tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10854302227281948612024-02-07T12:47:59.024-05:00Cruising With Doug & KathieWinnie W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17632345983473544153noreply@blogger.comBlogger98125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085430222728194861.post-42891431687506748582015-05-19T22:15:00.003-04:002015-10-08T08:32:45.127-04:00End of an era... Winnie W is for sale<br />
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<b><i>Winnie W</i></b> is now <strike>for sale</strike> sold. If you are seriously interested, please contact <a href="http://deatonyachtsales.com/">Deaton Yacht Sales (link)</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKjUTrhcyWzxw4UvkFITXqLZQJHp3xqTja_IeYFpXai4EwfopAJBMySufofbi2TyoAdbqoif_CUcRx46YDYq9tQ0izgQsD951RxZ3-RHPyhYX4hQpXBwbgonMFYL4G3jOTZ5kZKuiJgQ/s1600/P1110948-OP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKjUTrhcyWzxw4UvkFITXqLZQJHp3xqTja_IeYFpXai4EwfopAJBMySufofbi2TyoAdbqoif_CUcRx46YDYq9tQ0izgQsD951RxZ3-RHPyhYX4hQpXBwbgonMFYL4G3jOTZ5kZKuiJgQ/s320/P1110948-OP.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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We have made some smaller cruises in the years since our Great Loop, but we aren't planning any big voyages to justify keeping it.<br />
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The sunset photo is not a statement, after all this is the beginning of somebody else's adventure. But it's a pretty view!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkdeZ3qTnz9cK3ktXgJOzwJS_oYuPLR-FN0Q7ysa8l3g6wNdE90tL-j3rcw2VLfbCPMVNXlUicGI63i-BF38W_-LFkEy8TGaJXde77rvb8wt8lM5Q2qGGTNKdgWa1lXiskM8sNzpQ1_XI/s1600/P1110986hank-OP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkdeZ3qTnz9cK3ktXgJOzwJS_oYuPLR-FN0Q7ysa8l3g6wNdE90tL-j3rcw2VLfbCPMVNXlUicGI63i-BF38W_-LFkEy8TGaJXde77rvb8wt8lM5Q2qGGTNKdgWa1lXiskM8sNzpQ1_XI/s320/P1110986hank-OP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hank is still with us but now he is an old dog and likes to walk slowly around the lawn. Lately he has discovered that he can sit on the couch and watch out the porch windows for wildlife.<br />
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It's not as exciting as hunting them, up close and personal, but at 90 in dog years, it's a lot easier on his old bones. We don't have the heart to tell him now that dogs aren't allowed on the furniture.<br />
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Thank you all, and we hope that our blog has provided some good info and perhaps a little inspiration. <br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i> .... Doug & Kathie King</i></span><br />
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<br />Winnie W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17632345983473544153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085430222728194861.post-10830085854121760112008-01-29T11:19:00.000-05:002008-01-31T14:49:08.605-05:00Great Loop Statistics, Numbers, AnswersHello all-<br />The first question most of our sailing friends ask "How much did you spend on fuel?" We have the answer to that and a few other questions.<br /><br />Here are some statistics of interest:<br />Miles traveled 6,060<br />Engine hours 910.8<br />Locks transited 114<br />Time to "Loop" 245 days<br /><br />Major Expenses on "Great Loop" Cruise, MV Winnie W. <span style="font-size:85%;">(rounded off)</span><br /><br />Dockage...... $5100<br />Fuel............. $3800<br />Groceries.... $3300<br />Dining out... $3347<br />Charts......... $1200<br />Hank*......... $960<br />Insurance... $900<br /><br />*Expenses accrued to Hank include inoculations & certifications needed for international travel, food, and monthly heartworm and flea & tick prevention.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Further Explanation of Expenses- </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fuel:</span> we spent far less on fuel than most cruising powerboats; we attribute this to going slow! A 2nd factor is that our boat has good cruising range and this allowed us to buy fuel only at the less-expensive places. We arrived at our home dock with about the same amount of fuel as we left with.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dockage:</span> we anchored out about half the time... we could easily have saved money on dockage by anchoring out more. Part was due to cold weather at the end of the trip and avoiding ice-covered dinghy rides with Hank!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Charts:</span> Doug bought a lot of brand-new chart kits & books, as well as a few traditional large paper charts (the kind that cover a whole table when rolled out, and you hold the corners in place by jabbing a pirate dagger thru the corners). We did not use any of the large traditional charts for actual navigation, so that was not cost-effective. The Corps of Engineers chart books for the inland rivers <span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">(Illinois, Mississippi, Tennessee, Cumberland, Tombigbee) </span></span>have not been revised or updated since 1992, so it would have been more cost-effective to buy 2nd-hand ones from cruisers who finished the Loop last year. However we were very satisfied using paper charts and old-fashioned navigation methods instead of computerized chart plotters. We often heard from fellow Loopers that their chart plotter showed them someplace on the nearby land!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Insurance: </span>we actually spent less on insurance than if we'd stayed home; the premium for the Great Lakes and inland rivers is about half what we pay for coverage in our home waters. Florida & the Gulf is more expensive, but we didn't spend a lot of time there.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Groceries:</span> We stowed a lot of canned & frozen food on board when we left; and we arrived home with about 1/2 as much. Little of it was "original," we replenished several times along the way.<br /><br />We dined out quite a lot, which adds to the expense but for us adds more to our enjoyment. It's a nice way to socialize with friends we've met along the way, and with fellow cruisers.<br /><br />One of the bits of conventional wisdom that is no longer true- the Canadian/U.S. exchange rate has changed enough that groceries in Canada are slightly more expensive than in the States.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Gizmos & gadgets</span>.... if we didn't have a chartplotter, what electronic toys *did* we have? An autopilot was the primary "toy;" ours steered the boat at least 90% of the time. It is very easy to use, very reliable, and keeps very steady course.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Would we do it again? </span>YES! The main point of discussion is whether to do the Loop again, or to make a trip south and back and then north and back, or vice versa!<br /><br />We apologize for the lack of photos today.<br /><br />Best wishes- Doug and Kathie<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>Winnie W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17632345983473544153noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085430222728194861.post-32504987380507463492008-01-22T19:25:00.000-05:002008-01-25T12:12:03.171-05:00Back to the barn (for now)....Hello all-<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPYEhS6sJUK9p_xGgyqeiafy3OoRhdPkc6qZ30g_VwQMzgNvBQGwrXf8B1EcXWlOEUIHT9bxBFRRPiZINp8qb3grn8r0RIIr1qgaXpOlhvk1bRIegqddyD4VjE9S1rcqPyoxY5ygr6sM/s1600-h/P1000867+NC+Ferry.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPYEhS6sJUK9p_xGgyqeiafy3OoRhdPkc6qZ30g_VwQMzgNvBQGwrXf8B1EcXWlOEUIHT9bxBFRRPiZINp8qb3grn8r0RIIr1qgaXpOlhvk1bRIegqddyD4VjE9S1rcqPyoxY5ygr6sM/s320/P1000867+NC+Ferry.