9/30/2015

WhooHooo! Last night was a rocking and rolling night w/winds up to 25 knots, not sustained but gusting. Yikes! I got up several times to make sure Grace looked in the same direction as other boats. Woke David several times to confirm our security then soon after dawn when most wind had calmed a bit, I wondered if the dinghy was still with us. Yes. So, except for wetness all is well.

I phoned Diana in NYC while having coffee on the aft deck to say hello and to ask about a terra firma at her house in case of hurricane. Great conversation w/her. They are just in Manhattan, 50 minutes away on the Long Island RR but so far away.

Washed my hair over the side of the boat this morning. Whew! That was pretty easy and I feel so much cleaner. Even a little hair cut trim in the head (bathroom). Then a real shower this early evening. Otherwise, the day was spent checking weather, small house/boat projects, a bit of FCP work, conversation w/boat neighbors about how they were preparing for additional rain and wind and potential hurricane. We've decided that we'll secure Grace as much as possible and take the cat and seek ground. Cozy and well fed this evening.
NCS

And David writes:
Up several times last night to check boat, mooring, Evon the Avon, our dinghy, and all was well. Rain and clouds today. Projects, reading and talking.

I continue to spend quite a bit of time reading about weather forecasting through the lens of what has become Hurricane Joaquin.

There are numerous computer models that are trying to predict what "Jo" (Tropical Storm Jo,  now Hurricane Jo) will do.  Over the last two days the models went from no consensus to a majority predicting a strike to NC/VA and then up the coast. BUT, the "Euopean Model," typically accurate, thinks it will go "safely out to sea." Most forecasters now think the NC/VA hit is most likely. BUT,  it is interesting that comments, late today, by forecasters are that the hurricane is, "going further south than predicted before turning north." That further southern track is exactly what the European model DID predict. I'm rootin for the European Model! But planning for a nasty weekend.

We spent part of the day stripping the deck of gear to make less windage, moving from a mooring with a worn pendant to a stronger mooring then adding our own pendant to double up then added chafing gear. We are good and prepared and comfortable.  As Nancy said, if "Jo" does hit here, we will strip Grace, make her as ready as possible and go ashore. (Anyone with a spare room in Port Washington?)

Hope all is well with all of you. We will ride out this weather then wait for a good window to sail down the coast to Delaware Bay and beyond.

9/29/15

Mary and Irwin are on their way to Greece and celebrating their 10th anniversary! And, David and Amelia and I are in Port Washington harbor on Long Island, NY, waiting out unsettled weather.

We spent most of the day on the boat and never started the engine. Heaven! We do need showers, though. We may have to go buy an overnight mooring just to get the shower that goes with it. We'll investigate more tomorrow. We have running hot and cold water so can keep clean in a camping sort of way. But the luxury of hot water raining down over your head with soap and shampoo, then draining out a drain without getting water all over the floor and walls...humm, um, hum.

Boat projects - home improvement and beautification - this morning then a trip to the laundromat and food store and boat store this afternoon. Dinghy and walk. Good to be on terra firma. Had our first meal out since boarding 13 days ago. Wait for it............Subway!

A number of people in the mooring field here are gathering for sailing or motoring south. We all expect to be here for several more days, probably through Saturday so a week almost. Some may choose to go to a harbor in Staten Island or Sandy Hook to be closer to NJ jump off when the weather clears. Think we'll stay. If the troubling storm in the Carribean developes toward us we may look for friends to take us in for a couple of days.

Meanwhile, three photos from yesterday when the sun was shining brightly. Lots of Beneteaus surround us. Very expensive boats. I'd say we were in the high rent district but the moorings are free for 2 nights then only $25/night - cheap.

Monday, 9/28/15

Full Moon eclipse last eve. Watched and read and visited with my mom whose spirit was very present. She's the one who taught me to regard, in awe, nature and the mant beauties and mysteries of the universe, lunar and solar eclipses among those beauteous mysteries. So grateful to have her as a parent/teacher/guide and now visiting spirit, and know that we guided each other. I wonder how many lifetimes we've shared before this one and what our various relationships might have been.

