Cone of Uncertainty

This entire journey has been quite an education.  I just learned that we are in the "Cone of Uncertainty" as regards Hurricane Irene.  The link below shows this morning's NOAA predicted track.  At this point, it looks like the eye will pass east of us, but it could veer west, toward us, or east, away from us.

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at4+shtml/152238.shtml?gm_track#contents

Jeff, who has experienced four hurricanes - at sea and on shore - suggested we hook onto a nearby mooring ball, which we've done.  These moorings are called Helix and are screwed into the earth and are supposed to be the best.  We are situated far up Spa Creek, off a cove just 75 feet from Truxton Park among five other boats on mooring balls including Jan and Don who cut their East Chesapeake Bay trip short to return to Spa Creek.  Stan and Jeff have their boats moored farther down the creek.  We are all in a well-protected spot and feel secure with our moorings.  The one thing to worry about is other boats who may not be diligent about anchoring and could drag anchor.  Boats breaking loose and ramming other boats are what normally causes problems in storm situations.  Yesterday a big power boat anchored upstream of us in front of the sailboat that is in front of us.  We will monitor their anchoring.

I came into town early today to do laundry and other errands and will return to WW soon.  We are keeping up with the latest info on the storm and making decisions accordingly.  We're all doing the best we can to prepare and stay safe.  We don't have an internet connection where we are moored now so may not post another blog entry until after the storm passes. 

Now, everyone on the West Coast take a big breath, and when I count to three, blow that irascible Irene offshore to the east.  1..2...3...!!!

Windlass-less in Annapolis

Stan, Dave and Jeff in our "windlass workshop"  on the bow of Wayward Wind

The saga of mechanical issues continues, but thankfully the weather has cooled.  We ordered a new windlass from West Marine.  It came.  The footprint was much larger than Jeff expected, which would require some major retrofitting of the base upon which it sits.  We returned it.  Plan B was that Jeff would rebuild the old windlass and parts were available based on what we saw online.  We ordered the parts, but it turns out that six of the ten parts were discontinued  Jeff was on another boat delivery so upon his return on Thursday, we discussed Plan C - possibly a manual windlass.  The three of us are researching windlasses online.  To be continued...

The three guys delicately finesse the drum off of the old windlass.

A treat for us was that while Jeff was doing his boat deliveries, we got to dog-sit his little Cairn Terrier, Oz.  (Will post a photo soon.)  Oz is 16 years old and is deaf and blind...and perhaps dumb as he does not bark.   Jeff said he was thinking of renaming him, Tommy, because he "sure...plays...a mean...pin...ball."  Jeff says he also washes floors and windows, but we did not witness that.  We both fell in love with Oz who is pretty spunky for an old man.  Oz also inspired me to row him every morning in the dinghy over to nearby Truxton Park where he could take care of business.  Dave would take Oz in the evening to an even closer grassy landing.  (He did not row...snicker...)

Janis and Don, whom we fondly refer to as "the Texans," had us over for happy hour the other night.  They showed us a video on their humongous (for a boat) flat screen TV that was a travel-logue of various states and regions of the US as seen from the air.  Don especially wanted to show us Texas and Ohio.  I must say that it dispelled some of the stereotype images I have of the landscape.  Texas - near Don and Jan's home - has many wooded and green acres, although they said that with the terrible drought, there is little that is green now.  In the Ohio segment, there was a scene of a school bus pulling up to the drive that led to a white farm house in the midst of acres and acres of corn.  Don said, "That's me!  Except our drive was a half mile long."  Don says that they had everything they needed on the farm.  Their mom had a huge garden and canned fruits and vegetables, and they raised chickens and dairy cows.  Growing up, he said, they only drank water or milk, no soda.  Their mom would bake a dozen or more loaves of bread at a time along with rolls and cinnamon buns .  Don was the youngest of four boys when his mom and dad decided to try for a girl.  After the delivery, with tears of disbelief in his eyes, the doctor came out to the waiting room to tell Don's dad, "Well, it's twin boys!"  Not missing a beat, Don's dad replied, "Guess we'll be able to buy more cows!"  We're enjoying hearing about Don's childhood on the farm.