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158463122708346850" border="0" /></a><br />We made it home late Saturday, with rising winds and drizzle threatening to turn to sleet. There were several possible places to stop & dock or anchor, but the weather was predicted to be even worse for the next few days. So we decided to keep chugging on because we were in our home waters and know them well; we arrived at our home slip at about 10:30pm. Our diesel furnace had been running for 6 days straight!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">North Carolina D.O.T. has a great ferry system. This one is headed down the ICW for some reason... maybe</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> headed south to avoid cold weather?</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieh_09u_kM6Dkjm7JYWiCwhSvUHx3e0QJ4ZXK7Coh6XxBO7j6y5je5lnC2XxV2TxkvAiYyydg27F3bFWw_97n4VxEYqyORZ9fg1oXxTY_xTbPifSM6ISfZrr_tpwHTIMfPM8wjQ6MdLpA/s1600-h/P1000874op1+KPK+Hampstead.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieh_09u_kM6Dkjm7JYWiCwhSvUHx3e0QJ4ZXK7Coh6XxBO7j6y5je5lnC2XxV2TxkvAiYyydg27F3bFWw_97n4VxEYqyORZ9fg1oXxTY_xTbPifSM6ISfZrr_tpwHTIMfPM8wjQ6MdLpA/s320/P1000874op1+KPK+Hampstead.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158463668169193474" border="0" /></a><br />Our last night was at Hampstead, a few miles north & east of Wrightsville Beach & Wilmington. A visit from newlyweds Guy & Jennifer was a nice occasion; Guy & Doug are old-time sailing buddies. We're looking forward to hearing about their adventures cruising together!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Here is a rare photo by Doug. Hank enjoys his last night of adventure, while Kathie prevents him from chasing animals or birds into the marsh.</span><br /></div><br />The <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W.</span>'s last passage on this Great Loop began early, so as to make a time slot for a low bridge<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPB_sA7BPjoI65y9JM5odf32c2UGaMw8kSiUaY1XPXQrQo1k61CMwHhchRgh-VAfuff_AyoETY1tuDmscvGS_bQAHPI8m0sKjK6sJh8NxeOubxeiQAhWPlaICwhuYd033c6uuq-VlEWMU/s1600-h/P1000872+birds+scenery+%2B+Topsail+development.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPB_sA7BPjoI65y9JM5odf32c2UGaMw8kSiUaY1XPXQrQo1k61CMwHhchRgh-VAfuff_AyoETY1tuDmscvGS_bQAHPI8m0sKjK6sJh8NxeOubxeiQAhWPlaICwhuYd033c6uuq-VlEWMU/s320/P1000872+birds+scenery+%2B+Topsail+development.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158463122708346866" border="0" /></a> that only opens on the hour. There was a 'winter weather warning' for the area although the forecasters also tempered this by saying the worst freeze & snow would be more likely inland; there was also a gale forecast for the coastal & offshore waters for the next day. What a nice combination! Driving all day and into the night was not a pleasant prospect, but being stopped by gales & frosts within a few hours of home would be far less pleasant.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Looking across the barrier islands at Topsail Beach, birds & marsh & beach front development... this is the standard mix along the Carolina coast.<br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: right;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3s4UkxzsPcYtwSF5EH2XxrBnWNjWlb-YSFb4wuoyCZIxuIYL3M3jIRV8BX4tkjseR8CjcixhwONrGVn1vnU7nop-pKIh_68DYiXjvu00Ilv342QwfmMgyKKCKjJG7H3nDnymBn5-Ul4c/s1600-h/P1000897+Lejeune+Training+Area.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3s4UkxzsPcYtwSF5EH2XxrBnWNjWlb-YSFb4wuoyCZIxuIYL3M3jIRV8BX4tkjseR8CjcixhwONrGVn1vnU7nop-pKIh_68DYiXjvu00Ilv342QwfmMgyKKCKjJG7H3nDnymBn5-Ul4c/s320/P1000897+Lejeune+Training+Area.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158463676759128098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />The ICW crosses through one of the largest Marine Corps training grounds. There are signs warning of possible live artillery exercises ("listen to radio when lights flashing"). We think that this old troop carrier has been used as a target.</span><br /></div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />One of the nice things about cruising nowadays is that it's easy to keep in touch, and it's easy to<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU2O8XC_3HL9fAI_XBVagKnmYXl6WdzknVjPJojbZejlP3xweppczc-Jm8zqQLYzps3mikTKCbwWt2SI2KlUHCbmHhC3e7lNnWqNWtZIzWgQ9E6UJXDUe_oohyOWtjRDF1oBgeoxwZW28/s1600-h/P1000892op1c+ICW+Browns+Inlet.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU2O8XC_3HL9fAI_XBVagKnmYXl6WdzknVjPJojbZejlP3xweppczc-Jm8zqQLYzps3mikTKCbwWt2SI2KlUHCbmHhC3e7lNnWqNWtZIzWgQ9E6UJXDUe_oohyOWtjRDF1oBgeoxwZW28/s320/P1000892op1c+ICW+Browns+Inlet.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158463672464160786" border="0" /></a> gather data about your cruising area. For example, we heard about navigation difficulties & shoaling at several places along the ICW. Some spots have been known for trouble for years, such as Lockwood's Folly. However there is now a set of temporary marker buoys near Brown's Inlet (south & west of Swansboro), placed to guide cruisers around a new sandbar.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">That's some sandbar- you can tell how shallow the water is by the land sticking up above it! This is marker 62, going thru this area is pretty straightforward although the buoys are well off to the side.</span><br /></div><br />We kept going. Fortunately we made it thru the<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicP_tgFRc5hLzMOOFLajqw76iauIqqccoDr4w8HJkWMMEd7Ykpantp0L-j95AOOwZjGGDiOlOC90NjXP8GVcztlI1DIH-FxtTqty4pR5XxThEQ6McYCAGQeSFYYs14GiuH13Aa4Ek_7Js/s1600-h/P1000904op1c+Doug+GL+last+day+Adams+Cr.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicP_tgFRc5hLzMOOFLajqw76iauIqqccoDr4w8HJkWMMEd7Ykpantp0L-j95AOOwZjGGDiOlOC90NjXP8GVcztlI1DIH-FxtTqty4pR5XxThEQ6McYCAGQeSFYYs14GiuH13Aa4Ek_7Js/s320/P1000904op1c+Doug+GL+last+day+Adams+Cr.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158464119140759602" border="0" /></a> difficult parts, like the Newport River (above Morehead City) with its twisty channel & strong tidal currents, before dark.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Doug shows his confidence in navigating Adams Creek & the Neuse River at night by smiling for the camera... or is he grimacing at having to wear his glasses to read the chart?</span><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmHA1Tm9kFhxnq5bZXi7ChhQFVmEcZ5coB9eWu-Mo0A2bbB3EAO4bLCi-Pz4CD5-6XsrU78RKzLphsxpjnnhUhhLLJKz0JBwv1goJ1MdQwn76eVpMxwiEr1ad82E5zSefyc2gavAn8Er4/s1600-h/P1000908op1c+MV%2Bbarge+Adams+Creek.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmHA1Tm9kFhxnq5bZXi7ChhQFVmEcZ5coB9eWu-Mo0A2bbB3EAO4bLCi-Pz4CD5-6XsrU78RKzLphsxpjnnhUhhLLJKz0JBwv1goJ1MdQwn76eVpMxwiEr1ad82E5zSefyc2gavAn8Er4/s320/P1000908op1c+MV%2Bbarge+Adams+Creek.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158464123435726914" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />The new camera takes great photos, it was much darker than this picture looks... the commercial vessel 'PAMLICO' is pushing a barge ahead of us into lower Adams Creek. Visibility was not good and the rain tended to blind the radar. From here it is about a 4 hour run until we docked.</span><br /></div><br />So, now we have our feet up at home! It is comfy and Hank doesn't appear to miss his morning dinghy ride. The boat was still well stocked with canned food so we brought that up to the pantry. Now we're seeing friends & family face to face, in some cases for the first time in a year... there are<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzfebJvR-dS81rfz6hIQYi8-2pSr0GhvntNs-sto3mf-lhjTeEQJXdyzOxt0q3Yilwe5RHazOS-Mq2gUTkWgG3u7Er2Ym7LvxajkOy2XHqINwh8lgIkuzaqTNIDi_3sE3AYjraw0oq71g/s1600-h/Flower_and_Doug_and_Kathy_Dept_Jackson+%233.5.07_012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzfebJvR-dS81rfz6hIQYi8-2pSr0GhvntNs-sto3mf-lhjTeEQJXdyzOxt0q3Yilwe5RHazOS-Mq2gUTkWgG3u7Er2Ym7LvxajkOy2XHqINwh8lgIkuzaqTNIDi_3sE3AYjraw0oq71g/s320/Flower_and_Doug_and_Kathy_Dept_Jackson+%233.5.07_012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158463118413379538" border="0" /></a> a few changes to get used to.