This day ranged from terrifying to blissful.
I awoke at 5 a.m. and thought heavy rain was falling, so I got up to put the hose from the rain-catcher into the tank, but when I stuck my hand out the window, there wasn't any rain at all. Puzzled, I returned to the aft cabin. The sound of rain was louder than ever. I washed my face, put on my glasses, and looked outside with a flashlight. To my dismay, the noises I was hearing were caused by ice forming around the boat. We didn't know if we'd be able to get out or not, but by daybreak, the tide was carrying most of the ice up-river. We left the dock at 7, intending to go to the fuel dock at James Creek Marina and get diesel, as we only had about ten gallons left. The center of the river appeared to be free of ice, but when we got out there, there was ice all over. It looked thin, so Roy tried to go through it, but it turned out to be several inches thick. We soon had to stop and back out. We had no recourse but to return to the dock and take two jerry cans to a service station in the blue wagon to get diesel. Then we tried to head south, hoping we'd be able to get more fuel farther down the river, but as soon as we got under the bridge, we were dismayed to see a solid sheet of ice covering the entire river. We had no choice but to turn back. I talked with the D.C. Harbor Patrol on the VHF to find out what conditions were like up there. They said the ice was an inch thick in the entire Washington Harbor, so that eliminated any chance of going there. The John Glenn Fireboat came on and said that if necessary, they would break a path through the ice for us, but we'd probably be better off staying in Alexandria. A very nice man also came on the air and advised us to go to the City Docks in Alexandria, so we headed over there. The inner slips were full of ice, but we were able to tie to the end of the dock. What a relief to be tied up safe and sound! The ice had severely damaged our hull.
The City Docks turned out to be a lot nicer than they had looked from land the other day, even though they're not floating. We have 30 amp electricity, and there's a large building with the deceptive name of "Torpedo Factory" that is open to the public and has restrooms, a drinking fountain, a public phone, and even telephone directories. The Torpedo Factory is actually a famous art center. Many artists rent space there to create and sell their art. There's also an art school there.
I phoned around to try to find out what the conditions were farther down the river and on the bay. Apparently, this is a govern-
ment holiday, so I had a hard time finding a human being. Finally talked with the Coast Guard Officer of the Day in Washington, but he didn't know anything about the ice, so he transferred me to the Coast Guard in Baltimore. They gave me a number to call for the Coast Guard at the mouth of the Potomac. I called them, but they were unaware of ice on the river. They told me to call back in two hours.
We were nearly out of drinking water, so Roy trundled our two five-gallon water jugs to the Torpedo Factory in the blue wagon. The janitor was very nice and let us fill the jugs in the utility room. Roy made three trips and filled the tank. While he was doing that, the Fireboat stopped by and talked with him. Then the boat went under the bridge, tested the ice, and said it was impassable. So we're here at least for the rest of the day and possibly for the winter. However, the temperature is supposed to climb into the 40's tomorrow, so maybe the ice will melt. It's been in the teens and 20's all week.
When I phoned the Coast Guard again, they said there was no ice south of the 301 Bridge and the Bay was completely free of ice, but they had no information for the northern portion of the Potomac. They advised me to phone Coast Guard Baltimore.
There's a bunch of eating places next to the Torpedo Factory, so we went there for an all-you-can-eat pizza lunch. We wanted to get as much diesel as possible while we're here, so we had phoned for a cab to pick us up at 2:30. After lunch, we carried ten diesel cans out to the curb and waited for the cab. When it hadn't shown up by ten to three, I phoned again and was told the cab was on its way and would be there in a few minutes. When it hadn't arrived by 3:15, Roy went to the corner and flagged the first cab that came along, but the driver was reluctant to put the diesel cans in his cab even though he had plenty of room. He said we'd have to pay $10 in addition to what was on the meter. We'd have paid it if he'd been pleasanter, but he acted as if he didn't want to take us, so we said forget it. Soon, we hailed another cab. This driver was very nice. He helped put the cans in the trunk, drove to the station, waited while Roy filled the cans, loaded them back in the trunk, and drove us back to the Torpedo Factory. And all he charged was what was on the meter.
So the day ended well after all. We have plenty of fuel and water, we're warm and safe, and tomorrow we might be able to get out of here.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 1993 - Washington, DC
Fortunately, all three batteries were fully charged this morning, so they might last a while longer.
There are gale warnings today, so we can't leave. We were just about to walk over to Safeway when two men arrived from the condo management and told us we can't stay here. After considerable discussion, we convinced them that it would be too dangerous for us to leave in this gale, but we'll leave first thing in the morning, weather permitting. They rather grudgingly gave us permission to stay until tomorrow.
Bought some antifreeze and chicken at Safeway and took them back to the boat. Then we caught the Metro into Washington. Went to the National Museum of American History (part of the Smithsonian). Ate a delicious but somewhat expensive lunch in their cafeteria. Spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying the many interesting exhibits in the museum. We could easily spend an entire week here, there's so much to see. Visited the electricity exhibit, tunnels and bridges, and the maritime exhibit. Roy went to trains and automobiles, while I went to information processing. Closing time came much too soon.
When we left the museum at 5:30, night had fallen. We walked up the mall, or park, in the center of Washington. In front of us was the lighted Capitol dome and Christmas tree; in back of us was the lighted Washington Monument. A really beautiful, impressive sight.
There are gale warnings today, so we can't leave. We were just about to walk over to Safeway when two men arrived from the condo management and told us we can't stay here. After considerable discussion, we convinced them that it would be too dangerous for us to leave in this gale, but we'll leave first thing in the morning, weather permitting. They rather grudgingly gave us permission to stay until tomorrow.
Bought some antifreeze and chicken at Safeway and took them back to the boat. Then we caught the Metro into Washington. Went to the National Museum of American History (part of the Smithsonian). Ate a delicious but somewhat expensive lunch in their cafeteria. Spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying the many interesting exhibits in the museum. We could easily spend an entire week here, there's so much to see. Visited the electricity exhibit, tunnels and bridges, and the maritime exhibit. Roy went to trains and automobiles, while I went to information processing. Closing time came much too soon.
When we left the museum at 5:30, night had fallen. We walked up the mall, or park, in the center of Washington. In front of us was the lighted Capitol dome and Christmas tree; in back of us was the lighted Washington Monument. A really beautiful, impressive sight.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 1993 - Washington, DC
More fresh snow fell overnight. How beautiful! We took some pictures and then walked around for a while. Found an old lighthouse that had been built in 1857. Then we took a bus to the Metro station and rode the subway to Washington. We wandered around until we found the marina and the yacht club. They both charge $1 a foot, but of course the yacht club has nicer facilities. Nevertheless, since we're so comfortable where we are and can get to Washington so easily, we might as well stay where we are.
Walked past the Washington Monument to the Holocaust Museum. Ate a good lunch in the cafeteria there. Walked around in the museum, but there wasn't much to see, so we went over to the Smithsonian. We were pleasantly surprised to learn that there is no admission charge at any of the Smithsonian's sixteen museums. We spent the rest of the after-
noon in the Arts and Industries museum, which had a lot of interesting machines and tools from the 19th century.
When we got back to the boat, Roy checked the batteries and found that two of them might need to be replaced. He's going to recharge all three tonight and recheck them in the morning.
Walked past the Washington Monument to the Holocaust Museum. Ate a good lunch in the cafeteria there. Walked around in the museum, but there wasn't much to see, so we went over to the Smithsonian. We were pleasantly surprised to learn that there is no admission charge at any of the Smithsonian's sixteen museums. We spent the rest of the after-
noon in the Arts and Industries museum, which had a lot of interesting machines and tools from the 19th century.
When we got back to the boat, Roy checked the batteries and found that two of them might need to be replaced. He's going to recharge all three tonight and recheck them in the morning.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 1993 - Washington, DC
SNOW!!! Jofian's covered with snow, the land's covered with snow, snowflakes are drifting down from the sky. Beautiful, clean, white snow everywhere. How lovely!
The temperature inside the refrigerator was 38. The temperature inside the main cabin was 36.
The engine didn't turn over when I tried to start it, but Roy managed to start it, and soon we were warm and cozy.
Our anchor had dragged during the night and we were close to another sailboat, so Roy immediately raised the anchor and took off. We ate breakfast underway.
Snow is a lot of fun to walk in, but navigating a boat in it is another matter. Visibility was about a quarter mile. The channel markers are about a mile apart, so we had to stare at the radar screen on the one-mile range until we saw a teensy-weensy little blip, and then steer towards it, hoping it was a buoy and not a rock or something. Without radar, the trip would have been impossible. For once, the numbers on the buoys coincided with the numbers on the chart, which helped tremendously. If they'd been different, as they often are, we wouldn't have known where we were. Even with the right numbers and the radar, the trip was nerve-wracking. The person at the wheel had to keep one eye on the depth-gauge, one eye on the radar screen, one eye on the chart, and one eye peering through the window at what little could be seen. As the snow got thicker, both of us had to be watching.
We thought we were the only ones nutty enough to be on the river in a snowstorm, but suddenly we saw a multi-million-dollar motor yacht coming towards us. The skipper hailed us on VHF. We told him we saw him approaching and would stay on his starboard side. He thanked us and continued on his way down the river.
In spite of the weather, we made good time. By two in the after-
noon, we were approaching Alexandria, about ten miles from Washington. The snow was coming down more and more, so we decided to try to tie up in Alexandria instead of pushing on to Washington.
We saw a sad sight just after we went under the bridge--a car had apparently gone out of control and plunged into the frigid water. A large group of rescue workers were pulling it out of the river. I feel sorry for whoever was in the car; they wouldn't last long in that icy water. What a horrible feeling it must be to have your car speeding towards the river bank and be totally unable to control it!
We pulled up to the first dock we came to. Really lucked out. It was a very nice, new marina with floating docks, good cleats, both 30 and 50-amp electrical outlets, and even a Pumpahead and Pottikleen. (If you don't know what those are for, don't ask.) There were no other boats at the marina, and the wind was blowing in the right direction for once, so it was very easy for us to drift right up to the outside dock and tie up. We were very glad we had waterproof neoprene gloves to keep our hands dry and warm. We were also glad we both had good warm boots to wear in the snow.
The marina, which was very small, was right in front of a very large brick building. We didn't see a marina office, and there weren't any signs. The gate was wide open, so as soon as Jofian was securely tied and the electricity hooked up, we walked towards the brick building. It looked like a college, so we figured everyone would be gone for Christmas vacation, but there might be a maintenance man or security guard around. Suddenly, a door opened and a young couple called to us and invited us in. We hated to track snow on their beautiful floor, but they had the door wide open and kept insisting we come in, so we finally did. Turned out the "college" was a luxury condominium complex. The "marina" belonged to the complex, but the couple said they didn't see any problem with our staying there. They owned one of the slips and said we could move our boat to their slip if we wanted to, but we preferred to stay where we were. They were very nice. Told us where the stores were and said if we needed anything to let them know.
We had a lot of fun walking through the snow. We found the real marina a few blocks away, but it wasn't nearly as nice as the one we were at. Didn't even have floating docks.
Alexandria is a lovely town. Most of the well-paid people who work in Washington live in Alexandria.
We soon found a Safeway. It was small and high-priced but only two blocks from the boat, so we bought a bunch of groceries, returned to the boat, ate supper, and relaxed, all warm, cozy, and safe. We were very glad we had decided to dock in Alexandria instead of trying to push on to Washington.
