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.
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 …
Bahamas! Specifically, Nassau and the Exuma Cays.
The Exumas chain stretches from 23° 20′N to 25°N, separating the Exuma Bank from the Exuma Sound. It's a slash of cartographer tan ink that's barely a mile wide and over 100 miles long, running from SE to NW: on the …
Bahamas! Specifically, the Berry Islands.
[Final posting, based on having good Wi-Fi access at Starbucks in the City Market in Nassau. The Coconut Tart is good, also.]
Started at 25°30.293′N 078°13.974′W, Great Bahamas Bank
The day started with a Miracle. An absolute …
Big trip South. Followed by big trip East. After almost two months of not moving an inch, we've moved hundreds of miles south, followed by a hundred or so miles east into the Bahamas. Parts of the trip were a piece of cake: the weather along the Florida coast was …
Time to finalize the provisioning for our trip south.
Starting to watch the weather more carefully.
Starting to put stuff away. We've been leaving things laying around; it's time to start stowing things for our offshore passage.
Moored at 29°53.03′N 081°33.15′W, St …
Time to provision for our trip south.
Enjoying the time being spent here, also. Here's a picture of all five Whitbys in St. Augustine. Thanks Creola!
Moored at 29°53.03′N 081°33.15′W, St. Augustine
Showers. Shopping …
We can hear it now: "What is wrong with you people? You said you were going south to exotic locations. Sunny beaches, the tropics. All you seem to be doing is sitting in the river at St. Augustine, going to Yoga or just hanging out."
Yep. Cruising appears to be …
Not a bad place to celebrate another holiday.
We're in the same waiting mode. Once our daughter is settled in her new home in Las Vegas, we can visit her, and then start moving south again.
We need to get water, diesel and propane before we go. We're waiting for …
Not a bad place to celebrate the holiday.
The weather is often in the 60's and 70's. Some nights, though, are cold.
Once our daughter is settled in her new home in Las Vegas, we can visit her, and then start moving south again.
Moored at 29°53 …
Periodontal recovery for the next few weeks. St. Augustine seems like a pretty nice place for that kind of thing.
The Commodore Says: "It's St. Augustine; everyone seems to stop here."
The weather will continue to hold in the 60's and 70's. Except for a few cold days.
We've got a bunch of chores to accomplish. Parts to order. Things to fix.
Plus, we've got to have some periodontal issues looked at. This means surgery and recuperation. The good news is that St. Augustine seems like a pretty nice place for that kind of thing.
Hopefully, the weather …
It's feeling like time to move on. St. Mary's is nice. Very, very nice.
The weather has been fabulous. Biking to the grocery store looks pretty easy. The anchorage feels secure.
But.
Cumberland Island is nearby. So is Fernandina Beach. The First Coast stretches South of us. Then the rest …
This was a crazy thing to see (and be a part of).
I would call this one of the most significant benefits of being able to choose a life-style that involves hanging around on docks.
Chardonnay is a double headsail ketch (like Red Ranger) but bigger. Her main mast stands …
This week we're finally through with hanging around in Charleston, South Carolina.
We'd like sail outside to St. Mary's, Georgia. Or maybe even further (St. Augustine, perhaps.) We'd really like to sail there, instead of motor, so we'd like wait for better weather.
Except. It's cold here at night. So …
This week we're still hanging around in Charleston, South Carolina.
The Commodore's aunt, Venerable Great Aunt (VGA) Diane will be here this week, enjoying the sights (and tastes) of the Low Country with us. Specifically Shrimp and Grits.
Docked at 32°49.93′N 079°56.03′W …
This week we're hanging around in Charleston, South Carolina.
The Commodore Says: "We Can Haz Visitorz?"
The Commodore's aunt, Venerable Great Aunt (VGA) Diane may visit next week. So, for this week, we're just hanging out.
Docked at 32°49.93′N 079°56.03′W
Cleaned out …
This week we're starting south from Beaufort, North Carolina.
The Commodore Says: "I think we're ready to jump outside."
The Ditch has been very, very good to us. We sheltered from Hurricane Sandy. We got our sea legs. We worked out some of the kinks in the boat and our …