordinary but just mention freedom and adventure to someone and you will see the human spirit rise with a smile and sparkle in the eye. Yes, it's been a good year.

Laura,

That was beautiful!

{golf_clap}

Really nice, L! Neat train of thought...

Congrats to Tehani and Crew on their first year of voyaging! ;D

Quote from: CharlieJ on July 14, 2010, 07:08:09 PM
Laura posted this on TSBB. I thought folks here might enjoy it-

"Marking an anniversary
Once the center of activity for daring individuals building boats that would take them on adventures across the sea, the island at Pablo Creek is now quiet. All that remains is a couple of trees, some scrub brush and a realtor's sign. Charlie built his trimaran here thirty years ago. As he watches from the bow I wonder if his dream has finally been fulfilled. Was that opportunity lost? Did this one make up for it? I don't know.

It has been one year and 2937 miles since I sailed Tehani out of her slip in Port Lavaca. This adventure has been more than I ever dreamed. We have motored miles and miles on the ICW through wilderness, small communities, bustling ports and big cities. We had a perfect moonlight sail across the Gulf of Mexico then bashed our way across the Gulf Stream in the Straits of Florida. We sailed the Great Bahama Bank, the Tongue of the Ocean and Exuma Sound. We faced narrow inlets, powerful currents and cresting seas, anchored over fields of starfish and under a blanket of stars. We shared stories with other sailors, met up with old friends and made new ones.

Tonight I try to think of a better way I could have spent the past year and that is pretty tough. I really don't know why traveling this way makes life extraordinary but just mention freedom and adventure to someone and you will see the human spirit rise with a smile and sparkle in the eye. Yes, it's been a good year.

Good stuff !! Grog to ya's

Happy anniversary. May you have many more. Appreciate you sharing your cruise and experiences.

Quote from: Frank on July 15, 2010, 05:42:16 PM

Quote from: CharlieJ on July 14, 2010, 07:08:09 PM
Laura posted this on TSBB. I thought folks here might enjoy it-

"Marking an anniversary
Once the center of activity for daring individuals building boats that would take them on adventures across the sea, the island at Pablo Creek is now quiet. All that remains is a couple of trees, some scrub brush and a realtor's sign. Charlie built his trimaran here thirty years ago. As he watches from the bow I wonder if his dream has finally been fulfilled. Was that opportunity lost? Did this one make up for it? I don't know.

It has been one year and 2937 miles since I sailed Tehani out of her slip in Port Lavaca. This adventure has been more than I ever dreamed. We have motored miles and miles on the ICW through wilderness, small communities, bustling ports and big cities. We had a perfect moonlight sail across the Gulf of Mexico then bashed our way across the Gulf Stream in the Straits of Florida. We sailed the Great Bahama Bank, the Tongue of the Ocean and Exuma Sound. We faced narrow inlets, powerful currents and cresting seas, anchored over fields of starfish and under a blanket of stars. We shared stories with other sailors, met up with old friends and made new ones.

Tonight I try to think of a better way I could have spent the past year and that is pretty tough. I really don't know why traveling this way makes life extraordinary but just mention freedom and adventure to someone and you will see the human spirit rise with a smile and sparkle in the eye. Yes, it's been a good year.

Good stuff !! Grog to ya's

Very well expressed!!!!   ;D

Happy anniversary! 

Living the Dream

Quote from: CaptMac on July 17, 2010, 09:20:27 AM
Living the Dream

That would make a good boat name. 8)

Welcome back to the Gulf Charlie and Laura! I'm very happy to read your story and learn about your adventures. I don't know if you remember me, but I've met you a scant few times, back when you lived at Magnolia beach. I came to visit Laura's son a few times and on one occasion we even managed to mangle the mast on my old WWP! Unfortunately, we never got to sail after that, but I have a new boat now, and she's currently slipped in Port Lavaca. I'm not sure what your plans are, but if you head back this way, I hope to talk with you about your trip some time. My girlfriend Rachel and I are planning a cruise beginning this winter and I think we have a lot to learn from you. I've already learned a great deal, right here in this forum. I hope you have a great voyage, wherever it takes you.

Best
James Woodring

Hi James.

Yeah, I remember the day you brought your WWP by the house. Got some pics in fact.

We aren't back in he gulf. We're currently anchored just at Savannah, Georgia and are heading north up the coast. We'll be back for a while this fall and I'll try to see you then.

Have 'fun'- we are.
Charlie

CJ & L are anchored just down the coast from here, at the light blue X. The storm just ran us over here in Gtown, and looking down towards where they are the sky is bruised a solid dark blue, growling with near constant thunder, and bright flashes of cloud-to-ground lightning startle the eyes more than once a minute... Despite the direction of the white arrows, in general the storm is moving pretty much due SW. CJ says they have about 80 ft of rode out, and they should be in about 10' of water where they are.

Big adventure. ;D

(http://data.sailboatowners.com/photos/1280448378.jpg)

Took another screencap about 10 minutes later, and made the below with it:

(http://i30.tinypic.com/vz7i41.jpg)

We came through unscathed, but to quote Laura "OMG what a lighting storm. It was like being in the middle of a big ball of lighting!!!"

Seriously, that was the third one we've gone through in three nights. Enough already!!!

The first night had 40+ mph winds, last night the most ligthing and rain. Don't really need a fourth one :D

Posting from the dock at Georgetown Landing, using the "Tehani House Computer"...

We are almost out of rum, both the Pyrat and the Cruzan Single Barrel have undergone severe evaporation the past few days for some reason, even though Frank is in Canaduh... CJ has a new case of YingaDingaLing beer or some such, but refuses to share. Laura broke my sewing machine, a pile of my tools are scattered around the slip in which Tehani resides (around, and about 15 feet below in the mud) for one more night, and the Medical University of South Carolina has a doctor on standby to harvest my liver for study as some sort of medical curiosity once CJ & L leave... But I'll tell y'all the rest of the story after they've gone and I don't have to worry about being garroted in my berth while I sleep, or my boat sinking during the day while I am off at work...

In the meanwhile, tonight they shared some pictures from their cruise to the Bahamas, and what follows is Honest Injun I promise* they said and claimed is a video of Tehani and Crew crossing Exuma Sound (...so Laura says) and/or Rocky Dundess (...Charlie says) (yes, they agree on *everything*... ). As I write, Laura threatens CJ with the knife which was otherwise against my throat, and so he agrees under some duress (not as much as mine - I am glad that Laura can't see in red light, because I am using my headlamp to type this...). Anyway, here's a video for y'all to enjoy. I think it's somewhere in the Gulf of Mexico, despite what they say...

Tehani Exuma Sound (Gulf of Mexico?) (http://www.geekworkshosting.com/sailfar/vids/TehaniExumaSound.mpg)

*This statement not made while being actively yet harmed or otherwise under threat of harm from the lady with the knife... Honest.

This is Laura-
We are untying the dock-lines and heading north today. It's been great fun at Georgetown and we've managed to get a few chores done even though Kurt loaned me a broken sewing machine, a broken battery load tester and a broken fan to keep us cool. On the plus side, he had the best rum, cool friends and a tube of 5200.  :)

Thanks for everything, Kurt.  We'll miss you.

Hey L&C hope the storm comming isn't going to be a problem for you. It sounds like things are still going well the video is great , can't wait for the 1st mate to see it.

Do you have a time line for being in this area? I think I have some rum and ying-ding brew.

Tehani and Crew departed at 10:40, headed SW downstream for a mile or so to round Hobcaw Point and Yankee Flats before resuming a northerly course. At 11:20, genny flying in a light southerly, she slipped from view behind the trees over on the Point.

Fair winds, friends! See you again after a while, when you eventually head back south...

SailFarers farther north, keep your eyes peeled (and yer likker cabinets locked). ;D

Quote from: Mario G on August 04, 2010, 10:10:22 AM
Hey L&C hope the storm comming isn't going to be a problem for you. It sounds like things are still going well the video is great , can't wait for the 1st mate to see it.

Do you have a time line for being in this area? I think I have some rum and ying-ding brew.

Storm is gone. Where exactly are you now?

Just out side of Oriental, Hope were in the area when you and Laura sail thru

Quote from: CapnK on August 03, 2010, 10:23:58 PM
Posting from the dock at Georgetown Landing, using the "Tehani House Computer"...

We are almost out of rum, both the Pyrat and the Cruzan Single Barrel have undergone severe evaporation the past few days for some reason, even though Frank is in Canaduh... CJ has a new case of YingaDingaLing beer or some such, but refuses to share. Laura broke my sewing machine, a pile of my tools are scattered around the slip in which Tehani resides (around, and about 15 feet below in the mud) for one more night, and the Medical University of South Carolina has a doctor on standby to harvest my liver for study as some sort of medical curiosity once CJ & L leave... But I'll tell y'all the rest of the story after they've gone and I don't have to worry about being garroted in my berth while I sleep, or my boat sinking during the day while I am off at work...

In the meanwhile, tonight they shared some pictures from their cruise to the Bahamas, and what follows is Honest Injun I promise* they said and claimed is a video of Tehani and Crew crossing Exuma Sound (...so Laura says) and/or Rocky Dundess (...Charlie says) (yes, they agree on *everything*... ). As I write, Laura threatens CJ with the knife which was otherwise against my throat, and so he agrees under some duress (not as much as mine - I am glad that Laura can't see in red light, because I am using my headlamp to type this...). Anyway, here's a video for y'all to enjoy. I think it's somewhere in the Gulf of Mexico, despite what they say...

Tehani Exuma Sound (Gulf of Mexico?) (http://www.geekworkshosting.com/sailfar/vids/TehaniExumaSound.mpg)

*This statement not made while being actively yet harmed or otherwise under threat of harm from the lady with the knife... Honest.

Well thanks Capn K for your brave work to get the facts out about our wandering friends, of course what I REALLY would have liked to see is a video of their crossing on the way over to the Bahamas ;)

I cannot say anything more about their visit; I am pledged to silence.

That is, until I figure out how to disarm those remote detonators. Maybe then I can tell the rest of the story...



-------

Very clever, Laura, that trick of using only red wires.  >:(

And good placement there, CJ. "Scraping off the rudder", indeed. I still wonder - How did you stay down so long without air? ??? ??? ???

