September 14, 2012 - New York, NY to Stony Point, NY to Kingston, NY to Coeymans, NY

I’ll get right to the punchline.  This is the final entry of the Boat’s Notes 2012.   Don’t panic, nothing went wrong.   We were already scheduled to fly home today for a couple of weeks, and then drive back with our  car so we would have it available for packing up the boat and taking its contents home.   But that last leg was only going to last 6-10 days, which made the trip a little inefficient.   But more to the point, we found another marina that has the capability of giving us indoor winter storage for $2-3k less than our original destination.    So instead of flying home today for a visit, we rented a one way car (SUV) to carry all of our stuff – and we are now just past Blacksburg VA on I-81.  By 7 p.m. tonight we’ll be official landlubbers back at Sugar Magnolia.  Will Charlie remember us?   Will you?

The last couple of weeks have been pretty photogenic,so  this issue might be a bit longer.  But it’s the last one, so be patient.   When I last wrote, we had just arrived in New York City.   The next day, Emily arrived for the long holiday weekend.  We enjoyed hiking through lots of neighborhoods (Ground Zero Memorial, Chinatown (where Emily participated in the literally underground knock-off designer purse shenanigans), Little Italy (al fresco dining), Soho (So Haute?  - over-run with designer stores at the expense of the old artist vibe), Greenwich Village (Washington Square on a beautiful weekend afternoon is still some of the best people watching).  The next day we walked the new HighLine Trail (old elevated train tracks converted into a linear park) which was a lot of fun with great views of neighborhoods, architecture, murals etc. ).   The park ended near my Aunt Carol’s apartment in Chelsea so we stopped for a visit (she had been to the boat and joined us for dinner the night we arrived).   We then caught some very interesting music in a small Brooklyn club.  The final day with Emily was spent biking the length of Central Park.

After Emily’s departure we biked from Battery Park up to Bob and Sarah’s apartment near Columbia U. – a beautiful river bike path ride of about 10 miles.  After a neighborhood dinner we went down to Times Square to see Porgy and Bess – a great production of a somewhat odd story.  We spent the night with them (nice to be onshore) and then did the reverse bike ride the next morning.  That afternoon John and Kris Dwyer arrived.  After a great dinner with spectacular views from our marina restaurant we took off (the next morning) for the spectacular Hudson River run north.  After passing the length of Manhatten, our first stop was Stony Point.  Not the most exciting marina, but the owner handed over the keys to his car for the weekend without us ever even mentioning our interest in local transportation.  First time that has ever happened, though we did have the use of the marina golf cart back in Colonial Beach.   We took advantage by touring nearby West Point (impressive, but the Naval Academy wins in terms of architecture and tour quality), heading to the top of Bear Mountain for a sunset view of the panorama over the Hudson River Valley, and going to Babe’s, a nearby restaurant/bar.   I guess we must have had a good time because after dinner we were in the bar long enough to pick and listen to 25 songs on the jukebox, accompanied by Debi and Kris.

After bidding the Dwyers adieu early Sunday morning (we had to kick them off early to get out of the marina before the tide got too low for our boat), Debi and I continued up the Hudson.  I thought our stop at Kingston was another highlight – one of our books said it is the most popular cruising destination on the Hudson – and I can see why.   We were docked right alongside the town square, with 20 restaurants and bars (do you see a pattern here?) within a few blocks – all very historic.  We did a lengthy bike ride into a nearby historic area the next day – and then the following day left for our final destination for the winter (as it turned out), Coeymans (about 11 miles south of Albany).  Most of our time there was spent packing and cleaning, though we enjoyed their hot tub (with flat screen TV!).

And that brings us back to today.

So in the past 4 months (almost) we have traveled about 800 miles (not including the side trips, wandering in and out of harbors, criss-crossing the Chesapeake six times), had 25 overnight or longer visitors (and numerous day-trippers), and spent between one and two weeks  at 25 different marinas.  It’s been a great adventure – and we thank all of you that joined us for any part of it – you made it even more special.  And we thank the many of you who sent encouraging responses to our Boat’s Notes.  And we thank the rest of you who were too polite to tell us to stop loading up your inboxes with our trivialities.

It’s not too early to book space on Sea Fever 2013.  We hope to see you there, on land, here, there and everywhere.