<br /><br />Life moves on and we are already thinking about our next adventure! We'll post updates here about prep for future trips and trips in our local area at erratic intervals.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Here is a photo of Winnie W. leaving her slip for the Great Loop, back in May of 2007. Thanks to John J. for this shot!<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Thanks so much for your attention to our travels! Best wishes to all- Doug & Kathie</span><br /></div></div>Winnie W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17632345983473544153noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085430222728194861.post-34070170216236872192008-01-18T18:14:00.000-05:002008-01-19T15:19:30.488-05:00Almost Home!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp9lK0IQ4o5HLcWGhyphenhyphenm8spr3x6N6UE_MQ0dwFYNMW3ibMosOaXfuIY5_1eeVSDWbkyQeT9NdXz7RvjRGzaZbNnm4wsi7T0ElV-N2lHHuRAgauGByWjfZ9HthfdQtPD9t0uncaZgbI9L84/s1600-h/P1000804c+Marker+44+fog+NC+ICW.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp9lK0IQ4o5HLcWGhyphenhyphenm8spr3x6N6UE_MQ0dwFYNMW3ibMosOaXfuIY5_1eeVSDWbkyQeT9NdXz7RvjRGzaZbNnm4wsi7T0ElV-N2lHHuRAgauGByWjfZ9HthfdQtPD9t0uncaZgbI9L84/s320/P1000804c+Marker+44+fog+NC+ICW.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156971772624222146" border="0" /></a>Hello all: Yesterday we crossed the North Carolina border, and docked in Southport. This is a pleasant small town near the mouth of the Cape Fear River, south of Wilmington NC. We've been here before, on previous cruises south in the <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W.</span> and also visiting for various sailing events including the Leukemia Cup Regatta (<a href="http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/regatta/all_toplevel?item_id=4197">link</a>).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Another encounter with fog... this time not as thick, but still not our favorite cruising conditions. </span><br /></div><br />We were met in Southport by cruising friends John & Kathy who completed the Great Loop cruise themselves a couple of years ago in their<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhrP7WesqwRCyO2XWJPtOAfc7mT6AKMSTIA0UXdedOwcKmPJIPgyn8a3cV2tHy_mZ4Fj1R6wFVlmaA47Cy8HHApIMiw-OR67scLRVdQcJBvoFgv01khclskneytTQBo2CYGni4x46k-0/s1600-h/P1000832op1c+shrimpers+ICW+wrightsville.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhrP7WesqwRCyO2XWJPtOAfc7mT6AKMSTIA0UXdedOwcKmPJIPgyn8a3cV2tHy_mZ4Fj1R6wFVlmaA47Cy8HHApIMiw-OR67scLRVdQcJBvoFgv01khclskneytTQBo2CYGni4x46k-0/s320/P1000832op1c+shrimpers+ICW+wrightsville.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156971051069716402" border="0" /></a> DeFever 41 <span style="font-style: italic;">Rosetta</span>, now up in the Chesapeake with her new owners who rechristened her.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">A familiar sight on the southern IntraCoastal Waterway, a shrimp boat preparing for ... or coming home from... a day's hard work. You can see the trawling gear, including the "trawl doors" and nets, hanging from the booms.</span><br /></div><br />Next we cruised up the Cape Fear River to Snow's Cut, another area of strong tidal current. Snow's Cut (<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?client=firefox-a&hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=34.064606,-77.889633&spn=0.126563,0.233459&t=h&z=12&om=0">link to Google Map</a>) is a short canal which connects the river to Myrtle Grove Sound, the narrow bay behind the barrier islands of Wrightsville & Carolina Beach. From here, the ICW runs mostly east-west through narrow &<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGOk5P662453nHeQVE7FcC10ov_cAJmcZUofNgGLwVjWS1umIs7AvGWLrG2Kk7htAuaFgxpCck0mj-gcARl969Y4XR6wVdOvHfDgpAi11DKMFjTCooscXoCWtZD7JbH9LK1j8uziKD70/s1600-h/P1000852op1c+figure+8+island+bridge+work.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGOk5P662453nHeQVE7FcC10ov_cAJmcZUofNgGLwVjWS1umIs7AvGWLrG2Kk7htAuaFgxpCck0mj-gcARl969Y4XR6wVdOvHfDgpAi11DKMFjTCooscXoCWtZD7JbH9LK1j8uziKD70/s320/P1000852op1c+figure+8+island+bridge+work.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156968748967245730" border="0" /></a> shallow bays & sounds until it reaches the ports of Morehead City and Beaufort.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Here is the bridge to Figure Eight Island, undergoing maintenance work. It's a great idea, since we don't want bridges to corrode & collapse! But it's a serious hassle when one looks at traffic stoppage on both highway & waterway.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> Only one lane of this bridge is open for road traffic, and that has people (and work & food trucks) backed up for hours. The bridge *only opens for boat traffic once a day* at noon, and only for a short time. We were told that earlier in the season during the usual fall heavy southbound</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhsmY2EP7sgxn8POcasD8061TODRMKskA8yYbp5PABZqZXTQWvERGQf4o5SJh4VlbFw6ulvrCd5mbVD2rGBw7QWzAaE-i7UvP3DelfMNLQ9zjApMJzgGR4XbXCwuEyz8-OyGuwcukz3V4/s1600-h/P1000858op1c+giraffe.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhsmY2EP7sgxn8POcasD8061TODRMKskA8yYbp5PABZqZXTQWvERGQf4o5SJh4VlbFw6ulvrCd5mbVD2rGBw7QWzAaE-i7UvP3DelfMNLQ9zjApMJzgGR4XbXCwuEyz8-OyGuwcukz3V4/s320/P1000858op1c+giraffe.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156968744672278418" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> traffic, over 80 boats were waiting to pass, and only 50 were allowed through before the bridge closed again.... the rest wait until tomorrow! We are very fortunate (or planned better than we knew) that</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> the <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W</span>. has only 12' of air draft, allowing us to pass under the bridge!</span><br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Here is one of the most unusual sights along the ICW, and a unique lawn ornament... a full-sized giraffe!</span><br /></div><br />We're just a bit too far away to make our home port in one day, but we expect to park the <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W. </span>at our home dock tomorrow. The weather is not very good, but we are in sheltered & familiar waters.<br />Best wishes! Doug and KathieWinnie W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17632345983473544153noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085430222728194861.post-66320609343877258832008-01-15T13:59:00.001-05:002008-01-16T13:48:18.803-05:00Chilly days in South Carolina<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfLXe1SJefjxYKJv-ISbuMh9tGft9kH-FTvumpZXKDULtOI93LeYy1Z_o1pQOmtjFN7EA_plvaXImuPXAlz24Emt3HD1w1CfyJ_ELET7VRqFmLPrBn9_1VR39MwEfOi26sySB9Dwo9yI/s1600-h/P1000510-c+krispy+kreme.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfLXe1SJefjxYKJv-ISbuMh9tGft9kH-FTvumpZXKDULtOI93LeYy1Z_o1pQOmtjFN7EA_plvaXImuPXAlz24Emt3HD1w1CfyJ_ELET7VRqFmLPrBn9_1VR39MwEfOi26sySB9Dwo9yI/s320/P1000510-c+krispy+kreme.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156123928900122418" border="0" /></a><br />Hello all:<br /><br />Last weekend, we were docked at Thunderbolt Marina in the little town of Thunderbolt GA, east of Savannah.<br /><br />We continued heading north from there on a gloomy day. However, every day that marina treats visiting cruisers to fresh Krispy Kreme donuts and the Savannah paper, delivered to each boat, and this cheered us up!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7mMET-fpNy8KE9wkPMbA5mhYy1-D1SWshySwTeWfi4-7YZqrKeBQFTONsQkZEtETjub_iTJPIwi8vfBvMMHfGdiiCNwrsrv1U3eS7ilZZtXsRpc_WH8RbBMRnrZTsNG8f1TMAJ1mJkGY/s1600-h/P1000520op1+balloon+rescue.