For several months, we've had occasional problems with the sound on the TV cutting out. We thought we were going to have to take the set in for repairs, but tonight I noticed that the problem occurred when I turned on the fluorescent light in the galley. As soon as I turned the light off, the sound came back. So there's nothing wrong with the TV after all. Roy will replace the lamp, and that should take care of the problem.
The temperature inside the refrigerator was 38. The temperature inside the main cabin was 36.
The engine didn't turn over when I tried to start it, but Roy managed to start it, and soon we were warm and cozy.
Our anchor had dragged during the night and we were close to another sailboat, so Roy immediately raised the anchor and took off. We ate breakfast underway.
Snow is a lot of fun to walk in, but navigating a boat in it is another matter. Visibility was about a quarter mile. The channel markers are about a mile apart, so we had to stare at the radar screen on the one-mile range until we saw a teensy-weensy little blip, and then steer towards it, hoping it was a buoy and not a rock or something. Without radar, the trip would have been impossible. For once, the numbers on the buoys coincided with the numbers on the chart, which helped tremendously. If they'd been different, as they often are, we wouldn't have known where we were. Even with the right numbers and the radar, the trip was nerve-wracking. The person at the wheel had to keep one eye on the depth-gauge, one eye on the radar screen, one eye on the chart, and one eye peering through the window at what little could be seen. As the snow got thicker, both of us had to be watching.
We thought we were the only ones nutty enough to be on the river in a snowstorm, but suddenly we saw a multi-million-dollar motor yacht coming towards us. The skipper hailed us on VHF. We told him we saw him approaching and would stay on his starboard side. He thanked us and continued on his way down the river.
In spite of the weather, we made good time. By two in the after-
noon, we were approaching Alexandria, about ten miles from Washington. The snow was coming down more and more, so we decided to try to tie up in Alexandria instead of pushing on to Washington.
We saw a sad sight just after we went under the bridge--a car had apparently gone out of control and plunged into the frigid water. A large group of rescue workers were pulling it out of the river. I feel sorry for whoever was in the car; they wouldn't last long in that icy water. What a horrible feeling it must be to have your car speeding towards the river bank and be totally unable to control it!
We pulled up to the first dock we came to. Really lucked out. It was a very nice, new marina with floating docks, good cleats, both 30 and 50-amp electrical outlets, and even a Pumpahead and Pottikleen. (If you don't know what those are for, don't ask.) There were no other boats at the marina, and the wind was blowing in the right direction for once, so it was very easy for us to drift right up to the outside dock and tie up. We were very glad we had waterproof neoprene gloves to keep our hands dry and warm. We were also glad we both had good warm boots to wear in the snow.
The marina, which was very small, was right in front of a very large brick building. We didn't see a marina office, and there weren't any signs. The gate was wide open, so as soon as Jofian was securely tied and the electricity hooked up, we walked towards the brick building. It looked like a college, so we figured everyone would be gone for Christmas vacation, but there might be a maintenance man or security guard around. Suddenly, a door opened and a young couple called to us and invited us in. We hated to track snow on their beautiful floor, but they had the door wide open and kept insisting we come in, so we finally did. Turned out the "college" was a luxury condominium complex. The "marina" belonged to the complex, but the couple said they didn't see any problem with our staying there. They owned one of the slips and said we could move our boat to their slip if we wanted to, but we preferred to stay where we were. They were very nice. Told us where the stores were and said if we needed anything to let them know.
We had a lot of fun walking through the snow. We found the real marina a few blocks away, but it wasn't nearly as nice as the one we were at. Didn't even have floating docks.
Alexandria is a lovely town. Most of the well-paid people who work in Washington live in Alexandria.
We soon found a Safeway. It was small and high-priced but only two blocks from the boat, so we bought a bunch of groceries, returned to the boat, ate supper, and relaxed, all warm, cozy, and safe. We were very glad we had decided to dock in Alexandria instead of trying to push on to Washington.
For several months, we've had occasional problems with the sound on the TV cutting out. We thought we were going to have to take the set in for repairs, but tonight I noticed that the problem occurred when I turned on the fluorescent light in the galley. As soon as I turned the light off, the sound came back. So there's nothing wrong with the TV after all. Roy will replace the lamp, and that should take care of the problem.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Monday, December 27, 1993 - Washington, DC
Left at 11. Sweated our way slowly and carefully through the channel, with both of us watching the depth gauge. We made it! What a relief to be back in deep water!
The tide was still coming in, so we zoomed up the river with the current. Made over seven knots all day. Went about 35 miles and dropped anchor near the Quantico Marine Base.
The new inverter works perfectly. Without it, we'd be plenty uncomfortable anchoring out in this weather, but with it, we're fine.
The tide was still coming in, so we zoomed up the river with the current. Made over seven knots all day. Went about 35 miles and dropped anchor near the Quantico Marine Base.
The new inverter works perfectly. Without it, we'd be plenty uncomfortable anchoring out in this weather, but with it, we're fine.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Sunday, December 26, 1993 - Colonial Beach
The wind blew pretty hard most of the day, but it was a lovely, clear, sunny day. Cold though. Temperature in the 20's. Wind chill brought it down to about zero. No snow here as yet.
I put on my winter coat and walked to the grocery store again. This time, I walked along the beach and boardwalk. Great view of the river. This must be a popular place in the summer.
The grocery store had great prices. It was hard to resist stocking up, but I hadn't brought the wagon, so I could only buy as much as I could carry. In fact, just barely made it back with all the stuff I bought. Radioed Roy again, and he came out and let me in.
There are a couple of other people here at the marina. They came by and said hello when we were eating lunch.
In the afternoon, it was Roy's turn to go for a walk, so I stayed on the boat. Updated the log and plotted our course up the river to Washington.
Perhaps I should explain at this point that it's about thirty miles from Baltimore to Washington, D.C., by land. We could have stayed in Baltimore another day and taken the Metro (subway) to Washington. On an express train, it probably would have taken about half an hour. But by boat, we had to go seventy or eighty miles down Chesapeake Bay to the Potomac River, and then another sixty or seventy miles up the river to Washington. Look on the map and you'll see what I mean. Even without the delay caused by the gale, it would have taken us at least four days to reach Washington by boat. And then, of course, it will take two more days to get back down the Potomac to Chesapeake Bay. But that's what cruising's all about.
When we checked the tide tables, we made the disconcerting discovery that we had come in during an exceptionally high tide. This means we might not be able to get out. We went through areas where the water was less than six feet deep. If the tide is a few inches lower going out, we'll go aground. But we have no choice but to try. High tide tomorrow is at 12:50, so we'll leave around 11:00. That way, if we go aground, we'll have a chance of floating free as the tide comes in.
I put on my winter coat and walked to the grocery store again. This time, I walked along the beach and boardwalk. Great view of the river. This must be a popular place in the summer.
The grocery store had great prices. It was hard to resist stocking up, but I hadn't brought the wagon, so I could only buy as much as I could carry. In fact, just barely made it back with all the stuff I bought. Radioed Roy again, and he came out and let me in.
There are a couple of other people here at the marina. They came by and said hello when we were eating lunch.
In the afternoon, it was Roy's turn to go for a walk, so I stayed on the boat. Updated the log and plotted our course up the river to Washington.
Perhaps I should explain at this point that it's about thirty miles from Baltimore to Washington, D.C., by land. We could have stayed in Baltimore another day and taken the Metro (subway) to Washington. On an express train, it probably would have taken about half an hour. But by boat, we had to go seventy or eighty miles down Chesapeake Bay to the Potomac River, and then another sixty or seventy miles up the river to Washington. Look on the map and you'll see what I mean. Even without the delay caused by the gale, it would have taken us at least four days to reach Washington by boat. And then, of course, it will take two more days to get back down the Potomac to Chesapeake Bay. But that's what cruising's all about.
When we checked the tide tables, we made the disconcerting discovery that we had come in during an exceptionally high tide. This means we might not be able to get out. We went through areas where the water was less than six feet deep. If the tide is a few inches lower going out, we'll go aground. But we have no choice but to try. High tide tomorrow is at 12:50, so we'll leave around 11:00. That way, if we go aground, we'll have a chance of floating free as the tide comes in.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Saturday, December 25, 1993
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
A few weeks ago, Roy and I agreed not to give each other Christmas presents, but he broke the agreement and got me a couple of presents, so then I got him a present. We gave each other our presents as we motored north on the Potomac this morning, with Maryland on our right and Virginia on our left. Roy gave me a clever coin bank. As soon as you put a coin into it, the coin disappears. (That's nothing new; I've been doing that with my bank account for years.) He also gave me a spray container of hot pepper for self-defense. I gave him a bag of cashews. Roy also gave the Jofian a new electric heater, one of the expensive ceramic kind.
The wind began picking up in the early afternoon, so we headed for a marina at Colonial Beach. Roy had to feel his way into it very slowly and carefully. We couldn't see the channel markers until we were almost up to them, and the narrow harbor entrance was even more difficult to see. The water was about eight feet deep most of the way. Eventually, we got inside and tied up next to the fuel dock. However, the marina office is closed for the holidays and won't open until January 3rd, so we weren't able to pay or get a gate key. This meant only one of us could go out at a time. I took the hand-held VHF radio with me and walked to the grocery store, about two or three miles away, but it was closed. When I got back, I called Roy on channel 78, and he came out and let me in.
A few weeks ago, Roy and I agreed not to give each other Christmas presents, but he broke the agreement and got me a couple of presents, so then I got him a present. We gave each other our presents as we motored north on the Potomac this morning, with Maryland on our right and Virginia on our left. Roy gave me a clever coin bank. As soon as you put a coin into it, the coin disappears. (That's nothing new; I've been doing that with my bank account for years.) He also gave me a spray container of hot pepper for self-defense. I gave him a bag of cashews. Roy also gave the Jofian a new electric heater, one of the expensive ceramic kind.
The wind began picking up in the early afternoon, so we headed for a marina at Colonial Beach. Roy had to feel his way into it very slowly and carefully. We couldn't see the channel markers until we were almost up to them, and the narrow harbor entrance was even more difficult to see. The water was about eight feet deep most of the way. Eventually, we got inside and tied up next to the fuel dock. However, the marina office is closed for the holidays and won't open until January 3rd, so we weren't able to pay or get a gate key. This meant only one of us could go out at a time. I took the hand-held VHF radio with me and walked to the grocery store, about two or three miles away, but it was closed. When I got back, I called Roy on channel 78, and he came out and let me in.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Friday, December 24, 1993 - Potomac River
We have two thermometers in the galley, one for the temperature in the main cabin, and one for the temperature inside the refrigerator. When I got up this morning, both thermometers read the same. But Roy soon popped up and started the engine, sending engine heat into the cabin.
Left around eight. Unfortunately, the wind was against us and kept getting stronger. By afternoon, it had slowed us down so much that we didn't think we had a chance of reaching the mouth of the Potomac today, but we went in closer to land, where it's calmer, and picked up speed. Entered the mouth of the Potomac shortly after sunset and anchored off the Virginia shore.
A gale's predicted for tomorrow night, so we'll have to find a marina by early afternoon.
Left around eight. Unfortunately, the wind was against us and kept getting stronger. By afternoon, it had slowed us down so much that we didn't think we had a chance of reaching the mouth of the Potomac today, but we went in closer to land, where it's calmer, and picked up speed. Entered the mouth of the Potomac shortly after sunset and anchored off the Virginia shore.
