Home

We departed Norfolk's Waterside Marina this morning at 0840 and arrived at Deltaville at 1500. It took an hour to tie up and off load all the perishables and get a ride home. Both my front tires on my car were low on air, and I immediately turned the water heater up to a high temp setting. I washed all the pollen of the car, filled the tires with air and shopped for groceries for a party this evening with the neighborhood friends. A looooong shower felt good. I can hear Nanc entertaining everyone as I write this. It is good to be home. S

Marcnicliz carried us back to "Ole Virginia"

We departed Carlene and DK's on Monday at 0725 and arrived at the Alligator River Marina at 1715. The TV would not pick up Dancing With The Stars, the cable did not work, nor the WIFI. I went to bed while the "Girls" made "Cabin Boy Joe" work to their beck and call.! We departed this morning at 0710, motor sailed across the Albemarle Sound and up the ICW thru many bridges, one lock to Waterside. Had a que of 4 power boats and 5 sailboats fighting to be the first thru the bridges. Docking was interesting due to the wind and an extremely tight space to turn into a strong wind to tie to the dock. I almost swiped the side of a Canadian's boat, but no marks or scars. Arrived at 1920. Had a guy cut right in front of me yesterday at the bottom of the Alligator River, and I could have T-boned him. He waves as he went by. Probably a nice guy who doesn't know crap about boating. Nanc and Cathy are watching the results of Dancing with the Stars, and Joe and I are having a stiff rum and coke. S

Friends everywhere or Carlene and DK's dock

We departed Beaufort, NC at 0845 and motored to Sea Scape and refueled and added water and were back on the ICW in 15 minutes; not a record but a good average. We sailed to the Pamlico River and were planning on going to the entrance to Pungo Alligator River Canal. As we sailed by the mouth of the river, I called Carlene and told her I was knocking on her front door. Nanc had told me they had gone to Columbus to see their daughter Bonnie. Nope, she had it wrong and they were in Washington at their condo. We turned left and arrived at their dock at 1755 after sailing up the river at 8.2 knots with a howling wind. We are tied to the dock, with the AC going full blast and having a Rum and Coke. Life is good. S

MORE BLING AND CHICO'S

We departed Southport Marina at 0930 after Cathy and Joe had a tour of the quaint little town. We motor/sailed up the Cape Fear River into a 4 knot head current. After encountering all the weekend crazies who own boats, but no knowledge of the water ie huge wakes, etc, we went outside again at Masonboro Inlet and sailed to Beaufort/Morehead City. Made 8.4 knots most of the way, and up to 8.8 at the end as we surfed down the following waves. We had a rough ride the last hour as we sailed into the inlet with 5/6 foot waves on the beam after dark, thus Bling and Chico's! Nanc cooked a pot roast in the pressure cooker and we ate at 2230, drinks before. S

A Spinnaker kind of day or more Bling

We departed Charleston at 0635 and motor sailed to Southport, NC and saved two days of ICW agony, but arrived after dark. The wind was behind at 8 to 10 knots, so up went the spinnaker for 8 to 10 hours, and increased the boat speed by a knot. One knot over 10 hours is equal to and hour and 20 minutes less travel time. Wore Joe out as you can see. The weather forecast was dead on except for a decreasing wind which happened much later than forecast. As those of you who have read our previous blogs know, sailing after dark results in jewelry for Nanc. Had Joe on the foredeck with a light to see the unlit day markers. We are tied to the dock at Southport Marina for the AC vice on anchor, but we will now tour the town in the morning. Stiff drinks are the order of the evening, as the humidity drops inside Marcnicliz. We hope to make Clair's tomorrow night for shrimp. Life is good. S

Charleston at anchor

We got underway at 0815 this morning and motor sailed off and on. The wind blew us down the Coosaw river at 9 knots and then came the narrow channels and low water. We hit bottom one time, but moved on thru while scraping barnacles off the bottom of the keel. We are anchored short of Charleston this evening and will go to the Charleston City Marina in the morning and tour around, wash, and get a few vittles. Dinner at Magnolias. Friday we will motor up the ICW to Georgetown. S

