9:45 AM- to office to get a ride to Yorktown so we could catch a bus to Williamsburg..
10:20 AM -At Williamsburg...back into the 18th Century....Colonial Williamsburg is a 301 acre Historic Area containing more than 500 buildings and includes more than 35 exhibit sites and trade shops...on Wed...a lot of buildings are not open...so we walked the streets and went into a few places that we could get into....you need more than a day to do all that you can do here...our last bus back to Yorktown was at 3:30, so our time was very limited....
We first went to the Govenor's Palace...now I was facinated with this one...on the walls as decorations were hundreds of rifles and swords...maybe even a thousand or more....the original rifles were darker and at the top so people would not touch them...it is furnished the same as when Lord Dunmore lived there and the tour guide was a great young lady....and we were all in the day and invited to the ball that night and as we went thru the palace and saw the diff. rooms...it was interesting how they lived,etc....and we were told as ladies not to discuss politics as it is a sore subject right now with the men....and she wanted to make sure we wore silk dresses to the ball even if old and not home spun material dresses....that was kinda neat playing the role and listening and learning...
Lord Dunmore, by the way was the last British govenor of the colony at the time of the Revolution...He had 7 children...6 came over from Scotland with his wife, I think Charlotte was her name...their 6th child -little girl--was named "Virginia"..
2 daughters slept in same bedroom and their teacher had a bed in there as well...they were taught from the time they got up until they went to bed...the boys got to go to the "school"...dang men anyhow!
After we left there, we walked down the street and peeked into some of the small buildings that we could see in....most had lots of people and couldn't get inside -had to wait....it was hot and Ken was ready for a cold drink so we walked to find a Pub...heck, most of them were closed..I think Wed. is not a good day to go to town.
We finally got to the King's Arms Tavern opened in 1766. we had to wait a good 20 - 30 min in line to get in there...I had "Macaroni" veg. stuffed ravioli with a dill sherry sauce topped with tomatoes, button mushrooms and brocolli....Ken had a lovely ham and cheese sandwich....
So here is where the trouble began with the credit car....It was denied...wanted to know if we had another one...nope....so they over-rode the deny and we got our lunch.
We then walked to the Capitol and had a tour...here in 1776, Virginia's patriots voted for independence and a new state constitution...Over the next 5 years, the gov't conducted the war and introduced legislation that created the state's republican government. nowhere near as nice as the palace....we went into 3 rooms and back out....and down to the jail...interesting....they had 6 cells and inside a little stair thingy where you did your business.....the jail was only used as a holdng spot for felons and they were only held for 3 months, then they had their trial and were either sentenced to death or branded on the palm of their hand as a felon and let go....death was by hanging and it was a slow hang as no trap doors,etc. just plain ole hanging and people could watch....Some trials were held in the Capitol...courtroom...
Now it is going on 3PM and we still have so much more to see and our time is up...
We caught the bus back to Yorktown Victory Center where Dan came and picked us up and took us back to the marina...
5:00 PM we walk over to the restaurant to eat supper and Ken gets a hamburger and I get fish and this is the second time the credit card wouldn't work...we had to come up with cash between the two of us to pay the bill....not fun...
We get back to the boat and discuss our fate....call Credit Union in the morning and see what the heck is going on....Called Credit card number and we are not over our limit so what the heck....we did fax a note to increase our limit and wonder if we are in limbo until that is done...ugh! sure hope we are not compromised again....if so, we will have to get Stacie's credit card..hahahha! or Philip's...hehe...which ever one has the least bal due...
We just played cards and I tried to upload- I need another better picture thing than Shutterfly....It just takes so long and doesn't work half the time...I tried Kodak and that didn't work for me either...is there something else out there!
well, we will see what tomorrow brings...nite all!
GYPSY WIND
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Tues. Sept. 27th, cont'd
I tried to change something and this post took off and disappeared on me....I found it and posted what I had already written - I couldn't fix it, so I am starting where I left off...
Robbie then took us over to where the cannons were and gave us a lesson on them...the British had 244 cannons and the American/French had about 130 cannons...the diff. was the Americans had bigger and more powerful guns so the damage was bigger...helped to win the battle....
So much more to this story....about the tactics used,etc...and other things that came into play...British did not expect to find a French fleet of ships at the entrance of the York River when they came to try and help Cornwallis...and the French ended up defeating the British - they took their ships that were left and went back to New York... This all took place in the Fall of 1781...so much more information...just too much to tell,but interesting history....and Yorktown is where Cornwallis surrendered to Washington...only according to a movie we saw, Cornwallis was to ill to do the honor of surrender, so his second in Command did it...now I am confused and don't know who did what...so I will have to find out later....In Wash. DC, there is a huge painting on the wall of the Capitol of Washington on his horse and Cornwallis surrendering to him...so there you go....I don't know.
Anyhow, after that, we took a trolley ride into town and ate lunch at the High Tides Restaurnat...nice lunch...then walked out and about and then caught the trolley back to the visitor's center where we called Dan to come pick us up after we walked thru the small museum there...
It was a good day.
3:15 PM back to the boat and trying to upload pics again....got some done....
Ken went over to Activity Room to catch a little t.v.
6:30 PM I walked over to see if he wanted supper....we went back to the boat and ate sandwiches....
All in all, a very nice day and didn't rain until just a while ago and just for a few minutes...
We hope to go to Williamsburg tomorrow...back to uploading pics....send some out soon....
Robbie then took us over to where the cannons were and gave us a lesson on them...the British had 244 cannons and the American/French had about 130 cannons...the diff. was the Americans had bigger and more powerful guns so the damage was bigger...helped to win the battle....
So much more to this story....about the tactics used,etc...and other things that came into play...British did not expect to find a French fleet of ships at the entrance of the York River when they came to try and help Cornwallis...and the French ended up defeating the British - they took their ships that were left and went back to New York... This all took place in the Fall of 1781...so much more information...just too much to tell,but interesting history....and Yorktown is where Cornwallis surrendered to Washington...only according to a movie we saw, Cornwallis was to ill to do the honor of surrender, so his second in Command did it...now I am confused and don't know who did what...so I will have to find out later....In Wash. DC, there is a huge painting on the wall of the Capitol of Washington on his horse and Cornwallis surrendering to him...so there you go....I don't know.
Anyhow, after that, we took a trolley ride into town and ate lunch at the High Tides Restaurnat...nice lunch...then walked out and about and then caught the trolley back to the visitor's center where we called Dan to come pick us up after we walked thru the small museum there...
It was a good day.
3:15 PM back to the boat and trying to upload pics again....got some done....
Ken went over to Activity Room to catch a little t.v.
6:30 PM I walked over to see if he wanted supper....we went back to the boat and ate sandwiches....
All in all, a very nice day and didn't rain until just a while ago and just for a few minutes...
We hope to go to Williamsburg tomorrow...back to uploading pics....send some out soon....
Sept. 27,2011 Yorktown, VA (Battlefield,etc.)
Cloudy 60% chance of rain low 80's and HUMID
7:30 AM up and trying to upload pics....stupid shutterfly!
8:30 AM back to Ladies Room - lost my makeup...ugh!
9:45 AM to the office to catch a ride to Yorktown...we waited a couple minutes and this guy comes in - older fella - big smile on his face- looked at me and Ken and said, "You need a ride?" yep we do,so we follow him out to his car (no van) It is a Jaguar...whoa nellie! we get in and he gives us a ride to the visitor center...then hands us his card so we can call when we need a ride back...His name "Dan Bacot" Chariman of York River Yacht Haven....part owner...he was so neat...he knows a lot of history as well....gave us a little tour as we went to the center....
10:15 at Visitor Center of the Yorktown Battlefield (a national park) and we have the old folks nat'l park pass...that we paid $10 for at Ft. Henry back at Baltimore...and got to use it here...so we get in free now...that's what old folks do...find deals and freebies....
We got there just in time for a tour of the battlefield and little history lesson.
Robbie Smith was our guide and she knew her stuff....we walked out into the field near the York River and she explained where the British under Cornwallis set up their site during the Revolutionary War where the British thought would be the turning point for them that if they could capture Virginia, the states south of Virginia would return to British allegiance...all would be good....didn't count on George Washington and the French to spoil this plan....There was a seige of the British camp at (Yorktown) Sir Henry Clinton the highest ranked British Officer in America at the time wanted Cornwallis to establish a naval base somewhere in the lower Chesapeake Bay area and this is where he ended up (Yorktown)
7:30 AM up and trying to upload pics....stupid shutterfly!
8:30 AM back to Ladies Room - lost my makeup...ugh!
9:45 AM to the office to catch a ride to Yorktown...we waited a couple minutes and this guy comes in - older fella - big smile on his face- looked at me and Ken and said, "You need a ride?" yep we do,so we follow him out to his car (no van) It is a Jaguar...whoa nellie! we get in and he gives us a ride to the visitor center...then hands us his card so we can call when we need a ride back...His name "Dan Bacot" Chariman of York River Yacht Haven....part owner...he was so neat...he knows a lot of history as well....gave us a little tour as we went to the center....
10:15 at Visitor Center of the Yorktown Battlefield (a national park) and we have the old folks nat'l park pass...that we paid $10 for at Ft. Henry back at Baltimore...and got to use it here...so we get in free now...that's what old folks do...find deals and freebies....
We got there just in time for a tour of the battlefield and little history lesson.
Robbie Smith was our guide and she knew her stuff....we walked out into the field near the York River and she explained where the British under Cornwallis set up their site during the Revolutionary War where the British thought would be the turning point for them that if they could capture Virginia, the states south of Virginia would return to British allegiance...all would be good....didn't count on George Washington and the French to spoil this plan....There was a seige of the British camp at (Yorktown) Sir Henry Clinton the highest ranked British Officer in America at the time wanted Cornwallis to establish a naval base somewhere in the lower Chesapeake Bay area and this is where he ended up (Yorktown)
Monday, September 26, 2011
Sept. 26, 2011 cont'd
I was not finished with my blog...It just posted before I was done...ugh!
We went up the York River about 8 miles into Sarah Creek - went by 110 ft. yacht to get to our dock...gorgeous boat....
4:00 PM we docked...Matt helped us..then up to the office to check in...we will be here 3 days...pay for 2, 3rd one free....so we loaded up and went and took showers, not even close to the nice ones we just left...then upstairs to the activity room where there is a t.v. We have watched tv 3 times in 2 months....so we watched a little ESPN..then back to the boat...ate leftovers ....got on the computer...took turns using it....now my turn, so I am finishing up and gonna try to upload pics then go to bed....tomorrow is suppose to rain, but going out site seeing anyhow...
nite nite! sweet dreams!
We went up the York River about 8 miles into Sarah Creek - went by 110 ft. yacht to get to our dock...gorgeous boat....
4:00 PM we docked...Matt helped us..then up to the office to check in...we will be here 3 days...pay for 2, 3rd one free....so we loaded up and went and took showers, not even close to the nice ones we just left...then upstairs to the activity room where there is a t.v. We have watched tv 3 times in 2 months....so we watched a little ESPN..then back to the boat...ate leftovers ....got on the computer...took turns using it....now my turn, so I am finishing up and gonna try to upload pics then go to bed....tomorrow is suppose to rain, but going out site seeing anyhow...
nite nite! sweet dreams!
Monday, Sept. 26, 2011 York River Yacht Haven
7:30 AM- up and getting ready to head out...had to ck out and wait for dock master as the gal at the desk could not find our information in the computer....finally got that taken care of...they gave us $35 discount for the trouble....
8:45 AM -Left the dock and headed out into the York River...It was over an hour before we were back into the Chesapeake Bay...this time it was a nice ride, very little waves, hardly any wind...low 80's and a bit humid...
We were out there a while and Ken said, "Did you see that?" I said, "what"...he said it looked like a dolphin ....so now I am looking and I see nothing, so I look out where we had been and I see this fin come up...did not see the nose or the body, but just a fin...and then it goes down and I see it again...now, I'm thinking, I do hope that is a dolphin.....not a shark! after a while, I saw another, yep...I am pretty sure it was a dolphin...kinda neat...
Also, watching the brown pelican's dive for fish and the big splash they make...fun to watch
8:45 AM -Left the dock and headed out into the York River...It was over an hour before we were back into the Chesapeake Bay...this time it was a nice ride, very little waves, hardly any wind...low 80's and a bit humid...
We were out there a while and Ken said, "Did you see that?" I said, "what"...he said it looked like a dolphin ....so now I am looking and I see nothing, so I look out where we had been and I see this fin come up...did not see the nose or the body, but just a fin...and then it goes down and I see it again...now, I'm thinking, I do hope that is a dolphin.....not a shark! after a while, I saw another, yep...I am pretty sure it was a dolphin...kinda neat...
Also, watching the brown pelican's dive for fish and the big splash they make...fun to watch
Sunday Sept. 25, 20111
My Sister -Paula's birthday today...Happy Birthday PJ!!!!
8:00 AM - to the showers
9:45 AM - Lobby in Hotel for shuttle ride to church
10:20 AM- At St. Francis De Sales Church.....quaint little church...there were people in church already, so I didn't go around taking pictures....
11:00 -12:00 Mass.....nice, but not like home....miss our priest and church....
12:00- Lamar picked us up - took us to get groceries then back to the marina...
read the paper, take little nap....
3:30 PM up and you won't believe this actually fixing dinner....we had meatloaf, baked potatoes, brussel sprouts and salad....first real homemade meal I've cooked in 2 months..I just wanted some home cooking....
We've had so much rain lately, hard to plan or do anything outside....Ken emptied the couple inches of water in the dinghy...we tried to get on the computer, no go...so I played cards for a while and read....he watched games on his phone and we turned in early....tomorrow is a travel day....this was a nice stay here...people were nice and not a far walk to restrooms and got our hair cut, groceries, free rides, and free laundry....gotta love it....
oh, and they put a newspaper on our boat every morning and free coffee!
tomorrow is another day..hope going out into the Chesapeake is a good ride!
8:00 AM - to the showers
9:45 AM - Lobby in Hotel for shuttle ride to church
10:20 AM- At St. Francis De Sales Church.....quaint little church...there were people in church already, so I didn't go around taking pictures....
11:00 -12:00 Mass.....nice, but not like home....miss our priest and church....
12:00- Lamar picked us up - took us to get groceries then back to the marina...
read the paper, take little nap....
3:30 PM up and you won't believe this actually fixing dinner....we had meatloaf, baked potatoes, brussel sprouts and salad....first real homemade meal I've cooked in 2 months..I just wanted some home cooking....
We've had so much rain lately, hard to plan or do anything outside....Ken emptied the couple inches of water in the dinghy...we tried to get on the computer, no go...so I played cards for a while and read....he watched games on his phone and we turned in early....tomorrow is a travel day....this was a nice stay here...people were nice and not a far walk to restrooms and got our hair cut, groceries, free rides, and free laundry....gotta love it....
oh, and they put a newspaper on our boat every morning and free coffee!
tomorrow is another day..hope going out into the Chesapeake is a good ride!
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Sat. Sept. 24, 2011
9:00 AM up and to showers
10:00 AM- back and trying to get on line....having trouble
11:00 AM I leave Ken and go to do laundry...oh my what a surprise....IT IS FREE!!!!
and they are great.....
1:30 PM back to the boat as laundry is finished...
Ken has a ballgame on....
1:45 PM...we go get lunch in the Chesapeake Restaurant at the Tides Inn...I got a chicken wrap and ff, Ken got a seafood fare....It was ok...my sandwich had no dressing or anything...dry...no good, had to ask for mayo....Ken had a beer, me water and it came to $34.oo not inc. tip...ugh! we will eat on the boat tonight...
