Blue Heron
| Vessel Name: | Blue Heron |
| Vessel Make/Model: | Hallberg Rassy 43 |
| Hailing Port: | Delaware City, DE |
| Crew: | Bob & Eric Frantz |
| About: | Bob retired in January, 2011 from a career as an environmental attorney and manager, and Eric earned his Bachelor's Degree from The George Washington University in Washington, DC in December, 2010. They began their circumnavigation February 6, 2011. |
| Extra: | In the words of that great American author, Mark Twain, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” |
19 June 2012
The Blue Heron did it!
Today is the 500th day since we began our adventure around the world. We did it! We've completed our circumnavigation! We have not only crossed our wake but have passed the point from which we originally set sail on February 6, 2011. All that remains is to get us and the Blue Heron home. She has [...]
13 June 2012 | Fishing Bay Harbor Marina, Deltaville, VA
Waiting to get back on our way
We passed Little Creek Marina in Norfolk, VA during the middle of the night last night -- that's where our dream voyage began 16 months ago. We then made our way to the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay where we were greeted with a howling hello in the form of 30+ knot winds on the nose. Making any headway was almost impossible so, we have diverted for safe harbor once more to wait for this weather system to pass. If anything, the North Atlantic lives up to it's reputation as being predictably unpredictable. Now, we wait (impatiently) for another weather window so that we can make our way home.
12 June 2012
Big Fish - take a look
Our steady progress and, generally, uneventful passage thusfar was punctuated with excitement yesterday afternoon when Eric called out, "I've got one!" He caught a White Marlin in the late afternoon. The fish fought hard and we had quite a time getting the fish on board. The fish measured 6'4" and [...]
09 June 2012
on our way north
This morning we left West Palm Beach at 8:15AM and are making our way north. We're hopeful that weather will be in our favor the entire final passage home -- we'll see. We've started with the benefit of both the gulf stream and favorable winds and are moving along at about 9 knots.
05 June 2012 | Cannonsport Marina, Palm Beach Shores, Florida
weather detour
We're stopping in Palm Beach for a day or so to wait out some weather due to come offshore from the Carolinas. Then we'll continue our northbound journey for home.
Easter in the Islands
From 2012-04-11 SVG-4-11We managed to catch Union during its annual Easterval, which brought the main town of Clifton to life. Music filled the streets and shops closed as people celebrated Easter weekend. We spent one morning hiking to an old fort at the top of a hill. A friendly dog joined us halfway up, perhaps hoping for handouts, but he wasn't pushy about it. 
From 2012-04-11 SVG-4-11The dog walked with us the entire way to the top of the hill and waited patiently as we looked around the fort. He finally got his loot in the form of half a granola bar. We walked back down, the dog departing from where he joined us. We left Union for the Tobago Cays, another short hop away. The Tobago Cays and the adjacent island of Mayreau are part of an environmental protection area. The Cays are home to a turtle sanctuary and an incredibly healthy reef system. The anchorage surrounding the turtle sanctuary was saturated with boats, so we opted for another anchorage just around one of the cays. Blue Heron was dwarfed by several super yachts, but we all shared an equally impressive view of the surrounding islands.
From 2012-04-11 SVG-4-11The snorkeling was fantastic, though a strong current kept us relatively close to the dinghy.With Easter the following morning, we sailed just around the corner to the tiny island of Mayreau. The one square mile island with a population of just 250 people happens to be home to one of the few Catholic churches in the Grenadines. This one has the best views, as far as churches go.
From 2012-04-11 SVG-4-11 Easter morning was beautifully clear and the church, situated high on the peak of Mayreau, overlooked the surrounding ocean, dotted with the Grenadines.
From 2012-04-11 SVG-4-11 Most of the people attending the service were also from yachts, but the singing was overwhelmingly local. 
From 2012-04-11 SVG-4-11Though we couldn't understand many of the songs being sung, the mass was impressive and the priest engaging.
From 2012-04-11 SVG-4-11 We left Mayreau later that morning for Bequia, a popular stop with yachts. We're looking forward to spending a few days here and exploring the island. 
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