Beaufort and the Big Chill Tuesday

We departed Steve's dock at 0800 and made the Causton Bluff Bridge at 0900. It is the only bridge between there and Beaufort that has to open for Marcnicliz to pass thru. I got to spell Marcnicliz, again! We made the City Dock at 1355 and sent Cathy and Joe off on a city horse and carriage tour. The "Big Chill House" is here. Part of Forrest Gump was filmed here, also. Nanc and I walked the main street shops, and we all had dinner at Panini's, a super place. We are tied to March Harbors dock with the AC running and looking at 65 miles tomorrow to Charleston. We had a super sail past Hilton Head and down the Port Royal Sound with 18 knots of wind. There is quite a current here and large tidal range. We passed many shallow spots getting here, but I have them marked and we never hit bottom once. I talked a guy on another sail boat from Halifax, Nova Scotia thru several of them. The secret is where to be in the channel, and when. I will probably be hard aground tomorrow for bragging. S

Savannah Day Off

We put the motor mount on the stern rail that Joe modified in D'ville and mailed to me in Key Largo. We then put the motor on that I bought here two months ago with Steve and left in his garage until now. Some friends don't know how to say NO. Beth loaned us her car, and we went down town and took the Savannah City tour with a professional company and saw all of the sights. We stopped at Belfords for a great lunch, and then walked to the water front for the ladies to shop, and I got to watch the big ships cruise by. We had a great time with Beth and Steve's daughter Rebecca last night, and she is coming to dinner tonight. We hope Beth and Steve are going to stop by D'ville and use my garage and car while they are there for something. The city tours of D'ville have not started yet, and I am not sure how much of the town is left after the tornado last month. I am putting together a business plan. Beaufort tomorrow. We may be home by the 19th; stay tuned. S

Savannah and Steve's dock

We departed Fernandina Beach at 0650 and arrived at Steve's at 1835 after motor sailing outside for 100nm at an average speed of 8.5 knots; not too bad for a sail boat. Nanc fixed a super dinner as I washed the salt off the boat and got rid of the trash. I know it is Mother's day, but she is not my mother! I fixed a board in Steve's dock and am contemplating an early bed time as Nanc talks to Kath on the phone. S

Mother's Day

We departed St Augustine yesterday at 1100 hours after a city tour and sailed outside to Fernandina Beach, arriving at 1830. We had a good dinner in town and spent the night on a mooring ball. Weather looks good for a Mother's Day sail outside to the Wilmington River and Savannah. We should be at Steve's dock tonight and will take a day off tomorrow to tour. S

St Augustine on Friday

We departed the Halifax Harbor Marina at 0750 and made the Memorial Bridge 0815 opening. We sailed thru rain showers to St Augustine and arrive at 1430. Robin and Charlie joined us for the ride up, and their son Brent who is attending Embry Riddle drove up to pick them up. We are staying in the City Marina tonight and hope to go outside, depending on the wind, to Fernandina Beach tomorrow. Lot of fish jumping out of the water today to avoid being a bigger fish's lunch. S

Easy Thursday

We departed Tittusville Marina this morning at 0750 after some effort to get away due to the East wind pinning us. We motored sailed to Daytona and arrived at 1415. Joe and I spent an hour washing and waxing the boat after pumping out and fueling. Nanc's niece visits tonight, and we will have to stay on the ICW up to St Augustine tomorrow. Hope to make Fernandina Beach on Sat, and then sail outside to Savannah/Steve and Beth's dock on Sunday. They are sailing on the Great Loop voyage with Ryder. They are around Norfolk and will stop for a Grand Banks Rally; since that is the type boat they own. They then will motor up the Chesapeake, hopefully stop in D'ville, then thru the C and D Canal and up to New York. Then up the Hudson to Montreal, down to Chicago, and on South to the Gulf of Mexico, around Florida, and back to Savannah. Makes our trip pale in comparison. You can visit them at www.geminiloop.blogspot.com. If you see Gemini, say hello. I told Nanc I may have to put her hair in pig tails by the time we get home. S

Titusville and Cape Kennedy

We weighed anchor at 0740 and motor sailed all the way to Titusville past Vero Beach and Milbourne. Another 82 miles. The wind continued to build before frontal passage which occured about 1330 with no rain over us. I had to reef in the main and jib. We refueled and put our trash off and are now tied to the Titusville City Marina Dock. We can see the shuttle off in the distance. We are going to Daytona Beach tomorrow which is only about 48 miles, and Nanc's niece and family are joining us for dinner. Nanc is trying to program the TV to get American Idol. She already saw the sunset. S