Ken watched Syracuse beat Toledo in football, now the yankee's are playing and I am giving back the computer....so unless something fun happens, this is it until tomorrow......rained most of the day...I read, played cards and got on line a bit...
I am ready for the next port, but we won't go until Monday as we will go to Mass tomorrow morning...Lamar got all the info for us and will drive us....
10:00 AM- back and trying to get on line....having trouble
11:00 AM I leave Ken and go to do laundry...oh my what a surprise....IT IS FREE!!!!
and they are great.....
1:30 PM back to the boat as laundry is finished...
Ken has a ballgame on....
1:45 PM...we go get lunch in the Chesapeake Restaurant at the Tides Inn...I got a chicken wrap and ff, Ken got a seafood fare....It was ok...my sandwich had no dressing or anything...dry...no good, had to ask for mayo....Ken had a beer, me water and it came to $34.oo not inc. tip...ugh! we will eat on the boat tonight...
Ken watched Syracuse beat Toledo in football, now the yankee's are playing and I am giving back the computer....so unless something fun happens, this is it until tomorrow......rained most of the day...I read, played cards and got on line a bit...
I am ready for the next port, but we won't go until Monday as we will go to Mass tomorrow morning...Lamar got all the info for us and will drive us....
Friday, Sept. 23, 2011 Tides Inn
7:15 AM alarm went off...what the heck....Ken set the alarm for ME to get up and check us in as I have the credit card,etc....dang it...he usually does this part...
8:30 AM- Craig, Dock Master puts newspaper on our boat...well he is here, might as well go sign in...so I catch him on the dock and we go over and sign us in - all that jazz....
9:45 AM Ken and I out at the front entrance to catch the shuttle into town about 5 or 6 miles away....Lamar was our driver...gave us a quick tour around town...small town...then dropped us off at Lester's Barber Shop....been years since I've been in a barber shop...think Steve was just a little boy..... so Ken says to me....it will be about 20 min. I said, no problem, I will wait with you...starting to sprinkle so we go inside and sit...there are 2 men sitting and one in the chair...so I am listening to these ole men talk....so funny...so Lester is finishing the first guy...bald headed, shaved his head all done....the old guy gets in the chair and Lester is cutting his hair and man is it taking a long time...going so stinkin slow...then another guy comes in and come to find out, Lester left his glasses at home...eeee gads....so Wayne went to his house and got the glasses as he didn't want Lester to cut his hair when he couldn't see good...Ken was glad to see Wayne bring the glasses back as he just sat in the chair and he was just hoping he still had both ears by the time Lester was done...Ken made a big mistake...told Lester to cut it off just like his....I've never seen Ken's hair cut this short....at least now his hat fits better....
So after 1 hr and 30 min....of hair cutting, we leave and walk over to the only cafe in town called Lee's ,,,went in front door, it was packed, no place to sit, so this guy in the back of the room looks right at me and waves us to come back there, so we do and we sat with them. Said there was plenty of room....so we order,etc. and are talking with them...They have a place in Weems, VA not far from here....they also have a place in Marathon, FL.(Alex and Cindy don't know if you know them) Bill and Lynn Phelps...they have a 47 ft. catalina and they spend summers up here and winters down in Marathon...they have a home there as well....they were friendly and great to talk with...
After lunch, we are walking down the street and see a sign that says "Hair Design" walk-ins welcome, so I go in and see if I can get my hair cut..well, Yes....$32 for a trim....I probably should have let Ken cut it...but it is ok....so we leave there and go to a Thrift Store run by volunters for the Save the Pet group...dogs and cats.
We look around...some really neat stuff...can't buy anything, no room on the boat...so we are just about to leave and it is now pouring rain....called for the shuttle...be about 15 min...or so...so we stay at the doorway then as the rain slowed down, we went outside and a couple min. later Lamar was there to get us...nice young man...has 2 kids 5 yrs and 22 months...the way he talked you knew he loved those boys...
3 PM...
He drove us right to the dock....pouring again...so we got to the boat and got on and now we stayed on for the rest of the day.....
Walked around the grounds a little...boy is it nice and plush,etc...had free coffee this morning and a free shuttle ride....not bad..everyone here is very nice...
The water is shallow and nice view, but i think you would have to go back into the bay to sail....there is a winery a couple miles away and a boat museum....maybe we will ck out tomorrow....been a good day......
8:30 AM- Craig, Dock Master puts newspaper on our boat...well he is here, might as well go sign in...so I catch him on the dock and we go over and sign us in - all that jazz....
9:45 AM Ken and I out at the front entrance to catch the shuttle into town about 5 or 6 miles away....Lamar was our driver...gave us a quick tour around town...small town...then dropped us off at Lester's Barber Shop....been years since I've been in a barber shop...think Steve was just a little boy..... so Ken says to me....it will be about 20 min. I said, no problem, I will wait with you...starting to sprinkle so we go inside and sit...there are 2 men sitting and one in the chair...so I am listening to these ole men talk....so funny...so Lester is finishing the first guy...bald headed, shaved his head all done....the old guy gets in the chair and Lester is cutting his hair and man is it taking a long time...going so stinkin slow...then another guy comes in and come to find out, Lester left his glasses at home...eeee gads....so Wayne went to his house and got the glasses as he didn't want Lester to cut his hair when he couldn't see good...Ken was glad to see Wayne bring the glasses back as he just sat in the chair and he was just hoping he still had both ears by the time Lester was done...Ken made a big mistake...told Lester to cut it off just like his....I've never seen Ken's hair cut this short....at least now his hat fits better....
So after 1 hr and 30 min....of hair cutting, we leave and walk over to the only cafe in town called Lee's ,,,went in front door, it was packed, no place to sit, so this guy in the back of the room looks right at me and waves us to come back there, so we do and we sat with them. Said there was plenty of room....so we order,etc. and are talking with them...They have a place in Weems, VA not far from here....they also have a place in Marathon, FL.(Alex and Cindy don't know if you know them) Bill and Lynn Phelps...they have a 47 ft. catalina and they spend summers up here and winters down in Marathon...they have a home there as well....they were friendly and great to talk with...
After lunch, we are walking down the street and see a sign that says "Hair Design" walk-ins welcome, so I go in and see if I can get my hair cut..well, Yes....$32 for a trim....I probably should have let Ken cut it...but it is ok....so we leave there and go to a Thrift Store run by volunters for the Save the Pet group...dogs and cats.
We look around...some really neat stuff...can't buy anything, no room on the boat...so we are just about to leave and it is now pouring rain....called for the shuttle...be about 15 min...or so...so we stay at the doorway then as the rain slowed down, we went outside and a couple min. later Lamar was there to get us...nice young man...has 2 kids 5 yrs and 22 months...the way he talked you knew he loved those boys...
3 PM...
He drove us right to the dock....pouring again...so we got to the boat and got on and now we stayed on for the rest of the day.....
Walked around the grounds a little...boy is it nice and plush,etc...had free coffee this morning and a free shuttle ride....not bad..everyone here is very nice...
The water is shallow and nice view, but i think you would have to go back into the bay to sail....there is a winery a couple miles away and a boat museum....maybe we will ck out tomorrow....been a good day......
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Thurs. Sept. 22,2011 Tides Inn....
8:30 Left Port Kinsale Marina after the Fog had lifted....
9:30 AM- Navy Patrol out again rounding up stray boats....their message to stay clear and go between certain buoy's as the Navy Danger Zone is about to go LIVE!
We could see 2 Navy ships in the distance, but away from the path we were taking.
We left Potomac River back into the Chesapeake Bay and rounded down South to Rappahannock River up about 9 miles into Carter Creek and to Irvington, VA to the Tides Inn Resort and Marina....
5:00 PM we docked....Craig helped us...showed us where to dock and helped tie up...
We hope to do some site-seeing tomorrow, but suppose to rain all day..hope the weather man is wrong....
Can't wear jeans into restaurant and have to have reservations...what do you think....maybe out of our league....a little costly here...on top of slip cost, we have to pay $24 to use amenities...only good thing is it is after Labor Day and the rate for the boat is not as high....eeee gads.....
We went for showers, then back to the boat...ate supper and Ken's back is bothering him so he is laying down....He will get back up to watch the game on the computer...
It's 7;00 PM and all is well except the 2 blisters still on top of my toes...ouch!!!!
9:30 AM- Navy Patrol out again rounding up stray boats....their message to stay clear and go between certain buoy's as the Navy Danger Zone is about to go LIVE!
We could see 2 Navy ships in the distance, but away from the path we were taking.
We left Potomac River back into the Chesapeake Bay and rounded down South to Rappahannock River up about 9 miles into Carter Creek and to Irvington, VA to the Tides Inn Resort and Marina....
5:00 PM we docked....Craig helped us...showed us where to dock and helped tie up...
We hope to do some site-seeing tomorrow, but suppose to rain all day..hope the weather man is wrong....
Can't wear jeans into restaurant and have to have reservations...what do you think....maybe out of our league....a little costly here...on top of slip cost, we have to pay $24 to use amenities...only good thing is it is after Labor Day and the rate for the boat is not as high....eeee gads.....
We went for showers, then back to the boat...ate supper and Ken's back is bothering him so he is laying down....He will get back up to watch the game on the computer...
It's 7;00 PM and all is well except the 2 blisters still on top of my toes...ouch!!!!
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Wed. Sept. 21, 2011 what WAR games!
7:30 AM- up and getting ready to head out to Port Kinsale marina...
8:15 AM- left the dock at Colonial Beach....
9:00 AM- I am down below reading - too chilly to sit out with Ken....when I hear Ken talking on the radio...I listen...apparently there is a Navy Patrol boat next to ours...they are explaining to Ken that we are in a Hot Zone for the naval war games...they come out and target practice and we are in their zone....eee gads...we have 3-1/2 miles before we are ok...we have to stay within the yellow buoy's and when we get to J-marker we are clear....well dang...so we head where they tell us and a few min. later I hear the navy patrol on the radio warning another boater that he is in the line of fire....he has to move over as well...we are too slow a target anyhow...no fun in shooting us out of the water...needed a faster boat, bigger challange....
1:30 PM we arrive at Kinsale fuel dock.....after fueling and pump out we head over to a slip for the night....
ken listens to ballgame...Yankee's won..1st game....dbl header....playing Tampa Bay
4:00 PM we go for showers
5:00 make supper...left over spaghetti....
We went 35 miles today....we may do about the same tomorrow..heading to Reedville, VA
if all goes well....
8:15 AM- left the dock at Colonial Beach....
9:00 AM- I am down below reading - too chilly to sit out with Ken....when I hear Ken talking on the radio...I listen...apparently there is a Navy Patrol boat next to ours...they are explaining to Ken that we are in a Hot Zone for the naval war games...they come out and target practice and we are in their zone....eee gads...we have 3-1/2 miles before we are ok...we have to stay within the yellow buoy's and when we get to J-marker we are clear....well dang...so we head where they tell us and a few min. later I hear the navy patrol on the radio warning another boater that he is in the line of fire....he has to move over as well...we are too slow a target anyhow...no fun in shooting us out of the water...needed a faster boat, bigger challange....
1:30 PM we arrive at Kinsale fuel dock.....after fueling and pump out we head over to a slip for the night....
ken listens to ballgame...Yankee's won..1st game....dbl header....playing Tampa Bay
4:00 PM we go for showers
5:00 make supper...left over spaghetti....
We went 35 miles today....we may do about the same tomorrow..heading to Reedville, VA
if all goes well....
Tues. Sept. 20,2011 "on the road again"
8:00 AM- shower - 2 shower stalls, one being repaired so that leaves one stall...and it is tiny, you can't turn around hardly...then the plug in for the dryer is above the air conditioner, had to go back to the boat to finish....
9:10 Ken back from shower....
Went to the office to check in...it was closed when we got in last night...
Called a taxi to go into town...tried walking last time here...about a 6 mile walk one way...no benches to sit on and rest...no way 'jose'...
Went to Lion King or Food Lion or whatever it is....worst thing I paid for was 1/2 gal of milk $3.....that one got me....no best buys...expensive trip, between groceries and taxi fare....
2:30 took metal detector out to the man made beach that is mostly washed away from Irene and Lee and found a quarter....
4:30 back to the boat...we could hear the naval ships firing guns in the distance...they practice during the week ....scary sound....like watching "Gone with the Wind" when those yankees were taking over Atlanta....poor Scarlet....
Made spaghetti and meatballs for super with salad...very good....left overs for tomorrow.....
Kinda boring when there is nothing going on in the marina and too far to get to town and no history, well a little history...something about bodies in the water out there at the marina...years ago....I may have to investigate that story....
To bed early after reading for a while...could not get on the internet....
9:10 Ken back from shower....
Went to the office to check in...it was closed when we got in last night...
Called a taxi to go into town...tried walking last time here...about a 6 mile walk one way...no benches to sit on and rest...no way 'jose'...
Went to Lion King or Food Lion or whatever it is....worst thing I paid for was 1/2 gal of milk $3.....that one got me....no best buys...expensive trip, between groceries and taxi fare....
2:30 took metal detector out to the man made beach that is mostly washed away from Irene and Lee and found a quarter....
4:30 back to the boat...we could hear the naval ships firing guns in the distance...they practice during the week ....scary sound....like watching "Gone with the Wind" when those yankees were taking over Atlanta....poor Scarlet....
Made spaghetti and meatballs for super with salad...very good....left overs for tomorrow.....
Kinda boring when there is nothing going on in the marina and too far to get to town and no history, well a little history...something about bodies in the water out there at the marina...years ago....I may have to investigate that story....
To bed early after reading for a while...could not get on the internet....
Monday, September 19, 2011
Monday, Sept. 19,2011 to Colonial Beach, VA
7:45 AM - Left D-18 slip in Wash. DC, headed to Colonial Beach, VA....
8:10 AM- Pulled up to James Creek Fuel dock...suppose to be open at 7 am..no one to be found..Ken went on a quick walk...no luck, I called the office and they said someone was on their way...when the guy got to the dock, he had to open up his little house, turn computer on and get all the gas pump readings before he could fuel us...
8:37 AM - we pulled away from the dock and headed to Colonial Beach....if you recall, it took us 10 hrs to get to Wash.DC from Colonial Beach...we hope to have
better time with current going our way....
9:30 Ken wanted some lively music (I think to keep him awake) I gave him that and more....I put on the oldies and first song was "Let's Twist Again" so I did the twist for him down below then out in the cockpit....Yep, I kept him awake alright....
Twistin like we did last summer....lucky you didn't have to watch...hahahaha!
So as we were underway a while, we saw something like a fort to our port side, looked it up on the map and it was Ft. Washington....so I have my camera ready to take a couple pictures, but got even more than I was expecting as I looked at buoy 81 on top of it was an Eagle...so I took his picture as he left and while in flight...It sure was fun to watch...
I spent most of the time below as it was chilly today....both of us had jackets on.
The change of season's I presume...It must have gotten to 70, but with the wind chill, back to the 60 something...partly cloudy....wind picked up and got some waves.
4:30 Under the Harry Nice Bridge....
6:15 Docked at Colonial Beach Yacht Club...someone in our parking spot...I called and reserved it this morning....dang..we parked across the way from the nice 42 ft. Hunter...very nice looking boat....
Went up and got a sandwich ($1 hamburger) for me -Ken got scallop basket....all very good...Football night they have specials...I got one of them...
Back to the boat and trying to upload pics, no go...tried hotmail, no go...tried facebook, no go...but I could get on my blog.....
Happy to be at port and safe as always....many blessings ....