A little more on the video- that was shot on the 50+mile passage from Rocky Dundas key, Exumas, bound  for Rock Sound, Eleuthera.

And I have NO idea what this "CaptK" fellow is babbling about.  :o

Nice lil video. Hope you 2 are having fun. As to Capt K's 'babbling'.....it is simply a normal reaction to sobering up somewhat after a lengthy intoxication......I'm sure a very unfamiliar feeling to the good Capt  ;D  Glad you's had some time there as I'm sure it was fun for all.

Capn K has been like that ever since he scraped that Navy surplus bottom paint off of his party barge.

Yep. Bottom paint will definitely do it to ya.

I thought it was since his mother dropped him on his head a couple times...

Quote from: skylark on August 05, 2010, 11:34:31 AM
Capn K has been like that ever since he scraped that Navy surplus bottom paint off of his party barge.

I do like his sense of humor.  ;D  CaptnK I E

After leaving Georgetown, Tehani made it to Southport, then caught the tide wrong for a VERY slow ride up the Cape Fear river and a trip through Snows Cut against a full bore tide!! Talk about ripping!!! Can you say 2.5?? That's the best we could do.

But today we had a great offwind ride up Bogue Sound, with just about all the wind we wanted in our Genny.

Currently at anchor, Beaufort, Nc for a few days.

Heh. I ran aground just outside of Snow's cut last year after trying to take the shortcut across the Cape Fear river. We docked in Wilmington for two months, and man, does that current flow!

Hi You TWO!

Are you still baking bread aboard?  What have you been doing for shore-side transportation?  Has solar panel been adequate for electrical needs?
Curious ole salt wants to know?
geneWj

Are we still baking bread aboard? No- it's too hot to bake inside.

What are we doing for shoreside transportation? Walking mostly, or riding buses when handy. Just got back from the grocery a while ago- about a mile and 3/4 each way. Roughly the same as Marathon was. Not TOO bad.

Is the solar panel doing it for us? - yep. One 32 watt panel does the trick. In a year we've had to plug in once to charge batts. But we use very little electricity.

Quote from: CharlieJ on August 12, 2010, 05:13:55 PM
Are we still baking bread aboard? No- it's too hot to bake inside.

What are we doing for shoreside transportation? Walking mostly, or riding buses when handy. Just got back from the grocery a while ago- about a mile and 3/4 each way. Roughly the same as Marathon was. Not TOO bad.

Is the solar panel doing it for us? - yep. One 32 watt panel does the trick. In a year we've had to plug in once to charge batts. But we use very little electricity.

Charlie,
Maybe you could use a simple solar oven above deck for baking bread?
Don't the nav lights use up the batteries somewhat during the night? I never ran mine for more than a couple of hours and that did not make a dent in my battery charges. I have wondered how it would have been overnight or when sounding fog horns.
Greg.

Well, I do not know if yesterdays message went through to you. So I'll say it again!
I'm really happy for you two, being able to be "FREE"; it does have a price!  However, the price is what you want to make it be!  Hopefully Mary and I will be "FREE" again next year.  Then it will be off with the Bus/Rv and First Born.  I want to see the Canadian Maritime east coast.  The Lake areas are of special interest to me.
Take Care Have Fun, enjoy each other and your time together!
gene & mary

Hi guys

It was great to meet you and see your boat when you passed through Brunswick. Tehani is a very nicely fitted out minimalist cruiser. Enjoy the trip and we'll look forward to hearing about it when you come south again.

James B

Hey Charlie  You could almost bake bread by just leaving it in the cabin while you walk to the store I'm sure. Welcome to NC. 

I have found it easy to rollerblade around the port towns, even into the West Marine store in Oriantal this last time.  Everyone just smiles at an old guy on skates and they don't take up much room on the boat.

Well, the dinghy issue has come back to haunt me!  Gave Bad Bob my 14' nester dinghy with the purchase of TPIII.  Tried C.B's approach of a kayak, not my cup of tea.
  Want a boat I could bring aboard First Born if the need arises.
Have finally settled on the 8' Origami, it does mean a construction job, but I have the room and the skills to complete the project.  It will tow easily, row, and I have a nice 3.5 hp outboard I can use on it.  The 3.5 can also be a back up if the 7.5 on First Born dies on me.
geneWj

Sitting here at anchor in Oriental, NC. Having my morning coffee as the sun turns the eastern sky pink. There's a Chrysler 26 at anchor in front of us- came in last night just after dark. Seems to belong to a MarioG- grin. Hoping Smollet shows up a bit later.

Today is big doin's in Oriental. Dragon boat races. 40 foot boats with 20 paddlers in each. We were aboard a friends power boat last night watching them practice. Man, those things can MOVE!! even when the paddlers get out of sync.

More later.

Had a nice morning/early afternoon with Charlie, Laura, Mario, Sherry, Graham and Carla down in Oriental.

The dragon boats were fun to watch - especially the launch, which was quite an operation.  Here's Charlie and Graham taking a break from discussing the merits of the hull design ( ;D ):

And lunch at M and M's.  Left to Right: Charlie, Graham, Carla, Laura, Sherry (sorry, barely visible), Mario and JP.  Not pictured are Becky, Hunter and I.

Later, we dinghied out to Tehani and enjoyed a visit aboard.  It was great to get caught up on the lies stories CapnK is telling these days in Georgetown.   ;D

Finally, it sure was interesting to get the nickel tour of such a beautiful boat.  It was especially fun to see the creative ways CJ and L have solved the 'small boat problems' and made her work for them and their style of cruising.  I don't think I'll ever tire of this aspect of boat-visiting: the creativity and personal ways folks make their boat, well, theirs.

Well, Tehani is now tied securely to a dock up the Bay River, on Chapel Creek, in North Carolina. The dock belongs to Graham and Carla Byrnes, of B and B Yacht Designs. She's been stripped  down and buttoned up for a prolonged stay.

Laura and I, after a 1500 mile drive, are back in south Texas, most likely forhe winter. No touristy stuff, but we did drive through the Smoky Mountain Natl park, and up to Cllingman's Dome. Was 51 degrees and blowing around 12 that morning. CHILLY after being in 90 degrees the day before. But we are home.

The cruise will continue, probably in the spring. For now, it's gonna be busy, working on family projects, mostly other than our own. But both of us, walking around here yesterday, and after a year on a quite small boat, found ourselves wondering- What do we NEED all this STUFF  for????. I foresee a serious weeding out of belongings in our future.

"You know you have reached perfection of design not when you have nothing more to add, but when you have nothing more to take away." - Antoine de
Saint-Exupery



I'm sure you already have that one figured out   ;)

Welcome home you guys.   Hope to be able to pick your mind as to where and not to go.  plan leaving here very shortly via the ICW to St. Augustine.   Really would love to know the route you took and the places you stayed and anchored.  Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.   

Well See you soon..If your in Rockport give me a call.

Richard
s/v Gypsy Soul
flgypsysoul@gmail.com

Looks like Charlie and Laura have taken the idea of "feeding the cruising kitty" to new heights!

;D ;D ;D

(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/photo1%7E0.jpg)

Just an update so this thread doesn't go completely stale.

We've been working on the house refurbishing and are almost done- another few weeks will see it finished and turned over to the realtors.

We've also had a few birthday bashes to attend. My mother and Laura's grandmother  both turned 90- 4 days apart. UNFORTUNATELY they live 7 1/2 hours apart by road!!! My Mom up in the eastern coastal corner of Texas and L's G'mother down close to the Mexican border. So we did some driving.

We've also been dealing with friends in hospitals, and other sorta emergency stuff.

We are supposed to crew on a delivery trip to Belize aboard a Tartan 41, and I have a 34 foot tri to work on beginning in Jan, then we should be done and free to return to the cruising lifestyle. Laura is READY!!!!

So am I ;)

Later that night (http://sailfar.net/forum/index.php/topic,3141.msg34261.html#msg34261), Laura got caught defacing a local pub...

:o

Just curious....is that a picture from the world famous "Dew Drop-Inn"?

We are Home!! Or so Laura claims Tehani was in fair shape
Inside- some mildew which Laura has taken care of. Good bit of work to do yet, but we are moved back aboard.

I have a happy wife :D

Grog to ya's.....have fun.

Tehani and I are ready to get back on the water Yesterday Gonna splash right after lunch

(http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n612/Grime66/Back%20out%20cruising/laura.jpg)

Proof that CJ does do some of the work.

(http://s1142.photobucket.com/albums/n612/Grime66/Back%20out%20cruising/charlie.jpg)

Hey Charlie and Laura  Very happy to see your aboard again, How long are you going to be in the Oriental area? We need to pick up our dingy from the consignment shop there, we are headed that way now.  Fair winds if we miss you but if so look to your stern were not far behind.

Hi Mario-we're anchored in the Bay River, one above the Neuse. We'll probably leave Mon, weather permitting, bound for Okracoke.

We'll see you somewhere along the way.

Charlie and Laura,

Thanks for the visit today.  Sorry the boat could have been 'more presentable.'   ;D


On a happy note, the rain did not last long and I did manage to get 5-6 hours of work done.

Yes, I'm sore again, already.

Hope you guys have a good wx winder to get underway in the next few days, and have a good trip across the Sound.

--John and crew

We enjoyed it. We were talking about cutting into your work time before the rain. Glad you managed to get some done.

Laura got big kick out of her marina tour by Hunter. And the explanation of the value of being on B dock.  That's a neat young lady you have there.

Of course Johnathan is too, but that's a little boy neat- grin.

Woohoo!! After 8'long months, Tehani is underway again.
Bottom painted, stores aboard, at 0740 we cranked and hauled the anchor.


Bound out across Pamlico Sound towards Okracoke.

Great to be cruising again!!!

Great news! 

Have fun out there kids  ;) ;D

And a grog for the both of you for this leg of the journey, showing the SailFar spirit all the way!!

Last nights anchorage. Moving to Silver Lake today.

(http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n612/Grime66/cjandl2.jpg)

Due to a deteriorated weather forecast. Whitecapping at 0700!

I guess we'll hang here for the day- had planned to try to get to Manteo today.

Due to weather they moved into Silver Lake.