Full moon through rigging. Anchor light on left reflecting on deck.

Slow, foggy morning in a lovely, gentle cove of Sand City (? or Beach?). Small home improvement tasks, gluten-free pancakes for breakfast since I found the maple syrup, phone calls. We've lost, for the moment anyway, the sense of urgency. What a relief!

Sand City (or Beach) Long Island, NY, from Grace

I was considering the similarities/differences in travelling by boat and by small airplane since  I did a lot of small airplane travelling when I was a child. Planes take off through the fog and travel above the clouds. In the boat we wait. Could motor  by instruments but what's the fun in that?!? Setting a course, following charts w/way points, being nervous about traffic, constantly checking weather, location, weather...pretty lmuch the same.Planes travel faster; boats slower. Temdim is similar and the need to be alert. Adventure and challenges, danger and pleasure...similar, mostly, though the environment is different..airplanes crash, boats sink.

Amelia has found a new spot to relax curled in to the curl of the sorm ginny or stretched out on the aft deck - only when we're anchored or moored. We keep her in when under way. She's pretty content with that arrangement.

On aft deck looking into the Pilot House

 I'm missing my friends today. Dreamed a couple of times since being on the boat of being at a conference and seeing my friends who were working but I was a participating visitor. Last night's dream my only responsibility was to get out of my bathing suit and into more appropriate clothes before the pre-conference gathering/lecture. I loved seeing friends in my dream and my new role. But, missing folks I made some phone calls and loved hearing voices of loved ones.

In the mist our first view of NYC. Look between the stanchions.

NYC in the mist between the stanchions at left

Our first rainy day motor and now were in a line of guest moorings in Hempstead Harbor about 1 hour from East River at our speed. Two boats in our line are also heading south, one boat is from Rockland, ME.

Twelve days out and much learning about the boat about ourselves and about each other. Small space can get tight. David has taken the dinghy into town for some provisions and to get out for a while. We'll probably hang here for as much as a week as the weather is for serious rain. Grocery shopping and laundry are in my near future. Meanwhile schools of fish about 8" with their spiky tail fins flaxhing swarm this bay...and the full, orange moon is rising over town.Wonder!!!. Totally AWESOME.

Sending love and gratitude out to the universe and to all reading. Journey on.

Sunday, 9/27/15

We’re in another beautiful spot at Sand Beach, NY. We crossed Long Island Sound today. Now why did David and Nancy cross the Sound? To get to the other side and maybe to NY sooner. TaDa!  We’re now officially in NY.

Last night we wrestled with the dinghy hoist (a small cargo net for us budget sailors who can’t afford real davits on the back of their boat) which, this morning, looked much better and functional than it did last eve in the dark after a couple of hours of stressing it and us.

Not much happening today – left a little later (around 9 am), calm-ish seas. I left David to his electronic navigating and took a look at the paper charts, my favorites.  While he decided upon a course I did some reading, staying beside Amelia who seems to enjoy contact with human thighs when the boat is rolling.

From the book I’m reading, Being Mortal, an additional definition of home was offered…a place where you are in charge of your schedule, what you do and when, who you invite in and who you keep out, where you keep your stuff regardless of its usefulness.  Unlike even the best of nursing homes was the point being made and some information about how “assisted living”, home-like environments were developed and continue to develop. Hmmm, more “home” thoughts. How do we negotiate with our mates or our roommates the various values we place on who we invite relative to what we keep and our personal schedules. And when the space becomes smaller - an apt for older loved ones, a boat for us - how much more complex.

I took over as helmsperson about mid way across the Sound. Course was set. I’m comfortable w/several of the gps controls now and know to do a 360degree check regularly as well as keep an eye on several engine gauges.

Rest Break - Amelia and David 

I was about to wonder if I was bored when the wind shifted a bit, seas picked up and a corner of our fake davit turned loose dragging a pontoon in the water. All hands on deck and slow the boat down. We pulled, we tightened lines, we lifted, we rocked, we pushed and finally got the dinghy (inflatable) secured again. Inside Amelia was panicking – no humans in sight and the boat was rocking and rolling. Where to go? What to do? I took the helm and David took cat care duty. Amelia settled in next to his thigh.