A gale's predicted for tomorrow night, so we'll have to find a marina by early afternoon.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 1993 - Randle Cliff Beach
Totally calm this morning. Temperature in the 20's. Snow predicted.
Roy found a water outlet and filled the tank. I left the candy on the office doorstep. We cast off the lines and departed.
Twenty minutes later, we were heading down the channel on our way out of the harbor. A big automobile ship was ahead of us, being pushed by two tugboats. The bow was so wide that Roy thought he was looking at the stern, but I could see that the bows of the tugboats were headed towards us. We looked through our binoculars. Sure enough, the ship was coming in our direction, fast. Roy maneuvered to avoid it. We both assumed it would turn towards our left, but instead it was going to our right and we were crossing its bow. It was HUGE! We were both staring at it in fascination. I had just said, "That's as close as I ever want to come to a ship that size," when we were practically knocked off our feet by a tremendous jar and loud scraping noise. We both thought we had hit a submerged object, maybe a rock or sunken ship. Then we looked and were shocked to see we had run smack into a five-ton metal buoy! Hit it square on. Couldn't have hit it more directly in the center if we'd been aiming for it. We immediately turned around and headed back to the dock to check the damage. A sizable chunk of wood had been knocked out of the prow above the water line, but the hole didn't go through. Roy patched it up, and we left again, kicking ourselves for not watching where we were going, but also thankful it hadn't been a lot worse.
The rest of the day was mercifully without incident. We motored south until dark and then dropped anchor a quarter mile off Randle Cliff Beach.
Roy found a water outlet and filled the tank. I left the candy on the office doorstep. We cast off the lines and departed.
Twenty minutes later, we were heading down the channel on our way out of the harbor. A big automobile ship was ahead of us, being pushed by two tugboats. The bow was so wide that Roy thought he was looking at the stern, but I could see that the bows of the tugboats were headed towards us. We looked through our binoculars. Sure enough, the ship was coming in our direction, fast. Roy maneuvered to avoid it. We both assumed it would turn towards our left, but instead it was going to our right and we were crossing its bow. It was HUGE! We were both staring at it in fascination. I had just said, "That's as close as I ever want to come to a ship that size," when we were practically knocked off our feet by a tremendous jar and loud scraping noise. We both thought we had hit a submerged object, maybe a rock or sunken ship. Then we looked and were shocked to see we had run smack into a five-ton metal buoy! Hit it square on. Couldn't have hit it more directly in the center if we'd been aiming for it. We immediately turned around and headed back to the dock to check the damage. A sizable chunk of wood had been knocked out of the prow above the water line, but the hole didn't go through. Roy patched it up, and we left again, kicking ourselves for not watching where we were going, but also thankful it hadn't been a lot worse.
The rest of the day was mercifully without incident. We motored south until dark and then dropped anchor a quarter mile off Randle Cliff Beach.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 1993 - Baltimore
The wind kept howling most of the day, so we stayed tied to the dock. Plotted our course, typed the log, and other miscellaneous things.
Roy wanted to get another electrical junction box. I knew where there was a hardware store, so we went for a walk. Roy told me he had seen another laundromat and would show me where it was. We walked through the waterside park. Admired the Korean War Memorial, which was beautifully done. A few roundabout blocks later, we came to the laundromat Roy had seen. It turned out to be the same one I had gone to last summer.
Finally found the hardware store. It was closed Wednesdays. That figures.
Walked around a few more blocks looking for another hardware store but didn't find one. Roy decided he didn't need the box after all.
We disagreed as to the best way to return to the marina, so Roy went his way and I went mine. He got there a couple of minutes ahead of me.
Harriet, the marina manager, had been so nice to us that we bought her a box of candy for Christmas, but she wasn't in the office all day.
Roy wanted to get another electrical junction box. I knew where there was a hardware store, so we went for a walk. Roy told me he had seen another laundromat and would show me where it was. We walked through the waterside park. Admired the Korean War Memorial, which was beautifully done. A few roundabout blocks later, we came to the laundromat Roy had seen. It turned out to be the same one I had gone to last summer.
Finally found the hardware store. It was closed Wednesdays. That figures.
Walked around a few more blocks looking for another hardware store but didn't find one. Roy decided he didn't need the box after all.
We disagreed as to the best way to return to the marina, so Roy went his way and I went mine. He got there a couple of minutes ahead of me.
Harriet, the marina manager, had been so nice to us that we bought her a box of candy for Christmas, but she wasn't in the office all day.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 1993 - Baltimore
Blowing like crazy today. We mailed all the rest of the Christmas presents. To my joy, my mail was waiting for me in General Delivery. Was I glad to get it!
Took advantage of this extra day in Baltimore to go to the local Kaiser clinic to have my eyelids checked. They've had strange little sores and encrustations for several weeks. They come and go. This is the closest we'll be to a Kaiser clinic for a long, long time. I phoned the advice nurse, and she said it would be a good idea to get them checked, but first I had to call the number she gave me to get a Maryland Kaiser ID number. That took a while, because I had to listen to several recorded messages and a lot of music. When I finally got the ID number, I had to phone the advice nurse back for an appointment. The appointment was for 2:10, so I had plenty of time, and I knew right where the clinic was, so I thought it would be easy to get to, but when I reached the building, the door was locked and a sign said to use the Charles Street entrance. I went to what I thought was Charles Street, but the only entrance I saw was to a bank. Went in there and was told I had to go back out, turn left, and go up the steps. Did all that but only found another locked door. Went back down the steps and out to another street. Saw another bank entrance, so I went in there. The security guard told me to go back out, turn left, cross two drive-ways, and go up the stairs where the sign said "Johns Hopkins". Did all that and found another locked door! But I also saw a sign that said "Kaiser Permanente" and another sign by a telephone saying to dial 001. Did so, and the man who answered unlocked the door. Went in and was stopped by a security guard. I told her where I was going, and she had me sign in. Never in all my life have I seen a Kaiser that was so hard to get into! When I finally got there, the doctor was very nice. He examined my eyelids, said it was a minor infection, and gave me some medication.
Now that all the essentials have been taken care of, we hope the wind calms down tomorrow so we can get out of here. We want to go to Washington, D.C., next.
Took advantage of this extra day in Baltimore to go to the local Kaiser clinic to have my eyelids checked. They've had strange little sores and encrustations for several weeks. They come and go. This is the closest we'll be to a Kaiser clinic for a long, long time. I phoned the advice nurse, and she said it would be a good idea to get them checked, but first I had to call the number she gave me to get a Maryland Kaiser ID number. That took a while, because I had to listen to several recorded messages and a lot of music. When I finally got the ID number, I had to phone the advice nurse back for an appointment. The appointment was for 2:10, so I had plenty of time, and I knew right where the clinic was, so I thought it would be easy to get to, but when I reached the building, the door was locked and a sign said to use the Charles Street entrance. I went to what I thought was Charles Street, but the only entrance I saw was to a bank. Went in there and was told I had to go back out, turn left, and go up the steps. Did all that but only found another locked door. Went back down the steps and out to another street. Saw another bank entrance, so I went in there. The security guard told me to go back out, turn left, cross two drive-ways, and go up the stairs where the sign said "Johns Hopkins". Did all that and found another locked door! But I also saw a sign that said "Kaiser Permanente" and another sign by a telephone saying to dial 001. Did so, and the man who answered unlocked the door. Went in and was stopped by a security guard. I told her where I was going, and she had me sign in. Never in all my life have I seen a Kaiser that was so hard to get into! When I finally got there, the doctor was very nice. He examined my eyelids, said it was a minor infection, and gave me some medication.
Now that all the essentials have been taken care of, we hope the wind calms down tomorrow so we can get out of here. We want to go to Washington, D.C., next.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Monday, December 20, 1993 - Baltimore
Went back to the photo place with the reprints that hadn't come out clearly. They redid them, and I picked them up at one. Now they look even better than the originals.
Mailed a bunch of packages and checked for my mail in General Delivery, but it still hadn't come in. I was taken aback to learn that, despite all their "Two-Day Delivery" ads, the Post Office does not guarantee Priority Mail will be delivered in two days or three days or ten days or twenty days. The only delivery it guarantees is Express Mail. Sure hope my mail's here tomorrow, so we can leave Wednesday.
Roy mounted the rest of the pictures in the logs and wrapped them. Now we're all set to mail everything in the morning.
A winter storm is predicted for tomorrow, so we wouldn't be able to get out of here anyway.
Mailed a bunch of packages and checked for my mail in General Delivery, but it still hadn't come in. I was taken aback to learn that, despite all their "Two-Day Delivery" ads, the Post Office does not guarantee Priority Mail will be delivered in two days or three days or ten days or twenty days. The only delivery it guarantees is Express Mail. Sure hope my mail's here tomorrow, so we can leave Wednesday.
Roy mounted the rest of the pictures in the logs and wrapped them. Now we're all set to mail everything in the morning.
A winter storm is predicted for tomorrow, so we wouldn't be able to get out of here anyway.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Sunday, December 19, 1993 - Baltimore
Finally a day when we didn't have to go anywhere. Roy spent nearly the entire day mounting photos in the logs. I went to the drugstore a couple of times to buy wrapping paper and stuff. Wrapped the presents I bought yesterday. Tomorrow, a lot of the presents will be ready to take to the Post Office.
Tried to phone Linda at eleven as I'd promised, but there wasn't any answer. Tried again at twelve and one. I was getting worried that maybe she or Gina had gotten so sick they'd had to go to the hospital. Fortunately, when I called at four, they picked up the phone, but just by coincidence. Their phone hadn't rung. Must be something wrong with its ringer. Of course, by then it was too late to get together for lunch. Gina's feeling fine now, and Linda's well enough to go back to work tomorrow, so it looks as if we won't have an opportunity to get together.
Phoned Kathy and found out she sent my mail Wednesday by Priority Mail, so it should be here by tomorrow at the latest. All is well with her and Brian. She got a raise and a good Christmas bonus. That's the way to start the New Year!
Tried to phone Linda at eleven as I'd promised, but there wasn't any answer. Tried again at twelve and one. I was getting worried that maybe she or Gina had gotten so sick they'd had to go to the hospital. Fortunately, when I called at four, they picked up the phone, but just by coincidence. Their phone hadn't rung. Must be something wrong with its ringer. Of course, by then it was too late to get together for lunch. Gina's feeling fine now, and Linda's well enough to go back to work tomorrow, so it looks as if we won't have an opportunity to get together.
Phoned Kathy and found out she sent my mail Wednesday by Priority Mail, so it should be here by tomorrow at the latest. All is well with her and Brian. She got a raise and a good Christmas bonus. That's the way to start the New Year!
Saturday, December 18, 1993 - Baltimore
Woke up to the stunning realization that Christmas is one week from today! Yikes!
Harriet, the marina manager, very kindly drove us over to the shop to get the generator. Would you believe the choke had been put in backwards at the factory! It works fine now.
Roy is sending out copies of the log for Christmas presents and wants pictures to put in them, so I went downtown on the bus while Roy continued working on the wiring. Left the negatives at a one-hour developing place, ate lunch, and took a bus to a mall. Did all my Christmas shopping in thirty minutes flat. Should make the Guiness Book of Records. (Actually, it wasn't all that great, since I just bought gifts for the children. Grownups don't need Christmas presents. Especially me.)
