In the cabin during winter

During the winter, the liveaboards at the Gangplank Marina still have fun. Here are marina guests, Deb and Steve Ruddell at our murder mystery party during a snowy wintery night.   Our fellow boaters Dick and Leneyse, along with Tom and Karen provide laughter and fun.

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Heading for the Chesapeake Bay, May 2011

Here we are anchored at Canoe Neck Creek off the Potomac River.  We are heading to the Chesapeake Bay and ultimately to Baltimore for some boat maintenance before we start back on our journey around the Great Loop.   The 200 mile trip from Washington DC to Baltimore was significant.  We went slow,  8 to 9 knots, and used about 75 percent less fuel than going our usual 17 to 20 knots !!  

Happenings in DC

Work while in DC ??

Snow Pics at the Gangplank

Winter at the Gangplank

On the Potomac at Mount Vernon

Getting to Washington DC

We arrived at Portmouth VA in 15 knot winds.  It turned to 40 plus knot winds by nightfall and stayed that way for four days.  We were stuck in Portsmouth.  But it was a great place.  One place was the Commodore theatre, where you sit in a nightclub setting and order dinner and drinks while watching the show.  We enjoyed is so much that we went back the next night. 

We also took a ferry to Norfolk and went through a walking historic tour.  What a naval town with plenty of naval history. 

We had our boat hauled and the props turned due to the recent grounding at Shiloh NC, and then we were off to our destination for the next two years--Washington DC

Dismal Swamp, April 2009

Look that this remarkable reflection off the water on the dead still canal of the Dismal Swamp. It was like this much of the way along the Dismal Swamp.   In fact, we did not find anything dismal about the the entire journey of this man-made canal system.   The last 2 photos shows our very first lock.  This was quite a rewarding experience since we have never been through any locks previous to this one.   Our approach was tentative, but once we were greeted by a jovial lockmasterer, all our fears quickly past.  Due to an impending storm. the lockmaster even offered to let us dock at the lock wall.  But we decided to press on.  On to Norfolk/Porstmouth.  Still, that first lock will always be a special place in our memories.

Entering the Dismal Swamp

We were able to make it across the Pamilco/Albermarle Sound after quite a beating.  And we docked at the T- dock in the nearby marina just north of the sound.  Winds were 40 to 50 knots and we had to borrow several additional fenders to keep the boat from grinding right through the wooden pierheads.  The sound of waves slapping up against the haul kept us away all night.  But in the morning, all way quiet.  This photo shows a quiet harbor entering the Dismal Swamp.  The rage of wind was behind us and we were anxious to see what the next part of the journey had to offer.

Pamlico Sound, NC April 2009

    Pamilco Sound can be rough.  Here we are trying to outrun a storm.  It was not easy because the waves came up.  It does not look rough in this picture, but the the waves were high enough to slow us way down.  Regardless, we were happy today to have a fast boat.  Later, we realized how important it is to go slow.

Dowry Creek, NC April 2009

We spent Easter Day of 2009 at Dowry Creek Marina, a beautiful setting and some of the most personable boaters we have ever experienced.     Here we sat on the swim platform to have our Easter cheer, but it was not long until we were drafted by the other 6-boats to join them for easter dinner at the the marina.  What a great group of folks.  Most of them were Canadians that were over-wintering.  But they have been visiting Dowry Creek every winter for years.  They really made us feel at home.  We learned the motto: "we are fair weather boaters" !!   Wait for the weather window !!

Beaufort, NC April, 2009

We moved up to Beaufort, NC.   But that journey was somewhat eventful.   All the boating manuals say that you will "run aground" as some time.  And, it happened at Shiloh inlet.  The channel markings were quite confusing, but it looked like a good straight shot around the nearest green can.   Guess what !  I ran right into a sandbar -under full power -- but lucky to drift off of it after about an hour. 

After a horrific grounding, we were very happy to make it to the historic town of Beaufort, NC.  Even though, it was my very first time backing into a slip.  Lucky there was no wind, and, somehow we made it without sacrificing every boat around us.

 There we meet with Beth and Chris,  mother and brother of our son-in-law, Steve.  Good times. 

Beaufort, NC also captivates the soul.  One of the oldest homes and burial grounds, and great tours of the old homes.

Ocean Isle, NC April 2009

Here is Christine piloting BlueSkies under the Ocean Isle, NC causeway.  This is a historic moment for us, since we have been at Ocean Isle every year for the past 19 years for our annual volleyball tournament.   Probably one of the most unusual themes in one's lifetime is to have a group a friends that meet at the same vacation spot every year for almost 20 years.  The event is a volleyball tournament -- at least we think it as a volleyball tournament.  It actually turns into a Margarita festival !   The top picture shows the water route to Sharkys --the best  watering hole on the island.

Regardless, we stay at the Ocean Isle marina.  Not a great spot since it is right on the intracoastal waterway.  But we paid homage to Ocean Isle, a special place in our hearts.

Georgetown, SC April, 2009

A great place to stop on the loop is Georgetown, SC.    We bypassed Charleston (since we visit it all the time) and went straight to Georgetown from Folly Beach.  Our docking was a bit rough.  Here it is, the third time docking and a storm with 40 mph winds kicked up just as we approached the T-dock at Georgetown.  It was among the most challenging and actually a miraculous outcome with no damage.  The dock crew wanted us to approach with the wind at the stern and the tide running with us !!  Total no control and we found ourselves powering out of a near miss with a multi-million dollar boat !  We reversed and came to into the wind and docked nicely (unusually) with seemingly great control.   

But Georgetown is a great historic town.  Great for a one day and one night experience.  Old homes and graveyards from the Civil War were among the attractions.  Now, it seems to be turning into an artists community.  History or art,  this is a great place to visit for a day.  Due to 40 knot winds, we were there for 3 days --more than enough !!