November 3, 2008

Monday

1204 engine hours

$515 diesel fuel @ $3.10 per gallon

42* (degrees)

Overcast

We head to the fuel dock at 7:30, filled up and on our way at 8:45.  It is brisk on the bridge, but we are bundled and comfortable.  The sea is quite cooperative with flat seas and no wind.  It is a wonderful thing. We enjoyed my godmother, Gladys’, wine biscuits throughout our journey. The trip to Hempstead Harbour, NY was pretty uneventful.  The 8 hour cruise went by very quickly.  Our approach was about 4:02, two minutes too late to get fuel as the dock closed at 4:00.  We grabbed a mooring (someone else’s) and hunkered down for the evening.  Dinner, TV and bed at eleven.

November 4, 2008

Tuesday

1212 engine hours

$900 diesel fuel @ $4.10 per gallon

$396 diesel fuel @ $2.99 per gallon

55*

Dense fog

We awoke at 6:45 to fog so dense only the bow of the boat was visible.  Barry plots a course to the fuel dock as we would have never found it otherwise.  The fuel has jumped a dollar per gallon which is incredible.  The main tank and some of the starboard needs replenishing.  This endeavor takes almost an hour.  We head out to the open sea, hugging the coastline. The fog was incredible.  Just before approaching New York City Barry decides this is too treacherous and we head for cover in Manhasett Bay.  New York harbor is filled with cargo ships, tugs and other commercial ships.  Again, we scoop up a mooring and hang for about an hour for the fog to lift.  It is now about 11:30 and we shove off again out to the open sea.  The visibility has increased and the sun is trying to peek thru the clouds to no avail.  The bridge has warmed up to a very comfortable 60* .  We are on our way thru NYC.  We have been here before, but the sites are always spectacular, even with overcast skies. The Statue of Liberty is off our starboard and magnificent as always.  The seas are not bad, but we do encounter some chop and three foot rollers.  Not as nice as yesterday, but still quite doable.  Our hope was to make it to Atlantic City today, but with our delays that will not be possible.  Manasquan Inlet is the choice for the day.  The fuel was extremely pleasing at $2.99 per gallon.  We top off to the tune of $396 at Hoffman’s Marina which was a far cry from yesterday’s fill up.

Manasquan Inlet is very pretty.  The NJ coastline is quite nice.  Large homes line the waterway and provide much to take in.  The approach to our anchorage was hairy at best with 4-6 foot depths, but we made it at dusk.  Problems for the day:  a leak in the aft sink that Barry thought he fixed, but not, and the bilge pump in the aft that decided to quit working.  The bilge pump seems to be functioning adequately, but the drip under the sink is a worry.  Evidently the engines heat up the plumbing lines so much that the fittings leak.  I am confident Barry will prevail as usual.  Tomorrow’s plan is to head to Atlantic City via the Intracoastal Waterway.  The weather promises to be miserable, so the Intracoastal is our best bet.  We will be traveling at trawler speed, but at least making some progress to warmer weather.  Good night for now!

November 5, 2008

Wednesday

1224 engine hours

55*

Cloudy

Not nice

We head out to sea… and just few miles is Tom’s River, which is a perfect get away. There is a free town dock that we latch onto.  The area is beautiful and we get so much done.  The bilge, the depth finder, leak in the aft head turned out to be a broken fitting and was repaired, broken clip on the saloon curtain all repaired and a very successful day. Upwords and dinner on board!

November 6, 2008

Thursday

55*

Cloudy

With everything done on the boat yesterday we decide to head out and travel the Intracoastal to Atlantic City.   Not a bad ride considering the weather.  Some chop, but all in all not too bad.  I really thought it would be worse. We left Tom’s River at 10:00 and made it to AC by 2:30.  We made great time and the channels were clearly marked for safe travel.  There were a few hairy spots, but I was never concerned as I knew Barry would keep us safe…and he did! We opt for a marina for the night.  Kammerman’s Marina was very attractive at $1.50 a foot, but the only slip available promised a very rocky night.  Trump Marina across the way was a better choice.  At $2.00 a foot it is more expensive, but we would have better protection from the nasty, nasty wind.  It is gusting to 40 miles an hour, but it seems much worse.  With much effort on the Captain’s part we finally ease in.  E15 is home for the evening.  We discover the water has been turned off for the season!  Yikes!!  That was one big reason for a slip for the evening as now the water maker is acting up and not making much needed water.  There is always an issue.  At ¼ tank of water it is a necessity as there is laundry to be done.  There is a hose connected to the main building of the marina and 4 other hoses added to our 2 finally reach the boat.  The water tank gets filled and laundry is started while Barry faces the dreadful wind to wash down the boat…also very much needed.  There are many seagulls hanging on the dock.  I suppose seeking refuge from the wind.  It is nasty out there.  We are comfy cozy on the boat.  After laundry duty we will head to Trump Tower for dinner and a stroll around the casino for some much needed exercise.  Barry is on the phone trying to rectify the water maker issues and hopefully will be successful. More about that as that saga unfolds.  Around 7:00 we head to Trump for dinner.  Not the greatest choices.  Either fine dining (which we are not up for) or deli-kind of places.  There is a Hooters that we opt for.  What a mistake!  Cold crab legs and under cooked crab cakes.  The manager gives us a decent credit and we move on to The Café across the way.  The food was great and staff very friendly.  We made a small deposit into the slot machines and make our way back to the boat.  Still very windy, but we are more than safe.

November 7, 2008

Friday

Overcast

68*

1227 engine hours

I peck as we travel.  Nine bridges to go under today makes traveling rather slow. There are always delays in getting the bridges open for us to pass thru.  Our hope is to end in Cape May and get a slip for a couple of nights as traveling on the coastline is not very promising.  Rough seas will keep us on the Intracoastal for a couple more days.  It is 2:24 and we have gone approximately 20 miles due to the cities that line the Intracoastal.  These are all 5 mile per hr. wake zones.  That, coupled with the bridges, is slowing us down considerably.  We just passed an inlet that leads to the coastline…no freaking way are we going there.  We are very safe on the Intracoastal and this is where will remain.

