Norfolk, VA
To see as much of the world as we can,
Using the smallest carbon footprint we can,
Spending the least amount of money we can,
Making as many friends we can.
We're off Red Ranger, vacationing in New York and Texas.
I'm blogging from my mother's basement. How appropriate.
I've been left alone to tackle two major waves of purchasing: Solar Panels and Engine Parts. This is proving far, far more difficult than I would have thought.
I should also be …
We're off Red Ranger, vacationing in New York and Texas.
We're not working on the boat, but we can still put some time into planning our jobs: that means ordering solar panels and engine parts. Just an excuse for web surfing called "research." As a practical matter, we did none …
Each time we think we're getting more skilled at running up and down the Bay, we learn that the Chesapeake is a tough old bitch and doesn't suffer fools gladly.
The dodger is done. So we're headed south to Deltaville so we can turn around and make a trip up …
Currently, Red Ranger should stay anchored at 38°58.586′N 076°28.415′W, Severn River, Annapolis, MD. We're near the end of our wait for a dodger. After several weeks of essentially nothing, suddenly a lot of stuff is happening. All at once. Some good. Some bad.
Due …
Currently, Red Ranger should stay anchored at 38°58.586′N 076°28.415′W, Severn River, Annapolis, MD. So far, we have no reason to move. We're perfecting the art of hanging out.
Some other chores need to be done this week. Maybe I'll actually do them. But. We're …
Currently, Red Ranger should stay anchored at 38°58.586′N 076°28.415′W, Severn River, Annapolis, MD. So far, we have no reason to move. We're perfecting the art of hanging out.
A big question this week: "How do you hang out in one place for so long …
Currently, Red Ranger should stay anchored at 38°58.586′N 076°28.415′W, Severn River, Annapolis, MD. So far, we have no reason to move.
Once the dodger shows up, we'll move to the dock to get it installed.
Then. Well...
For the time being …
We're here for one purpose: replace Red Ranger's ratty old dodger.
Other jobs, like an oil change, are also important, but not the essential goal.
We're done with the big North-South voyaging for a while, so it makes sense to ease up on the play-by-play travel aspect of this blog …
Waiting for weather is a skill we're trying to learn.
In Pungo Creek, last fall, waiting for the end of hurricane Sandy was unpleasant: no place to go; nothing much to do.
In Norfolk, however, we have to be a little careful about waiting too long. There's lots to do …
Big Milestone: we've closed the loop on our home port of Norfolk, VA.
While we started this voyage in Deltaville, VA, Norfolk is our home port. I like to think that the first four weeks of living aboard—prior to Norfolk—are a kind of prologue.
Because of Hurricane Season …
Two tasks: Fix the propane. Get to Norfolk.
Note that we left the Bahamas due east of Ft. Lauderdale, ICW mile 1064. Norfolk is 283 ICW miles away. A hair over 25% left to go.
No trip is uneventful. In addition to propane weirdness, which cleared itself up, we had …
The goal was Annapolis in early April. Clearly, that objective is blown. Sky High.
Letting the big picture sort itself out, we've got a bunch of little steps to take.
Get to Charleston, SC. 125 miles rhumb-line mile, 25 hours. 208 ICW miles. We're hoping for sailing, but we'll settle …
Friends First.
We're going to rendezvous with some other Whitby folks here in St. Augustine.
Last winter we had five Whitby's in St. Augustine. This week, we're expecting to have four Whitby's in St. A.
Meanwhile, we'll do some chores and plan our big maintenance tasks for the summer:
Dodger …
Are we there yet?
Have we broken anything new recently?
Anchored at 27°09.252′N 080°11.748′W in Manatee Pocket, near Stuart, FL
Walkies and Wi-Fi at Sammies for breakfast.
Washup was showers at the marina "not-to-be-named".
Dinghy over to the Hinckley …
Are we there yet?
Are our engine parts here yet?
Are all the parts we need here yet?
Have we broken anything new recently?
Anchored at 27°09.252′N 080°11.748′W in Manatee Pocket, near Stuart, FL
Walkies. Waste. Washup. Wi-Fi.
Walkies was a walk …
This was painful, but necessary.
Stuff broke. We knew something was amiss when Mr. Lehman developed an unusual new smell on Saturday or Sunday. Really. A new smell. We'd learned all of his various noises. And a diesel engine has a characteristic smell. But this smell was new and different …
Bahamas!
Bound for the US of A. We're working our way back to Nassau to get provisions. Then across the Great Bahama Bank as weather permits, then across to the US. Ideally, we'd like to hit Beaufort and save a lot of ICW folderol. But. Maybe we'll hit St. Augustine …
Bahamas!
The Black Point Settlement (on Great Guana Cay) is one of the larger and more prosperous communities we've seen. Multiple churches, multiple restaurants. The world-famous Lorraine's. And bread baked by Lorraine's Mom. There's a huge "Laundermat" here, also. The community water is relatively accessible (and consequently cheaper) than other …
Red Ranger is not quiet. Don't be fooled. While some aspects of sailing are "peaceful", it only appears quiet from a distance. A sailboat, gliding along under a press of canvas, even from very close, makes almost no discernible sound.
But when you're on board, it's quite different.
A boat …
Bahamas!
Staniel Cay is a delightful destination. The Staniel Cay Yacht Club boasts a well-run marina, a bar-restaurant, water, diesel, gasoline. Everything. There's the Staniel Cay Divers shop with tanks, equipment, a big boat and guides. The island has an air strip served by Watermakers Air (direct from Ft. Lauderdale …