So the high tide is here and with the wind and waves, etc. the water is running into the parking lot....happens about 5-6 times a year...this is one of them...some fixed docks....water is almost to the top and looks like boats will just fall over...eek!
Should start going back out in about 5-10 min....gonna go look...for now, that is it folks....see ya tomorrow....
8:10 AM- Pulled up to James Creek Fuel dock...suppose to be open at 7 am..no one to be found..Ken went on a quick walk...no luck, I called the office and they said someone was on their way...when the guy got to the dock, he had to open up his little house, turn computer on and get all the gas pump readings before he could fuel us...
8:37 AM - we pulled away from the dock and headed to Colonial Beach....if you recall, it took us 10 hrs to get to Wash.DC from Colonial Beach...we hope to have
better time with current going our way....
9:30 Ken wanted some lively music (I think to keep him awake) I gave him that and more....I put on the oldies and first song was "Let's Twist Again" so I did the twist for him down below then out in the cockpit....Yep, I kept him awake alright....
Twistin like we did last summer....lucky you didn't have to watch...hahahaha!
So as we were underway a while, we saw something like a fort to our port side, looked it up on the map and it was Ft. Washington....so I have my camera ready to take a couple pictures, but got even more than I was expecting as I looked at buoy 81 on top of it was an Eagle...so I took his picture as he left and while in flight...It sure was fun to watch...
I spent most of the time below as it was chilly today....both of us had jackets on.
The change of season's I presume...It must have gotten to 70, but with the wind chill, back to the 60 something...partly cloudy....wind picked up and got some waves.
4:30 Under the Harry Nice Bridge....
6:15 Docked at Colonial Beach Yacht Club...someone in our parking spot...I called and reserved it this morning....dang..we parked across the way from the nice 42 ft. Hunter...very nice looking boat....
Went up and got a sandwich ($1 hamburger) for me -Ken got scallop basket....all very good...Football night they have specials...I got one of them...
Back to the boat and trying to upload pics, no go...tried hotmail, no go...tried facebook, no go...but I could get on my blog.....
Happy to be at port and safe as always....many blessings ....
So the high tide is here and with the wind and waves, etc. the water is running into the parking lot....happens about 5-6 times a year...this is one of them...some fixed docks....water is almost to the top and looks like boats will just fall over...eek!
Should start going back out in about 5-10 min....gonna go look...for now, that is it folks....see ya tomorrow....
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Sunday....Sept. 18,2011 last day in Wash.DC
9:00 uploading some pictures...slow, so stinkin slow...
9:30 AM- Ken up-- we load up clothes,etc. and head to take showers and do laundry.
11:45 AM back to the boat....
1:00 PM walk over to American Grill - turkey club for lunch...
2:00 PM back to the boat....can't upload pics so I go take a nap...Ken gets on line to watch a couple ballgames...
4:45 PM I get up from my nap....
5:30 PM walk over to the wharf to get some shrimp,etc...walk around the back side to see what is there...wow...you should have seen all the diff. fish,etc...unbelievable...there is a constant flow of cars in and out...almost saw a little road rage in the parking lot....guy with big black SUV starting to back out as a little sporty car was going thru the lot and he honked at the SUV to stop so he could get by..the guy in the SUV opens his door and yells at the other guy to back up so he can continue to get out....man o man....life in the fast lane...
7:30 PM I start blogging as I cannot upload any pics on shutterfly...try later...
Been a great stay in Washington, DC...people here are very very nice and we would recommend this marina to anyone coming to Wash.DC by boat....
gonna upload pics if poss. then to bed....tomorrow, we head back to Colonial Beach, VA....long ride....later gators...
9:30 AM- Ken up-- we load up clothes,etc. and head to take showers and do laundry.
11:45 AM back to the boat....
1:00 PM walk over to American Grill - turkey club for lunch...
2:00 PM back to the boat....can't upload pics so I go take a nap...Ken gets on line to watch a couple ballgames...
4:45 PM I get up from my nap....
5:30 PM walk over to the wharf to get some shrimp,etc...walk around the back side to see what is there...wow...you should have seen all the diff. fish,etc...unbelievable...there is a constant flow of cars in and out...almost saw a little road rage in the parking lot....guy with big black SUV starting to back out as a little sporty car was going thru the lot and he honked at the SUV to stop so he could get by..the guy in the SUV opens his door and yells at the other guy to back up so he can continue to get out....man o man....life in the fast lane...
7:30 PM I start blogging as I cannot upload any pics on shutterfly...try later...
Been a great stay in Washington, DC...people here are very very nice and we would recommend this marina to anyone coming to Wash.DC by boat....
gonna upload pics if poss. then to bed....tomorrow, we head back to Colonial Beach, VA....long ride....later gators...
Sat. Sept. 17,2011 Enough fun already!
8:15 Up & to showers....print out bank statement
9:30 AM- upload a few pictures
11:30 AM- leave for Washington touristy things...First Stop Aquarium - Waste of time and money,...cost $20 and the aquarium is located in the basement of a huge bldg. and it consists of about 30 or 40 large fish tanks.... gal that took our money said shark feeding at 2 PM..It was around 1 PM when we got there....so after about 1/2 hr, we were done and sitting waiting for the feeding....then we went to the large aquariam (size about 5 x 10 ft. in the wall)....they dropped some pieces of shrimp and the 2 ft. sharks just swam by them...the little fish ate the shrimp...great...I waited for that...my favorite aquarium is The Aquarium of the America's in New orleans....love that one....
Now this Aquarium is on 14th Street....we have to walk all the way past the Nat'l Mall and Capitol to get to St. Peter's Church for Mass...but we have plenty of time...We get to 7th St and walk to the Mall and watch these young people (20 somethings) play a game with a frisbee....Fun to watch...they have 2 teams...7 people on each team...the white team throws the frisbee to the blue team...as soon as it is caught or touched...game on....whoever has the frisbee has to stop where they are at and try to throw to another member of their team without it hitting the ground or getting intercepted or blocked...trying to get to other side of field...almost like frisbee football....I asked one of the young people the name and he said "Ultimate" Frisbee....asked if Ken and I wanted to play....losers have to buy the beer....so what you think they meant by that!!!!!!
We continued down the Mall to the Grant Memorial...the pool there, kinda smelled bad...then we figured we still had to find the church so we started walking and found 2nd St. NW.....we needed 2nd St SE...dang what direction do we go...we went around the block, no 2nd ST SE so we saw a Wash. DC finest in his car on the corner down from the Capitol....asked him where St.Peter's Church was...2nd St. SE....he said go back the way you came to "C" street, turn left and go all the way up to 2nd SE...a few blocks,,,great...thanked him....he almost didn't give us directions...Again, I had a shirt on that he did not like "S A I N T S"...he said he would tell us but he doesn't like Saints fans....dang....he smiled...great smile!
We walk and walk and up hill...took a couple of timeouts as I am dying here...feet finally have had enough...well we make it to the Church with 45 min. to spare....
we prayed a lot ...while waiting for Mass....then after Mass we walk back down the street and by the same cop that gave us directions...he was outside his car talking with another police officer, when we walked by and I said " still looking for that Church"...he said "you've got to be kidding" I then said "Yeah" he cracked up...and wished us a good day.
got back to the marina area...stopped at Jenny's Chinese and had a lovely dinner....
7:15 PM back on the boat....
took socks and shoes off....3 blisters -large ones on top of my toes -both feet...so I take care of them...I could not have gotten off the boat even if it were on fire or sinking....I am done, so done. Stinkin Ken is fine....Ken looked for a bucket to put hot water in so I could soak my feet...too small (the bucket) he suggested I sit on the sink and put a foot in each side of the sink...nope, just put me to bed!!!!!
I've had enough fun already!
9:30 AM- upload a few pictures
11:30 AM- leave for Washington touristy things...First Stop Aquarium - Waste of time and money,...cost $20 and the aquarium is located in the basement of a huge bldg. and it consists of about 30 or 40 large fish tanks.... gal that took our money said shark feeding at 2 PM..It was around 1 PM when we got there....so after about 1/2 hr, we were done and sitting waiting for the feeding....then we went to the large aquariam (size about 5 x 10 ft. in the wall)....they dropped some pieces of shrimp and the 2 ft. sharks just swam by them...the little fish ate the shrimp...great...I waited for that...my favorite aquarium is The Aquarium of the America's in New orleans....love that one....
Now this Aquarium is on 14th Street....we have to walk all the way past the Nat'l Mall and Capitol to get to St. Peter's Church for Mass...but we have plenty of time...We get to 7th St and walk to the Mall and watch these young people (20 somethings) play a game with a frisbee....Fun to watch...they have 2 teams...7 people on each team...the white team throws the frisbee to the blue team...as soon as it is caught or touched...game on....whoever has the frisbee has to stop where they are at and try to throw to another member of their team without it hitting the ground or getting intercepted or blocked...trying to get to other side of field...almost like frisbee football....I asked one of the young people the name and he said "Ultimate" Frisbee....asked if Ken and I wanted to play....losers have to buy the beer....so what you think they meant by that!!!!!!
We continued down the Mall to the Grant Memorial...the pool there, kinda smelled bad...then we figured we still had to find the church so we started walking and found 2nd St. NW.....we needed 2nd St SE...dang what direction do we go...we went around the block, no 2nd ST SE so we saw a Wash. DC finest in his car on the corner down from the Capitol....asked him where St.Peter's Church was...2nd St. SE....he said go back the way you came to "C" street, turn left and go all the way up to 2nd SE...a few blocks,,,great...thanked him....he almost didn't give us directions...Again, I had a shirt on that he did not like "S A I N T S"...he said he would tell us but he doesn't like Saints fans....dang....he smiled...great smile!
We walk and walk and up hill...took a couple of timeouts as I am dying here...feet finally have had enough...well we make it to the Church with 45 min. to spare....
we prayed a lot ...while waiting for Mass....then after Mass we walk back down the street and by the same cop that gave us directions...he was outside his car talking with another police officer, when we walked by and I said " still looking for that Church"...he said "you've got to be kidding" I then said "Yeah" he cracked up...and wished us a good day.
got back to the marina area...stopped at Jenny's Chinese and had a lovely dinner....
7:15 PM back on the boat....
took socks and shoes off....3 blisters -large ones on top of my toes -both feet...so I take care of them...I could not have gotten off the boat even if it were on fire or sinking....I am done, so done. Stinkin Ken is fine....Ken looked for a bucket to put hot water in so I could soak my feet...too small (the bucket) he suggested I sit on the sink and put a foot in each side of the sink...nope, just put me to bed!!!!!
I've had enough fun already!
Friday, September 16, 2011
It's Friday! Sept. 16, 2011 Happy Day!
Got birthday greetings first thing this morning from good friends Judy & Bob Houle. then started getting phone calls, emails and facebook greetings...thank you all for the good wishes...it was a great day today!
9:30 left the marina and headed for the Capitol...I decided to take a diff. route as we have been going the same way everyday just about and I was looking to see if we might go by a grocery store as we need to get groceries....no luck...I took us thru a not so nice area of Wash. DC...only good thing, lots of police in the area..It took us a little longer than planned -but got to the Capitol 40 min. early and the gal asked if we wanted to do a tour earlier, we could go with a group at 11 a.m. instead of 11:40 that we were scheduled for...so we did...It was a good tour...got to take pictures...I am 3 days behind doing pics, but will catch up....
After the tour, we tried to get into Senate....gone for the weekend....Then we looked up where our Congressman's office was and when we got to the building, the door was closed....maybe could have got another entrance, but think they were gone for the weekend as well as it was approaching 2 PM....
Don't ever get lunch at the Restaurant in the Capitol Bldg....they charge outrageous prices...some things .75/oz....some .87/oz and then side dishes were $2.95, for a tiny bowl of vegs..etc...our lunch cost $37 - we had a water and coke also...each had a salad, and a plate with eggplant parm. little something else....it was ridiculous.....next time we will go someplace else or get a sandwich....
We walked to the Library of Congress....a great and beautiful building...mostly no pics. but some areas were ok....when you go into these museums, etc..you are searched like at the airports....cops everywhere....so inside you get a fake passport and you sign in and as you walk around to diff. areas of the library, you put your passport into the computer and you get choices of where the computer will take you on a tour...diff. rooms with artifacts..it tells you about stuff and you can do a treasure hunt,etc....I think all kids should go to Wash. DC to learn some history...It is a fun place to learn....we spent a while in there....wish I could have taken a picture of the library itself with all the desks and people doing research,etc...off limits...could see it from an enclosed area upstairs, but you could not get in there....Thomas Jefferson library section was awesome...a circular room of bookshelves with 4,929 of his books in it....real books....no pictures...
the construction of the building was amazing...gorgeous stone and statues,artwork...
very beautiful....
We did not make it to the Supreme Court...walked by, but don't think anything going on right now....
We then walked down Independence Ave to the Botonical gardens....walked around,etc.
sat and then headed back to the boat...got back at 3:15 and stopped at the office to use the facilities......Linda, office gal, said wait a minute I have something for you....then she came out with a package from my daughter,son-in-law and grand-daughter....a dozen delicious cupcakes from the Georgetown Bakery...no foolin, Ken and I ate up 4 in like 3 min....they were wonderful...
Then we made plans to go to supper up the road...in the mood for steak...yippy!
walked to unknown area....to a plaza L Enfant to the American Grill....oh my what a nice place and the food was just perfect....then I had an after dinner coffee with Amaretto, Bailey's and whip cream...I could drink another one right now....the waiter came out a min. after my coffee and brought a sm.chock cake with syrup, ice cream,etc....just dandy...and sang Happy Birthday!...It was fantastic....
Walked back to the marina...got on board and put the boards in to keep the cool air outside....It will get down into the 50's again tonight...last night it did and we had our little heater going and blankets on bed....needed them...it's that time of year....tomorrow about the same....very coool!
What a great day and a Happy One! Thanks to all!
9:30 left the marina and headed for the Capitol...I decided to take a diff. route as we have been going the same way everyday just about and I was looking to see if we might go by a grocery store as we need to get groceries....no luck...I took us thru a not so nice area of Wash. DC...only good thing, lots of police in the area..It took us a little longer than planned -but got to the Capitol 40 min. early and the gal asked if we wanted to do a tour earlier, we could go with a group at 11 a.m. instead of 11:40 that we were scheduled for...so we did...It was a good tour...got to take pictures...I am 3 days behind doing pics, but will catch up....
After the tour, we tried to get into Senate....gone for the weekend....Then we looked up where our Congressman's office was and when we got to the building, the door was closed....maybe could have got another entrance, but think they were gone for the weekend as well as it was approaching 2 PM....
Don't ever get lunch at the Restaurant in the Capitol Bldg....they charge outrageous prices...some things .75/oz....some .87/oz and then side dishes were $2.95, for a tiny bowl of vegs..etc...our lunch cost $37 - we had a water and coke also...each had a salad, and a plate with eggplant parm. little something else....it was ridiculous.....next time we will go someplace else or get a sandwich....
We walked to the Library of Congress....a great and beautiful building...mostly no pics. but some areas were ok....when you go into these museums, etc..you are searched like at the airports....cops everywhere....so inside you get a fake passport and you sign in and as you walk around to diff. areas of the library, you put your passport into the computer and you get choices of where the computer will take you on a tour...diff. rooms with artifacts..it tells you about stuff and you can do a treasure hunt,etc....I think all kids should go to Wash. DC to learn some history...It is a fun place to learn....we spent a while in there....wish I could have taken a picture of the library itself with all the desks and people doing research,etc...off limits...could see it from an enclosed area upstairs, but you could not get in there....Thomas Jefferson library section was awesome...a circular room of bookshelves with 4,929 of his books in it....real books....no pictures...
the construction of the building was amazing...gorgeous stone and statues,artwork...
very beautiful....
