Today is Thursday, September 29th and we're excited about leaving Saturday morning for New York City and on to Ireland. We'll be gone for two weeks and Mike has prepared a nice itinerary for us.
We rented a car on Saturday morning and once again it rained all week-end. We left Sunday afternoon for Morehead City, NC for the doctors appointment on Monday morning. It was a long drive - 5 1/2 hours each way. I had the injection but don't think it's helping much so when I get back from Ireland, I'm going to see about having the series of 3 injections of something called euflexa and if that doesn't work, I'm facing the knee replacement. I'm thinking about trying to get a local doctor for those injections.
As I mentioned before, we're planning on spending the winter months here in Virginia and I hear they get snow. Most boating people head south for the winter to warmer weather but we've had hot weather since leaving Texas in March and are actually looking forward to cold weather. There aren't many live aboards here in this marina so it'll be very quiet all winter. I think having my car up here will really help.
See you in two weeks......
Beginning in the Spring of 2011, this is a story of a journey in our 36' Heritage East Trawler as we cruise The Great Loop, a circumnavigation of Eastern North America, along the shoreline of the United States and Canada - truly a trip of a lifetime.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Friday, September 23, 2011
Day 181 -Gloucester, VA
Today is Friday, September 23rd and it's been a very uneventful week. This marina is very quiet and especially this time of year when things settle down and boating slacks off. Wouldn't you know it but it rained heavily all day and it's expected all week-end into next week. We're renting a car again to finish getting ready for our trip to Ireland next week-end. We're leaving here Saturday morning, October 1st, flying to New York and spending the night at the Marriott by the Newark airport. Mike wants to see ground zero again and eat at Pelligrinos in Little Italy. The flight to Shannon is Sunday night.
We're driving back to Moorehead City, N.C. on Sunday night for an early doctors appointment Monday morning. I saw that doctor when we were at the Beaufort City Marina for my knee and Mike was so impressed with him that he thinks we should go all the way back for an injection. I need a knee replacement but can't stand the thought of going through that right now. I'm hoping an injection will get me through this trip without too much pain while walking. Guess it was all those years of aerobics!
I think we're going to have my car transported here after we return from Ireland. We had thought of flying home and driving back but think it would cost less just to have it transported. We're currently checking into that.
No more news for today so will add something before leaving on the lst for 2 weeks.
We're driving back to Moorehead City, N.C. on Sunday night for an early doctors appointment Monday morning. I saw that doctor when we were at the Beaufort City Marina for my knee and Mike was so impressed with him that he thinks we should go all the way back for an injection. I need a knee replacement but can't stand the thought of going through that right now. I'm hoping an injection will get me through this trip without too much pain while walking. Guess it was all those years of aerobics!
I think we're going to have my car transported here after we return from Ireland. We had thought of flying home and driving back but think it would cost less just to have it transported. We're currently checking into that.
No more news for today so will add something before leaving on the lst for 2 weeks.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Day 176 - Gloucester, VA
Today is Sunday and we've been back at York River Yacht Haven for about 5 days and think we made the best decision returning to this marina. I even met a lady here from San Antonio. She lived on Brightwood St. and attended Alamo Heights High School and UT. Her aunt even lived on Blue Bonnet. It's such a small world!
The weather was great until yesterday when the heavens opened up and it's been raining off and on (mostly on) since then (wish I could send some of it to Texas!). I even went swimming Thursday afternoon. Now it's chilly and damp. We had arranged for a rent car Friday afternoon and planned to do some sightseeing but the weather just didn't permit that so we ran errands and checked out Fort Eustes on the other side of Yorktown. They have a gym we can use for free but we need a car for that. We've been contemplating flying back to San Antonio in November and driving my car back but not sure about that yet. A car would sure come in handy since we're going to be here so long.