Some noticings today: my organizational system is not all I crack it up to be – I found my wool socks packed with my bathing suits. David loves tape measurers. They must be a version of security blanket.  Single lobster buoys at 79’ or 65’. Really” In the middle of the sound?

DCW security - count those tape measures

Again, I’m appreciating David, his skill, his flexibility, his attention to our safety and comfort and his taking so much responsibility of all sorts in order to make this journey work for us. Loving him bunches.

As sun is setting, fish are swimming just under the surface beside our boat. I'm sitting on the fore deck. A man name Kevin O’Neill stopped to chat and wonder if we need help, having noticed we were wrestling the dinghy when he passed before. A ketch under full sail ghosts by in the distance, maybe to anchor near us. The full MOON plays "peek" through scattered clouds. Joyful, grateful sigh.

A slower day out of the chutes...slip at Harry's Marina. Got to do a bit of yoga at the gazebo. My view from there.

Mat view #1 from Harry's in Westbrook, CT

Mat view #2

I LOVE this flatland, coastal sense. Reminds me FL and NC outerbanks. Tall sea grass, tight, sometimes shallow rivers and inlets, packed boats if boatyard. I could have stayed...forever, except that I know it would get cold. Temps this morning, though, were perfect.

We headed to Port Jefferson on the north ? side of Long Island but the seas were too confused so we changed plans and ports.  But we saw this mirage which was really an island before changing. Hard to tell in the photo but it looked as if it were floating above the ocean.

A BIG appreciation to David for his flexibility in thinking and destinations. It just got uncomfortable, not dangerous but less comfortable. "clank, clank, thump, bank, swish" - the cat might hate us with all the rocking and rolling she is having to endure. So we choose another destination (New Haven) at his suggestion and zagged on over to Morris Bay and picked up a mooring at the New Haven Yacht Club. Sweet, protected bay inside the breakwater but not so far up river that it will take us forever to get out tomorrow. Maybe Port Jefferson tomorrow or another destination even closer to NYC!

Elegant ligt at entrance to New Haven harbor

I'll mention again how wonderful autopilot, Julie, is. The idea of having to stand or sit for hours holding a steady course in a tumbling sea is exhausting...just as an idea. Having to hold course just to get into a channel in such an erratic tumble is physically exhausting..

I'm also really noticing how we have to make constant decisions - in negotiating the waves, determining the course, deciding the destination based on current conditions, personal energy, weather tomorrow, wind speed, tide and possible destinations 2 days out...depending upon the weather. Part of this is due to no/new routine. Most is due to the nature of traveling via boat.

This afternoon in calm waters and warm sunshine...boat (home!) improvement projects.

9/25/15
Kitty, Amelia, keeps her cool.

But her crew mates had a stressful day. It started out fine, if EARLY, as we left New London Harbor before 6:45 am. But I was tired. More than a week on the boat pushing to keep moving twd NYC and get down the NJ coast before this beautiful weather window closes to less beautiful. I stayed below to do computer work and sit w/Amelia while David took us out of the New London Harbor and set a course. Calm enough seas, bright sun w/high clouds.

New London, CT from our mooring

Topsides to help out I heard David talking with a friend about voltage regulators and noticed our voltage and amperage guages were showing way below normal. David assured me that the engine would continue to run - whew!- but we'd have no electronics (depth sounder, gps, etc) without volts and amps. Well, more complicated explanation than that but you get the point. Soooo, what is our closest port with a technician who can help us determine the problem and fix it today - Friday?

Aah Ha! Brewer's Dauntless way up beside Saybrook. We picked our way up-river, under 2 bridges and were doing great (me at helm) until the "yellow bouys." Eh, what do yellow bouys mark? Am I supposed to stay inside them, or outside. HA! I'll go through the mooring field. Those big sail boats have a deeper draft than Grace. It worked. At the dock the technician came. He and David found a loose wire. Piece of expensive cake! that finding. But we stayed at the dock and David fixed it. Iwas reminded of the many hours in my life so far that I've spent choosing and handing tools to the male fixit person, starting w/my dad and airplanes. Sweet memories. And off we went again.