August 31, 2012 - Beach Haven, NJ to New York, NY

Since we started our cruising life 12 years ago, we knew that the day we finally made it to NYC and passed the Statue of Liberty in the harbor would be a highlight.  Yesterday was not a disappointment.  We were pleased to share the experience with Bob Baer (who took the following collage) and John McVeigh (who put me up at his house in Philly Tuesday night after my return from Raleigh and then drove us back to Belmar NJ on Wednesday).  The weather was perfect, the seas were calm, and the views all the way up the harbor from New Jersey were magnificent. 

Last night, Bob's wife Sara and my Aunt Carol (both of whom live in the city) came over for drinks on the boat followed by a great dinner nearby.  Tonight Emily arrives, flying in under the light of a blue moon. Next week John and Kris will join us for a little city time and part of the journey up the Hudson River.   We'll be here in the city for a week, so I'm sure there will be a story or two for the next Boat's Notes.  

Last Sunday, we rented a car in Belmar and drove to Philly to celebrate Debi's birthday, where we were joined by John and Karen for a great brunch and some neighborhood walking/sightseeing.  We started to view the Liberty Bell but decided the line was too long.   Fortunately, I got to see the following in the Philadelphia airport that evening.

And really, would you rather see an old cracked bell, or a new bell made out of Legos with no crack.  And no lines!

Hope all is well in your worlds! 

August 23, 2012 - Cape May, NJ to Beach Haven, NJ

Today’s issue of Boat’s Notes is titled – The Silly and the Cool

First the silly.  Have you ever heard of a slow news day?  How about a day where there was NO NEWS WHATSOEVER.  What to do?  Head down to the dock and poke around.  The guy approached with a camera around his neck and a notebook in his hand – the quintessential hack reporter.  Him – “I just thought I’d come down and see if anything interesting was happening”  Me – “I think you’re in the wrong place.”   The next thing you know…….check out the attachment.

The cool.  Now 1/3 of you are going to say “why is that cool?”   1/3 of you are going to say – “that’s kind of cool” and the other 1/3 are going to say – “That’s as cool as the other side of the pillow.”   To those who care less, my apologies for taking up this space.

When I booked the marina in Belmar NJ, I thought it was KIND OF cool that we would be so close to Asbury Park, a few miles away.   AP is the home to the Stone Pony, the bar in which Bruce Springsteen became BRUCE – and the inspiration for the title of his first album – Greetings From Asbury Park New Jersey.   But don’t forget the name of his second album, The Wild, The Innocent, and the E Street Shuffle.  It turns out that E Street was/is in Belmar NJ – and that the band that would come to be known as the E Street Band rehearsed on E Street.

But wait….there’s more.  10^th Avenue Freezeout .   I always assumed 10^th Ave. was in New York City – the 10^th Ave. that’s known as Hell’s Gate.   But it turns out that the 10^th Ave. referred to in the song is 10^th Avenue in Belmar NJ.   And the band rehearsing on E Street was rehearsing near the intersection of E Street and 10^th Ave.

But wait, there’s more – the intersection of 10^th Ave. and E Street, the very epicenter of all things Bruce,  is about 4 blocks from our marina.  And if that was not enough – the last song I rehearsed with 10 Degrees Off before leaving in May for the boat was………….10^th Avenue Freeze Out.   Is that cool or what?

OK – back to the boat’s travels.  We really enjoyed Cape May -  beautiful beach town, an incredible density of Victorian homes.   John McVeigh (who was vacationing about 30 minutes up the shore) joined us there for a wonderful dinner and late night (yes, it ended with Bananagrams).  We were also joined by Cape May residents Ken and Sharon, who have been B&B guests of ours every January for the last seven years.  We turned the tables by visiting their house, a geodesic dome near the Delaware Bay.

Since then we have traveled most of the south-north distance of the Jersey shore – with a nice stop in Beach Haven about half way up.  We did most of the travels on the outside (the ocean) but made the mistake of doing 30 LONG miles on the inside (the ICW).   The channel was very shallow and very narrow, making travel stressful and slow.  We would not have done it if not for the false “local knowledge” of a dock hand in Beach Haven.  Anyway, the ocean travel was largely smooth and easy, past the skyline of Atlantic City and many many beaches.

Your next installment of Boat’s Notes will come from New York City – I expect there will be a story or two.