The Intracoastal is quite amazing.  In some areas you are going through resident’s backyards and elsewhere the span is massive.  Regardless of where you are the depth ranges from 3 feet to 20 feet.  I cannot believe that we are in very expansive areas at times with only 3 feet of water below us.  In all this we come upon many smaller boats fishing along the way.  Some of them are right in the middle of the channel, stopped and fishing.  Incredible!  More slowing down and making our day a long one at best.  On the bright side the scenery is very nice and the water is calm as can be.  We end up in Wildwood, NJ at Sunset Lake anchored for the evening.  Peaceful and calm we will retreat here for at least the evening and perhaps tomorrow.  Our best window of opportunity to get back out onto the coastline is Sunday, when the weather promises good seas.  We shall see. Cape May ends the Intracoastal until Virginia so we need to track the weather and hope for good seas. Traveling the Intracoastal has saved much fuel and although this is a great preference getting to warmer weather is our goal.  I really do not care as we have absolutely no schedule to keep.

November 8, 2008

Saturday

Overcast/Rainy

65*

1232 engine hours at end of day in Cape May

146 gallons of fuel @ 3.19 per gallon

Total of $538.25 including dock fees @ $1.50 per foot

We left Sunset Lake at 2:00 and made our very short trek to Cape May in about 1 ¼ hours.  The Miss Chris Marina was not what we expected and we actually drove by it thinking we were not in the right spot.  After contacting Bob, the owner, we discovered it was the right spot….OMG.  Not what we expected at all, but in the long run it is a wonderful spot.  Large party fishing boats are all around us and we are right on the dock where they all come in for the evening.  Jerry and Bob guide us to our slip for the night.  It turns out to be a wonderful thing.  Felix the cat welcomes us (me especially.)  Felix is the marina cat.  He is a beautiful tabby.  I greet Felix with petting and finally picking him up for some loving…Jerry, a dock hand, advised his wife and I are the only ones Felix has ever let any one pick him up….I suspect he smells my cats left behind.  We fill up upon arrival and thinking the automatic shut off would work, the fuel was gushing into the harbor, probably spilling more than a few gallons of fuel into the marina.  Yikes, again.  We settle in and Jerry gives us an overview of the area.  We get off Sea Fox and walk to the WAWA which turned out to be an oversized convenience store.  The view and the walk were very worth while.  We head over to Mayers Tavern….best scallops in town.  OMG..it was the best.  Totally decedent dinner.  Fried oysters for an app. Fried scallops for Barry and a fried seafood platter for me.  Not good, but very good! Head back to the boat for espresso and a game of Upwords.  He beats me by 2 freaking points.  At 7:30 we head down for a bit of TV and bed very soon.  I love it here but we may need to move on tomorrow to grab great traveling seas.  We shall certainly see.

November 9, 2008

Sunday

Sunny…Yes!

About 68*

It is so beautiful we opt to stay in Cape May for the day.  We can travel tomorrow!  We take a very long, but much needed, walk to the beach. After last night’s dinner the walk was a good thing.  Who ever said New Jersey is the armpit of America is mistaken.  Cape May is gorgeous.  There are many, many Victorian homes that line the streets and very many are historical homes.  They are quite the site!  The coastline is beautiful and there are tons of shops that run along it.  There is also an open mall with tons of shops and restaurants.  It was bustling with visitors and I can only imagine what this place is like during the summer months.  I have never seen so many people walking around with “Cape May” sweatshirts on.  There is a jazz festival going on here for the weekend, but we never heard any music!  We have lunch on the mall at Jackson Mountain Café.  Delicious Caesar salads with seafood were our choices.  I saved a bit of my wonderful, rare tuna for Felix.  We head back to the marina taking a different route and find many more beautiful homes.   It is amazing that there are as many homes here for sale as at home.  The prices are incredible!!  They are asking $650 for a home that would probably be on the market for about $300 in RI.   This evidently is a very upscale area.  The gas prices here are astounding at $2.19 per gallon.  So why are we paying $3.29 a gallon???  The marina we are at is very cool.  It is a fishing marina and when we first entered we were very skeptical.  We actually passed it as there are really no slips!  We ventured further down and found nothing else.  A call to Bob, the owner, and the mystery is solved…we passed it!  OMG!  The slip we occupy is the ONLY slip!  There are about 5 other slips at Miss Chris Marina and they house whale watching boats and fishing boats that go out on daily excursions.  It turns out that this is the beauty of this marina. Two more games of Upwards…Barry wins one and me the other. Espresso and Gladys’ wine biscuits while we compete!   It will be sad to leave here in the morning, but I am sure more adventures are ahead.  Good bye to Felix the cat!

November 10, 2008

Sunny

About 73* on the bridge

1236 engine hours

We head out at 7:00.  Hate to leave Cape May but it is necessary!  The cruise to Ocean City is 2 ½ hours.  Some rocky seas but for the most part quite nice.  We fuel up to the tune of  $254.00 and 82 gallons in Ocean City.  Trying to top off for tomorrow’s journey to Virginia.  It is very nice here.  We opt for a slip again at the White Marlin Marina.  Anchoring is not an option here.  We nestle in next to Right Direction from Chepachet,

RI.  Have not seen anyone on the boat and that is too bad ‘cause it would be fun speaking with someone from home.  We hang on the boat in anticipation of dinner.  Bahama Mamas is just across the way and our choice for dinner.  The crab is fantastic! We are the only patrons!   I figure it is Monday night and the reason why. Does not matter that the place was empty as we are comfy cozy and eating Maryland crab that was thrown on the table as our feast….very nice and yummy to the max! It should have been yummy as it was to the tune of $75.  Back at the boat at 6:30.  Time for more relaxation and then bed as we have a very long day ahead.

November 11, 2008

Monday

Sunny

36*

We are up at 6:00 expecting to leave on our long run to Norfolk.  Barry listens to the sea forecast and discovers that the seas have changed from calm to nasty.  We can’t leave and take a chance of getting thrown around in nasty seas.  Soooo, we hook up to electricity at the dock and we are here for another day.  Two more issues crop up.  No internet connection and the battery charger is not working.  It will be a frustrating day for Barry as he attempts resolutions.  One good thing is that the cabin is warming up nicely with the heat running.  It was very chilly when we got up this morning.  It is suppose to get up into the 50’s today.  Maybe an opportunity to walk around will arise once the situations are cleared up on the boat.  Now, after his golden touch the battery charger is working again.  Hopefully it will remain working.  Barry has no idea how it happened, but it happened and this is a very good thing.  As far as the internet goes, that will probably be an easier fix.  He is thinking the sim card is not working and needs to call for technical support.  I can occasionally hook up to a Wi-Fi connection, but that is not a safe thing to be doing.   I am sure GSM problems can be fixed and then all will be good!  The water maker is still not functioning and that is a huge issue.  Barry is hoping to find a rep to come to the boat to make the repairs as the installation was not done correctly.  I certainly hope so as the fix is not an easy one and something Barry really does not want to do.  After almost 2 hours on the phone with AT&T the internet is fixed…let’s hope it stays that way.  At 1:00 we leave and take a walk to the boardwalk.  Ocean City is like a ghost town.  There are so few people here and only a very few stores and restaurants still open along the boardwalk.  It is quite brisk in the low 50’s but we are bundled and in the sun.  We come across Pepper’s and decide to stop for a bite to eat.  Nachos and tacos is our fare and they are quite good.  Since this is one of the only places open there are a few other people on the deck dining along with us.  One couple has 2 Great Danes with them about the size of ponies.  They were very well behaved.  Now it is really getting nippy so we head back.  I believe we walked a good 4-5 miles today.  Great exercise.

