Stuart Fl, Harborage Yacht Club 11/12

9PM, about 70 (everyone thinks it's chilly); clear.

Jeff & Kevin.... Pumpkin made it!

Arrived here yesterday about 2PM. Was a great trip down from Canaveral. I still can't figure why people go out the outside, other than to take a break and run hard for a bit. The ICW is beyond belief, sights every day, almost every hour. Dolphins again all the way, I've never seen or dreamed of such things.

Roger took the trip well but I think he was very happy to be in his own condo last night. I spent most of the morning cleaning. Three Corners is now looking good, on the outside. Now tomorrow to tackle the interior...not to bad however.

Went to the SeaRay dealer to order a couple of parts. Want to replace the bad fuel line, that we fixed at Port Royall. As usual with boats I'm finding they had no idea of what should be a standard Cummings part. Will look further tomorrow when the regular parts guy is in. Worst cast I'll call Eddy and have him ship it to me. I suspect it's not a real issue, just a people issue not knowing what she was looking for.

Expected to have mail here from Nancy today but not yet, maybe the US Mail isn't as good as I had hoped. Will call Nancy tomorrow to find out what's going on there. Perhaps she didn't get to drop it off.

This place is fantastic. http://www.harborageyachtclub.com/ if anyone wants to look. I have full use of the facility. They have a get-together thing every Thursday for new boaters which was a fantastic time tonight. After that I went over to Rogers, about 1 mile walk, to sit on land for a bit and watch TV. We made some calls this evening to see if I can find a cheap bike. I shouled taken my old one back from Matt. O...well...

I'm sure I'll never be able to describe the sites and adventure this has been. It is a bit of pressure dong this blog but fun. I will start it up again on the next move which will be across the big lake to the West Coast, I expect that to be late Feb. A party is already in the making for Key West before I head north.

Everyone enjoy the holidays and I'll be in touch. Visitors always welcome so don't be shy if your in the area.

Love and best wishes to all. Signing off for now until phase two.

Port Caveral FL 11/11/09

6am ish. Partly cloudy, low 70's.

We pulled in here yesterday afternoon early around 3 or so. Only another 60 miles to Stuart but after making a few calls it became evident that slips were getting difficult to find. As I said the outside has high seas and it seems everyone going south has come in. This marina is called the Ocean Club has only been in operations about two years. It is directly across from where The Big Red Boat comes in. The dock master told me we just miss seeing it yesterday so I don't get to see MICKEY.

We are at the end of a cut called "The Canaveral Barge Canal". There are locks which will take us back to the Indian River and then south.

There seems to be a lot of activity in the area but without wheels we stayed here. I cooked Bubba Burger, beans and rice for dinner. Not bad if I do say so myself.

The boat is starting to show this three weeks on the water. Although we've managed to keep things picked up I'm sure my first order business will be a major cleaning. I'm also going shopping for a bike (well maybe). I broke my camera yesterday, good it's the end of the trip, so that too will be another shopping adventure. After seeing Paul and Don's camera's I wanted a new one anyhow. My Cannon is 5 years old and with today's technology not worth repairing.

That's it from here. Next blog from Stuart.

Palm Coast Marina 11/10

,6am ish. 77 degrees, bit overcast with chance of showers.

For those who don't know where this is we are about 30 miles north of Daytona Beach.

We got in about 5 yesterday, place was full and we ended up on the fuel dock for the night. Everyone going south has come inside due to IDA and what seas she is creating on the east coast. Got a look outside yesterday as we came by St Augustine inlet, mean out there.

Today it's inside again. I have the marine radio and local weather on and they are talking 6-9 feet outside, no place for use. As with up north I do find the ICW slow but you see so much when you are inside.

Had dinner with Jack Burnett (high school buddy). He lives here in Palm Coast. Great meal and it was good to see him. Said he'd be down to Jensen Beach in Feb. Hope he makes it.

Boat still running great. Ops... have marine radio on. Bridge at Daytona is stuck in the down position, has been sense yesterday. I can clear it (24feet) but I feel sorry for the rag hangers going south, they are at a stop and no one wants to go out and around.

Well, that's it for now. I was hoping for Stuart this evening but I suspect not now that IDA is keeping me inside.

DON... you will be pleased to know that NOAA has fixed I. D. A. and it is now pronounced IDA.

Brunswick GA 11/8

8;30PM. Clear, mid 70's, water temp 73; calm and more to come.


FANTASTIC DAY!!!!!


Boat repairs were successful and we departed Port Royall about 11:15am. Great ride all on the outside. I estimate we did about 80 miles here to Brunswick GA. Was a good day and we tied up here at about 5PM as planned. The plan has always been, stop before dark and enjoy the port of call.


Went to a local joint (chain) called Stucky's. Fantastic steak and only about a mile from here. There is a concert currently in progress at the park just down from the marina and I'm sitting here listening while I blog. Roger has gone up top for a shower.