(http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n612/Grime66/4.jpg)

CJ & Laura, It is good to see you back aboard Tehani and cruising again. Enjoy the the charts of your anchorages--and the photos. CJ, I saw the masking tape in the upper right of the photo of you sanding the bottom. Is that the new top of bottom paint/waterline?

Fair winds,
Jim

That's it. We left it where it was at the stem and raised it aft several inches- to the corners of the outboard well to be exact.

Much better now.

Running downwind Pamlico Sound. Was a broad reach moving 5-5.5 kts until noon then the wind moved aft. We are making about 4-4.5 under genny. Sunny and warm today. Great sail!
(http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n612/Grime66/5.jpg)

(http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n612/Grime66/5a.jpg)

(http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n612/Grime66/6a.jpg)

(http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n612/Grime66/6.jpg)

(http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n612/Grime66/cj7.jpg)

(http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n612/Grime66/cj8.jpg)

As can be seen, wemare anchored just off Buck Island, above Albemarle Sound. Had a great trip across, even though the weather folks lied. Predicting winds W at 10, we had  NW at close to 18 at times.  But Tehani put her shoulder into the seas and splashed a tad but sailed on across.

Buck Island is a place I stayed on my first cruise to the Chesapeake, right at 30 years ago. We are anchored within a few hundred feet of where I was that time ;D

Sure didn't expect a 30 year gap. Sure is good to be doing it again, and with this special lady in my life.

Hey Charlie glad to hear you made it across the Albemarle Sound ok, you can never believe them with the weather.

(http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n612/Grime66/cj9.jpg)

Woohoo- an acheivement for Laura-

At 1242 today we passed Mile zero of the Atlantic ICW. She has now completed the entire official inter coastal waterway, both Gulf and Atlantic, by sailboat!!

Took a couple of back to back near 50 mile days to do it.

We are at anchor in Willoughby Bay, JUST before the Elizabeth River empties into Hampton Roads and the Chesapeake Bay.

We finally got here!! Now if the weather will allow, tomorrow we enter the Chesapeake.

Charlie -

I'm out of town on a delivery from Friday this coming week until Wednesday(ish) next week. If you make it to Annapolis before or after give me a buzz and you can count on local support.

Quote from: CharlieJ on May 22, 2011, 04:32:17 PM
Woohoo- an acheivement for Laura-

At 1242 today we passed Mile zero of the Atlantic ICW. She has now completed the entire official inter coastal waterway, both Gulf and Atlantic, by sailboat!!

Took a couple of back to back near 50 mile days to do it.

We are at anchor in Willoughby Bay, JUST before the Elizabeth River empties into Hampton Roads and the Chesapeake Bay.

We finally got here!! Now if the weather will allow, tomorrow we enter the Chesapeake.

Congratulations to the two of you! :D

(http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n612/Grime66/cj11.jpg)

(http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n612/Grime66/cj12.jpg)

From the boatyard at Great Bridge. Someone on the board will identify this boat. It's kinda famous

(http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n612/Grime66/cj24.jpg)

Looks like a skyscraper from down here.

(http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n612/Grime66/cj13.jpg)

(http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n612/Grime66/cj14.jpg)

(http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n612/Grime66/cj15.jpg)

(http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n612/Grime66/cj16.jpg)

(http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n612/Grime66/cj17.jpg)

(http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n612/Grime66/cj18.jpg)

(http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n612/Grime66/cj19.jpg)

(http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n612/Grime66/cj20.jpg)

(http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n612/Grime66/cj21.jpg)

(http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n612/Grime66/cj22.jpg)

(http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n612/Grime66/cj23.jpg)

Congrats on making it to the Chesapeake Bay, and for completing the entire inter-coastal waterway. That is quite an achievement.

Enjoying the updates and photos. I'm going to guess that is the Presidential Yacht USS Sequoia.

Quote from: Jim_ME link=topic=2504.msg36349#msg36349 date=

Enjoying the updates and photos. I'm going to guess that is the Presidential Yachti]USS Sequoia[/i].

Bingo!! ;D

Bridge decks make great buffet tables. Shared Mahi Mahi filets with a friend.

(http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n612/Grime66/cj25.jpg)

Hi Charlie,

Chuck Jones here. We are in the Chesapeake, anchored at Kings Creek near Cape Charles, on the Eastern shore. My wife and I have come this far from Mobile. since May 9th. After I brought our Cheoy Lee 31 ketch down the Tenn- Tom in April; we sailed straight to Key West in 6 days. We sailed outside to North carolina with a few stops along the way. We have done the ICW since. Sailed from Portsmouth to here today in light winds. HOT! I'm heading north to find cooler weather. Will be in the Cheasapeake for a while. Would like to see you and Laura. Hope we run into you. Tired of being the smallest boat in the harbour all the time...
Chuck

Quote from: okawbow on June 09, 2011, 06:46:10 PM
Hi Charlie,

Chuck Jones here. We are in the Chesapeake, anchored at Kings Creek near Cape Charles, on the Eastern shore. My wife and I have come this far from Mobile. since May 9th. After I brought our Cheoy Lee 31 ketch down the Tenn- Tom in April; we sailed straight to Key West in 6 days. We sailed outside to North carolina with a few stops along the way. We have done the ICW since. Sailed from Portsmouth to here today in light winds. HOT! I'm heading north to find cooler weather. Will be in the Cheasapeake for a while. Would like to see you and Laura. Hope we run into you. Tired of being the smallest boat in the harbour all the time...
Chuck

HiChuck- we're nearDeltaville and should be here for a few weeks. Assisting someonewith a project.
PM or email me
And we'll see if we can connect. We have a vehicle along. ;D

Hi Charlie
Finally got to check the website.
We are sailing north to Annapolis today. Plan to anchor in Selby bay in the South river. if you get close; our boat name is Clarity.
Chuck

It was really great to get back out on the water sailing again. Broad reach and downwind sailing today averaging 4.5 kts.

(http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n612/Grime66/cj26a.jpg)

(http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n612/Grime66/cj27a.jpg)

(http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n612/Grime66/cj28.jpg)

(http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n612/Grime66/cj29.jpg)

We moved for more protection from winds. Very gusty today and Laura was trying to finish revarnishing the companionway trim- so we moved the boat deep into Stutts Creek. Quite peaceful in here.

Varnish work done, trim recaulked and reinstalled.

Probably head up to around the Wicomico River tomorrow.'weather permitting. There's a museum in Reedville that needs my attention ;D

(http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n612/Grime66/cj30.jpg)

No Inavx position, but many people just may know where we are. ;D

We are anchored in the Potomac River, direct across from Mt Vernon, Washington's home. Tomorrow we'll tour.

Amazingly, on this, the Maryland shore, there is not a light to be seen. The shore looks like wilderness. Earlier Laura watched a doe and fawn walking along the waters edge, totally unconcerned. Pretty cool when you consider we are less than 20 miles from DC.

As I set here preparing to clear deadwood from the lot, I'm green with envy. Phil

4048 miles and we have arrived at the Nation's Capitol.

Not too shabby for a 50 year old sailboat and two hicks from Texas. :)


(http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n612/Grime66/cj45.jpg)

You must be educated hicks from Texas. Charlie you have your thong shoes on while working on the rudder... ;D

I am glad to be hearing about you all again. Edith and I have been wondering how you and Laura have been.  Great pics too.

Greg Luckett

Howdy Greg.

Man it's been a LONG time. We're doing good and having a pretty good time- beats working for sure ;D

As for the thongs( we call'em flips) I can't remember the last time I had real shoes on. I guess it was when we flew home from Mexico in early March!! I am wearing sandals while wandering around here in Washington, DC.

Charlie & Laura, congrats on arriving at Washington DC. I really enjoyed it there. Such a great place to walk around with the Mall and so much to see, including all the (free) Smithsonian Museums, National Art Gallery, and historic sites and buildings.

When I was last there in March 2004 they were building the WWII memorial. It was completed and opened to the public the next month.  

I went out to see the Udvar-Hazy Air & Space Museum Center (http://www.nasm.si.edu/udvarhazy/) at the Dulles Airport, with my old friend and his brother, both pilots. Admission to the museum was free, but the parking fee was $12. There were buses that you could take out there from the Mall area.

So that must be the I-395 Bridge in the background of your photo? It's good to see that boats can anchor out there. [So convenient to so many of the WDC sites.]

Looking forward to hearing more about your time there, and seeing additional photos, if you have them.

-Jim

Currently at anchor in Washingto Harbor, just off the Capital Yacht Club. Nice friendly spot- 15 a day for use of all facilities. 3 blocks from National Mall and Smithsonian.

Earlier Laura and I were dinghying in to the dinghy dock where we usually tie up right to the front corner.

Was about a 45 foot power boat  coming into a slip. We hung outside to wait out of the way.

Damned good thing!!

The boat apparently had shifter trouble, got stuck in reverse and wiped out the dinghy dock we would have tied to!!

REALLY happy to have not been there- if we'd have been 5 minutes earlier we'd have been tied to that dock- on the end that got smushed!!

After departing DC, we stopped at St Clements Island, where we got pounded by a serious storm front. Winds around mid 40s and HEAVY rains. Dinghy was over ankle deep next morning.

Proceded on down to Smith Creek for ice and fuel.

Then on around to Solomons Island wher we spent two very hot nights. But the Calvert Maritime Museum was worth it. One of the very best we've seen. On a par with some of the Smithsonians.

Oh-- city run free pumpout available there.

Left Solomons yesterday morning and after a virtually windless 10 1/2 hour motor up the bay wemare at anchor in Spa Creek in Annapolis. Did a bit of touring but it's simply too hot to walk
much 

10'degees cooler in San Antonio Texas than here !! That's just wrong :D

Nice on the boat tho- awning up and there's a breeze!

More later

Charlie & Laura,

Welcome to Annapolis. Send me a note if you would like a ride to grocery, laundromat, or West.  Regardless, be nice to catch up with you.

I PM'd you

Very pleasant day with Charlie and Laura. I'd sail with them any time. Charlie does good work. They better get out of Annapolis before I give 'em a honey-do list! *grin* Looking forward to trotting them around town a bit while they are here.

