Apologies to anyone still following our journey for not posting in a while. This past weekend we left the boat in Annapolis for a little tlc and to go to Cape Hatteras for a week of kiteboarding and to enjoy living in a house again. So far it is awesome to be able to sleep in a real bed and do laundry and shower whenever we want!
The wind was gusty yesterday, but people managed to get out kiting a bit, though today was rainy in the morning and light in the afternoon.
That's all for now,
Nicole.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Moving up the Chesapeake Bay
We have spent 3 days at Antipoison Creek a spot on the Western Shore of Chesapeake Bay. It has nice sand beaches and has been a great spot for kiteboarding with the strong winds we have had the last 3 days. The weather here has been quite chilly for the last few days, hopefully it will warm up soon.
Tomorrow we will move up to Solomons Island on our way to Annapolis, weather permitting.
Jon
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Tomorrow we will move up to Solomons Island on our way to Annapolis, weather permitting.
Jon
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Monday, May 14, 2012
In Chesapeake Bay
We have completed a very smooth passage from Beaufort, around Cape Hatteras and into Chesapeake Bay and are now anchored in the East River off Mobjack Bay. We feel a sense of accomplishment having completed a huge loop from this anchorage that we were anchored in around mid October last year, to Bermuda, down to the Caribbean, to the Bahamas and back up to the mouth of Chesapeake Bay 7 months later. We will spend the next week and a half cruising leisurely up Chesapeake Bay to arrive in Annapolis, MD next Friday , May 25. In Annapolis we will haul the boat and get the bottom painted along with having our new depth and log transducers installed. While the boat is out of the water we will drive to Cape Hatteras to rent a house with the rest of the family and friends for a week to kiteboard.
Jon
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Jon
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Sunday, May 13, 2012
Rounding Cape Hatteras to the Chesapeake Day 1
We have had light winds and small seas since we left at around 8 am on Saturday morning. It is very comfortable sailing and motor sailing.
Right now we are about 10 miles off the outer banks off Rodanthe. Yesterday we passed Cape Lookout, Ocracoke Island, Hatteras inlet and Cape Hatteras. It is interesting to see the Outer Banks from the sea as we have spent so much time ashore here. We are fortunate to have nice weather as we have seen this area be very rough this time of year. We plan to be in the Chesapeake Bay early Monday morning.
The SPOT will be on periodically to track our progress real time.
Jon
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Right now we are about 10 miles off the outer banks off Rodanthe. Yesterday we passed Cape Lookout, Ocracoke Island, Hatteras inlet and Cape Hatteras. It is interesting to see the Outer Banks from the sea as we have spent so much time ashore here. We are fortunate to have nice weather as we have seen this area be very rough this time of year. We plan to be in the Chesapeake Bay early Monday morning.
The SPOT will be on periodically to track our progress real time.
Jon
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Tuesday, May 8, 2012
From Staniel Cay to Man-o-War Cay to Beaufort, NC
Here are a few more details from our time in the Bahamas.
One of our last days in Staniel Cay, we decided to see the wild pigs for
ourselves. Approaching the beach in the dinghy, a fleet of seagulls escorted us
in as we excitedly pointed out a small pig scavenging in the sand. As we got
closer and looked for more pigs we were astounded as a monster of a pig emerged
from the trees fringing the beach. Wow was it big! And I don’t mean just fat, I
mean BIG! The pig started to trot and ran straight into the water to swim out
to us. I have to say, it was one of the strangest and funniest sights I’ve ever
seen. Two slightly smaller pigs soon followed and several little ones stayed
behind on the sand. We tried to feed the big ones carrot shavings (our
guidebook said they really like carrots), but they couldn’t seem to see them in
front of their oversized snouts. The big one started snorting in annoyance at
us and moved on to another approaching boat.
Following Staniel Cay, we spent several overcast days in
Man-o-War Cay, a very quaint and unique island community. Many of the houses
have nautical decorations (old fishing nets, colourful buoys, and ocean-themed
knick-knacks) artfully organized in lovely tropical gardens, and residents drive
heavy-duty golf carts around the tiny path roads that turn from cement to sand
in the outskirts of the small town. Docks line the waterfront along with
various boat services, making it clear that the water is the main focus of this
community.
Now we are currently in Beaufort, North Carolina and
enjoying the lovely amenities available here. After the remoteness of the
Bahamas it feels a lot like returning to civilization. Beaufort is beautiful,
quiet and interesting, with numerous well-maintained houses dating back to the
late 18th century. There are many nice shops and being near large
supermarkets again is convenient. Over the weekend we stayed at the Town Docks
along the waterfront where an Annual Wooden Boat Show took place alongside the
Annual Beaufort National Boatbuilding Challenge. Under a large tent, teams of
boat builders worked quickly throughout the day to build small wooden boats to
race later on in the day.
The local museum also
offered free admission and was interesting to explore with its intense focus on
local boating history and an exhibit on Blackbeard, who once prowled these
waters. Compounded with all this happy activity, we were all excited to have
shower and laundry facilities at our disposal (silly sounding, maybe, but after
weeks of bathing in the ocean and doing laundry in a bucket these become highly
valued luxuries!).
