Cold, cold, and…oh yeah! Cold! Today we are well wrapped in clothes once again. Supposedly there's to be a squall coming through, so we got into our jackets once again, put all our things down below closed all the curtains to keep the rain back and packed lunch so we wouldn’t have to go below soaked. But after all this it ended up to be nothing, I think we might have gotten a quick 20 sec shower but that’s it. Victoria was disappointed because she put lunch together for us all water proof and we ended up eating it in dry weather. But Dad said we should be happy because it could have been bad. So that was the excitement of the day, well at least for a little while. It was really foggy too. It got foggier and foggier, so much so that Dad had to use his GPS to get into his own mooring field. We were thankful our ball was still available. We were afraid someone else would be on it. Fortunately, no such thing happened.
We packed up the boat for an hour or so when (just our luck too) it started to rain, so (once again) Dad had to fix the dinghy engine in the rain, although praise the Lord it worked.
We then had to repack our bags into water-proof bags. Now it was raining really bad, so Victoria had a brilliant idea. Dad had a tarp so we packed all the things (like clothes) that didn’t really matter if they got wet in the bottom of the dinghy (which by the way we had to bail out with a cup because there was so much rain water, and we still had a bit of water in it and it was only getting wetter.) Then we put our “non-wet” stuff (such as books) that were wrapped in bunches of plastic bags, and we put those on top of the “wet stuff.” After that we spread the tarp over it and tucked it in on the sides. Then I had to lay over the tarp to keep it from blowing, and told Victoria that I would “shield her books with… [my] body and to guard them with… [my] life.”
Victoria stayed behind on Ilira to help Dad pack the dinghy for the next trip.
I lay on top of the tarp soaking wet, my body spread as wide as I could to cover the biggest area. The whole time we rode into Monument Beach, I was referred to by my Dad as “Paper Weight.” I’m not exactly sure why he picked me to be the paper weight (seeming that I’m the lightest) but I didn’t mind. It was adventurous, besides this way I got to see Mom sooner. )
We finally hit solid, home ground. Mom came out in her rain coat to help us unload as quickly as possible, and I stayed behind with Mom, while Dad went back for another trip and to fetch V.
We both got into the car, and then we hugged each other. It was good to see Mom again. It seemed like weeks this time (although later we figured out it was only 5 days) and of course it was good to see Eddie too. I dare say he was happier to see me then I was to see him! (And I missed him a lot too!) Mom and I commented on the great weather we always seem to bring with us.
Soon the car was packed and all four of us were reunited again. It was good to be in Mass again-- so many familiar things, familiar smells, sights, roads… and of course the rain—my favorite being the smell. There is no better fragrance to me, then the smell of Massachusetts more specifically Cape Cod.
“Wow you’re going fast,” Dad commented.
“Really I thought I was going slow, I get kind of nervous with the dinghy trailer.”
“What you’re doing is way faster than 7 knots!” Dad said.
And we all began to laugh. Man, I got to tell you, it’s wicked good to be home.
God bless you guys today and for the rest of the summer!
-We Three Sailors of Oriental Are
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Bridgeport, CT to Block Island, RI
Today we were greeted by the regular wind, rain and a gray—the normal welcome party of New England.
It was cold and we were all had multiple layers on, I thought it was so silly that Dad told me to pack sweatshirts in North Carolina because it was in the 90’s but today I was very grateful for them. You knew it was cold when Dad (who always wears shorts no matter what the weather) actually put on long pants.
We put our anchor down around 5:00 this afternoon, when it started to rain again.
We had gone on land at Block Island once before with our friends and we had gotten clam chowder that Victoria absolutely loved. So we all wanted to go back to the same place and get clam chowder again. So we lowered the dinghy, but the motor didn’t start as expected. So Dad had to try to fix the dinghy in the rain. But alas that didn’t even work, so we had to call the launch. The guy seemed nice enough he told as that it would be three dollars.
“Total?” Dad asked.
“Per person.” The launch man replied. So we stood in their in indecision, but we decided since we hadn’t spent much at all on the trip and we all really wanted to go, so on board we went. We all squished in under the overhead of the launch in our rain coats and foul weather gear. I wore a shirt and two coats and my capri's, Victoria wore a shirt, a zip up and Dad’s big jacket, and Dad: shirt, sweatshirt, foul weather gear jacket, and of course shorts.
One other man was on the launch, he was one of the crew on one of the racing sailboats. We figure out (as we did last time) that it was racing week so the harbor was packed. We picked up a few more people and we were soon off and on our way walking up the road. But we had a problem. We didn’t remember where the restaurant was. We came upon a restaurant so we figured we duck out if the rain and ask for directions. This place served New England clam chowder too but we remembered the resturaunt looking different. So we tried to describe the place to the lady behind the counter.
“It had a porch I remember,” Dad started.
“Well there are places over there, one up from here and one further up, and this place and they all have porches.”
We described it further. “There is no place like this here,” The lady said.
Were we imaging? Was it in some other port?
“Unless you’re taking about in town. There is a place that looks like what you were describing.”
“Yeah it could be. Where’s that?” Dad asked.
The lady gave us some instructions. Dad asked her how far it was, she said it was about 10 minutes.
So off we went. The rain soaking through our pants and seeping into our shoes, and I kept slipping a lot so finally I took off my flip flops. (I’m not know for keeping shoes on my feet for long)
After what seemed about 10 minutes, we asked a person who had grocery bags in his hand (so we figured they came from town) we asked them how long it was to town. The man thought for a moment.
“Probably about 5 to 10 minutes.” The man shrugged.
