Trip 2000
Southbound Down The Intercoastal Waterway
This details Leo's and Mona's cruise aboard Snug as they leave the New
York canal system and head south along the ICW.
CLICK HERE to see the prior
part of their trip southbound through the New York canals.
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7-13-00
We are in Cape May, NJ. Tomorrow we will go up Delaware Bay to the
C & D Canal, then down the Chesapeake Bay to Norfolk and then home
on the 27th. All is well. It is less stressful returning as we know
what is around the next turn. We enjoyed our visit with Jan and Burt.
We made plans to join them in Macchu Picchu, Peru, Dec 20, 2000.
We are getting so old (Burt turns 70 soon) we thought we better learn more
about the next life.
7-13-00
WHOOPEE, I fixed the modem like I have radios, bang the unit against a
hard surface. "Talk" to you tomorrow.
7-14-00
We left Cape May, NJ at 5am and arrived in Bear, DE at 12:15pm. The Delaware
Bay can be difficult but wasn't today. It was a little rolly at times but
otherwise it was good. We are on the C & D Canal.
We will probably stay here tomorrow as the forecast is for 100% chance
of thunderstorms. We enjoyed our stay at Cape May because it has the best
fish market we have ever visited. We stocked up on smoked fish.
I had a big helping of haddock it was great. Mona is allergic to
all fish. Doug(fellow Mona and I sailed Vancouver Island with) Sanderson
and son Bob have made a web page for our trips see www.geocities.com/leo_mona
7-16-00
We stayed yesterday at Bear, DE due to weather conditions. We left
this morning at 9:15am when the fog lifted. At 11 am the Coast Guard
announced that there was a possibility that thunderstorms would occur in
the afternoon on Chesapeake Bay that could have 45 mph winds. We
returned to Chesapeake City, MD and are staying at the Chesapeake Inn and
Marina. We are happy we stopped here. This town is a historic
treasure. Many of the houses were built in the 1780s. The newest
building was city hall built in 1903. The houses have been restored and
are beautiful. There are several blocks with every house restored.
The C & D Canal (Chesapeake & Delaware) connects the Chesapeake
Bay and Delaware River so that big ships can go from Baltimore to Philadelphia.
The Canal construction began 1824 and this city was the hub of the construction
activities.
7-17-00
We are now over 3000 miles on the water. We left at 5:45am but after
nearly an hour we turned around and returned to the marina. The fog
got thicker and with a lot of barge traffic and a narrow canal we took
the safer course. We went to a cafe had breakfast read the paper
and started again at 7:45. The fog remained with us until 11am but
much less than earlier. We gain an advantage with the tidal current
and arrived at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Marina at 2:45. The trip
down the canal, Elk River and the Chesapeake Bay.was very pleasant as the
wind was light.
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7-18-00
We had a good run down the Chesapeake today starting at 645am finishing
in Solomon's Island, MD at 130pm some 50 plus miles. We had good
conditions 10-15 West winds, I mostly blocked by cruising close to the
west bank. The folks are friendly here at Calvert Marina that means they
don't charge Krogen boats for the first night stay. We filled
up with fuel so Raggedy Dick , Ann and Bradley won't have to put any fuel
in for their trip in Oct. We also learned that if the fuel fill hose won't
take fast speed nozzles just add the funnel and the extra length does the
trick. It took 20 minutes to get 5 gals in the tank without the funnel
and 5 minutes for the rest of the 60 gals. (Mona's idea)
7-19-00
We left Solomon's at 545am. The weather deteriorated as we progress
so at 1000am Mona located a marina nearby at the mouth of the Potomac River
in Ridge, MD. We are impressed with the quality of the marina and
$1.00 per ft rate. Their web page is www.mtam.org/members/plm.htm
We hope the weather clears in the morning. Mona says I am treating her
to dinner at the great restaurant
7-20-00
We are in Deltaville, Virginia. The day started rough but got better.
We had 15-20 on our rear quarter with 3-4 ft waves. Last night we had a
good rain but 20 mph winds but no 60 mph where we were. Deltaville
is one of my favorite areas. It used to be a major boat building
area but today is primarily a fishing village. People are friendly
and especially the marina folks.
7-21-00
We are at the Navy Base Marina. Mona will learn at 430pm whether
we can leave Snug here until Oct. We have permission to stay for
the weekend. We have the tidal current with us all the way so made 48 miles
in 6 hours. The winds were light and the waves less then 1 foot. We have
rented a car for the weekend and will drive toColonial Williamsburg and
meet Bob & Helen for dinner at King's Arm Tavern. We are surrounded
by Naval Warships and Navy Airplanes of all types.
