Today is Wednesday, November 30th and I am having a hard time believing tomorrow is December 1st. Time seems to fly faster and faster. We did go to Bethesda for Thanksgiving and had a very relaxing, enjoyable visit. Of course we ate too much but had lots of leftovers and I have even made a pot of turkey rice soup since returning to the boat. The girls and I went shopping on Black Friday and hit Tyson Corner Mall at 8:00 AM. We got a front row parking spot and the mall wasn't crowded at all until later in the morning and we were able to pick up some amazing deals - 50% off everything in the store until noon, etc. We had a great shopping day.
I celebrated my birthday while there which made it even better. Chris took us to the Great Falls area which flows from the Potomac River and I didn't even know it existed. Mike and I came to the conclusion that we wouldn't live there even if someone gave us a house. We took Route 17 from Gloucester to Fredericksburg which was a lovely drive but then you pick up I-95 and the traffic is horrible! After visiting the Falls we went to Georgetown and walked around and then went to Serendipity to have a bite to eat and have their famous frozen hot chocolate. When we were in New York in August Lauren made sure we went there.
We've been back on the boat since Sunday and are falling back into a routine. We've decided to go to Dallas for Christmas to visit our other daughter Kelly and maybe a short trip back to San Antonio for a visit.
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.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Day 237 - Gloucester Point, VA
Today is Tuesday, November 15th and the leaves are beginning to fall everywhere. They're still beautiful but it won't be long before they're bare and then it will reallly look like winter. We're staying busy by doing work around the boat, on the computer, etc. We've been going to the gym at Ft. Eustis which feels great since we both have gotten so out of shape on this relaxing cruise. We're planning to see parts of Williamsburg tomorrow after my injection (my third and last).
Fortunately we had Direct TV installed here at our slip and have been able to watch my favorite "Dancing With The Stars", and Mike his endless football.
We'll be going to Bethesda for Thanksgiving and are looking forward to that. Believe it or not, my daughter, granddaughter and I will be hitting the shops early on black Friday! That's something I swore I'd never do but oh well....
Fortunately we had Direct TV installed here at our slip and have been able to watch my favorite "Dancing With The Stars", and Mike his endless football.
We'll be going to Bethesda for Thanksgiving and are looking forward to that. Believe it or not, my daughter, granddaughter and I will be hitting the shops early on black Friday! That's something I swore I'd never do but oh well....
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Day 231 - Gloucester, VA
Today is Wednesday, November 9th and I had my second injection this morning. So far so good. It seems like the pain is less which is a good thing. I continue to be amazed at the beauty of the trees this fall. This is one of the most beautiful places I've seen. Being from Texas, I'm not used to the change of seasons like we're experiencing here.
Yesterday the weather was really nice so we decided to take the boat out for a cruise up the York River. It was great to be out on the water again. We removed the dinghy from the back of the boat and later in the afternoon we took it around the creek here and checked out the homes on the water. When we were backing the boat into the covered slip, we were so nervous about hitting the sides that we both forgot about the antenna which needs to be lowered first and we broke it off. That's a $100 - $150 mistake!
We've gotten to know the guy who has a little fishing rod shop right across from the boat and Mike plans to buy one of his custom made rods and start fishing off the boat and from the dinghy as we've been told the fish in the creek here are good to eat.
We continue staying busy doing little things around the boat and the marina.
Yesterday the weather was really nice so we decided to take the boat out for a cruise up the York River. It was great to be out on the water again. We removed the dinghy from the back of the boat and later in the afternoon we took it around the creek here and checked out the homes on the water. When we were backing the boat into the covered slip, we were so nervous about hitting the sides that we both forgot about the antenna which needs to be lowered first and we broke it off. That's a $100 - $150 mistake!
We've gotten to know the guy who has a little fishing rod shop right across from the boat and Mike plans to buy one of his custom made rods and start fishing off the boat and from the dinghy as we've been told the fish in the creek here are good to eat.
We continue staying busy doing little things around the boat and the marina.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Day 225 - Gloucester, VA
Today is Thursday November 3rd and it continues to be chilly but it was also nice and sunny today. My car was delivered on Monday and on Wednesday we drove to Williamsburg for me to have my first injection in my knee. The doctor said results normally are seen after the 2nd or 3rd injection so we'll see. We drove on the Colonial Parkway to Williamsburg and it was simply gorgeous with all the leaves turning colors! I have to say that the scenery in this part of the country is spectacular.
Today we ran errands and then went to the Fort Eustis gym. Boy am I out of shape! Seven months of mostly inactivity has taken its toll on me. Of course the knee has prevented me from doing much but I used the eliptical machine and it seems to be ok.
We'll be going to Bethesda for Thanksgiving with Sherrie, Chris and Lauren and am looking foward to that. We decided we need a GPS for the car if we're going to the Washington, D.C. area as we'll be totally lost if we don't.
Not much more going on with us since we're stationary here for the season.