August 16, 2012 - St. Michael's, MD to Annapolis, MD to Baltimore, MD to Chesapeake City, MD to Cape May, NJ

Today is a milestone in our trip – we have left the Chesapeake Bay for the first time since the trip began.  We are on the C&D Canal at the top of the bay - it's about 15 miles long and connects the Bay to the Delaware River.  We have now completed the Bay  - about 200 miles north to south, plus the 200 miles of the round-trip up and down the Potomac, plus numerous side ventures in and out of rivers, bays, coves, etc.   Maybe we didn’t conquer it (it’s not exactly a John Smith sort of accomplishment), but it didn’t beat us either.  Debi just calculated that we’ve had 22 overnight guests in this span (since late May), plus a few day trippers.

Since we last spoke, we left Solomons (scene of the punctured fuel tank), spent a few days in a resort on the western shore (Herring Bay) where we relaxed, kayaked and watched Olympics.  Then to St. Michaels, the cute beyond cute historical resort town over on the eastern shore, where the money people of D.C. have their summer homes.  Bill and Gigi Barnes joined us there and for the trip across the Bay to Annapolis.  We stayed at the City Docks for three days – an area otherwise known as Ego Alley for all of the cruisers parading up and down the waters in front of the many waterfront bars and restaurants.  We had a ringside seat for that show – and on a beautiful weekend no less.  I enjoyed the Naval Academy beyond my expectations – beautiful architecture and interesting history/traditions/stories.

While in Annapolis we had to say good-bye to Bill and Gigi – but they left an important legacy, the word game, BananaGrams – which is now an integral boat tradition.

We had two hours of solitude before the next guest arrived, Andrea Solarz and Shelley and David Chavis.  All three were our first two-timers, having spent 4^th of July with us in D.C.  (though Andrea has yet to spend the night).  Shelley and David made it with us up to Baltimore, a nice ride into the beautiful downtown harbor.

We spent a full day biking through multiple Baltimore neighborhoods, looking at some possible new homes for David and Shelley, and ending up in Little Italy for dinner (for those of you who were there – it was the restaurant where a young lady named Sakima once worked – they actually remembered her).

Yesterday Debi and I went to the Visionary Arts Museum.  If you ever get to Baltimore, go DIRECTLY to this museum – it is unlike anything you have ever seen.  Jaw-dropping.  http://www.avam.org/ gives you a feel for it, but you won’t believe it until you see it.

Last night David and I walked from the boat to Camden Yards – it was my first trip there since it’s opening week 20 years ago.   The Orioles won and I got to go back to Sliders, a sports bar with a special history for a few people getting this email.

That brings us up to today and our 47 mile trip to Chesapeake City, a Victorian town with more than the usual number of galleries, B&B’s, etc.  A nice surprise.  And as I type, Debi is working the bar band hard.  As the lead singer announced, “It’s all Debi request night!”

p.s. - All of the above was written last night.  Today we completed the Canal, headed south down the Delaware River into the Delaware Bay and down to Cape May, NJ - about 60 miles which is a long day for us.  We're in our first state other than Maryland and Virginia in almost three months! 

Have you missed me? - Solomons, MD to St. Michael's, MD

Have you missed me? I guess it’s been 2-3 weeks, and as usual, they’ve been eventful.

We had a very nice week or so in Solomons MD, a fairly big boating community. Marcia joined us for a few days – we enjoyed some gardens, a great dinner, a maritime museum, and the local tiki bar (there's at least one in every port - but this was a good one).

On July 26 we headed back to Atlanta. Debi had meetings, but we both spent a good amount of time with my dad, who came down to look for a condo, having sold his house outside Chicago. He’s made an offer, but it’s not clear if it will work out at this point.

We enjoyed our stay in Atlanta - it was only weird to be home for about 24 hours - had a nice time at Manuel’s, caught a Braves game, and on Monday the 31st were preparing to head back to the boat when we got a phone call from the boatyard in Solomons MD. We had asked them to do some relatively minor and totally elective repairs. However, they managed to make it more than minor. When Debi got off the phone with them she walked in our office and said, “we have a problem.” Most of you know that Debi doesn’t find many things to be “a problem” (except maybe me playing music too loud). So I was almost relieved when she told me that the guys working on our boat had driven a screw, apparently a long one, through the hull and through ...our fuel tank. The clue was the pink diesel spewing out the side of the boat.

It could have been a lot worse. At first it looked like they would have to replace the tank, which means taking out the engines (with cranes) to get to it. But they decided to cut a hole in the hull and use some amazing liquid steel (developed by the space program) to patch the tank. We’ve been told by those who should know that this is a good repair, and it has a life-time guarantee.