7-24-00
My daughter Diana and husband David became the new parents of a baby girl
born this morning at 5:09am. All three are doing well. We are
still in Norfolk at the Navy Base. We were hit by a storm today some
areas receiving 6 inches of rain average rainfall for the area is 3.50
inches. Winds are 25-30 mph. We hope to go to Langley Air Force Base
tomorrow and secure Snug for 2 months there. We have tickets to fly
home Thurs.
7-25-00
We are at Langley AFB Marina. Bad weather, winds, heavy rain and
thunderstorms are forecasted thru Sunday so we bite the bullet and made
the trip in conditions we would have normally prefer to stay in port.
It wasn't too bad and the trip was only 2 hours. The people are very helpful
here.
7-26-00
Snug is secured, Mona and I are packed and we are ready to go home.
This will be the last daily log to you but I plan to send at least weekly
updates of what is going on in our lives. We love our life style and plan
to return to Snug when work is completed.
August-September-October
Leo and Mona leave Snug for 3 months in order to take care of some obligations
In Iowa.
11-1-00
(this update from Leo's sister Alice)
Lee asked me to let everyone know that he and Mona just arrived at their
boat area (about 12:30 p.m.) There were no problems other than an
hour delay in departing Chicago. They had heard there were barnacles on
the drive shaft of the boat engine but that was taken care of when the
other repairs were made a short time ago. The boat is ready and they
plan to leave early tomorrow to start the trip down the Intercoastal Waters
for the Bahama crossing. They were departing immediately by rental car
to drive to Williamsburg, Virginia to have dinner with Leo's son, Bob and
his wife, Helen.
11-3-00
Up, out o the slip, and cups of coffee in hand as we requested an opening
of the bridge right outside of th marina at 0600. Light winds pushing us
along at 7.5-8 mph, and wamer tempature( we shed two of the three layers
of clothes we started out with today). A delightful ride, all 74
miles!
11-4-00
Leo's words of wisdom: Gore fans, it is three days to the election.
Bush supporters, it is four days to electon. Day three of the south bound
journey. We will be at mile 228 when we dock in another hour or so.
Another nice day. We have crossed the last of the sounds that could
become rough and nasty--all of them have been like mill
ponds. Of course we have gotten up very early to cross before
any winds could build. The cell phone works! We can receive
and send calls, and if we can remember, we will try to check the voice
mail when we get docked each evening.
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11-5-00
The marina had courtesy transportation to local eateries. I took
advantage of Leo's offer and didn't cook last evening. The food was
outstanding--pumpkin muffins to die for! For the second day in a row we
have seen dolphins. SNUG doesn't make enough wake to i nterest them
in frolicing around us, but they do come close
to check us out. What beautifully graceful mammals. Rain all
night, cloudy nd spitting rain until a bout 10 am and then warm sunshine.
A nice day after all.
11-6-00
Another beatiful day. Another state: the confederate state of South
Carolina. I baked Japeno cheese bread, and gingies. As we came out of the
cut this morning AQUADUCK hailed us. Joe and his sister boat to SNUG traveled
together all day. Making a stop at Barefoot Landing--an outlet mall.
I had my list ready and the purse by the door ready to run out the minute
the lines were secured to the dock. The scenery today was more man made
and more populated. Lots of beautiful waterfront homes and many huge
homes/condos under construction.
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11-12-00
A banana nut muffin, cheese danish, and the Sunday paper were delivered
at 0615 this morning. I DO like this marina! Today was warm, sunny
and delightful. Surprisingly there were not many recreational boaters,
so the ride was pleasant. We will meet a cousin for dinner here in Jacksonville.
Zeke and Deb have visited SNUG last winter in Marathon, FL. They
are always a delight to be with.
11-13-00
Dinner last evening with Zeke and Deb. They brought a bloom laden
zgo cactus--All is back to normal SNUG has a living plant aboard.
The herb garden will be next. Sunrise was spectacular this morning!
The sky was brillant pink and blue hues with he moon still visible. Makes
getting up so eary almost worth the effort(I don't do mornings very well--ask
Leo). We are back to mega-buck homes along the ICW.
Lots of dolphins and birds.. As we can thru St. Augustine this morning
we were hailed by SS Nocturne. Always good to see friends.