Today we ran errands and then went to the Fort Eustis gym. Boy am I out of shape! Seven months of mostly inactivity has taken its toll on me. Of course the knee has prevented me from doing much but I used the eliptical machine and it seems to be ok.
We'll be going to Bethesda for Thanksgiving with Sherrie, Chris and Lauren and am looking foward to that. We decided we need a GPS for the car if we're going to the Washington, D.C. area as we'll be totally lost if we don't.
Not much more going on with us since we're stationary here for the season.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Day 221 - Gloucester, VA
We're still here and will be all winter although many folks have left their boats winterized and are heading home to various parts of the country or continuing their cruise south. Many people spend the winter months in Florida or the Bahamas but we made the decision to remain here until the spring as we've already cruised through Florida. The marina serves complimentary breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings but today was the last one of the season and we bid farewell to several couples leaving. The weather for the last couple of days has been miserable - cold and wet! However, today it's just COLD. It would be a beautiful day otherwise.
We're located in a covered slip but the docks are not floating so we have to be sure our lines are loose to allow movement with the tides which are significant. Yesterday and today the water has been so high that we had to improvise getting off the boat. First Mike put a bucket out to step on and we went to breakfast. When we returned, the bucket was missing - it floated away! Today we used our folding steps but made sure we picked them up before walking away. You have to be flexible when living aboard.
Today we're just hanging out as there's not much more to do without a car. Hopefully mine will be delivered tomorrow as I've been getting cabin fever. I have my first injection of euflexa in my knee this Wednesday and am praying it works as I'd sure like to get back into a regular workout routine.
We're going to dinner tonight at a great italian restaurant with a nice couple we met here at the marina. She's the one from San Antonio.
Well, not much more that's new as we've been unable to get around but hopefully that will soon change.
We're located in a covered slip but the docks are not floating so we have to be sure our lines are loose to allow movement with the tides which are significant. Yesterday and today the water has been so high that we had to improvise getting off the boat. First Mike put a bucket out to step on and we went to breakfast. When we returned, the bucket was missing - it floated away! Today we used our folding steps but made sure we picked them up before walking away. You have to be flexible when living aboard.
Today we're just hanging out as there's not much more to do without a car. Hopefully mine will be delivered tomorrow as I've been getting cabin fever. I have my first injection of euflexa in my knee this Wednesday and am praying it works as I'd sure like to get back into a regular workout routine.
We're going to dinner tonight at a great italian restaurant with a nice couple we met here at the marina. She's the one from San Antonio.
Well, not much more that's new as we've been unable to get around but hopefully that will soon change.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Day 213 - Gloucester, VA
Today is Saturday, October 22nd and the weather is cloudy and chilly here in Virginia. I think we brought Ireland weather back with us!Yesterday we rode our bikes and decided to go across Hwy. 17 where we've never been before. We found a place now called Tyndales Park which is very historic as it was the site where Lord Cornwallis surrendered to George Washington and America gained its independence from Great Britain in the 1700s. Also, it was here that civil war battles occurred in the 1850s. There are numerous earthen mounds which were used as protection from the enemy and one in particular where they had mounted 12 cannons aimed across the York River. This all occurred here at Gloucester Point. Anyway, this area is really where our country began and we intend to see more whenever my car is delivered - hopefully next week.
The marina here is having their annual customer appreciation day today with an oyster roast which begins shortly so we intend to take part in that. We're keeping busy until the spring when we can continue our journey north.
The marina here is having their annual customer appreciation day today with an oyster roast which begins shortly so we intend to take part in that. We're keeping busy until the spring when we can continue our journey north.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Day 209 - Back home in Gloucester, VA
Today is Wednesday, October 19th and we're back on Queen Kathleen after a great two weeks in Ireland. We left here on Saturday, October 2nd spending the night in NYC and then met our daughter, Sherrie, at the Newark airport for the trip to Ireland. It was an overnight flight so jet lag was hitting all of us when we arrived which made it interesting when mike took the wheel of the rent car. The wheel was on the right side and driving is done on the left side of the road. Several times during the trip Sherrie yelled "Dad, get on the left side!" Anyway, we arrived at the Shannon Airport and drove to Ennis where we spent two nights at the Woodstock Hotel. We caught up on sleep and set out to see the Cliffs of Moher which were spectacular! However, the wind was vicious and as Sherrie and I soon discovered, a hairdo in Ireland is impossible. We had dinner at the Bunratty Castle and saw a show including traditional Irish song and dance, a fun evening.
Mike's purpose in going to Ireland was to see the Clare Heritage Center and trace his roots although his Uncle Jack had previously done this. It seems that his family came from County Clare and he wanted to see the area. We learned about the severe potato famine which occurred in 1850 and caused the deaths of a million people and a million more immigrated to other countries including the U.S. which was 25% of their population. Very interesting and sad.
