Welcoming Committee

The picture was taken Sunday morning before we went to church. This little guy came swimming out to our boat at anchor. At first I thought he was welcoming us but no he just wanted a hand out, so he got one, rice crackers. He was the first swan that I have come across that was friendly. I've found generally, they could make nice watch dogs. Later we found out from another boat that this guy makes a habit of begging. He had tried them the day before.

We are in Solomon Island and arrived here on Saturday. The wind has picked up yesterday and today so we stayed put. After church we walked around this small historic town most of the day. After walking back to our dinghy we toured the creek and found a boat we recognized from the trip down. We had met them in New Smyrna Beach. They live about 50 miles from here on the Sassafras River. They extended an invitation for us to come to their house and hang out on a mooring ball. We may take them up on it.

We will leave here tomorrow morning and go to St. Michales for a few days. While we are there we plan to meet up with Charlie and Cindy cruising friends of ours. By Friday we will be on our way to New York, weather permitting.

Concert in Deltaville

Sunday afternoon we were treated to music and poetry on the lawn of the Yates House Gallery. It was a beautiful, sunny, warm afternoon. These treats are what add to the enjoyment of the trip.

We have been here in Deltaville now for a week. Our mattress for our bed was returned to us Wednesday and the remake proved to be a great improvement. It was a very comfortable sleep.

We had planned to leave this morning and anchor between Deltaville and Solomon's Island but the weather prediction was for severe thunderstorms this afternoon. We made the decision to stay put til tomorrow morning. The weather is to improve over the weekend and beginning of next week. We should be in NY in about a week and a half weather permitting. In the mean time we are getting more done inside on this rainy day.

Deltaville, VA

The picture was taken on Wednesday in the Dismal Swamp as we crossed the border into Virginia. That is what the sign in the picture says. The sun was shinning at the time but left us mid afternoon. We anchored in Hampton Roads by the base again. It gives us quick access to the harbor and to the Chesapeake Bay in the morning.

The night was calm but very cold. We ran the generator so we could heat the boat up with the ceramic heater. It helped while we ran it but by morning it was very cold.

The next morning we dressed in layers because the sun wasn't making any attempt to shine upon us. The water on the Chesapeake was calm and the wind was on our nose, so we motored the seven hours to Deltaville.

When the tide went slack we had a decrease in speed ( it should have been and increase) and the engine began to vibrate. Larry put the boat in reverse thinking maybe we picked up a crab pot, we didn't. Well you guessed it Larry had to go over to check the prop. The water was about 47 degrees not swimming water. He got out his wet suit this time and it did help. We had picked up a plastic bag again. I think we need to go back to paper in this country or do better at recycling. Once the bag was removed we picked up speed and were on our way again.

As we made the turn to go up the Rappahannock River the wind had picked up and the waves were growing. It was good to arrive at Norton's, until we found out they had glitch in scheduling and couldn't do our work we scheduled. They didn't have a dock for us beyond one night. Great! We called Norview Marina and they could take us so on Friday morning we moved and are still here. We took the week rate so we could get a few other things taken care of.

Our new mattress which we bought last fall will be picked up tomorrow so they can remake it. They seamed it like the old cushions down the middle but because of the pillow top it didn't work out. It will be back on Wednesday. I guess we will be sleeping in the main salon.

We went to church to day at Philippi Christian Church. We always enjoy service there and tend to go there when we are in town. The members there and the Pastor remember us so it's like going to our regular church. Unfortunately Pastor Mike was at another church they were doing a pulpit exchange this weekend. Guess we will have to see him next time though.

Larry is doing some waxing outside and I have been doing some mending inside. Yesterday we both spent many hours cleaning in and outside. It's good to have plenty of water and electric. Something we had in short supply during the winter. It feels good to indulge.

This afternoon we are going to a concert on the lawn in Deltaville. The weather the last two days has been warm and pleasant. You can definitely feel Spring in the air. We are very much looking forward to Summer on Lake Ontario.

That's What I Call a Following!

This fisherman has the most birds following him that we have ever seen! He must be very generous.

We are hold up at the Visitors Center in the Dismal Swamp, NC. We have been chase by several storms up the coast. Some of which have been thunder and lightening and possible tornadoes. It has been raining most of the day with a few gusts but we are very safe and secure with about four other boats. We will be here probably until mid week then plan to go to Deltaville, VA to have the boat hauled and the bottom painted. Larry and I plan to wax the hull at the same time. Our plan was to meet our daughter, Patience on the Hudson the first week of May but the weather has delayed that a bit. We haven't any schedule and are in no hurry.

Southport, NC

No! it's not skiers being transported but it could be as cold as it is here! It's golfers being transported across the ICW from one hole to another. Pretty neat! Going South in the Fall we were much closer to them but I didn't have my camera ready. This time I was ready.

The picture was taken in Myrtle Beach, SC but we traveled to Southport, NC yesterday. During the night the wind picked up to above 30 knots and the temps are in the low thirties. We knew the warm weather had to sooner or later give way to some cold temps. We decided to stay put today and wait out this front. Crossing the Cape fear River can be a challenge even in good weather.

Yesterday was our 17th wedding anniversary so we celebrated by going out to dinner at Joseph's. This is one of our favorite Italian restaurants and the marina is a good one but far away from the town of Southport. We feel it is a good excuse to rest up some. We plan to walk to the Church down the road tomorrow morning for Easter Service, then hang out on the boat. Larry went for a run this morning but he will probably have to thaw out when he gets back.

Charleston, SC

Good morning! It's been difficult getting a connection. I forgot how poor my signal is in the Carolina's. We are underway as I write this. Yesterday was a very long one due to distance traveled and the current being against us most of the way. We set our hook just before dark across from the city marina in Charleston. It was a quiet night and the rest was much needed. Our plan is to go as far as Georgetown, SC. If the time because of current is late we will anchor at Georgetown, otherwise we will go beyond and anchor.

We spent the weekend anchored just off the city marina in Beaufort, SC. While we were there we provisioned and enjoyed the town. On Palm Sunday we went to a true Southern Methodist Church. I had been wanting to experience a Southern Baptist Church but was treated to the Methodist Church instead. They had a small congregation but their energy was very large, especially the pastor's. The weather was very mild and warm while we were in Beaufort, in fact this entire trip has been warmer than last years return.

Pryor to Beaufort, we stayed on Jekyll Island for two nights and visited the historic district. We took the trolley tour and learned about the history of this fascinating resort island. We plan to return again and stay a few more days to enjoy the beach at the ocean.

The picture is of a submarine in a docking station at the Marine Base near St Mary's, GA. We passed by it on the ferry ride going to Plum Orchard. It appeared to us that it was being commissioned because of the banners and service men in dress uniform.