We are now anchored just off the town docks and plan to
remain here until a good weather window appears to get us to the Chesapeake. So
far the weather is warm and sunny, and although there is crispness in the air
at night, it doesn’t feel much cooler than the Bahamas.
All the best,
Nicole.
Staniel Cay Photos
Man-o-War Cay Photos
Arrived in Beaufort, NC
We arrived in Beaufort on Saturday morning after a good passage from the Bahamas. Beaufort is a pretty cool place and as one local said where else can you see wild horses and dolphins near the boat at the same time. It looks like we won't get a weather window to move north past Cape Hatteras into The Chespapeake Bay until early next week.
Jon
Jon
Friday, May 4, 2012
Passage to the US Day 4
We have had nice winds and seas since about 9pm last night. It is very comfortable sailing, making good progress.
Right now we are about 50 miles off the North Carolina coast just off Wilmington and are currently at 33 degrees, 15 minutes N, 77 degrees,18 minutes West. We are 90 miles from our destination of Beaufort, NC and should arrive early on Saturday morning.
The SPOT will be on periodically to track our progress real time.
Jon
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Right now we are about 50 miles off the North Carolina coast just off Wilmington and are currently at 33 degrees, 15 minutes N, 77 degrees,18 minutes West. We are 90 miles from our destination of Beaufort, NC and should arrive early on Saturday morning.
The SPOT will be on periodically to track our progress real time.
Jon
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Thursday, May 3, 2012
Passage to the US Day 3
The last 24 hours have brought light winds and decreasing seas. We are currently motor sailing and the seas are almost flat.
We are getting close to crossing the Gulf Stream. The Sargasso Sea on the warm side of the Gulf Stream has been great. We have been in the Sargasso Sea since mid November and it will be sad to leave. We will probably have to wear more than a T-shirt and shorts for the first time since mid November starting tomorrow. :(
We will celebrate Terri and my 26th anniversary at sea today.
Right now we are about 180 miles off the Georgia coast just south of Savannah and are currently at 31 degrees, 25 minutes N, 77 degrees,52 minutes West. We are 210 miles from our destination of Beaufort, NC.
The SPOT will be on periodically to track our progress real time.
Jon
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We are getting close to crossing the Gulf Stream. The Sargasso Sea on the warm side of the Gulf Stream has been great. We have been in the Sargasso Sea since mid November and it will be sad to leave. We will probably have to wear more than a T-shirt and shorts for the first time since mid November starting tomorrow. :(
We will celebrate Terri and my 26th anniversary at sea today.
Right now we are about 180 miles off the Georgia coast just south of Savannah and are currently at 31 degrees, 25 minutes N, 77 degrees,52 minutes West. We are 210 miles from our destination of Beaufort, NC.
The SPOT will be on periodically to track our progress real time.
Jon
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Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Passage to the US Day 2
We had a good first 24 hours with winds on the beam and a pretty big sea of 6-8 ft. Today the winds have dropped and we are presently motor sailing.
The weather in the Bahamas over the past 5 days was cloudy and rainy and much colder than we had been used to. We are now north of that bad weather in a high pressure ridge that is giving us clear weather but with little wind. Once we cross the ridge we expect the wind to come around to the west and we should be able to turn the engine off.
Right now we are about 200 miles off the Florida coast just north of Daytona Beach and are currently at 29 degrees, 30 minutes N, 77 degrees,28 minutes West. We are 325 miles from our destination of Beaufort, NC.
The SPOT will be on periodically to track our progress real time.
Jon
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The weather in the Bahamas over the past 5 days was cloudy and rainy and much colder than we had been used to. We are now north of that bad weather in a high pressure ridge that is giving us clear weather but with little wind. Once we cross the ridge we expect the wind to come around to the west and we should be able to turn the engine off.
Right now we are about 200 miles off the Florida coast just north of Daytona Beach and are currently at 29 degrees, 30 minutes N, 77 degrees,28 minutes West. We are 325 miles from our destination of Beaufort, NC.
The SPOT will be on periodically to track our progress real time.
Jon
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Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Passage to the US
We left this morning from Man-O-War Cay near Marsh Harbour in the Abacos islands of the Bahamas.
We are planning to arrive in Beaufort, NC on Saturday a trip of about 500 miles.
Right now we are heading due north about 180 miles off the Florida coast and are currently at 27 degrees, 46 minutes N, 77 degrees,11 minutes West. The wind is about 20 knots from the East with 6-8 foot seas.
It is difficult to accept that we won't see the beautiful islands and water of the Caribbean again on this trip but we have lots of memories to bring home with us.
The SPOT will be on periodically to track our progress realtime.
Jon
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We are planning to arrive in Beaufort, NC on Saturday a trip of about 500 miles.
Right now we are heading due north about 180 miles off the Florida coast and are currently at 27 degrees, 46 minutes N, 77 degrees,11 minutes West. The wind is about 20 knots from the East with 6-8 foot seas.
It is difficult to accept that we won't see the beautiful islands and water of the Caribbean again on this trip but we have lots of memories to bring home with us.
The SPOT will be on periodically to track our progress realtime.
Jon
----------
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