Pics of Block Island

Block Island

We left Cape May on Saturday at 4:30 am (6/23). We anchored in Great Salt Pond on Block Island, RI, at 4:30pm on Sunday (6/24). It was a 36 hour run and we were really tired. We took turns napping and could only get in about 2 hours at a time.
We were having a problem with the head  (potty) and had to order an over-night part from Defenders. So, we find ourselves stuck here for an extra day before heading to Martha's Vineyard. There are tougher places to get stuck. And have found very vreative ways to go to the potty without going into much detail. It has been extremely windy here and we had to get the dinghy rolled out, blown up, and splashed in 15 knot winds. We got onto land and walked around the island and down to the ferry landing. Of course, we had to get some goodies from Aldo's bakery. And we purchased a few things from a couple of places which included the grocery store and a salt water taffy place. As we sat down by the ferry landing, we realized that life on an island no matter where is relatively the same. You have to rely on the ferry or "mail" boat to bring everything on the island. And you pay for it dearly. We found the prices here on Block Island were just as inflated as those in the Bahamas. But, Block Island charges sales tax. And it is in the USA.
We made it up here and we are excited to get on with our journey. Next stop will be Martha's Vineyard and visiting with our artist friends Joan and Dick Spillman, who spend their summers there.

Heading North!

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Taking a trip on the Deborah Lee can bring just about anything unexpected.   The canvas was finished yesterday, Monday, and we were very pleased. We not only have a nice new bimini and dodger, we also have two clear plastic pieces that will protect us from the side rain while we are sitting in the cockpit.

So, we get up early this morning to finally get going. Bill finds that the mouse quit working. We need the computer as our chart plotter. Therefore, we really need the mouse.  Ah, Wal-Mart is open 24 hours down here in Cambridge, Maryland.  Phew, we’re saved.  Bill runs to Wal-Mart and buys a new mouse.

Bill comes back and starts the engine. The batteries are not charging. FOR PETE’s SAKE!   Fortunately, the first place to look is the last place you worked. And a wire had broken near the area that Bill was replacing the starter. So, a splice, splice, here and a wire connecter, there.  It is good that the captain can also be an electrician.

Half hour later, at 0730, we left the dock!

Friday, June 22, 2012

We made it to Wharton’s Creek on the first day (6/19), traveling around 54 miles. It’s a long day of motoring when there is not wind to fill the sails.

The next day (6/20), we did a 26 mile run up to Chesapeake City on the C & D Canal. On the way to the canal, we were passed by one of the tall ships that were visiting Baltimore over the weekend. We were fortunate enough to get a space at the Town Dock in Chesapeake City for the night. This is a free tie-up.  It got incredibly hot that day. We were glad to be tied up. But, it would probably have been cooler out in the anchorage.  So, we just had to buy ice cream at the ice cream place 15 paces from our boat. For medicinal purposes, of course.

Thursday morning, June 21, we left Chesapeake City at  0425 hours. It’s really cool going down the C & D Canal in the dark. No one else is usually on the Canal except for a tug pushing a barge. The lights on the sides of the canal light the way. And it is very serene.  We headed out into the Delaware River and were greeted by the large green-headed flies.  We had to deal  with fly bites all day.  A couple of dolphins traveling in the Delaware River. No time for playing with a sail boat. They were apparently on a mission. Food is usually number one priority.  11 hours later we headed into the Cape May Canal and into the harbor. Cape May is not the most peaceful place to anchor. There are fishing boats going out to the ocean. The boat tends to rock a lot. Lots of boat traffic.

We will remain anchored today and tonight. The weather is calling for thundershowers. Hopefully, tomorrow will bring better weather and we can do our 2-day trek to Block Island!







Heading To Maine

We are planning to go to Maine. If all goes as planned we will head out on the 18th of June. It will take us 3 or 4 days to get over to Cape May and wait for a good weather window. The plan is to head out and up to Block Island. The most important consideration is the weather. Good Weather!

We have been working each weekend to get the boat ready for this trip. We have been fortunate that everything has gone pretty smooth. We still need the dodger to be installed. But, we have faith in Terry's Tops to get the job done in time for us to go. We ordered new canvas for the boat. Terry's Tops is a wonderful canvas maker and is the company that designed the whole canvas set-up in the first place. We were very pleased with his work the first time.

 We still have a few things to get done before we head out. But, we are looking forward to getting some quality and quantity time on the boat. We will miss having the grandkids on the boat this summer. Yet, we are looking forward to going somewhere that is new to us. MAINE!

The 2012 Season

We are really anxious to get the boat in the water. We should have the Deborah Lee in, hopefully, around the 22nd of April. We have installed a "refitted" forward hatch. We will be adding new canvas done by Terry's Tops. The sea cocks have been reseated, new fiberglass propane tanks will be added. So, after all is said and done, we have done some nice cosmetic work. We will be glad to get back aboard.

Had Will, our 6 year old grandson on Deborah Lee for the first time. And he definitely enjoyed himself. He didn't catch any fish while fishing with Pop. But, did get himself a few crabs.

Took him on a short ride to La Trappe Creek on the Choptank River. A couple of dinghy rides and a trip to the beach was a nice adventure.

We're gonna make sailors out of these kids, yet.

Great Summer

We really have had a great summer. We got caught in several storms. One by the Magothy snapped our main halyard. That was crazy lashing the main down. For another, we were in the Choptank and just dropped the anchor with 100 ft. of chain and rode and just waited it out. Luckily, we were only in 8 ft. of water. It was an interesting hour. And the other was in the Miles River just outside St. Michael's. It surely made our life interesting. It's been an interesting summer weather wise. Other than that we have had the chance to spend some quality time on the Chesapeake Bay.
We had a great time in Annapolis. The Ramshead has a great happy hour and they have live concerts. We were shocked when the manager asked us if we wanted some free tickets for a live concert. There was a no show and someone wanted to just give them away. FREE!!!!!! Our favorite word. Of course we said YES!!!!!!!! How cool was this?
We have been up as far as Whorten Creek and down as far as Hampton, Virginia. The Downtown Hampton Public Pier has a great deal. For Boat US members, $1.25 per foot isn't too bad. But, if you stay 2 nights, you get the third night free. And we had a great stay. Saturday nights during the summer, they close off Queen's Way for a block party with live music. The beer is pricey. But, it's a really great time. Kate and Mike were fantastic and we will definitely go back.
We haven't been able to see all of our cruising friends on the Bay so far this summer. Yet, we had the chance to see Rich and Carole from Killissa at their home in Somonon's. And we have been able to spend time with Fran and John on Chautauqua. As well as, Monica and Doug on Robin.
It's been such a hot summer. And we were glad to not have to spend much of it at the marina, roasting. It's wonderful how you can go out on the Choptank River and feel the most delicious breezes passing over the water.
And we got a new dinghy this year. A Walker Bay. It's awesome. And fast with a bigger motor on it. Zoommmmmm! Unfortunately, this summer was the first time we towed it behind our sailboat. And the portside D-ring ripped through its encasement. When we turned around to look-out, we realized that the whole heavy dinghy was only being held to the sailboat by the tow line and the starboard D-ring. It was amazing how much weight was on that one ring. After speaking to and sending pictures through email, we are waiting for Walker Bay to give us instruction as to the warranty covering the repair. We'll see! Hmmmmmmm.
Summer is not over and we still have time before we have to get back to our land life.
Oh, where can we go next?