Needless to say I am WAY behind in postings; posted our first day out and nothing since then; I will try to do better.
So we left Belhaven and headed for Alligator River Marina (Ms. Wanda's) which we made ok - weather was the usual summer afternoon shower threat but we had none; Left the following day for Coinjock which meant crossing the Albemarle Bay - uneventful just as we like it; got into Coinjock around 2 - 3 PM and of course had the Prime Rib which they are noted for; it was ok, but not really overwhelming. While at Coinjock we ran into some people that we had met in Savannah at the Isle of Palms Marina 3 years ago; had not seen them or talked to them since then but we actually remembered each other. The following day we left early as it was going to be a long day to Norfolk; as we approached Norfolk we LUCKED out on several fronts - first there were severe storm warnings that came across the radio - we could hear them and see them in the distance, but as it turns out they did not hit us; next we were allowed by the bridge tenders to pass on 2 bridges - had they not done that we would had to wait for rush hour to end and thus been sitting for about 2 hrs. . We stayed at Tidewater Marina arrived on Wed. We had already decided to stay there for one extra day to take a "rest" / work day. Due to weather we ended up staying until Sunday; now another problem popped up - when it came time to leave at about 6:30 AM my heart rate started to act a little "funky" - given my heart history we decided to go to the hospital to have it checked out; all was ok although for some reason my heart rate was elevated and did not want to come down; it was 102 - 104 - but I was in sinus rythum so I was released ; got back to the boat and decided to go across the Bay to Cape Charles , about a 35 mile trip; all was ok ; our original plan to go to Deltaville but these was no way; we decided to leave early the next day from Cape Charles and push to make it to the Solomons - about a 75 mile trip. We made it but it was 7:30 PM when we pulled in - thank you daylight savings time; Gail left Tuesday to return to Bath for business. Hopefully she will return Sunday and we will leave Monday for Annapolis.
We are holding on to the gopal to reach NY for July 4th, but it will be close for sure !! weather will be the primary controlling factor. We'll see.
So I will try to do better in keeping up the blog. Gail has some pictures that she wasn't to post as well. Until next time.

Left from WYCC today at 9:30 AM to begin our summer cruise; Our goal is NYC for July 4;,actually have reservations Liberty Landing Marina on the NJ side of the Hudson; due to our late start not sure we can make it, but definitely going to try. Our plan is to go north on the Chesapeake, cross the C& D canal , south on the Delaware to Cape May NJ and then north on the outside to Atlantic City and then to NYC; weather will play a big part as to making it or not.
First stop today was Belhaven; 6 hr. Trip;staying at Belhaven Waterway Marina. Leave in the morning for Alligator River Marina.
All is well!

Since our last posting we have covered a lot of territory including crossing the Gilf Stream.
We left Ft. Lauderdale and sailed on the outside to Miami. Generally an uneventful 20 mile trip; it was scheduled to be a very calm day with winds out of the West; winds actually were South / Southwest and steady 10 and gusting to as much as 20; when we were about 5 miles north of Miami we heard on the radio that a water spout had been sited about 5 miles behind us so we did not see it; when starting to enter the channel into Miami there was a very obvious squall line of rain coming in our direction; as we were about to enter Gov. Cut it got to the point where you could not see ahead at all; pulled over to the side of the channel and bow into the wind; fortunately it turned out to be a little rain and very little wind so it passed without incident and we proceeded ; could not go all the way through Gov. Cut as there were cruise ships in port thus we had to take the shipping course.
Went to Dinner Key marina in Coconut Grove and it became very windy; our plan had benn to go on a mooring ball but it was far to windy to even make an attempt to capture a ball so we ended up in a slip.
So we did go to the Boat Show and the Coconut Grove Art festival which is great. Boat show was good of course but I was definitely not looking for a boat; as I told Gail this was the first boatshow where I wanted to see specific people with specific questions; so it was good.
We stayed a couple more days in Dinner Key and then moved over to No Name Harbor which is across Biscayne Bay from Dinner Key; No Name is a Fl. State Park and the anchorage is also a main "staging" anchorage for people waiting for a good weather windo to cross to the Bahamas, primarily to Bimini.
We totally enjoyed this anchorage - walking trails, clean restrooms, 2 restaurants and plenty of ocean beach access. Shopping is also with an easy bike ride, but a hell of a walk which we did end of doing; should have lost at least 10 lbs on that walk but I most likely did not. The time that was very interesting but noisy was on Saturday - the local younger folks come by boat to No Name to party - nothing bad or out of the way, just a lot of Latin music, partying; very family oriented.
Our plan had been to leave No Name and go North to Lauderdale and depart from there to cross over to West End on Grand Bahama; the weather reports said that Sunday was the best day to cross the Stream and that after that it could be 10 days for another window to open; tired of waiting and the fact that there we 2 - 4 other boats crossing at the same time we elected to leave for Bimini on Sunday morning for the 45 miile crossing; departed No Name about 6:30 AM and arrived in Bimini about 3 PM ; crossing was uneventful ; low winds and the sea good; got some motor sailing in the trip but motored over in essence.
We are glad that we made the decision to come here; it has been very enjoyable; good weather, good people and a great learning experience; most enjoyable day, I would say was yesterday when visited with a local man who is the resident Poet / Historian; a well educated talented man who has uncovered the history of Bimini, written books about it, taught the local kids for over 30 yrs., created a small museum and has been building a bulding for 30 years called the Dolphin House; completely built by this man and using local materials from shells, to coral, cement that he makes from ground shells etc. Truly a very interesting person to know.
The day before we went to South Bimini to tour the shark lab; this is a lab situation set up roughly 20 yrs. ago and manned by volunteer students - some doing Master / PhD study etc. Primary work is with the Lemon Sharks which are not of concern to us from the "man eating " standpoint. It was very interesting and especially walking out in the shallow waters to the cages they keep small sharks in.
AT the fish cleaning station here at the marina we have seen Bull Sharks - these are the "bad boys". ; my guess is that they were 10 - 12 feet long an dlooking for a meal.
While here we have met some very find Canadian friends who are moving South from here; we have decided to join them and plan to leave here Monday
around noon and head to Nassau; this will be an overnight trip of about 21 hrs. and as of now there will 3 - 5 boats traveling together. This will be our first overnight trip. Because of weather forecasts we expect to be in Nassau for at least 3 days; from there we expect to head for the Exuma Islands which we definitely did not plan to do this yr. ; we are rapidly learning that this is cruising - be ready to change plans and to wait for good weather windows;
We will try our best to keep you updated.