“Okay thanks.” We said.
“10 more minutes, it was only supposed to take 10 minutes originally.”
So after about 10 more minutes we found ourselves at the right place. We recognized the place as we remembered it. We were soon seated in the screened in porch and sipping up warm New England clam chowder. For Dad and Victoria it wasn’t as good as they remembered it, but they thought it was still very good, but for me I thought it was better. :)
We looked at each other, wet coats dripping wet hair very wet pants. We smiled; we all thought it was worth it.
When we were done we were going to check out some of the shops, but we were all too wet and cold to look, so we decided to head back. It was already a wet adventurous day, but we had no idea that both—wet and adventure— were going to increase greatly.
We thought we would have a dry walk back expect maybe for some mist because when we were in the restaurant it had stopped. Boy where we in for surprise, just as we were a great distance away from shelter, it started to rain bucket loads.
“Run!”
We all bolted through the rain until we reached a tree branch that we stopped under. If we were not soaked through before, we were now. We were now practically standing in a puddle up to our ankles.
We ran a little ways and then stopped and just walked to catch our breath. The rain was getting a little lighter. A deep puddle that flooded over the road and onto the sidewalk was a few feet away. We looked back, a car was coming.
“Run!” Came the cry once more, and we charged across the “lake” as we tried to out run the car so we wouldn’t get sprayed on worse by the car running over the puddle that would send a small tidal wave over us. We did out run the car at last until we were past the puddle. We then walked a ways. Then it started to rain hard and we bolted around the corner and ducked under an overhang.
We waited for a few minutes to wait out the rain or at least until it slowed. We were so surprised to see so many people out and about. We past lots of pedestrians, bikers past us by, we crossed paths with joggers, and people who were just sitting on their porches.
I pointed to 12 or so people hanging out on the porch of their house up on a hill. Someone on the porch pointed back at us. I waved. They waved back. One even cupped his hands and yelled hello.
What a wonderful wet day!
Walking, jogging, sprinting, running, slowing, bolting, walking.
Then it started to rain really hard, and I mean hard! You couldn’t see very far ahead of you. Thunder, lightning, running once more, but of course there were no shelter. So we kept running, splashing through puddles and soaking our pants.
Bucket loads upon bucket loads, it was raining cats and dogs.
We soon spotted a shop with a porch through the rain and ducked under it to get out of the rain. We laughed as it came down harder and harder, gushing out of gutters pouring off the road and onto sidewalks. We were glad to be watching it instead of being in it.
The shop was closed so we didn’t go in but there was a bench, so we all sat and talked but mostly watched the rain. We sat there for probably 7 minutes until Dad coaxed as along.
We ran the rest of the way back to the marina. We waited another 15 minutes till we could get a ride back by launch. At last we were back on the launch although this time we didn’t bother to go under the overhang, we were already soaked, a few more minutes of it wasn’t going to make a difference.
We soon climbed back onto our boat.
“That will be 9 dollars.” Said the launch man.
“I already paid you on the way in.” Dad said.
The launch man paused and added “Its 3 dollars per person each way.
We protested, but we ended up paying the guy. Now unfortunately that wasn’t worth it. But nonetheless we had fun.
We stripped off our soaked jacket’s. Even under two coats my shirt was wet.
We all took warm showers and I even heated up some warm soup. What an adventure. What a day. What a very wet day!
May God be with you all always, and may he bless you greatly!
Your soaked friend,
Zani
It was cold and we were all had multiple layers on, I thought it was so silly that Dad told me to pack sweatshirts in North Carolina because it was in the 90’s but today I was very grateful for them. You knew it was cold when Dad (who always wears shorts no matter what the weather) actually put on long pants.
We put our anchor down around 5:00 this afternoon, when it started to rain again.
We had gone on land at Block Island once before with our friends and we had gotten clam chowder that Victoria absolutely loved. So we all wanted to go back to the same place and get clam chowder again. So we lowered the dinghy, but the motor didn’t start as expected. So Dad had to try to fix the dinghy in the rain. But alas that didn’t even work, so we had to call the launch. The guy seemed nice enough he told as that it would be three dollars.
“Total?” Dad asked.
“Per person.” The launch man replied. So we stood in their in indecision, but we decided since we hadn’t spent much at all on the trip and we all really wanted to go, so on board we went. We all squished in under the overhead of the launch in our rain coats and foul weather gear. I wore a shirt and two coats and my capri's, Victoria wore a shirt, a zip up and Dad’s big jacket, and Dad: shirt, sweatshirt, foul weather gear jacket, and of course shorts.
One other man was on the launch, he was one of the crew on one of the racing sailboats. We figure out (as we did last time) that it was racing week so the harbor was packed. We picked up a few more people and we were soon off and on our way walking up the road. But we had a problem. We didn’t remember where the restaurant was. We came upon a restaurant so we figured we duck out if the rain and ask for directions. This place served New England clam chowder too but we remembered the resturaunt looking different. So we tried to describe the place to the lady behind the counter.
“It had a porch I remember,” Dad started.
“Well there are places over there, one up from here and one further up, and this place and they all have porches.”
We described it further. “There is no place like this here,” The lady said.
Were we imaging? Was it in some other port?
“Unless you’re taking about in town. There is a place that looks like what you were describing.”
“Yeah it could be. Where’s that?” Dad asked.
The lady gave us some instructions. Dad asked her how far it was, she said it was about 10 minutes.