Ft Lauderdale to Ft Pierce or 82 NM down

We departed Miami yesterday morning at 0815 and arrived at Las Olas bridge at 1200. We spent yesterday touring Ft Lauderdale by water taxi with Cathy and Joe and ate on the beach. Great day. Departed this morning at 0715 and made the 0730 17th St Bridge opening and then out to sea. Arrived at Ft Pierce at 1800, and I could not convince Nanc to press on to Vero Beach, so here we are. The Indian River and Titusville tomorrow night.

One day down and 20 or so to go

Departed Key Largo at 0730 and arrived at Miami South Beach at 1500. Wind was too much on the nose to sail most of the way until the last 2 hours. We walked down to Lincoln Blvd and had the best burger ever at Burgers and Beer, then a Lager at Hoffbrau House. All the beautiful folks were out tonight. Off to Ft Lauderdale tomorrow if the wind cooperates; since we have to go outside into the ocean to get there. S

Wishes

I wish each of you could or would have visited us in Key Largo. We have decided to depart tomorrow (Sunday); since we have all our prescriptions filled and can't think of any reason to tarry longer. What a sad/jubilant thought to move off the dock and head North. This anchorage has been the best of our sailing lives; since Nanc's good news. Joe and I killed the last Mount Gay bottle (ladies are into the red wine), and we are getting ready to grill lovely steaks our last night. Candi, our super dock master, came by for final hugs, and we plan to move North at 0730 at the latest. Water tanks are full, distilled water for Nanc is on board, and the dingy is hung on the stern with care in hopes that St... no wrong story. We should be in Miami/South Beach tomorrow evening by 1500. How easy it would be to steer a little East and go to Bimini. South Beach Crazies tomorrow night. We have to make the higher tide in Angle Fish Creek by 1100 hours or 21 miles North , 54 total. Only 1143 miles left to go until Norfolk mile marker 0. S

Passage Prep on Sat

Good Mahi Mahi at Sharkey's last night; couple of stiff rum and cokes and bed. Sailed out this morning to check systems, had the Sirus Wx reconnected, and filled the fuel tanks. We are ready to head North. I waited for the glass bottom to pass an got a few pics of Cathy and Joe plus some of Norma, Barb, Nanc, George, and Ed the night before we departed for Houston and Nanac's latest round of tests. Chilling out till Monday. S

"Hey it 's good to be back home again" on Marcnicliz

John Denver said it best, but we are glad to be back on Marcnicliz. We departed Houston Hobby at 1030, flew to Atlanta, and then to Ft Lauderdale. We arrived at 1630 where Cathy and Joe met us, and we drove back to Key Largo and had a super dinner at a local restaurant. Nanc, Cathy, Joe, and I have been telling funny stories, laughing, and riding the high of our good news. We will reprovision the boat tomorrow, and get set to throw off the dock lines on Monday morning and start the three week trek back to the Chesapeake and D'ville. Spoke with Tom to tell him the good news, only to find out he and Shamus are laid up South of Charleston with a possible bent prop strut. He thinks he wrapped a crab pot around the shaft. Easy to do, and sickening when it happens. Candi, our dock master, went around on Easter in a bunny costume, handing out Tootsie Rolls. We missed that, but have put in a belated request for our share. S

Good News Continued

Dr Araujo walked in and said "I only have good news!" A great short visit. We have decided to do the next tests in Richmond in three months, and then back here in Oct. We had delicious Texas BBQ for lunch and sat outside and enjoy the breeze. I then fixed some items for Chris and washed his cars and filled the gas tank, so we can depart for Ft Lauderdale in the morning and leave him better than we found him. Tonight was outside at the best Mexican Restaurant ever, that we found back in Oct when we were here. As I remember how bad things were last year when we were here and contrast it with now. Nanc now can walk, taste, and is feeling good. Thank God for our blessings. Now back to sailing. We had planned to sail the Chesapeake last summer; it should be a go for this summer. See you out there. S