We also watched a segment on the travel-logue video about California.  We were surprised and proud that it mostly showed Northern California with its redwood trees, coastline, vineyards, farmlands and San Francisco.  But we know why...because it's the best part!!!  Sorry SoCal-ians!

We had a lovely happy hour that turned into hours with Stan from Coursaire and Greg and Jo from Sympatico joining in.  Greg and Jo have traveled to the Bahamas the past three winters, so we asked their advice on various subjects.  Jan asked about conserving water especially when washing dishes.  Jo said that she wipes the plates with a napkin to remove salad dressing and such before washing.  She said she knows someone who uses a spray bottle to rinse dishes.  Also used dish water can have other uses such as cleaning grime (bird poop!) off the deck.  Jo also bakes bread onboard so brings pounds of flour.  Lots of tips.



Anchoring Plane to Sea with Janis at the helm, getting ready for the next day's trip

The next day, Don and Jan left for St. Michael's on the east side of the Chesapeake.  I woke up feeling sad.  Even though we've known them just over a month, we really miss them.  Beyond being helpful by driving us around - they have a humongous truck - to buy food and pick up and return the windlass, we have enjoyed their companionship and have spent many fun moments together.  They showed us a place called Old Country Buffet, that has a pretty good meal for $7.29.  Such a deal!  I guess we've entered the cheap buffet phase of our lives...  Oh, well, guess I'll have another piece of chocolate mousse pie.

Suspended Animation

View from my dinghy on my early morning rowing routine

Since last writing, the refrigerator has gone out and now after a week, it works again.  We'd called a refrigeration guy who was supposed to come on Tuesday morning, but didn't.  And thank goodness he didn't.  Stan stopped by and, after wiggling some wires on the pump, it started.  We'll check these wires more carefully and clean connections.  On boats, it's all about connections.  After being shaken and stirred in a salt water/air environment, wire connections easily become loose and corrode.  Let's hope that this is it.  Not having the generator for a week and then not having the refrigerator for a week, especially during this hot weather spell, has been difficult. 

While the refrigerator was on the blink, the windless (anchor winch) stopped working.  We'd known that we were on borrowed time with this one.  Then the aft head started acting up.  I had manuals and diagrams spread all over the table.  It was really discouraging for a few days.  Stan helped us out with the head.  Our other neighbor on Spa Creek, Jeff, who spent a year working on windlasses at a marine shop, just last night offered to come over and work on ours saying, "I like to take things apart."  We are beholden to these kind spirits.

The other day we went sailing on Plane to Sea with our Texan neighbors, Don and Janis.  Stan was the motivating force, and while the wind was light, it was a nice afternoon and gave Don and Janis "seat time," as Stan calls it, on their boat.  Though they've had their boat for four years, they are new to sailing and have only lived aboard for one month here on Spa Creek.  They are eager to learn, so Stan and Dave gave advice as we sailed along.  I even showed Janis how to call the bridge tender on the radio to request an opening.  What a switch in roles for me!

Stan and Don

A note about Plane to Sea.  Don grew up on a farm in Iowa where he lived with his brothers and parents.  Due to a tragic family circumstance, at the age of eight he was needed to take over the early morning chore of milking their many cows.  When he was a young man, he moved to Texas where among other things, he learned auto mechanics, how to fly a small plane, first aide and beyond as well as how to fight fires culminating in his being a fireman for thirty years.  Janis grew up in Texas and worked in an office for her county health department for many years.  Their home port is Pottsboro, Texas, where they have been married for 17 years.  Both are retired.  Friendly, friendly people.

Don (full-blooded Norwegian American) and Janis

When I told Don I was a retired teacher, he said, "As a student, I was your worst nightmare."   He says he wasn't interested in school but was more interested in doing things -- sometimes naughty things.  Janis says, "I wouldn't have liked him then."  She says that she wasn't a bad girl, but she "wasn't no goody-two-shoes, neither."  If her parents didn't want her to do something, then she wouldn't.  Both grew up in close-knit families.  It's apparent that their upbringing contributes to their mutual respect for each other.  They work as a team and their enthusiastic nature is infectious.  It's plain to see how the crew of  Plain to Sea are a breath of fresh air!