Our only real loss (other than plane change fees since our return was delayed while work was completed) was the window which Deb and Mike Hughes had for boating with us - but we hope they will join us later. The boatyard was incredibly apologetic and accommodating, paying for a 90 minute shuttle from D.C. to Solomons, picking up our hotel tab, and lending us a truck until our boat was ready. Believe me, not all the boatyards we have dealt with have been this professional.

On the (blue) road again, we traveled up the western shore to Herring Bay – a nice resort marina, very nice facility. Watched a lot of Olympics in the captain’s lounge, and enjoyed the local café, bar, and pool.

Today we had a glassy ride over to the eastern shore and what some consider the ultimate Chesapeake Bay destination, St. Michaels. We explored a little of the historic town (lots of little shops, galleries, restaurants, B&Bs) and will do much more over the next couple of days. The marina itself is the first we’ve had on the bay with cable – so we are watching more Olympics now - I can't get enough.

Tomorrow, Bill and Gigi Barnes will arrive for several days. Debi and I will take a few days off from our body-building, inspired by the Olympics. I think you will agree that it has paid off..

July 20, 2012 - Cobb Island, MD to Tangier Island, VA to Solomons, MD

You last heard from us via Melanie, who apparently did not know that what happens at Scuttlebutts stays at Scuttlebutts. How can she send out scuttlebutt about Scuttlebutts?

Since then, we moved down to Point Lookout near the mouth of the Potomac for three nights. The trip was most memorable for the lengthy and heavy thunderstorm that we pushed through. Melanie was there for one night – Bob and Peg for two (see pic). We really enjoyed spending time with them, but like everyone who shows up with a car, we also ended up in extra debt. Debi developed a sudden and severe case of sciatica. Her responsive doc was able to call in some prescriptions to the closest drugstore (about 15 miles), but we would have been out of luck without access to their car. Her leg is getting better every day – she rode a bike today.

When Bob and Peg left on Monday, we were without guests for the first time since July 2. We love all of our guests, but this brief break is also welcome. It will last until tomorrow or Sunday when Marcia arrives.

Two weeks ago we were in the heart of urban life in D.C. – but after leaving Point Lookout, we traveled to the opposite end of the spectrum – the isolated and remote society of Tangier Island. This is a place that is really untouched by many of our modern amenities and no cars (a few trucks). The first internet (still rare there) and TV became available only two years ago – sent by microwave from the shore. It is an island of about 500 residents – all of whom are descendents of the original British settlers hundreds of years ago. The majority of the residents are named Parks, Pruitt, Crockett and a few others – just a few family trees for the whole island. Their dialect sounds like a twisted British, but unlike anything else you’ve ever heard. They have one school, K-12, and graduated a large senior class this year – 3.

The island is marsh, beach, canals and a little land. It’s sort of like Venice meets Appalachia on the marshlands of south Georgia. We stayed at the only “marina” – a couple of docks on the main canal owned by 81-year-old Milton Parks – an ex-crabber who lives at the docks and can still tell quite a story or two. We were surrounded by fishermen – this is virtually the one and only means of employment on the island. Working fishing boats rushed by at all hours of the day and night – many go out at 3 a.m. All of the “driveways” on the canal were slips – and the “garages” were the little sheds built on pilings over the water – where the fishermen more or less live in between their shifts – little man caves over water. There are open-air structures holding tanks with water running through them non-stop. This is where crabs are held until they molt – this being “the soft-shell crab capital of the world.” We had some at the restaurant run by the fishermen’s wives – fresh that day and delicious.

We made friends with fellow visitors Marshall and Patty. Marshall ended up helping Debi and I learn some more secrets of boat maintenance down in our engine room - valuable lessons.

We left yesterday morning for neighboring Smith Island - a very similar civilization and economy (at one point islands were joined). When we arrived, there appeared to be no reasonable deep place to dock at the "marina" (again, a couple of short docks in front of someone's house). So we docked temporarily next door and I went knocking on the door of our marina hosts. Pam came to her door in her t-shirt and boxers apologizing for oversleeping (10 a.m.) and for the abnormally low tides - there was really no place to stay.

So we moved on to Solomons MD - a place with all of the comforts of modern society, for better or worse. It was a little embarrassing to realize how much we missed phone and internet for 48 hours. But as Debi points out, we are still running two businesses from a distance - so I guess it makes sense that we need these things. Last night we biked to a brewpub that could have been in suburbia anywhere - and met a jazz singer who is performing at the bar/restaurant right next to our boat on Saturday.