Annapolis is a pretty neat city. I told Laura tho that every place in Annapolis was uphill-

Both ways!!!



Nice old buildings and lovely homes. Great public transportation system- buy a day pass(costs double fare) and ride all day on it, including on the down town circulators.

But one of the neatest things is that EVERY Street that dead ends onto the water, has a city maintained dinghy dock on it, many with floating docks. Limited by law to boats under 12 feet and less than 25 hp. Meant to be dinghy docks.'Eastport, across Spa Creek is the same. Wish more towns felt that way.

We've done a good bit of wandering around and will be doing more in the next few days. Tonight we bussed down to City Dock for a concert by USNA cadet band. Nice.

Visited Bacon Sails- man if you want a used sail, they got it- the owner told me they had around 10,000 sails in the warehouse!!!

More later.

54.5 nautical miles, 11 hours 29 minutes, anchor up to anchor down. Down wind!

Under just the genny.

2 hours and change engine time, mostly due to a small but very windy rain shower as we approached the destination.

We got wet a time or three, but never enough to need rain gear.

GREAT days sail- one of the best we've had.

Oh- currenly back at anchor in Smith Creek, Point Lookout, North shore Potomoc River.

Charlie & Laura,
How did you all and Irene get along?
Greg & Edith

For those who are unaware, I am now single hand aboard Tehani. Here's some writeups from my first few days. Monday was my first day ever as a singlehander by the way.

Condensed because I'm using an Iphone.

Forcast was Sunny, NE 5-10,temps about 85. They got the 85 right!!

Actuals- cloudy, SE 15 +, which put the 3-5 (depending) seas right on the beam. Crossing the mouth of Mobjack Bay the tiller pilot couldn't handle it. We (Tehani and I) were rolling through 60 degrees at times. Was comtemplating diverting into one of the rivers but as I crossed the York channel it settled down and Albert (the tillerpliot) could steer again.

Forward to the last 3 miles before entering Hampton Roads. Outgoing tide against 15 knots of wind, 15 to 20 feet of water. Before I realized it I was running downwind in cresting stuff 7 to8 feet at times. Opened the throttle to try staying with the waves as much as possible, but damned near broached her twice.

Made it safely through that, crossed the line demarking the bay entrance when a wave broke into the dinghy, swamping it. Lost my ratty old flips and the bailer. Got the dinghy bailed and got going again and within about 1/4 mile the dink came down a wave, stuck it's nose under and completely disappeared under water. Shut down, bailed it out again and got back under way

Until

Just off the carrier piers, well inside, the darned thing did it AGAIN!!

3 swampings in less than a mile, after 4300 uneventful towing miles, including twice across the Gulf Stream.

Anyway, got her bailed again, and motored towards the anchorage

And right into a thunderstorm!! Fortunately the wind and rain stopped just before I anchored so I missed out on single hand anchoring in a storm

No harm, no damage but I was beat!!

Spent a quiet night and am now getting ready for a " many bridge" morning, the first of which won't open til aftr 0830.

Day two. Better known as AAARGH!!

Great Bridge Lock is closed temporarily- like through today and MAYBE tomorrow.

No Problem- use Dismal

Nope- Deep Creek Lock is closed til further notice. And the fire is NOT out.

So here I sit, anchored just north of Great Bridge, with free dockage and a nice town half a mile away-that I don't know if I can get to- but I'm gonna try Don't really need anything but a hamburger would taste good!

Yahoo! The lock turned us loose! Not fixed but
At slack water they did one lock thru of south bound and one of north bound. They plan to do it again one more time at tonights slack. Then no more for two days!

Fortuntely I was one of the south bound boats. Haven't made but 30 miles in two days but it could have been worse.

Did meet some really nice folks and had a guided tour of a tow boat. The lead capt of the boat is the oldest aboard- he's 24!!

If it ain't one thing it's another!! Stopped again!

Anchored just off the channel leading to Albemarle Sound, tight aganst the windward shore.

For five days forcast was for NE winds. For four days winds were E or ESE. Today they nailed it, in spades.

Winds NE 18, Gusting 22.

No way am I trying to cross Albemarle in that!! Supposed to drop late today so maybe I'lll try just at dark. Or not

Or go very early tomorrow.

We'll see what happens.

Ain't cruising fun??

It's really fun when, like you 2...there is no firm schedule  ;)  Have fun kids

Charlie, who is your iPhone service with? We are looking in to changing from Sprint.
Thanks,
Greg & Edith

Frank- you must not have read all four of the new posts. Laura is not aboard anymore- i'm singlehanding the boat back to Texas.

Greg- i'm with AT and T for the cell phone. Have had coverage, sometimes weak but always useable, all around the coast.

Hey Charlie let me know when your near the NC/SC boarder. We will be heading south at the end of the month weather permitting.

Hi Mario-

I'm in Vandemere NC at the moment about 20 miles above Oriental. I'll be here for a short while then will be hEading on south. Keep in touch- I'm sure we can connect.

Cruise- is the pumpout station in Oriental functial? Gonna plan to stop there later this week ifit is, otherwise I'll go on downto Beaufort.

Charlie, how are the Byrnes doing? I have not heard a peep since the storm.
Greg.

Digging out. House flooded. 2 feet water in shop, 50 inches in boat building shop. Tablesaw, bandsaws have soaked motors. Water DID NOT get to the two brand new (50 thou worth) diesels for the customer catamaran!!

CNC machine got water in electronics- working on that when I got here yesterday.

Many down trees, much debris around. All in all- bad but it could have been much worse.

Charlie, Sid T on S/V Moku here. The harbormaster at Orienta Marina told me that either Deaton's or Clancye's Marinas may have pump out service. I have called both but was ubable to raise either one this morning. I am in Smith Creek on the boat today and tomorrow if I can help you. I have transportation. Phone is 910-308-6468.

Transport isn't a problem. Problem is I don't want to stop in Oriental and find that pumpout is dfunct.

Plan to bypass qnd head for Beaufort unless I CAN do a pump.

I've already had coffee at 'the Bean' - no need to do it again :D

No guarantee on the pump out. The bean is closed anyway for repairs, Beaufort looks like your best bet.

Charlie,

Just wanted to offer a head's up on a couple of nav aids.

#6, Gum Thicket Shoal, third Red after the Neuse River Junction "NR" mark as you come in off the Sound is completely missing so far as I could tell.  It should not be a big deal, but you might want to watch your turn off Red #4.

Also, Green "7" marking Garbacon Shoal is missing...the piles are still be there, but there is no mark and no light.   Also, a mile or so downriver, ON the shoals, there's another set of piles...not sure what that is/was, but without the marks on #7, be sure not to confuse that one with the actual mark.

I thought the combination of the "6" and "7" being out may warrant mention since you sound like you will be coming off Red "4" and heading for Adam's Creek.  When I came through yesterday, the entrance aids to Adam's Creek seemed to be there (the ones I could see as I went by).

Cruise may have gone that way today, so he may have more info.

Also, too, just for FYI...South River is a great little anchorage...but beware THAT Red "2" is gone, also.  To enter, I hugged the greens (only 1 ft of water on either side of the channel) and really watched for side-set.

The Sound was like glass this morning...

Do you think you will be in Beaufort by Wednesday?

Met with Charlie last night in Beaufort...he's making tracks southward.  Had a nice dinner at Clawson's before letting him get to bed for his run today.

Today, he was under way about 12 hours making roughly 60 miles again.  He's anchored at Sloop Point, about 4 miles south of the Hwy 50 swing bridge at Surf City, just north of ICW Mile 265.

Had a GREAT dinner last night eith Mario and Sherry aboard their boat in N Myrtle Bch (thanks Sherry) and a very nice (but toobrief) evening as well. Hope we can do it again somewhere south.

Right now, roughly 18 miles to go to G'town where CaptK hangs out. Plan to stick a fewmdays And do some boat chores.

And visit!

CJ is a man of few words. First, he takes the drink you offer and says "Cheers!":

(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/CJ1.jpg)

Then, he looks at the liquor bottle and says "This ain't enough for you, too. Got more?"...

(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/CJ2.jpg)

;D

Thats because CJ is a REAL pyrate!   (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-fc/pirate2.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)

the rest of us are just wannabe's   ::)

Cheers   U 2   ;D 8)

CJ headed out this AM, leaving the dock at 8:23AM, southbound for his next stop-n-stay :) in Beaufort...

(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/CJ_departs_Gtown.jpg)

Here's a short, indistinct movie clip of C&T headed down-Bay... :)

Headin' South and away from the gray! (http://sailfar.net/vids/tehani.mpg) (~0.5mb MPG)

Yeehaw!!

Tehani just cracked the 5000 mile mark on this cruise!!

July 13, 2009 til today! Still have a buncha miles tp go 'twixt her and Texas too!

Currently tied up in Beaufort, SC, spending some time with friends.

Tehani and I are underway again, after a week with friends in Beaufort, SC.

This posted from the middle of Port Royal Sound

Fyi- the Ladys Island Bridge is no longer every half hour- only opens ON the hour now.

Conversly- the Ben Sawyer above Charleston is now 'on demand'

Good photos Kurt. I like the one of CJ heading out. Sometimes it's not a bright sunny day or rain, but just gray cloudy skies.

CJ, Congrats on passing the 5,000-mile mark. It's been interesting to follow your progress back South, and visits with other SailFarers.

Fair winds.

Anchored mile 696, 27 miles above Florida. Would have made St Marys but caught tide wrong. Took over four hours crossing St Simon and St Andrews sounds. Was down to 1.5 at times.

You can't get it right every time :D :D

Still made 162 miles last three days! Not bad for a 5 knot boat!!

Good days for sure. Heh...whats wrong with a 5 knot boat?   ;D :o ;)

Not a thing Frank, not a thing :D

Wouldn't mind some company on these long days though!! Get tired of talking to myself ;D

Tied up next to a friends 54. He started it in76. Not finished yet.

(http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n612/Grime66/cj24h.jpg)

(http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n612/Grime66/cj24j.jpg)

(http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n612/Grime66/cj24i.jpg)

(http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n612/Grime66/cj24k.jpg)

(http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n612/Grime66/cj24l.jpg)

 :D
Yeah boy! Kinda tucked away amongst the heavy industry. But it's well protected and cheap !!