Returned to downtown and went to the Post Office. Still no mail. Got to the photo place minutes before they closed. They'd already lowered the metal gate, but they let me in. Got the reprints and returned to the boat. Most of the prints came out fine, but some were blurry, so I'll have to take them back tomorrow or Monday.
Roy has installed the new inverter in a way that makes it impossible to use when we're connected to shore power. He's also put an outlet by the microwave and toaster ovens, so it will be easy to use them. He tested the inverter, and it worked even better than the others.
Harriet, the marina manager, very kindly drove us over to the shop to get the generator. Would you believe the choke had been put in backwards at the factory! It works fine now.
Roy is sending out copies of the log for Christmas presents and wants pictures to put in them, so I went downtown on the bus while Roy continued working on the wiring. Left the negatives at a one-hour developing place, ate lunch, and took a bus to a mall. Did all my Christmas shopping in thirty minutes flat. Should make the Guiness Book of Records. (Actually, it wasn't all that great, since I just bought gifts for the children. Grownups don't need Christmas presents. Especially me.)
Returned to downtown and went to the Post Office. Still no mail. Got to the photo place minutes before they closed. They'd already lowered the metal gate, but they let me in. Got the reprints and returned to the boat. Most of the prints came out fine, but some were blurry, so I'll have to take them back tomorrow or Monday.
Roy has installed the new inverter in a way that makes it impossible to use when we're connected to shore power. He's also put an outlet by the microwave and toaster ovens, so it will be easy to use them. He tested the inverter, and it worked even better than the others.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Friday, December 17, 1993 - Baltimore
We didn't have to return the car until 10:30, so we took the generator to a shop to get it repaired under the warranty. Had a lot of fun finding the place. Got hopelessly lost more than once. Ended up at the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Asked a police officer how to get to Avon Avenue. To our surprise, he led us over there! It's easy when you know where it is.
Left the generator and then went looking for a homeless shelter to donate a blanket and some warm clothes. They accepted the blanket but refused the clothes, so we gave them to Goodwill. Filled the tank with gas and returned the car.
Walked over to the Post Office to see if my mail had arrived. It hadn't. Ate a bowl of soup at a nearby McDonald's and then tried to get to Boat U.S. by bus. We had gone there last August, and I thought I knew which bus to take, but we ended up at the Titanium Mall. Phoned Boat U.S. and got their address. They said we should take bus #3. We asked a bus driver, and he took us to the transfer point. We eventually reached Boat U.S. There's a Sizzler right across the street, so we ate lunch first. It was really disappointing after that great meal at the Ponderosa yesterday.
There was a Radio Shack nearby, so we went there for a printer ribbon, but they didn't have the one I needed. Went to Boat U.S. and bought a few things. They actually had the type of fender we needed! We've been looking for years but couldn't find the right type and size. One of our old fenders won't hold air any more, so we needed a replacement. We'd have bought two if they'd had them, but they only had one, so we got it. Roy also found the electrical junction box he needed to complete the wiring for the new inverter.
When we got back to the marina, I phoned Linda. Unfortunately, she and Gina are both sick with the flu, so we might not get to see them while we're here. I'll phone her again Sunday morning and see how they're feeling.
I'd tried to phone Dave Fulford at work two or three times, but he wasn't there. Tried to phone him at home this evening, but was told he was in Pennsylvania for the weekend. They gave me a number to call there, but when I tried it, there was no answer, so I guess we don't get to see Dave either.
Left the generator and then went looking for a homeless shelter to donate a blanket and some warm clothes. They accepted the blanket but refused the clothes, so we gave them to Goodwill. Filled the tank with gas and returned the car.
Walked over to the Post Office to see if my mail had arrived. It hadn't. Ate a bowl of soup at a nearby McDonald's and then tried to get to Boat U.S. by bus. We had gone there last August, and I thought I knew which bus to take, but we ended up at the Titanium Mall. Phoned Boat U.S. and got their address. They said we should take bus #3. We asked a bus driver, and he took us to the transfer point. We eventually reached Boat U.S. There's a Sizzler right across the street, so we ate lunch first. It was really disappointing after that great meal at the Ponderosa yesterday.
There was a Radio Shack nearby, so we went there for a printer ribbon, but they didn't have the one I needed. Went to Boat U.S. and bought a few things. They actually had the type of fender we needed! We've been looking for years but couldn't find the right type and size. One of our old fenders won't hold air any more, so we needed a replacement. We'd have bought two if they'd had them, but they only had one, so we got it. Roy also found the electrical junction box he needed to complete the wiring for the new inverter.
When we got back to the marina, I phoned Linda. Unfortunately, she and Gina are both sick with the flu, so we might not get to see them while we're here. I'll phone her again Sunday morning and see how they're feeling.
I'd tried to phone Dave Fulford at work two or three times, but he wasn't there. Tried to phone him at home this evening, but was told he was in Pennsylvania for the weekend. They gave me a number to call there, but when I tried it, there was no answer, so I guess we don't get to see Dave either.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Thursday, December 16, 1993 - Baltimore
Our major project today was to get the Jofian registered in Delaware. The Greyhound charged about $33 apiece and took four to six hours, so it was cheaper, faster, and more convenient to rent a car. Went downtown on the bus and rented a small, comfortable car from Avis. Got lost finding the highway to Annapolis, but finally got on it. Just before Annapolis, we took the bridge across the bay that we had sailed under several times. It's five miles long, and the toll is $2.50.
Enjoyed the drive through the country. Had no problem finding Dover, but then we couldn't find the state buildings. I inquired at a drugstore, but the woman sent us in the wrong direction. We soon realized we were going wrong, so we turned around, and soon saw signs directing us to the capitol. Pulled into the first parking lot we came to, walked across the street, and found out it was just a short walk to the Department of Fish and Wildlife, where you get boat registrations, so we walked over there. Again, we were afraid they'd take our applications and mail the registration in six weeks or so, but once more we were pleasantly surprised. All the registration papers were issued on the spot. What a relief to get that done!
When we'd been driving the wrong way, Roy had noticed a restaurant that advertised an all-you-can-eat buffet for $4.99, so we went over there. Boy, was it good! Much better than Sizzler. They had lots of hot vegetables and chicken and meatballs and salads and soup and fruit and all kinds of desserts. We ate enough for both lunch and supper.
By the time we got back to Annapolis, it was dark, but by some miracle I drove right to West Marine as if I'd known where I was going. They exchanged the inverter on the spot, no static.
We returned to Baltimore happy with a highly successful day. Even stopped at Safeway on the way and stocked up with heavy groceries. A car comes in handy once in a while.
Enjoyed the drive through the country. Had no problem finding Dover, but then we couldn't find the state buildings. I inquired at a drugstore, but the woman sent us in the wrong direction. We soon realized we were going wrong, so we turned around, and soon saw signs directing us to the capitol. Pulled into the first parking lot we came to, walked across the street, and found out it was just a short walk to the Department of Fish and Wildlife, where you get boat registrations, so we walked over there. Again, we were afraid they'd take our applications and mail the registration in six weeks or so, but once more we were pleasantly surprised. All the registration papers were issued on the spot. What a relief to get that done!
When we'd been driving the wrong way, Roy had noticed a restaurant that advertised an all-you-can-eat buffet for $4.99, so we went over there. Boy, was it good! Much better than Sizzler. They had lots of hot vegetables and chicken and meatballs and salads and soup and fruit and all kinds of desserts. We ate enough for both lunch and supper.
By the time we got back to Annapolis, it was dark, but by some miracle I drove right to West Marine as if I'd known where I was going. They exchanged the inverter on the spot, no static.
We returned to Baltimore happy with a highly successful day. Even stopped at Safeway on the way and stocked up with heavy groceries. A car comes in handy once in a while.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 1993 - Baltimore
The nearest West Marine is in Annapolis. We can get there by bus, so we set out today. Since we don't have a map of the entire transit system, it was difficult to figure out the best way to get to the bus that goes to Annapolis. We ended up going way out of our way, but at least we were able to get home the short way. A combination of buses and light rail is required. The light rail is really nice. Clean and quiet. We were puzzled by the rails, which don't have any gaps in them. They look like one solid piece, miles long. We kept wondering how they did it.
It took about three hours to get to Annapolis, but only cost 95 cents each. It was raining and we were hungry, so we went to a Burger King for lunch. We didn't know where West Marine was located, so while Roy was exploring another marine-supply store, I phoned to find out how to get to West Marine. Before going there, Roy wanted to go to another marine-electronics store to see what they had in the way of sonars. All they had were the fish-finder type that looks more down than forward. By the time we got out of that store, it was three o'clock, and the bus to Baltimore left at 3:20, so even though we had gone to Annapolis primarily to go to West Marine, we returned to Baltimore without going there. But now I know how to get to their store.
It took about three hours to get to Annapolis, but only cost 95 cents each. It was raining and we were hungry, so we went to a Burger King for lunch. We didn't know where West Marine was located, so while Roy was exploring another marine-supply store, I phoned to find out how to get to West Marine. Before going there, Roy wanted to go to another marine-electronics store to see what they had in the way of sonars. All they had were the fish-finder type that looks more down than forward. By the time we got out of that store, it was three o'clock, and the bus to Baltimore left at 3:20, so even though we had gone to Annapolis primarily to go to West Marine, we returned to Baltimore without going there. But now I know how to get to their store.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 1993 - Baltimore
Signed up and paid $75 for a week. Harriet, the manager, remembered us. She advised us to move to a slip closer in, so we'd have better protection from the wind. We agreed to do so.
Took a bus downtown to the MTA terminal so we could get Senior ID cards. The regular busfare here is $1.25, but with a Senior ID it's only 45 cents. Some of the drivers insist on seeing the card, and some don't. We didn't get cards last August, so sometimes we had to pay full fare. This time, we wanted to get the cards first thing. We were afraid they might just take our application and mail us the cards in a month or something, but to our pleased surprise, they took our pictures and issued the cards on the spot. And there wasn't even any charge! We picked up a bunch of schedules while we were there, too.
Walked a couple of blocks to the waterfront and ate lunch. Then we walked around to the marine electronics store on the point to see if they carried the ProWatt 800 inverter. They didn't, but while we were there, we inquired about forward-looking sonars. They have the new one that's made in England and that we had been wanting ever since we first read about it in Latitude 38. It shows you what's in front of the boat, up to 90 feet or more. It would keep us from hitting submerged rocks, going aground in the ICW, and crashing into reefs. If we'd had one last summer, we wouldn't have landed on those cement blocks in Wilmington. Only trouble is, it's designed for flat-
bottomed power boats, not for sailboats. It would work, but not as well. We're going to look around and see if we can find anything better.
Reached Linda and Gina on the phone. They're very busy this week, so I'll try phoning again Friday evening. Tried to call Dave again, but he wasn't in.
Took a bus downtown to the MTA terminal so we could get Senior ID cards. The regular busfare here is $1.25, but with a Senior ID it's only 45 cents. Some of the drivers insist on seeing the card, and some don't. We didn't get cards last August, so sometimes we had to pay full fare. This time, we wanted to get the cards first thing. We were afraid they might just take our application and mail us the cards in a month or something, but to our pleased surprise, they took our pictures and issued the cards on the spot. And there wasn't even any charge! We picked up a bunch of schedules while we were there, too.