This is such a historic area and there are markers everywhere indicting a revolutionary war or civil war battlefield, etc. Most of the counties and towns have an English name such as Gloucester (pronounced Glou-ster), King William County, King and Queen County, Middlesex County, New Kent County and so on.
Today we went to church and then to the little town of Saluda where Sargeant Major Lonnie Martin who looked after the late Virginia Puller gave a talk about his experiences. She was the wife of Lt. Gen. Chesty Puller - the most decorated marine ever and the hero of all marines. Mike loved it. We then went to Christ Church and the cemetery to see their graves. Now it's Sunday night football so I guess I'll retire to my room and read.....
The weather was great until yesterday when the heavens opened up and it's been raining off and on (mostly on) since then (wish I could send some of it to Texas!). I even went swimming Thursday afternoon. Now it's chilly and damp. We had arranged for a rent car Friday afternoon and planned to do some sightseeing but the weather just didn't permit that so we ran errands and checked out Fort Eustes on the other side of Yorktown. They have a gym we can use for free but we need a car for that. We've been contemplating flying back to San Antonio in November and driving my car back but not sure about that yet. A car would sure come in handy since we're going to be here so long.
This is such a historic area and there are markers everywhere indicting a revolutionary war or civil war battlefield, etc. Most of the counties and towns have an English name such as Gloucester (pronounced Glou-ster), King William County, King and Queen County, Middlesex County, New Kent County and so on.
Today we went to church and then to the little town of Saluda where Sargeant Major Lonnie Martin who looked after the late Virginia Puller gave a talk about his experiences. She was the wife of Lt. Gen. Chesty Puller - the most decorated marine ever and the hero of all marines. Mike loved it. We then went to Christ Church and the cemetery to see their graves. Now it's Sunday night football so I guess I'll retire to my room and read.....
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Day 171 - Back in Gloucester, VA
Today is Tuesday, September 13th and we are back in the York River Yacht Haven to stay for the next 5-6 months as we can't go any farther north until the spring. Weather permitting, we'll explore the east coast of the Chesapeake Bay this winter.
We left last Friday and went to Deltaville which took us about 6 hours cruising and were there until this morning. After several days there, we had pretty much decided that's where we would stay and then we moved into a permanent slip which is a covered slip. Unfortunately, it has a metal roof and we could not pick up any TV, stereo, computer, or phone. As Mike wants a covered slip for the winter months, the decision was made to return to York River. And so here we are in a covered slip with a wooden roof that allows signals to come through so we can use everything. The cruise back was very uneventful and smooth - light winds and temperatures that weren't too hot. After watching the weather tonight, it looks like we're going to have a big change on Thursday night with a cold front dropping temps down to the sixties for a couple of days.
While at Deltaville, we took bike rides down beautiful roads and saw wild turkeys crossing the road along with lots of beautiful deer. We thought that area was much prettier than it is here but there is more to offer in this location, even though it's not that much.
We're renting a car this week-end and will explore the neighboring towns such as Yorktown, Williamsburg and Jamestown.
We left last Friday and went to Deltaville which took us about 6 hours cruising and were there until this morning. After several days there, we had pretty much decided that's where we would stay and then we moved into a permanent slip which is a covered slip. Unfortunately, it has a metal roof and we could not pick up any TV, stereo, computer, or phone. As Mike wants a covered slip for the winter months, the decision was made to return to York River. And so here we are in a covered slip with a wooden roof that allows signals to come through so we can use everything. The cruise back was very uneventful and smooth - light winds and temperatures that weren't too hot. After watching the weather tonight, it looks like we're going to have a big change on Thursday night with a cold front dropping temps down to the sixties for a couple of days.
While at Deltaville, we took bike rides down beautiful roads and saw wild turkeys crossing the road along with lots of beautiful deer. We thought that area was much prettier than it is here but there is more to offer in this location, even though it's not that much.