November 12, 2008

Wednesday

Sunny

Calm seas

Mid 40’s at 6:00 am

We start our 8 hour run from Ocean City to Norfolk, VA at 7:00.  The seas are flat calm and just the way we like it.  It is about 60* on the bridge.  A bit nippy, but we are fine.  About an hour into our travels the horn starts screaming!  Now what?  Thank you, security system for alerting us…that is what you are there for! As it turns out we are taking water on from the port rudder and the bilge pump is not keeping up with it.  The Captain investigates and finds the pump is not functioning and has to manually get it going…this is not good.  Barry decides he will change the pump switch as we are under way and at least with that he will not have to keep going down and do it on his own for these long 8 hours.  In an attempt to change the switch it starts working….another miracle on Sea Fox.  What a wonderful thing .We will still have to deal with the leak coming in from the rudder packing and Barry is afraid the boat may have to be hauled to rectify that issue.  There is a marina in Norfolk that he will call when we settle in to set up a mechanic to fix this problem.  It is not something that cannot be ignored.  The weather does not promise to be so great for the next few days so we may be spending time in Norfolk.  The Inracoastal will be our route for the next destination and it should be fine traveling, if we chose to head out again on Friday.  Thursday will be spent on repairs and it will probably be too late to travel.   It is so vast out on the ocean.  The shoreline is visible but only as a mere strip of land off to the West.  We are pretty much alone out here with an occasional fishing boat or another cruiser sometimes in site.  We do come upon a small Coast Guard boat with a helicopter flying above it and figure it is some sort of practice maneuver.  I did manage to get a couple of shots of it as we pass by.

I am watching for whales, but no sightings.  It is 11:00 and half way thru our trip for the day.  The sun is beating on the boat and it is a toasty 70* on the bridge and we are able to remove some of our clothing.  I am sure the solar panels are sucking up the sun also. This is what we have been waiting for!  No phone service or internet service where we are.  Hopefully as we get closer to Norfolk we will have both.  Well, my determination pays off and I am connected to the internet.  As I peck away Barry spots a dolphin off our port side.  Damn!  I missed it.  That is what I get for blogging and checking email while he drives!  But, wait!  About ½ hour later another 2 are on our port side and this time I get to see them.  Hopefully this will be just the beginning of many others!  We anchor at 2:50…very good timing! The sun is shining and we are able to relax on the aft deck for a good hour before descending and time for us to retreat inside.  Norfolk is not the most inviting place we have been.  Navy and Coast Guard ships abound!  Yuck! Dinner and TV until we hit bed for the evening.  Tomorrow is boat fixing day!

November 13, 2008

Thursday

1244 engine hours

Rainy and just miserable

65*

Today is boat repair day.  Ocean Marine Yacht Center is our first destination.  It is just a couple of miles ahead and as busy as we are told they are they are very accommodating.  We pull in at 9:30 and determine the best choice is to haul the boat and repack the port rudder.  Better safe than sorry.  JJ had us repaired and back in the water by 12:15.

Our next stop is for fuel at Tide Water Yacht Marina…best price at $2.48.  Sea Fox took 255.7 gallons for a total of $633.88.  We also shopped at the ship store for provisions for both the boat and us for grand total of $805.  We have not yet been called with the damages for the hauling, but Barry figures about another $500.  Actually this is not too bad as we had the boat hauled in Port Jefferson, NY 2 years ago and just the hauling was $400.  He feels they were very fair, not to mention how accommodating they were.  We are on the road again at 1:30.  It is so miserable!  Pouring rain and we are both wet from getting on and off the boat.  We decide to anchor for the evening in a small cove, Deep Creek Basin, right off the Dismal Swamp at 2:00.  Ann from the marina called and gave us the grim news that the hauling and repairs were $494.97…Barry was so close!  Upwords game and Barry beats me.  Dinner, some TV and bed.  I want to travel tomorrow.  We have 2 locks to go thru by 3:30 and I think we can do it upon the Dismal Swamp!  Looking forward to Elizabeth City that is about 50 miles away.  Shooting for it!

November 14, 2008

Friday

1246 engine hours

Dense fog/rain

62*

Up and out of the cove by 8:00.  Our first lock is just outside the cove. The rain held off until it was time to enter!  Get the rain jackets!! It opens at 8:30 and Robert, the lock and bridge keeper and Uturn the dog, are there to greet us and a sailboat, Jack, traveling from Alaska.  He is quite cheery and provides much assistance and information.  His lock reminds me of the locks in France.  His is overly decorated with conch shells that he has collected from boaters passing thru and he prides himself on being the best horn blower ever.  He gives us a demonstration, and yes his is quite good!  Entertainment for the morning provided by Robert!  Robert actually remembers Sea Fox from Barry’s Great Loop Trip so long ago.  Boaters sign their names along the lock and we see Sea Fox there.

Robert says they are a sailboat that comes thru every year. Robert’s advice is to not stop at Elizabeth City.  High winds will prevent us from leaving, so we will find another spot along the way.  We really wanted to stop here as the dockage is free for 48 hours and supposedly sights to see.  We will only be able to check it out as we pass by.  The canal’s water depth is great due to all the rain, but much debris has been washed into the water from the trees that it.  This canal is so much like Canal du Midi in France.  Tree lined with bike paths all along the way. We also missed the foliage and the trees are past their peak.  The only things missing are warmth and sun.  Unfortunately, the weather forecast for tomorrow is 90% chance of rain.  We entered North Carolina at 11:35.  Reached the second lock at 1:00 and had to hover for ½ hour until it opened.  This lockkeeper was not a friendly as Robert, but he does his job.  We are heading for Elizabeth City against Robert’s advice as tomorrow promises to be as bad as today and we need a slip and a city.  That may be our home for a couple of days.  The weather is horrendous with torrential rain.  It is 3:00 and in this rain we are dodging floating tree trunks.  The props are very forgiving after hitting a few of them that are submerged and had no idea they were there.  We are in 12 feet of water and cannot believe they would exist with such a depth, but they do.  From Dismal Swamp we head into Pasquotank River.  The River is much wider than the Swamp but still poses hazards of floating debris.  It is also very difficult seeing thru the isinglass so we are moving about 9 knots.  Again, we are better safe than sorry.  About 4:00 we finally hit Elizabeth City; a very welcoming site. There are docks for $15.00 per night with electric and water which is pretty much unheard of.  There are about 8 slips with only 2 available.  We snag one and tie up in the downpour!  We are soaked, but safe and right by the main street of the city.  No venturing out tonight for me, but Barry heads out in search for dinner.  Good luck, honey, as I am not on your tail.  I will stay behind and do laundry.  Tomorrow is another day!