We did not make it to the Supreme Court...walked by, but don't think anything going on right now....
We then walked down Independence Ave to the Botonical gardens....walked around,etc.
sat and then headed back to the boat...got back at 3:15 and stopped at the office to use the facilities......Linda, office gal, said wait a minute I have something for you....then she came out with a package from my daughter,son-in-law and grand-daughter....a dozen delicious cupcakes from the Georgetown Bakery...no foolin, Ken and I ate up 4 in like 3 min....they were wonderful...
Then we made plans to go to supper up the road...in the mood for steak...yippy!
walked to unknown area....to a plaza L Enfant to the American Grill....oh my what a nice place and the food was just perfect....then I had an after dinner coffee with Amaretto, Bailey's and whip cream...I could drink another one right now....the waiter came out a min. after my coffee and brought a sm.chock cake with syrup, ice cream,etc....just dandy...and sang Happy Birthday!...It was fantastic....
Walked back to the marina...got on board and put the boards in to keep the cool air outside....It will get down into the 50's again tonight...last night it did and we had our little heater going and blankets on bed....needed them...it's that time of year....tomorrow about the same....very coool!
What a great day and a Happy One! Thanks to all!
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Thurs. Sept. 15, 2011 "Mission Impossible"
8:15 AM- When I got up this morning, I uploaded some pictures, went and took my shower and came back to the boat....Ken informs me that we were going to go out and do something today as we can clean on a not so nice day at a port where there is nothing to do....did not take much to convince me to go play instead of working.
Ken got his shower while I was on the computer...came back, we got our walking shoes on and headed to the "Spy Museum" where you actually get to play a part in a Spy Mission....we get there around lunch time, so we eat a sandwich at the "Spy Cafe"
We go to the ticket counter and Ken looks at me kinda strange...he said I don't want to be on a mission with you....well now, I get a puzzled look on my face and say, well why the heck not? He said - Because I don't think I will make it out alive....I just about smacked him....so we get tickets to do this,but have an hour to kill before it starts.... we go across the street to the Smithsonian American Art Museum and Portrait Gallery.....there are 3 floors, we just had time for the first floor before we had to go back....we would like to do that museum again....lots more to see.....I do have some pics ...
Back to the Spy Museum....where we could not take pictures....I am waiting (had Orange Syracuse shirt on) and i asked one of the staff guys...do you think my husband might not make it out of here alive..they looked at me and said "you might not make it out of here alive with that shirt on" I said, "you wouldn't be Georgetown fans would you? oh yes! they laughed and we high 5'd it....just some fun....then it was "show time"
there were 3 couples....the guy takes us upstairs to a hallway...says, before we start, I am going to test you...ok....so he says, behind this wall is "Kandahar" then asked me to look behind the circle in the wall and tell the others if Kandahar is behind the wall...I did..and it was....so then he says, you have 15 seconds to figure out how to get behind that wall and into the city of Kandahar...but you cannot touch the podium, or key pad on the wall or me.....so all 6 of us start touching all sorts of walls,etc hinges, anything for a secret button...no luck...we failed our first mission and we haven't even started...he says 10 more seconds...we look again, nothing....then he lines us up against the wall and says push...well a door opens and we end up behind the wall in Kandahar..this is like a real town bldg. in there...with a tv monitor...another test...we all had to pick a secret agent code name...so we all tell our names.....then he says first one to be able to name all the agents is capt....so guess who that is.....yep, me!
now there are monitors on the wall and we are getting instructins like on Mission Impossible, where they talk about people -who they are and how they fit in...now my brain is getting overloaded.....on yea, we had to follow instuctions and be fast about it...they guy yells "duck" so we all hit the floor ducking...then a little later, he says hide...I was the first one to find a place, 2 other ladies came and hid behind me...2 guys (Ken aka Tiger) and Lizard could not hide quick enough...man we are gonna be in trouble for sure....old people...
next another agent comes in and takes us to a briefing room...and we have to operatate a spy camera and follow a suspect and listen to a conversation...not as easy as it sounds....there were 4 monitors, key board thing....each a different color and when the gal walked from entrance to hall to room in hotel they were in diff. colors and whoever had the color of where she was had to work the controls...I was looking for here when she was in someone else's color...duh....
Anyhow, got past that, we discussed what we heard then had to go to another room and work some more controls, then we were taken into an elevator (dark and rattled) let out the back into a tunnel and hallway going to a bad guys secret office to get info about where this "trigger" is (nuclear device)and where the trade off will be... she gave me a scanner...we broke up into 2 teams...one team looked for the trigger, other team scanned every document we could find...we rifled thru a desk and trash basket and all sorts of places...scanned things...other group found the device, but couldn't retrieve it...the guys in the white van were our lookout and called and said bad guys were headed our way to get out...so when the van rolled up she opened the door we got in fast...and she shut the door...the room we were in moved like a truck and made the noise,etc....like we were going thru town...the agent uploaded what info we found...then they had a team in main office decode everything....they got the agent that was in with the Pres. of Kandahar and made her do a polygraph to make sure she wasn't a dbl agent, so they ask us to ask her yes/no questions...she is on the screen and we are in another room.we had trouble coming up with one question....after that...we figure the tradeoff of the device was going to be at a certain place at 10PM...now who goes after these guys...our black opps team or the country's military...we as a group decide black opps...then she takes us up to a bar looks like an old foreign bar room...we celebrate our success and the capture of the "trigger" and only 3 people killed....guy w/device and 2 rebels trying to takeover the country...
i know - a lot to absorb...how do you think we felt....being covert operatives...It was different...i had fun...didn't get a gun or anything like that.. just had to use our intelligence...which was not much..hahahha! lasted about an hour....
Our girl agent took us back out into the real world....let us go!
Ken and I hussled down the street around the block and still could not find the
Crime and Punishment Museum. so asked a guy on the corner of the block we were at and said it is right down there...but you don't want to go there, costs to get in and it is no more than "most wanted" on tv...he said look in the window before you go in...so we did and it was not what we were looking for...we wanted CSI stuff..so we left and went back down the block -thanked the guy and headed back to the boat...
On our way, we stopped at a Sculpture Garden...got a lemonaide...took pictures then it started to sprinkle...we are about 10- 12 long blocks to the marina...I say, let's get a cab...so we do....our driver is 81 years old and very sharp...great great grand-father....loves life and thanks God every day for everything...
$7 ride, don't care, we did not get drenched...but just as we got on the boat, it started to really rain hard...for a while....
So there you go....what a fun day again.....We truly are Blessed!
Ken went and did laundry - bed linens,etc. I uploaded pics....then he went next door to the fisherman's wharf again and got supper....can't beat the fresh seafood or the price....I did not have to cook again....conditions just not right....
Ken got his shower while I was on the computer...came back, we got our walking shoes on and headed to the "Spy Museum" where you actually get to play a part in a Spy Mission....we get there around lunch time, so we eat a sandwich at the "Spy Cafe"
We go to the ticket counter and Ken looks at me kinda strange...he said I don't want to be on a mission with you....well now, I get a puzzled look on my face and say, well why the heck not? He said - Because I don't think I will make it out alive....I just about smacked him....so we get tickets to do this,but have an hour to kill before it starts.... we go across the street to the Smithsonian American Art Museum and Portrait Gallery.....there are 3 floors, we just had time for the first floor before we had to go back....we would like to do that museum again....lots more to see.....I do have some pics ...
Back to the Spy Museum....where we could not take pictures....I am waiting (had Orange Syracuse shirt on) and i asked one of the staff guys...do you think my husband might not make it out of here alive..they looked at me and said "you might not make it out of here alive with that shirt on" I said, "you wouldn't be Georgetown fans would you? oh yes! they laughed and we high 5'd it....just some fun....then it was "show time"
there were 3 couples....the guy takes us upstairs to a hallway...says, before we start, I am going to test you...ok....so he says, behind this wall is "Kandahar" then asked me to look behind the circle in the wall and tell the others if Kandahar is behind the wall...I did..and it was....so then he says, you have 15 seconds to figure out how to get behind that wall and into the city of Kandahar...but you cannot touch the podium, or key pad on the wall or me.....so all 6 of us start touching all sorts of walls,etc hinges, anything for a secret button...no luck...we failed our first mission and we haven't even started...he says 10 more seconds...we look again, nothing....then he lines us up against the wall and says push...well a door opens and we end up behind the wall in Kandahar..this is like a real town bldg. in there...with a tv monitor...another test...we all had to pick a secret agent code name...so we all tell our names.....then he says first one to be able to name all the agents is capt....so guess who that is.....yep, me!
now there are monitors on the wall and we are getting instructins like on Mission Impossible, where they talk about people -who they are and how they fit in...now my brain is getting overloaded.....on yea, we had to follow instuctions and be fast about it...they guy yells "duck" so we all hit the floor ducking...then a little later, he says hide...I was the first one to find a place, 2 other ladies came and hid behind me...2 guys (Ken aka Tiger) and Lizard could not hide quick enough...man we are gonna be in trouble for sure....old people...
next another agent comes in and takes us to a briefing room...and we have to operatate a spy camera and follow a suspect and listen to a conversation...not as easy as it sounds....there were 4 monitors, key board thing....each a different color and when the gal walked from entrance to hall to room in hotel they were in diff. colors and whoever had the color of where she was had to work the controls...I was looking for here when she was in someone else's color...duh....
Anyhow, got past that, we discussed what we heard then had to go to another room and work some more controls, then we were taken into an elevator (dark and rattled) let out the back into a tunnel and hallway going to a bad guys secret office to get info about where this "trigger" is (nuclear device)and where the trade off will be... she gave me a scanner...we broke up into 2 teams...one team looked for the trigger, other team scanned every document we could find...we rifled thru a desk and trash basket and all sorts of places...scanned things...other group found the device, but couldn't retrieve it...the guys in the white van were our lookout and called and said bad guys were headed our way to get out...so when the van rolled up she opened the door we got in fast...and she shut the door...the room we were in moved like a truck and made the noise,etc....like we were going thru town...the agent uploaded what info we found...then they had a team in main office decode everything....they got the agent that was in with the Pres. of Kandahar and made her do a polygraph to make sure she wasn't a dbl agent, so they ask us to ask her yes/no questions...she is on the screen and we are in another room.we had trouble coming up with one question....after that...we figure the tradeoff of the device was going to be at a certain place at 10PM...now who goes after these guys...our black opps team or the country's military...we as a group decide black opps...then she takes us up to a bar looks like an old foreign bar room...we celebrate our success and the capture of the "trigger" and only 3 people killed....guy w/device and 2 rebels trying to takeover the country...
i know - a lot to absorb...how do you think we felt....being covert operatives...It was different...i had fun...didn't get a gun or anything like that.. just had to use our intelligence...which was not much..hahahha! lasted about an hour....
Our girl agent took us back out into the real world....let us go!
Ken and I hussled down the street around the block and still could not find the
Crime and Punishment Museum. so asked a guy on the corner of the block we were at and said it is right down there...but you don't want to go there, costs to get in and it is no more than "most wanted" on tv...he said look in the window before you go in...so we did and it was not what we were looking for...we wanted CSI stuff..so we left and went back down the block -thanked the guy and headed back to the boat...
On our way, we stopped at a Sculpture Garden...got a lemonaide...took pictures then it started to sprinkle...we are about 10- 12 long blocks to the marina...I say, let's get a cab...so we do....our driver is 81 years old and very sharp...great great grand-father....loves life and thanks God every day for everything...
$7 ride, don't care, we did not get drenched...but just as we got on the boat, it started to really rain hard...for a while....
So there you go....what a fun day again.....We truly are Blessed!
Ken went and did laundry - bed linens,etc. I uploaded pics....then he went next door to the fisherman's wharf again and got supper....can't beat the fresh seafood or the price....I did not have to cook again....conditions just not right....
Sept. 14, 2011 (continued) Part II
We left the Lincoln Memorial and walked over to the Korean War Memorial...I have never seen this one before..Boy it was something....larger than lifesize soldier's scattered about in a field..some looking over their shoulders and had like rain gear on,etc. there is a wall that lines the outside of this field that has 2,000 faces on it of actual soldier's pictures from the war...very impressive...and the reflection of the soldier's in the field also show up on this wall....I don't know 40 or 50 of these larger than life statues....
then back around the reflecting pool, back to the other side to the Vietnam War Memorial...first time I saw this one I cried....about 25 years ago when my brother(Pat) was stationed here, he took us...there were momentos' everywhere, flowers, notes, pictures all along the wall..this time there were only 2 or 3 flower things.
I did look up David Allen Moore's name...I dated him in high-school-my brother's Pat and John were best friends of his....so sad!
Walked on to the National World War II Memorial...talk about huge and beautiful...it was in a circular formation with a huge pool and water fountain in the middle and on one end a monument that had "Atlantic" on it and the opposite side had "Pacific"on it. a reflecting pool on the outside that flowed over the sides..beautiful, just beautiful...
Walked up past the Washington Monument- closed since the earthquake...cracked it somewhere...couldn't see it from where we were..they have the gate blocked off.
Exhausted, we walked back to the boat....got on board, took our walking shoes off and rested our "dawgs"...they were barking at us....ouch!
Got cleaned up then Mike Doles, friend that lives in Manassas, Va came by and he took us to Phillips for dinner right here on the waterfront, nice dinner, then we walked back to the boat and visited a while...he had to leave and go home as he is still a working boy....he got stuck in traffic coming over ugh! hope not so going home...
Great time.....Great Day! Gonna rest tomorrow and do housework....boatwork..
then back around the reflecting pool, back to the other side to the Vietnam War Memorial...first time I saw this one I cried....about 25 years ago when my brother(Pat) was stationed here, he took us...there were momentos' everywhere, flowers, notes, pictures all along the wall..this time there were only 2 or 3 flower things.
I did look up David Allen Moore's name...I dated him in high-school-my brother's Pat and John were best friends of his....so sad!
Walked on to the National World War II Memorial...talk about huge and beautiful...it was in a circular formation with a huge pool and water fountain in the middle and on one end a monument that had "Atlantic" on it and the opposite side had "Pacific"on it. a reflecting pool on the outside that flowed over the sides..beautiful, just beautiful...
Walked up past the Washington Monument- closed since the earthquake...cracked it somewhere...couldn't see it from where we were..they have the gate blocked off.
Exhausted, we walked back to the boat....got on board, took our walking shoes off and rested our "dawgs"...they were barking at us....ouch!
Got cleaned up then Mike Doles, friend that lives in Manassas, Va came by and he took us to Phillips for dinner right here on the waterfront, nice dinner, then we walked back to the boat and visited a while...he had to leave and go home as he is still a working boy....he got stuck in traffic coming over ugh! hope not so going home...
Great time.....Great Day! Gonna rest tomorrow and do housework....boatwork..
Sept. 14, 2011 Let's try this again! Part I
Guess I'm not suppose to hit the enter key....duh!
9:30 Left the boat, headed up Maine St. to 14th then walked over to the Holocaust Museum....What an eye opener.....this information needs to live on to prevent anything like this to ever happen again...the exhibits were good..actual pictures in a tower like effect on both sides of the walls bottom to top a couple stories high of European Jews and families before the Holocaust...had an actual railcar that would take the Jews to the camps...the tatooing of their left arms, how they separated the ones that they would keep as slaves...how the Nazi doctors conducted medical experiments on live and dead Jews...some experiments were how long could they live without oxigen (for use in planes)..used prisoners for that...they used them for all kinds of medical tests....and this is gross...they cut up body parts and tested them. I have never seen anything like it...you won't see a lot of this on t.v.-too graphic....the best was a film where suvivors told their stories....there were 2 actual survivors suppose to come in and talk to people, but while we were there first thing in the morning...they were coming in the afternoon.... A huge part of History.....