Walked a couple of blocks to the waterfront and ate lunch. Then we walked around to the marine electronics store on the point to see if they carried the ProWatt 800 inverter. They didn't, but while we were there, we inquired about forward-looking sonars. They have the new one that's made in England and that we had been wanting ever since we first read about it in Latitude 38. It shows you what's in front of the boat, up to 90 feet or more. It would keep us from hitting submerged rocks, going aground in the ICW, and crashing into reefs. If we'd had one last summer, we wouldn't have landed on those cement blocks in Wilmington. Only trouble is, it's designed for flat-
bottomed power boats, not for sailboats. It would work, but not as well. We're going to look around and see if we can find anything better.
Reached Linda and Gina on the phone. They're very busy this week, so I'll try phoning again Friday evening. Tried to call Dave again, but he wasn't in.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Monday, December 13, 1993 - Baltimore
The wind finally calmed down, and the water came up about a foot, so we were only two feet deep in the mud this morning. There are no channel markers, so Roy wanted to hire someone with local knowledge to guide us out of here. We went over to the office to pay for last night and to see if we could find a pilot. To our surprise, they didn't charge us for last night. A man came in who knew the area thoroughly and had a tow boat. He agreed to lead us out, so we immediately untied the Jofian and plowed through the mud, carefully following the tow boat. It was a close call, but we made it. The man didn't ask for any money, but we gave him $20 anyway. He was well worth it.
What a relief to be back on the bay! The wind was in our favor, so we zoomed along at seven knots and reached Baltimore by 2:30. Went directly to the Lighthouse Marina and tied up in the same slip we had been in last summer. How good to be back in familiar territory!
The office is closed on Mondays, so we can't register until tomorrow, but the maintenance man remembered us and told us the combinations to the gate and the restroom.
Walked over to the grocery store and bought a bunch of stuff. Tried to phone Linda and Dave Fulford, but neither one was in. Took good hot showers and relaxed.
What a relief to be back on the bay! The wind was in our favor, so we zoomed along at seven knots and reached Baltimore by 2:30. Went directly to the Lighthouse Marina and tied up in the same slip we had been in last summer. How good to be back in familiar territory!
The office is closed on Mondays, so we can't register until tomorrow, but the maintenance man remembered us and told us the combinations to the gate and the restroom.
Walked over to the grocery store and bought a bunch of stuff. Tried to phone Linda and Dave Fulford, but neither one was in. Took good hot showers and relaxed.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 1993 - Worton Cove
The wind kept roaring all night long, gusting 40 to 50 knots! I hate to think what it must be like on the bay or out on the ocean if it's this strong in a sheltered cove. The water keeps rushing by and getting lower. We're three feet deep in the mud now and wondering if we'll ever get out. The temperature is in the 20's. Jofian's stern is covered with icicles! Great big icicles. SALT water icicles.
Lucky we have plenty of warm clothes. I'm wearing a full suit of thermal underwear, heavy socks, a long-sleeved top, blue jeans, a sweatshirt, and over all that, an extra-warm, hooded sweatshirt that my daughter Diane gave me for Christmas. And that's just for INdoors. When I go out, I put on my fur-lined boots, hooded down coat, warm wool scarf that Ileta gave me, and fur-lined gloves. Let the blizzards rage! I'm ready. And Roy is dressed similarly.
The boat has dropped down so far that one of the dock lines was pulling against a lifeline. We were afraid the weight of the boat would break the lifeline, so we attached two more lines to the boat and then cut the line that was pulling the lifeline. It was stretched too taut to untie it.
Actually, being in the mud is an advantage while the wind is blowing. It keeps the boat from bouncing around and rubbing against the dock. The only problem is, we're not sure how long it will take for the water to rise so we can get out of here. Right now, we're so deep in the mud, we can't even turn the steering wheel.
The owner of the marina is very nice. He came by to make sure we were ok, and even offered to lend us his station wagon to go to the store in Chestertown, about twelve miles away. We told him we'd accept tomorrow if we're unable to get out of here.
Roy spent most of the day working on the boat. I took a little walk to get some fresh air and exercise. I was surprised by the number of streets and houses in the area; I had thought we were way out in the country.
Passed several houses where there were unfriendly dogs. One was especially menacing. He looked ugly and mean. He kept running towards me, barking and growling. I kept yelling, "Stay!" and backing slowly away. After five or ten uncomfortable minutes, during which I half expected to have a chunk taken out of me, he finally realized I was outside his turf, so he turned around and went home. What a relief!
Lucky we have plenty of warm clothes. I'm wearing a full suit of thermal underwear, heavy socks, a long-sleeved top, blue jeans, a sweatshirt, and over all that, an extra-warm, hooded sweatshirt that my daughter Diane gave me for Christmas. And that's just for INdoors. When I go out, I put on my fur-lined boots, hooded down coat, warm wool scarf that Ileta gave me, and fur-lined gloves. Let the blizzards rage! I'm ready. And Roy is dressed similarly.
The boat has dropped down so far that one of the dock lines was pulling against a lifeline. We were afraid the weight of the boat would break the lifeline, so we attached two more lines to the boat and then cut the line that was pulling the lifeline. It was stretched too taut to untie it.
Actually, being in the mud is an advantage while the wind is blowing. It keeps the boat from bouncing around and rubbing against the dock. The only problem is, we're not sure how long it will take for the water to rise so we can get out of here. Right now, we're so deep in the mud, we can't even turn the steering wheel.
The owner of the marina is very nice. He came by to make sure we were ok, and even offered to lend us his station wagon to go to the store in Chestertown, about twelve miles away. We told him we'd accept tomorrow if we're unable to get out of here.
Roy spent most of the day working on the boat. I took a little walk to get some fresh air and exercise. I was surprised by the number of streets and houses in the area; I had thought we were way out in the country.
Passed several houses where there were unfriendly dogs. One was especially menacing. He looked ugly and mean. He kept running towards me, barking and growling. I kept yelling, "Stay!" and backing slowly away. After five or ten uncomfortable minutes, during which I half expected to have a chunk taken out of me, he finally realized I was outside his turf, so he turned around and went home. What a relief!
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Saturday, December 11, 1993 - Worton Cove
The wind keeps howling more and more. It's right out of the north, bringing arctic cold and possible snow flurries. The tide's gone out so far that Jofian's keel is two feet deep in the mud, and we have to climb UP to get to the dock. Worse, the marina owner told Roy that the tide will never come back in as long as the wind is blowing from the north; the wind is blowing the water right out of the bay. So here we sit until the wind shifts to the south. This isn't exactly where we planned on spending the winter, but it could be worse. At least we're protected from big waves, we have electricity to keep us warm and cook our meals, there's a laundry here at the marina, and there's a grocery store within walking distance.
For some time, we've been aware of a leak, but we didn't know where it was. We noticed the bilge pump coming on more and more frequently, especially when we were under way with the engine running. Now that Roy has time to work on the boat, he's found the leak. There's a small hole in one of the pipes of the wet exhaust system. When the engine's running, salt water is pumped in to cool the fresh water that cools the engine. Then the salt water is expelled through the wet exhaust system, but it was squirting through the hole into the boat. That's how the parts and stuff got wet. Of course, the salt water eventually flowed down into the bilge and was pumped out by the bilge pump. Roy had to take all the crates and what-not out of the compartment on the port side of the cockpit in order to get at the pipe. The marine supply store here at the marina was closed for the weekend, but luckily the owner came by and sold Roy the pieces of pipe he needed to make the repair. It was an all-day job, but now we don't have to worry about the leak any more.
While Roy was working on that, I put on my warm winter coat and walked back to the grocery store. Found out why we'd had a problem with the directions yesterday; we'd taken the little road over the hill instead of the road along the creek, which wound around and eventually came to the highway. If we'd gone that way, the first stop sign we would have come to would have been at the highway, and then we'd have turned right and seen the store ahead of us, as we'd been told. That's the way I went today, except when I got to the highway, I turned to the left to go to Hanesville, thinking there might be a larger store there. The first store I came to turned out to be a taxidermy shop, so I went in and asked if there was a grocery store nearby. They told me there was one WAY down the road, so I decided to go back to the little store in Melitota. It had enough stuff to get us by, even though it didn't have everything we needed.
Two friendly doggies had followed me all the way from the marina. I kept telling them to go home, but they ignored me. I was afraid one of them might get hit by a car on the highway, and then I'd feel responsible. Also, one of the doggies was lame, and I was afraid he'd get too tired hobbling along to make it back home. When I came out of the grocery store, they had disappeared. I hoped they had gone home, but as I was walking down Buck Neck Road, the black doggie came running out of the woods. There was no sign of Lamey, so then I was really worried. Had he collapsed in the woods and was unable to go farther?
The wind was blowing so hard, even the geese were grounded. I passed a field where at least a thousand geese were standing around, waiting for the wind to die down. As I passed, the geese suddenly flew up into the sky, honking and squawking. I wondered why they would be so afraid of me, but then I saw Lamey and another dog out in the middle of the field, and I knew what had scared the geese. As soon as Lamey saw me, he came hobbling over. I was very glad to see him. He was tired, but managed to make it home. Blacky, too.
Took the dirty clothes up to the laundry room and started them washing. Went back to the boat and ate lunch. After lunch, I went up and put the clothes in the dryer. This is the handiest laundry we've had in a long time.
The wind keeps blowing harder and harder, and the water keeps getting lower and lower. It's so strange to look UP at the dock. The wind is supposed to start calming down tomorrow, but there's no telling how long it will take for the tide to come back in.
For some time, we've been aware of a leak, but we didn't know where it was. We noticed the bilge pump coming on more and more frequently, especially when we were under way with the engine running. Now that Roy has time to work on the boat, he's found the leak. There's a small hole in one of the pipes of the wet exhaust system. When the engine's running, salt water is pumped in to cool the fresh water that cools the engine. Then the salt water is expelled through the wet exhaust system, but it was squirting through the hole into the boat. That's how the parts and stuff got wet. Of course, the salt water eventually flowed down into the bilge and was pumped out by the bilge pump. Roy had to take all the crates and what-not out of the compartment on the port side of the cockpit in order to get at the pipe. The marine supply store here at the marina was closed for the weekend, but luckily the owner came by and sold Roy the pieces of pipe he needed to make the repair. It was an all-day job, but now we don't have to worry about the leak any more.
While Roy was working on that, I put on my warm winter coat and walked back to the grocery store. Found out why we'd had a problem with the directions yesterday; we'd taken the little road over the hill instead of the road along the creek, which wound around and eventually came to the highway. If we'd gone that way, the first stop sign we would have come to would have been at the highway, and then we'd have turned right and seen the store ahead of us, as we'd been told. That's the way I went today, except when I got to the highway, I turned to the left to go to Hanesville, thinking there might be a larger store there. The first store I came to turned out to be a taxidermy shop, so I went in and asked if there was a grocery store nearby. They told me there was one WAY down the road, so I decided to go back to the little store in Melitota. It had enough stuff to get us by, even though it didn't have everything we needed.
Two friendly doggies had followed me all the way from the marina. I kept telling them to go home, but they ignored me. I was afraid one of them might get hit by a car on the highway, and then I'd feel responsible. Also, one of the doggies was lame, and I was afraid he'd get too tired hobbling along to make it back home. When I came out of the grocery store, they had disappeared. I hoped they had gone home, but as I was walking down Buck Neck Road, the black doggie came running out of the woods. There was no sign of Lamey, so then I was really worried. Had he collapsed in the woods and was unable to go farther?