So off we went. The rain soaking through our pants and seeping into our shoes, and I kept slipping a lot so finally I took off my flip flops. (I’m not know for keeping shoes on my feet for long)
After what seemed about 10 minutes, we asked a person who had grocery bags in his hand (so we figured they came from town) we asked them how long it was to town. The man thought for a moment.
“Probably about 5 to 10 minutes.” The man shrugged.
“Okay thanks.” We said.
“10 more minutes, it was only supposed to take 10 minutes originally.”
So after about 10 more minutes we found ourselves at the right place. We recognized the place as we remembered it. We were soon seated in the screened in porch and sipping up warm New England clam chowder. For Dad and Victoria it wasn’t as good as they remembered it, but they thought it was still very good, but for me I thought it was better. :)
We looked at each other, wet coats dripping wet hair very wet pants. We smiled; we all thought it was worth it.
When we were done we were going to check out some of the shops, but we were all too wet and cold to look, so we decided to head back. It was already a wet adventurous day, but we had no idea that both—wet and adventure— were going to increase greatly.
We thought we would have a dry walk back expect maybe for some mist because when we were in the restaurant it had stopped. Boy where we in for surprise, just as we were a great distance away from shelter, it started to rain bucket loads.
“Run!”
We all bolted through the rain until we reached a tree branch that we stopped under. If we were not soaked through before, we were now. We were now practically standing in a puddle up to our ankles.
We ran a little ways and then stopped and just walked to catch our breath. The rain was getting a little lighter. A deep puddle that flooded over the road and onto the sidewalk was a few feet away. We looked back, a car was coming.
“Run!” Came the cry once more, and we charged across the “lake” as we tried to out run the car so we wouldn’t get sprayed on worse by the car running over the puddle that would send a small tidal wave over us. We did out run the car at last until we were past the puddle. We then walked a ways. Then it started to rain hard and we bolted around the corner and ducked under an overhang.
We waited for a few minutes to wait out the rain or at least until it slowed. We were so surprised to see so many people out and about. We past lots of pedestrians, bikers past us by, we crossed paths with joggers, and people who were just sitting on their porches.
I pointed to 12 or so people hanging out on the porch of their house up on a hill. Someone on the porch pointed back at us. I waved. They waved back. One even cupped his hands and yelled hello.
What a wonderful wet day!
Walking, jogging, sprinting, running, slowing, bolting, walking.
Then it started to rain really hard, and I mean hard! You couldn’t see very far ahead of you. Thunder, lightning, running once more, but of course there were no shelter. So we kept running, splashing through puddles and soaking our pants.
Bucket loads upon bucket loads, it was raining cats and dogs.
We soon spotted a shop with a porch through the rain and ducked under it to get out of the rain. We laughed as it came down harder and harder, gushing out of gutters pouring off the road and onto sidewalks. We were glad to be watching it instead of being in it.
The shop was closed so we didn’t go in but there was a bench, so we all sat and talked but mostly watched the rain. We sat there for probably 7 minutes until Dad coaxed as along.
We ran the rest of the way back to the marina. We waited another 15 minutes till we could get a ride back by launch. At last we were back on the launch although this time we didn’t bother to go under the overhang, we were already soaked, a few more minutes of it wasn’t going to make a difference.
We soon climbed back onto our boat.
“That will be 9 dollars.” Said the launch man.
“I already paid you on the way in.” Dad said.
The launch man paused and added “Its 3 dollars per person each way.
We protested, but we ended up paying the guy. Now unfortunately that wasn’t worth it. But nonetheless we had fun.
We stripped off our soaked jacket’s. Even under two coats my shirt was wet.
We all took warm showers and I even heated up some warm soup. What an adventure. What a day. What a very wet day!
May God be with you all always, and may he bless you greatly!
Your soaked friend,
Zani
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Great Kills Harbor, NJ to Bridgeport, CT
We went through New York City today. There were lots of skyscrapers and the every-buzzing sound of honking, sirens and busy streets.
We went under a really tall bridge on our way into NYC. The bridge was 135 feet! That’s about double our mast’s height!
We passed Riker’s Island on our starboard as we were leaving NYC.
We went under a really tall bridge on our way into NYC. The bridge was 135 feet! That’s about double our mast’s height!
But the big container ship behind us made it under with little room to spare.
We saw a pretty stone building on our port as we left the bridge behind.
As we pulled in to NY Harbor we were welcomed by Lady Liberty. Her bold, sincere face looked back at us as we entered the harbor. She clasped a bronze torch over her head with proud duty as she guided us into the harbor, by the “flame” of her patriotic torch.
Just want to point out the “colorful ants” at the base of Lady Liberty, are people. Just so you can see how big she is. :)
It was very cool to see all the sights and the sounds in NYC. All the cars zooming about, the giant buildings dwarfing the rest of us, sirens and beeping horns echoing off of buildings, helicopters and airplanes flying overhead, and the random trees planted in alleyways.
We passed Riker’s Island on our starboard as we were leaving NYC. We passed an airway strip and planes flew right over us and onto the landing strip.
As we left NYC, the sounds faded and the buildings grew smaller and we entered the calm sea. And, as expected on a trip such as ours, we were met by pirates!
Thankfully the Pirates let us go and we continued on our journey. lol
We arrived in Bridgeport, CT safely and got some fuel. We were to meet some of Dad’s friends from the beach. The fuel guy was nice enough to let us tie up at the dock while our friends would be there. So we tied up (next to Unicorn, a steel-hulled ship made of the metal of U-boats) and then went up the dock.