On our way to the museum, we saw about 6-8 police cars, 2 guys with their hands on the hood of a police car....people standing and watching, so as we were going down the street...I asked a guy what is going on....he said (Road Rage) It was a 3 car fender bender and guess couple got really mad and the fight begun...
After the Holocaust Museum, we walked next door to the Bureau of Engraving & Printing. It was about a 15 min tour...walked down a couple of halls that had glass walls so you could see how they make dollar bills...It is done in various steps...they get the paper from a mill in Mass. linen/cotton blend with watermarks.
every sheet of paper is accounted for...before and after printing... bad prints are shredded right there...first they color the notes with 3 or 4 colors, depends on the note, then they print the basic demonination on it...it dries almost instantly, then it goes thru another process to put the treasury seal, cirulation number,etc..they are made in large sheets that after printing are cut to size. checked, bundled,etc.They don't become real money until the cir.numbers are cataloged by the Feds....Costs about $.05 for $1 bill and $.11 for $100 bill which is now the largest denomination printed...you can fold a dollar 4,000 times before it tears and needs to be replaced...very interesting stuff!
After that visit, we walked across the street to a Refreshment stand, water and sandwich...water was good, rest not so good...then walked around the Tidal Basin, long walk to Thomas Jefferson Memorial...huge, I mean huge memorial....
then down the path around the basin to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial...At first not impressed...looked like a huge granite rock with writing, then as you go a little further inside, there were lots more granite bolders and lots of water falls...actually quite large as you walked thru it...few statues,etc....very nice.
Then on over to Lincoln Memorial...walked the West Potomac Walk...man o man in 90 degree weather...had to stop and get more water,rest...finally got there and went up the steps and inside...Mr. Lincoln sitting in his chair....huge statue...as you look outside to the reflecting pool...it is empty of water...repairs are being made....
guess it was starting to smell pretty bad.....
I will end this part now and pick up on next entry...this is long...sorry....
9:30 Left the boat, headed up Maine St. to 14th then walked over to the Holocaust Museum....What an eye opener.....this information needs to live on to prevent anything like this to ever happen again...the exhibits were good..actual pictures in a tower like effect on both sides of the walls bottom to top a couple stories high of European Jews and families before the Holocaust...had an actual railcar that would take the Jews to the camps...the tatooing of their left arms, how they separated the ones that they would keep as slaves...how the Nazi doctors conducted medical experiments on live and dead Jews...some experiments were how long could they live without oxigen (for use in planes)..used prisoners for that...they used them for all kinds of medical tests....and this is gross...they cut up body parts and tested them. I have never seen anything like it...you won't see a lot of this on t.v.-too graphic....the best was a film where suvivors told their stories....there were 2 actual survivors suppose to come in and talk to people, but while we were there first thing in the morning...they were coming in the afternoon.... A huge part of History.....
On our way to the museum, we saw about 6-8 police cars, 2 guys with their hands on the hood of a police car....people standing and watching, so as we were going down the street...I asked a guy what is going on....he said (Road Rage) It was a 3 car fender bender and guess couple got really mad and the fight begun...
After the Holocaust Museum, we walked next door to the Bureau of Engraving & Printing. It was about a 15 min tour...walked down a couple of halls that had glass walls so you could see how they make dollar bills...It is done in various steps...they get the paper from a mill in Mass. linen/cotton blend with watermarks.
every sheet of paper is accounted for...before and after printing... bad prints are shredded right there...first they color the notes with 3 or 4 colors, depends on the note, then they print the basic demonination on it...it dries almost instantly, then it goes thru another process to put the treasury seal, cirulation number,etc..they are made in large sheets that after printing are cut to size. checked, bundled,etc.They don't become real money until the cir.numbers are cataloged by the Feds....Costs about $.05 for $1 bill and $.11 for $100 bill which is now the largest denomination printed...you can fold a dollar 4,000 times before it tears and needs to be replaced...very interesting stuff!
After that visit, we walked across the street to a Refreshment stand, water and sandwich...water was good, rest not so good...then walked around the Tidal Basin, long walk to Thomas Jefferson Memorial...huge, I mean huge memorial....
then down the path around the basin to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial...At first not impressed...looked like a huge granite rock with writing, then as you go a little further inside, there were lots more granite bolders and lots of water falls...actually quite large as you walked thru it...few statues,etc....very nice.
Then on over to Lincoln Memorial...walked the West Potomac Walk...man o man in 90 degree weather...had to stop and get more water,rest...finally got there and went up the steps and inside...Mr. Lincoln sitting in his chair....huge statue...as you look outside to the reflecting pool...it is empty of water...repairs are being made....
guess it was starting to smell pretty bad.....
I will end this part now and pick up on next entry...this is long...sorry....
Sept. 14, 2011 Out and About, Good Day!
8:15 off to get showers...ran into Tom, our neighbor going to work (Homeland Security) my they look diff. all spiffied up....
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Tues. Sept. 13,2011 foot soldiers!
9:00 AM- called Linda (office) to let me out of gate at dock so I could check in...so she comes down and gets me...took me back to the office..did our paperwork, got my key and brochures..then she gave me a tour of the facility....very nice...have a great bar area, library, restrooms,laundry and little kitchen...really nice and all the people are great....they are having a yacht club dinner tonight...invited us....if we get back in time....maybe....
Went back to the boat, we got out things and went up and got showers and started laundry at same time...only some young man had all six washers full of his clothes and no where to be found to get his things out so other people could use the washers...finally he shows up...I get 2 washers going, then go get my shower...Ken also...come back and when our things were finished being washed, we had to wait and wait and no "John" came to get his 6 dryer loads out...so I talked to Linda in the office and asked if I could remove 2 of the dryers worth of clothes as I have been waiting over a half hour ...she tried calling him...could not get him, so I just took his things out and put mine in...dang I hate doing laundry...
12:30 back to the boat...Ken and I put our walking shoes on and take off for some siteseeing...we first walk about 10 big ole blocks and find some street vendors and buy some Greek chicken gyro's sit in the park area like all the other suits and ladies in heels (working class) people...then we go over to the Air & Space Museum and do an IMAX movie on the "Hubble" telescope....so cooool! from the start to the repairs,etc in space....
After the Space Museum we walk across the Mall to the Art Gallery...we only had time for one building...we never got to the 2nd building....may get to it later...we have other places planned for tomorrow....
Walk back...89 degrees...stopped for water and a few bench stops along the way...
Then we stopped at the Fresh Fish Market and got food to take back to the boat to eat...it is right outside our dock....
You can see the bridge of Rte 395 from back of our boat....
I am having great difficulty uploading my pictures into shutterfly...I may have to figure another way....
This foot soldier is tired and ready to rest up for another busy day tomorrow...
Hope all are well.....thanks for all the comments...talk again soon!
Went back to the boat, we got out things and went up and got showers and started laundry at same time...only some young man had all six washers full of his clothes and no where to be found to get his things out so other people could use the washers...finally he shows up...I get 2 washers going, then go get my shower...Ken also...come back and when our things were finished being washed, we had to wait and wait and no "John" came to get his 6 dryer loads out...so I talked to Linda in the office and asked if I could remove 2 of the dryers worth of clothes as I have been waiting over a half hour ...she tried calling him...could not get him, so I just took his things out and put mine in...dang I hate doing laundry...
12:30 back to the boat...Ken and I put our walking shoes on and take off for some siteseeing...we first walk about 10 big ole blocks and find some street vendors and buy some Greek chicken gyro's sit in the park area like all the other suits and ladies in heels (working class) people...then we go over to the Air & Space Museum and do an IMAX movie on the "Hubble" telescope....so cooool! from the start to the repairs,etc in space....
After the Space Museum we walk across the Mall to the Art Gallery...we only had time for one building...we never got to the 2nd building....may get to it later...we have other places planned for tomorrow....
Walk back...89 degrees...stopped for water and a few bench stops along the way...
Then we stopped at the Fresh Fish Market and got food to take back to the boat to eat...it is right outside our dock....
You can see the bridge of Rte 395 from back of our boat....
I am having great difficulty uploading my pictures into shutterfly...I may have to figure another way....
This foot soldier is tired and ready to rest up for another busy day tomorrow...
Hope all are well.....thanks for all the comments...talk again soon!
Monday, Sept. 12, 2011
8:30 AM...Ken left the dock and headed to the fuel dock...not an easy place to get into...I stayed on the dock and walked over to other one to help him come in...
He backs the Gypsy Wind up towards the dock, the current is taking the boat away from the dock, he quickly throws me the stern line, only it didn't get to me and it came off the cleat and oops, gone...hit the water and sunk...so he takes the boat back out into the creek and backs up again..this time I caught the line, but the boat hit hard and I couldn't hold it and almost almost knocked the dinghy motor offf it's mount....this is not a good way to start the day...finally get her tied down...then we wait and wait for someone to help....a little after 9 am, Ken goes to the office to see if someone can help us....finally got finished and head out...It's now 9:30 and we have at least 65 miles to go...gonna be a long day...just want to get to our destination before dark.....
Tom Bishop (owner/capt.) of Tall Blonde coming up behind us about 5 or 6 miles out...he called on the radio...I told him to come in a little closer, I wanted to get a picture...he did and I did and then Alana took a picture of us...told them we would try to hook up in Wash..later...he acknowledged..and away they went....we went under the Rte 301 Bridge (Harry Nice Bridge) and then about 6 or 7 miles up the Potomac, we started seeing all these floaties....big patches of weeds with twigs,junk on them...logs, all sorts of trash...had to weave and dodge this mess for several hours....every time we came to a creek entrance....when Irene and Lee hit, the flood waters carried all this junk into the Potomac, so now we are dealing with it....really bad stuff... then just before we hit this mine field of trash, I spotted something coming at us, couldn't figure out what it was..it sparkled in the sunlight...so as it got closer we could see. It was a cluster of about 10 helium red/white/blue -stars/stripes balloons and we thought someone must have put them in the water as a tribute to the fallen on 9/11...10th anniversary... our story and we are sticking to it....
2:30 PM- been out 5 hrs...about half way there....all of a sudden say a Eagle flew by and of course no camera ready for pics...dang it! so cool though!
It is almost 7 PM and we are only about 6 miles away from the marina....trying our best to get there before dark...hard to see markers/buoy's in the dark...we go under a bridge and can almost see our turn off....sun just went down...think we can make it.
So now we are approaching the marina...looking for Capital Yacht Club...hollered to a gal on the dock- where is Capital...she said next marina...great....so then we find D dock...go around the corner...3rd slip in and go to back in and the people in the boat next to our slip have a pool in the water by their boat...no one there in the boat...we can't back in , so Ken backs the boat up...so we can drive in and he has to move the dinghy around....holy cow...so this guy comes over to help us dock...no problem...got in and tied up...7:45 PM long stinkin day 10 hrs and 71 miles.....but life is still good and we are happy to be settled in....can't get off the dock...gate locked/security...get off tomorrow and check in...
we get the power on and the fans running, then eat soup/salad and prepare for bed - been a long long ride....hot sun....tired....
Still can't get over the trash in the River...nasty stuff....I do have pics...
more to come....good nite sweet dreams......
He backs the Gypsy Wind up towards the dock, the current is taking the boat away from the dock, he quickly throws me the stern line, only it didn't get to me and it came off the cleat and oops, gone...hit the water and sunk...so he takes the boat back out into the creek and backs up again..this time I caught the line, but the boat hit hard and I couldn't hold it and almost almost knocked the dinghy motor offf it's mount....this is not a good way to start the day...finally get her tied down...then we wait and wait for someone to help....a little after 9 am, Ken goes to the office to see if someone can help us....finally got finished and head out...It's now 9:30 and we have at least 65 miles to go...gonna be a long day...just want to get to our destination before dark.....
Tom Bishop (owner/capt.) of Tall Blonde coming up behind us about 5 or 6 miles out...he called on the radio...I told him to come in a little closer, I wanted to get a picture...he did and I did and then Alana took a picture of us...told them we would try to hook up in Wash..later...he acknowledged..and away they went....we went under the Rte 301 Bridge (Harry Nice Bridge) and then about 6 or 7 miles up the Potomac, we started seeing all these floaties....big patches of weeds with twigs,junk on them...logs, all sorts of trash...had to weave and dodge this mess for several hours....every time we came to a creek entrance....when Irene and Lee hit, the flood waters carried all this junk into the Potomac, so now we are dealing with it....really bad stuff... then just before we hit this mine field of trash, I spotted something coming at us, couldn't figure out what it was..it sparkled in the sunlight...so as it got closer we could see. It was a cluster of about 10 helium red/white/blue -stars/stripes balloons and we thought someone must have put them in the water as a tribute to the fallen on 9/11...10th anniversary... our story and we are sticking to it....
2:30 PM- been out 5 hrs...about half way there....all of a sudden say a Eagle flew by and of course no camera ready for pics...dang it! so cool though!
It is almost 7 PM and we are only about 6 miles away from the marina....trying our best to get there before dark...hard to see markers/buoy's in the dark...we go under a bridge and can almost see our turn off....sun just went down...think we can make it.
So now we are approaching the marina...looking for Capital Yacht Club...hollered to a gal on the dock- where is Capital...she said next marina...great....so then we find D dock...go around the corner...3rd slip in and go to back in and the people in the boat next to our slip have a pool in the water by their boat...no one there in the boat...we can't back in , so Ken backs the boat up...so we can drive in and he has to move the dinghy around....holy cow...so this guy comes over to help us dock...no problem...got in and tied up...7:45 PM long stinkin day 10 hrs and 71 miles.....but life is still good and we are happy to be settled in....can't get off the dock...gate locked/security...get off tomorrow and check in...
we get the power on and the fans running, then eat soup/salad and prepare for bed - been a long long ride....hot sun....tired....
Still can't get over the trash in the River...nasty stuff....I do have pics...
more to come....good nite sweet dreams......
Monday, September 12, 2011
Sunday Sept. 11,2011 nuff said!
We say a prayer for those lost on Sept. 11,2001 ...terrorist attack....!!!
The priest never called me back...no idea if and what time Mass will be today, so we are guessing...if they have Mass, maybe a 10:00 Am or sometime after that...
Ken fixes the altenator thing...I try getting on the computer, no luck...it keeps kicking me off, I try for over an hour, then just quit....
We go to the restaurant for lunch...then outside to listen to a 2 man band...actually pretty good...oldies music and some current songs....very good sound! so as my friend from Louisiana would say....we passed a good time! and we did!
We left after an hour or so....getting pretty hot out there...not much shade.....
So Ken is out on the dock sitting in a chair when this gal comes over from the boat across the little waterway from where we are docked....she is with a girlfriend, another gal and her husband...heading to Wash. DC...so are we...she said she noticed Cape Vincent, NY on our boat and that she goes up there every summer to stay with a friend for a week or so...loves it there....so I come out and we visit some more and she was a lot of fun...she left and we continued to sit out there for a while...we were by a boat next to ours...a huge 71 ft.- from Caymen Island...gave us some shade.
We went in and ate then settled in for the night...tomorrow we head out....to Wash. DC and we want to get out as soon as we get some fuel...It will be a long day....
The priest never called me back...no idea if and what time Mass will be today, so we are guessing...if they have Mass, maybe a 10:00 Am or sometime after that...
Ken fixes the altenator thing...I try getting on the computer, no luck...it keeps kicking me off, I try for over an hour, then just quit....