November 15, 2008

Saturday

Sunny 65*

Cannot believe this!  The forecast was for 100% rain and at 8:15 it is sunny and warm. Finally!  Barry notices 2 men lurking about outside.  They, of course, were wondering “what is this boat doing here”, as this is their home.  They become best buds when Barry goes out to let them know we are just here for a day or so.  John Anderson, one of the buds, comes to the boat around 11:00 and offers a ride to the market, but we pass.  It is really not needed at this time.  We venture out around noon for a walk. By now it is about 75* and the sun is still shining.  The weather marine forecast is advising tornado warnings and high winds for later in the day so we are trying to make the best of the day.  It is no wonder why Elizabeth City offers dockage with electricity and water for $15 per night, as there is nothing here.  We stopped at Coezzo’s Deli for lunch and head back to the boat and take in what is left of the sun for the day.  Barry decides to go down and check out the bilge pump issue. There was a very large crack in one of the fittings.  By 5:30 all is repaired and hopefully no more problems for a while.  Tilapia with Pam’s recipe was wonderful along with mixed veggies.  A bit of TV and bed at 10:00.  Another big day tomorrow.  Night all!

November 16, 2008

Sunday

Sunny

46* Burr!

1259 engine hours at day’s end

Fuel 157 gallons @ $2.69

$422.00

We unleash the beast at 8:30 and are underway by 8:45.  Good bye to John Anderson, our new found friend.  He is up and waving good bye as we get underway…very nice man.  Today has been quite the adventure.  We started out in very calm seas and by the time we are heading to Abemarle Sound things get rocky at best.  There are 4 foot rollers mixed with a 2 foot chop hitting us broadside.  Sea Fox is getting a beating.  From Abemarle we move on to Alligator River which joins the Pungo River.  The props hit bottom in the Alligator/Pungo Rivers which was suppose to be 15 ft deep.  This all happening while someone, “me,” is in the galley preparing lunch.  It was quite the awakening!  Thanks to God, Barry and Sea Fox there is no damage and we continue to move along.  It has warmed up considerably to a toasty 75* on the bridge and I am actually able to strip down to a sleeveless shirt.  Big difference from outside which is probably still around 50*.  The sun is keeping us very warm while we traveling along.  Our venture ends around 2:00 in Upper Dowry Creek.  We stopped at Dowry Creek Marina for fuel and then headed up the cove, or as they say “creek,” for the night.  Today we traveled 5 ½ hours and about 85 miles.  No internet or phone service here.  Mary, the marina owner, is having the same difficulty.  We head up the creek and settle in for the evening.  It is still very warm and we play a game of Upwords be fore the sun goes down.  Hopefully internet tomorrow, along with phone service, and we can touch base with home.

November 17, 2008

Monday

Sunny

57* in the aft cabin

Outside much colder we are sure

1264 engine hours at day’s end

and 109.7 gallons of fuel @ $2.49

for a total $273.15

We head out at 9:15 with the sun warming the bridge to a very comfortable 65*.  The first river is Pamlico River; beautiful and calm.  The rivers are massive and we feel like we are on the ocean, minus currents.  Some very nice traveling! From there we head thru some inland cuts to Pamlico Sound.  We head to the Nusce River.  There are many sailboats and barges that accompany us today.  The scenery is very pretty and the water so calm.  We have about 40 more miles until our destination of Morehead, NC.  I will be making calls for fuel prices and dock and dines for the evening.  If you dine at the restaurant dockage is free.  There is no good anchorage in Morehead so a dock is our only option.  We have 3 choices, but I need to check availability as sometimes there is only 1 dock available and I would want to try to reserve it for Sea Fox.  It is 11:51 and we finally resume phone and internet service!  Long time for me with no access and grateful for SPOT who lets home know we are safe and where we are.  We head up the Adams River and see many beautiful homes along the way with the inclusion of dolphins (I managed pictures) and pelicans.  We move on thru Beaufort which has many homes lining the river and they are quite nice. Many homes for sale, just like at home!  The economy is in the toilet!!!  It is very congested here with barges and other boaters and this slows us down a bit.  It is a beautiful ride and we end up at Morehead City, NC at 3:00.  We pull into Morehead Gulf Docks for fuel (fuel noted above) and they offer to let us remain at the fuel dock for the evening for $40 with electricity and water.  Cheaper than dock and dine and we accept. There is Sanitary Fish Market within walking distance and that is where we head for dinner.  Very disappointed with the selection, but we buy Bay scallops and will do something with them for dinner.  There is an egret on the dock who thinks he “owns” the dock.  He balks at Barry as he goes to pay the bill for fuel and dockage.  This is his marina and one should beware! Barry hunts for dockage for tomorrow evening as it is expected to be as low as 20* and electricity to warm the cabin will be quite welcomed.  Very peaceful here and the evening will be enjoyed!

Yummy Corn and Scallop Chowder

1 small onion, chopped

3 stalks celery, chopped

1 med potato, chopped

1 8 oz bottle of clam juice

1T Old Bay Spice

Salt and pepper to taste

1 T dill weed

1 lb Bay scallops

1 pkg frozen corn

Sauté the first 3 ingredients and spices in I Cannot Believe It Is Not Butter until tender.  Add one -8 oz bottle of clam juice and bring to a simmer.  Add one 10 oz. pkg. of frozen corn (we use Green Giant with butter sauce.)  Bring to a simmer making sure potatoes are tender.  Add 1 pint of fat free ½ and ½.  Add 1 lb Bay scallops and simmer for about 5 minutes.  Enjoy!  This was soooo good. Low fat and so good for you!  Really hope you try this recipe!