Brunswick is an interesting town from what we saw on the cab ride but we never saw people. Streets and shops empty, Sunday evening in the south. The cab driver told us it's the only quiet night in town.


As I said she seems to be running well but "it's boating" and tomorrow is another day. Our goal tomorrow, assuming we can get outside will be St Augustine FL. It dose look that IDA may have some influence on my decision there. I do think we have both had enough of the outside and would like to see local color on the ICW. A few more miles under our belt on the outside won't hurt. I'm planning on doing the inside for a good part of Florida however.


One thing I know for sure. The three day stop in Norfolk and the unplanned few days at Port Royall have made this trip so enjoyable. I'll be planning on doing something like that on the way north in April...maybe May.... hmmm. I do not even attempt to understand the people who try to do this trip in 8-10 days.


My best to all. Stuart by Wed.

Port Royall SC 6:30AM. 11/8

Yesterday was a beautiful day in 70's and clear. Today more of the same but a bit warmer.


Parts arrived around 11am Sat. JD offered to come down and watch me install as he was concerned about why the hose let go and wanted to look at the fuel cooler intake, he suspect blockage of some kind. Non was seen and he put the hose on. Started the engine and it pumped water BUT ALSO found pumping fuel into the bilge... not good. Small leak in return fuel line on Starboard. This answers questions the three amigo's had earlier at Osprey. JD has taken the rail off and back to his shop to attempt to braze the area. He'll be back tonight, keeping my fingers crossed.


Well JD didn't make it back last night so we'll have to wait and see what today bring.


We went to a very nice place for dinner last night called 11th Avenue Dockside. It was fantastic and really just down the road. Paul, Don and I should have gone there the other night rather than have burgers up top, they would have loved it.


No plans for today other that wait for JD keeping my fingers crossed. If his repair didn't work than I think Roger and Shirley will go to her dad's place today and come back tomorrow. They are still sleeping.. O yes, I beat Shirley at cribbage last night.


My next concern will be IDA and what she brings to the area. From this morning forecast the outside may not be the choice if I have to stay longer.



Roger and Shirley are on their way. Even before the leak discovery I told Roger this am to take his time, we'd due the town of Port Royall up tonight. Shirley will spend the night and assuming JD does magic we'll be off tomorrow. If not it will be another wait for parts thing.

Port Royal SC 11/5,6

Sunny cool am but now about 72, clear. Warmer tomorrow. Sorry no pictures today. .

Had a good but short trip on the outside from Charleston SC yesterday. Shortly after noon we blew a cooling hose off Hilton Head, about 12 miles out, outgoing tide, but good seas. Once we identified the problem we came into Port Royal on one engine. We called ahead and although it took us almost 3hrs to get in they had a mechanic here. He heard we were coming in and hung around to see if he could help. Great guy name of JD. He called Cummings and with some difficulty he located the new hose which is expected to be here FedX on Sat AM. If not I sit and wait.


I talked to Roger (Brother-in-law) who was going to join me here sometime Saturday rather than in Jacksonville. It will be fun having him for the next few days. I estimate three days to Stuart once repairs are made and we are underway. Could cut a day if we can stay outside but long range doesn't look to favorable for that.


Took Paul and Don the Hilton Head International this am for a flight to Boston. This turned out to be a good spot for them to head home as there is nothing south of here other than Jacksonville for an easy return to Boston. The marina gave us a truck to use and have already offered it to me if I want to "go to town" tonight, lol. Don just called (4:30ish) they are in Boston waiting for Jeff to take them to the ferry to Quincy, he's working this evening.


This is a wonderful little marina, I'd say maybe 150 boats, a restaurant/bar (southern style). We had a great burger and onion rings there last evening. There is also great little marine store and fantastic people.


The boat is very quiet. I cleaned the Eng room this afternoon. I started to clean the cabin but the crew had done a great job there, very little to do. Don't know when they did that. Tomorrow laundry and give the boat a good exterior washdown. It will be in the 70's :-)..

Funny to think if I was in Boston and this hose broke I know I'd be very upset. On this trip it's just another part of the adventure and I'm enjoying the down time.

Still a fantastic trip, to many laughs to ever put on paper but I'm sure the stories will come out in bits and pieces.

Charleston SC 11/5

6:30 ish, 60+ clear. Boys are up... they are picking up my habits, but then I won't let them sleep to long.

Great trip inside and outside yesterday. From Osprey Marina (ICW) to Georgetown. Went outside at Georgetown and had goods seas and clear run to here in Charleston. Great location and marina. We have the options this am this am of staying in on the ICW or moving outside again. From initial weather I think we'll be outside for at least the next 50 miles or so, which again is an option point of inside or outside. We can almost smell Florida in the air.

Boys are doing good on housekeeping, the boat looks good even after all these miles. We've been able to wash her down at almost every stop. Did fluid check yesterday and everything looks great.

Paul had to get a new cell phone yesterday and as anyone who knows Paul that was an adventure in itself.

