10/06/06-10/23/06

WE STAYED AT SOLOMONS FOR THE WHOLE WEEK. EATING OUT MOSTLY AT THE CAPTAINS TABLE REST. ON THE DOCK.
ON SUN. 10/8 WE WENT TO THE PATUXENT RIVER APPRECIATION DAY FESTIVITIES - SHRINERS PARADE (MOSTLY POLITICAL CANDIDATES MARCHING-NO FIRE TRUCKS), PLENTY OF OYSTERS & BEER & THE MUSEUM WAS OPEN ALL DAY FOR FREE.
WED. 10/11 WE TRAVELED SOUTH TO DELTAVILLE WHERE WE STAYED AT NORVIEW MARINA AND ATE AT THE GALLERY. WE FOUND THE GALLERY WHILE BIKE RIDING ABOUT 3 OR 4 MILES DOWN THE ROAD JUST AS THEY WERE PUTING UP THEIR SPECIALS ON THE BOARD OUTSIDE. SEAFOOD CEASERS SALAD (MIRIAM JUST HAD TO HAVE IT) & A 2 1/2 INCH THICK PRIME RIB THAT I WAS FORCED TO HAVE & FOR ONLY $19.
THE FOLLOWING DAY WE MOVED ON TO NORFOLK VA. TO VISIT WITH MY SISTER NORA. WE COULD HAVE USED SEAT BELTS FOR ABOUT 3 HRS. OF THE RIDE & MIRIAM WAS NOT FEELING WELL WITH ALL THE ROCKING. WE STAYED AT THE WATERSIDE MARINA AND FILLED UP WITH FUEL AT PORTSMOUTH FOR $2.04 A GAL. WE STAYED THERE 5 NITES , ONE DAY WE SLEPT AT NORAS IN NEWPORT NEWS & TWO DAYS NORA SLEPT ON THE BOAT WITH US. NORA COOKED FOR US A COUPLE OF TIMES & WE ATE OUT A COUPLE OF TIMES INCLUDING A SUN. BREAKFAST AT THE CRACKER BARREL THAT MY BROTHER-IN-LAW RICH MANAGES. WHILE IN NORFOLK WE HAD TO INSTALL A NEW BATTERY REPLACING ONE THAT WAS ONLY 14 MO. OLD.
ON WED. 10/18 WE WENT ON TO MID WAY MARINA AT COINJOCK N.C. THERE WERE SO MANY BOATS GOING SOUTH WITH US GOING THROUGH THE BRIDGES AND CANAL BECAUSE OF THE ANNAPOLOS BOAT SHOW ENDING WE WERE LUCKY TO GET A SLIP( COINJOCK MARINA THE ONLY OTHER MARINA WAS ALREADY FILLED WHEN WE CALLED AT 10 AM. WE WRE PUT IN THE BASIN. TWO MORE BOATS WERE PUT IN FRONT OF US & THEY WERE FULL.
THE NEXT MORNING WE WERE WAITING FOR THE BOAT IN FRONT OF US TO SHOW SOME SIGN OF LIFE , BUT NO LUCK - AT 9 AM I KNOCKED ON THEIR BOAT ( I MAY HAVE WOKE THEM UP) AND ASKED WHAT TIME THEY PLANNED ON MOVING SO WE COULD GET BY THEM & ON OUR WAY. HE ASKED WHAT TIME IT WAS & THEN AGREED TO MOVE HIS BOAT UP A FEW FEET BY HAND WITH ME TO GIVE US ROOM TO GO AROUND HIM.
WE ARRIVED AT ALLIGATOR RIVER MARINA N.C. THAT AFTERNOON. AND STAYED ONE NITE. NOT MUCH THERE.
THE FOLLOWING DAY WE CRUISED SOUTH TO DOWRY CREEK MARINA N.C. WE STAYED THERE TWO DAYS BECAUSE OF THE WIND THE SECOND DAY. GOOD MOVE ON OUR PART OTHERS WERE COMING IN TELLING HOW ROUGH IT WAS OUT THERE. THE FIRST NITE THE OWNER COOKED BEER CAN CHICKEN ( A FIRST FOR US)FOR ALL WHO WERE AT THE MARINA - NO CHARGE, BUT A DONATION TOWARDS THE PRICE OF FOOD AND PAPER PRODUCTS. WE ALL BROUGHT OUR OWN COCTAILS & SIDE DISHES. THE SECOND DAY WE USED HIS COURTESY CAR TO GO INTO TOWN ( BELHAVEN ) TO LOOK AROUND & BUY FOOD ITEMS.