We have left Stuart on Thurs. Feb, 7 heading South. Our first leg heading to Miami was from Stuart to Lake Worth where we anchored in the anchorage immediately next to the inlet that goes out to the ocean. Was a good achorage, good holding; was a good night. Left Lake Worth about 7:30 AM to make the 45 mile trip to Ft. Lauderdale on the outside (ocean). Forecasts were for SW to W winds at 8 - 13 mph; wind direction was correct but the wind speed became 14 to 22 mph with lumpy seas. We were fine though- the boat did very well and I was very pleased with the auto pilot hold - seas were 3 ft. Had a good ride.
Uneventful coming in the Ft. Lauderdale inlet until Gail told me to look behind me; I immediately lost 10 lbs. A freighter came out of nowhere, or so it seemed; as I was already in the channel there was nothing to do but move over as much as possible and hold on; fortunately he was very slow and the huge wake that I was expecting did not happen; a picture is posted that will show what I saw and see if you can find our boat ; this photo was taken by some people on a Catalina sailboat who were in front of us and emailed to us.
The Ft. Lauderdale area is the 3rd largest departure point for cruise ships; when we came in there were 5 ships in port that we went by; they are huge;
Holland America ship left while we waiting for the bridge opening and the other 4 left Sat.
Unfortunately we are more or less stuck in Ft. Lauderdale; due to 1 low bridge in North Miami we must go out on the ocean to travel to Miami which is only a 20 mile trip; the winds have shifted to NE to East along with the winds increasing thus building seas with wavme 5 - 7 ft. ; for us that is a no go knowing the direction in which those waves will hit the boat, so we will wait it out here and it looks like it will be either Wed. or Thurs. before we can leave.
Needless to say, this area is very busy; we are at the Bhia Mar marina and in a slip directly across from the beaches.
So it is good that we have moved, but we certainly made some good friends in Stuart and do miss seeing them everyday and the daily on the dock "social" hour. All good people and we miss them.

Needless to say we are way behind witht he blog in writing and with photos.
We arrived in Stuart the Friday after Thanksgiving; we were in Vero Beach for Thanksgiving which proved to be quite nice; all of the cruisers and former crusiers who now live on "dirt" in Vero had a covered dish dinner; there were definitely over 100 people there and I have never seen so much food; it was wonderful. Left on Friday AM for the 6 hr. trip to Stuart.
The trip from Fernandino Beach down was mostly cold , windy, and overcast; some rain but not much. We lost at least a week of travel time due to weather in that time frame. The day that we arrived in Stuart the weather continually got better and better - clear, sunny, and warm with temps. 70 - 80. The last 2 days have been a little windy which made it feel colder but the temp in fact has been in the low 70's.
The new boat has done well - no major issues thank goodness. If the captain could keep the bow off of the dock face when docking then all would be good; coming into the cement docks in Stuart I lost concentration and the wind blew the bow into the dock causing some minor fiberglass damage; has been repaired and lloks like new again!!
We contunue to debate our plan for the season in regards to crossing over to the Bahamas in Feb. We definitely plan to go to Miami in Feb. for the boat show and the art festival in Coconut Grove; from there we are still up in the air. Then if we decide to go the next heavyweight decision is to go to the Abacos or the Exumas; decisions - decisions !!
Actually sitting in St, Simons today - rented car , drove here to retrieve our truck, Gail will take the truck home, I wll drive back to Stuart,Gail will take care of business at home for a week and fly back to Stuart; how is htat for logistics !!!
All is good.
Gail will begin postuiing photos upon her return, of course provided that she returns to put up with the likes of me.
Our best to all who moight read this and keep up with us.

We finally departed St. Simons Island last Friday with beautiful weather; took the outside route to St, Mary's inlet and anchored in Dungeness Creek at Cumberland Island, Ga. for 2 nights; weather was very good to the point where we actually went to the beach and fell asleep; and guess what, this was our first exoerience going to a public nude beach - clothing optional.
Cumberland island is a national seashore park and I would highly recommend it as a stopping point; could easily spend 2 - 3 days exploring for little or no cost. They do have camping as well, but you must carry all of your gear by boat ! either your own boat or a ferry that runs from St. Mary's. Great anchorage; holding was good.
Left there on Sunday to go to Fernandina, FL and stayed at the municipal marina.
Left Monday for Jacksonville Beach Marina , satyed 1 night and on to St. Augustine and the Comachee Marina. We are hunkered down here and will be for a few more days as the weather has really turned nasty - windy, cold and raining. Marina is an excellent facility with a great restaurant on site.
Needless to say we will not make to Stuart for Thanksgiving; it will be most likely a week after Thanksgiving before we reach there; here again it all depends on the weather.
The boat has done well to date; no issues so far.