Visiting oldest son , grand kids and GREAT grand kids. Well worth it.

Another great cruising thread to re-read, so I gave it the old freehand (not GPS track points) chart treatment also.

22 March 2010 - 12 June 2010:

Crossed from Angelfish Creek, Florida, to Alice Town, Bimini
Chub Cay, Berry's
Nassau, New Providence
Rose Island
Nassau
Staniel Cay, Exumas
Black Point, Exumas
Eleuthera (multiple stops)
Nassau, New Providence
Crossed back to Key Biscayne, Florida (via Bimini?)

(http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p199/LewisAcid/Tehani_Bahamas01a.png)

Wow! Does that route sound familiar!!

Virtually like Tehani's, with a few differences.

Angelfish to Alice Town, to Berry's to Nassau to Rose Island to Exumas to Eleuthera back to Rose Island, Nassau, Berrys, Gun Cay then Biscayne Bay.

I'd love to do it again ;D

Quote from: CharlieJ on October 07, 2011, 09:45:06 PM
Wow! Does that route sound familiar!!

Virtually like Tehani's, with a few differences.

Angelfish to Alice Town, to Berry's to Nassau to Rose Island to Exumas to Eleuthera back to Rose Island, Nassau, Berrys, Gun Cay then Biscayne Bay.

I'd love to do it again ;D

???????????????? Frank is not down there with you Charlie....is he? ;D

Lol - no. I just missed the fact he had changed to our cruise. sometimes this tiny Iphone screen isn't easy to read!!

No wonder it looked so familiar :D :D :P

Looks like I'm gonna be stuck here for another day or so. Seems this system in South Florida is gonna run over me. Senseless to sail INTO it when I'm securely tucked away here.

Tonight Tehani and I are on a mooring in Vero Beach, Fl.
Depending on weather, we'll stay here tomorrow, or move on down to Stuart, Fl.

Stuart is at the beginning of the Okeechobee Waterway, crossing Florida. Pretty soon we'll be back Gulf of Mexico side of Florida.   

Spent the weekend hanging out with some good folks in agroup called the West Coast Trailor Sailer Squadron. Fun weekend!

Waiting to see what this crappy system down in the Carribean is gonna cause. Well protected here if it blows.

That's about 1000 miles since you started the return from Annapolis. Do you plan to keep following the coast back to Matagorda Bay or take the short cut across the Gulf?

Yep on the miles- 1060 since Deltaville, Va. More since Annapolis

Little of both- some places you HAVE to sail the gulf. Hoping for (cute) crew  ;)

At one place it's a 160 mile open gulf jump, minimum.

Open water means 24 hour watch standing if you are alone. Dogs are cute and not nearly as demanding as other possible crew. ;)

Tehani and I have exited the Atlantic ICW ( at mile 988) at Stuart Florida and are heading west via the Okeechobee Waterway (OWW). Currently at mile 68 OWW, just above the Port Mayaca lock. Will cross the lake tomorrow to Moore Haven I hope.

The St Lucie lock lifted us 13 feet. What a blast singlehand!!!!

Crossing Lake Okeechobee

Woke up this morning to find the boat totally covered with little tiny flying things. Shades of Wax Lake Outlet in La. But these were tiny so I just used a bucket and sluiced them off the decks. Glad I'm in fresh water.

Weather forecast was NW winds at 5, increasing to 10-15 by afternoon. I had 15 miles to go to get across the open part.. So what do I see as I exit the lock?

White caps- All over the place. And BIG waves.

Rounded the last marker out from the lock and put the boat on course. Very soon I had a wave deposit solid water on the weather deck- about 6 inches deep.. Then another.The third one went over the coaming and filled my lap. And wet much of the cockpit.

Wind was really 10-15 (at0900) and built to around 20 by noon.

Something is wrong with this picture!!!

So I changed course to intersect the rim canal- longer but protected. Protected- Yeah, right!!

The first 12 miles are totally open to the lake-same seas, same white caps, no protection, but now you are running on a lee shore. A ROCKY Lee shore!! One thing goes wrong and you are screwed. And it was ROUGH!! Fortunately nothing went wrong and I made it into the actual protected, rim canal.

Smooth water finally- ten extra miles, but I'm not really in a hurry..

At mile 60, you come onto one of the interesting things on this canal. The Torrey Island swing bridge. It's slow. It's slow because the tender isn't ON the bridge. He's ashore doing things.

So you call him on the radio and he says he'll be right out. And sure enough, in a few minutes, a golf cart shows up, the guy gets out and lowers the crossing gate. By hand!! Then drives to the other end and lowers that gate.

THEN he walks out to the center of the bridge, sticks a large pipe in to a hole in a capstan, and starts walking around. As he does, the bridge slowly swings open.. Yep- all done by hand!

Wonder how many of those are still around?

Rest of the day was fairly quiet, lots of bird life- Blue Herons, MANY Osprey, and loads on others. One alligator, no manatees.

Spending tonight in Clewiston in a marina because there is simply no place to anchor here and it would have been after dark before I got to the next lock. Didn't want to get caught there over night.

So I'll finish the crossing ( actually the half circle around) tomorrow morning.

At 1452 Tehani exited Frankliin Lock. Last one onn the Okee hobee waterway

For the first time since 2-15-2010, we are on the Gulf side of Florida (and the US) ;D

Water isn't salty yet but will be soon!!

I was wondering what is the max depth for a boat crossing the canal you would be comfortable with, and congrats on the crossing.
Thanks
Jay

Well Charlie is at Mile marker 0

(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee389/Grime67/cj24q.jpg)

(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee389/Grime67/cj24r.jpg)

Howdy everyone.

A quick recap-

Sailed a friends boat in the Suncat Nationals in Punta Gorda. Never sailed a gaff catboat before and managed a forth place ;D

Then did short one day offshore sail with several friends(4 boats) from Maderia Beach, Fl to Tarpon Springs.

Just today (couple hours ago) brought Tehani in from a gulf sail Tarpon to Apalachacola single hand. Wasn't a horrible trip but was a bit rough. Lots more wind than forecast and MUCH bigger waves. Have a jib track ripped out that I need to fix >:(

Just got a shower and something to eat- bed time for one tired old man!! ;D ;D

Ya been busy CJ !!  Great feeling, after a tougher sail, to get secured, showered and a rum to unwind. Have a good rest.

Tarpon Springs to Apalachacola.. Or "crossing the armpit"

Also known as "the missing link"..Because of the very shallow waters that extend a long way off shore there is no Intercoastal Waterway between these two points. Actually between Tarpon Springs and Carrabelle, but it's just a short distance more to Apalachacola, so I chose that .

You can short hop from place to place, but that would take 4 or 5 days. I chose to cut across. I had wished for crew but not finding anyone, I did it singlehand.

Let me say here that although I had a good bit more wind than forecast, and lots larger seas than predicted, I wasn't in any serious danger, just quite uncomfortable at times. A 25 foot boat can be a BIT bouncy

So- on to the crossing--

Awoke Saturday morning, my day of departure, to almost no wind, cloudy skies and drizzle. Made ready to leave anyway. Got the sail covers off and all below stowed for sea, and at 0830, cranked the engine and dropped the dock lines. Began motoring out the long channel from the dock and at 0930, reached the open gulf, set the sails, engaged the tillerpilot (Albert), and shut down the engine, as the winds were now blowing N at about 8-10.

At noon I had to begin motor-sailing again. Winds had dropped away and I needed to maintain about a 5 knot speed so as to reach the Apalachacola channel in the daylight the next day. What wind there was was still N, instead of the forecast NE-E.

By about 1700 the predicted 5-10 knot winds had increased to 10-12 and I shut down the engine again. By 1930, the wind still increased, now maybe 12-16 or so, on a close reach. Was of course dark by now and the seas were building. The boat was sailing pretty fast, I couldn't see the waves, so I reefed the main to slow us a bit. GPS still was indicating 6-6.5 boat speed. Later on, as the wind built even more (forecast was for "moderating") to somewhere around 18, and as the seas were continuing to increase, I decided to drop the main. Still making 5.5- 5.8 under just the jib.

Up until around 2200 the winds stayed quite stiff and the seas continued to increase, and began to crest. Awful sounds when one comes up behind you and crests RIGHT off the transom!! I was , at this point just about at the half way point.

Between 2200 and 0500 at times I was seriously concerned about losing the dinghy I was towing. I had it snubbed up very close to the transom which kept it from sliding past me on a cresting sea and jerking to a stop, at which point it could have easily capsized. Even at that, at times I could see the entire floor of the dink as it was up on a sea, then it would go totally out of sight on the backside. Sleeping during all this time was in 15 to 20 minute snatches, using a timer to wake me to check course and surroundings. Albert thankfully continued to do a fine job.

By 0530 things were settling down. Winds were dropping, seas were no longer cresting, although still large. and my speed was way down. Cranked the engine and motorsailed on a very broad reach. No main since that would have just blanketed the jib and it was to rough for me to want to set the pole. Could have-didn't want to. Probably too tired

At 0700, with 50 miles to go I watched the sun come up over the empty Gulf. At 0800 discovered that the forward foot of the jib track had torn away from the rail and was bent upwards, with the jib car out at the end. Got it pushed down far enough to get the car moved aft of the bend. Would work for off-wind- NOT for beating.

Winds continued dropping and came way aft. almost no wind in the sail, so I dropped the jib and continued with just the engine. BORING!!! At that point I was about 25 miles out from the seabuoy.

By around 1400 I spotted buildings ashore, called "land ho!!" and at 1500 I passed the seabuoy and entered the channel into Apalachacola Bay with a large following swell running. (more on that later) That channel is NOT a great one and had the seas been any larger, could have been really nasty. As it was, it was a TAD squirrelly. Has rocks along each side and is quite narrow. Fortunately only about a quarter mile long and you're in Apalachacola Bay.

At 1705 one tired old dude tied up to the docks at Water Steet Marina in Apalachacola. Laura and I had been here in 2009. Nice friendly place. Got a hot shower, fixed a sandwich from leftovers, and crashed. Slept 10 solid hours which is a rare event for me.

