Always $umthing
| Vessel Name: | Always $umthing |
| Vessel Make/Model: | Tartan 37 |
| Hailing Port: | Worton Creek, Maryland |
| Crew: | Al and Diane Dashevsky |
| About: | |
| Extra: | When clicking on the "Where are we now?" link, PLEASE DO NOT call rescue authorities if the boat hasn't moved in a while. |
11 May 2013 | Green Point Marina, Worton, MD
Chesapeake Bay or Lake??? Ans: HOME!
We spent Thursday night at Calvert Marina in Solomons Island. Was nice to have a courtesy car again to get food for Daisy and a couple of needed groceries since I will be on the boat for a few days while Al goes home to get one of our cars.
09 May 2013 | Solomons, MD
Almost Home!
We hauled anchor at Little Bay this morning at 6:15 and headed north. Was able to get sails up for a while, but of course the wind died, then picked up again - right on the nose. Ah, the sailing life! LOL! Today's pic is a scene I never get tired of...sunrise on the Chesapeake :)
05 May 2013 | Norfolk, VA
Patience, Patience, Patience...
As the sun is beginning to set on our adventure, we are learning how to be patient. It is a bit frustrating to be so close to home and not be able to get there.
01 May 2013 | Dismal Swamp, North Carolina
Dismal Weather in the Swamp
Early Tuesday morning we left Elizabeth City in light fog. After a fuel stop, we headed for the Dismal Swamp South Mills Lock. Traffic on the canal is light and there were only 4 boats, all sail, in the lock.
29 April 2013 | Elizabeth City, NC
Yes, it IS Always $umthing!
Oh my! What a crazy (and chilly) eight days!
21 April 2013 | Southport, NC
Sitting in Southport...
Spent last night at the free dock at the Provision Company and had a good dinner there. Left the dock this morning and headed out to the Cape Fear River...and promptly turned back. It was BRUTAL! Winds have been in the upper 20's gusting into the 30's ALL DAY! Forecast is for more of the same through [...]
20 April 2013 | Isle of Palms to N. Myrtle Beach
Score: Di 107 - Flies 0 !!!
As much as we like the Low Country, we DO NOT like the bugs. We have had our fill of gnats, no-see-ums, and mosquitos...and now flies!
15 April 2013 | Beaufort, SC
Painting done!
The painting of the hull and bottom is complete! It looks like a new boat! Can't believe how shiny it is...you can see your reflection!
08 April 2013 | Beaufort, SC
Biding our time in Beaufort
We have been in Beaufort, SC now for a week. The original plan was to be here for 2 weeks for the boat to be painted. However, we've had a bit of bad weather (quite a bit of rain) during the beginning of the week. So now it looks like we might be here a bit longer than 2 weeks. But as of yesterday, [...]
01 April 2013 | Beaufort, SC
OMG!!!
I'm still shaking! On the way over to Marsh Harbor Marina where the boat is going to be painted, Al walked up on deck to pull up a fender we forgot to pull in...and he FELL OVERBOARD!!!! Good thing we've practiced Man Overboard drills! He's OK...shaken and cold, but OK :)
26 March 2013 | Daytona Beach Shores/Port Orange
Sitting and waiting...and waiting...
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
20 March 2013 | Manatee Pocket, FL (St. Lucie Inlet)
Homeward Bound
Oh my! Where does the time go??? Before leaving Marathon we were so busy with last minute social activities as well as getting "ready" to leave...not to mention also nursing a cold...and the blog suffered. Apologies to all.
04 March 2013 | Marathon, FL
Old Man Winter. . .
. . . has found us. The past few days have been quite chilly, windy, and a bit of rain (as evidenced by the pic above of our friends bundled up and wearing long pants in Key West). Temps are in the 50's during the day with the nights requiring the heat on for a while in the boat. But we aren't complaining! [...]
21 February 2013 | Marathon, FL
Laid Back and Not Too Wasted...
(Apologies to Jim Morris for the blog title today...)
21 January 2013 | Marathon, FL
Time to Catch-Up!
So the question seems to be, "What have we been doing with ourselves for the past couple of weeks?" The short answer is, of course, immensely enjoying being in Paradise!