Today is a scary day. Debi says she's about to give me a haircut - something she claims she did 20 years ago or so, but....options are limited.

Below is the rainbow after the storm in Point Lookout - and the sunrise the next morning as we left for Tangier Island.

Hope to see many of you during our visit to Atlanta next week!

J&D

July 13, 2012 - Cobb Island, MD

Hello friends!

I am serving as a guest columnist for Boat Notes today, July 13! What an honor.

I have been here exactly 24 hours - on this "sleepy" island that Jim described yesterday. Well, I can honestly say that it is NOT very sleepy! Or maybe the island was just waiting for me to arrive! : )

Rob, Jim, and Debi happily greeted me upon arrival. Although I have boated with Jim and Debi many times, I have never been on Sea Fever. What a luxury! I am in my own bedroom right now, with sun light pouring in from above, cool air, and comfy pillows. Jason, you would be happy here! Maybe he can join me next time. He has parent-duty this weekend.

After settling in, we had cocktails, Debi and I caught up, and then Rob and Debi beat Jim and I at Bocci. Honestly, it was sort of Debi against me, as we were much better than expected. Debi prevailed as the champion. We played on the lawn behind the "Activities" sign, so yesterday we were the "island activity."

Debi prepared a delicious dinner - pork chops with spicy black bean sauce and fresh vegetables - one of her best ever. I couldn't get enough. We lingered on the boat for a while, and THEN....

We went to Scuttlebutts - the marina bar/restaurant. The only bar on the Island. Apparently the phrase around here is that "Everyone ends up at Scuttlebutts sooner or later."

When the four of us walked in - Rob all talkative, Debi dancing, Jim straight to the juke box, and me just being me, well, everyone stopped and looked and (as Debi puts it) the energy got cranked up several notches. During the course of the night (we left around 1:30 a.m.), activities that include the following flowed one after another, just like the beer from behind the bar:  Jim's 24 songs he chose got trumped by a guy who wasn't interested in Jim's "s***" so he paid more to hear his own music (although we eventually heard all 24 excellent choices), Jim ZZ-top guy hung out with us, a lovely couple offered their home for us to do laundry, I had somewhere between a love affair and a therapy session with a darling butchy lesbian who had just gotten out of a 7-year relationship, Jim was a somewhat willing participant in a spray-whipped cream war, an adorable gay man told me I smelled like "grocery store birthday cake" every time he hugged me, Rob became quite involved with a lovely woman who seemed to think she was at Mardi Gras (if you know what I mean), and Debi photographed it all amidst dancing and drinking her Corona Light. 

Sleepy, indeed.

We had a nice morning, talking with many of the same people we met last night, doing the laundry at Steve and Carol's, working out on the bow, riding bikes around the island (see me as the laundry lady in the last pix), and greeting Bob and Peg who arrived this morning. Rob has said goodbye, and we will see what tonight brings ....

Yours truly,
Melanie

July 11, 2012 - Washington D.C. to Cobb Island, MD

Today’s log will be focused on three points. 

1.      I’ve repeatedly referred to some of our destinations as “sleepy.”   I think the following picture conveys the sleepiness of our current location, Cobb Island. 

Nevertheless, Cobb Island is home to an art gallery, post office, ice cream parlor, funky bar, and two seafood restaurants.   What more could we ask for?  OK, maybe a couple of things.  But what it lacks in amenities in makes up in character and characters, including two new friends, Bob and Jim, for whom the term “character” is woefully inadequate.   The following pictures are of the funky bar (exterior and interior).   The interior picture features Jim, Rob (our friend who is visiting for 4 nights) and yours truly.

2.      I’ve repeatedly said that we aren’t on a 5 month vacation – we’ve simply moved our home to a boat for awhile, but still work as much (or as little) as we ever did.  Here is proof – me in my waterfront office attending a meeting by phone yesterday while Debi and Rob were at the helm, taking us south along the Potomac.

3.      Life on the boat is not always smooth sailing.  In doing our marina research (by book, internet, and phone), we look to fill three requirements – deep enough water, a wide enough slip, and 50 amp service.  Wireless is not a requirement, but it’s nice.  Otherwise, you wouldn’t get these silly emails from me.   So in the span of two days we’ve stayed in two marinas.  The first promised deep water (at least deep enough) and 50 amp service.   They had neither.  Instead, when we questioned the depth of their channel upon arrival, the guy said, “don’t worry – the bottom is very soft.  Your props just got a free sand-blasting.   The second marina took our boat dimensions and guided us towards a specific slip.  Debi can maneuver our boat into small spaces, but not a space that’s smaller than the boat.  So after she had the boat all lined up and was backing into the slip, the boat wedged itself between two pilings.  It really wasn’t going to go any further back at that point.  The owner said, “I just bought the marina a few months ago, and the charts said these slips are 17 feet wide – I never measured them.”    Then their promise of wireless turned out to be worthless as well. 