THE NEXT MORNING WE TRAVELED TO ORIENTAL N.C. THE MARINAS WERE FULL AS WERE THE FREE TOWN DOCK. THE WIND WAS BLOWING AT ABOUT 15 MPH , SO WE DECIDED NOT TO ANCHOR OUT BUT GO TO WHITTAKER CREEK ON THE OTHER SIDE OF TOWN WHERE THERE WAS ONE SLIP AVAILABLE. THEY DIDN'T TELL US ON THE PHONE THAT THE GREEN MARKERS WERE IN 2 FT. OF WATER. WITH NO RED MARKERS TO GO BY WE RAN AGROUND. LUCKILY FOR US SOFT MUD BOTTOM AND WE HAD NO DAMAGE AFTER GETTING OURSELVES UNSTUCK. ORIENTAL HAD VERY LITTLE TO OFFER. WE THOUGHT IT WOULD HAVE MORE , WE HAD HEARD SO MUCH ABOUT IT. WE HAD DINNER AT THE TUCAN REST. & MET REIS, WHOM WE HAD NOT SEEN SINCE CAPE MAY N.J. HE SAID HE WAS GOING TO NEW BERN N.C. THE NEXT DAY AS WERE WE.
SUN. 10/22 WE CRUISED UP THE NUESS RIVER A DAY AHEAD OF SCHEDULE BECAUSE OF THE WIND FORCAST FOR MON. BEING ONE DAY EARLY FOR OUR RESERVATIONS OUR GOOD FRIENDS FRANK & RONA BANY OFFERED USE OF THEIR SLIP BY THEIR CONDO ON N.W. CREEK ABOUT 4 MI. BEFORE NEW BERN AS THEIR BOAT IS ELSEWHERE GETTING REPAIRS. WE ATE OUT THAT NITE WITH THEM & REIS & BECKY WITH 3 OTHER BOATING COUPLES.
THE FOLLOWING DAY WITH THE WINDS BLOWING FRANK & REIS CAME WITH US FOR THE RIDE TO NEW BERN TO HELP DOCK . THEIR HELP WAS MUCH APPRECIATED. NOW WE ARE SNUG AS A BUG AT BRIDGE POINTE MARINA FOR THE BEGINNING OF THE GOING SOUTH GAM THAT STARTS TOMORROW.

SEPT 16- OCT 4 TRIP TO THE BAHAMAS BEGINS

WE DEPARTED MT SINAI NY WITH OUR GOOD FRIENDS JOHN & CAROL MILANO ON SAT. 9/16/06 @ 7:15 AM WITH CLEAR SKYS & LIGHT WINDS. WE CRUISE DOWN LI SOUND PASSING EXECUTION LIGHT HOUSE ALONG THE WAY ( PICTURE ). AFTER GOING THROUGH HELLS GATE AT SLACK TIDE WE ARRIVED AT ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS TOWN MARINA @ 3:45 PM WHER WE FUELED UP WITH 315 GAL. WE HAD A GREAT BBQ DINNER @ MEMPHIS BBQ & STAYED THE NITE IN A QUIET SLIP.
SUNDAY 9/17 WE WENT OUT INTO THE ATLANTIC FOR THE 9 1/2 HR. TRIP TO ATLANTIC CITY. THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR , WINDS LIGHT , & THE SEAS WERE 2 TO 4 FT. WE ARRIVED AT 3:30 & STAYED @ TRUMP CASINO MARINA FOR THE EVENING. THIS IS WHERE WE LET OUR FRIENDS JOHN & CAROL OFF, THEY HAD RES. @ THE TAJ MAHAL FOR 2 NITES BEFORE THEY WOULD RENT A CAR FOR THE TRIP BACK TO LI. WE ALL ATE TOGETHER AT THE BUFFET AT THE TJ MAHAL THAT EVENING.