We're renting a car this week-end and will explore the neighboring towns such as Yorktown, Williamsburg and Jamestown.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Day 165 - Gloucester, VA
Today is Wednesday, September 7th and we are currently at the York River Yacht Haven on the York River having arrived Monday afternoon about 2:30 just ahead of a huge storm! We had just tied up and carried everything below when it hit. I would have hated to have been out in the open water in the middle of that storm.
I think storms are predicted every afternoon this week. In fact there was another severe storm last night and Mike said we needed to get off the boat quickly because there was a tornado warning. Well, we darted off and ran through the rain to the marina office/restaurant where we waited it out.
We were able to borrow the loaner car and do some grocery shopping but it was at least 5 miles away and a little expensive also.
We have been looking at this marina as a possible site to winter over in the boat and use as a base of operations. It's a nice place but there isn't much around here. We're leaving in the morning to check out a couple more marinas a little farther north near Deltaville. Hopefully, we'll get out of here before another storm hits.
We need to be settled within the next several weeks as we're planning a trip to Ireland around October 3rd. Most everybody knows I used to work for Continental Airlines (which is now United) and therefore fly standby. So when I say October 3rd, that could change by a day or two or even as much as a week. I never know until the time comes. Ireland is a popular place for tourists but I understand the weather starts to change around the middle of October and the days get shorter. Stay tuned.
I think storms are predicted every afternoon this week. In fact there was another severe storm last night and Mike said we needed to get off the boat quickly because there was a tornado warning. Well, we darted off and ran through the rain to the marina office/restaurant where we waited it out.
We were able to borrow the loaner car and do some grocery shopping but it was at least 5 miles away and a little expensive also.
We have been looking at this marina as a possible site to winter over in the boat and use as a base of operations. It's a nice place but there isn't much around here. We're leaving in the morning to check out a couple more marinas a little farther north near Deltaville. Hopefully, we'll get out of here before another storm hits.
We need to be settled within the next several weeks as we're planning a trip to Ireland around October 3rd. Most everybody knows I used to work for Continental Airlines (which is now United) and therefore fly standby. So when I say October 3rd, that could change by a day or two or even as much as a week. I never know until the time comes. Ireland is a popular place for tourists but I understand the weather starts to change around the middle of October and the days get shorter. Stay tuned.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Day 161 - Norfolk
Today is Saturday, September 3rd and we're still here in Waterside Marina in Norfolk having arrived Wednesday afternoon. We went to the Nauticus Museum and the Battleship Wisconsin yesterday and spent most of the afternoon there as it was so interesting. I didn't realize that ship was commissioned in 1944 and used in WWII, Korean War and the Gulf War.
The marina is situated next to a great park but in the evenings they have either live entertainment or piped in music which can get quite loud at times but at least they stop at a decent hour.
We had gone across the channel Thursday morning for the pumpout and Mike decided to take a little cruise down the channel to see what was here. We turned around and were on our way back when we noticed a submarine being towed by two tugboats. All of a sudden this little coast guard boat speeds up toward us and through the loud speaker said we needed to be 500 yards away from the sub. We were on the edge of the channel and had nowhere to move so there was not much we could do. In the meantime I'm taking pictures because it was such an unusual sight and they yelled at me "NO PICTURES!" Here we are U.S. citizens minding our own business and these are little 19 or 20 year old kids manning a machine gun on the front of their boat screaming at us. It was very frustrating!
Needless to say, we've had a lot of adventures on this trip. We're leaving Monday morning for the York River near Yorktown, VA to check out several marinas to keep the boat for the winter months so we can make side trips through the Chesapeake Bay but use the one marina as a base.
The marina is situated next to a great park but in the evenings they have either live entertainment or piped in music which can get quite loud at times but at least they stop at a decent hour.