Dad said we should take a walk around the docks and look at the dockside restaurant and shops. So we went for a stroll. We stopped in the dockside restaurant and asked for ice cream, but they had none so they recommended we get some from the ice cream the ice cream store on the docks. We thanked them then looked around the restaurant. They had some cool decorations. An old piano, long canoes, oars, pictures of the place years ago and a fish tank. It was nice.
Then we wandered out and looked at the small shops they were painted and cute shops. Unfortunately I left my camera on the boat and didn’t get pictures of them. Dad and Zani got Strawberry Sundae’s and I tried some Sherbert slushy. It had soda in it (and as you all know I don’t like soda), but it was okay. I felt bad I made Dad pay for it so I drank the whole thing. :P We found a trashcan for our remains near a mirror and we all had fun looking in the curved mirror which made us all look like squat sturdy people. It was funny. :) We then headed back to the boat and cleaned it up for company. Dad’s beach friends came and stayed for an hour or two with us. It was nice to see them again.
Signing off,
Victoria
Monday, June 20, 2011
Atlantic City to Great Kills Harbor
We woke up early today and left after some indecision. Deeper Season the catamaran we had met in Mobjack Bay changed their minds from yesterday and said they weren’t going to go today. The weather didn’t sound too good: blowing 10-15 knots and 3-4 seas so they weren’t going. Dad was concerned for Zani who gets seasick and after some debate and then a troller in our anchorage leaving too, Dad decided to go. So we dragged ourselves out of bed, put some clothes on and helped Dad with the anchor and the navigation out of the narrow channel.
There were a bunch of snow white herons as we headed out of the anchorage.
We got out of the tight channel successfully as the rising sun lit our backs.
There was a pretty beach to our port as we left the anchorage.
We left Atlantic City and started for Great Kills Harbor. The weather, as it turned out, was fine. A small breeze of 4-8 knots was all the blew and 1-2 foot seas. It was a beautiful ride. And a very nice day.
We had the best surprise that day by the sea! We saw a whale!!!!!!! Dad suddenly pointed and yelled “look!" and I flipped my head around and saw the back of the whale curving down into the depths of the sea. Zani wasn’t quick enough though and didn’t see him. But for a few minutes after we saw his spray from his spout, shoot up, so Zani got to see him that way. It was WICKED AWESOME!!!!! =D
It was a pretty uneventful day and a smooth ride. It was really cool to see the whale. Definitely the highlight of the day!
Signing off,
Victoria
There were a bunch of snow white herons as we headed out of the anchorage.
We got out of the tight channel successfully as the rising sun lit our backs.
There was a pretty beach to our port as we left the anchorage.
We left Atlantic City and started for Great Kills Harbor. The weather, as it turned out, was fine. A small breeze of 4-8 knots was all the blew and 1-2 foot seas. It was a beautiful ride. And a very nice day.
We had the best surprise that day by the sea! We saw a whale!!!!!!! Dad suddenly pointed and yelled “look!" and I flipped my head around and saw the back of the whale curving down into the depths of the sea. Zani wasn’t quick enough though and didn’t see him. But for a few minutes after we saw his spray from his spout, shoot up, so Zani got to see him that way. It was WICKED AWESOME!!!!! =D
It was a pretty uneventful day and a smooth ride. It was really cool to see the whale. Definitely the highlight of the day!
Signing off,
Victoria
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Father’s Day: C&D Canal to Atlantic City
We left early this morning. I heard Dad get pull the up the anchor and after a half hour I snuck out of bed, careful not to wake my sister and snuck out and into the cockpit with Dad. The day was just waking the sun rose lazily with a light pink glow surrounding the sky around it. I said good morning to Dad and we hung out in the cockpit and together watched the day awake.
Zani came up a half-hour after I did and said good morning to Dad. I whispered to Zani when Dad was busy looking at his chart plotter, to go downstairs after me. She did, and remembered it was Father’s Day. So we each made Dad a card, grabbed his present and went up to the cockpit. “Happy Father’s Day!” we said excitedly swinging a present in front of us with smiles on our faces. Dad had no idea. He completely forgot it was Father’s day. So he was very surprised!
He read our home-made cards and opened his present. Dad said we made his day. (more than once!) =D
Zani came up a half-hour after I did and said good morning to Dad. I whispered to Zani when Dad was busy looking at his chart plotter, to go downstairs after me. She did, and remembered it was Father’s Day. So we each made Dad a card, grabbed his present and went up to the cockpit. “Happy Father’s Day!” we said excitedly swinging a present in front of us with smiles on our faces. Dad had no idea. He completely forgot it was Father’s day. So he was very surprised!
He read our home-made cards and opened his present. Dad said we made his day. (more than once!) =D
On the back of the card I made for Dad, I wrote a poem.
(poem below)
Keep On Going
You go through the C&D Canal,
And you hook up with a pal,
then you keep on going…
Sail through the Delaware Bay
and around Cape May,
then you keep on going…
Stop at Atlantic City,
where the lights make you dizzy,
then you keep on going…
Don’t stop at Sandy Hook,
Cause it’s really sandy gook,
So you keep on going…
Land in Port Jefferson,
Take the dingy for a spin,
Then you keep on going!!!!
In the C&D Canal the waters were pretty calm and we we’re able to cruise at 9-10 knots. (The current helped us out. ;) The sun was now rising high in the sky as we sailed along.
Then we sailed into Delaware Bay. Then to Cape May. As usual the seas around Cape May were a little rough. The waves were around four feet. So with wind, current and shoals all around us, we pounded through.
Up-up-up- Down! *splash*
We made it in one-piece around Cape May and headed for our Port O’ Call: Atlantic City.
We got there just as the sun was setting.