MONDAY MORNING JOHN CAME TO YHE MARINA TO SEE US OFF & WE WENT BACK OUT TO THE OCEAN FOR THE TRIP TO CAPE MAY NJ. THE SEA WAS LIKE GLASS WITH A LITTLE FOG EARLY ON. WE PULLED IN TO UTSCHS MARINA 4 1/2 HR LATER & TOPPED OFF OUR FUEL TANKS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEIR PRICES. UTSCHS IS A VERY FRIENDLY MARINA. THEY GAVE US A WELCOME BAG UPON CHECK IN , WINE, CHEESE, CRACKERS, BISCOTTI & NORMAL TOWN LITERATURE. THEY HAD FRESH FRUIT ( APPLES, CANTILOPES , WATERMELON EVERY DAY FOR US. AFTER WE TASTED THEIR PRIVATE LABEL WINE & FOUND IT TO BE LIKE A GERMAN MAY WINE WE ASKED IF WE COULD BUY ANOTHER BOTTLE. ERNIE THE OLD MAN AS HE CALLS HIMSELF (OWNER) SAID THEY DIDN'T HAVE A LIC. TO SELL BUT HE COULD GIVE US ANOTHER BOTTLE & SAID WHEN THAT IS EMPTY COME BACK FOR MORE
WE STAYED THERE 4 DAYS . MY FRIEND & FELLOW ELECTRICIAN GENE CARARRA VISITED ON TUE. & WE WENT TO LUNCH @ THE UGLY MUG ( GREAT CRAB CAKES & CHILI) WED. EVENING WE GOT TAKE OUT FROM THE LOBSTER HOUSE, THE SEAFOOD LASAGNA & THE SEAFOOD SAUSAGE WE OUT OF THIS WORLD. GLAD WE BROUGHT OUR BIKES THEY REALLY CAME IN HANDY FOR EXPLORING THE LIGHT HOUSE & THE WINERY.
ON FRI. 9/22 WE HEADED OUT INTO DELAWARE BAY FOR A CRUISE TO CHESAPEAKE CITY ON THE C & D CANAL. THE WINDS & SEAS WERE CALM & OUR 8 HR. TRIP WAS SMOOTHE. WE ANCHORED IN THE BASIN WITH A FEW OTHER BOATS & MORE JOIND US AS THE AFTERNOON WENT ON. WE DINED AT THE YACHT CLUB REST. FOR THEIR EARLY BIRD & WAS VERY SATISFIED. ON SUN. A STORM CAME THROUGH AS PREDICTED WITH 30 TO 40 KNOT WINDS . I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT ANCHOR DRAGGING BUT IT HELD ITS GROUND.
WITH BETTER WEATHER WE SHOVED OFF MON. MORN TO GO TO ROCK HALL WHERE MY FRIEND GENE HAS HIS SAILBOAT. WE GOT A SLIP AT ROCK HALL LANDING MARINA WHERE GENE KEEPS HIS BOAT GENE SAID HE WAS DRIVING DOWN ON TUE.TO BE WITH US. HE ALSO SAID THERE WAS A GERMAN REST. THE BAY WOLF IN TOWN THAT HAD 1/2 PRICE DINNERS ON MONDAYS , WE LUCKED OUT ON THIS ONE THE FOOD WAS GOOD. ON TUE. WE HAD DINNER WITH GENE @ A LITTLE SEAFOOD STORE J&J WE WANTED TO TRY & THEIR FOOD WAS OK. GENE DROVE US AROUND THE SURROUNDING AREA TO SEE SOME OF THE NEIGHBHOODS.
WED. MORNING 9/27 WE DEPARTED FOR BALTIMORE ACROSS THE CHESAPEAKE . IT WAS ONLY A 3 1/2 HR. CRUISE. WE STAYED @ THE TOWN DOCKS RIGHT IN THE INNER CITY CLOSE TO EVERYTHING. WE PULLED ALONGSIDE REEL ESTATE & WAVED TO OUR FRIENDS RON & SUE THAT WE HAVEN'T SEEN IN 2 YRS. SINCE THEY STOPPED COMING UP TO LI FOR THE SUMMERS. THAT EVENING WE WERE THEIR GUESTS FOR DINNER @ A YACHT CLUB THEY BELONG TO THERE. THE FOLLOWING DAY WE DID ALOT OF WALKING THE CITY HERITAGE TRAIL & SHOPPING @ THE LEXINGTON MALL. ITS LIKE A HUGE FARMERS MARKET. WE ATE A REST. NEXT TO OUR BOAT THAT RON TOLD US ABOUT -1/2 CHEESEBURGER $1.99 4-6PM IN THE PUB.
THAT NITE @ 3:30AM MIRIAM SAID TO ME THERE IS SOMEBODY ON THE BOAT.
I GOT UP TO TAKE A LOOK AND SURE ENOUGH THERE WAS SOMEONE LOOKING THROUGH THE DOOR INTO OUR SALON.I YELLED AT HIM AND HE JUMPED OFF THE BOAT AND RAN LIKE HELL.