Perhaps I am just being grouchy – but I have the permission of Garrison Keillor from the first chapter of a book Debi just gave me, “60 Things to Do When You Turn 60”    His chapter was titled, Be a Grouch.  Debi says I really don’t need help with this, but I’m ready to fully embrace it.  “Nature doesn’t care about your golden years, it’s aiming for turnover.” 

And that’s the news from Lake Woebegone, or Cobb Island, or wherever we are. 



July 6, 2012 - Washington D.C.

Happy post-4^th, Happy Weekend, Happy Cool Weather is Around the Corner (at least in this part of the country). 

As anticipated, we had a great 4^th of July in D.C.   Actually, we started on the night of the 3^rd when we went to the Nationals-Giants game, which was a reasonable walk down the river from our marina.  Actually, we started on the night of the 2^nd when Debi and I went out to dinner to celebrate our 24^th anniversary. 

 Anyway, back to the 4^th.  Sweated through the parade along the National Mall, enjoyed the barbecue and beer donated by our marina, and then had a ringside seat for the fireworks over the Washington Monument – viewed from our aft deck.  All that is D.C. on the 4^th of July - this was the primary reason we made the trip up the Potomac (and back down next week) – and it lived up to our expectations. 

Of course, it was the presence of great friends that made it all work.   Bob Baer and Sara were down from NYC for three nights (left this afternoon), David Chavis and Shelley from suburban Maryland spent the night of the 3^rd with us and through the fireworks of last night.  Andrea Solarz (a fellow Spartan grad student back in the 70’s) lives in Arlington – she came by in the afternoon.    Shortly after that, Laura Jacobus-Kantor (one of my former grad students at GSU) arrived with her extended family of 6 – so there were 13 of us enjoying the spectacular pyrotechnic display. 

Other Spartans Marty and Charlene Kushler arrive from Michigan tomorrow for the weekend, followed by Rob Godsall (Atlanta) on Monday for 4 nights and then three more guests for the following weekend.   Good thing we enjoy entertaining!  Not too late to schedule your visit!

June 30, 2012 - Reedville, VA to Colonial Beach, VA to Occoquan, VA to Washington D.C.

It’s been awhile since I’ve written – let me get you up to date. 

After Debi returned from her 2 days in ATL, we departed sleepy Reedville last Sunday.  A four hour trip led to a one-night stop in a nowhere kind of place – but it did have a pool for the hot afternoon.    We left early the following morning in order to travel with the tide rising behind us (pushing us up the river)  – we were out on the Potomac by the time the sun popped over the horizon at 5:45.   Beautiful.

Before 8 a.m. we were in our next location – a surprisingly enjoyable Colonial Beach, within miles of the Potomac shore birth homes of Washington, Monroe and Robert E. Lee.  It’s an old-fashioned weekend or summer home town; modest cottages aged 50-100+, presumably for those in the D.C. area (about two hours away by car).  The marina had a first in terms of amenities – the owner loaned us his golf cart, which was just perfect to get to every point of interest in the community.   A couple of good restaurants - including one that was as good as almost anything we would find in Atlanta, one beach bar that was closing when we sat down for a drink at 9:30 p.m., and some beautiful Potomac shore homes.  One of those homes was owned by Alexander Graham Bell and is now a B&B.  We played the “we own a B&B too” card to score a tour. 

The day after arriving in Colonial Beach, Emily’s boyfriend’s (Drew’s) parents, Mike and Gina, arrived for three days.  They totally fell into the boat groove and have already asked about possibilities for a return visit.  They were also of great assistance by having a rental car, which we used to buy a new TV (old one blew up in some sort of electrical malfunction, along with the DVD player) and some boat supplies.   They also assisted with the complex installation into the wall, with cabinetry framing, etc.  Mike was also kind enough to lose both bocce ball games to me. 

After a 5 hour trip to Occoquan, we visited and dined in the quaint historic downtown, a very colonial style 6 blocks or so.  Our guests left the next morning.  They must have seen the weather forecast, because the 112 heat index afternoon was followed by a severe storm that night – you probably saw the news – 9 deaths so far.  We lost power for the rest of the night and slept outside (on the flybridge) where it was slightly cooler and where we had a great view for the incredible lightening show.