Sunrise on Spa Creek

Nothing New

Just a quick post.  Not much is new.  Still in Annapolis.  Need to have the generator looked at by a mechanic, hopefully tomorrow.  Lost everything in the freezer.  P.U!  But at least the freezer/fridge started up, briefly, so we know they work.  Linda needs a new crown, so that will take some time.  Just spending time taking care of the boat doing minor repairs and maintenance - polishing portholes, changing gaskets, replacing lights - and walking around Annapolis.  Mercifully, the heat wave broke a couple of days ago, but it's supposed to return tomorrow.  This morning we'll go to the Farmers Market. 

Enjoying the company of new friends.  Met Janice and Don, friendly Texans.  Have been sailing on a lake near their home, but are recently retired and trailered their boat here to try out living aboard  for a few months.  Together we've gone to Stan's to watch DVDs.  Saw Fair Game with Naomi Watts and Sean Penn about the Valerie Plame (CIA) outing with commentary by Valerie Plame and husband Joe Wilson.  Interesting, to say the least.  Last night we shared dinner and then a DVD.  Nice to hang out with other sailors.  We learn a lot.

Still planning on going to New England and will plan our route once we get the charts from Stan.

Here are some Annapolis scenes...

 First synogogue in Annapolis

Maryland Inn

Walking up Compromise Street 

Stories Up the Seven River

We were without internet for about a week.  Wrote this a couple of days ago:

Rain drops on Spa Creek

July 9, 2011

It’s quiet.  Only the distant sound of the unison chants of the trainees at the Navel Academy, the variety of chirps and squawks from the neighboring birds at Truxton Park, the occasional whisper of jets approaching BWI, and the remaining drips of last night’s downpour onto the deck disturb this otherwise calm, calm morning.  The water, virtually still.

Two days back, Stan encouraged us to go for a sail up the Severn River.  I readied the boat while Dave rested.  Earlier, I’d looked up the creek and didn’t see any movement on Cors Aire so figured the plan had changed as it does sometimes.  Below deck Dave napped on the settee and I was reading about Cape May and the Delaware Bay when I looked up to see Stan’s head scooting by on Cors Aire.  Tom and Sherry, friends from Sandusky, Ohio, whom Stan calls “the kids,” waved from the deck.  I rousted Dave from his dreams and said, “Stan is going NOW.”  After scurrying around, raising the dinghy and anchor, removing the sail cover and waiting for the rush hour to end, we made the 6:00 lifting of the Spa Creek drawbridge.  Cors Aire, looking stately with sails unfurled, met us for the ride up the Severn River. 

Cors Aire under sail up the Severn River

With a light breeze behind us, Wayward Wind smoothly sailed up the Severn past beautiful homes, boat houses, and a variety of vessels, old and new, surrounded by woods.  Though it just lasted a couple of hours, it was good to be sailing again.  We anchored behind St. Helena Island just off the docks of some older homes that edged the rise on the mainland.  Other than the occasional power boater zipping by with gleeful kids in tow on inflatables, the anchorage was peaceful. 

Going up the Severn River

That night we enjoyed Stan’s baked brie, pulled pork sandwiches, wine and friendly conversation with Sherry and Tom aboard Cors Aire.  We laughed a lot as we heard about Stan’s misadventures with various women.  Sherry and Tom tried to tell him that he needs to find a good woman.  Stan, more or less, agreed but said, "They’re just hard to find."

Sherry, recently retired, and Tom also talked about their jobs as air traffic controllers.  Both love the work.  The setting is a central command center where on multiple computer screens they have a broad view of the states.  They spoke of what it was like during 9/11 when they had to get all of the jets landed as quickly as possible.  This meant that they had to track each jet in the air, find a nearby airport, communicate with the jet, and command it to land.  Some of the pilots were aware of the attacks, but those who were not were taken by surprise at being commanded to land their jet immediately.  I don’t remember the duration, but both Tom and Sherry proudly spoke of how quickly they were able to clear the skies of airliners.

Just now, I hear the put-put of Stan’s outboard, I go up to the cockpit and whistle.  He turns and gives me a thumbs-up then turns back, standing as always, and with net in hand, scoops up another piece of garbage as he scoots along toward the sunrise to start his workday.