We had to go through a very narrow channel to get to our cozy anchorage.
To our surprise we saw Deeper Season there! We had met them in Put In creek. It was ironic that we saw them again.
Signing off,
Victoria
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Solomon’s Island to the C&D Canal
We dropped off Mom this morning and said goodbye to her and Eddie. It was sad that she left. We all wished she could stay.
After dropping her off, the three of us went back to the boat and got ready to go. We left the mooring field and stopped for gas again to get gas for the dinghy and to fill the water tanks.
We then headed for the C&D Canal. We went under two bridges side by side that were identical. It was cool.
It was a pretty smooth ride and a nice day. The sun was bright and the water was calm.
As the sun set, it reflected off the water, and the clouds and sky around the sun glowed brightly.
Then we entered the canal in the dark. There were lights on the edges of the canal on land and the bridge was lit and it looked pretty in the darkness.
We ducked into our anchorage, that was a little past the bridge and dropped a hook there for the night. There were quite a few other boats in the small anchorage by the marina and the Yacht club was having some kind of party. The Marina was all lit up, there was a band playing and there were tons of people milling about the place. We were all tired and we have a long day tomorrow.
After dropping her off, the three of us went back to the boat and got ready to go. We left the mooring field and stopped for gas again to get gas for the dinghy and to fill the water tanks.
We then headed for the C&D Canal. We went under two bridges side by side that were identical. It was cool.
It was a pretty smooth ride and a nice day. The sun was bright and the water was calm.
As the sun set, it reflected off the water, and the clouds and sky around the sun glowed brightly.
Then we entered the canal in the dark. There were lights on the edges of the canal on land and the bridge was lit and it looked pretty in the darkness.
We ducked into our anchorage, that was a little past the bridge and dropped a hook there for the night. There were quite a few other boats in the small anchorage by the marina and the Yacht club was having some kind of party. The Marina was all lit up, there was a band playing and there were tons of people milling about the place. We were all tired and we have a long day tomorrow.
Signing off,
Victoria
Victoria
Friday, June 17, 2011
Solomon’s Island
It was a nice trip to Solomon’s from Deep Creek/Smith Creek, uneventfully but nice.
We got some fuel at the fuel dock at Solomon’s island where we were able to fill the water tanks, and best of all get some ice cream! (Which yes, was very yummy)
We then set out for the anchorage, and cleaned the boat for an hour or two before we met Mom.
But time went by fast and before we knew it we were meeting Mom in Zanhizer’s Yachting Center’s driveway.
I was so nice to see Mom and Eddie. (our Chihuahua Terrier mix.) We got Eddie a lifejacket and I think Eddie had a lot of fun exploring around the boat.
But I think he also enjoyed his sleep…
But so did Mommy…
We chilled for rest of the day and then we made cheeseburgers topped with red, green and orange peppers. (I think it was the best cheeseburger I ever had.) It was nice night and there was even a full moon.
The next day we decided to walk into town. Unfortunately there were only two courtesy bikes, so Victoria and Mom walked and Dad and I did circles waiting for them to catch up. (Literally)
We stopped at Kim’s Key-lime Pie’s and ate and drank outside.
Dad and I got strawberry-banana smoothies, Victoria got just a plain strawberry smoothie, and Mom had coffee. It was very good.
I think Eddie wanted some too.
Then we continued on our walk/ride. It was a whole lot of fun.
Later that evening we took the car and drove to a nearby Olive Garden. It was sooooooo good. :) Needless to say we all stuffed ourselves silly. Then we went back to Ilira and watched The Voyage of the Dawn Treader! It was good.
Especially because a squall came through and there was rain and thunder and lightning outside and our boat was blowing all over the place on the mooring; so it seemed like the storm on Dawn Treader was real! Because there was real lightning and thunder outside, it really was raining and we were really on a boat at night that was moving. Guess that’s really 3-D! lol Anyway it was fun to watch the movie.
Then after tired legs, full stomachs and amused minds, we all took to bed.
Today we rode courtesy bikes to the Maritime Museum. We had gone there once before, but we went again to show Mom, it was a really good museum.
It’s a nice day today. So we decided to go in the Yacht Club’s swimming pool. The water was cool, but not too bad, and it was definitely refreshing.
We did our laundry while we swam, killing two birds with one stone. We met a guy in the Laundry Room that said it gusted 60 Knots last night! Guess it was quite a storm!
After laundry and swimming, we went grocery shopping to pick up some much-needed things.
And then to top off the splendid day we watched The Voyage of the Dawn Treader Explorers Pack: the special features. It was a really nice day.
Hope all of you back at home are doing well.
God bless you all.
In Him forever and always,
Zani
We got some fuel at the fuel dock at Solomon’s island where we were able to fill the water tanks, and best of all get some ice cream! (Which yes, was very yummy)
We then set out for the anchorage, and cleaned the boat for an hour or two before we met Mom.
But time went by fast and before we knew it we were meeting Mom in Zanhizer’s Yachting Center’s driveway.
I was so nice to see Mom and Eddie. (our Chihuahua Terrier mix.) We got Eddie a lifejacket and I think Eddie had a lot of fun exploring around the boat.
But I think he also enjoyed his sleep…
But so did Mommy…
We chilled for rest of the day and then we made cheeseburgers topped with red, green and orange peppers. (I think it was the best cheeseburger I ever had.) It was nice night and there was even a full moon.
The next day we decided to walk into town. Unfortunately there were only two courtesy bikes, so Victoria and Mom walked and Dad and I did circles waiting for them to catch up. (Literally)
We stopped at Kim’s Key-lime Pie’s and ate and drank outside.