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7mMET-fpNy8KE9wkPMbA5mhYy1-D1SWshySwTeWfi4-7YZqrKeBQFTONsQkZEtETjub_iTJPIwi8vfBvMMHfGdiiCNwrsrv1U3eS7ilZZtXsRpc_WH8RbBMRnrZTsNG8f1TMAJ1mJkGY/s320/P1000520op1+balloon+rescue.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156124792188548930" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Passing Daufuskie Island, and Calibogue Sound... I love the names of places along the Sea Isles, like Rockdedundy... we continued north past Hilton Head and into Port Royal Sound. Here we saw a yellow balloon drifting along. We both rescued the balloon and pre-emptively saved some sea creature from choking on it.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKu4eGSGzqYEmhD4tlOYfW4rczC4r6CeIkUbxhbDbWg9yRLoAutpW33DfrPEO32MLSVYqMBFtK_qzkqtVRTF5l67sDHR4WAXxguPZPV_4pxXOafIq6hAtw4ZlCLxh6W7b3GfKqsa9rI0/s1600-h/P1000536op1c+dock+near+Port+Royal.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKu4eGSGzqYEmhD4tlOYfW4rczC4r6CeIkUbxhbDbWg9yRLoAutpW33DfrPEO32MLSVYqMBFtK_qzkqtVRTF5l67sDHR4WAXxguPZPV_4pxXOafIq6hAtw4ZlCLxh6W7b3GfKqsa9rI0/s320/P1000536op1c+dock+near+Port+Royal.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156126819413112658" border="0" /></a><br /><br />In some places of the world, this wouldn't be considered a large tide rise/fall. Here you can see the Winnie W. parked at a friend's dock near Beaufort SC; we could have fit under the dock at low tide! Our friend says there's an 8-9 foot change in water level with each tide.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNlGKmz-rD_n-Z8mZLJZxgG5BHIJkMr0VP3KTrpZU97sE5-iwTf3w5y58djiQZGYu0jxMBgsmXzkTxRZmvFBtF5PNKebGKsgDapctFC7YuUhntGr3Nd7bmnmU1GQxGNEcxTLj-3d0ZM0/s1600-h/P1000545op1-c+fog+Beaufort+SC.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNlGKmz-rD_n-Z8mZLJZxgG5BHIJkMr0VP3KTrpZU97sE5-iwTf3w5y58djiQZGYu0jxMBgsmXzkTxRZmvFBtF5PNKebGKsgDapctFC7YuUhntGr3Nd7bmnmU1GQxGNEcxTLj-3d0ZM0/s320/P1000545op1-c+fog+Beaufort+SC.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5155780808257812242" border="0" /></a>We left Cowan Creek, near Port Royal SC, in morning fog. This was a mistake and Doug wished many times we'd stayed put; instead of dissipating, the fog grew thicker until we couldn't see anything! However, using the GPS, depthsounder, and radar, we picked our way up the Beaufort River and to another safe spot to anchor & wait it out. The tide was at full high so there was no current, a situation that was about to change.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJmyGcnceULuirDObIg3oRe77MOxjd7PPa15HCI6h7JjfbPfb8RDk6AkxcBsR1XXJ-SYzgdtGJP7f7PsiJA8klVH-_szEri00bD9_bfoRoz0EeKykRNx4qNBe0_S1hQACbhh5LEXakdg/s1600-h/P1000549+fog+sea+buoy+Beaufort+SC.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJmyGcnceULuirDObIg3oRe77MOxjd7PPa15HCI6h7JjfbPfb8RDk6AkxcBsR1XXJ-SYzgdtGJP7f7PsiJA8klVH-_szEri00bD9_bfoRoz0EeKykRNx4qNBe0_S1hQACbhh5LEXakdg/s320/P1000549+fog+sea+buoy+Beaufort+SC.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156130113653028706" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is one of the sea channel buoys; fortunately the river here is wide & deep & easy to navigate. Doug was adamant about stopping because further up, in the narrower channels above the Ladies Island bridge, strong currents would have made safe navigation impossible.<br /><br />Just when we were about to drop anchor, the fog cleared!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgec6uJZI4YsKLViTieJTWoArCSd-kd71iCs-OYeLg9WLhqO2Aja5K2byB7yGDRwTEREr5A5xdaMvMIQ81sw4yCoFsrg5QZr2_C_oN4Yi5c50742zuy8wSVXhZYiynUJGEpk7scggvWnpA/s1600-h/P1000577op1c+ogeechee.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgec6uJZI4YsKLViTieJTWoArCSd-kd71iCs-OYeLg9WLhqO2Aja5K2byB7yGDRwTEREr5A5xdaMvMIQ81sw4yCoFsrg5QZr2_C_oN4Yi5c50742zuy8wSVXhZYiynUJGEpk7scggvWnpA/s320/P1000577op1c+ogeechee.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156130117947996018" border="0" /></a><br /><br />When the fog cleared, it really cleared beautifully. You can see a hint of sunset colors in this artful photo (taken by Kathie) of scenery along the Ogeechee River. There are still natural palm trees at this latitude.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkw9HGFM_j42zwYwSGCnRPbH4a2g0e50DySh3W2M9765MeJ29j17XwI4yEtzyr0c1RtOfXUON2OgHj955cczJO-K20pTGuHkZr_oFPlpOLd-qLWQuZgw8oCVOtp2yEIgJ72QjIAbR_Ggg/s1600-h/P1000611op1-c+wreck+Stono+R.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkw9HGFM_j42zwYwSGCnRPbH4a2g0e50DySh3W2M9765MeJ29j17XwI4yEtzyr0c1RtOfXUON2OgHj955cczJO-K20pTGuHkZr_oFPlpOLd-qLWQuZgw8oCVOtp2yEIgJ72QjIAbR_Ggg/s320/P1000611op1-c+wreck+Stono+R.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5155780816847746850" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Just south of Charleston, along the Stono River, we saw this wrecked boat.</span><br /></div><br />On this trip, we didn't stop in Charleston. It's a marvelous place to visit, with every attraction; there are several restaurants we love too. But we've been there before (in fact Doug lived there for a few years) and we are in a bit of a hurry. The day was cool & breezy, and we traveled down Charleston Harbor with the tide behind us.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVIIB3sjkziQmzUjqtZbRv3jY8MbZjY9OPSQQKe-c7YHSt6JtfYG6C9U2fdyr9NvAcbMSZ54C85odIlTwRu1q0G-bXIbM_pX1DH5lHcwwuBHNoi9_kADVViygNgITf8qvJxmjnWxRaui8/s1600-h/P1000645+Charleston+Harbor+Patriots+Point+Revenal+Bridge.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVIIB3sjkziQmzUjqtZbRv3jY8MbZjY9OPSQQKe-c7YHSt6JtfYG6C9U2fdyr9NvAcbMSZ54C85odIlTwRu1q0G-bXIbM_pX1DH5lHcwwuBHNoi9_kADVViygNgITf8qvJxmjnWxRaui8/s320/P1000645+Charleston+Harbor+Patriots+Point+Revenal+Bridge.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156137960558278530" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Here is a view looking north past a sea channel buoy, at Patriots Point where th</span><span style="font-size:85%;">e decom</span><span style="font-size:85%;">missioned aircraft carrier USS Yorktown is docked; you can see the new Ravenel Bridge across the Cooper River.</span><br /></div>At the end of the day we stopped at Isle of Palms and met a friend & former student of Kathie's, who introduced us to yet another great restaurant (this one in Mt. Pleasant).<br /><br />We're only a few days from home, but they promise to be cold... thank goodness for the <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W.</span>'s diesel furnace! <span style="font-style: italic;">*We are able to run the diesel furnace along with the diesel engine while we are underway (cruisers reading this will know that this is a very big deal)!*</span><br /><br />Best wishes- Doug & KathieWinnie W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17632345983473544153noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085430222728194861.post-60048674185813065012008-01-12T20:19:00.000-05:002008-01-12T21:31:44.684-05:00Sea Isle cruising<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia524KWEw2agtEW0HMsmlL5tDcSx0OWCJpkP9EMWfc_oHtG0VDhEMM-v4HW7Tsvj7t06aXSMev59eE4u7Yd1TKxL9VCkzUOyWKRaUUXNuLf0b9QD1OUfsbRLgEf4w-G16e_oiyBB-s0jA/s1600-h/P1000326+St+Andrew+lighthouse+sea+buoy.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia524KWEw2agtEW0HMsmlL5tDcSx0OWCJpkP9EMWfc_oHtG0VDhEMM-v4HW7Tsvj7t06aXSMev59eE4u7Yd1TKxL9VCkzUOyWKRaUUXNuLf0b9QD1OUfsbRLgEf4w-G16e_oiyBB-s0jA/s320/P1000326+St+Andrew+lighthouse+sea+buoy.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154765503758841410" border="0" /></a>Hello all-<br />Here is a view of the north end of Cumberland Island, with a navigational buoy from the sea channel washed ashore next to the old lighthouse. Two lessons can be learned from this photo... never stake your vessel (or your life) on the location of a navigation aid... and never HIT one of those things because they are BIG and made of steel.