12 December 2012 | Key West, FL
Reached the end of the road!
Today we joined Flint & Leslie Firestone and their friends George and Jan and hopped on the bus to Key West. Since the bus only cost $1.50 each way (Sr. Rate), it didn't make sense to drive down with the gas rate approaching $4/gal!
11 December 2012 | Marathon, FL
Our "Home" - for now
Decided to share some pics of our "home away from home" with y'all. While it's true that "home is where the boat is", the boat is here at Blackfin. Enjoy the "tour".
09 December 2012 | Marathon, Florida
It's Beginning to Look like Christmas
We are enjoying being on "island time" :) Fairly lazy days, warm weather, and on the water...what more could you ask for??
06 December 2012 | Marathon, Florida
We're in Marathon!
We left Jewfish Creek on Tuesday morning around 7:45 and headed south, assuming we would stop in Islamorada or Tavernier on the way. We had the wind at our stern and even had tide with us (dumb luck!) and we were making such good time that when we got to Islamorada it was way too early to stop so we [...]
03 December 2012 | Jewfish Creek - Key Largo
Officially in the Keys!
We stayed in Fort Lauderdale a few extra days waiting for the winds and clouds to blow out. The pic above is the resident iguana at Las Olas Municipal Marina. When he kept coming by our boat, I decided he needed a name and started calling him Iggy. Saturday afternoon he even climbed on the foredeck! Saturday [...]
29 November 2012 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Vero Beach to Ft. Lauderdale
Well this will be another "catch-up" post since, again, our wifi connections have been poor or non-existent :(
22 November 2012 | Vero Beach, FL
Gobble, Gobble, Gobble...
...And that we did! Had a wonderful Thanksgiving Dinner with approx. 200 other cruisers here in Vero Beach. Had turkey, ham, all the traditional go-withs and lots of other unique dishes. The desserts were incredible! And everything but the turkeys and hams came from boat galleys! After dinner there [...]
17 November 2012 | Titusville, FL
Wind, wind, and more wind!
Whew! Lot of "catching up" to do! Our internet access has been sketchy at best. So what's been happening with us?? Since I last posted, we stopped in St. Augustine. Hung out on a mooring ball there for 3 nights since the weather was so lousy...blowing stink and rainy. While it was lousy for sailing/traveling, [...]
12 November 2012 | Jacksonville Beach, FL
There IS justice!
Anyone who sails will understand the "title" today that refers to the attached picture - whether you've traveled The Ditch or not. It is especially frustrating in The Ditch when the PBs blow by you, rock the snot out of you and sometimes force you over into the low water! Hence, today's caption.
10 November 2012 | St. Simons Island, GA
Just Peachy in Georgia
Yes the weather the past 2 days HAS been peachy! Upper 70's - low 80's in the afternoons, but still need the fleece in the mornings and at night - brrr!
08 November 2012 | Savannah, GA
Savannah
Al found a Quest Diag. to have his labwork done. Since it wasn't within walking distance, a taxi was hired to get him there and back. While he was gone, Daisy and I strolled along the Savannah waterfront, enjoying the park and window shopping. Al came along and joined us for the second half of our [...]
07 November 2012 | Savannah, GA
Georgia on my mind :)
As anticipated, we hung out in Marsh Harbor Creek on Tuesday to wait out the rain. Between showers, we managed to get some boatkeeping chores accomplished. Daisy wasn't too thrilled to have to take her "shore breaks" in the rain as you can see from the picture. She actually likes wearing the raincoat, [...]
05 November 2012 | Beaufort, SC
OK, so we didn't make Hilton Head...
Left Mosquito Creek on the ebb tide and FLEW down to Beaufort, SC (that's "bewfort" in SC rather than "bowfort" as in NC) in 3 hrs. Original plan was to go all the way to Hilton Head, but decided to stop here and see a gentleman (Peter Gamble, at Marsh Harbor Marina) about getting the boat painted. [...]
04 November 2012 | Mosquito Creek, Green Pond, SC
On the way to Beaufort, SC
Left Charleston approx. 7:30 this morning and traveled 46.5 miles. FLEW through Elliot Cut and down the Stono River until the current changed. Saw beautiful scenery the whole day as well as lots of aquatic birds and a few dolphins. I kept thinking that I should have taken a Native American linquistics [...]