Dad and I got strawberry-banana smoothies, Victoria got just a plain strawberry smoothie, and Mom had coffee. It was very good.
I think Eddie wanted some too.
Then we continued on our walk/ride. It was a whole lot of fun.
Later that evening we took the car and drove to a nearby Olive Garden. It was sooooooo good. :) Needless to say we all stuffed ourselves silly. Then we went back to Ilira and watched The Voyage of the Dawn Treader! It was good.
Especially because a squall came through and there was rain and thunder and lightning outside and our boat was blowing all over the place on the mooring; so it seemed like the storm on Dawn Treader was real! Because there was real lightning and thunder outside, it really was raining and we were really on a boat at night that was moving. Guess that’s really 3-D! lol Anyway it was fun to watch the movie.
Then after tired legs, full stomachs and amused minds, we all took to bed.
Today we rode courtesy bikes to the Maritime Museum. We had gone there once before, but we went again to show Mom, it was a really good museum.
It’s a nice day today. So we decided to go in the Yacht Club’s swimming pool. The water was cool, but not too bad, and it was definitely refreshing.
We did our laundry while we swam, killing two birds with one stone. We met a guy in the Laundry Room that said it gusted 60 Knots last night! Guess it was quite a storm!
After laundry and swimming, we went grocery shopping to pick up some much-needed things.
And then to top off the splendid day we watched The Voyage of the Dawn Treader Explorers Pack: the special features. It was a really nice day.
Hope all of you back at home are doing well.
God bless you all.
In Him forever and always,
Zani
Monday, June 13, 2011
Put In Creek (Mobjack Bay) to Deltaville
We sailed to Deltaville today. We got up early and headed due east… right into the rising sun.
It was a fairly smooth ride and a bright and sunny day.
We arrived in Deltaville and we were watched by the Ospreys nesting on the Channel Markers.
Aren’t these birds gorgeous!!!
We anchored not far from the small town’s dock. Then Dad said we had to get our jib down and take it to a sailmakers’ shop in town, because the leach line was ripped.
So we took down the jib and mushed it into a bag. Then we precariously lowered the giant bag into the dingy and then rode the dingy to the dock. One of the workers at the sailmakers’ shop picked us up at the dock and toted us into town to fix our jib sail.
It took an hour and a half and then the jib was fixed so we loaded it back up into the truck and were toted back to the dock. There we unloaded the bag holding the jib and lowered it back down into the dingy and then took it back to the boat, after thanking the lady who had driven us there and back.
We put the jib up again when we got on the boat. Zani guided the sail to Dad, Dad fed the jib to the roller furling and I pulled on the line to hoist the jib back up to the top. It was tiring work and soon the line was too hard for me to pull. So Dad and Zani together yanked on it while I fed the jib up the pole.
Then Zani said she really wanted to go swimming. I didn’t want to go, but she wanted someone to go in with her, so she and Dad swam. There was a fairly strong current in the harbor so we attached lifelines to the floating cushions they were sitting on so they would not get dragged away. When they got pulled away from the boat by the current I’d pull in the lines fast up to the boat and Dad and Zani would hang on for dear life.
Soon they got out of the water and dried off while I made dinner. After dinner and another Chapter on Revelation we went to bed.
We are going to Solomon’s Island day after tomorrow where we are going to pick up Mom and Eddie! I can’t wait! We are going to stay there for three days! It should be fun. :)
We are going to Deep Creek/Smith Creek tomorrow.
Signing off,
Victoria
It was a fairly smooth ride and a bright and sunny day.
We arrived in Deltaville and we were watched by the Ospreys nesting on the Channel Markers.
Aren’t these birds gorgeous!!!
We anchored not far from the small town’s dock. Then Dad said we had to get our jib down and take it to a sailmakers’ shop in town, because the leach line was ripped.
So we took down the jib and mushed it into a bag. Then we precariously lowered the giant bag into the dingy and then rode the dingy to the dock. One of the workers at the sailmakers’ shop picked us up at the dock and toted us into town to fix our jib sail.
It took an hour and a half and then the jib was fixed so we loaded it back up into the truck and were toted back to the dock. There we unloaded the bag holding the jib and lowered it back down into the dingy and then took it back to the boat, after thanking the lady who had driven us there and back.
We put the jib up again when we got on the boat. Zani guided the sail to Dad, Dad fed the jib to the roller furling and I pulled on the line to hoist the jib back up to the top. It was tiring work and soon the line was too hard for me to pull. So Dad and Zani together yanked on it while I fed the jib up the pole.
Then Zani said she really wanted to go swimming. I didn’t want to go, but she wanted someone to go in with her, so she and Dad swam. There was a fairly strong current in the harbor so we attached lifelines to the floating cushions they were sitting on so they would not get dragged away. When they got pulled away from the boat by the current I’d pull in the lines fast up to the boat and Dad and Zani would hang on for dear life.
Soon they got out of the water and dried off while I made dinner. After dinner and another Chapter on Revelation we went to bed.
We are going to Solomon’s Island day after tomorrow where we are going to pick up Mom and Eddie! I can’t wait! We are going to stay there for three days! It should be fun. :)
We are going to Deep Creek/Smith Creek tomorrow.
Signing off,
Victoria
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Day Two in Put In Creek, Mobjack Bay.
Mobjack Bay—what an adventure.
This morning since we weren’t on the run we decided to make a good breakfast of grilled English Muffins and scrambled eggs. That was extra super-duper yummy.