<br /><br />For the last few days, the <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W</span>. has been getting closer to home, and cruising relatively familiar waters. This is a double joy because we love this area and we can appreciate it even more<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk4hDwi73XMOjPOGMDu9R9H2ixdyaKB-dOXIgOCRCBpMKsQRSg76zxeNPvzIPWxjpBUkrGWPziy5gGkq4KmuDoNrROYgvHW6wvSaiQXpZSegbPMl2CELaECOQJe773we_MTr39GEdaR6E/s1600-h/P1000332+St+Andrew+Brunswick+Jekyll.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk4hDwi73XMOjPOGMDu9R9H2ixdyaKB-dOXIgOCRCBpMKsQRSg76zxeNPvzIPWxjpBUkrGWPziy5gGkq4KmuDoNrROYgvHW6wvSaiQXpZSegbPMl2CELaECOQJe773we_MTr39GEdaR6E/s320/P1000332+St+Andrew+Brunswick+Jekyll.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154765508053808722" border="0" /></a> for having seen new strange places along the Great Loop. The Sea Islands of Georgia and South Carolina are famous for their wild beauty. Once the workaday world of the poorest and the playground of the richest, in the last twenty years, they have become increasingly developed and accessible to anybody.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Here is a view of the Brunswick bridge from St. Andrews Sound, actually looking over the southern tip of Jekyll Island.</span><br /></div><br />The IntraCoastal Waterway follows the mostly natural channels winding through the river estuaries & swamps behind the ocean-front<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDz9qGYqFYsj4XmsH40PKj0fgPgUFgOSeJHE5RjF44oWwnWO-VqMwfdz-ytdLNoPa54oW8Aj0EOGG48_zXTBgT5ePbBHUk168hIzgKuhOaiD8iu1-7XBVnlQnsDqYYde3Pvry7bWKABAY/s1600-h/P1000358+shrimper+Brunswick+N+Jekyll.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDz9qGYqFYsj4XmsH40PKj0fgPgUFgOSeJHE5RjF44oWwnWO-VqMwfdz-ytdLNoPa54oW8Aj0EOGG48_zXTBgT5ePbBHUk168hIzgKuhOaiD8iu1-7XBVnlQnsDqYYde3Pvry7bWKABAY/s320/P1000358+shrimper+Brunswick+N+Jekyll.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154766122234132066" border="0" /></a> Sea Isles. The tides here run swiftly and the current often scours out the channels to depths of 30 or 40 feet, but it also piles up sand & mud in inconvenient places to block channels.<br /><br />One answer to the problem of shifting channels it to put in rock jetties... this one is covered at high tide and the current sweeps over it, but the Corps of Engineers helpfully put a sign warning us of it. This is another view of the Brunswick bridge, this time from the north end of Jekyll Island, with a shrimp boat.<br /><br />There are plentiful anchorages among the creeks<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23A-7qsBv3PK7StF1xedR9BxgG5t0K1wwIbRjYthaHRLuIsWnMqWYlJxoLjtUVyYfDYWqnV_say2feyc9r6zw88LVV3dSE1wnN5K9lQh3vWcdid_wDhzWOZNG3qpRvH44DrDXDs2xSAc/s1600-h/P1000379+Hank+dinghy+St+Simon.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23A-7qsBv3PK7StF1xedR9BxgG5t0K1wwIbRjYthaHRLuIsWnMqWYlJxoLjtUVyYfDYWqnV_say2feyc9r6zw88LVV3dSE1wnN5K9lQh3vWcdid_wDhzWOZNG3qpRvH44DrDXDs2xSAc/s320/P1000379+Hank+dinghy+St+Simon.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154766126529099378" border="0" /></a> & islets of this region, but there are fewer good places to walk a dog ashore. The <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W. </span>is fairly bold in seeking out cozy places to anchor and Hank loves to explore. This spot is just behind St. Simon's Island. The shore is actually a bank of rough shells piled up along the edge of the marsh by the currents.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Doug rows Hank ashore, by this time a familiar routine to them both. Doug has been worried about Hank's reaction to dolphins, since they love to play near dinghies, but so far that hasn't been a problem.</span><br /></div><br />The shell banks make quite a nice plot of solid land, which is a strong contrast to the marsh<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxesxuZrLFAsYnqFhXB3hV151-jGwqp483Ms_962FeKTFi2GzEWl8i0nJQgUHZtCqqAjNMLYG9cZ-l7rsJrRBRhaoqpcntm_1ZC1onCoADUDs5Iurn_px7v-82oIoWFefzhEPjbgsN1mk/s1600-h/P1000381+Hank+dinghy+ashore+St+Simon.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxesxuZrLFAsYnqFhXB3hV151-jGwqp483Ms_962FeKTFi2GzEWl8i0nJQgUHZtCqqAjNMLYG9cZ-l7rsJrRBRhaoqpcntm_1ZC1onCoADUDs5Iurn_px7v-82oIoWFefzhEPjbgsN1mk/s320/P1000381+Hank+dinghy+ashore+St+Simon.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154766684874847874" border="0" /></a> itself... totally unsuitable to walking the dog unless you either want to lose the dog or have him bring a ton of gluey black mud aboard.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Doug is careful to drag the dinghy ashore high enough that the rising tide will not carry it off. He enjoys a morning stroll with a cup of coffee while Hank runs on the crunchy shells... somewhat hard on his feet, we think, but he doesn't complain.</span><br /></div><br />This is a pleasant way of life, which explains why we tend to get late morning starts and only make 40 or so miles per day. The channels themselves can be quite challenging. As mentioned, the depth can vary a LOT. Fortunately, u<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCl7qV3ZlujniR4M6A1uPw2b4xG7RsB8HFaYvP7WrOp4ccpF1NvMOxnc0xsifZc9FB4mvszzYGSmgVcT_uCa6w99B_XGVr961pmo80E4QZpkzQAoNuovqaSp_tlzSKU4yeVrUeqRd-ap8/s1600-h/P1000394+range+St+Simon+ICW.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCl7qV3ZlujniR4M6A1uPw2b4xG7RsB8HFaYvP7WrOp4ccpF1NvMOxnc0xsifZc9FB4mvszzYGSmgVcT_uCa6w99B_XGVr961pmo80E4QZpkzQAoNuovqaSp_tlzSKU4yeVrUeqRd-ap8/s320/P1000394+range+St+Simon+ICW.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154766689169815186" border="0" /></a>nless you have hit a jetty, the bottom is soft sand or mud and running aground is not a disaster. The current not only pushes you forward or back, helping or hindering your speed, but can also push you sideways!<br /><br />The answer to this latter problem is a special kind of navigation aid called a "range." The maze of creeks & rivers & islands make the tidal current go every direction imaginable (<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=%2B31%C2%B0+16%27,+-81%C2%B0+23.4%27&ie=UTF8&ll=31.270481,-81.398735&spn=0.068667,0.11673&t=h&z=13&iwloc=addr&om=1">link to map of this location on the ICW</a>). When the helms-person keeps the higher, rear range marker aligned with the lower, front range mark, the vessel is tra<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Dw4Y8RrNOj2sEpHgTyQXj1uwSI5Ke7bEqo5XiYNIdNUTejj5MlcsJPvRycTL-n4WBsw04bjLvEZaD4jBkpw1P4p8pAmRrjIy1ax1XYdJwuFlX-DH8dVMwWJVfEl-hghQU9iafAlNxgI/s1600-h/P1000422+hank.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Dw4Y8RrNOj2sEpHgTyQXj1uwSI5Ke7bEqo5XiYNIdNUTejj5MlcsJPvRycTL-n4WBsw04bjLvEZaD4jBkpw1P4p8pAmRrjIy1ax1XYdJwuFlX-DH8dVMwWJVfEl-hghQU9iafAlNxgI/s320/P1000422+hank.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154771594022467298" border="0" /></a>veling right down the channel. Sometimes the bow is pointed 20 degrees askew to go straight!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W.</span> arrived safely at the next anchorage, this time at St. Catherines Island (<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=%2B31%C2%B0+41.17%27,+-81%C2%B0+9.36%27&ie=UTF8&ll=31.701298,-81.156006&spn=0.273404,0.466919&t=h&z=11&om=1">link to map</a>). This entails another romp ashore for the crew, and here's Hank doing just that!</span><br /></div><br />There was another cold front coming, this one with warnings of squalls & thunderstorms, so we anchored in a place that should have been good shelter & good holding ground. We got one out of two; this anchorage was a bit rocky-rolly but the anchor didn't budge despite the strong currents pushing the boat first on<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguDbe_1lebJHrZH_hOHoTNDKr0K8uRsvVMLBGE9ttO7niKWAzQB0ZcUk_xWA3PeHijlaRw0tFrMIK80KWlck5jLl-2mH3d49Oceg7SLOZCGY9f6R1oweXxt7Rb_DAgcjo3fuwRTLK7fdQ/s1600-h/P1000447+doug+rowing+St+Catherine.