God does answer prayers and work miracles

The CT scan on Nanc today did not show any changes from last time! My title for this post says it all. Nanc, Chris and I went to Quin Dynasty for dinner to celebrate the good news. We still need the Xray and MRI results, but believe the CT of the lung is the most important. With cancer, the tension builds until you finally get the report on the studies. You feel the weight of the world removed from your shoulders for a while and then it starts all over, but each extra day is a gift to be savored. We are trying to live each day to the fullest, and both of us love being on the water. It is the sights, sounds, smells and feel all together. We are very happy tonight. Living with a doctor got us a sneak preview. We meet with the case doctor tomorrow and fly back to Ft. Lauderdale Thursday. Kath will post to the Caring Bridge site. Joe told me this evening that he has Cathy cleaning the outside of Marcnicliz up. S

Austin/Houston

I called a friend on Sunday, and he wanted to know how I got Marcnicliz to Austin. Marcnicliz is still in Key Largo with Cathy and Joe babysitting, and Nanc and I are in Houston. Nanc is watching "Dancing With the Stars," which is no surprise to those of you who know her well. We arrived in Houston on Friday and drove to Austin. Sat. culminated in steak off the grill for my 67th cooked by older brother Ed. We all went to church on Sunday at Barb and Ed's Lutheran Church for an amazing Easter service. They had an orchestra that supported a full choir. We had lunch at the Raddison where the waiter spilled my au jus all over me. We are now in Houston praying for the best that God will allow tomorrow. Cancer never leaves your mind or thoughts. Nanc will have a blood test, cardiac scan, CT scan, and finally a MRI. Just doesn't get any better than that. S

Marcnicliz lives good

I spoke with Tom this morning and he made it to Lake Worth last night and is on his way to Ft Pierce today. He said Shamus is out of his box and eating after getting his "Sea Legs." Nanc and the ladies are out shopping after enjoying Islamorada and the sunset last evening. Cathy and Joe have landed in Ft Lauderdale and should be here around 1730. If you click on the images they will enlarge for you. S

Tom O'Connell and S/V Gambrjnus head North with Shamus the cat

You meet neat folks along the way, as I have said before. Today, one of those neat guys sailed off with his Siamese for points North. He left us his car to use until Friday when we drive up to Ft Lauderdale to fly to Houston for Nanc's test. I pray for clear scans all the time. Tom's wife died a year ago from cancer,and he has spent the winter here at Marina del Mar for the last 5 years. He turned 73 last week and is a lawyer from Chicago who practices on his boat via cell phone. He has shown us all the places to eat and on which day, and we have had him to dinner many times or drinks. Today we sailed out into the Hawk Channel to await his departure and then sailed along and took the pictures that are attached. We then returned and swam, went to Coconuts for drinks, free tacos, and we are getting ready to watch "Cadillac Records." Another lovely evening with relatives and friends. S

Moved

Slip 13 lived up to it's name, and we moved today. You read about the transmission problems; I didn't bore you with the head , air condition, or WIFI, issues. Barbara injured her foot yesterday getting on the boat and has spent all day in the emergency room waiting for a Doc and X-rays. Nanc has also had trouble getting on and off due to the wide tide range, so Candi, the Dockmaster, offered a new spot tied along side of the quay. I moved, and we are now waiting for George, Ed and Barb to return. Hope this is going to be better. It is in the shade most of the day, but further from the pool. Comsi comsa. You can see in the pics that Nanc has a better chance to stop stranges and talk to them. I went on line and made towel animals for everyone along with candy kisses. S

Palm Sunday and Alabama Jack's

I got up early to make the 0800 service at the St James Anglican Church. Due to George and Norma sleeping in the aft stateroom where Nanc and I normally stay, I tried to quietly get some proper church clothes and not wake anyone. No luck, but I was quick. I didn't get my socks or Jacket which was in Ed and Barb's stateroom. I was hoping to be the last one to enter the church, and not show off my inappropriate dress. Didn't happen. Fr. Stanton had everyone wait outside for the start of the service and take a palm fond into the church. While waiting I noticed I was about the best dressed with no coat and no socks. None of the others had socks, most where in shorts, etc. Key Largo and Islamorada are laid back; way back. Nanc, Barbara, and Norma spent the day at the pool, and then we drove to Alabama Jack's! Lot of motor cycles outside, lot of unusual characters inside. Couple ladies in their 80's were dressed "Country" and dancing with the live band music for the crowd. Norm and George knew them form previous visits. I told Ed that it reminded me of the Bill Peer Band practicing on thru nights up on Jefferson Ave in Charles Town, WV for the Brunswick Moose, and Patsy Cline singing with curlers in her hair. My mother, Uncle, and Aunt loved her both before and after she was famous. Nanc told a friend "guy in overalls with no underwear.....about 250 - 300 LBS. Now that was a sight!!" We returned to the boat and one of the fishing charters had caught a 60 pound Amber jack. Driving to Key West tomorrow. S

