Leaving Smith Island, even at low tide, proved easier than arriving. Good light highlighted the shoals and shallows and our new-found familiarity with the island's bubba sticks helped us slowly and safely wind our way out the channel onto Chesapeake Bay. Following a calm crossing, we arrived at Solomons Island Yacht Club where two men of a relatable age welcomed us. After helping us tie up, both Jim and Doug apologized that they could not invite us to dinner. It turns o

The year, 1781, was a big year in Yorktown and marked the de facto end of the American Revolution. Though the new United States, British Empire, Kingdom of France, Spainish Empire and the Dutch Republic wouldn't sign the Treaty of Paris for another two years, the defeat of Cornwallis and his army at Yorktown by Generals Washington and Rochambeau brought Britain to its knees. That outcome was not pre-ordained. George Washington had hoped to evict the British from New York a

We limped into Norfolk with a sagging Freedom Lift sort of held up by a retired bow line and barely holding our dinghy out of the water. In Belhaven, I had noticed a slight slick Line with Trucker's Hitch Holding up the Freedom Lift of oil next to the boat but assumed it was coming from the ancient trawler behind us. Imagine my shock when, after slow passing the sailing vessel, Terrapin, they radioed me to say our dinghy was being dragged sideways in the water. Fortunate

About two weeks ago, a loose wire on one of the filter baskets in the generator water intake structure pricked my thumb. Exhibiting strong Y-chromosome tendencies, I gave it a quick rinse and forgot about it. Knowing what I know now, I should have paid more attention. A few days later, it stung a bit--nothing a bandaid and a little Bacitracin wouldn't cure--right? A few days of that long proven treatment and my thumb was back to normal it seemed. All good. Until yesterd

We celebrated Easter Sunday cruising from Myrtle Beach, crossing into North Carolina, and arriving in Southport. Along the way, we saw the first common loon that we've seen on this journey. The day deteriorated from clear to mostly cloudy as we traveled but conditions remained relatively calm. That would not last for long. it did last long enough for us to enjoy an Easter brunch of French toast, bacon and eggs on the boat. We really enjoy our grill and griddle in Katahdi

Spring Dat at American Gardens between Charleston's King and Meeting Streets Spring is lovely in Charleston--warm even hot days and cool mornings and evenings. However, we've had little chance to enjoy it. Loyal readers will remember that we bought Katahdin in Charleston and we're taking advantage of being here to have some maintenance and upgrade work done by folks we trust and respect. Most problematic for the Admiral, our air conditioning has been "freezing up" mid-after

Photo Credit: Evan Amos Vanamo We arrived at Safe Harbor Bristol in Charleston yesterday with 20-25 knot winds gusting to the mid 30 knots and waves reaching 2-3 feet. Fortunately, we arrived at low tide so no current and, with a bit of effort, we docked safely in a fairly narrow slip. Our arrival completed our winter cruise from Charleston to the west coast of Florida and Key West--a total of 1805 statute miles. We'll begin our spring travels up the coast to Maine later t

Perhaps you've noticed I've slowed down a bit on my blog posts? As we revisit places that we cruised through not only a year ago but as recently as January, our travels challenge me to find new grist for this mill. Sorry. In my last blog, I left you as we arrived at St. Augustine in 30+ knots of wind and docking in 2-3 knots of current. Though we successfully docked and secured Katahdin, we did rock and roll a bit for a couple of days. Despite that, while the Admiral had l

We've had a busy few days since our time in Stuart. We traveled from Stuart to Vero Beach City Marina, Vero Beach to Cocoa Village City Marina, Cocoa Village to New Smyrna Beach City Marina, and today to St. Augustine City Marina. These marina names are not the most creative but they are descriptive. And, they're pretty good. Let me start by saying, the weather has changed! We've gone from sunny skies, no breeze, and temps in the upper 80s with the heat index well into th

With a gator bidding us farewell, we left Clewiston mid morning on Wednesday and crossed a choppy Lake Okeechobee under clear but hazy skies with smoke from prescribed burns in the distance. Lake Okeechobee is a bit of a conundrum--especially for a vessel the size of Katahdin. Lake "O", which supplies much of South Florida's drinking water not to mention its irrigation needs, covers 730 square miles, nearly the size of Rhode Island. But it is shallow. Even when it's full,