November 18, 2008

Tuesday

Sunny

40ish/Cold

1267 engine hours after traveling today

We leave Morehead City at 9:30 for our short trek of the day.  We know it is going to be a short journey today as we can only get so far due to winds gusting to 30 mph…and that they are.  It is cold.  There are 4 bridges that we need to pass that will not open for us if the winds are 30 mph or higher.  No sense risking getting there and the bridge not opening.  Then we would be stuck somewhere we do not want to be.  We traveled to Swansboro, NC where we had 3 choices of marinas.  Again there is no good anchorage around plus the fact that it is suppose to get down into the 20’s this evening.  Heat on the boat will be welcomed.  Barry’s first choice for a marina is Dudley Marina.  He calls and they have 1 slip available and it is reserved.  We were told that everyone that stayed last night has opted to stay again.  No one is going anywhere if the bridges are not going to open.  Morehead to Swansboro is via Pogue Sound.  There is a dredged channel that is so narrow very close attention must be paid.  No bottoming out is wanted again. More of the same is in store for our travels tomorrow.  We need to go thru the Pogue to get to our next destination. The Sound is huge but very hairy.  There is actually a strip of land running right thru it that is no more than 40 or so yards to our port side.  These areas are

probably great in the summer time as you could certainly dinghy over and stake claim on a piece of the land for the day and swim in the Sound.  The houses along the Sound are million dollar homes.  One home even has its own marina.  Again the dolphins are swimming around the boat.  We spotted a group of 3 babies.  They were moving to quickly for me to get snaps of them.  They are soooo cool.  We approached Dudley Marina at noon and are left with ”not the greatest slip” as we are totally exposed to the water and wind on the outside.  Most of the dockage down here is pilings.  Not an easy way to tie up, and Dudley is no different.  We are so spoiled by the way things are at home.  They did send someone down to assist with lines and that was of great help.  The wind was blowing toward the dock so that was helpful, along with the dock hand.  Dudley Marina is amazing. Nothing fancy, but it is $30 for the evening with water and electricity…..quite the bargain! It is early so we decide we will get to the market and stock up on provisions.  There have not been many places where shopping has been available, and again, Dudley is no different.  There is suppose to be a market a mile away, but it is too freaking cold to walk.  We go to the office to get directions and a cab and what do you know…they give us a courtesy car and directions to Lowes Market.   First we hit Hardee’s for burgers so we would not buy out the market when we got there….we were hungry!  Liquor store next and then Lowe’s.  The market was pricey from what we know at home.  Over $200 for supplies was the grand total, and we did not buy tons of stuff.  We will be set for at least a couple of weeks, though, and we restocked what we used.  Leftovers for dinner and bed by 10:00.  Early day tomorrow.

November 19, 2008

Wednesday

Sunny

28* and 22* with wind chill

It is freezing outside

1279 engine hours after the day’s travel

We are off at 7:00.  Need to be at the first of 4 bridges by 8:00.  When we get there we are stopped by a patrol boat just before Camp LeJeune who advised the ICW was closed for shooting practice for 4 hours…OMG.  This is exactly why Barry called the Coast Guard yesterday and was told there was no activity!  But, there is, and we have no choice but to anchor and wait it out.  Upwords, breakfast, and finally at 11:30 they let us pass.  So much for getting up early and doing what we needed to do!  The boat traffic is piling up behind us.  Evidently they did not know about the shooting practice either.  Whatever!  We do have a time schedule today as all of the bridges only open a certain times and we need to be there when they open or we will need to wait again.  Fortunately we only had to wait 20 minutes at one of them.  Not so bad.  More dolphin sightings along they way.

As we head farther south along this canal we notice the most magnificent homes.  This, apparently, is a very wealthy area.  The homes are huge and most with their own docks and even some with gazebos at the end of the docks.  Quite nice!  Still would not want to live here.  There is some anchorage available, but it is going to be cold again tonight and we want warmth.  I call around to the few marinas available and the one that accommodates us the best is Mona Black Marina in Carolina Beach/Bald Head Island.  No fuel, but they provide water and electricity for $45.00 for the evening.  That is where we head.  By 4:00 we pull in and Randy and two other dock hands meet us….wow!..what service!  Randy is a retired State Police officer and did the very trip we are doing many times.  He now takes care of this wonderful marina and has a trawler that he lives on part time. Very, very nice people!  We are introduced to our neighbor, Paul, who is a live aboard…also very nice.  We hook up, laundry is started and very much needed cocktails are made at days end.  We are comfortable, safe and warm.  Tomorrow’s trek not too long, about 40 miles, and our goal is Myrtle Beach SOUTH Carolina.  North Carolina was a very long stretch.  It actually is not too cold outside at 6:00.  Until tomorrow…good night to all.

November 20, 2008

Thursday

40ish*

Sunny

1278 engine hours at day’s end

138.7 gallons of fuel @ $2.99 for total

of  $416.01

We are on the road at 8:00.  The sun is shining and it is a beautiful day.  Our first stop is at Southport Marina for fuel.  In and out lickity split!  Matt was very helpful at the dock and got us back on our way in no time.  The marina was very nice, and we find that to be the norm.  They are all very well kept and the staff very accommodating and pleasant.  We have 3 bridges to go thru today and 2 of them only open on the hour.  We get thru the first one around 10:00.  We take our time getting to the next as we will never make it for the 11:00 opening. The pontoon bridge is run by the bridge Nazi and this fact is also stated so in the guide book.  He is suppose to open on the hour, but does so at his discretion.  Luckily that is not the case today and we get there just at noon and there are 5 other boats waiting.  In just a few moments the bridge opens and we all pass.  The other boats are all trawlers and travel at 9 knots at best.  We trail behind, and at 9 knots we are conserving fuel so this is not so bad.  Very warm on the bridge today with the temp topping off at 84*. It is probably in the mid 60’s outside the boat…not so bad.  The last

bridge is a swing bridge which opens upon request.  We all get there at the same time and stroll on thru together.  Ten more miles to our final destination of Myrtle Beach and

Barefoot Landing Marina.  The slip fees are $1.50 a foot with water and electricity.  As it turns out all the boats ahead of us are heading for the same place, and we all pull in together.  Mark, at the marina, handles all of us quite efficiently.  It is a beautiful spot and there is a very large outdoor mall right at the marina with many different stores and restaurants.  Our arrival was about 2:00 and by 2:30 we were all settled in and ready to give Sea Fox a much needed bath.  The poor dear has not had an official bath for 2 ½ weeks…she is very, very dirty.  Hosing her down at the end of the day is just not making it.  The soot from the diesel fuel has made quite the mess of the transom and the rear windows.  And, to top it all off the water down south is quite hard and even the rinse down leaves the windows so spotted one can barely see thru them.  Anal captain gives her the twice over and 2 hours later with icicles forming on our toes we are done.  Sea Fox is pretty clean, not great, but clean.  Oh, Teresa, where are you when we need you most?  She kept such good care of Sea Fox at home.  Even when we went nowhere Sea Fox got a bath by Teresa.  I am sure Sea Fox misses her…and so do I.  We tidy up, change and head out for a walk.  The marina outdoor shopping area is great.  There are bridges that expand over water that connect each of the different areas.  Beautiful!  A good 1 hour walk was brisk but needed after sitting all day long.  We head back to the boat, finish up leftovers with TV and a bit of relaxation until bedtime.  We only have about 50 miles to travel tomorrow so we do not need to leave at the crack of dawn.  Maybe we can sleep until 8:00 and that will be a gift.  Night to all!  Until tomorrow!