Saybrook Swan and youngsters

Then there was that RailRoad bridge we went under when it was open. Now it was closed. Watched a train go by. Other boats joined us to wait and circle. Watched another train go by. Wait. Now this bridge operator had lectured us on the way up-river about not being a traffic controler. So wanting no more wrist slapping, we waited. Another boat called the bridge and the controller said, "Okay, I had some phone business to finish I can open it now." We're thinking a little power tripping going on up there in that control booth.

We decided to call it an early day, both of us being pretty tired and knowing there were only 2 ports before a long haul to New Haven. We're at Harry's Marina in Westbrook, CT. A delightful place on a tiny, shallow river with boats packed like sardines. Reminds me a bit of FL's west coast in early '60's. Showers taken, we joined a gathering of the boatyard crew, other liveaboards, and locals for popcorn and beer at the gazebo. Then a couple came to continue a conversation. Dinner over and I'm whipped. Off to bed! The journey continues tomorrow when we may decide to head for Long Island rather than hugging the CT coast.

OMG, What happened today?!? A relaxed morning waiting for proper/helpful tides at Fisher Island - aka "The Race" because of the speed the tide races through between the island and the CT coast. Relaxed until I noticed around 10 AM that our anchor was dragging.  Then a hurry to start the engine and turn properly (aaargh!) and haul the anchor. On our way! Why not?! Motoring out the Dutch Harbor, me at the helm, all is well with 35' of water all around. ALARM - "Blat! Blat!""6' of water!!!" WHAT?!? The chart says 35-40 all through here. Then, back to 35' AFTER a moment of terror...well, maybe not terror but only adrenlin rush. We think it might have been the sea monster we saw last night...about 10' long, no dorsal fin, just cruising through the water. A sturgeon? A little whale? A mystery.

A pretty delicious day of motor/sailing at about 6.8 k. Beautiful sun. A few boat projects underway but the gentle roll of waves makes it impossible to do close work, for me at least. I sorted screws from bolts from electrical endings and put them in appropriate boxes. Such a sad use of my education and experience. Great for my Capricorn organization desires.

We thought to go to Mystic but DCW wanted to upgrade our GPS software at the Defender Store in New London. Can we make it? By store closing at 6 PM? Should we try? Oh, why not? We have several more hours of daylight. Passed some beautiful sights and interestingh sights, quickly, on the way.

Quaint fishing village? Groton Point, CT

Battleship? No, an island near New London

3 swans welcomed us to New London

David was successful in acquiring the gps update but having trouble loading it.We're tucked onto an unused town mooring for the evening.   Kitty is snoozing on my lap. I'm thinking, food. Commuter trains go buy, whistles blaring, every half hour or so. We're clearly NOT in the high rent district.

We're pressing on to take advantage of the good weather and to get to the Chesapeake Bay quickly, expecting to take more time to visit places and people once there and on the journey back in spring.

May all our blessings continue, please.

9/23/15         Dutch Harbor, RI  (near Newport)


Beginings and Endings -

AM out of Onset, #19 w/osprey nest

A tedious day of motor-sailing. Beautiful weather and mostly gentle seas w/David at the helm. I did somenavigating, chart and "where shall we moor/anchor" reading but mostly sat w/Amelia to keep her comfortable. Julie, autopilot, kept us on the straight and narrow, neihter straight nor narrow. We determined to go to Point Judith Pond then discovered it was pretty shallow w/limited access to town (as far as we could tell from reading). So, let's go to Block Island. Changed course. Then heard weather reports of winds gusting to 20 knots for tomorrow. Change courses back to Judith Point? How about Jamestown/Dutch Harbor. Dutch Harbor it is.