03 November 2012 | Charleston, SC
Tourist Days
Left McClellanville around 7:45 on Thursday, Nov. 1 and got into Charleston at 1:45 - better than we thought. Rather than go to the City Marina (megadock) which was very expensive, we opted to try the Maritime Center Marina on the Cooper River side of Charleston. The Marina staff were exceptionally [...]
01 November 2012 | South Carolina
Myrtle Beach to McClellanville
Sunday afternoon (10/28) we were so pleased to be able to get together with two of Al's friends from his days in the Jaycees - Sue and Mike. They live not far from Myrtle Beach and drove up to spend some time visiting. We hope to connect with them again on the way back.
27 October 2012 | Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Heeeerres SANDY!
Spent yesterday (Friday) doing laundry (long walk), boatkeeping chores, dog bathing/grooming and then I borrowed a neighbor's bike and rode to the grocery store for a few things for us and others on the dock. Last evening we had a "Storm Watch Dock Party" on a neighboring trawler. Hmmmm....our next [...]
26 October 2012 | Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Goodbye NC, Hello South Carolina!
We got an early start on Thursday, leaving Southport at 7 am. Even had to use our nav lights. The 45 mile trip to Myrtle Beach was a fairly slow ride as the tide and current changed on us along the way, shoaling to watch out for, bridge openings to wait for, no wind to speak of (what we had was right [...]
24 October 2012 | North Carolina
Swansboro to Southport
Spent Monday night in Wrightsville Beach watching the anchor...sleepless night (just didn't seem to have a good set - turns out we were set, just had more rode out than neighboring boats). Moved the boat in the morning to a better location - farther into the basin where there was less current. Then [...]
21 October 2012 | Swansboro, NC
Oriental to Swansboro, NC
Arrived in Oriental Thursday afternoon and pulled into Sailcraft Services on Whittaker Creek. We had noticed an unusual amount of white smoke coming from the exhaust. Since it could be a sign of a serious problem, Al contacted Beta Marine to find out who to contact in Oriental - thus the stop [...]
17 October 2012 | Belhaven, NC
Elizabeth City to Belhaven
We said farewell to Elizabeth City around 8:45 am. Sailing down the Pasquotank, we passed the blimp hangar pictured above. All blimps (except Goodyear blimps) are manufactured here. Elizabeth City is also home to the largest Coast Guard base in the country.
15 October 2012 | Elizabeth City, NC
Another Pleasant Day :)
Short day on the water Monday. We left the Dismal Swamp Visitor's Center approx. 7:45 and made the first locking at South Mills.
14 October 2012 | Rappahannock River to Dismal Swamp Canal
Saying Goodbye to Virginia
We said "goodbye" to Joanne and her brother Friday afternoon and left Carter's Creek at 7:30 Saturday morning. We had tide, current, and WIND against us all the way down the Rappahannock and out on the bay. About a mile past Stingray Point (Deltaville), Al decided that he wasn't having much fun - to [...]
11 October 2012 | Carter's Creek, Rappahannock River, VA
Peeee Uuuuu!
Talk about a "stinky" day! :P Al removed the old head and some of the hoses today, then capped off the tank and the rest of the hoses - which we will remove later. It's a dirty job, but somebody has to do it. We probably should have contacted Mike Rowe from "Dirty Jobs" to do it for us! So while we [...]
10 October 2012 | Carter's Creek, Rappahannock River, VA
We're in Virginia :)
Internet access has not been great so haven't been able to update for a couple of days.
06 October 2012 | Annapolis, MD
Boat Show Day
Headed over to the Boat Show after installing our reprogrammed AIS transceiver (another item off the checklist - Yay!). Naturally we spent more than we had planned on, but our purchases will make our life aboard MUCH more comfortable. We pick up our new Spade anchor tomorrow afternoon since we made [...]
05 October 2012 | Chesapeake Bay
Here We Go!!!!
Left Green Point Marina around 10 am and arrived in Annapolis at 2 pm. Had both sails up briefly, but motorsailed most of the way. Wind was extremely light and when it did pick up enough to sail, it was right on the nose.