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguDbe_1lebJHrZH_hOHoTNDKr0K8uRsvVMLBGE9ttO7niKWAzQB0ZcUk_xWA3PeHijlaRw0tFrMIK80KWlck5jLl-2mH3d49Oceg7SLOZCGY9f6R1oweXxt7Rb_DAgcjo3fuwRTLK7fdQ/s320/P1000447+doug+rowing+St+Catherine.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154772066468869874" border="0" /></a>e way & then the other.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">You can see the Winnie W. anchored over Doug's shoulder in this Hank's eye view of the St. Catherine dinghy ride. Kathie helped Hank work the camera! This was a long row, but Doug needs exercise too.</span><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkNWcYvMW5IJFEtCXN-7GYtJnvWx1CzyzXJNrgTpKmelMejvsOFp9-m4oLXhGsZLSX618nILphj2xEbpsIsKbyI6pdlNyOqWr8h2vEp59NScSAPYff0Rxz_pI-7RPTK61c9mR_cPkskRQ/s1600-h/P1000449+sunset.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkNWcYvMW5IJFEtCXN-7GYtJnvWx1CzyzXJNrgTpKmelMejvsOFp9-m4oLXhGsZLSX618nILphj2xEbpsIsKbyI6pdlNyOqWr8h2vEp59NScSAPYff0Rxz_pI-7RPTK61c9mR_cPkskRQ/s320/P1000449+sunset.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154772066468869890" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Here is the glorious sunset viewed from our St. Catherine's anchorage, the end of a perfect cruising day.</span><br /></div><br />The next day we traveled to Thunderbolt, a small town just south of Savannah. But that's another story.<br /><br />Hope you all are well & happy-<br />Doug & KathieWinnie W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17632345983473544153noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085430222728194861.post-974467230081271352008-01-08T20:43:00.000-05:002008-01-09T11:36:34.722-05:00Goodbye Florida, Hello Georgia<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgruaGBOdEsj_vSkRHb5kK5lz8h1h-hwc20Lt3QCRVmtxTWHzHMsYcD6gKWeU2qaCWVyyEtVMtE3jisDza1OKyYqRLgI0RuJtChhLgO8BXc_OXV9H8kQXQ0M-_i8T-PyLVIuz-CnIV8fPs/s1600-h/P1000178op1c+st+augustine+looking+back.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgruaGBOdEsj_vSkRHb5kK5lz8h1h-hwc20Lt3QCRVmtxTWHzHMsYcD6gKWeU2qaCWVyyEtVMtE3jisDza1OKyYqRLgI0RuJtChhLgO8BXc_OXV9H8kQXQ0M-_i8T-PyLVIuz-CnIV8fPs/s320/P1000178op1c+st+augustine+looking+back.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153287261914904002" border="0" /></a>Hello all!<br />We've had a great time cruising in Florida; now, continuing northward the <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W</span>. has crossed into Georgia. The distance by water from Saint Augustine to our home in North Carolina is about 625 miles; we're now about 550 miles from home.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">This is the view looking southward towards the town of St. Augustine, taken as we were leaving. At lower right you can see the Castillo San Marcos, above it the dome of the Memorial Church, and to the left the towers of Flagler College (formerly the Hotel Ponce de Leon).<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">Next we stopped near Jacksonville to meet our<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGj9DWwaT0ZsMOYPpLWvUiAntYKM6V2qvInpWohAdEPvbyyzN69cA4ZhU9kxMNAWBXp3e-yP_XdQG3nGHUEoQB3ghrVx5d2FxMX1f5yPq9ghDRLzb65QyZo4orFTLM3ew1N6ZxuKN45f4/s1600-h/P1000236op1+birds+%2B+mayport+NavStn.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGj9DWwaT0ZsMOYPpLWvUiAntYKM6V2qvInpWohAdEPvbyyzN69cA4ZhU9kxMNAWBXp3e-yP_XdQG3nGHUEoQB3ghrVx5d2FxMX1f5yPq9ghDRLzb65QyZo4orFTLM3ew1N6ZxuKN45f4/s320/P1000236op1+birds+%2B+mayport+NavStn.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153287266209871314" border="0" /></a> friend Anne. She is a Park Service curator and is in charge of an amazing collection of historic finds & artifacts. Everything from paleolithic tools, pottery from Native American and Colonial people, to parchment maps & architects' plans. We spent more time than we probably should have just looking at cool stuff which merits serious attention & study.<br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Northeast of Jacksonville is the Mayport Naval Station. The ICW crosses the St. Johns River at this point, with a strong tidal flow creating a maze of sandbars. Kathie took this photo of birds relaxing with the Navy ships in the background.</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMKWcYvl2Wa8zeD503_s8L4TmpLYJJ_Qjl8uFE8a_IyEDqTdctrXA1-NbS4Y1Wc5SXzJ4gWu6MPqQp65idSJp5MaJsqrTvrC3vqDS81QuEL3-kIkSPbEFfiItsCrqVK1gTfLyqv2VpbKw/s1600-h/P1000262+ketch+anchored+near+Fernandina.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMKWcYvl2Wa8zeD503_s8L4TmpLYJJ_Qjl8uFE8a_IyEDqTdctrXA1-NbS4Y1Wc5SXzJ4gWu6MPqQp65idSJp5MaJsqrTvrC3vqDS81QuEL3-kIkSPbEFfiItsCrqVK1gTfLyqv2VpbKw/s320/P1000262+ketch+anchored+near+Fernandina.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153288327066793442" border="0" /></a>We also took a great hike around the park at Fort Caroline and the Timucuan Preserve (<a href="http://www.nature.st/Explorer/TNS_NEFL/WillieBrowne.htm">link to</a><a href="http://www.nature.st/Explorer/TNS_NEFL/WillieBrowne.htm"> park</a>). Much is made of the Spanish founding St. Augustine; if you pay attention to the story, you realize the French were here first. In fact one of the main reasons the Spanish came was to chase the French out of territory claimed by Spain (<a href="http://www.mikestrong.com/fortcar/">link to history</a>).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The importance of shallow draft... here is a classic sailing ketch anchored in a tiny creek near Amelia Island. The tide is low and it looks like she's resting on the mud.</span><br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyiV_dvdLF9gN-1vKHN9BTvNw0f7ds39h_mk5dznXGSUALGHB1knhiPjOkVKulO56xQccZl0iLGrWoe-YWnGhXSbEGRO-KjQ4NvmIukxNdwzdFnAGeTU5l7RafymC_SQukq6CrpdgqSx4/s1600-h/P1000272op1+sunk+near+Fernandina.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyiV_dvdLF9gN-1vKHN9BTvNw0f7ds39h_mk5dznXGSUALGHB1knhiPjOkVKulO56xQccZl0iLGrWoe-YWnGhXSbEGRO-KjQ4NvmIukxNdwzdFnAGeTU5l7RafymC_SQukq6CrpdgqSx4/s320/P1000272op1+sunk+near+Fernandina.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153288331361760754" border="0" /></a>We support The Nature Conservancy, and this great park & preserve was helped by TNC and a remarkable man named Willie Browne (<a href="http://www.nps.gov/timu/historyculture/tra_gift.htm">link</a>) who donated a large tract of unspoiled land. Along our hike we stopped at the site of Willie Browne's cabin and read his words: "Soon there will be nothing but a concrete jungle from Jacksonville to New York" (1960).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Sailboat sunk in the popular anchorage at Fernandina. We've shown a few photos of derelict boats; it's a big problem. So if you're thinking of buying an old boat cheap ("just needs some TLC") and living on it in Florida where the weather is so nice... DON'T</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3byjzCcg1VckQperqUdgGeDHrebwim3aAIO5ih4AcBhyphenhyphenyHb5GxFlZbg6BP8Zi6Sl1i1pzs6Kw9HzcNWK-rghykY7pfqParqeKBEjxr0TbD0cUzjvUtcKOzG8izlkRRX6BErdZWOv4qE/s1600-h/P1000274+Fort+Clinch.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3byjzCcg1VckQperqUdgGeDHrebwim3aAIO5ih4AcBhyphenhyphenyHb5GxFlZbg6BP8Zi6Sl1i1pzs6Kw9HzcNWK-rghykY7pfqParqeKBEjxr0TbD0cUzjvUtcKOzG8izlkRRX6BErdZWOv4qE/s320/P1000274+Fort+Clinch.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153288335656728066" border="0" /></a>Another day, another historic fort! Guarding the entrance to Cumberland Sound is Fort Clinch (<a href="http://funandsun.com/parks/FortClinch/fortclinch.html">link</a>). Amelia Island has been claimed by 7 different nations, all of whom regarded this as a strategic point. Construction of Fort Clinch started by the U.S. Army in the 1840s and never really finished. Florida State militias occupied it for the Confederacy early in the Civil War, and it was vital in sheltering blockade runners. The fort was recaptured by Federal forces in 1862 and remained in Union hands. (<a href="http://www.flheritage.com/facts/history/summary/">link to Florida history</a>)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiud4XUn4CYcUGwn1CYQgvOrz4IL7Nlr7BLmsvlJME_2k02KPw116CB5rUZwwa4OnQ8_DOpm3rQJUQwLWKTSGOVg1erQuyrVM0U_Fb1hn87F55kZ3RLKGwtdgWKEljf9ktMeMWY2bnTSnw/s1600-h/P1000291+St+Mary+dock+low+tide.