Came in and found the moorings to expensive so we set our anchor. A first for this trip. TaDa (arms up)!! Kitty slept on the engine box much of the trip. Another first. TaDa!! She took another solo tour around the deck tonight, too.

David and I got a ride to town, a small tour from Jamie Bennett, who was getting out ofhis dinghy as we were leaving ours. We joyfully walked back from the grocery store. Walking around the deck for exercise is dumb - boring and dangerous with the possibility of falling overboard.

Home improvements continue. Dinner on the aft deck at sunset. Life IS good.

Reflected color. If you expand the pic you can see the beidge lights.
Taken from Grace on anchor.

9/22/15      Onset, MA


So many "Yippee"s today and only one "holy s*#t". We're sitting quietly in Onset Harbor or the other side of the Cape Cod Canal (Yippee), way out of my familiar territory.  Lots of photos (Yippee), too.

We left Duxbury for Plymouth to fuel up, pump out, add water and get another opinion about the cause of the alert alarm whinning at a very low volume when all the instruments say, "fine". Additional opinion from mechanic at Brewer's Plymouth Marine agreed with David's that the problem was the sending unit and not an overheating engine. (Yippee).

A shout-out to David for his electrical and mechanical skills and his "dog on bone" research and testing theories. He really knows so much, having studied and worked on Grace so much. Makes me feel confident and safe. Appreciating his caution and patience this year, especially.

Grace in Duxbury Harbor

A piece of Plymouth Rock is behind those columns

Mayflower Replica

When we'd done all of the above errands, we decided to venture out of the harbor to check out the seas. Not too lumpy. Let's get through the CCC (Cape Cod Canal) since tomorrow's weather isn't a particular improvement over today. One has to time entering/leaving the Canal because of the power of the tides (and the relative lack of power in our Grace) and we were going to be a little early for the afternoon best tide situation. However, onward. (Yippee)

We had a lovely sail down the MA coast. Kitty slept in the pilot house. The autopilot (Julie, I think might be her name. Not sure why.) rocks my socks AND does an excellent job of steering! I love not having to steer all the time even though whoever is at the helm MUST stay alert. David did some railing improvements. (Yippee) So we were at the CCC mouth about 1.5 hours earlier than suggested in our various nautical books.

The "holy s*#T" part!!!

Wind against tide coming out of the Canal creates EXTREMEly "confused" seas. In dance terms - STRONG and VERY INDIRECT with MULTIPLE directions ast. Stuff slid of the chart table...several times. Kitty didn't know if she should go forward, aft, hunker down in pilot house, wide-eyed and as low as she could get. At the helm I used my low-slung, WIDE, second position plie' and lots of quick, strong upper body movement to turn the wheel. "Do you want me to take the helm? David said, as I cursed. "No! I just want this to be over" said I, not about to give up the helm and have to passively watch this scary situation. You know, it only lasted about 15 minutes as most, but I was pissed, not at anybody but at the situation that restimulated last year's Nor'easter @ Scituate memory.

After we passed Sandwich and were into the canal, all was peace and calm and we came easily to Onset and our evening harbor.

Railroad Bridge, not London Bridge, near Taylor Point, South (West) end of CCC

On left, MA Maritime training ship, Kennedy, "London Bridge on right

Okay. To bed. Definitely to sleep. Heading onward toward New London and waypoints less far south tomorrow, maybe Point Judith, maybe not quite as far. Trying to not do more than 6 hours/day.

9/21/15      



Things that go bump in the night! The windy, twisty night.

What are the possibilities?  Another boat? Horrors! The dinghy motor flopping back and forth? A mooring ball bouncing against us? A can of tomatoes rolling around in a storage locker? The range is from really dangerous to merely annoying. Not knowing is the stuff of a sleepless night. So, up and out to investigate. The culprits were the fender boards bumping against the rail. Whew.