We go to the restaurant for lunch...then outside to listen to a 2 man band...actually pretty good...oldies music and some current songs....very good sound! so as my friend from Louisiana would say....we passed a good time! and we did!
We left after an hour or so....getting pretty hot out there...not much shade.....
So Ken is out on the dock sitting in a chair when this gal comes over from the boat across the little waterway from where we are docked....she is with a girlfriend, another gal and her husband...heading to Wash. DC...so are we...she said she noticed Cape Vincent, NY on our boat and that she goes up there every summer to stay with a friend for a week or so...loves it there....so I come out and we visit some more and she was a lot of fun...she left and we continued to sit out there for a while...we were by a boat next to ours...a huge 71 ft.- from Caymen Island...gave us some shade.
We went in and ate then settled in for the night...tomorrow we head out....to Wash. DC and we want to get out as soon as we get some fuel...It will be a long day....
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Sat......9/10/11 Love this date!
For once in over a week it isn't raining .....
6:45 AM- I am up and checking the charts, books trying to figure out where to go next. we are heading up the Potomac to Washington, DC....100 miles from the mouth of the Potomac....we are about 10 miles into the River at this point...
I figure we can go at least 35 miles today...so I check both sides of the river to find a marina with power, gas/diesel,wifi,etc...some marinas we just can't get to.this is a shallow river...many shoals....So I think I have a place....Colonial Beach Viginia, west side of Potomac River....shallow getting in, but follow markers, should be no problem..
7:00 Ken is up and we are waiting to get diesel...noone here to get us gas...about 8:30 we find someone...regular guy didn't come in to work dock..got the mechanic to come get us gas...9.7 gal....$39...
8:45 AM- we leave the dock...Ken is using GPS to follow his tracks back out the way we came in so as to not have any problems...only there is some kind of boat out there dragging what we understand to be a new oyster bed of crates,nets, markers behind the boat...I took pictures....looks like a huge area of crabpots following his boat.....anyhow, Ken thinks he is going to go to the left more to get around these and oops...nope, went aground....dang, just a little....backed up and got back into main channel and we just went really close to the oyster operation and another boat out fishing...Ken was not veering off this time...right on target even if he had to run over someone....we got back out a ways and you guessed it...more crabpots like the mine field....he got thru that and back out into the main channel and we went about 20 miles before we got to marker G-17 that started a 3 mile stretch of green and red buoy's very close to each other...had danger zone on both sides...I think it is part of the Naval playground.....we passed a barge carrying a load of rocks coming at us....he was within the markers as well....so we just rode it out then hung a left and headed to shore to Colonial Beach Yacht Center....very shallow.
We stayed within the buoys and as soon as we got into the creek, we made a right hand turn to the marina....we parked across the dock from the huge yacht "Shear Madness" from the Cayman Islands....we ck in and I got the crazy code on how to sign on ....took me almost an hour to get on...so I have to type fast as not to get blown off....
there is a section on the chart that says "kettle bottom" and we are not sure what that means, except to stay away and we did...
2:15 PM we dock...go ck in and then get a sandwich at Dockside restaurant...good!
After we eat we ck out the facility...restrooms,etc.....then walk across the parking lot to ck the waters edge and lo and behold there is a small beach...first beach we have walked on this trip.....
4:30 PM back to the boat and then Ken gets a bolt that broke on the altenator..a hinge bolt...so he goes into town, by cab to the hardware store to get a bolt. He comes back an hour later with 2 bolts...only they are a tiny bit short...dang! have to take them back tomorrow..
This area got hit hard by Irene and Lee....some places in this small town got flooded with over 4-5 ft of water...they closed the local Catholic Church down due to flooding...we left a message for the priest to call us with where we can go to Mass....those storms have caused so much damage in so many places..
6:30 PM gonna sign off for today...not going to do much but read after this maybe upload some pics if I can stay on...hope all are safe and well....we are!
6:45 AM- I am up and checking the charts, books trying to figure out where to go next. we are heading up the Potomac to Washington, DC....100 miles from the mouth of the Potomac....we are about 10 miles into the River at this point...
I figure we can go at least 35 miles today...so I check both sides of the river to find a marina with power, gas/diesel,wifi,etc...some marinas we just can't get to.this is a shallow river...many shoals....So I think I have a place....Colonial Beach Viginia, west side of Potomac River....shallow getting in, but follow markers, should be no problem..
7:00 Ken is up and we are waiting to get diesel...noone here to get us gas...about 8:30 we find someone...regular guy didn't come in to work dock..got the mechanic to come get us gas...9.7 gal....$39...
8:45 AM- we leave the dock...Ken is using GPS to follow his tracks back out the way we came in so as to not have any problems...only there is some kind of boat out there dragging what we understand to be a new oyster bed of crates,nets, markers behind the boat...I took pictures....looks like a huge area of crabpots following his boat.....anyhow, Ken thinks he is going to go to the left more to get around these and oops...nope, went aground....dang, just a little....backed up and got back into main channel and we just went really close to the oyster operation and another boat out fishing...Ken was not veering off this time...right on target even if he had to run over someone....we got back out a ways and you guessed it...more crabpots like the mine field....he got thru that and back out into the main channel and we went about 20 miles before we got to marker G-17 that started a 3 mile stretch of green and red buoy's very close to each other...had danger zone on both sides...I think it is part of the Naval playground.....we passed a barge carrying a load of rocks coming at us....he was within the markers as well....so we just rode it out then hung a left and headed to shore to Colonial Beach Yacht Center....very shallow.
We stayed within the buoys and as soon as we got into the creek, we made a right hand turn to the marina....we parked across the dock from the huge yacht "Shear Madness" from the Cayman Islands....we ck in and I got the crazy code on how to sign on ....took me almost an hour to get on...so I have to type fast as not to get blown off....
there is a section on the chart that says "kettle bottom" and we are not sure what that means, except to stay away and we did...
2:15 PM we dock...go ck in and then get a sandwich at Dockside restaurant...good!
After we eat we ck out the facility...restrooms,etc.....then walk across the parking lot to ck the waters edge and lo and behold there is a small beach...first beach we have walked on this trip.....
4:30 PM back to the boat and then Ken gets a bolt that broke on the altenator..a hinge bolt...so he goes into town, by cab to the hardware store to get a bolt. He comes back an hour later with 2 bolts...only they are a tiny bit short...dang! have to take them back tomorrow..
This area got hit hard by Irene and Lee....some places in this small town got flooded with over 4-5 ft of water...they closed the local Catholic Church down due to flooding...we left a message for the priest to call us with where we can go to Mass....those storms have caused so much damage in so many places..
6:30 PM gonna sign off for today...not going to do much but read after this maybe upload some pics if I can stay on...hope all are safe and well....we are!
Friday, Sept. 9,2011 move 'em on out!
It's just time to move on......
7:00 AM- cking weather....poss. rain & thundershowers...same report for 5 days and maybe for the next couple days....wind doesn't look that bad...very overcast...we will give it a try...if not good, we will come back....
8:00 ck out...paid for last 2 days at Solomons. Zahniser's Yacht Harbor....
8:50 AM- everything tucked in and put away...we untie, and shove off just as it starts to rain....great! before we are back into the Chesapeake Bay, it is pouring.
Ken is drenched...I am down below and worried about him. Maybe it will be like yesterday - rain on and off....but noooooo! it rained constantly for over 2 hrs. and of course the wind picked up and the waves as well...oh and did I mention some FOG...we can see but tough making out markers and buoy's....this is really starting to get on my last nerve...
I am down below checking out where we are headed....to Port Kinsale marina in th Yeocomico River off the Potomac River in Virginia....we have an almost straight shot in from the Potomac..couple markers and buoy's and if we stay in the channel, no problem...lots of shoals and shallow water all around....and on the chart there are a few restricted areas....Naval spots...one says "Targets" and another says "Bombing" lets see, yep maybe go around those areas....how the heck can you tell if you are in the area...just hope you arn't when they are out playing war games...
12:00 noon...well what do you know the rain has almost stopped. Again Ken doing a great job 18-20 mph winds, 4 ft+ waves...and rain...
ok, now the winds have calmed down quite a bit and the waves are less..."Prayer" does work...
3:45 PM...we pull into Port Kinsale Marina...and we are to dock on Dock "A" to the left as we come in...we are the only ones there on dock "A" had the place to ourselves....should have docked closer to shore...long long walk to bathrooms,etc.
We go to dinner at the restaurant....very nice place....people are very nice as well.
Dori super helpful and got me code to get on internet, only it didn't work...so no internet....
I am extremely tired, take a nap around 5:30 PM...could be a big mistake...nope, got up at 7:30 and I read "Sail" by James Patterson...might should not have started that book while we are out and about on a sailboat....says "a voyage into fear" read half the book....already....very good and keeps you wanting to keep reading...
7:00 AM- cking weather....poss. rain & thundershowers...same report for 5 days and maybe for the next couple days....wind doesn't look that bad...very overcast...we will give it a try...if not good, we will come back....
8:00 ck out...paid for last 2 days at Solomons. Zahniser's Yacht Harbor....
8:50 AM- everything tucked in and put away...we untie, and shove off just as it starts to rain....great! before we are back into the Chesapeake Bay, it is pouring.
Ken is drenched...I am down below and worried about him. Maybe it will be like yesterday - rain on and off....but noooooo! it rained constantly for over 2 hrs. and of course the wind picked up and the waves as well...oh and did I mention some FOG...we can see but tough making out markers and buoy's....this is really starting to get on my last nerve...
I am down below checking out where we are headed....to Port Kinsale marina in th Yeocomico River off the Potomac River in Virginia....we have an almost straight shot in from the Potomac..couple markers and buoy's and if we stay in the channel, no problem...lots of shoals and shallow water all around....and on the chart there are a few restricted areas....Naval spots...one says "Targets" and another says "Bombing" lets see, yep maybe go around those areas....how the heck can you tell if you are in the area...just hope you arn't when they are out playing war games...
12:00 noon...well what do you know the rain has almost stopped. Again Ken doing a great job 18-20 mph winds, 4 ft+ waves...and rain...
ok, now the winds have calmed down quite a bit and the waves are less..."Prayer" does work...
3:45 PM...we pull into Port Kinsale Marina...and we are to dock on Dock "A" to the left as we come in...we are the only ones there on dock "A" had the place to ourselves....should have docked closer to shore...long long walk to bathrooms,etc.
We go to dinner at the restaurant....very nice place....people are very nice as well.
Dori super helpful and got me code to get on internet, only it didn't work...so no internet....
I am extremely tired, take a nap around 5:30 PM...could be a big mistake...nope, got up at 7:30 and I read "Sail" by James Patterson...might should not have started that book while we are out and about on a sailboat....says "a voyage into fear" read half the book....already....very good and keeps you wanting to keep reading...
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Thurs. Sept. 8,2011
7:15 AM up and it started to rain again...not hard...overcast and yucky!
I went and got a shower while Ken slept in a bit.....back and cking weather on computer,etc....decided to stay here another day.
So after breakfast, I started reading my book and finished it..called Hush Money...kept my interest...then between raindrops, I decided to walk around and take a few pictures of the marina and the bathrooms,office...etc...the people that run the marina are all great, but Terry has gone above board as far as I am concerned, and has done that little extra for me..took me to the store,etc. and came later to pick me up when I was finished....then later today,I was just sitting on the back of the boat and she came around the dock checking boats, their lines, etc. there could be a little extra water at high tide and she mentioned to me if the dock gets under water to just pull the power plug....dang, sure hope that doesn't happen...
I called a local Chinese Rest. and had them deliver some food....hadn't had Chinese in about 6-7 weeks....was good...enough for 2 more meals...yeah!
I was checking on the charts to find another stop for us and came up sort of empty handed finding a marina just as we turn up into the Potomac that has diesel fuel..on the Maryland side, so I went to the Virginia side of the Potomac and found a marina for us to stay at for the night and to get fuel....we may change our mind if we get inside the river and we arn't too tired, we will continue up further along the river and I will have to find another port.
I have been checking out the canal system in NYS and I guess it is a mess with all the water...most of it -if not all of it is shut down right now...high water, some are overflowing their banks and some have damage and lots of floaties...We were stranded last Fall for 2 wks for high water, but nothing like what is going on right now.....other places we stopped on our trip down are now experiencing too much water and are flooding...makes me wonder if we should leave here....I sure hope that there are not too many people stranded......
Well it's time to move on....
But I will say, that I would stop her at Zahniser's Harbor again.....it's been a good stay....staff are wonderful....
I went and got a shower while Ken slept in a bit.....back and cking weather on computer,etc....decided to stay here another day.
So after breakfast, I started reading my book and finished it..called Hush Money...kept my interest...then between raindrops, I decided to walk around and take a few pictures of the marina and the bathrooms,office...etc...the people that run the marina are all great, but Terry has gone above board as far as I am concerned, and has done that little extra for me..took me to the store,etc. and came later to pick me up when I was finished....then later today,I was just sitting on the back of the boat and she came around the dock checking boats, their lines, etc. there could be a little extra water at high tide and she mentioned to me if the dock gets under water to just pull the power plug....dang, sure hope that doesn't happen...
I called a local Chinese Rest. and had them deliver some food....hadn't had Chinese in about 6-7 weeks....was good...enough for 2 more meals...yeah!
I was checking on the charts to find another stop for us and came up sort of empty handed finding a marina just as we turn up into the Potomac that has diesel fuel..on the Maryland side, so I went to the Virginia side of the Potomac and found a marina for us to stay at for the night and to get fuel....we may change our mind if we get inside the river and we arn't too tired, we will continue up further along the river and I will have to find another port.
I have been checking out the canal system in NYS and I guess it is a mess with all the water...most of it -if not all of it is shut down right now...high water, some are overflowing their banks and some have damage and lots of floaties...We were stranded last Fall for 2 wks for high water, but nothing like what is going on right now.....other places we stopped on our trip down are now experiencing too much water and are flooding...makes me wonder if we should leave here....I sure hope that there are not too many people stranded......
Well it's time to move on....
But I will say, that I would stop her at Zahniser's Harbor again.....it's been a good stay....staff are wonderful....
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Wed., Sept. 7,2011 Enough Rain already!
7:15 up and on computer,cking mail,etc. real quick...
8:00 AM- shower
9:00 AM- back, Ken up, fixed us some toast for breakfast...don't have anything else.
usually don't eat breakfast, eat granola bar or fruit as we usually pull up and
leave for the next port...no time to fix anything....but we've been here 4 days
so toast is in order...best homemade strawberry jam...really worth it...I had a
doz. eggs for 6 wks and never ate one, so we threw them away and I would not get
any more...now I wish I had some....duh!
Finished Body Count....then ate some lunch....and then got the charts out and started to plot our next stop...we checked the weather and still not looking great.
We have a sm. craft warning here...usually means nasty weather...ck'd on the Potomac and there is some flooding ....just what we need to get into....there are some places we can stop for the night if we can get into the Potomac safely...about a 20 nautical ride for us...at 5 mph fighting the wind, be a 4 hr ride in the Chesapeake Bay and you know how I love that....we will have another discussion in the morning and if I'm not ok, we won't go...hope conditons are better...it is time to go somewhere else...
Hoping all you people in New York are not flooding ....this weather really is something....grandson has flooded out again at Cobleskill....nasty stuff....
Not much happening so will go for now....hope good stuff tomorrow....
8:00 AM- shower
9:00 AM- back, Ken up, fixed us some toast for breakfast...don't have anything else.
usually don't eat breakfast, eat granola bar or fruit as we usually pull up and
leave for the next port...no time to fix anything....but we've been here 4 days
so toast is in order...best homemade strawberry jam...really worth it...I had a
doz. eggs for 6 wks and never ate one, so we threw them away and I would not get
any more...now I wish I had some....duh!