30 September 2012 | Green Point Marina
Moving In!
This is Move In weekend! We stuffed the car to the roof and headed for Green Point. Got down Friday later than we originally had hoped, so we put the refrigerator on to chill down and started moving "the stuff" onto the boat. Got our clothes for the first part of the trip put away then loaded the refrigerator. [...]
23 September 2012 | Green Point Marina, Worton, MD
SURPRISE!
WOW! We are soooo overwhelmed! Our wonderful friends at Green Point gave us a wonderful surprise Bon Voyage Party last night! Great friends, great food, clever and useful gifts! One of our "newer dockmates" even wrote and performed a song for us :) "Thank You" just doesn't seem adequate. An extra big [...]
14 September 2012 | Annapolis, MD
Finally got out for a short cruise!
Left Green Point this morning at 9:45 for a short cruise to Annapolis. Of course something had to happen. This time it was our chartplotter. Turns out we have 1 broken pin and a bent pin where the power cord attaches. At least we were going to Annapolis! If there is anywhere it can be fixed [...]
17 August 2012 | Worton Creek
Another item off the punchlist!!
Finally got the Wind Generator installed and wired!! Hooray!! Wasn't the easiest task we needed to accomplish, but we did it :) That's the good news. Bad news is we need to replace the 20 yr old refrigerator before we leave. While it is still working - most of the time, it is on it's last legs. If [...]
08 July 2012 | Worton Creek, MD
Our Boat Has the Right Name!
Yes, it's "Always $umthing"!! Two weeks ago we had not one, but TWO washdown pumps go belly-up as well as the refrigeration motor. Neither of these repairs/replacements are a particularly difficult job. But for our non-boating friends, I've attached these pics to demonstrate how even a "simple" job is [...]
28 May 2012 | Worton Creek, MD
Memorial Day Weekend
Just back from spending Memorial Day Weekend at the Marina. Great Dock Party to kick-off the season Sat. evening...great food, great friends, great fun! Sat. morning we took the boat out and got to fly the spinnaker! Whoo Hoo!! First time it's been out of the bag...she's a pretty one. A friend sailing along took the attached pic of Al & I in front of the sail. Very hot, humid weekend - but very relaxing and enjoyable.
20 May 2012 | Green Point Marina, Maryland
At our "Summer Home"!
Always $umthing was put in the water last week and I got the majority of the "spring cleaning" done by Thursday. Friday morning we left Greenwich Boat Works at 9 am and had an uneventful motorsail to Worton Creek ("uneventful" is a good thing! LOL). Pulled into our slip at 5 pm.
03 May 2012 | Vineland, NJ
Welcome!
This is the year! As we are working through the Spring Commissioning tasks, thoughts of moving aboard in October for our journey south for the winter are never far away. Our general plans are to finish preparing the boat for the winter trip throughout the summer as well as doing a couple of "shakedown [...]
Time to Catch-Up!
We have been enjoying the laid-back lifestyle. Being on "island time" seems to require living by the mantra, "Maybe I'll get to it tomorrow" - LOL! But we haven't ALWAYS waited until tomorrow...
We joined friends at The Hurricane (on-site restaurant/bar) to listen to a group called The Doerfels. It is a family of 10 children, the oldest being 20 (I think), that have formed a band. 6 of the kids play in the band (since they "kicked Dad out of the band for talking more than playing"), and 2 of the youngest join them on stage to sing a selection or two. While their roots were in Bluegrass, their music has become all inclusive with the exception of rap/hip hop. They are VERY good! We listened to them for 2 hrs before heading back to the boat and they hadn't taken a single break in that time. The boys have even made their guitars out of hockey sticks! It really was very entertaining.
The "older" kids performing. The 6th sibling is the drummer behind the rest of them.
The 2 youngest join in for a "special" song.
One morning we rode our bikes down to Pigeon Key and toured the island. This is one of the islands where the railroad workers lived while the original 7 Mile Bridge was being constructed. Very informative and interesting. From the boat and back, that was a little over 8 miles of biking. Good exercise!
The Barracks for the workers - now converted into a museum.
The Bridge Tenders House.