The wind was blowing so hard, even the geese were grounded. I passed a field where at least a thousand geese were standing around, waiting for the wind to die down. As I passed, the geese suddenly flew up into the sky, honking and squawking. I wondered why they would be so afraid of me, but then I saw Lamey and another dog out in the middle of the field, and I knew what had scared the geese. As soon as Lamey saw me, he came hobbling over. I was very glad to see him. He was tired, but managed to make it home. Blacky, too.
Took the dirty clothes up to the laundry room and started them washing. Went back to the boat and ate lunch. After lunch, I went up and put the clothes in the dryer. This is the handiest laundry we've had in a long time.
The wind keeps blowing harder and harder, and the water keeps getting lower and lower. It's so strange to look UP at the dock. The wind is supposed to start calming down tomorrow, but there's no telling how long it will take for the tide to come back in.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Friday, December 10, 1993 - Worton Cove
We thought we'd make Baltimore today, but Mother Nature had other plans. Even though we got up at 5:30 and left at the first crack of dawn, we didn't get very far until the predicted winds hit. If they'd been in back of us or at an angle, we could have made it, but as usual they were dead against us and getting stronger, so we ducked into Worton Cove. We were lucky to be close to a well-protected cove that was deep enough (barely) for us to get into.
There are three marinas in here, but only one responded when I tried calling them on the VHF. Unfortunately, it was the one farthest in. We had to plow through soft mud to get to it. If the bottom had been sand or rock, we wouldn't have made it.
Tied securely to an end dock (non-floating) and paid for two nights, as the storm is predicted to last all weekend. We're way out in the boonies here, about thirty miles from Baltimore, on the opposite side of the bay. There aren't any buses, and the nearest town is Chestertown, about 12 miles away. The grocery store here at the marina is closed for the winter, but there's a little grocery store a mile and a half from here. We were told to go out to the stop sign, turn right, and go straight down the road until we came to the store. Couldn't miss it. So we turned right at the stop sign, went about a block, and the road ended. We decided to turn left, since right would have taken us back to the water. The road twisted and turned and had lots of little roads going off to the side. We asked a woman if we were going in the right direction to get to the grocery store, but she said she didn't know. We passed a couple of big dogs that had apparently brought down a small deer. At least, they were devouring a deer carcass on their front lawn. One of the dogs came over to us wagging his tail, so we patted him, but the other dog was too busy chomping to pay any attention to us.
Eventually, we came to a highway, and the road we were on ended, so we turned to the right. Lo and behold, after all those turns, there was the little store about an eighth of a mile ahead of us! We bought some eggs and orange juice and potatoes. Then we started back.
As we were walking along Buck Neck Road, a man in a small truck pulled up and asked if we'd lost a mitten. Roy checked his pockets, and sure enough, one of his mittens was missing. The man had found it and hung it on the stop sign at Foreston Road. That was certainly nice of him. Roy was very glad to get his mitten back.
That was about the last good thing that happened to Roy today. On the boat, he plugged a drill into the new inverter, and the inverter immediately burned up. After some deliberation and rereading the manual, we decided that we should never use the inverter when we're connected to shore power.
Then Roy dug out a lot of spare parts and tools, and discovered that water had gotten to them and corroded them. He also found that a lot of the fluid had leaked out of the spare auto-pilot control that has never been used and cost $400. So this was not a very good day for Roy. But at least we're tied safe and sound to a dock while the wind rages about us.
There are three marinas in here, but only one responded when I tried calling them on the VHF. Unfortunately, it was the one farthest in. We had to plow through soft mud to get to it. If the bottom had been sand or rock, we wouldn't have made it.
Tied securely to an end dock (non-floating) and paid for two nights, as the storm is predicted to last all weekend. We're way out in the boonies here, about thirty miles from Baltimore, on the opposite side of the bay. There aren't any buses, and the nearest town is Chestertown, about 12 miles away. The grocery store here at the marina is closed for the winter, but there's a little grocery store a mile and a half from here. We were told to go out to the stop sign, turn right, and go straight down the road until we came to the store. Couldn't miss it. So we turned right at the stop sign, went about a block, and the road ended. We decided to turn left, since right would have taken us back to the water. The road twisted and turned and had lots of little roads going off to the side. We asked a woman if we were going in the right direction to get to the grocery store, but she said she didn't know. We passed a couple of big dogs that had apparently brought down a small deer. At least, they were devouring a deer carcass on their front lawn. One of the dogs came over to us wagging his tail, so we patted him, but the other dog was too busy chomping to pay any attention to us.
Eventually, we came to a highway, and the road we were on ended, so we turned to the right. Lo and behold, after all those turns, there was the little store about an eighth of a mile ahead of us! We bought some eggs and orange juice and potatoes. Then we started back.
As we were walking along Buck Neck Road, a man in a small truck pulled up and asked if we'd lost a mitten. Roy checked his pockets, and sure enough, one of his mittens was missing. The man had found it and hung it on the stop sign at Foreston Road. That was certainly nice of him. Roy was very glad to get his mitten back.
That was about the last good thing that happened to Roy today. On the boat, he plugged a drill into the new inverter, and the inverter immediately burned up. After some deliberation and rereading the manual, we decided that we should never use the inverter when we're connected to shore power.
Then Roy dug out a lot of spare parts and tools, and discovered that water had gotten to them and corroded them. He also found that a lot of the fluid had leaked out of the spare auto-pilot control that has never been used and cost $400. So this was not a very good day for Roy. But at least we're tied safe and sound to a dock while the wind rages about us.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 1993 - Welch Point, Maryland
Got off to a late start. Another dead calm day. Had the current against us all day, so we only made three or four knots. It was three o'clock in the afternoon when we finally reached the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. We knew it would be dark by the time we reached the other end, but after some discussion, we decided to go for it. The canal is well maintained. It's more than forty feet deep throughout and about a thousand feet wide. At night, there are lights every hundred yards or so on both banks, and there are also range lights and bridge lights, so it's easy to find your way.
We arrived at Welch Point, the western end of the canal, at 6:30. Dropped anchor in the dark. Used the inverter to cook supper, and ran the engine for warmth. The electric heater in the main cabin requires 1500 watts, and the maximum for the inverter is 800. The microwave oven uses 750, so it works fine with the inverter.
We arrived at Welch Point, the western end of the canal, at 6:30. Dropped anchor in the dark. Used the inverter to cook supper, and ran the engine for warmth. The electric heater in the main cabin requires 1500 watts, and the maximum for the inverter is 800. The microwave oven uses 750, so it works fine with the inverter.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 1993 - Delaware
Clear, calm, sunny, cold day. Roy did some wiring, and I walked to a nearby fish market and bought some cod. Then we both strolled a few blocks. Found a grocery store right around the corner, but it was just a little one, so it's just as well we walked to the super market last night.
No problem getting away from the dock. Carefully entered the Cape May Canal. On the way north last summer, we had gone around the outside of the cape, because several people had told us the canal was too shallow for our boat, but the chart shows a minimum depth of 6.4 feet, and the dockmaster at the marina assured us we'd have no problem, so we decided to try it. He was right; we went through easy as pie, with depth to spare. The canal is only three miles long, so it saved us a great deal of time and distance.
Crossed to the Delaware side of the bay and motored north. Got about 3/4 of the way to the C and D Canal. Dropped anchor just as dark was descending.
Later, we were in the main cabin with the hatch closed. A wave rocked the boat, and some books that were on the hatch cover slid down behind it, making it impossible for us to slide back the hatch cover and open the doors. Trapped like rats in a rat trap! Well, not quite. Roy climbed up through the fo'c'sle hatch, walked around to the cockpit, removed the books, and opened the main hatch. Which just goes to prove that people are smarter than rats.
No problem getting away from the dock. Carefully entered the Cape May Canal. On the way north last summer, we had gone around the outside of the cape, because several people had told us the canal was too shallow for our boat, but the chart shows a minimum depth of 6.4 feet, and the dockmaster at the marina assured us we'd have no problem, so we decided to try it. He was right; we went through easy as pie, with depth to spare. The canal is only three miles long, so it saved us a great deal of time and distance.
Crossed to the Delaware side of the bay and motored north. Got about 3/4 of the way to the C and D Canal. Dropped anchor just as dark was descending.
Later, we were in the main cabin with the hatch closed. A wave rocked the boat, and some books that were on the hatch cover slid down behind it, making it impossible for us to slide back the hatch cover and open the doors. Trapped like rats in a rat trap! Well, not quite. Roy climbed up through the fo'c'sle hatch, walked around to the cockpit, removed the books, and opened the main hatch. Which just goes to prove that people are smarter than rats.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 1993 - Cape May, NJ
Got up at five only to hear on the radio that the tide was going out and would be dead low at 7:30. So we won't be able to leave until at least ten. Wasted an early rising.
Left the dock at 10:20. Went aground at 10:25. Boomp boomp. We were so far aground that the boat was tilted way over to port. The bottom was soft mud, so after 18 minutes of gunning the engine in reverse and forward, we finally floated free. Carefully picked our way down the channel and out of the harbor. We were greatly relieved to reach the open sea.
Sunny and clear today, with a good breeze out of the west in the morning. We were able to sail for awhile, but then the wind died down and we had to start the engine.
At noon, Roy heated soup in the microwave using the new inverter. What a convenience! Worked perfectly.
Arrived at Cape May just as the sun was setting. Fortunately, the channel was well-marked, and there was still enough light to find our way to a dock and tie up for the night.
After supper, Roy changed the oil without spilling any for once. Then we walked a mile or so to a grocery store and bought some fresh vegetables and fruit.
Left the dock at 10:20. Went aground at 10:25. Boomp boomp. We were so far aground that the boat was tilted way over to port. The bottom was soft mud, so after 18 minutes of gunning the engine in reverse and forward, we finally floated free. Carefully picked our way down the channel and out of the harbor. We were greatly relieved to reach the open sea.
Sunny and clear today, with a good breeze out of the west in the morning. We were able to sail for awhile, but then the wind died down and we had to start the engine.
At noon, Roy heated soup in the microwave using the new inverter. What a convenience! Worked perfectly.
Arrived at Cape May just as the sun was setting. Fortunately, the channel was well-marked, and there was still enough light to find our way to a dock and tie up for the night.
After supper, Roy changed the oil without spilling any for once. Then we walked a mile or so to a grocery store and bought some fresh vegetables and fruit.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Monday, December 6, 1993 - Longport, Ocean City, NJ
Calm, sunny, clear, and cold. We're only going a short distance today, so we didn't need to leave until noon. Ate another huge break-
fast at the Royal Buffet, and then went up to the fifth floor to play the free game of miniature golf that we'd been promised. When we got there, we found out they'd dismantled the miniature golf course for the winter. So much for a free game. But we had a great view from the roof.
Had no problem leaving the dock and the harbor. This is a very easy harbor to get in and out of. No fog this morning, so we had a great view of Atlantic City.
Sailed southwest about seven miles, and then tried to find the entrance to Great Egg Harbor, where Ocean City is. Found the entrance buoy easily enough, but couldn't see any more buoys. According to the chart, we should have been on a 300 degree course, so that's what I took, but we couldn't see any inlet ahead of us, so I entered the waypoint into the GPS, plugged it into a route, and saw we should be on a course of 35 degrees! We turned to that and eventually found the inlet, but it was a struggle. Fortunately, Roy had found an ad for a marina in Longport, which is right across the harbor from Ocean City, so I contacted the marina on the VHF, and the dockmaster guided us in. We had to cross a shoal that was only six feet deep, and we had to zig-zag from one side of the harbor to the other and back, but we finally got into the marina and got tied up. It's a good marina, and the rate is only $1 a foot, but the water has been turned off in the showers as well as on the docks.