November 21, 2008

Friday

Sunny

42* freaking degrees

Cold and windy

1282 engine hours at day’s end

102 gallons of diesel @ $2.68

$373.00

We slept until 7:45 today…that is big.  It was quite cold untying Sea Fox this morning.  The sun is shining but it is very cold.  We need to make a bridge that only opens on the ¼ and ¾ hour.  We are off at 9:15 with smooth sailing, bundled on the bridge until the sun will warm us.  We make the Socastee Bridge for 10:45 successfully and sail on thru.  There are quite a few no wake zones traveling the Waccamaw River from statute mile 375 to 403, but nonetheless it fine cruising at upwards of 15 knots with the current in our

favor, big time.  We encounter countless number of homes, giant million dollar homes, for sale.  It is the same here as at home.  Today’s travel mile is in the 50 mile range.  The

weather is beautiful with sunny skies.  The bridge warms to a very comfortable 75* by

noon.  At about 1:00 we make a diversion for fuel at the Georgetown Landing Marina, which proved to be the best bet price wise.  There fuel was $2.68 and it went upwards from there to a whopping $3.97.  After a quick pit stop for fuel and a pump out we head to Belle Isle Marina just a few miles more south. Dockage for the night is $1.50 a foot with water and electricity.  We are going to need heat tonight as the temp is supposed to drop to 20*.  And we are in the south??? I wish the weather station was working (it has lost its mind) because it would be very nice to know what the wind gusts are.  I would guesstimate at least 30 knots…and cooooold!  Belle Isle Marina is beautiful and a spot one would want for year round dockage.  Here the slip fees are $7.50 a foot year round.  This is a far cry from Wickford Shipyard as they are more than double.  Gorgeous scenery, great staff, and a wonderful “mom” run restaurant.  Turns out Pam Hollis, who runs the restaurant and has been here since April of this year, is a URI graduate in children’s PE.  She has gotten around and ultimately ended up here with intentions of running another restaurant with a friend and that just did not work out.  This is now her home with her mother near by.  So much for that college education, but she is very involved in her 6 year-old daughter’s school.  She advised that although SC has wonderful colleges, primary education is terrible.  Who would have thunk!  We had some wings and poppers for a snack and some time off the boat.  Chatting with Pam was very nice.  She is preparing a shrimp (fresh off the boat) extravaganza for dinner (all very fattening) but we may have to pass.  Enough with the fattening food as we have been doing so good eating healthy.  Maybe we will go back for a glass of wine later this evening. I am preparing butternut squash lasagna for dinner so we will probably remain in for dinner.  Evidently, Belle Isle Grill is quite the hot spot.  It is very small, but attracts the locals.  Cheap prices and good food…just like Cranston House of Pizza!  That is for you Colleen!  And, Pam laughed and said, “Say it right, Crannnston”!  Back at the boat we prepare a way point print out; these have proved to be very helpful in detecting shoaling and a very quick reference.

November 22, 2008

Saturday

Sunny

34*

1288 engine hours at day’s end

Diesel fuel 85.9 gallons, $236. @2.79 per gallon

We awake at 6:30 and although had not planned to leave until 8:00, we are awake so we proceed with our day.  Probably a good idea since low tide is 4 feet and barely enough for us to move on.  Leaving an hour early prevented bottoming out.  We are on the road by

7:15 and head out into calm water and sunny skies.  Our destination is Charleston today.

More dolphin and pelican sightings!  There are many spots with a lot of shoaling along the way and quite a few no wake zones, but we successfully arrived at noon.  We traveled

a total of 62 miles today.  We made very good time traveling most of the way at 16 knots.  Our first stop is at Charleston City Marina for fuel as it was supposed to be $2.39 a gallon.  Once Barry paid the bill he was advised it was $2.79.  We wanted to stay at this marina but there was no space available. One marina over is Ashley Marina and they do have availability and that is where we will park for the evening.  $2.00 a foot and $10.50 for electricity.  Much more than we have spent in the past, but that is what all of the marinas are getting in Charleston.  G-16 is home for the evening.  Once we get settled in we head out to the open market in Marion Square via the marina shuttle.  This is a market in the center of town with crafts and fresh veggies.  Along the way we picked up fresh pasta, plums, garlic, and a mango.  We arrived a bit late and they were breaking down the market as we browsed.  We took a very long walk all around the town, thru the stores and also noticed many huge mansions along the way.  Charleston is quite the city, with universities included.  We hoofed it back to the marina and my doggies are whimpering a bit, but the exercise was wonderful.

Time for R & R on the boat and butternut squash lasagna for dinner!  Yum!

November 23, 2008

Sunday

1292 engine hours

60ish

Sun with some clouds

A disaster this morning.  I unplugged the electrical cord, but was unable to disengage the pigtail.  I helped with feeding the electrical cord into the dock box on the bow.  How nice of the pigtail to let loose as it was coming up the side of the boat and falling into 27 feet of water!  Auugghh!  There goes $250.  This was my fault.  I should have let the Captain know I could not get the pigtail off the electrical cord.  Most of the marinas we have stayed at have 4-5 feet of water…how nice that this one has 27 feet.  That pigtail is a goner and I could not have apologized enough.  I do believe there is another in the bow dock box….keeping my fingers crossed. We will check that at another time.  Smooth sailing otherwise.  Getting back on track with the Intracoastal was a fight with the incoming current.  Once we pass that area we are flowing with the current and doing 17 knots, and that is a very good thing.  There is a lot of shoaling thru this trek; especially in Watts Cut…very shallow spots to 3 feet.  There was much shoaling all along the way, but the ride was beautiful.  There was a lot of deep water along with the shallow spots.  At

marker 130 we head into Bass River that is home for the evening.  It is absolutely

gorgeous in here and dead calm.  You could actually hear a pin drop.  We anchor at 2:00,

settle in and engage in Upwords.  It is quite warm.  It must be 75* on the boat’s innards and in the mid 60’s outside.  The sun is shining and it is very nice.  Upwords, a very long

game, was won of course by the Captain, and Auuggh again!  I had the worst letters and

no vowels!  A killer right there.  At a bit after 5 it is time to retreat inside as it is cooling

off.  Some beautiful sunset snaps are taken and we go below.  Barry will monitor the current and swing of the boat.  We are anchored in 16 feet of water with 80 feet of line.  Hopefully the current will not change to turn us into the marsh.  Barry watches diligently.  We do not want to bottom out.  We enjoyed the fresh pasta for dinner as Captain struggled with the satellite.  No reception, but as usual he prevails.  Such a smart man.  Enough for this day…nighty night!  Tomorrow another day and Hilton Head awaits us tomorrow!