We left this morning – they still had now power.  Today was special – cruising down the Potomac into D.C.   Passing Mt. Vernon on our port, coming around a bend and seeing the Capitol building and then the Washington Monument.  Then passing Old Town Alexandria, then National Airport (right under the flight path as you might know – planes right overhead), and finally to our marina.  Although I’ve spent a lot of time (including a year of residence) in this city, I had never seen it from the water – a whole new perspective.  We are one half mile from the National Mall (pretty close to the Monument).  Tonight we are just hiding inside – it’s too darn hot for exploring the city.   

Not much in the way of pictures.  My brand new Sony camera broke before I could take a real picture.   But here are the folding bikes that travel with us on the boat.  

Hope you are all staying cool – wherever you may be.

-----A few more pics added at the end of Jim's notes below. These are from Colonial Beach
      and during the cruise up Potomac to Occuquan.-----

June 19, 2012 - Cape Charles, VA to Reedville, VA

 Finally got out of Cape Charles after the winds died down.  Reminds me of Prairie Home Companion this past weekend when Garrison asked his guest (a native of Tulsa), "What did you get out of Tulsa?"   Answer - "I got the hell out of Tulsa"  

Anyway, we had a 4 hour trip NNW across the glassy bay - easy and beautiful trip, accompanied by dolphins and the odd fishing boat.  Arrived in Reedville, a fishing village on the peninsula that forms the south border of the mouth of the Potomac.  We are here for its strategic location more than the destination.  It's pretty sleepy.  But it has an amazingly interesting fisherman's museum and a good ice cream parlor. 

More importantly, our friends Wayne (one of the birthday boys) and Ginny came by for a brief visit - had dinner with us and spent the night on their way from NC to NY.  Short, but very nice. 

Today's pictures are to be found on Smugmug - see link below.  They were all taken in a 15 minute span, all on the exterior of a small railroad maintenance building, all with my iPhone (as you can see if you are paying attention).   My real camera died and until the new one arrives, that's all I have.  The photo of the rail tracks that go to nowhere looks that way because they really go to nowhere.  The train cars used to be loaded onto barges for the  trip over to Norfolk and then back on tracks there to head south. 

http://jimemshoff.smugmug.com/Other/cape-charles-RR-bldg/23668209_mnTQws#!i=1915843704&k=CCGZhWX   Click on "slideshow" in the upper right hand corner and when the pics start click on "fast" in the upper left corner.  It will take less than a minute of your busy days. 

Keep those cards and letters coming!  Debi's heading to ATL for a couple of days and I'll be stuck alone in Reedville!

p.s. Peter - we will definitely still be here on the 22nd.  Come on by. 

June 14, 2012 - Cape Charles, VA

My last posting was Saturday and I told you of playing piano for my supper at the marina bar/restaurant.  A couple of hours after writing you, we went to a gallery opening.  The gallery was attached to an old theater that we had hoped to see while walking around town earlier in the week.  Luckily, they opened the door for people to see the theater - there was a Steinway grand in the front - and they invited me to play it (at Debi's request).  Though the first pic doesn't show it, I ended up with a small audience. 

The next night we went to the theater to see Mutiny on the Bounty - part of the Tall Ships Festival here in our marina. When we walked in, I said hi to the theater manager we had met the night before.  As we waited for the show to start, she walked in the back of the theater and yelled over everyone, "Where's that piano player?"   Which led to a pre-movie mini-concert (someone informed the crowd after the overture to the movie that "the piano player was better").   

Tuesday we were going to join the parade of Tall Ships leaving here and Norfolk and heading towards Baltimore - we were stopping at Tangier Island.  But after getting up at 5 a.m. to beat the forming storms, we decided the weather was already impassable.  Some of the tall ships even had to turn back and reported 6 foot waves.  We had made a good choice.  Unfortunately, though the storms have stopped, the winds have stayed and so have we.  Not sure when they will let up - we will probably be here a few more days.  As someone said, "If you want to see a rainbow, you have to learn to like the rain." 

In the meantime, we are enjoying Debi's delicious meals with local fresh ingredients, our new local friends (See second pic), as well as Debi's friend Julie from NC who has been with us since Monday.  

Please write us to keep us posted about YOUR worlds!  We have lots of time for email and phone calls right now!