With small craft warnings persisting we’re staying in Duxbury another night at least. We spent the day sorting, stowing, and mailing home (and back to Hamilton Marine) un-needed boat stuff. The fo'c'sle (most forward sleeping space that we've used for workshop/storage) is becoming more orderly and less crowded. Soon guests will have a sleeping berth there. We’re moving weight (tools and spare parts) farther aft to better balance Grace. We took a quick trip ashore to Grace’s previous languishing grounds where David spent most of last spring/summer rescuing her. That boatyard has far fewer derelict boats than when Grace (by another name) was there.

And a big Hoohaw – I used the propane oven for the first time tonight, baked chicken w/potatoes and carrots. WhoooHoooo. New culinary horizons have opened.

Proud

About to enjoy the first "oven" meal

 NCS

Things that go bump in the night! (and flap and flutter!) In the middle of the night decided that the Bimini was taking too much of a beating and took that down along with Grace's burgee and prayer flags. It felt warm in the wind when I went out but by the time I came in I was again appreciating "wind chill factor."

Yes, the North East winds persist. Originally the small craft warning was to end at 6 this evening but it is now being prolonged. By this evening the winds are beginning to veer to the East, slowly. Seas outside Plymouth Bay are reported 5 feet. No thanks.

So, tomorrow will likely be a trip inside the bay to Plymouth for fuel and water and back to a snug mooring. We suspect Wednesday will be better. (Appreciating wind finder app as well as weather underground and National Weather Service).

This day in port has given us a great opportunity to further organize and settle. Nancy is tenacious about getting stuff sorted. I appreciate and get into the efforts at getting things stowed and the boat balanced. So it all works out. First oven cooked meal and a great companion. 

Amelia is the only one on board with any dignity.

Now if the wind and wave gods will just calm things down! 

DCW

  

9/20/15        Duxbury, MA


Duxbury, MA - We're on a mooring, thanks to Dwight Smith of Long Point Marine, from winch came our Grace, listening to the wind BLOW! We'll be here tomorrow, too. Small craft warnings and we're a small craft that heeds warnings.

This morning in Gloucester Harbor was lovely. The sunrise rainbow was not a bow but a rectangle of color light. Odd and lovely.

No matter how early we get up, though, we can't seem to leave ports before 7:30. This morning I was on my way to slip the mooring when Mark came over in his Boston Whaler (or a similar type boat) to say hello and chat. He is on a green Tartan named Ginger Nut, after his red-haired daughter. Shannon and Maggie, fyi.

We finally left port and had a really easy sail across MA Bay. I waved to Peter DiMuro and Brian Crabtree but only Peter waved back. The wind was of starboard/aft quarter (there is a better term) so we flew the Ginny for awhile. The turn into Duxbury Bay was across the wind and sea so was really lumpy. Lumpy seas can contribute to flexible lumbar spine and knees but there are better ways to be flexible and strong.

I was thinking more about "home" today - what is it? how to define? what's so special about it? With luck, home is where we feel safe, secure and comfortable, where we/one can relax; and where people know they can find you. If you leave, you'll come back there, again, if lucky. Grace is comfortable. I feel safe here but she is moving and my friends/family don't know where she is, so where to find me? Thus I sent the blog address out to bunches of friends today. Still thinking about this "home" business. Thoughts?

9/19/15       Gloucester


Sitting in relatively quiet Gloucester Harbor with David snoring in the background. Easy, if slightly lumpy passage from York Harbor, through Annisquam River and Blyman Canal, arriving here around 1300 hrs. Did home improvement projects most of the afternoon. Dinner onboard. Some Freeport Players computer homework.

Sitting in the saloon I had this thought that Grace is my/our home for the next 8 months. Family and several friends have generously offered their extra rooms so I'll always have a "home". But this notion of the boat being my home for an extended amount of time is just beginning to touch the surface of my brain. Hmmmm.

Long day tomorrow traveling to Duxbury to visit friends...if the seas are not too lumpy. We'll see in the morning.

9/19/15    Portland


Well. Turns out out moonlight leaving was a rehearsal. Next morning we found that we'd wrapped some line around our prop. David dove (dived?) and got most off but we decided to go back into Brewer's to have them clear the remaining and check the prop and shaft for damage. They did and we were good to go by 1 PM. Yesterday!