We have not gone a day without a good laugh or two, we are quite a crew.

Great dinner last night. Genuine ribs at Nick and John's a place better known as the Red Pig on King Street. Great meal, very nice town and a place I'd consider a vacation spot for sure. History everywhere, old time south for sure. I can understand why it Don has so many memories of his and Andrea time here.

Goal today will be 100+ miles if we can stay outside.

Got to get the sun screen out again today....gee that sounds good. Coffee made, boys have gone up to the shower and we'll be underway in about an hours.

11/4 Myrtle Beach

6:30 AM; CLEAR, into the low 70's today.

Great day and night. Yesterday we came thru yet more beautiful country. We made an attempt to go outside but saw a few boats that had left Wrightsville a bit ahead of us coming back in. Seeing them made our decision much easier.

It is a long, very slow ride in spots being on the inside but anyone who has not done it has missed something everyone should see. The communities along the ICW are of such a mixture. We go from areas of "the rich and famous as they say" to an area where you feel you should stop and give the people everything you have on the boat as they seem to have nothing.

Highlight of yesterday was the fact we had dolphins swimming along side of the boat. Just like you see in the movies. We have tried for pictures and may have some to put up later but they are very camera shy and seemed to dive away if you holding a camera.

We have put up and the most wonderful marina in Myrtle Beach on the ICW. An amazing place at about MM375. Instructions on getting here is "take a left at R26 and come down the creek, we are at the end". This place is a little oasis in the middle of a nowhere. After settling in we called the local restaurant (Italian) and the sent a car to get us. A great dinner - again - then we went shopping for provisions. I was having fun as you can see. Back to the restaurant with our groceries and the took us back to the boat.

Our goal today will be Charlotte or beyond. From this location there are not many locations where we can get out and test the seas. We do intend to do that today at some point.

Three Corners and crew continue to click along like a fine tuned watch.

Wrightsville NC - 11/2

Low 50's. Cloudy.

Arrived here few hours ago and although it has been cool we had a great ride so far. We are staying on the "inside" as they say there are 6+ seas outside. Tomorrow looks better but time will tell.

We lost a bit of time today as the wind was so high they would not open the Alligator bridge for any boats. We had to sit and wait for things to improve.

We drove till about dark. DST is a killer, it gets dark so early plus Paul cooked us a great breakfast this am so we did not move as early as we had planned.

We have come across a few rag hangers who think they know more than the combined knowledge of us three..... well they don't.

The ICW is probably one of the most beautiful places anyone could take a boat ride thru. Just one sight after another. We say dolphins running beside the boat to shelled tanks on an island of Camp Lejeune NC. TWO SO TOTALLY DIFFERENT WORLDS WITHIN A MILE OR TWO.

Had dinner at a place called Bluewater here in Wrightsville, fantastic dinner but then I'd been here before with Greg. I remember that being a long night and I expect tonight will not be the same. Don is on the phone, Paul has gone up top to do a laundry.... Amazing how we all change.

Boat is still running fantastic. I am constantly amazed at how well she runs.

11/2.. Morehead

8:30 ish, 50 degrees.

Having breakfast (Paul cooking) and we are on our way. Good dinner last night. Will update next time wifi is available. All is well.

11/1/09 - Moving South

50 degrees, mist in the air.

Well here we are in Morehead City NY (Southern NC). We have been without phone service and wifi since leaving Norfolk. The trip from Norfolk down the Dismal Swamp was amazing, however we missed the first bridge opening at 8:30AM and after that we ran about 3 hrs behind schedule for every other opening...late all the way. The Dismal Swamp was amazing as I said but something we all agree you only want to do once unless it is ABSOLUTELY necessary.



Last night we put up at a public dock in Elizabeth City NC. Interesting little place and Paul met his latest BBF. We had a great evening, not much in this town, but had Paul's new friend and his dog, Laddy for dinner. Laddy was much more interesting that his owne


About 4AM a front came thru dropping the temp from the 70's to the 50's with high winds. Don got up and gathered everything in the cockpit and saved it from the rain. Paul and I slept on...hehe. Up early that Morning, (today Sunday 11/1) and off to our next destination which we all agreed would be someplace...knowing now where.



Crossing the Albemarle Sound we ran into weather much like that off the coast of NJ. Rather high seas, (4-6) with good wind the things settled down. When we reached the Alligator Bridge for the Alegator Canal things got difficult, they would not open the bridge due to 39 Know winds so we had to "twearl around" for a while until the bridge tender decided he could swing the bridge and let us and others pass. What a great guy, he kept all of us posted by radio as to what he was trying to do and did for us.



Great ride to here, Moorehead City. Nice marina, great dinner, great people. All is well, we also all agree we are living a dream.

POSTS

Sorry folks been two days without contact with the world. No WIFI, NO PHONE just amazing in the Dismal Swamp and beyond but out of touch with everything. Going to dinner, if I can type when we get back one or all of us will update blog. ALL IS WELL!!!