November 24, 2008

Monday

50*ish

Sun and clouds

Diesel fuel 142 gallons

@2.99; total of $424.00

1298 engine hours at day’s end

We leave this beautiful spot at 9:30 and continue our trek south.  The birds had quite the ball on the bow of the boat…many droppings and shells from their feast.  Today’s destination is Hilton Head.  Traveling is great!  Smooth sailing with the current traveling with us most of the time.  Cooper River is narrow and shallow with many dolphin sightings.  The water is a mere 52* and still very surprised at the amount of dolphins we see in the cold water. It is toasty on the bridge.  We traveled 62 miles today and skipped Hilton Head for a destination of Georgia instead as it is only noon.  We stopped at Thunderbolt Marine for fuel and then headed just a bit more south to Herb River where we will anchor for the evening.  Barry says this is a good day as I did not throw anything overboard (the pigtail)…haha!  Herb River is very quiet and very relaxing.  Many huge homes along the river, but we move on down to a desolate spot and out of the way of others.  Dinner very soon….hungry!  Night to all.

November 25, 2008

Tuesday

Sunny

67* on the bridge

No fuel today

1303 engine hours at day’s end

Very nice day.  Lots of smooth sailing due to not very many no wake zones.  We pass thru Skidaway River and under the bridge at 9:00.  Head to Burnside River where many

huge homes are in sight.  Hells Gate was not as treacherous as we thought as we passed thru at high tide.  We did encounter some 4-5 foot shoaling, but still not too bad as most of the depth was at .8 feet and doable.  A lot of chop today with the current hitting us broad side.  Chop is prevalent thru North Newport River and now going with the current.  We are making excellent time with an average of 15 knots.  Johnsons Creek is next and it is narrow and deep at 15 feet.  Off to Wahoo River and much chop.  A lot of choppy seas today and Sea Fox is getting wet with salty water….augh!  Sapelo Sound is wide and again choppy but deep water. Entrance to Duplin River is ahead around 12:30.  Our usual 5 hour trip.  We called ahead to Lang’s Marina that is our hopes for tomorrow.  We are hopeful to get a slip for the next couple of nights.  There will be a boater’s Thanksgiving where the community provides turkeys and hams and the boaters providing the sides.  It will be nice to meet the boaters that we have passed many, many times along the way, as we assume this is everyone’s destination for Thanksgiving Day.  Nat at Lang’s Marina will not take a reservation, but has given us hopeful thoughts that there will be a slip available for us, especially if we check back with him early in the morning.  There are 5 other vessels anchored in the Duplin River along with us.  We will be up and out of here very early tomorrow to beat them to the punch.  They are sailboats and trawlers so we have the upper hand as we can travel much more quickly than them.  Great dinner in progress; turkey tenderloin, potatoes and brussel sprouts.  Barry is plotting our next few days’ adventures.

November 26, 2008

Wednesday

36* on the bridge..nippy and sunny

191 gallons of fuel@2.49

$474.00

1309 engine hours at day’s end

We are up and off at 7:30 with St. Mary’s as our destination.  We will travel about 60 miles today and hope to be there by 1:00.  The bridge warmed up to a very comfortable

65* within an hour or so and we can strip some clothing.  The venture today was so great.  Not too many no wake zones or other vessels that we needed to slow down for. I called Nat who assured there would be a slip for us and hoping this is correct.  Laundry to be done and I need to get off the boat and move around.  Anchoring is wonderfully peaceful, but exercise is needed also and we cannot do that anchoring out.  I called around for fuel and it varied from $2.49 to $3.75.  At Lang’s it was $3.11.  We took a 4 mile detour into Florida to go to Florida Petroleum to get the cheapest price.  It was a race down the St. Mary’s River and into the marina as this obviously was everyone’s destination. We all vied for time on the radio to get Nat’s attention for a slip.  He was

totally ignoring Barry, and I finally got on and he answered.  We also noticed he was just answering calls from women.  Maybe he has something against men!  We managed a spot at the end of the dock and 3 very helpful boaters eased us in the ripping 4 kt. current. We were immediately introduced to them and invited to a dock party at 3:00.  Every slip has been taken and there also are many boats anchored all around.  We finally got settled in by starting laundry and preparing a shopping list with hopes of a market nearby.  The dock party was great and we met so many interesting people.  There are many couples with children on board, home schooling them along the way.  What a wonderful life for these kids.  We moved on to Seagles for cocktails with everyone from the dock.  There had to be 200 people mingling and getting to know one another.  Tomorrow should be a wonderful day.  Absolutely gorgeous sunset this evening.

November 27, 2008

Thanksgiving Day

Sunny and warm!!!

Happy Thanksgiving to All!!

Up at 7:30 to prepare for the day.  Leslie, who was visiting a boater friend, rented a car for the week and took a few of us to Super Walmart to shop.  How wonderful!!!  The fridge needed some replenishing and we are set for probably another couple of weeks.  Barry repaired the leaky window in the aft cabin while I was gone. At 11:30 we headed up to Seagles for turkey dinner, along with about 200 others.  How amazing!  Roasted oysters began the feast.  They were soooo yummy.  We will certainly make these again.  Turkeys and hams donated by the community abounded along with the sides brought by the boaters. This is St. Mary’s 7^th year of doing this for the boating community.  Seagles is shut down for the day and that is where this all takes place.  My compliments to all the chefs.  The food was very, very good.  This also was another opportunity for us to meet with others and share similar stories.  We sat with a couple, Marjorie and Charless, (she a doctor, he an engineer) from Montana who are retired and traveling around in a camper trailing their 24’ sailboat. They just move from spot to spot putting the boat in the water for a sail for the day.  We shared some very interesting stories with them thru dinner.