We next went to the city of Galway for a couple of days and did a lot of shopping. Most of our nights were spent in local B&Bs and eating local fare in pubs. After leaving Galway, we drove through the Connemara National Park area and came on a place called Kylemore Abbey & Gardens and decided to go see it. Wow!! It was incredible and I've never seen gardens such as these! So glad we stopped. We went to the city of Kenmare and stayed at the Shelburne Lodge which was so lovely and had an incredible breakfast. We drove part of the Ring of Kerry which is through a mountainous region and it was gorgeous but scary as the roads are so narrow and you meet tour buses everywhere as well as cattle and sheep on the road! We went to the towns of Glengarriff and Bantry and visited the Bantry House built in 1750.
We went to the city of Cork which is huge! We visited the infamous Cork City Gaol (jail) which was horrible but interesting. They imprisoned people for such minor offenses it was unbelievable. Also, in the 1820s and 1830s it housed prisoners bound for Australia on convict ships which was their method of getting rid of them.
While in Cork we had the most interesting experience of all - dinner in a traditional Irish household. Mike and I had lunch with Father Murphy in San Antonio last year asking him for advice on what to see when we took this trip. He mentioned that he had a brother in Cork and he would love to have us over for dinner. Well, they did have us over in their home built in the 1700s and the meal was spectacular. Jack and Joan Murphy own 4 acres outside of town and they grow all their own vegetables and Joan prepared an amazing dinner for us. The food and conversation were so enjoyable.
On to Cobh (pronounced Cove) where we visited the Queenstown & Titanic Story. Cobh was previously called Queenstown after a visit from the Queen but was changed back to Cobh. Anyway, this is the exact location where the mass exodus occurred in the mid 1800s during the potato famine. It's also the last stop the Titanic made before heading on it's ill-fated journey.
We visited the city of Waterford and went to the crystal factory which was closed down last year but then purchased by a New York investment firm so has reopened. This city is the third oldest anywhere and was discovered in 914 by the Vikings.
Our last city visited was Kilkenny where we went to the medieval Kilkenny castle built in the 12th century. Everywhere you go in Ireland you find these old rock structures which have been there for centuries and are partially standing but they are left for all to see.
We left Shannon on Sunday morning, October 16th heading back to the U.S. and as many times and places we have traveled I'm always so grateful to return home. The people of Ireland are wonderful. They're courteous, considerate and friendly and I would highly recommend a visit. Just be prepared for rain!!
Mike's purpose in going to Ireland was to see the Clare Heritage Center and trace his roots although his Uncle Jack had previously done this. It seems that his family came from County Clare and he wanted to see the area. We learned about the severe potato famine which occurred in 1850 and caused the deaths of a million people and a million more immigrated to other countries including the U.S. which was 25% of their population. Very interesting and sad.
We next went to the city of Galway for a couple of days and did a lot of shopping. Most of our nights were spent in local B&Bs and eating local fare in pubs. After leaving Galway, we drove through the Connemara National Park area and came on a place called Kylemore Abbey & Gardens and decided to go see it. Wow!! It was incredible and I've never seen gardens such as these! So glad we stopped. We went to the city of Kenmare and stayed at the Shelburne Lodge which was so lovely and had an incredible breakfast. We drove part of the Ring of Kerry which is through a mountainous region and it was gorgeous but scary as the roads are so narrow and you meet tour buses everywhere as well as cattle and sheep on the road! We went to the towns of Glengarriff and Bantry and visited the Bantry House built in 1750.
We went to the city of Cork which is huge! We visited the infamous Cork City Gaol (jail) which was horrible but interesting. They imprisoned people for such minor offenses it was unbelievable. Also, in the 1820s and 1830s it housed prisoners bound for Australia on convict ships which was their method of getting rid of them.
While in Cork we had the most interesting experience of all - dinner in a traditional Irish household. Mike and I had lunch with Father Murphy in San Antonio last year asking him for advice on what to see when we took this trip. He mentioned that he had a brother in Cork and he would love to have us over for dinner. Well, they did have us over in their home built in the 1700s and the meal was spectacular. Jack and Joan Murphy own 4 acres outside of town and they grow all their own vegetables and Joan prepared an amazing dinner for us. The food and conversation were so enjoyable.
On to Cobh (pronounced Cove) where we visited the Queenstown & Titanic Story. Cobh was previously called Queenstown after a visit from the Queen but was changed back to Cobh. Anyway, this is the exact location where the mass exodus occurred in the mid 1800s during the potato famine. It's also the last stop the Titanic made before heading on it's ill-fated journey.
We visited the city of Waterford and went to the crystal factory which was closed down last year but then purchased by a New York investment firm so has reopened. This city is the third oldest anywhere and was discovered in 914 by the Vikings.
Our last city visited was Kilkenny where we went to the medieval Kilkenny castle built in the 12th century. Everywhere you go in Ireland you find these old rock structures which have been there for centuries and are partially standing but they are left for all to see.
We left Shannon on Sunday morning, October 16th heading back to the U.S. and as many times and places we have traveled I'm always so grateful to return home. The people of Ireland are wonderful. They're courteous, considerate and friendly and I would highly recommend a visit. Just be prepared for rain!!
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