Finished Body Count....then ate some lunch....and then got the charts out and started to plot our next stop...we checked the weather and still not looking great.
We have a sm. craft warning here...usually means nasty weather...ck'd on the Potomac and there is some flooding ....just what we need to get into....there are some places we can stop for the night if we can get into the Potomac safely...about a 20 nautical ride for us...at 5 mph fighting the wind, be a 4 hr ride in the Chesapeake Bay and you know how I love that....we will have another discussion in the morning and if I'm not ok, we won't go...hope conditons are better...it is time to go somewhere else...
Hoping all you people in New York are not flooding ....this weather really is something....grandson has flooded out again at Cobleskill....nasty stuff....
Not much happening so will go for now....hope good stuff tomorrow....
Tues. Sept. 6,2011 Lazy Day
Raining this morning.....ugh!
9 AM- to showers
11:30 got a ride with Teri to the town center where I got a pedicure/manicure...at the Tan & Nail..I needed it ...
Then I walked over to the grocery store to get a few things...I got a case of water, but no beer...they didn't sell beer...get some later...
1:30 PM-back to the boat...about 70 degrees out and it feels like a Fall Day...rain, cooler weather,etc...
I read for a while then took a nap (bored) as I did not sleep good the night before..
my naps are not 20 min....more like 2 hrs....
6:30 up from nap...Ken on the computer
7:30 we ate chili dogs for supper...then after dishes, I read from both books I am reading...one of the books is "Hush Money" by Robert Parker and the other book is "Body Count by Wm Kienzle (a mystery) both are entertaining.....
10 PM gave it up and went to bed...
Hope tomorrow is a better day...we may stay as weather looks iffy and then leave on Thurs to head to Potomac...we will see...nite all!
9 AM- to showers
11:30 got a ride with Teri to the town center where I got a pedicure/manicure...at the Tan & Nail..I needed it ...
Then I walked over to the grocery store to get a few things...I got a case of water, but no beer...they didn't sell beer...get some later...
1:30 PM-back to the boat...about 70 degrees out and it feels like a Fall Day...rain, cooler weather,etc...
I read for a while then took a nap (bored) as I did not sleep good the night before..
my naps are not 20 min....more like 2 hrs....
6:30 up from nap...Ken on the computer
7:30 we ate chili dogs for supper...then after dishes, I read from both books I am reading...one of the books is "Hush Money" by Robert Parker and the other book is "Body Count by Wm Kienzle (a mystery) both are entertaining.....
10 PM gave it up and went to bed...
Hope tomorrow is a better day...we may stay as weather looks iffy and then leave on Thurs to head to Potomac...we will see...nite all!
Monday, September 5, 2011
LABOR DAY!!! Sept. 5, 2011
8:30 we left the boat and walked into town -well one end of the little island, where they have some restaurants....most were not open yet....but we found one....ate a little something for breakfast, then went across the street and walked the boardwalk and took a few pictures...then back to the boat...
Ck'd in at the desk to get quarters to do laundry, while Ken defrosted the freezer and cleaned out the frig....he also cleaned the bilge...thank you very much, honey....
I found a book to read and so I started reading it while I did the laundry...quite a nice facility...I have had my moments with washers and dryers...these were $1 each to use...so got it all done for just $4...very good...nice area, even have an iron and ironing board...I thought about using it for some shirts, naa...just a thought...Ken says he's surprised I even know what they are....he was on a winning streak with good deeds...now good is starting to fade.....stinkin men!
After laundry, we went to the desk and Shawn (one of the marina lads) took Ken and I to the grocery store....he came back an hour later and got us....now we have some more junk food to eat...plus a lot of fruit and salad making things...we did good!
So when we walk along the docks, there are these big posts that the dock is attached to that sometimes have these crabs hanging on them....so tempted to catch a few and steam them as to buy 1 doz steamed crabs is $55 ...No thank you...so what do you think ...we will be here at least one more day....maybe we should do some crabbing... don't have a net or trap...maybe just reach down and get one...yeah,maybe tomorrow...I will steam them if Ken catches them...may be some law or something about a license or something....
lots of jellyfish all over here....neat to watch them swim...sure would not like to get stung by one....
6:30 PM- I made supper on board, can you believe it! had Chicken Caesar Salad, fresh bread and wine....loved it....
Then after supper Ken and I sitting on the back of the boat finishing our drinks when a guy comes walking down the dock...and said...have you been here a while? we said yes, since yesterday....wow, he said....I always pay attention to new arrivals and I must have missed you...He is busy refurbishing his 55 ft.sailboat...bought in Puerto Rico (sp) sailed it to Ft. Lauderdale then up here where he has had it since Memorial weekend...he lives in Phoenix,Arizona and comes here on business couple times a month...he and his wife just spent 2 weeks on the boat working on it...I would love to see it...he goes back to Pittsburgh tomorrow on business, then home...then back...he plans on retiring and he and his wife will live aboard it for 5 to 10 years travelling around the world....he has more guts than I do...just look back at yesterday...how long do you think I would last in the big ole ocean on a nasty day...He has a great job...works for Westinghouse as a nuclear plant maintenance installation superviser...whoa baby! very nice fella...2 grown kids...paid his dues and is now ready to travel......
Getting late, so must wrap it up...tomorrow is another day.....Sail on!
Ck'd in at the desk to get quarters to do laundry, while Ken defrosted the freezer and cleaned out the frig....he also cleaned the bilge...thank you very much, honey....
I found a book to read and so I started reading it while I did the laundry...quite a nice facility...I have had my moments with washers and dryers...these were $1 each to use...so got it all done for just $4...very good...nice area, even have an iron and ironing board...I thought about using it for some shirts, naa...just a thought...Ken says he's surprised I even know what they are....he was on a winning streak with good deeds...now good is starting to fade.....stinkin men!
After laundry, we went to the desk and Shawn (one of the marina lads) took Ken and I to the grocery store....he came back an hour later and got us....now we have some more junk food to eat...plus a lot of fruit and salad making things...we did good!
So when we walk along the docks, there are these big posts that the dock is attached to that sometimes have these crabs hanging on them....so tempted to catch a few and steam them as to buy 1 doz steamed crabs is $55 ...No thank you...so what do you think ...we will be here at least one more day....maybe we should do some crabbing... don't have a net or trap...maybe just reach down and get one...yeah,maybe tomorrow...I will steam them if Ken catches them...may be some law or something about a license or something....
lots of jellyfish all over here....neat to watch them swim...sure would not like to get stung by one....
6:30 PM- I made supper on board, can you believe it! had Chicken Caesar Salad, fresh bread and wine....loved it....
Then after supper Ken and I sitting on the back of the boat finishing our drinks when a guy comes walking down the dock...and said...have you been here a while? we said yes, since yesterday....wow, he said....I always pay attention to new arrivals and I must have missed you...He is busy refurbishing his 55 ft.sailboat...bought in Puerto Rico (sp) sailed it to Ft. Lauderdale then up here where he has had it since Memorial weekend...he lives in Phoenix,Arizona and comes here on business couple times a month...he and his wife just spent 2 weeks on the boat working on it...I would love to see it...he goes back to Pittsburgh tomorrow on business, then home...then back...he plans on retiring and he and his wife will live aboard it for 5 to 10 years travelling around the world....he has more guts than I do...just look back at yesterday...how long do you think I would last in the big ole ocean on a nasty day...He has a great job...works for Westinghouse as a nuclear plant maintenance installation superviser...whoa baby! very nice fella...2 grown kids...paid his dues and is now ready to travel......
Getting late, so must wrap it up...tomorrow is another day.....Sail on!
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Sunday, Sept. 4, 2011 Not Good today!
8:00 AM - left marina
8:15 AM - Fuel dock, got diesel and gas.....water
8:35 AM - Left dock, heading out to Chesapeake Bay from the West River and more of those crab pots all over.....Ken handles it well..
Did I mention LSU won over Oregon 40-27.....Geaux Tigers!!!!!!
12:15 PM Wind is strong from the South and we are heading right into the waves and wind...bam, bam, bam, boat kept slamming down into water hard...Ken was a champ....he stayed at the helm for over 8 hrs (2 pit stops) where I had to be at the wheel, praying the entire time....the weather NOAA does not do good reports sometimes. they said 12 knot winds from the south, which we knew would be a bit rough...they did not mention that they would increase to 20+ mph and waves 4-6 ft..It was so busy, I couldn't even take pictures....I stayed below as much as I could, but have to do nav..with the charts to let Ken know the buoy #'s as we go from one to another...
1 PM- I made ham salad sandwiches....gobbled that down pretty fast....
we pounded so hard broke the door to the head and got water in one of the light fixtures....things going all over...most things were tucked in, but some things popped out of their little spot...nothing too serious...
5:10 we finally docked and what a piece of work that was...Ken backed into slip...wind is blowing and we are heading for not one, but two boats - one on either side of our slip...we have a dock guy standing on one guys boat directing me and Ken and another guy plus the capt on the other boat trying to keep the Gypsy Wind from well hitting them...so the dock master has me make a lasso so I can lasso a big pole - I got it second try...now here I am standing on top of the boat in the front, holding a line on the left and on the right...until they can get the stern tied down..then Ken came up and helped me...the dockmaster said I was hired...oh yeah! I was a stinkin mess...we bounced so much today, my eyeballs even hurt...
To the showers first thing...after docking.
Guy next to us said " when you buy a sailboat, your ego goes right out the window"
no fooling...today everything went out the window.....
Ken was the best, really - after showers - he asked me if I wanted to sell the boat, I said, if there were a day to sell it, it would be today, but Nooo...I'm ok...
I think he actually enjoyed the challange....but what really made it ok today, was when we were heading into the River from the Bay, the Blue Angels flew by us...doing an airshow...we had front row seats...it was great..of course, by the time I got my camera, they were across the bay...great show, though!...
Tonight, Bottle of wine, fruit of the vine,when you gonna let me get sober...just kidding, don't have enough wine!
8:15 AM - Fuel dock, got diesel and gas.....water
8:35 AM - Left dock, heading out to Chesapeake Bay from the West River and more of those crab pots all over.....Ken handles it well..
Did I mention LSU won over Oregon 40-27.....Geaux Tigers!!!!!!
12:15 PM Wind is strong from the South and we are heading right into the waves and wind...bam, bam, bam, boat kept slamming down into water hard...Ken was a champ....he stayed at the helm for over 8 hrs (2 pit stops) where I had to be at the wheel, praying the entire time....the weather NOAA does not do good reports sometimes. they said 12 knot winds from the south, which we knew would be a bit rough...they did not mention that they would increase to 20+ mph and waves 4-6 ft..It was so busy, I couldn't even take pictures....I stayed below as much as I could, but have to do nav..with the charts to let Ken know the buoy #'s as we go from one to another...
1 PM- I made ham salad sandwiches....gobbled that down pretty fast....
we pounded so hard broke the door to the head and got water in one of the light fixtures....things going all over...most things were tucked in, but some things popped out of their little spot...nothing too serious...
5:10 we finally docked and what a piece of work that was...Ken backed into slip...wind is blowing and we are heading for not one, but two boats - one on either side of our slip...we have a dock guy standing on one guys boat directing me and Ken and another guy plus the capt on the other boat trying to keep the Gypsy Wind from well hitting them...so the dock master has me make a lasso so I can lasso a big pole - I got it second try...now here I am standing on top of the boat in the front, holding a line on the left and on the right...until they can get the stern tied down..then Ken came up and helped me...the dockmaster said I was hired...oh yeah! I was a stinkin mess...we bounced so much today, my eyeballs even hurt...
To the showers first thing...after docking.
Guy next to us said " when you buy a sailboat, your ego goes right out the window"
no fooling...today everything went out the window.....
Ken was the best, really - after showers - he asked me if I wanted to sell the boat, I said, if there were a day to sell it, it would be today, but Nooo...I'm ok...
I think he actually enjoyed the challange....but what really made it ok today, was when we were heading into the River from the Bay, the Blue Angels flew by us...doing an airshow...we had front row seats...it was great..of course, by the time I got my camera, they were across the bay...great show, though!...
Tonight, Bottle of wine, fruit of the vine,when you gonna let me get sober...just kidding, don't have enough wine!
Sat. -Sept. 3,2011
8:30 went over to marina for coffee, donuuts, bagels,etc...meet and greet Sat. morning...very nice....met some wonderful people...
9:30 am- back to the boat...tried uploaading pics...on and off most of day....ugh!
what a chore trying to post,etc. then getting blown off computer and lose what you have done...not fun!
12:00 made arrangements for next marina at Solomon's Island area...called Zahniser's
for tomorrow arrival...
4:30 PM - walk to Thursday's for dinner...I'm looking out the window and a lot of people are gathering around this dock and looking in the water...so me being curious have to go outside and check it out...there is a guy in the water diving down to get his cell phone he dropped...he must have been bringing everything but his phone up for half an hour...next thing I know he is up on the dock...must have gotten his phone...I went back inside, didn't wait around to see....
Walked back to the boat...got back around 6:30 PM...tried computer on and off for a couple hours...big mess...so played cards then to bed...too much fun for one day...
9:30 am- back to the boat...tried uploaading pics...on and off most of day....ugh!
what a chore trying to post,etc. then getting blown off computer and lose what you have done...not fun!
12:00 made arrangements for next marina at Solomon's Island area...called Zahniser's
for tomorrow arrival...
4:30 PM - walk to Thursday's for dinner...I'm looking out the window and a lot of people are gathering around this dock and looking in the water...so me being curious have to go outside and check it out...there is a guy in the water diving down to get his cell phone he dropped...he must have been bringing everything but his phone up for half an hour...next thing I know he is up on the dock...must have gotten his phone...I went back inside, didn't wait around to see....
Walked back to the boat...got back around 6:30 PM...tried computer on and off for a couple hours...big mess...so played cards then to bed...too much fun for one day...
It's FRIDAY, Sept. 2, 2011
Got up during the night to close the hatch as it was raining....then back to bed...
got up a little later for the day in time to see "Red sky in morning-sailor take warning" We listened to the weather report, not good for next few days....but it is time to go to the next stop Galesville, MD on the West River...Got a slip for a couple days at Hartge Yacht Harbor...Talked w/Judy...very helpful...
10:00 AM going under the bascule bridge... went into Severn River then back into Chesepeake and headed south....It was like going thru a mine field again with all those crab pots/traps....
12:30 docked at Hartge....on fixed dock....ck'd in talked w/Judy & Diane....great ladies....nice quaint place...pretty laid back....not a big town or anything like that, but aways down the road are 2 restaurants....
2:30 back to boat after showers....feel and look much better...hehe!
4:30 PM- borrowed bikes (hers & hers) and rode them to Pirates Cove for a nice dinner.
This marina is very clean and very nice...and great people....
talked a while, read then to bed....tomorrow is another day......
got up a little later for the day in time to see "Red sky in morning-sailor take warning" We listened to the weather report, not good for next few days....but it is time to go to the next stop Galesville, MD on the West River...Got a slip for a couple days at Hartge Yacht Harbor...Talked w/Judy...very helpful...
10:00 AM going under the bascule bridge... went into Severn River then back into Chesepeake and headed south....It was like going thru a mine field again with all those crab pots/traps....
12:30 docked at Hartge....on fixed dock....ck'd in talked w/Judy & Diane....great ladies....nice quaint place...pretty laid back....not a big town or anything like that, but aways down the road are 2 restaurants....