Tomorrow morning is a gathering with everyone again and mimosas.  We will stay another day.  I love this little town.  There is a beautiful park at the top of the marina right on the water.  I want to do some walking and exploring tomorrow as rain is supposed to be coming on Saturday.  We can travel in the rain.  I want to explore this little community a bit more.  Tonight’s sunset not as nice as last evening, but still beautiful!

November 28, 2008

Friday

Sunny

Mid 60’s

Up at 8:00 and exploring to be done.  First Barry pays bills (they don’t just go away!) and I clean.  It is a beautiful sunny day in the neighborhood.  We head out at noon, pay Nat for the slip ($40 per night and $6.) and go to one of the shops along the main road.  Lot of unique items and fudge!  We head over to Pauley’s for lunch.  Wonderful muscles, for an app, Barry had a salad with Cajun shrimp and I have linguini with clam sauce.  Very good and very inexpensive.  We ate outside as it was such a gorgeous day.  Barry found

Nat to pay for the slip ($40 per night along with $6 per night for electricity).  Nat has worked at the marina for 55 years!  Amazing. After lunch we took a long (about 5 miles) walk.  Not much here in this little town and, again, so many houses for sale.  Even here

the economy is awful!  Back to the boat around 3:00, Upwords (he beat me by 9 points, augh!) and inside around 5:00 as the “no-see-um” bugs were biting.  Dinner, relaxation and off to bed early.  St. Augustine is our destination for tomorrow.  Rain is on the way, not much, but still on its way.

November 29, 2008

Saturday

Sunny

64* on the bridge

No fuel today

1317 engine hours at day’s end

We are up at 8:00 and leave St. Mary’s at 9:30.  The sun is shining and it is a beautiful day.  We must leave here at high tide or there is no getting out of here.  As we pass thru Fernandina there is a lot of water traffic…it is Saturday and a beautiful day.  There are a lot of local out and about for the day.  We have following seas but the wind is against us.  Still we are traveling at 15 knots.  Very nice traveling with the window on the bridge opened once and for all!  Dolphin sightings again with water temps at 58*.  Next to come is Amelia City.  There is a ton of water traffic and a lot of slowing down as to not wash them away with our wake.  There are also 4 sailboats ahead which will slow us down

from our now 17 knots.  It is 60 miles to St. Augustine and will take most of the day at this rate.  There are many crabbers picking pots, along with many smaller boats fishing

along our sides…more slowing down. I search for fuel along the way.  Nothing in St. Augustine is doable!  Our next stop for fuel will be in Daytona Beach at $2.59 which is the best there is to offer.  We don’t really need fuel at this time so that will be fine. Along our approach to St. Augustine thru Ponte Verde is a 6 mile stretch of a no wake zone due to home all along the ICW, which also includes no wake zones due to manatees.  Lots of interesting homes line this area.  We are slow going, but enjoying the view.  Our final

descent upon St. Augustine is the Bridge of Lions which only opens on the ½ hour.  We approach about 6 minutes prior to and sail on thru.  San Sebastian River is our destination for the evening with hopes of anchoring for the next 2 days.  The weather promises to be nasty with rain and wind for tomorrow, and there is anchorage for the dinghy at Oyster Creek Marina.  We can venture off the boat if we desire.  Two miles up the river we encounter something we did not expect…no anchorage areas at all.  The river is narrow and lined with marinas. Dolphin sighting and great pictures at last!  They are so cool as they graciously travel along. We traveled all the way to the end of the river and found no hopes at all.  A call to Oyster Creek Marina and the dock master, Paul, gets us dockage for $1.50 a foot for the next 2 evenings.  We were lucky to get that as there was really

nothing available and it is nearing 5:00.  It will be dark soon and no more traveling for the day will be possible.  We are at the end of a dock just down from a tiki bar called Oyster Creek.  This is home for the next 2 days.  Tomorrow is hair dying day….augh!  Never done this before, so it will be a first…Jack!  Where is my stylist when I need him!  We had dinner and took a walk along Ponce de Leon Blvd to the Winn Dixie for a few provisions.  It was not too far away, and the walk was great.  The evening was so warm, probably at 75* still.  Paul met us at the dock to introduce himself and we will meet up with him tomorrow to pay the bill.  This will be 5 days in a row at marinas and not our plan, but when there is no other choice that is the choice.  If it rains tomorrow, as promised, we can head up to the tiki bar for some time off the boat.

November 30, 2008

Sunday

Sunny and warm

70’s

I woke at 7:00 to see the most gorgeous sunrise, but I am not getting out of bed.  So much for rain that was supposed to start last evening.  We finally got out of bed at 9:00.  Breakfast and contemplation of the day.  Barry checks the radar and the rain is coming.  It is closing in on 11:00 and the rain will be here within the hour.  We venture out to a

liquor store not far from the marina figuring we could at least make it there and back before the rain.  It did not open until 1:00.  We are now on the main road to the historic city and decide to go for it.  The city is so lovely with restored buildings that now are Flagler College.  It is so beautiful reminding us of buildings in Europe. There are so many fine art galleries and some touristy shops that line the street.  Wish we brought the camera, but this was only supposed to be a short jaunt.  The clouds, they are a coming!  It is getting darker and cooler by the minute as we head back to the boat trying to avoid the rain.  We only have about a 10-15 minute walk from where we are to the boat and it is now pouring!  No umbrella, no rain jackets and we are getting saturated.  We finally made it back soaked to the skin.  Barry finds Paul to pay for the slip that was supposed to be $60 per night.  Turns out that was before FL taxes and electricity….never mentioned…and it is actually $73 per night.  We dry out and Barry plots courses for the next few days and I get into reading the guide book checking out areas of interest that are ahead of us.  Laundry gets done also.  It is nearing 4:30 and we head out for another walk to the liquor store in search of cognac for the captain as the rain has finally ended.  Broudy’s is only about ½ mile from the marina and Barry gets what he needs.  We now head up to Oyster Creek to check this place out.  It is a real mariner restaurant owned by Tammy for the past 14 years and doing a booming business.  One of her specialties is crab and artichoke dip served in sourdough bread.  We order that along with calamari and a couple of margaritas.  The dip was delicious and something we would like to concoct

on our own.  Back to the boat to continue the finish of laundry and relaxation.  We will head back to the city tomorrow, with camera in toe, to get some very nice shots that we truly missed today.  Tomorrow’s travel is only 12 miles so we will have plenty of time to venture back and take another look before our next destination….anchorage! Hair dying went well!  Not bad for my first time!