On to Portland where we stayed overnight at Vessel Services. Thank you, Ed! Sunrise through the pilings.

And our neighbor looking for breakfast.

We passed Portland Headlight around 7:40 AM on a beautifully sunny day, wind out of the south, typically on our nose. Seas were lumpy enough for Amelia to complain and sit beside me in the Pilot House. Then she returned to her Salon spot. First dolphin sighting just past Portland Head. A solo one and not with us very long.

We arrived in sight of York Harbor, tonight's destination, around 2 PM and decided to practice sailing for a bit. Discovered that we need to be on a hard tack in order to come about (turn in another direction, for those of you who don't know the terminalogy). Otherwise, this full of Grace, pigish boat just stands still in irons. She is heavy and has lots of windage. But we figured it out and learned more about our boat. Sailing was lovely.

WORK, but lovely. Taking and herding the sails into submission was taxing on balance, skill and patience. But we did it. Into harbor by 4:30-ish, a ride to the food store from our friend, Ben Fowler, a chat on the dock with Doug McNamara who we saw in Freeport Harbor (he's starting an around the world sail!), and dinner on the boat after a few fix-its. Deciding whether tomorrow's destination is Gloucester or Duxbury. Checking the weather. Listening to the cat snore at my side.

9/17/15          Freeport

At last! Off like a herd of turtles but... After a lovely champaigne toast and visit w/our renters, Daric and Ellen, and great hugs from Sharyl, Shannon and Maggie, we picked up our dinghy, slipped our mooring at 7:58 PM, threaded our way in the dark through the lobster pots and picked up a mooring off Bustin's Island...about 1/2 mile from our home mooring. BUT we left our home port. Watched the sliver of cresent moon set while consuming a bottle of wine on the fore deck. Amelia kitty did her own solo tour of the decks before joining us. (Not to share the wine, of course.) Beautiful evening. Beautiful morning. We're off! Send love. We're sending ours out to all who've helped us make this journey possible. 
NCS

Long lists of "to do" shortened, we get off. As we pass out of the mooring field in Freeport,  Susan Hadlock cheered and we heard her ships bell ringing. We responded and off we went. We tooted to Bob Johnson at Pound of Tea. Good luck and be well, Bob.

Beautiful, almost flat calm night we toasted our trip.

Morning rituals begin today. Making Coffee, checking oil, tranny, antifeeze, visual inspections and set course. As John White would say, "It's a beautiful day on Casco Bay." 
DCW

9/15/15      Freeport      


All evidence to the contrary

we ARE making progress toward hoisting anchor. During rain we discovered that our Bimini has issues, and are adding another  arch to it. So some back and forth to the house, trying to not disturb our renters, to work in the shop. Kitty, Amelia, seems non-plused by the chaos. Here sleeping with her favorite puppy - stuffed, of course.

Last night I spotted kitty going past our salon window. Yikes! Her first tour of the decks. She allowed me to put her harness and leash on and we toured the deck together and had our first "boat sit".

This morning we've picked up a mooring up-river for a new view. The sun is bright, warm; the wind is fair...calling us to set sail. Blessed we are.

Our new awning (almost a Bimini) - the white covering over the aft deck - adds living space and protects us from the sun, important with David's bout with Lyme disease and antibiotics. The blue is temporary while we continue to prepare Grace for her voyage.

We've also improved our Avon (inflatable dinghy) with a coat of protective paint on her bottom and have purchased a cargo net so she can be hoisted out of the water for distance travel.

Getting ready - packing and cleaning the house for our wonderful renters to arrive on Saturday (!yikes!!).

We're ready to try again for winter in the sunny south traveling on Grace, our 33' Nauticat. Capt. David has been rewiring, checking all the hoses, installing new electronic equipment. We now have a depth sounder that measures the depth, consistently, and even an autopilot! Today he and our friend, Louisa Picard were fitting an awing for the aft deck. Home improvements galore.

Our Freeport home is rented for the winter and much of our stuff has either been stored or redistributed.

We look relaxed but you can really fool people w/looks.