Riding back to Marathon - 2 miles of bridge to go...
One Saturday evening we walked down to City Marina at Boot Key Harbor with Daisy and listened to several musicians staying in the harbor perform - including a couple of youngsters. This is usually a weekly happening at City Marina, so Saturday night "date night" is a freebie! Good music & dancing + good friends=another enjoyable evening.
One Friday evening we rode down to the City Park and learned Contra Dancing - a cross between square dancing and line dancing. Had a lot of fun with fellow cruisers! We'll probably go again in February.
"Circle left" - we met the folks we are dancing with in Vero Beach at Thanksgiving dinner.
"Balance and spin"
The next evening we went to a local eatery/bar (Salty's Waterfront) to hear Eric Stone. Great show!!
Eric Stone (on the left) was accompanied by a musician that is on a boat in Boot Key Harbor. With dancing 2 nights in a row, we may have to get new dancing shoes! LOL!
We were also lucky enough to catch another TropRock musician we like, Howard Livingston & Mile Marker 24 at Boondocks on Ramrod Key. It was so convenient getting there...we walk 2 blocks to get the bus (cheap!) and it drops you off right at the door to Boondocks!
Howard Livingston
At each of his shows, Howard auctions off a blender full of Margaritas made with his Evinrude Blender. The winner of the auction is given a gallon of Tequila, a gallon of Margarita Mix, and Triple Sec. They concoct the Margarita as they wish. Three guesses as to how much Margarita Mix and Triple Sec go into the blender - LOL! 100% of the money raised goes to Care Camp - a camp for children with cancer. This particular night's winner paid $1,100 for the margaritas. Folks we were with have seen them go for $5,000!
Our table for the evening. As you can see, it was SRO! And yes, the dancing shoes got a bit MORE worn that evening :)
More snowbirds have arrived here at the Marina so our group/pot-luck dinners and fish-frys are growing! I've eaten more fish since being here than in the past 58 years! LOL! This is such a nice place, the same people keep coming back year after year and it's like a big family reunion :)
We actually had a "cool day" (70 deg.) that was overcast, so we biked up to Crane Point - site of the first home in Marathon (and oldest outside of Key West) and nature walk. Also rescue/rehab/hospital site for wild birds in the area.
The Adderley House on Crane Point.
Took a LONG dinghy ride toward Vaca Cut...water got so shallow by Rachael Key that we had to pull the motor up and paddle! :)
And of course there are the never ending boatkeeping tasks - when your boat is your home, you need to keep it up just like you do at home. And I've finally gotten the teak stripping and refinishing started!
Unfortunately, we are still battling fleas - Frontline doesn't work down here, so have ordered new product. Poor Daisy - she's got some terrible bites. :(
Still on the "Marathon Bucket List" is:
Ø Another trip or two to Key West. We'll be going down one evening in Feb. to see Jim Morris at Margaritaville and want to go another day to do some more of "the tourist thing".
Ø 1/2 day of SNUBA at the reef - compliments of Santa.
Ø Trip out to Sombrero Beach
Ø Visit: The Turtle Hospital
Ø Check out the Flea Market on Big Pine Key.
Ø We'll also be meeting up with a fellow quilter (a "virtual" friend) from
Minnesota when she and her husband arrive in Marathon in Feb.
Ø Go to Keys Fisheries for their Lobster Reuben.
Note to Barb & Rich - Harbor is finally starting to fill up...Dockside threw in the towel and is now officially closed (they were trying to do repairs to stay open).
Last week, we had our first "real rain" - for about and hour in the morning. But the sun soon came out and it was a gorgeous day!
Since arriving in Florida, Al has been convinced that manatees don't really exist & the "Manatee Area" signs are a ploy to make boaters slow down. Well 2 nights ago (Sunday) a manatee came swimming up to our boat!
"Anybody home??"
"Wanna kiss?"
You really aren't supposed to touch the manatees, but this gal kept swimming around and when she was up close to us, she kept rolling over for belly rubs...so we obliged! I know the picture looks like the dinghy motor was touching her, but it's just the perspective...there was plenty of room :)
Hope 2013 is starting well for everyone back home! We miss you! We also miss the snow - NOT!!!!!