Longport is a resort community. The nearest grocery store is in the neighboring town of Margate, so we walked over there. I asked directions from a woman, who told us to go down Atlantic Avenue until we came to "Lucy, the elephant" and then turn left. I had no idea what she meant by "Lucy, the elephant", but I assumed it would be a store with a picture of an elephant on a sign out front. To our amazement, we found a huge model elephant, about 35 feet high and 80 feet long! It had been built way back in 1881! For a while, it was used as a hotel, but now it's a tourist attraction. Of course, like everything else in this part of the world, it's closed for the winter, so we couldn't go in it, but we had a good look at the outside. Then we walked over to the grocery store, bought milk and orange juice, and returned to the boat.
Tomorrow, we want to leave early for Cape May, about 30 miles southwest of here. In order to get over the shoal, we have to leave when the tide is fairly high, so we set the alarm for 5 a.m.
fast at the Royal Buffet, and then went up to the fifth floor to play the free game of miniature golf that we'd been promised. When we got there, we found out they'd dismantled the miniature golf course for the winter. So much for a free game. But we had a great view from the roof.
Had no problem leaving the dock and the harbor. This is a very easy harbor to get in and out of. No fog this morning, so we had a great view of Atlantic City.
Sailed southwest about seven miles, and then tried to find the entrance to Great Egg Harbor, where Ocean City is. Found the entrance buoy easily enough, but couldn't see any more buoys. According to the chart, we should have been on a 300 degree course, so that's what I took, but we couldn't see any inlet ahead of us, so I entered the waypoint into the GPS, plugged it into a route, and saw we should be on a course of 35 degrees! We turned to that and eventually found the inlet, but it was a struggle. Fortunately, Roy had found an ad for a marina in Longport, which is right across the harbor from Ocean City, so I contacted the marina on the VHF, and the dockmaster guided us in. We had to cross a shoal that was only six feet deep, and we had to zig-zag from one side of the harbor to the other and back, but we finally got into the marina and got tied up. It's a good marina, and the rate is only $1 a foot, but the water has been turned off in the showers as well as on the docks.
Longport is a resort community. The nearest grocery store is in the neighboring town of Margate, so we walked over there. I asked directions from a woman, who told us to go down Atlantic Avenue until we came to "Lucy, the elephant" and then turn left. I had no idea what she meant by "Lucy, the elephant", but I assumed it would be a store with a picture of an elephant on a sign out front. To our amazement, we found a huge model elephant, about 35 feet high and 80 feet long! It had been built way back in 1881! For a while, it was used as a hotel, but now it's a tourist attraction. Of course, like everything else in this part of the world, it's closed for the winter, so we couldn't go in it, but we had a good look at the outside. Then we walked over to the grocery store, bought milk and orange juice, and returned to the boat.
Tomorrow, we want to leave early for Cape May, about 30 miles southwest of here. In order to get over the shoal, we have to leave when the tide is fairly high, so we set the alarm for 5 a.m.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 1993 - Atlantic City
Strong wind and pouring rain all day. Gales on the ocean and Delaware Bay. We're glad to be tied to a dock in a well-protected harbor.
Roy connected the new inverter and tested it. It works perfectly, thank goodness. Now we can use the microwave oven, the heater, the toaster oven, the electric blanket, etc., when we're under way. They'll run off the boat batteries.
Most of the day we lazed around the boat, watching videotapes. However, we did blow over to the Castle for another enormous $4 breakfast and an even more enormous $6 supper. It's a good thing the weather is supposed to calm down tomorrow so we can get out of here. If we stayed here much longer, we'd be too fat to get on and off the boat.
Roy connected the new inverter and tested it. It works perfectly, thank goodness. Now we can use the microwave oven, the heater, the toaster oven, the electric blanket, etc., when we're under way. They'll run off the boat batteries.
Most of the day we lazed around the boat, watching videotapes. However, we did blow over to the Castle for another enormous $4 breakfast and an even more enormous $6 supper. It's a good thing the weather is supposed to calm down tomorrow so we can get out of here. If we stayed here much longer, we'd be too fat to get on and off the boat.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Saturday, December 4, 1993 - Atlantic City
This turned out to be an unusual, interesting, and rather exciting day.
After another humungous $4 all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet, Roy had the foresight to phone West Marine in Annapolis before going there. Found out they didn't have an inverter in stock. They suggested he try the store in Syosset, Long Island. Neither of us had ever heard of Syosset, but we phoned the store. They had two of the ProWatt 800 inverters, so we decided to go there immediately. They told us to take the Huntington Branch of the Long Island Railroad.
We went over to the Marina Office and got a bus schedule from Atlantic City to Manhattan and also one from the marina to the bus terminal. The next bus to the terminal left in five minutes, so we hurried back to the boat and got the old inverter. Made the bus by about 30 seconds. Unfortunately, I hadn't checked the schedule to New York. Turned out we had nearly an hour's wait for that bus. Checked at Greyhound and Amtrak, but their fares were too high, so we went as planned on New Jersey Transit. Cost $9.60 each one-way.
If the bus had arrived at the Port Authority Terminal on time, we wouldn't have had a problem, but it was five or ten minutes late. For that matter, if we had gone right down to the subway, we'd have been at Penn Station in plenty of time, but I'd forgotten to bring my subway map and had only a vague recollection of where Penn Station was (turned out my recollection was right on), so we thought the safest way to get there in a hurry was by taxi. West Marine closed at six, so we had to catch the 3:59 train to get there on time. Unfortunate-
ly, it was raining, so people were waiting in line for taxis. We had to wait ten or fifteen minutes, and then, of course, traffic was heavy and every light was red. We reached Penn Station about 3:54. Didn't know which way to go to get to the tracks. Penn Station is in the basement of Madison Square Garden and doesn't look like a train station at all. Luckily, we saw a sign pointing down the stairs to Penn Station, so we dashed down there and through an opening that said "Long Island Railroad". Saw another sign that said the Huntington train ran on Track 20. Fortunately, the tracks were clearly labeled. We were near Track 17. I asked a guard if we could pay on the train. He said we could, but it would cost an extra $2. We would have paid it to catch the train on time, but just then I saw a ticket machine. After playing with the buttons for a few seconds, I read the directions and managed to get two tickets out of it. Then we ran for the Track 20 sign, but couldn't see a track. I asked another guard, and he said to go down the stairs. We saw the train sitting there with its doors open as we ran down the stairs. We both expected to see the doors close just as we got there, but they didn't! We got on the train, found seats, and sat down. Then the train started. Whew!
Arrived in Syosset around five. It was pitch dark and raining. Took a cab to West Marine. It was a nice new store. The man we'd talked with on the phone knew right away who we were and what we wanted. Without a moment's hesitation, he gave us a brand-new inverter in exchange for the no-good one. Really excellent service.
If we could have gotten a cab back to the train station right away, we could have caught the 5:46 and been back in Manhattan in time to catch the seven-o'clock bus back to Atlantic City, but the cab didn't come for about half an hour, so we had to wait for the 6:41 train. We were nearly out of money by then, so we crossed the street to an ATM and reloaded our wallets. Then we went to a nearby restaurant for supper. The meal was overwhelming. For openers, Roy had a huge salad, and I had a bowl of chicken-rice soup. We also had hot Italian bread and butter. By then, I was satisfied and didn't need anything more, but we'd already ordered chicken dinners. The waiter brought enough food for an army. We each had half a roast chicken, mountains of delicious dressing, huge baked potatoes, bowls of gravy, bowls of vegetables, and cups of applesauce. I had to ask for a doggie bag for half my chicken, and Roy left half his potato. What a feast!
We had missed the 6:41, so we had to take the 7:03. The station was closed and there was no outside ticket machine, so we couldn't buy our tickets in advance, but it turned out the railroad doesn't penalize customers under those circumstances, so we were able to buy our tickets on the train at the regular price.
Got to Penn Station around eight, too late to catch the eight-
o'clock bus to Atlantic City. Took the subway to the Port Authority Terminal and found our way to Gate 319. Relaxed and waited for the nine-o'clock bus. Unfortunately, it was fifteen minutes late arriving in Atlantic City, so we missed the bus back to the marina. Took a cab. Reached the boat around midnight. Mission accomplished.
It had cost us nearly $100 to replace the inverter, which had cost $700 originally. Sure hope this one works.
After another humungous $4 all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet, Roy had the foresight to phone West Marine in Annapolis before going there. Found out they didn't have an inverter in stock. They suggested he try the store in Syosset, Long Island. Neither of us had ever heard of Syosset, but we phoned the store. They had two of the ProWatt 800 inverters, so we decided to go there immediately. They told us to take the Huntington Branch of the Long Island Railroad.
We went over to the Marina Office and got a bus schedule from Atlantic City to Manhattan and also one from the marina to the bus terminal. The next bus to the terminal left in five minutes, so we hurried back to the boat and got the old inverter. Made the bus by about 30 seconds. Unfortunately, I hadn't checked the schedule to New York. Turned out we had nearly an hour's wait for that bus. Checked at Greyhound and Amtrak, but their fares were too high, so we went as planned on New Jersey Transit. Cost $9.60 each one-way.
If the bus had arrived at the Port Authority Terminal on time, we wouldn't have had a problem, but it was five or ten minutes late. For that matter, if we had gone right down to the subway, we'd have been at Penn Station in plenty of time, but I'd forgotten to bring my subway map and had only a vague recollection of where Penn Station was (turned out my recollection was right on), so we thought the safest way to get there in a hurry was by taxi. West Marine closed at six, so we had to catch the 3:59 train to get there on time. Unfortunate-
ly, it was raining, so people were waiting in line for taxis. We had to wait ten or fifteen minutes, and then, of course, traffic was heavy and every light was red. We reached Penn Station about 3:54. Didn't know which way to go to get to the tracks. Penn Station is in the basement of Madison Square Garden and doesn't look like a train station at all. Luckily, we saw a sign pointing down the stairs to Penn Station, so we dashed down there and through an opening that said "Long Island Railroad". Saw another sign that said the Huntington train ran on Track 20. Fortunately, the tracks were clearly labeled. We were near Track 17. I asked a guard if we could pay on the train. He said we could, but it would cost an extra $2. We would have paid it to catch the train on time, but just then I saw a ticket machine. After playing with the buttons for a few seconds, I read the directions and managed to get two tickets out of it. Then we ran for the Track 20 sign, but couldn't see a track. I asked another guard, and he said to go down the stairs. We saw the train sitting there with its doors open as we ran down the stairs. We both expected to see the doors close just as we got there, but they didn't! We got on the train, found seats, and sat down. Then the train started. Whew!
Arrived in Syosset around five. It was pitch dark and raining. Took a cab to West Marine. It was a nice new store. The man we'd talked with on the phone knew right away who we were and what we wanted. Without a moment's hesitation, he gave us a brand-new inverter in exchange for the no-good one. Really excellent service.