We had gone across the channel Thursday morning for the pumpout and Mike decided to take a little cruise down the channel to see what was here. We turned around and were on our way back when we noticed a submarine being towed by two tugboats. All of a sudden this little coast guard boat speeds up toward us and through the loud speaker said we needed to be 500 yards away from the sub. We were on the edge of the channel and had nowhere to move so there was not much we could do. In the meantime I'm taking pictures because it was such an unusual sight and they yelled at me "NO PICTURES!" Here we are U.S. citizens minding our own business and these are little 19 or 20 year old kids manning a machine gun on the front of their boat screaming at us. It was very frustrating!
Needless to say, we've had a lot of adventures on this trip. We're leaving Monday morning for the York River near Yorktown, VA to check out several marinas to keep the boat for the winter months so we can make side trips through the Chesapeake Bay but use the one marina as a base.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Day 159 - Norfolk, VA
Today is Thursday, September 1st and it was a whirlwind trip yesterday getting here to the Waterside Marina in Norfolk. We had been sitting around in that dark boatshed for days waiting for news that the lock was going to open and decided to have the men at the boatyard move the boat behind us so that in the event we could go, we would be ready. Our intention was to have time to get a pumpout before leaving and to be in the position to go when we found out we could. Then as they were moving the boat behind us, we were told the lock was going to open only for a short window of time and if we wanted to go, we'd better take advantage and get out of there.
Usually before departing there are a number of items to check off the list but we didn't have time to do anything! We headed for the bridge opening and then into the lock with about 6 other boats. Mike forgot to turn on the bow thruster and I didn't do a checklist of items in the cabin. He was able to run down and turn on the thruster but I forgot the vase of flowers and when we arrived, of course they had overturned with water everywhere.
It was a stressful day and the short trip to Norfolk reminded me of the industrial Texas and Louisiana stretch of the intracoastal - heavy industry and barge traffic. Fortunately it was only 12 miles and we arrived safely. Today we need to go to the marina across the canal for a pumpout as the one here was damaged by Hurricane Irene. Sightseeing is on the agenda as well. This is the same marina where the rendezvous was held in May so we've been here before however, the marina was full then of boats heading north to Canada. This time the marina is almost empty. We started our journey at a different time than most people doing the Great Loop as usually it's a one year trip. Our intent was to take two years so I guess we'll catch up next spring.
We're going to spend the winter months at a marina in the Chesapeake somewhere and take short side trips rather than turn around and go back to Florida which has been recommended to us. I have no desire to do that and neither does Mike so we'll just stay up here and see the sights in the winter months. Our daughter Sherrie lives in Bethesda so since it's so close I'm sure we'll plan several trips there as well as other trips around the area. At least we'll have no more long days of 8-10 hours on the water for a long time.
Usually before departing there are a number of items to check off the list but we didn't have time to do anything! We headed for the bridge opening and then into the lock with about 6 other boats. Mike forgot to turn on the bow thruster and I didn't do a checklist of items in the cabin. He was able to run down and turn on the thruster but I forgot the vase of flowers and when we arrived, of course they had overturned with water everywhere.
It was a stressful day and the short trip to Norfolk reminded me of the industrial Texas and Louisiana stretch of the intracoastal - heavy industry and barge traffic. Fortunately it was only 12 miles and we arrived safely. Today we need to go to the marina across the canal for a pumpout as the one here was damaged by Hurricane Irene. Sightseeing is on the agenda as well. This is the same marina where the rendezvous was held in May so we've been here before however, the marina was full then of boats heading north to Canada. This time the marina is almost empty. We started our journey at a different time than most people doing the Great Loop as usually it's a one year trip. Our intent was to take two years so I guess we'll catch up next spring.
We're going to spend the winter months at a marina in the Chesapeake somewhere and take short side trips rather than turn around and go back to Florida which has been recommended to us. I have no desire to do that and neither does Mike so we'll just stay up here and see the sights in the winter months. Our daughter Sherrie lives in Bethesda so since it's so close I'm sure we'll plan several trips there as well as other trips around the area. At least we'll have no more long days of 8-10 hours on the water for a long time.
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