June 9, 2012 - Cape Charles, VA

Two nights ago I played for my supper - crab cakes and beer.  I think I got the better end of the deal - but management seemed happy, too.  In my memory, there were throngs of people surrounding me - but the picture seems to tell a different story - see attached. 

We are still in historic Cape Charles - the weather and festival for the Tall Ships are all too good to leave.  So we've been absorbing the local culture and..... sittin' on the dock of the bay - wastin' time. 

Debi likes to make up projects so she can keep biking up the old-fashioned hardware store on Main St. and talk to the old guys in the rocking chairs outside. 

Music from the stage at the end of our dock drifts down to the back of our boat where we sit eating, reading, working, etc. 

Miss you all - happy Saturday!

June 4, 2012 - Cape Charles, VA

Actually setting up a blog seems more ambitious than I am - but I do think I will send occasional Boat's Notes.  Doubt I will have many more tornado adventures - these may be more like slice of life.  It will NOT be a daily account of every activity, but just a few tidbits to give you a feel for this.  If you don't want to hear it you are welcome to tell me or just discreetly delete.   

Yesterday started beautifully - an easy and beautiful trip from the west shore (Hampton - tornado land) to the east shore (Cape Charles), an old and now revitalized railroad town. 

When we arrived, I was filling our tanks with diesel.  Twice the fuel hit some sort of vapor lock (or something) and the fuel shot out of the tank and all over me - in my eyes, in my mouth, my clothes, etc.  It has a lovely aroma. 

Today was an example of the little stuff that makes this fun.  Took a bike tour and visited a B&B we had made contact with (longer story), stopped at an old-fashioned soda fountain for a sundae, then found a farmer's stand and bought fresh vegetables for tonight's sunset dinner on the back of the boat.  We also made friends with a guy renovating (and it is a MESS) a 50-year-old trawler.  Yep, those would be the highlights.  That, and the fact that two tall ships docked in our marina - part of a much larger group traveling up and down the Chesapeake this month.  We hope to see a parade of the whole armada later in the week. 

BTW - here is a picture from our flybridge a couple of minutes prior to the tornado.  It actually got a bit brighter before we spotted the funnel cloud.  And one from the next day - yes, that guy is being lowered onto the tree lying on the back of the house. 

Hope all is well with you on land. 

June 3, 2012 - Hampton, VA

A few people suggested we should set up a blog to chronicle our boat adventures for the next five months.  I thought about it but then thought - "how interesting is this, anyway?"  - wake up, exercise, do some email, maybe a little work, read, blah blah blah, have a beer, blah blah blah.   Repeat. 

Well, tonight was different!  It had been storming for awhile while we blissfully (excuse the use of your names) were fooling around on our laptops - until it got pretty dark, pretty windy, and generally felt intense outside.  So I walked outside, up to the flybridge, looked on the horizon and said, "Debi - what is that?" just looking for confirmation.  Because it sure LOOKED liked a tornado and it was heading this way.  Within two seconds of her looking at it, the bottom of the funnel lit up with electric flashes like they do when power lines are blowing up.  OK - I'll take that as confirmation.  

What to do?  Make a 3 minute run to the bar through the storm - and get soaked trying to beat it there.  Or hunker down in the bottom of the boat?  That seemed wiser until I remembered the video of the Dallas tornado throwing those semi trucks up into the air.  I thought if they can take semis, they can probably take us.  I've got to tell you, that's a weird thought to have - thinking about the boat you are sitting on, your only realistic shelter, flying through the air like a marine version of Wizard of Oz.

While contemplating this, the funnel disappeared.  I noticed the wind had changed 180 degrees.  And two minutes later, it changed back 180 degrees, so clearly  both sides of the storm passed over us.  When the rain was gone, we headed to the bar to see if we could learn more.  Of course, everyone at the bar was.....drinking..... and not paying the least attention to what was going on outside.  But the Weather Channel was on and showed that the tornado had dissipated while it went over our heads, only to re-form on the other side of us, heading out on the Bay.   Sort of what happened at our lake house last year.  Is this bad luck or good luck?  Both, I guess.

Anyway, I wanted to get this out to you now, because for the last half hour, they've been showing our Hampton tornado on the Weather Channel.  I expect they'll still be showing it tomorrow, maybe on CNN as well, I would guess.  Apparently, there was some substantial damage downtown (Hampton).  Have not heard about injuries yet. 

 So tune in for another EMSTAR adventure!