Washington DC

The other day we took the Metro into Washington DC from Largo, MD.  We arrived at the National Holocaust Museum just in time to hear an 83-year-old Lithuanian-American speak about her experiences in her small village in the 1930s and then at several concentration camps as a teenager.  What an amazing spirit.  Her father was "separated" and murdered, but fortunately, after liberation, she was reunited with her mother and two older brothers.  So many sad stories.  The permanent display was fascinating and sobering. 

Seeing many photos of Jewish families brought to mind my dear friend Rubie who passed away last year after having cancer.  After her passing, I went through many of her photos to send back to her sister in New York.  Rubie's NYC elementary school photos - sparkling brown eyes - are still in my mind as well as images of her as a toddler in Israel where her family settled after fleeing from their home in Afghanistan.  One can only imagine what it is like to be part of a group that is persecuted in such a way.  The parting message of the Holocaust survivor was to spread the word to love each other and treat each other with dignity.  Wise words indeed.

We'd had a hellacious downpour the evening before in which Dave and I made a mad dash in our dinghy up Spa Creek to Wayward Wind.  Soaked to the bone, I crouched in the cockpit and dropped my drenched clothing before stepping down into the salon of the boat.  The beauty (or two) of a downpour is that the deck of the boat gets completely cleaned of all the collective dust and such.  The second is that it breaks the humidity and heat.  The next day was lovely with clear skies, perfect for visiting the capital. 

Hi, Barack and Michelle!

Viet Nam Veterans Memorial

Future Farmers of America on tour at Lincoln Memorial

Here, I read Lincoln's second inaugural address in which he illuminates the incongruity of the Civil War and his goal to keep the nation unified.

Korean War Memorial, very moving

World War II Memorial - Thank you, Dad, for your contribution during this horrific time

I realize now that most of the places we saw involved wars.  I know I'm a bleeding heart liberal and all, but I truly hope for our children's sakes that we can someday get beyond war. 



Maybe a friendly game of slow pitch is the answer...

Annapolis

Thomas Point Lighthouse, just south of Annapolis

Made it to Annapolis.  Initially concerned about predicted thunderstorms, we thankfully had an uneventful motor trip north about 41 miles on Tuesday from Solomons.  Passed this screwpile lighthouse and anchored at the mouth of the Severn River at the city mooring field for two nights.  Annapolis is all about boating and especially sailing.  Everywhere you look, you see, packs of little skiffs and dinghies with children learning to sail.  So cute.

Young sailor

Annapolis is all about boating (and paddling)

Though the anchorage was a little exposed and rolly, we had front row seats to watch the Wednesday evening races.

Winner!

Here they come!

Known as "rail meat," these folks lean over the side to shift weight thereby increasing speed

Took care of groceries, doctor and dental appointments (nothing urgent).  Found Trader Joe's!  Took care of the usual refills and pump-outs.  Speaking of which, we've befriended one of the pump-out boat guys, Stan, who calls himself a "stool-bus driver."  He also says, "I'm the number one guy for the number two job!"  A 65-year-old retired Rubbermaid engineer from Ohio, he now lives on his boat (not the pump-out boat).  Stan speaks fondly of his wife, Toots, who passed away some time ago and of his two step-kids in Ohio.  He's got a great sense of humor and playfulness and is a welcome new friend.  He showed us where to anchor up Spa Creek where it would be much calmer, so we are now anchored there.

He stopped by the other night to share some red wine and chat in the cool evening breeze.  In the past, he traveled quite a bit for Rubbermaid and had some good tales to tell.  At one point, with a childlike glint in his eyes, he exclaimed, "Let's go feed the goose!"  So we piled into his dinghy with a bag of corn and found the white China goose with the light blue eyes.  Sure enough, she (he?) came right up and ate out of our hands.  The next day we fed her again.

Stan and his gorgeous goose

Blue eyed beauty

The queen and her servants

Except for the little water taxis and weekend boaters, for an urban spot the anchorage in Spa Creek is calm and beautiful.  We are happy to spend some time here to explore the city and for repairs and respite. 

View toward town

View of homes

View up the creek (see why we want to stay awhile?)