Manatees and Baby visit

Well, many things have happened since Sigrid and Eric departed. We had super hamburgers at Sharkey's on Monday, which is that days special for $5, however drinks always ups the ante when it is time to pay. Taco special at Coconuts on Tue, and we drove up to Ft Lauderdale on Wed to get Tom new rope and visit Cosco's. Time to replenish the Diet Coke supply for the trip home. Last night was Italian at a very good place with Tom to satisfy Nanc's desire and tonight will be all you can eat Mahi Mahi at Sharkeys. Mail arrived from Deltaville, via Richmond/Rich on Wed and 22 books of the Alexander Kent series about Bolitho on Thur. I have completed the Foster/Hornblower series and am reading Hemingway's "Islands in the Stream." Nanc still reads three to my one. Her new Kindle is keeping her happy most of the time. She is getting her hair back and feeling better as time marches on, and she gets sun and swims most days. The weather continues to be unbelievably nice. Temp in the mid to low 80's everyday with blue skies. There has not been any rain since Kath was here. Barb, Norma, George and Ed arrive tomorrow evening and will stay until we depart for Houston on the 22nd. We spoke to Cathy Davenport, our neighbor in Deltaville, who is retiring today and leaving for Memphis and here tomorrow. She and Joe arrive on the 21st and will baby sit Marcnicliz while we are in Houston. We will then head North to the Chesapeake. Finally, a Manatee family visited this morning. S

7 degrees of separation and Joe Brookerson

Friday our friends Sigrid and Eric Vollmecke came for a world wind visit. They arrived at 1630 and left this morning at 0300. They have had four vacations since the birth of their first child ( now have 5), all with Nanc and me. Friday night we were sitting in Sharkeys enjoying all you can eat Mahi Mahi which is unbelievably good, and I really don't like fish that much. The waiter tells me the next table has sent drinks for us to enjoy. I thought I was being pretty good, and couldn't believe someone was trying to put me to sleep. We then saw Col Joe Brookerson, DDS who had served under my command back at the 167th many years ago. He and friends were here bone fishing. They came down to the boat, and we enjoy telling ole lies and catching up.

Now back to Eric. He also served under me, and I pulled him along in his career to become a one star General or Brigadier. He is now the Chief of Staff of the WVANG and serves in my old job. He came to Qatar in 2003, while I was the Director of Mobility Forces for Iraq and Afghanistan, and served as my Exec for three months while paying someone else to work his civilian job during his absence. I took him to Baghdad and promoted him to Colonel or 0-6 at the Field Hospital being run by the 167 AMES at the Saddam Hussein International Airport. We then went to the Presidential Palace and sat in Saddam's throne chair. We took them swimming, to Everglades National Park, and then dinner at The Fish Company in Islamorada last night. I recommend it to you highly. Beautiful sunset. Nanc really enjoyed their visit, and our travels. We came back for drinks, then we got up at 0300, kissed good by, and they drove to Ft Lauderdale for their flight back to Dulles this morning! Unbelievable. S

Where do thing go?

Ever wonder where the human waste on a boat goes. Into the water you might believe; however you would be wrong most of the time. On the ICW almost every marina has a pump out station to empty your holding tanks. In the Keys, that is definitely true or they have pump out boats that come to you. I have 40 gals of storage which lasts about eight days. If the boat doesn't come here to Marina del Mar, then I have to sail off shore beyond the reef, by at least three miles, to pump overboard; since they do not have a pump out station here. The pump out boat is a great deal at $5.00 per pump out. You would spend that much in diesel fuel to go outside.

Today is eighty and clear blue skies. Life is still good. S