On those swells- When Laura and I left here in 2009, we were bound for Cedar Key. The very large swells running were then on our beam causing the boat to roll miserably, so we altered course for Tarpon Springs, which put them on the starboard bow, and made for a MUCH more pleasant ride. This time they were dead on my stern and large. But strange. I was running in mostly 2-3 foot seas, but looking aft, could see a set build- maybe 5-6 waves just rose up and rolled towards me.Can't really say how big, but when you are sitting in a cockpit, with your eyes about 5 feet above the water, and you can't see over the waves, they damned sure ain't 3 footers!! I'd guess most were 6, with the very occasional 7-8. Smooth though- no breaking, no cresting.. I was in 150 feet of water, so they weren't feeling bottom. Couple of folks I talked to here commented that that happens often.

Anyway- this was my first singlehand, overnight , open ocean passage. I'm glad I did it, glad I had the experience, but really don't want to do it again. Much much better with two aboard. I admire the long distance single handers, just don't want to BE one. Overnighters are enough for me and I want someone to talk to. Nearly went nuts those last 25 miles, motoring in

Over all the trip was 177.7 miles, took 29 hours seabuoy to seabuoy, and 32.5 hours dock to dock. Almost exactly the same time as when L and I sailed the other way in 2009.

Oh- and when I got in and tied up, reached into the icebox for a beer- and it slipped out of my hand??? Found that a jar of olive spread, made in olive oil, had had the lid come off! The entire interior of the icebox was liberally coated with olive oil. So the next day I soap and water washed all the contents, and after picking all the bits of olive out, washed the box interior. What a MESS!!

Got wet, salty clothes washed, including cockpit seat cushions covers and got the jib track repaired, at least well enough to get me home to proper tools

A good story Charlie and I am glad you made the crossing safely. Your postings are always enjoyable to Edith and I.
Greg & Edith

glad you made it across charlie!

we are anchored in an ox bow just outside columbus missippi, mile marker 330.


taking a rest day today.

how many miles do you have untill mobile?

Can't say exactly.. I'm at ICW mile 350 EHL. But all my charts for Panama City westward are in transit to me. Shipped last Weds, Priority Mail,, gonna get here last Friday-still waiting. So much for paying for Priority huh? I have hopes they'll be waiting for me at the Panama City Marina.

I'll be in Panama City tomorrow evening or I should be. Then on To Ft Walton Beach  and then towards P'cola.

I won't actually go up to Mobile- way far out of the way. My next stop after P'cola should be Pirates Cove in Josephine, Ala (also known as Roberts Bayou ) and the next stop should be Lake Yazoo at Pascagoula, Miss.

For those unaware- EHL stands for "East Harvey Lock"at New Orleans. The Gulf ICW mileage is figured eastwards and westwards from Harvey Lock, which is mile zero. Eastward ends at Carrabelle, Fl and westward at Port Isabelle Texas.

An addendum-

Just found mileage info. The bridge across to Dauphin Island is at mile 130 EHL, so I'm 220 miles from there. If I pushed hard every day, that would be four days, but I won't - gonna stop and visit friends here and there between.

Charlie,

If you want to do the "tourist" thing, the Estuarium at Dauphin Island is very, very cool (if you haven't done it already).  You can do it in an hour or two, and they have a lot of neat (and varied) exhibits.  My children loved it, as did I.

The Fort is right across the street from the Estuarium if you are into walking Civil War forts...this one was part of the battle where the line "darn the Torpedoes, FULL SPEED AHEAD!" was used by Admiral Farragut.   ;D

Cool little restaurant right on the water (not walking distance from the Estuarium, though...about two miles away or so) that has some mighty yummy eats.  Perhaps Craig remembers the name of it, but I'd have to look it up.

well i hope we cross bows and not wakes....were not pushing hard either.

the tenn-tom reminds me of the bahamas. outside the channel you can wade ankle deep.

we have only run aground 7 times though!

Tehani and I are atPensacola. Anchored in a spot called Little Sabine Bay.

Should have stayed in Fort Walton Beach!

If I'd had any idea what the winds were REALLY gonna be, instead of what they were forcast, i would have.

But here I am. Got very wet, very chilled and very tired. Saw the end of my rope!! Goods thing there was a knot there

Forcast was W 10-15. Actual was W 20-26!! Right on the nose.

34 miles of spray coming over the decks and cabin top. I did something today I've never done before- put the top rail of the bow pulpit THROUGH a wave.

Twice!!

Glad I made it (tough little boat) but I sure wish I'd stayed put. Just now getting warm, after 3 hours here.

Sounds like one of those times your thankful to be in, anchored and in your bunk. Must be feeling a bit "beat-up" !!  Have a rum CJ...relax, stay warm and take care.

wow that doesnt sound like fun...glad your warming up.

It most definitely was NOT fun. And I should have reversed course early on. But I kept thinking things would improve- instead they worsened.

I felt every one of my years by the time I got anchored.

I sincerely will try to NOT do that again. It's one thing to get caught out- entirely another to go out INTO it!!  The first is the breaks, the second is dumb. I was dumb yesterday.

And yeah Frank, I had that rum, while in the bunk under the blankets.  But I had a hot meal and three cups of hot chocolate first.

Gee whiz, Charlie, you are having your share of weather on this trip.

Here's a virtual grog to help with the warming up, and here's to hoping from here to TX, the skies improve.

Glad to hear your ok Charlie , the cold front rolled thru here last night but was atleast dry. Seems some one anchored out here was tring to keep warm useing and open flame causeing the boat to catch fire. Seems they got off before rescue got to boat.

Hope the rest of your cruise goes better

Hey Charlie, I sent you a pm.  Take a break and come warm up and dry out.

Spent a very pleasant afternoon with Bruce and his wife Nancy (Snapdragon)
at Pirates Cove inAlabama yesterday. Enjoyed meeting you folks and thanks again for the burger and beer.

Best of luck on your travels.

Tehani and I are now WEST of the Mississippi River. Will be in the area of Intercoastal City tomorrow. David Grimm (Grime) will be joining me for thelast 6 or 7 days. Looking forward to having company.

Weather has been pretty crummy last few days- cold and windy. Warmed a bit today thankfully. 

glad your getting some company!

we are in fort mccree....the blue angels flew over us as we sailed in

pretty cool

thanks for the tip on the ancorage!

At 11:42 AM, Tehani crossed the border into Texas. David is crewing and steered her into and across the Sabine River.

First time in Texas waters in to years, four months and 12 days!!

Ben fun but good to be in Texas waters again. Won't be but a few more days and we'll be in her home slip.  :D

Wow, Charlie Jones, my friend. Welcome home to Texas. I wish I could be there when you pull into your home slip.  :)

 
Welcome back to Texas waters Is always great to get home

As of 1645 this afternoon, Tehani is moored in her home slip in Pt Lavaca, Texas, and I am at my house.

A recap of the last few days after I have a chance to unpack and unwind. The last 6 days have been wearing.

Welcome home Charlie.  :)
I hope your home was ready to welcome you after so long away.
Greg and Edith

Congratulations on completing the cruise. It must be good to be home. Looking forward to your report of the recent leg, and to rereading the whole cruise log.

Grog to you, and fair winds for whatever is next.
-Jim

I made it singlehand from the Chesapeake, around, across the gulf and through Mississippi sound, across the Mississippi River and into central La. Then was joined by my  friend David (Grime) who has posted my positions all these months, for the last leg into Texas and home. Was really glad for the company..

On this cruise, Tehani began with Laura aboard single hand for the first three weeks, and me aboard single hand after our seperation, for the last 4 1/2 months.

She is now snugged in her home slip and who knows what will transpire in the next few months. She does need a refit, since she's sailed right at 10,000 miles since we launched her some 5-6 years ago.

This cruise covered  2 years, 4 months and a few days. Covered 6885 miles, and included the entire gulf coast, the keys, Bahamas, east coast, Potomoc River, Chesapeake Bay and back around to Texas.

I did 2190 miles singlehand and found I don't like sailing alone. :-\

All in all a pretty good trip, with virtually zero problems. A solar panel Charge controller quit and was replaced under warranty (Morningstar controller) good folks..

We had one battery go bad and replaced it.... otherwise, nothing. The value of a small simple boat.

Mostly we had a wonderful time, but I'm ready to stay home for a while. ;)

Thus ends "from Tehani, out cruising"

congratulations charlie.

Thank you for your log, I learned a lot.

Congrats, Charlie on making it back home.  Quite a trip...lots of 'adventure' these last couple of months.

Thanks for taking the time to keep us updated along the way.

Congratulations, Charlie and Laura too.  Thanks for keeping the dream alive in the rest of us.

congrats Charlie glad you made it home. I have a question concerning the stretch of the icw in the gulf, were you able to sail much of it and if not what was the reason?

Which part in the gulf? Fl,Geo, Ala, Miss? Or Louisiana, Texas?

Didn't sail any where near as much as I would have liked- had many many days of head winds-northerly coming up the west coast of Fl,, and westerly once I rounded into the panhandle. Of course had I been in cruising mode, rather than delivery mode, I could have sailed more.

Did have a couple of good sailing days though. Many more heading the other way- then we sailed a LOT.

I ment to add that the area I was wondering about was from Texas to Mobile both ways

Re starting the thread- From Tehani , Out cruising

All the boat stuff is aboard. Tomorrow, clothes and supplies.

With any luck from the weather, I intend to drop the lines on Thursday (or Saturday) and head for Florida, for a few months.

Had planned to leave last Saturday, but have you  seen the weather on the gulf coast the last week???? :o

Trains blown off tracks, regatta devastated? Glad I delayed

will be continuing to post here as I go.

It's good to see this thread active again, Charlie. And to see you choosing your own schedule. Will be interested to read the posts of your cruise.

Good luck as you prepare to cast off...
and fair winds!  :)

CJ....congrats!!!  After 3yrs...nice to see this thread open again and you heading back "out there" !!  Look forward to your posts...good, bad and ugly....and PICTURES !!!!!!!!!!!   ::)

Have fun my friend!!

Nice to see you and the "ole girl" underway .....finally !!

Good news!  Glad to see the thread back.

If you get to the Atlantic side of FL in May, we might cross wakes. We are headed to Panama by way of South Florida, maybe the Bahamas and perhaps Jamaica.