THE FOLLOWING DAY WE BIKED AROUND & MEET WITH RON & SUSY & ALSO MIKE & KAREN , WHOM WE KNOW FROM AGLCA, ON OUR BOAT . THEY WERE BOTH VERY HELPFUL POINTING OUT ITEMS OF CONCERN ON THE CHARTS TO FL. MIKE, KAREN , MIRIAM & I WENT TO DINNER @ HOOTERS VERY CLOSE TO THE BOAT.
SAT.9/30 WE CRUISED DOWN TO ANNAPOLIS 4 1/2 HRS. WE TOOK A MOORING BALL FOR THE NITE & WERE TOLD WE WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE BY NOON SO THEY COULD START DRIVING PILINGS FOR THE SAILBOAT SHOW ( WE WILL STOP BACK ON OUR WAY NORTH IN MAY ). WE TOURED TOWN & ATE AT MCGARVEYS , VERY GOOD. THE WINDS HOWLED THAT NITE & WE WERE GLAD WE WERE ON A MOORING AS THE BOAT ROCKED.
ON SUN. 10/1 WE DEPARTED FOR ST. MICHAELS ACROSS THE BAY. IT TOOK 3 1/2 HR TO ARRIVE THERE. ST. MICHAELS IS A NICE LITTLE HARBOR WITH A GREAT MUSEUM. WE STAYED ON THE HOOK WHILE WE WERE THERE FOR 2 NITES. SUN. EVENING WE ATE @ THE TOWN DOCK REST. FOR THEIR EARLY BIRD , FILET MIGON $ 11.95 YOU CAN'T BEAT THAT.
TUE. 10/3 WE WENT SOUTH TO OXFORD ABOUT 5 1/2 HR. A CUTE TOWN SMALLER THAN ST. MICHAELS AND ANCHORED OUT IN THE TRED AVON RIVER ALONG WHAT THEY CALL THE STRAND. THE HOLDING IS SAID TO BE BETTER HERE THAN IN THE HARBOR. AS WE STARTED WALKING IN FROM THE DINGHY DOCK A MAN STOPPED US IN HIS TRUCK AND TOLD US THERE WERE MAPS ON THE POST TO OUR RIGHT 50 FT. WE PICKED ONE UP & STARTED TO WALK TOWARDS TOWN. AS WE DID A MAN WAS IN HIS YARD WORKING , WE ASKED HIM HIS OPINION ON A NICE PLACE TO EAT, HE TOLD US OF A FEW & WHAT THEY HAD. AS WE WERE LEAVING HIM HE ASKED IF WE WOULD LIKE TO BORROW HIS BIKES. HOW NICE IS THAT. WE TOOK HIM UP ON HIS OFFER & TOURED THE AREA & HAD DINNER @ THE PIER ST.MARINA. GOOD FISH & CHIPS ( STRIPPED BASS ). WE RETURNED THE BIKES TO DAN & MOTORED OUR DINGHY BACK TO TIME OUT.
IN THE MORNING 10/4, WE CRUISED OVER TO SOLOMONS ISLAND, 5 HRS. WE DECIDED TO TAKE A WEEKS RENTAL ON A SLIP IN COMFORT INN BEACON MARINA THAT RON & SUE TOLD US ABOUT. IT IS ONLY 65 CENTS A FT FOR THE WEEKLY RATE WITH ELECTRIC & BREAKFAST ( COFFEE, JUICE, WAFFLES,CEREAL, MUFFINS, BAGELS , ETC. HOW GOOD IS THIS. WE ARE TAKING THE WEEKLY RATE DUE TO BAD WEATHER COMING IN , RAIN, WINDS TO 40 KNOTS & SEAS TO 6 FEET IN THE BAY FOR A FEW DAYS. WE ATE @ THE CAPTAINS TABLE WED. WHAT A GREAT VALUE & BROUGHT BACK CHINESE FOOD LAST NITE ( NOT MY FAVORITE & I DIDN'T CARE FOR IT.)
TODAY FRI. 10/6 IT IS RAINING STEADY & HARD WITH WINDS. GLAD WE ARE HERE. WE DIDN'T EVEN GO TO THE COMFORT INN FOR THEIR BREAKFAST THIS MORNING DUE TO THE WEATHER. BUT IT DOES GIVE ME TIME TO WRITE THIS BLOG.