After breakfast an hour or so before noon we lowered our dinghy to go check out the town—that is until the motor on the dinghy didn’t start, and Dad had to spend 45 minutes cleaning out the carburator. But shortly we were in the dinghy again and motoring down the creek.
Man it was hot, but thankfully not humid. All the houses looked very pleasant and had a wonderfully cool feel to them. Lots of private docks stood outside of almost every house. We saw lots of egrets and osprey again.
When we reached the “end” the water became very shallow, and up ahead there was mud that looked very squishy. So apparently the tide wasn’t up yet. We looked at one of the docks and it looked like it was wet about four inches up, so we figured when the tide was up that we’ll go back, Dad figured a couple of hours. So we returned back to Ilira and made lunch and boiled some eggs for tomorrow. We decided to stay here in Put in Creek for rest of the day and would leave for Deltaville tomorrow.
An hour or so later three boats came in: two Trollers and a Catamaran. We were excited maybe they’re heading north too and we could be buddies.
But the tide looked about up, so we decided we would head into town and say hi when we came back and they were settled. Off we go a mile in by dinghy. We saw an egret up ahead and it looked like it was standing in mud. Oh great we thought. But we made it this far again mind as well keep going and see if there is another way. We looked back and there was dinghy a ways behind us. We recognized the dinghy to be the Cat’s. They looked like they were trying to get into town too. We kept going in further. They seemed to be “pacing” in indecision. Then they turned around.
We headed into little channels if you could call it that, it was only as wide as the length of our dinghy the long way and only about 8 inches deep. We tried to see ahead if there was even a place to tie the dinghy, but so far we could see none. We should've tied up at someone’s dock and asked if we could leave it there while we walked into town, but quite frankly none of us were near bold enough to do that, and none of us thought that it was that necessary.
But none the less we kept going. Now the engine was completely out of the water but still running. It was getting shallower and shallower. The back of a building that we suspected was town was still a ways off. Shallower, and shallower. Narrower and narrower. Dad had to turn off the engine. We drifted. We bumped. We stopped. “Uh…” we think. Dad takes out the oars and half rows, half poles us along, trying to see if we can go further.
Yes! We are over the bump. We were floating now, but barely. Dad kept “rowing.” It was now very narrow. Dad brought the ores in so only the paddle was outside the boat. This was working, almost there. Finally we were there. Land ho! We rowed the dinghy into the marsh grass. We looked up to see where we had arrived, at a… trash dumpster, sewage pipe, and an old building surrounded by barb wire.
But it looked like we could cut through a parking lot and the main street was right there. The dinghy was a yard away from solid ground, everything else was in mud. We couldn't pull the dinghy up any further without getting out and pulling it up. So Dad told Victoria to get out and pull us in. But she couldn't, there was no solid place to step and it was questionable if she could jump it. So Dad said that he’ll do it. He stepped out, one step on the reeds the second in “sinking mud” that started to engulf his foot, and the third onto safe ground. We all laughed at him. But at last we made it. We secured the dinghy to the dock (which btw is completely on dry ground) and cut through the parking lot which brought us to the fire department. And that’s where Dad discovered he had mud splattered all the way up his legs. So logically he walks over to the fire hydrant. But obviously we can’t get water from it. He wiped it away with his hand and tried to wipe his hand on the gravel. But this only made it worse, now both his leg and his hand were muddy.
And then at last I remembered I had Dad’s water bottle in my bag, and we were able to use that to clean Dad up.
Pictures of our "lovely" landing spot. lol
We walked past the fire department and soon found or selves on Church St.
The inside of the parlor reminded us of Andy's. It had black and white photo's on the walls, paintings of Marilyn Monroe, and an old soda machine.
After the ice creams, (that were very good) Dad asked the waitress if there were any grocery stores around because we hadn’t seen any. She said there was a Food Lion at the corner of this street. I almost choked, “A Food Lion in this little town?” But sure enough if you walked to the end of the street that didn’t have much on it at all and turned the corner, there was a Food Lion, old looking but yet a Food Lion. So that was quite surprising and funny. After we picked up a few groceries and poked around a bit, we headed back to the dinghy hoping it was still there. …Which it was, thankfully.
The tide was much higher now and we were able to motor right out of the little channel.
This morning since we weren’t on the run we decided to make a good breakfast of grilled English Muffins and scrambled eggs. That was extra super-duper yummy.
After breakfast an hour or so before noon we lowered our dinghy to go check out the town—that is until the motor on the dinghy didn’t start, and Dad had to spend 45 minutes cleaning out the carburator. But shortly we were in the dinghy again and motoring down the creek.
Man it was hot, but thankfully not humid. All the houses looked very pleasant and had a wonderfully cool feel to them. Lots of private docks stood outside of almost every house. We saw lots of egrets and osprey again.
When we reached the “end” the water became very shallow, and up ahead there was mud that looked very squishy. So apparently the tide wasn’t up yet. We looked at one of the docks and it looked like it was wet about four inches up, so we figured when the tide was up that we’ll go back, Dad figured a couple of hours. So we returned back to Ilira and made lunch and boiled some eggs for tomorrow. We decided to stay here in Put in Creek for rest of the day and would leave for Deltaville tomorrow.
An hour or so later three boats came in: two Trollers and a Catamaran. We were excited maybe they’re heading north too and we could be buddies.
But the tide looked about up, so we decided we would head into town and say hi when we came back and they were settled. Off we go a mile in by dinghy. We saw an egret up ahead and it looked like it was standing in mud. Oh great we thought. But we made it this far again mind as well keep going and see if there is another way. We looked back and there was dinghy a ways behind us. We recognized the dinghy to be the Cat’s. They looked like they were trying to get into town too. We kept going in further. They seemed to be “pacing” in indecision. Then they turned around.