Have fun!
Todd

Good to hear the departure is close!  I always look forward to your travels, and hope the weather cooperates for a Thursday departure, but no hurry on a pleasure voyage. 

Norman

Hey Charlie, it's good to hear that you will be passing through the Pensacola area again. I will be following your posts here and would be happy to provide shoreside support anywhere in the Florida panhandle area. Looking forward to your visit.
Bruce & Nancy

Wow Bruce. Fondly recall our visit in Pirates Cove. I will for sure. Plan to be around the area til early July

Found damaged hinge on forehatch today. All repaired. All the "stuff" is now aboard. Clothes go aboard tomorrow, then shopping for FOOD  ;)

Now that weather has gotten decent, plan to leave Sat. I don't sail the beginning of a trip on Friday.

Happy to hear you're heading out again, CJ.  ;D What's your intended route?   Are you going inside until the Mississippi?  Okeechobee or Keys?

Probably just to west Florida this trip. Yes inside until Florida Ave Bridge in NOLA.

I've never been as sleepless or nauseous as I was on our beat from Texas toward Vermillion Bay, LA.  No fun going up and down 4-6 feet every 4-6 seconds.  Where's our puking emoticon?

Have fun CJ.  And remember........PICTURES!!!

Aboard the boat. All supplies stowed. Having supper aboard then take car to step sons. Then will be in full cruising mode. Departure in the AM

Good luck Charlie and fair winds.  I'm not leaving here till september of 16, had some bumps and have to keep a weather window.  I want to meet you even if I have to go over to Texas.  I hope you have fun.  Marc

I'm happy for ya!!  That boat and you have "bonded"....nice to see you dancing together again!!

have a good trip Charlie, be safe and have a good time

0845 underway. Poosted from out in Matagorda Bay

Beautiful calm sunny morning after a cool night. First time underway in 18 months >:(

Would have seen you off but I thought you would throw the dock lines about daylight. Have a safe fun trip.

GREEN WITH ENVY!  Have a great trip, and keep the tiller pilot at work, while you sit back and enjoy the scene passing by.  Vacation time!  A tiller pilot is not much on conversation, but frees up time for whatever you are in the mood to do.

Norman

David I crashed and burned last night. Didn't move til 0730

Good on ya, Charlie.  Being I can't tip one back with you-we'll tip one back for ya!  Here's to living the dream.

Big winds in Texas......hope you're riding it out OK CJ !!

Don't know where. Marine forecast is SE 10-15 thru friday.

Montana news said winds developing in Texas and N....must be more northern??   But then....what does Montana know??  ;D 

Quickie update. Anchored off Calcasiu River. Louisiana. Calm tonight. Powered into 25 gusting 30 for two days. Speed at times 3 mph!!! Ugh dead on the nose.

Battery down a bit so that's all for now

Tough wind there, but you have more than 250 NM behind you, Charlie!  Always feels good to put a state line behind, too.  West wind should be in place soon, and get you scooting along much better!  Hoist some sail and have fun!

Norman

No west wind  here. Prdominate is SE. Gonna be driving into it all the way.

And yep. 275 miles in the wake. 235 to go to mile zero in New Orleans

Then about fuve days or so to P'colA

Driving dead into 15 Kt right now. SE wind. Course SE. !!!

Over 50 miles a day, Charlie, seems like you're making good progress despite the unfavorable winds. Glad to hear that the wind has moderated from what it had been. Hope that they'll improve more for you.
Fair-er winds! :)

Great to see you and Tehani back out there.  :)
As Frank wrote...photos, if you can!

guess the Montana weather man was right   

Hang in there.....

PICTURES!!!!

I was looking at the radar, and rain was moving NE, thought you may have had SW winds for a bit.  Sure hope the wind does shift in your favor!

That system up by Dallas is for sure what's causing these winds. Had gusts of 18 today. Still solid SE. Should move off next day or so. Forecast here ( Mermentau River, Louisiana is for 5-15 next few. Was really cloudy earlier. Now? Lots of stars

Morgan City Louisiana, motoring up the Achafalaya River against the current-3 mph. Turned into ICW. With current. 8.5 mph!!!

Posting update and photos (from Sat May 9, evening) for CJ...

- Leaving Matagorda Bay. 20 miles of water back there
- Entering one of the river locks. Colorado and Brazos the same
- Tehani tied up third night Stingaree marina. Bolivar Peninsula. Got in at 2230!!  Yuck
- One reason we seldom run at night. Had 13 pass me in one 4 hour period. They run 24-7

More later.

Currently anchored about 110 miles west of Miss R. Should cross Tuesday

Posting update and photos (from Sun May 10, morning) for CJ...

- Ahead
- Along side sort of a jungle
- And behind

As you can see. Many miles of many miles grin

Posting for CJ (from Mon May 11, late morning)...

Looks like i'm here for at least one day. That poop that hammered Dallas last night is aiming this way. And my next two nights would be open anchorages instead of a nice protected dock. Discretion says stay put. Means I'll miss the first event. But that was an extra anyway. That's a barge crossing the entrance in front of the boat. Pretty city park

Thanks for sharing the updates and photos, Charlie. They give a good sense of what is like on the ICW in that region. That does look like a beautiful and welcoming park to tie up at in Houma. :)

Thanks Jim

As it turned out, so far not a drop of rain and no winds at all. Will be getting underway this morning

Thanks 4 the pics!!   Keep em coming   :D

Well since just before noon Tehani has been tied to a dock behind a lock wall waiting to lock off the Mississippi River. Now into bridge restrictions intil 1745

20 miles to next safe anchorage. Have to see if we can (two boats here) stay the night here. Permission required from bridge tender and she's away for dinner I suppose.

Blew this day for sure

That is a bummer, but at least you are tied up, not circling in moving water!

Relax and enjoy some supper, then if not allowed to tie up overnight, you will be set for a bunch of hours without getting hungry.  Bad enough to have to keep going after dark without being hungry or other distractions.

Just curious, if a big tow comes up behind you, what does he do?  Or do they have the lock schedule in their nav plan, and only arrive when it will open?








1

I'm tied to a dock behind the head wall and am staying to night


If a tow comes up you move oover and let him by   Grin

Locks open on demand but pleasure craft aren't allowed in locks with "red flaggers" those are carrying hazardous cargo like propane or Benzene or the like

It's bridges that have restricted hours. Here 1530 to 1745 they ddon't open
Today he had a steady stream of those. Just the way it goes

After a 22 hour wait. The lock turned loose. No more locks. No more bridges til Florida.  ;D

Good to see the progress and know that you are back out there, CJ! What are the BEER dates? That is where you are going, I am thinking... If I didn't have my darned old dog, I could jump on the scoot and meet you down there! lol

Fair winds, my friend!

PS - re:Ralay - a puking emoticon? I will see what I can do for you. Of course, it will have to be named, if I get it to work... ;)

Anchored tonight at the Rigoletts. Where Pontchartrain empties into Lake Bourne and thence Mississippi Sound. Tomorrow I'll be in Miss waters. Heading for Gulfport

BEER begins June 12. But I'll be hanging around over there til probably mid July at the earliest. No real rush to get back

Oh two days ago a site just south of Houston got 9.8 inches of rain in 3 hours!!!  They are getting drowned

Posting photo [and gmap w position report] for CJ (from May 13 9 pm)...

"Pic of the dock at the lock. Been here since noon."

Edit: Was looking at the area where you tied up and the lock on Gmaps...looks like a barge had just entered, since the lock behind is still open, and the other ahead is closed... Shows how much space the barge/tug takes up within the lock... So grabbed the image to add/post it here.

Also recalled what you may have said that there is not much available for cruising boats to tie up in downtown New Orleans. Seems a bit sad that so many cruisers pass right by the French Quarter of a city with such character, and there is little to invite them to stop in. Looks like even the place you tied up might only be a mile walk from the edge of the quarter, if it was allowed to be used in this way? I think that you said there are other places to dock on the canals. I see that there are a couple marinas near the canal outlet on Lake Ponchartrain (near the airport). Still...seems like it would be nice to have something close by on the Mississippi... Maybe there are other places that I'm not aware of...not able to find in a quick search? It is an industrial/commercial region, so maybe no surprise that those activities are given the priority.   

Big problem is the river itself. Right off the quarter it is over 200 feet deep ans when running (liike it is now) moves a HUGE  volume of water. The flow took me to over 8 going down river.

The other problem is the heigth. Harvey lock (west side) lifted me 11 feet then Industrial (east side) lowered 9. And it can be much more. The lock walls reach way over my spreader level. So any place to tie up on the river itself would need serious pilings and floating docks

That dock i was tied to was a floater attached to the lock headwall and was showing 30 feet of water under the boat


Not really feasable to have recreation facities on the river

Interesting, in that I live at the mouth of the second largest river basin on the East Coast, a pretty big affair as far as rivers go, and it is perhaps 35' deep, maybe a tad bit more in spots, but I think that's about an average. Looking at them side-by-side on Google Maps and scaled the same, the Mississippi there where you are is no wider than the mouth of the Waccamaw here, perhaps even just a bit narrower.

So to try and imagine that, but with a depth over 5.5 times deeper... a twenty-story buildings worth flowing past every few seconds... wow. :)

I bet there are some GIANT catfish on the bottom of that sucker. ;D

Remember-that width isn't the natural river. The Old Muddy has been diked , leveed, concrete walled, for miles. There at NOLA it's more canal than river. A BIG canal that takes ocean going ships into the heart of the city and above.

Posting update and position report [gmap image] for CJ (from today, 7pm)...

"Off west end dauphin island. Tomorrow Mobile bay. Ran 51 miles and regained a lost day."

Was looking at the satellite view image and thinking how you must be glad to be out of the canals and barges and into coastal waters where you can sail.

Grog to you, Charlie!  :)

[Edit: Was curious about the water depths in this area, so checked out the chart...and am posting an excerpt of Chart 11373 Missisissippi Sound (added red box at CJ position)...]