Len and Isabelle were docked behind us all last winter in Marathon, FL.
We should see them again in Marsh Harbour. Yesterday we saw WOODJA,
from Baltimore. Boating is a great world. We will have doe
80 miles when we dock in Halifax Marina, Daytona, FL. this evening. Looking
forward to another night off galley duty we will have dinner with Dick
and Ann.
11-14-00
We remained in Daytona today. Strong winds and thunderstorms were
forecasted. We rented a car and drove to Patrick AFB on Merritt Island
and shopped at the Commissionary, liquor store and BX like a small Walmark.
We also shopped at Walmark and Sears. We are pretty outfitted for
the winter. We enjoyed a delightful dinner with Raggedy Dick and Ann.
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11-15-00
Perfect weather, calm seas, and very little traffic on the ICW made for
a delightful day. Most of the purchases of yesterday
are stowed. And except for the couple of dozen items that I forgot,
we are ready to make the crossing when the weather permits, after we arrive
in North Palm Beach on Friday. Larry said he will meet us this weekend
to assist us in the crossing. Indian Cove Marina was full so we are in
Whitley Marine bouncing from the 15 K North wind.
11-16-00
Today has been one of the most delightful of the trip south. Sunny,
warm, light winds, with many miles of wide water spotted with many rustic
islands. Even found an FM radio station that played "moldy oldies".
We both talked about memories of the songs. This
morning we called S/V Nocturne by cell phone and made arrangements to meet
them for dinner when we get to the marina. Isn't this techno stuff
great. Their sailboat was on the ocean when I called.
The weather forecast at this time will give us a few days in North Palm
Beach to rest and clean the boat before a nice weather window for crossing.
We have reserved a rental car for the week end. I get a last trip
to Wal-mart! Will see a last movie or two before leaving. Going
to be a fun week end. Sorry, friends that you can't enjoy it with
us.
11-17-00
We are at our jumping off place North Palm Beach. It is hot 80plus.
We have rented a car for the weekend ($9.99 a day). We had a 15 mph
wind on our nose
but had the current so we arrived 1245 pm a distance of 48 miles. The
homes along the ICW in the Palm Beach area are massive.
11-20-00
Yesterday we had brunch with Pat and Bob in Boca Raton. We had dinner
with Larry, Donna and Hi. Larry and us decided the weather conditions
were not
good enough to make the crossing. Next window looks possible this Friday.
11-26-00
We are still in US. We would prefer to be in the earthly Paradise but here
we sit. First the winds are too strong, then they are from
the north, today both are OK but the waves are 8-10 in the stream. It could
be next weekend before we go. Relaxing is getting old.
11-29-00
We moved 50 mile south to Ft Lauderdale to Hollywood Marina. Larry
lives here and it makes it easier for him to join us on the boat to make
the crossing. It doesn't look like we can cross before Monday. Jill
and David will join us Saturday and if we leave soon enough they will cross
with us. We plan to rent a car for the weekend. There is much
to see and do here. Days are 70-80 and nights 60-70. Delightful.
12-4-00
We are giving up on our plans to cross the Stream until we return from
Peru on the 27th of Dec. The forecast is for 8-10 ft seas in the
stream thru Friday. We leave for Peru on 12-14. We are staying
here at the Hollywood Marina until the 13th . Friend Jim has made arrangements
to store Snug at The Jockey Club a big Condo Complex with boat slips
and security. Jim and a friend of his may take Snug to Marsh Harbour
for us while we are in Peru.
1-6-01
Finally it looks like tomorrow is the day we can make the gulf stream crossing.
We will call Alice as soon as we can get to a phone. We expect it
will take 3 days. We have tickets from Marsh Harbour to CA for the wedding
leaving Thurs. We think we can make it in time.
1-8-01
FINALLY! We are on or way across. As we passed Port Evergaldes
we motored by cruise ships. The Queen Elizabeth II, Enchantment of the
Seas, Grand Princess, and half dozen others from Costa, Celebrity, and
other lines. Mixing the cruise ships in with the mega tankers and
container ships made for an impressive pass by. Our trip across the stream
was satisfactory, a little rough (4ft ) in the crest of the stream.
I would be happy for similar crossings in the future. The forecast
called for 20-30mph winds out of the NW on Tues so we have
chosen to return to Larry's in Ft Lauderdale and fly to CA for the wedding
and return to Snug in West End Grand Bahama on the 15th Monday.