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiud4XUn4CYcUGwn1CYQgvOrz4IL7Nlr7BLmsvlJME_2k02KPw116CB5rUZwwa4OnQ8_DOpm3rQJUQwLWKTSGOVg1erQuyrVM0U_Fb1hn87F55kZ3RLKGwtdgWKEljf9ktMeMWY2bnTSnw/s320/P1000291+St+Mary+dock+low+tide.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153289005671626258" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Low tide at the dock in Saint Marys, Georgia... the next photo shows the same spot at high tide. Since the <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W</span>. re-entered salt water in early December 2007, we have had to re-familiarize ourselves with tides. On the Gulf coast, tides are small & irregular. On the Atlantic coast, they rise & fall on approximately 12 1/2 hour cycles (low to high to low tide again), and range from a few inches in southern Florida and North Carolina to 9 feet in some spots in Georgia & South Carolina. We also have to cope with the strong currents, which can hinder our progress<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffQjD1SaVvRaVkoiVNQP7M_2ZrkUIE4pR8oTo3GtdiFeH9OXfkSndIGR8d8MXss3Jo_7i_2m0-Qr9lZmPh2_g401cT3rmCNTdUXTA9G-auldgw2FghfIGUeFZhK_HYsjjO0Tjf7grUWM/s1600-h/P1000311+St+Mary+dock+high+tide.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffQjD1SaVvRaVkoiVNQP7M_2ZrkUIE4pR8oTo3GtdiFeH9OXfkSndIGR8d8MXss3Jo_7i_2m0-Qr9lZmPh2_g401cT3rmCNTdUXTA9G-auldgw2FghfIGUeFZhK_HYsjjO0Tjf7grUWM/s320/P1000311+St+Mary+dock+high+tide.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153513598101468722" border="0" /></a> down to 5 knots or a bit less, or speed us along at over 9!<br /><br />Not quite as much of an up hill climb at high tide. Our home waters have strong tidal currents but not quite as much rise & fall as this. It's odd to think that at high tide you can comfortably cruise over what is dry land at low. This has to be taken into account when anchoring, too.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pMjDvE_7DmhvKBTmnSs3rxRyRloY6JGrYefAzN5NoSlZpxWzVacJwYH9SoVWn_hrjQvcJwInqnLMfSbm5xzLn6yny-5uO_tBr4pvujQPC5ycYs8zLbnV1mzOG7kQwwrowgGtqv6YCuQ/s1600-h/DSCN1270+toy+tugboat.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pMjDvE_7DmhvKBTmnSs3rxRyRloY6JGrYefAzN5NoSlZpxWzVacJwYH9SoVWn_hrjQvcJwInqnLMfSbm5xzLn6yny-5uO_tBr4pvujQPC5ycYs8zLbnV1mzOG7kQwwrowgGtqv6YCuQ/s320/DSCN1270+toy+tugboat.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153287253324969394" border="0" /></a><br />A "blast from the past:" here is a photo from our Florida-to-North Carolina cruise five years ago. The previous owner of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W</span>. placed a cute toy tugboat on top of the pilot house next to the spot light. It's gone now, but this little "style piece" should bring a smile, and remind us that we're having fun.<br /><br />We hope that you are all enjoying your past and present ventures; best wishes, Doug and KathieWinnie W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17632345983473544153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085430222728194861.post-77787978330402479122008-01-06T13:16:00.000-05:002008-01-06T19:04:10.139-05:00Playing Tourist & Relaxing in St. Augustine<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hLa7S_VV26SCGCQAUQ0xVmj-xE6iBKaPv0FU2w64F4e4HT9hlYBRZ4KNnwTEizk-eyMzQaHKwiQ5UgKuhrg4emSO2Hy3MQU2ufKb3_5HLqjJf2nhNPf_kYS0i8a3MbWGM_zgvQxSgBo/s1600-h/P1000004st-aug-sign-C.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hLa7S_VV26SCGCQAUQ0xVmj-xE6iBKaPv0FU2w64F4e4HT9hlYBRZ4KNnwTEizk-eyMzQaHKwiQ5UgKuhrg4emSO2Hy3MQU2ufKb3_5HLqjJf2nhNPf_kYS0i8a3MbWGM_zgvQxSgBo/s320/P1000004st-aug-sign-C.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152430132471510338" border="0" /></a>Hello all:<br /><br />The <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W.</span> has been securely tied up in Saint Augustine, Florida, for the first week of this year 2008. This is partly due to freezing, blustery weather that would be poor for cruising.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">This sign welcomes people arriving on Highway 1. Our dock is less than 2 blocks from this sign, and convenient walking distance to the "miracle mile" for shopping.</span><br /></div><br />One of the items renewed/replaced here is our camera. After several years of arduous service, most of it on or around boats, our camera bit the dust. Fortunately there are a lot of "big-box"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqUS2LYBeg7511egaqAfuXu8-AtrjJlBjUPFgPTPp-powGBgRsuR53SVAnkfeu-cK9SE8kL6-ECZ0YAZxREFLRldY9Nj_5R2IB1XYetQPH4wIcdwz88vr68taMCV5yFPrOp_WyScNaL0/s1600-h/P1000003hank-C.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqUS2LYBeg7511egaqAfuXu8-AtrjJlBjUPFgPTPp-powGBgRsuR53SVAnkfeu-cK9SE8kL6-ECZ0YAZxREFLRldY9Nj_5R2IB1XYetQPH4wIcdwz88vr68taMCV5yFPrOp_WyScNaL0/s320/P1000003hank-C.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152430123881575730" border="0" /></a> retailers within bicycling distance, so with some pedaling & hunting thru the shelves we found two replacements (the first one did not have a few key components so we took it back). Kathie has taken such great photos this whole trip, and has quickly gained mastery over this new equipment... bet you can't tell which of the photos in this blog entry were taken with the old and which with the new!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Hank likes his comfort, too; he's enjoyed taking long walks and evenings with the heater running.<br /></span></div><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9H-FF661MgsiUYeL7AhyphenhyphenF5Ip-QSsgk33IiNDuBMRZfY-LWjgW3YwG1e1eNA2Gv27vsXbV-BjERYK-xKHSPUF-AWrdwXLtuauHFHJKY7ZbhUdpwOnLyukdOjON12GsvHwv__OPDaHw5Y/s1600-h/P1000024op1-C+shrimp+boats+San+Sbstn+R.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9H-FF661MgsiUYeL7AhyphenhyphenF5Ip-QSsgk33IiNDuBMRZfY-LWjgW3YwG1e1eNA2Gv27vsXbV-BjERYK-xKHSPUF-AWrdwXLtuauHFHJKY7ZbhUdpwOnLyukdOjON12GsvHwv__OPDaHw5Y/s320/P1000024op1-C+shrimp+boats+San+Sbstn+R.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152430136766477650" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Shrimp boats are tied up along the San Sebastian River, just across from where we are currently docked.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNXUIxAm42-AkXFPTuL0Yn3O64vQDFWBrVhKQjhL9iMxscl3Xv7aEvoLmPXIV82J0qssXc5DIVD-m1h1TNERhBxnUeAiH0IYvJUVjjSU3Tbvtuay3AIZnyvgw-lc4mIVjqfPh2edsbOqw/s1600-h/P1000038-C+Flagler+College.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNXUIxAm42-AkXFPTuL0Yn3O64vQDFWBrVhKQjhL9iMxscl3Xv7aEvoLmPXIV82J0qssXc5DIVD-m1h1TNERhBxnUeAiH0IYvJUVjjSU3Tbvtuay3AIZnyvgw-lc4mIVjqfPh2edsbOqw/s320/P1000038-C+Flagler+College.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152431094544184690" border="0" /></a>Here is one of the main buildings of Flagler College. Formerly the Ponce De Leon Hotel (<a href="http://www.byways.org/explore/byways/2477/places/37504/">link</a>) built in 1887 by Henry Flagler (business partner of John D. Rockefeller of Standard Oil), it's just spectacular inside & out. It has the largest collection of Tiffany windows now "in use." Originally an exclusive winter resort for the Newport set, the guest list was by invitation only, and Mr. Flagler required three months deposit whether guests intended to stay the entire time or merely a few weeks. The building is now partly residential and partly for administration at Flagler College.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGBa_dkK5-tQmZCVM4rxdkfNZoJnNgqMk9eFu3akWuLoaNCTOkg0hOw6pkWDrMs61vsiobND_B-KVLx7MSOcTs10-7BZPrR_6YPpCEmFfowcNsU-dEOhuxMbUJr-OgdWHdftTKfUQYI6A/s1600-h/P1000029cr1-C+heron.