Currently tied up at Pirates Cove. Josephine Ala. Just shy of the Florida line. But i consider myself arrived. :)

Oh yeah, I remember that place. Was there & wound up staying overnight while on the Pixie Dust shakedown cruise...  8)  :o  ::)

Have one of those signature "Badhangoverinamug" (or whatever they're called) for me, CJ!  ;D

Bushwhackers. Alcoholic milkshake. Later this evening for that ;)

Looked at Gmaps to see where your latest position was located, Charlie--and figured that I would go ahead and post it, as with previous ones, to make it easy for readers to view...

Anchored last night off the ruins of Ft Macrae. Called Sand Island around here. Just across the ICW from the Pensacola Naval Air Station

Rained most of he night and this morning woke to stiff NORTH winds (guess which way I go today?) and 62 degrees!!!

On the Friday before Memorial day. In FLORIDA!!

Yuck!! ::)

It's forecast to get down to 36 degrees here tonight (frost warnings farther inland), after many nights in the high 40s/low 50s, and high tomorrow of the same...62F...but I do understand that you expect better in Florida. :)

Congrats on making it to Florida, CJ.

 :)

Plus the fact that nights have been mid 70's and the bunk only had sheets on it. Had to dig out a throw middle of the night, then shut hatch. This morning. Back into the 70's

Grin

Forgot that I was trying to tempt you to visit Maine. Telling you how cold it was may not be helping my cause much...?

It actually only got down to 39 the other night and is forecast to be in the 80s for several days (way too hot!) with overnight lows in the 50s and 60s...  ;)

 ;D

On the topic of weather, I've been watching the news about the tragic flooding in Texas, including in Houston...

Wishing a speedy recovery to the area, and especially to any of your family and friends that may have been affected. Also hope that all is well with your house, the homestead, and property, Charlie.

Talked to sister, son, stepson yesterday. Three seperate cities. All doing fine as is my house. The country property is in question but nothing nearby to seriously flood although I bet the pond is overflowing

Several sections of interstate closed including I10 thriugh Houston. Probably open again now

Some 30 unaccounted for in Blanco and San Marcos rivers watersheds

And they have more comiing. Really a disaster over there. Last count 39 counties declared disaster areas

Quote from: CharlieJ on May 27, 2015, 08:04:56 AM
Talked to sister, son, stepson yesterday. Three seperate cities. All doing fine as is my house.

Good to hear, Charlie.

I see from the weather map that you have some storms passing through your location, too. Hope that you and Tehani are riding them out all right.

Tucked into a tight little marina with a bulkhead just fifty feet aft. Down a longish canal. Aint much can happpen in here.

I'll be leaving the boat here for my trip back to Texas next week for the grandson's graduation. Couldn't find a better spot

Andso far all that has happened here is rain. Sometimes heavy but no winds

You are at/in the P-cola area still, right? Have any Craig sightings yet? :)

Talked to him. He's in California doing boat work

He's such an industrious young fella... ;D

As I hear the sad news about the flooding and loss of life in Texas, a new (to me) beautiful mournful version of this old familiar song (that I heard for the first time only a couple weeks ago) comes to mind...

The song Galveston made famous by Glen Campbell
Sung by its writer Jimmy Webb and featuring Lucinda Williams
from his album Just Across the River

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bK8wU47BUk 

Spent the day yesterday with another Sailfar'r.

Bruce and his lovely wife Nancy (of SnapDragon) Picked me up yesterday morning and we drove out tom their place in Milton. Delightful home and grounds, with many bird, lots of squirrels. Oh and many deer apparently. Nancy was a tad irritated because the deer had eaten the roses off one of her plants.

I had the chance to visit SnapDragon, and look over some of the projects Bruce has underway for her. SnapDragon is a twin keeler by the way

I had first met them when I was bringing Tehani back from the Chesapeake in Dec 2011.

A thoroughly relaxing day with excellent company.

Today I've sat and watched it rain most of the day

Glad to learn that you had a good visit, Charlie. It's encouraging to hear about fellow SailFarers getting together, when one or both are out cruising. I was glad to meet John when he trailer-sailed up here to Maine with his family.

Taking your good advice to thin out the fleet some, I have sold my Snapdragon 26 to a friend in town. A very worthy project, but am realizing how I just have too many of them. Time is passing too quickly and I'm getting old. Nice thing about selling it to a friend is that I may get to sail on her yet...and probably sooner. :)

It's been raining up here the past few days, too. Not too bad, but it sure makes the lawn grow fast. Plus...now I go more to mow with that boat gone! ;) 

CharlieJ,

Was enjoying the updates on your journey across the Gulf coast ICW, any progress to report?

Quote from: Cruiser2B on June 15, 2015, 07:04:49 PM
CharlieJ,

Was enjoying the updates on your journey across the Gulf coast ICW, any progress to report?

Arrived for BEER Cruise. Been here for it. I'll do some
updates tomorrow.  Just got back on boat from beach party. It's bedtime   Grin

Sorry for the long gap. Little wifi and no battery in computer. Still in Pensacola- plan  to begin the return to home on Monday.

BEER was fun. Here's a link to a video taken with a drone from one of the boats. At the anchorage shown, all of those boats were in attendance, including three trailered down from Canada

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ViPQFWsjPk

Great to hear from you Charlie, and that you had fun at BEER!  :)

That is a cool video with a couple good songs that are new to me as its soundtrack. Interesting to get the birds/drone's-eye view of the boats anchored near shore...beautiful.

I've captured a couple images of Tehani from the video...

Have a happy 4th of July holiday, and fair winds for you trip home.  :)

Any idea on how many boat there where this year ???

I think the final count was 47

And interesting little fact ;D

Not counting any sailing around home-JUST out cruising, since she was relaunched after the rebuild with todays run (in Louisiana heading home) Tehani has put slightly over eleven thousand miles under her keel !!!!

Yep- 11,000 miles


And another 8 travel days before home port  :D

Hey Charlie - are you getting close to Texas yet?
sent you a pm
Jim

Couple more days. Should be Mermentau River tonight

Sorry I'm going to miss you on your way through Freeport.  JW will give me the details, I suppose.

Ok, third try-

Sorry for the lack of updates lately but I've pretty much just been re-plowing old waters.. Nothing particularly new.

As of yesterday at 1700, Tehani entered her home slip in Port Lavaca. Matagorda Bay tried hard to kick our butts yesterday afternoon, with winds from the south at 18, putting the seas on my port quarter, which generated some pretty heavy rolling, but we survived  ;D

Total trip miles was 1559, bringing her cruising total to 11,560.

This closes another chapter in "From Tehani, out cruising"

until next time ;D ;D

Hope you had a great time! Thank you for sharing your latest trip. Look forward to following your adventures in the future with Tehani

Probably gonna be just local unless I find another mate to sail with. But thanks. All in all it was a good trip.  One episode with the engine, which once the carb was fixed, never even burped wrong again

Now that you are home why not load up your kayak and come over Friday evening for a group evening paddle from the jetties to boggy.  About a 4 mile paddle starts about 1945hrs.  I purchased a 12' sit on top Pelican.

Unfortunately the kayaks are down in Rockport, at Rachel's.

This gonna be a one shot deal or do several more times? Sounds interesting.

I think this will happen more.http://www.sabaypartnership.org/ (http://www.sabaypartnership.org/) I'll find out more about this Friday. I do know they have done some work on paddling trails here. http://www.dolphinkayak.net/index.html (http://www.dolphinkayak.net/index.html)   They have a 12 mile paddling coming up next month. 

ROFL- I either built  the signs shown in that link or Rhonda and I rebuilt them or some just like them at any rate. She has maps of kayak trails all over Powderhorn and Indianola.. Gave away the last ones I had back this spring but she has more.

Sure I'm interested.

Hay Cj
Glad you had a good trip and made it home safe and sound, gotta drop by chat some time and tell use about it :)

Be there just after 9 central

Charlie, if you have the time would you consider giving us a quick overview of your trip?  Where was the farthest point from PL you went to?  Time spent sailing vs. motoring, offshore vs. ICW?  General weather?  Any other thoughts or reflections of use to someone planning a similar trip? 

Sure Rach. Been busy since I got here. Maybe put something together tonight or tomorrow.

Sure enjoyed spending time with James. Wish you'd been there too.

Pictures or it didn't happen.......






:D ;D :o

Find a mate or a "mate" and meet us somewhere tropical this winter.  Really, that goes for all y'all sail far'ers.  Our northern trip got derailed, so we're trying to psych ourselves up for a southern one.

Jim_ME has been posting location  and pics for me during trip.. Didn't have any on  way back, because, already been there

Some how I missed those pics of that great looking boat from July 3rd?

CJ...she does have great lines! 

Yes she does. Rhodes knew his stuff. And she sails very well too

Quote from: CharlieJ on July 31, 2015, 11:34:02 AM
Jim_ME has been posting location  and pics for me during trip.. Didn't have any on  way back, because, already been there

On July 14th, Bastille Day, Charlie reported his position...
"...This is my 9th trip throught here, 3rd single hand. Anyway here's where i am. 8 travel days from home."
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=position@29.643366,-91.397003&z=12&t=m

Which I neglected to post...until now.  :(

And some photos that CJ shared the next day...

"Here's what I woke up to this morning...
Anchor light attracted them

• That's lazz hatch
• Here's solar panel
• Here's just one"

Bad Jim-Me...no donut...i could have made a bad joke about Cj picking up damels in distress :D
but now the moments just gone....*sigh* The Agony.....

:D
have a good one you 2

Geez....nuff there to make soup! Cheap protein   :o ;D ;)

Quote from: Cyric30 on August 03, 2015, 10:24:01 AM
Bad Jim-Me...no donut...i could have made a bad joke about Cj picking up damels in distress :D

Yup...my bad.

Quote from: Frank on August 03, 2015, 05:34:54 PM
Geez....nuff there to make soup! Cheap protein...

Maybe it was your Dutch-built boat...but what came to mind was the big scene from Blue Angel where MarlenE Dietrich in her conveniently over-starched skirt (kinda like a companionway dodger) sings Fallinkin Lovagain (never vantedtoo...)...

[deep voice with feeling]
"...Men gather to me like moths around a flame
and if their wings burn you know I'm not to blame..."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaZDiKRT1is

Anyone stumped for a boat name could do worse than naming her after such an audacious and risque cabaret singer...Lola-Lola... ;)