2:30 back to boat after showers....feel and look much better...hehe!
4:30 PM- borrowed bikes (hers & hers) and rode them to Pirates Cove for a nice dinner.
This marina is very clean and very nice...and great people....
talked a while, read then to bed....tomorrow is another day......
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Thurs. Sept. 1st,2011 going into our 2nd month
Spa Creek is just off the Severn River and just below this creek is a parcel of land called Eastport and below this is Back Creek....so we heard from various people that we should go to Davis's Pub on Chester St 2 blocks from Back Creek...so we get in the dinghy ( Eastport been without elec. since Sat."Irene" now it's Thurs and some places have their power back on....and we dinghy around the point to Back Creek and look for the City dinghy dock....the place we thought was the dock was all wrecked...so we went around to a couple boats and asked people on the boats where the city dinghy dock was...couple of boat people did not know and spoke litle English...they were workers -cleaning,waxing,etc. the big boats...so we asked this lady on a sailboat and she said over there...right where we came from...well we weren't going to dock there, so we went back to Market Slip - in Spa Creek (aka. Ego Alley) and docked the dinghy there and walked about 1/2 mile in 80+ temp in the sun to cross the bascule bridge to get to Eastport....we walked several blocks got to Davis's Pub to find out it was "CLOSED" even though they now had power...maybe we were just too early...another day perhaps.... Dang...now Ken needed oil and a gas can for the dinghy so we stopped at a gas station....I used the facilities and ken got some oil, but no gas can....we walk back over the bridge to the dinghy and throw the goodies in the dinghy and take off sightseeing again...by now it is lunch time so we stop at the Acme Bar & Grill....have a great lunch...then head to St. Mary's Catholic Church a couple blocks away and right behind where we are moored....while there, we first stopped at the old homestead of Charles Carroll the only Roman Catholic to sign the Declaration of Independence and he out lived all the other signers...He was the last to die and I think they said he was 95 or something like that...we walked the grounds and found his garden or what was suppose to be his garden...it was an adoration garden between the church and his house....Charles was a man of means...the Catholics were not allowed a church in Annapolis....so he would have service, Mass at his home and other places throughout the city..then when he died, he left a parcel of land to build a church on...That would be St. Mary's..In itself, it has history with the founders and all..wish I could remember everything...as I do the pictures, some will come back to me...
There was a large Magnolia tree in this garden with maybe 2 flowers on it...It is past time for magnolia's...their blossoms are mostly over....now God tests me a lot...this is one of those tests....there is nothing more that I like to smell than a magnolia blossom or flower...my family can attest to that...so Ken watches me wander over to the tree...now these blossoms have to be 10-12 ft up and no way can I reach them...He says...I know what you are thinking and you cannot steal that flower in God's Garden...I said, I don't want to steal it, I want to smell it....I tried to get him to go back to the boat to get the "boat hook" so I could snag it and bring it close to me just so I could smell it....He told me "NO"...so I left it alone, but what a stinkin test.....hope I passed it!
The garden was neat....after walking around there - we wandered to the front and went to the rectory to enter the church....under repair, could not get in the front door....so we paid a visit and prayed a while then you know I took pictures....
Beautiful church...after that walked back to town,-got water, sat a while and watched the people and boats...then got in the dinghy and went back to the boat.
We had a long afternoon...quite hot....we thought we would go back to Pussers Carribean Grill for dinner..too tired...just stayed on the boat...
Read a while...to bed early...no internet...no weather report, no elec. no nothing.
We see Katia is out there spinning...people here are getting nervous and some are back to making Hurrican plans for their boats....ugh!
Still in all a nice visit to Annapolis...time to move on...heading to Galesville, MD about 10-15 nautical miles away...not far, but need some elec. for a while to catch up my posts,etc...We were going to go to St. Michaels, nope not at $4/ft x 33.5-per day...no no no... hope all are well...so far so good for us....
There was a large Magnolia tree in this garden with maybe 2 flowers on it...It is past time for magnolia's...their blossoms are mostly over....now God tests me a lot...this is one of those tests....there is nothing more that I like to smell than a magnolia blossom or flower...my family can attest to that...so Ken watches me wander over to the tree...now these blossoms have to be 10-12 ft up and no way can I reach them...He says...I know what you are thinking and you cannot steal that flower in God's Garden...I said, I don't want to steal it, I want to smell it....I tried to get him to go back to the boat to get the "boat hook" so I could snag it and bring it close to me just so I could smell it....He told me "NO"...so I left it alone, but what a stinkin test.....hope I passed it!
The garden was neat....after walking around there - we wandered to the front and went to the rectory to enter the church....under repair, could not get in the front door....so we paid a visit and prayed a while then you know I took pictures....
Beautiful church...after that walked back to town,-got water, sat a while and watched the people and boats...then got in the dinghy and went back to the boat.
We had a long afternoon...quite hot....we thought we would go back to Pussers Carribean Grill for dinner..too tired...just stayed on the boat...
Read a while...to bed early...no internet...no weather report, no elec. no nothing.
We see Katia is out there spinning...people here are getting nervous and some are back to making Hurrican plans for their boats....ugh!
Still in all a nice visit to Annapolis...time to move on...heading to Galesville, MD about 10-15 nautical miles away...not far, but need some elec. for a while to catch up my posts,etc...We were going to go to St. Michaels, nope not at $4/ft x 33.5-per day...no no no... hope all are well...so far so good for us....
Wed. Aug. 31,2001 where did the summer go!
7 AM -up and writing cards,etc.
7:30 AM - Ken opens up the hatch and takes the screen off to welcome the sunshine and new day...he yells down to me...get out here quick...so I hustle outside and beside the boat is this "jellyfish" good size one..with tenticles had to be at least 2 ft. long....we watched it for a while...first one we have seen on this trip.
8 AM- Left for Market Slip "Ego Alley" to dock the dinghy and start our tour of the Naval Aacademy...We showed our ID and got thru the gate to wander around the grounds and I might add....beautiful...and clean...
We walked along this neat street where the houses were all white with red/white/blue banners and flags and very well kept....all very similar...where the officers lived.
then we turned down this other little street and right before us was the Crypt of John Paul Jones and the Chapel...we walked inside both and it was neat... pictures to follow...in the chapel, they do both Catholic Masses and Protestant Services...of course at diff. times.... you can visist when nothing is going on ....
It's hard to explain everything we did and saw, but will do my best....after we left the chapel, we went to a naval museum ...it was great...from the beginning of the Navy until now and also included air (space program)etc....the most facinating thing was the model ships that French prisoners made out of whatever they could make them out of, from bones out of their food, which was not much as the British did not take good care of them, so they sold these models to help buy food,etc....the models were wonderful and so intricate...while we were in there, a propfessor was doing a class for the midshipmen and we listened to some of it....really interesting about the diff. firgates,cruisers,ships,etc. worth the visit...Could have spent more time in there...as it were, we were there over 2-1/2 hrs....
We left there and went to a mess hall for lunch...got salad, 2 great sandwiches and coke for $21..not bad...all good!
then right before noon the cadets would "muster" gather and do role call,etc...so neat to watch....loved it....
We looked around a little bit more and decided to go and ck the Maryland Capitol out...now that was interesting as well...half the capitol bldg. is 18th century and the other half is 20th century....I have pictures...you can see the split of difference in structure and materials used...very interesting...also Geo. Washington resigned his commission in the Army there...Shows the Maryland State Flag, where Maryland was split during the Civil War...Confederates and Union...Red/white on top was Conf. gold and black on top, yanks....they had pins made for their lapels so you could see their patronage by the colors...
Women were not allowed on the floor in the meeting room...only allowed in the balcony...dang men!
So much more history...there...the dome is under repair right now.... after the tour, we walked downtown and found a homemade icecream place...oh yeah! it was good...I had a choc malt and Ken had dbl dip icecream...toasted coconut and Key Lime pie....man o man, yummy!
There are still people here without power from "Irene" on the other side of the Spa Creek where we are moored.
We walk back to the dinghy, hop in and do our little ride back to the boat...
We were going to go back out for dinner, but I was too tired and so we just stayed on board and ate fudge...
Life is good! but waistlines arn't....Great day!
7:30 AM - Ken opens up the hatch and takes the screen off to welcome the sunshine and new day...he yells down to me...get out here quick...so I hustle outside and beside the boat is this "jellyfish" good size one..with tenticles had to be at least 2 ft. long....we watched it for a while...first one we have seen on this trip.
8 AM- Left for Market Slip "Ego Alley" to dock the dinghy and start our tour of the Naval Aacademy...We showed our ID and got thru the gate to wander around the grounds and I might add....beautiful...and clean...
We walked along this neat street where the houses were all white with red/white/blue banners and flags and very well kept....all very similar...where the officers lived.
then we turned down this other little street and right before us was the Crypt of John Paul Jones and the Chapel...we walked inside both and it was neat... pictures to follow...in the chapel, they do both Catholic Masses and Protestant Services...of course at diff. times.... you can visist when nothing is going on ....
It's hard to explain everything we did and saw, but will do my best....after we left the chapel, we went to a naval museum ...it was great...from the beginning of the Navy until now and also included air (space program)etc....the most facinating thing was the model ships that French prisoners made out of whatever they could make them out of, from bones out of their food, which was not much as the British did not take good care of them, so they sold these models to help buy food,etc....the models were wonderful and so intricate...while we were in there, a propfessor was doing a class for the midshipmen and we listened to some of it....really interesting about the diff. firgates,cruisers,ships,etc. worth the visit...Could have spent more time in there...as it were, we were there over 2-1/2 hrs....
We left there and went to a mess hall for lunch...got salad, 2 great sandwiches and coke for $21..not bad...all good!
then right before noon the cadets would "muster" gather and do role call,etc...so neat to watch....loved it....
We looked around a little bit more and decided to go and ck the Maryland Capitol out...now that was interesting as well...half the capitol bldg. is 18th century and the other half is 20th century....I have pictures...you can see the split of difference in structure and materials used...very interesting...also Geo. Washington resigned his commission in the Army there...Shows the Maryland State Flag, where Maryland was split during the Civil War...Confederates and Union...Red/white on top was Conf. gold and black on top, yanks....they had pins made for their lapels so you could see their patronage by the colors...
Women were not allowed on the floor in the meeting room...only allowed in the balcony...dang men!
So much more history...there...the dome is under repair right now.... after the tour, we walked downtown and found a homemade icecream place...oh yeah! it was good...I had a choc malt and Ken had dbl dip icecream...toasted coconut and Key Lime pie....man o man, yummy!
There are still people here without power from "Irene" on the other side of the Spa Creek where we are moored.
We walk back to the dinghy, hop in and do our little ride back to the boat...
We were going to go back out for dinner, but I was too tired and so we just stayed on board and ate fudge...
Life is good! but waistlines arn't....Great day!
Friday, September 2, 2011
Tues. Aug. 30,2011 Pretty Mornin this mornin!
8 AM - Ken putting electronics back in operation....
10 AM- left fuel dock and heading back out from Baltimore to Annapolis...26 naut.miles...from Fort Henry...
12:30 Fed the Capt. a turkey sandwich for lunch.... we are running out of supplies2:05 at Bascule Bridge in Annapolis...have to wait 1/2 hr for bridge to open so we can go thru...opens on the hr and 1/2 hr...
2:35 PM- pulled up mooring ball...attached to the ball are ropes and we hook them to the bow of the boat to hold us in place like an anchor....$25/day for the ball.
3:00 Jeff/ harbor master comes by and collects for the mooring. we have it for 3 days.....
Ken puts the outboard back on the dinghy so we can get around to shore and all...
we first go up Market Slip....also known as "Ego Alley" boats go to the end of this little area and turn around and go back out -mostly to show off their boats....we took our little dinghy in and tied it up so we could walk around town....
Some mighty big boats in this harbor...one belongs to the owner of the Ravens...it is called "Winning Drive" and I'd say is the largest one here...we watched one 95 ft. yacht go to the fuel dock...took up most of the room and several people were cleaning it and washing it,etc. etc...when we left to go back to our boat, it was still there getting worked on....gorgeous boat...I have a pic....
We ate supper at McGarvey's a little you guessed it "Irish Pub" Ken ordered the special of the day....Crab Nachos $5....best thing we ate - really delicious...I had a hamburger and ken got a caesar salad...the place was sort of interesting...over 35 yrs with the current owner...way back when, he had some aviator friends in the Navy and they gave him their old or cracked aviator helmets and he has them lining the top of the bar...our waiter says there are hundreds more upstairs from others that just know the story about this guy and aviators...just gave them to him...
I think Irish Pubs are fun! good bar food....
Went across the street to Market St.Place and got some brochures and maps of Annapolis...quaint place...really old and lots of history...
After trip to hardware store, we dinghy'd back to the boat...now mind you, we have no electricity... we have to get in the dinghy and go back to Ego Alley where the harbor master headquarters are..to use their facilities..if we want to shower there and use the bathroom....a tad bit inconvenient.....not easy like walking down a dock to get to the bathrooms,etc.....anchoring out is cheaper, but you do give up some luxuries..
10 PM- to bed with issue...85 degrees and no fan...dangit...it did cool down after quite a while....miss my electricity....85 in the cabin 78 outside....took a while to get the air cool down below....
Glad we are here and safe....more tomorrow!
10 AM- left fuel dock and heading back out from Baltimore to Annapolis...26 naut.miles...from Fort Henry...
12:30 Fed the Capt. a turkey sandwich for lunch.... we are running out of supplies2:05 at Bascule Bridge in Annapolis...have to wait 1/2 hr for bridge to open so we can go thru...opens on the hr and 1/2 hr...
2:35 PM- pulled up mooring ball...attached to the ball are ropes and we hook them to the bow of the boat to hold us in place like an anchor....$25/day for the ball.
3:00 Jeff/ harbor master comes by and collects for the mooring. we have it for 3 days.....
Ken puts the outboard back on the dinghy so we can get around to shore and all...
we first go up Market Slip....also known as "Ego Alley" boats go to the end of this little area and turn around and go back out -mostly to show off their boats....we took our little dinghy in and tied it up so we could walk around town....
Some mighty big boats in this harbor...one belongs to the owner of the Ravens...it is called "Winning Drive" and I'd say is the largest one here...we watched one 95 ft. yacht go to the fuel dock...took up most of the room and several people were cleaning it and washing it,etc. etc...when we left to go back to our boat, it was still there getting worked on....gorgeous boat...I have a pic....
We ate supper at McGarvey's a little you guessed it "Irish Pub" Ken ordered the special of the day....Crab Nachos $5....best thing we ate - really delicious...I had a hamburger and ken got a caesar salad...the place was sort of interesting...over 35 yrs with the current owner...way back when, he had some aviator friends in the Navy and they gave him their old or cracked aviator helmets and he has them lining the top of the bar...our waiter says there are hundreds more upstairs from others that just know the story about this guy and aviators...just gave them to him...
I think Irish Pubs are fun! good bar food....
Went across the street to Market St.Place and got some brochures and maps of Annapolis...quaint place...really old and lots of history...
After trip to hardware store, we dinghy'd back to the boat...now mind you, we have no electricity... we have to get in the dinghy and go back to Ego Alley where the harbor master headquarters are..to use their facilities..if we want to shower there and use the bathroom....a tad bit inconvenient.....not easy like walking down a dock to get to the bathrooms,etc.....anchoring out is cheaper, but you do give up some luxuries..
10 PM- to bed with issue...85 degrees and no fan...dangit...it did cool down after quite a while....miss my electricity....85 in the cabin 78 outside....took a while to get the air cool down below....
Glad we are here and safe....more tomorrow!
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