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.
Condensation was everywhere. Everywhere. Cold days and colder nights means water running down the inside of the boat. Running. Rivulets. The bilge pump had to run. Amazing amounts of condensation.
CA took the entire aft cabin apart.
She wiped down everything with vinegar water to reduce the mildew growth …
Since we're looking at a series of day trips from here to Jacksonville, we're not looking for big weather windows. We think we can deal with some sail-and-then-wait cycles.
We can't really dawdle too much longer. We had a great time with Venerable Great Aunt Diane. We need to move …
Two very odd failure modes this week.
The freshwater pump corked off. While we have a guest aboard. Venerable Great Aunt Diane was perfectly happy using the hand pump until we could sort out the pressure water system.
The backbone of the freshwater system is a Jabsco diaphragm pump …
Enjoying Charleston.
Enjoying warmer weather. The heaters aren't running. Hatches are open.
We could go sailing and see the Charleston Waterfront.
Wind out of the N meant a great beam reach across the harbor. We motored up the Ashley to see the mega-dock; we didn't think we could short …
Hung around with the crew of Baccalieu yesterday. They got beat up heading south from Beaufort and decided to stop in to Charleston and wait for the bad weather to pass.
They've been following some other boats south — boats which have started into the South Carolina and Georgia part …
Family visit in Charleston. The Venerable Great Aunt has taken up residence in the V-berth.
We're already running low on martini olives, red wine, bourbon, the good coffee and really good cheese.
Besides having good taste in food and drink, she has a car. We can restock all the …
It's 1°C this morning. We're thankful for unlimited shore power, and two 1500W electric heaters plus a propane heater. Being at a dock is expensive, but sometimes the money's well spent.
We're thankful that I figured out how to operate the excess fuel cold start device on the Mr …
Started: ICW Mile 454 Long Creek 32°49.24′N 079°45.12′W
Docked: ICW Mile 464 Cooper River Marina 32°49.94′N 079°56.02′W
Log: 15.5 nm. Time 3½ hr. Engine 3½ hr.
Boom. [Drops the mic.]
Started: ICW Mile 393 Schooner Creek 33°27.63′N 079°10.34′W
Anchored: ICW Mile 454 Long Creek 32°49.24′N 079°45.12′W
Log: 57.3 nm. Time 9½ hr. Engine 9½ hr.
We're within sight of Charleston's bridges and the loom of the city …
Started: ICW Mile 384 Calabash Creek 33°52.41′N 078°34.19′W
Anchored: ICW Mile 393 Schooner Creek 33°27.63′N 079°10.34′W
Log: 56.2 nm. Time 8¾ hr. Engine 8¾ hr.
Tonight is thunderstorms and more thunderstorms until around midnight. Sort-of glad to …
Started: ICW Mile 283 Wrightsville Beach 34°12.42′N 077°47.94′W
Anchored: ICW Mile 384 Calabash Creek 33°52.41′N 078°34.19′W
Log: 58.6 nm. Time 8¾ hr. Engine 8¾ hr. Fuel 45.8 gal.
The Tuesday forecast for Charleston deteriorated to a …
Today's temps are awe-inspiringly cold. Not quite to freezing, but 2°C is close enough. Today's high will be 6°C (42°F).
The forecast is at the edge of the envelope. Three foot seas are more-or-less our limit. If the seas are flattening from 3-5 down to 2-3 …
Running out of verbs. How many ways can we watch/wait/update/examine the weather? Will we make Thanksgiving in Charleston? What's next?
Floating Leaf has been happy with the down time. She's been making Tiny Quilts left, right and center.
She also finished the rain flies.
And we're …
There's only so much hand-wringing you can do. Here's how we started our day.
Looking forward to next week, we see this synopsis for Charleston (AMZ350) [Emphasis mine.]
STRONG HIGH PRESSURE WILL EXTEND ACROSS THE AREA FROM THE NORTH TODAY...BEFORE WEAKENING AND SHIFTING SOUTH FRIDAY. AN ARCTIC COLD FRONT …
How you know you're going nowhere. You make things. Or buy things to keep warm while …
Last week, the arctic blast that arrived last night was expected to be brutal. As time has passed, the weather moderated, and today's cold was just cold. Not quite brutal.
But.
The next few days look like this for the Cape Fear area (AMZ252.)
...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH …
Waiting for weather. Except for the laundromat issue, this is a great place to wait for weather.
Today's Excitement? There's good and there's bad.
First, the bad.
One of the boats anchored near us had dragged their anchor. Greg from Serenade calls it "Bumper Boats in a Blow."
The more …
CA and Jo from Serenade went out shopping for bulk goods at Trader Joe's. Later, we went we out to dinner. The folks from Serenade had rented a car to make things like shopping and dining out easier.
Greg was working on alternator and starter upgrades. They're planning an …
The marina I emailed really was imbecilic. If they can't get \(2.50 per foot for a 30' minimum (\)75 per day) to use the laundry, they'd prefer to have no income at all. I asked. Twice. Different ways. Just to be sure I read the answer properly in the …
Cafe Del Mar for WiFi and Coffee. Finally figured out how to use SpotWalla to show my location history; I regret not having looked into this back in October.
Post Office to ship some Floating Leaf Tiny Quilts. Follow the action on the Floating Leaf Tiny Quilts Blog.
And yes …