We headed into little channels if you could call it that, it was only as wide as the length of our dinghy the long way and only about 8 inches deep. We tried to see ahead if there was even a place to tie the dinghy, but so far we could see none. We should've tied up at someone’s dock and asked if we could leave it there while we walked into town, but quite frankly none of us were near bold enough to do that, and none of us thought that it was that necessary.
But none the less we kept going. Now the engine was completely out of the water but still running. It was getting shallower and shallower. The back of a building that we suspected was town was still a ways off. Shallower, and shallower. Narrower and narrower. Dad had to turn off the engine. We drifted. We bumped. We stopped. “Uh…” we think. Dad takes out the oars and half rows, half poles us along, trying to see if we can go further.
Yes! We are over the bump. We were floating now, but barely. Dad kept “rowing.” It was now very narrow. Dad brought the ores in so only the paddle was outside the boat. This was working, almost there. Finally we were there. Land ho! We rowed the dinghy into the marsh grass. We looked up to see where we had arrived, at a… trash dumpster, sewage pipe, and an old building surrounded by barb wire.
But it looked like we could cut through a parking lot and the main street was right there. The dinghy was a yard away from solid ground, everything else was in mud. We couldn't pull the dinghy up any further without getting out and pulling it up. So Dad told Victoria to get out and pull us in. But she couldn't, there was no solid place to step and it was questionable if she could jump it. So Dad said that he’ll do it. He stepped out, one step on the reeds the second in “sinking mud” that started to engulf his foot, and the third onto safe ground. We all laughed at him. But at last we made it. We secured the dinghy to the dock (which btw is completely on dry ground) and cut through the parking lot which brought us to the fire department. And that’s where Dad discovered he had mud splattered all the way up his legs. So logically he walks over to the fire hydrant. But obviously we can’t get water from it. He wiped it away with his hand and tried to wipe his hand on the gravel. But this only made it worse, now both his leg and his hand were muddy.
And then at last I remembered I had Dad’s water bottle in my bag, and we were able to use that to clean Dad up.
Pictures of our "lovely" landing spot. lol
We walked past the fire department and soon found or selves on Church St.
We wandered down the street looking at the interesting town. It was a quaint town, and sort of busy at the same time too.
We waited for the traffic to clear before crossing the street.
:P
The town had a home-y feeling, and had some cute shops and stores.
We found a parlor, and thought that it would be a great idea if we got our selves some ice cream after going through that long never-ending canal.
The inside of the parlor reminded us of Andy's. It had black and white photo's on the walls, paintings of Marilyn Monroe, and an old soda machine.
We ordered our ice creams. I had chocolate ice cream with hot fudge, Victoria got vanilla ice cream with carmel, and for Dad strawberry ice cream with... butterscotch.
After the ice creams, (that were very good) Dad asked the waitress if there were any grocery stores around because we hadn’t seen any. She said there was a Food Lion at the corner of this street. I almost choked, “A Food Lion in this little town?” But sure enough if you walked to the end of the street that didn’t have much on it at all and turned the corner, there was a Food Lion, old looking but yet a Food Lion. So that was quite surprising and funny. After we picked up a few groceries and poked around a bit, we headed back to the dinghy hoping it was still there. …Which it was, thankfully.
The tide was much higher now and we were able to motor right out of the little channel.
When we were back in the main part of the creek we saw the dinghy from the Cat docked at one of the docks nearby to the entrance of the narrow channel.
We kept going and when we got the main creek we saw a man rowing his dinghy back to his troller. So we decided to say hi, why not? Apparently he made his wooden dinghy. It was very nice, only 3 weeks old. After about 8 minutes of chit-chat the people from the Catamaran came over to the troller to talk to us and the other man. They asked us if we were able to go to town, and we told them we did and told them the short version of our adventure, they laughed and nodded.
Apparently they go here all the time and they just tied up at a random dock with a house that did not seem to be occupied. They cut through their yard and walked the rest of the way to town. And we are pretty sure we saw them crossing the street in town too, but we hadn’t gotten a good look at their faces beforehand to tell. But this seemed to confirm that it was them.
They left shortly after, for thunderstorms were coming in. We left to, but said hi to the other sail boat that came in before we headed back. We didn’t talk for long with the lady. (The 2 troller boats and the mono-hull, were traveling together and were from the same town.)
We got back to the boat, and watched the storm. It was only a short shower thankfully because we wanted to go swimming, and go swimming we did.
It was warm again and beautiful. And then to our surprise and happiness the couple aboard Deeper Season (The Catamaran) came in the water too. So we swam, rather flapped, over to them on our floating cushions.
We talked for a long time in the water and then they invited us aboard. We were all wet so we didn’t see much inside, but we they were kind enough to show us (after we checked a dozen times to make sure that it was okay to go inside in our dripping wet bathing suits) they showed us the galley and the port hull. It was kind of cool, I haven’t seen many Cats. They showed us their gigantic shower (for a boat, that is) it had plenty of room to move around, almost the size of a house shower!
They were heading north too, only going much slower than us. They’re heading all the way up to the Cape and further, so we gave them our number and they might perhaps possibly call us and stay on our mooring in Mass some time.
We didn’t get their card since there was no way for us to bring it back without getting it wet, but they wrote down our information, and hopefully by some luck we will see them again. We swam back and ate dinner, and hopefully we’ll be going to bed soon. Long day.
Your friend and sister in Christ,
Zani