If we could have gotten a cab back to the train station right away, we could have caught the 5:46 and been back in Manhattan in time to catch the seven-o'clock bus back to Atlantic City, but the cab didn't come for about half an hour, so we had to wait for the 6:41 train. We were nearly out of money by then, so we crossed the street to an ATM and reloaded our wallets. Then we went to a nearby restaurant for supper. The meal was overwhelming. For openers, Roy had a huge salad, and I had a bowl of chicken-rice soup. We also had hot Italian bread and butter. By then, I was satisfied and didn't need anything more, but we'd already ordered chicken dinners. The waiter brought enough food for an army. We each had half a roast chicken, mountains of delicious dressing, huge baked potatoes, bowls of gravy, bowls of vegetables, and cups of applesauce. I had to ask for a doggie bag for half my chicken, and Roy left half his potato. What a feast!
We had missed the 6:41, so we had to take the 7:03. The station was closed and there was no outside ticket machine, so we couldn't buy our tickets in advance, but it turned out the railroad doesn't penalize customers under those circumstances, so we were able to buy our tickets on the train at the regular price.
Got to Penn Station around eight, too late to catch the eight-
o'clock bus to Atlantic City. Took the subway to the Port Authority Terminal and found our way to Gate 319. Relaxed and waited for the nine-o'clock bus. Unfortunately, it was fifteen minutes late arriving in Atlantic City, so we missed the bus back to the marina. Took a cab. Reached the boat around midnight. Mission accomplished.
It had cost us nearly $100 to replace the inverter, which had cost $700 originally. Sure hope this one works.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Friday, December 3, 1993 - Atlatntic City
Very foggy this morning. Could only see a few feet, but we had the radar.
I had thought we were going directly to Delaware Bay and would only stop at Atlantic City if the weather turned bad, but Roy wanted to stop at Atlantic City anyway, so he groped his way in through the fog. Fortunately, the fog lifted as soon as we entered the harbor. Very calm in here and considerably warmer.
Stopped at the fuel dock and filled the tank. Then we tied up in the state marina by Trump's Castle. They only charged us $1 a foot, which was a pleasant change from Port Imperial.
We went over to the hotel and ate an all-you-can-eat buffet breakfast for $4 apiece. It was really good, and doubled as lunch.
The decor of the hotel is awe-inspiring. The lobby is six storeys high, with a rounded glass ceiling. Zillions of sparkling lights hang down the walls, and there are a lot of suits of armor standing around.
Walked uptown looking for an ATM. It was depressing to see that away from the luxury casinos, Atlantic City is just as poverty stricken and slummy as most other East Coast cities. The millions that flow through the casinos fail to "trickle down" to the general population.
Incidentally, this is the city the Monopoly streets were named after. We were on Atlantic Avenue, Ventnor, Baltic, North Carolina, etc.
Donald Trump must own 80% of Atlantic City. His name is all over the place. There is Trump Plaza, Trump's Plaza Hotel, Trump's Castle, Trump's Taj Mahal, etc.
Finally found a bank. Roy liberated some money from his account, and I bought a roll of quarters to use in the washers and dryers. It irks me that laundromats at marinas don't have change machines, but I'm used to it by now.
We took a shuttle bus back to the boat. Roy began installing the new inverter, and I took the dirty clothes to the laundry room. This time, I remembered to take my clothes as well as Roy's.
Most marinas have a dozen or more dock carts for the use of their customers. We had to hunt around to find one here. I used it to take the clothes to the laundry room, and left it just outside while I washed and dried the clothes. The light clothes were finished, and the heavy clothes were going around for the second time, when a young man showed up and said he had to take the cart back and lock it up for the night. Since I needed the cart to take the clothes back to the boat, I protested. Even told him I'd return the cart myself to wherever he wanted me to, but he said it had to be locked up by five o'clock, when he got off work. It was quarter to five then. He finally agreed to let me take the clothes that were ready back to the boat and then turn the cart over to him. That way, I only had two bags of clothes to carry back in my arms. This is the first marina we've ever stopped at that wouldn't let boat-owners use the dock carts any hour of the day or night. And this is supposed to be a super luxurious, first-class marina!
Poor Roy spent hours wiring, soldering, and whatever to install the new inverter. Then as soon as he plugged it in, it went into overload and burned up. What a shame!
As consolation, we went back to the Castle for a $6 all-you-can-
eat prime-rib-chicken-turkey-vegetables-deserts-et cetera dinner. We were stuffed!
Roy had bought the inverter at West Marine in Oakland. West Marine guarantees everything it sells, so he phoned their 800 number to find out where the nearest West Marine store is out here. Found out it's in Annapolis, so he decided to go there on the bus tomorrow, instead of waiting until we arrive there by boat. We've gotten along just fine for years without the inverter, but all of a sudden, we need it immediately.
I had thought we were going directly to Delaware Bay and would only stop at Atlantic City if the weather turned bad, but Roy wanted to stop at Atlantic City anyway, so he groped his way in through the fog. Fortunately, the fog lifted as soon as we entered the harbor. Very calm in here and considerably warmer.
Stopped at the fuel dock and filled the tank. Then we tied up in the state marina by Trump's Castle. They only charged us $1 a foot, which was a pleasant change from Port Imperial.
We went over to the hotel and ate an all-you-can-eat buffet breakfast for $4 apiece. It was really good, and doubled as lunch.
The decor of the hotel is awe-inspiring. The lobby is six storeys high, with a rounded glass ceiling. Zillions of sparkling lights hang down the walls, and there are a lot of suits of armor standing around.
Walked uptown looking for an ATM. It was depressing to see that away from the luxury casinos, Atlantic City is just as poverty stricken and slummy as most other East Coast cities. The millions that flow through the casinos fail to "trickle down" to the general population.
Incidentally, this is the city the Monopoly streets were named after. We were on Atlantic Avenue, Ventnor, Baltic, North Carolina, etc.
Donald Trump must own 80% of Atlantic City. His name is all over the place. There is Trump Plaza, Trump's Plaza Hotel, Trump's Castle, Trump's Taj Mahal, etc.
Finally found a bank. Roy liberated some money from his account, and I bought a roll of quarters to use in the washers and dryers. It irks me that laundromats at marinas don't have change machines, but I'm used to it by now.
We took a shuttle bus back to the boat. Roy began installing the new inverter, and I took the dirty clothes to the laundry room. This time, I remembered to take my clothes as well as Roy's.
Most marinas have a dozen or more dock carts for the use of their customers. We had to hunt around to find one here. I used it to take the clothes to the laundry room, and left it just outside while I washed and dried the clothes. The light clothes were finished, and the heavy clothes were going around for the second time, when a young man showed up and said he had to take the cart back and lock it up for the night. Since I needed the cart to take the clothes back to the boat, I protested. Even told him I'd return the cart myself to wherever he wanted me to, but he said it had to be locked up by five o'clock, when he got off work. It was quarter to five then. He finally agreed to let me take the clothes that were ready back to the boat and then turn the cart over to him. That way, I only had two bags of clothes to carry back in my arms. This is the first marina we've ever stopped at that wouldn't let boat-owners use the dock carts any hour of the day or night. And this is supposed to be a super luxurious, first-class marina!
Poor Roy spent hours wiring, soldering, and whatever to install the new inverter. Then as soon as he plugged it in, it went into overload and burned up. What a shame!
As consolation, we went back to the Castle for a $6 all-you-can-
eat prime-rib-chicken-turkey-vegetables-deserts-et cetera dinner. We were stuffed!
Roy had bought the inverter at West Marine in Oakland. West Marine guarantees everything it sells, so he phoned their 800 number to find out where the nearest West Marine store is out here. Found out it's in Annapolis, so he decided to go there on the bus tomorrow, instead of waiting until we arrive there by boat. We've gotten along just fine for years without the inverter, but all of a sudden, we need it immediately.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Thursday, December 2, 1993 - Atlantic City
We considered moving to Liberty Harbor Marina for tonight, but the weather forecast for the next two days is favorable, so we decided to head for Delaware Bay. Left right after lunch. The tide was going out, so we zoomed out with it. Motored all afternoon and night. There was a lovely moon shining, but usually it was behind clouds.
When Roy opened the dish closet to get two cups out, a couple of salad plates flew out and broke. Of course, that was my fault, because I hadn't stacked the dishes correctly. Shortly afterward, when he was taking the pan of soup down to the galley, a swell rocked the boat and some of the soup spilled. That was my fault also, because I was steering towards the south instead of the east. Later, Roy lost his glasses, but fortunately, that wasn't my fault. In fact, I found them for him.
When Roy opened the dish closet to get two cups out, a couple of salad plates flew out and broke. Of course, that was my fault, because I hadn't stacked the dishes correctly. Shortly afterward, when he was taking the pan of soup down to the galley, a swell rocked the boat and some of the soup spilled. That was my fault also, because I was steering towards the south instead of the east. Later, Roy lost his glasses, but fortunately, that wasn't my fault. In fact, I found them for him.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 1993 - Rochelle Park, NY
Another great day!
Went up to the Port Imperial Marina office and paid for last night. The dockmaster was so pleased with our honesty that he charged us for only thirty feet. Since the rate here is an outrageous $2 a foot, that helped considerably.
We wanted to take the bus to Rochelle Park, where Roy had lived as a boy, from 1927 to 1932. We asked half a dozen people and got half a dozen different directions, but finally we got on the right bus. It took us from Weehawken to Union City, where we transferred to a Hackensack bus. In Hackensack, we took a bus to Rochelle Park.
Roy was delighted to find his grandmother's old house, which was in very good condition, and the hill at the end of the street, where he had curled up inside an old tire and rolled down. There was a nearby shopping center that had been built when he was living in Rochelle Park. The school he had attended was still in excellent condition and still being used as a school. We walked past the store that had been his grandfather's butcher shop, and is now a video store. We also walked to the First Reformed Church, where his grand-
father had been an elder, and Roy had attended Sunday School. The church has been rebuilt, but it's still in the same place. The current minister happened to come along as we were looking at the outside of the church and invited us in to see the inside. Roy remembered the stained-glass windows that had been in the old church when he was a boy and are now in the new church. Roy was thrilled to find so many things in Rochelle Park that haven't changed appreciably since his childhood.
We returned to the marina by way of Edgewater. Rode the bus to the end of the line and walked the remaining two or three miles.
Went up to the Port Imperial Marina office and paid for last night. The dockmaster was so pleased with our honesty that he charged us for only thirty feet. Since the rate here is an outrageous $2 a foot, that helped considerably.
We wanted to take the bus to Rochelle Park, where Roy had lived as a boy, from 1927 to 1932. We asked half a dozen people and got half a dozen different directions, but finally we got on the right bus. It took us from Weehawken to Union City, where we transferred to a Hackensack bus. In Hackensack, we took a bus to Rochelle Park.
Roy was delighted to find his grandmother's old house, which was in very good condition, and the hill at the end of the street, where he had curled up inside an old tire and rolled down. There was a nearby shopping center that had been built when he was living in Rochelle Park. The school he had attended was still in excellent condition and still being used as a school. We walked past the store that had been his grandfather's butcher shop, and is now a video store. We also walked to the First Reformed Church, where his grand-
father had been an elder, and Roy had attended Sunday School. The church has been rebuilt, but it's still in the same place. The current minister happened to come along as we were looking at the outside of the church and invited us in to see the inside. Roy remembered the stained-glass windows that had been in the old church when he was a boy and are now in the new church. Roy was thrilled to find so many things in Rochelle Park that haven't changed appreciably since his childhood.
We returned to the marina by way of Edgewater. Rode the bus to the end of the line and walked the remaining two or three miles.
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