We finished our stay on Captiva with a morning on the beach and an afternoon at the waterpark. Sadly, I didn't photograph the water park slides but, you should know, that Cap seriously practiced for the 2030 Olympic luge event logging fast times on all three of the exciting slides. It was fun standing in line with kids ranging from 4 - 16 but even more fun sluicing down the twisting, turning, winding slides and shooting out at the bottom into a nosefull of chlorinated water

Since our last report, we traveled from Marco Island to Naples where we stayed several nights and then on to Sanibel Marina onThursday and South Seas Resort at the north end of Captiva on Friday.. All three short cruises were exposed and rough enough to warrant the SeaKeeper for the Admiral. It really steadies the ride and flattens out what might otherwise be a bit more rock'n roll. In Naples we took several walks and bike rides to enjoy the upscale community and enjoyed a

We had planned to leave Key West to head north on Wednesday, March 4, but the weather gods had other ideas. The more we looked, the more it became clear that a smooth crossing to Marco Island depended on leaving no later than Sunday, March 1. Otherwise we would likely be spending another week or ten days in Key West before crossing conditions suitable for the Admiral would return. We scheduled a dawn departure on Sunday only to find ourselves enshrouded in thick fog when d

Following up on my last blog, we did, in fact, enjoy the prime rib at the Roland and Mary Ann Martin Marina in Clewiston. A down home spot if ever there were one, we also appreciated the opportunity to have a long chat with our loquacious waiter. He informed us that Clewiston is the hub of the 400,000. acre Everglades Agricultural sugar production area which produces 50% of the nation's sugar. Domino's, Coca Cola, US Sugar, Florida Crystals, and others all have production

You never know what life will bring. As we closed in on a near perfect day to cross from Riviera Beach to Lucaya on Grand Bahama Island, the Admiral approached me and said we had to talk. The pain in her hip has worsened steadily and she worried about climbing in and out of the dinghy and up and down off shaky wooden docks on pilings. Perhaps most of all, she worried about being out of the country and becoming less than fully functional. Though it was disappointing, we have

But for my philosophical musings yesterday, I haven't provided a real update in several days. Last Wednesday, we traveled from Daytona to Cocoa Village. We are now in Manatee country and there were numerous Slow Speed, Minimum Wake zones where they particularly hangout. We honored these religiously but fear that we may have had a Manatee strike in one of the unrestricted areas. At high speed, the boat had a thump--could have been a submerged log but more likely a Manatee.

I saw this bit of philosophy on a wall in Cocoa Village and it struck a nerve. We love being Philosophy on an Outdoor Wall in Cocoa Village, Florida on the water in the middle of nature and so much enjoy watching the wild things around us live their lives. Wittingly or probably not, they allow us to travel through their part of the world, observe them and somehow feel one with them. And I also remember a conversation many years ago with my friend, John Bernotavich, not lo

Yesterday, just on the outskirts of the historic district of St. Augustine, we stumbled upon a slough full of avian wildlife--aka birds. And, as if they were in the Galapagos, they kindly posed for pictures, some quite close up. There were great egrets, ducks and a a variety of nondescript waders. In fact, fish-eating ducks drove fish into the inlet where the waders hung out to spear, catch and eat them. Some of the more interesting were: Wood Storks Including One in Flight

Promise, this will be quick. I am happy to report that, as we headed off to supper last evening, we found our great blue heron from the night before happily hunting in the shallows at the head of the marina. he appeared no worse for his bomb cyclone wear and, sitting on a pier, he greeted us again when we returned later in the evening. We chose not to disturb him to take his portrait. However, in the somewhat amazing category, we observed not one, not two, but eleven black-

Our End of January Report--We Didn't Get Far Enough South! We finished January on Saturday racing from St. Mary's to St. Augustine to hole up before the Southeast's bomb cyclone storm hit. Leaving St. Mary's at zero dark thirty (slight exageration, it was first light at 06:45), we scampered down the ICW and securely docked at St. Augustine's Municipal Marina just before the temperature plummeted and the winds started to scream. Our highly focused trip through undeveloped m