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGBa_dkK5-tQmZCVM4rxdkfNZoJnNgqMk9eFu3akWuLoaNCTOkg0hOw6pkWDrMs61vsiobND_B-KVLx7MSOcTs10-7BZPrR_6YPpCEmFfowcNsU-dEOhuxMbUJr-OgdWHdftTKfUQYI6A/s320/P1000029cr1-C+heron.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152431090249217378" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Great Blue Herons once were on the brink of extinction, now they are a common sight. Great comeback and a hopeful sign! Kathie caught this one meditating along the edge of Otter Creek, just off the San Sebastian River where we're docked.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmQcHkCckJm5qNMBBLskqJXDxGe7UAWhiMxwAyXhY8CpugrU-FrRp0mIAgXz08rJkIEQs9CuR5O3XV7giIkC3XKdIeW6I7ch47uC_P5_Y5F54B3etUPJzDkhG7kBDnqlOjvf8TgTjEbM/s1600-h/P1000045-C+St+Aug+Gate.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmQcHkCckJm5qNMBBLskqJXDxGe7UAWhiMxwAyXhY8CpugrU-FrRp0mIAgXz08rJkIEQs9CuR5O3XV7giIkC3XKdIeW6I7ch47uC_P5_Y5F54B3etUPJzDkhG7kBDnqlOjvf8TgTjEbM/s320/P1000045-C+St+Aug+Gate.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152431098839152002" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Saint Augustine is a thriving modern city, and it thrives on its history. An outpost of the Spanish Empire in the days of treasure galleons & pirates, this is the old main gate built in 1739 as a portal thru the town's defensive walls.<br /><br /></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br />We toured the Castillo de San Marcos, a late Spanish Empire Vauban-type fortification (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Vauban-fortress.jpg">link</a>) that guarded Saint Augustine for Spain, Britain, the Confederacy, and the U.S. The town's forts<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEptdSF0nLCHY_Vc7ZTgLwDKIjHTTV42dC4qwJu1glvMJg7ncEzNUKciIG3gxxZfq2biYVgd2h9Nqn6EltshSTL_OU6r40Q-in_UKCw3HLqnZpmINrr6LX9exnoe6Mz72EXpV2-saG8Y/s1600-h/P1000061-C+doug%2Bcannon+Castillo+San+Marcos.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEptdSF0nLCHY_Vc7ZTgLwDKIjHTTV42dC4qwJu1glvMJg7ncEzNUKciIG3gxxZfq2biYVgd2h9Nqn6EltshSTL_OU6r40Q-in_UKCw3HLqnZpmINrr6LX9exnoe6Mz72EXpV2-saG8Y/s320/P1000061-C+doug%2Bcannon+Castillo+San+Marcos.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152431103134119314" border="0" /></a> (this one, and the earlier fort on this same site) were assaulted many times but the defenders were always successful.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Here's Doug with "El Milanese" (the one from Milan), one of Castillo San Marcos' original battery of 18-pounders. Eighteen pounds refers to the weight of the round iron cannonball which fit the bore; the gun itself weighs about 4 1/2 tons! The fort's battery numbered about 70 cannons, & included several large mortars as well.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The Castillo de San Marcos fort is a National Park and is undergoing restoration. There is a chapel, a guardhouse, barracks rooms, displays of maps modern & ancient, of course a large<span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qiKrlgGZrLCqsITRNGZmNK5wMLGrKdkpXose2BmFmUvKP7CoRY8r-PAj9S3332PzWa1yK8a4it2UIi5QPAaHBYERx8W2Wbtdy5Q9Domz8S4GZZKNyRYxLUQwEjS9aFCGMUfyVYYnDEc/s1600-h/P1000087op1-C+firing+cannon.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qiKrlgGZrLCqsITRNGZmNK5wMLGrKdkpXose2BmFmUvKP7CoRY8r-PAj9S3332PzWa1yK8a4it2UIi5QPAaHBYERx8W2Wbtdy5Q9Domz8S4GZZKNyRYxLUQwEjS9aFCGMUfyVYYnDEc/s320/P1000087op1-C+firing+cannon.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152432365854504354" border="0" /></a></span> assortment of weapons, a collection of all the national flags which flew over the fort & uniforms worn by the armies that served here. There are a lot of interesting things to learn, such as how the brims of the familiar tricorn hats came to be turned up, and which contents of an 18th century surgeon's kit are still useful in 1st aid today.<br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The last photo is of a volunteer cannon crew, demonstrating the complex drill for firing a 6-pounder.</span><br /></div><br />We're looking forward to continuing our cruise the "wrong way," north in winter. When we first made this trip to our home port, it took 8 days of hurrying along the ICW. We aren't in as much of a hurry this time, but are looking forward to getting back home.<br /><br />Hope you all are well & happy- Doug & KathieWinnie W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17632345983473544153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085430222728194861.post-3963985900539343602008-01-01T16:26:00.001-05:002008-01-02T20:02:43.694-05:00Our Cruise from New Smyrna Beach to St Augustine<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3elM4hAnjIPGzsQWiQMhK98HFbcIJxJy8OM0q1-7TPFzq4voT92MriRjIxlEft_Ge4Pg6tKTRvEZuPYGS9Z1BGOe7YuUuIWeyKpl6lwcgMdKLpuy2YWUtZdwrUfnNmaiuNw2LYZ0b7ns/s1600-h/P1130453-eng+rm+change+oil.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3elM4hAnjIPGzsQWiQMhK98HFbcIJxJy8OM0q1-7TPFzq4voT92MriRjIxlEft_Ge4Pg6tKTRvEZuPYGS9Z1BGOe7YuUuIWeyKpl6lwcgMdKLpuy2YWUtZdwrUfnNmaiuNw2LYZ0b7ns/s320/P1130453-eng+rm+change+oil.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150626826027774978" border="0" /></a>Hello all-<br />Yesterday was an exciting day for everybody, ringing in a new year and completing our Great Loop. Hopefully it isn't bad luck to start a new year by looking back, but we have some great photos & stories from the last few days cruising.<br /><br />Over the Christmas holidays, some boat work was accomplished. The <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W.'s</span> engine was due for an oil change, so for good measure Doug also changed the transmission fluid. You can see the engine room is fairly roomy & well-lit but it's still a chore... for one thing, the engine is a big marine diesel that holds 14 qts (14 liters) of oil, and it's at the lowest point of the boat... no easy drain plug!<br /><br />Starting from New Smyrna Beach, we cruised north past Ponce Inlet and entered the Halifax River. This is another slow-flowing marshy river, more of a sound or estuary bounded by a narrow sandy barrier island, not as big as the Indian River. But the area is well known by the name of the city, Daytona Beach.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCrMi_87SCZ2r-do_hCUpBmZz6hmMb-tgf2wFcu7HkHHCJnG6I9SGUCCsh3xRvjM6v__TDyjwkHd1iIdVKIRp67_x2UfUZGmt0K0V4lYObdG_ai5952uf5Xwe9_JNBqq8BGkbbNbEJJM/s1600-h/P1130466-+nav+marker.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCrMi_87SCZ2r-do_hCUpBmZz6hmMb-tgf2wFcu7HkHHCJnG6I9SGUCCsh3xRvjM6v__TDyjwkHd1iIdVKIRp67_x2UfUZGmt0K0V4lYObdG_ai5952uf5Xwe9_JNBqq8BGkbbNbEJJM/s320/P1130466-+nav+marker.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150626830322742306" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The ICW channel is fairly easy to follow, although the tidal current shifts sandbars regularly. This marker is distinguished as being for the ICW channel by the reflective yellow square on the placard; red markers have a yellow triangle. It also has a metal radar reflector atop the post. These markers have a number sequence beginning at the next sea channel, going northward.</span><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzXOco9NDN2OKL5aJtzhOlefb5HZoqeR_qNNEryg0SqgsTj4m2QYo5lZBFLaQ5dqt916Wm5tdOS9FE3GMBXAWbQ-ixihP7IWBSKtyqrFygso-91-aBy79pL4GUjgtSf8Gsod1r_7Q5h4/s1600-h/P1130461-+Ponce+lighthouse.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzXOco9NDN2OKL5aJtzhOlefb5HZoqeR_qNNEryg0SqgsTj4m2QYo5lZBFLaQ5dqt916Wm5tdOS9FE3GMBXAWbQ-ixihP7IWBSKtyqrFygso-91-aBy79pL4GUjgtSf8Gsod1r_7Q5h4/s320/P1130461-+Ponce+lighthouse.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150626830322742290" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Ponce Inlet has a picturesque brick lighthouse, built in 1887 when the inlet was called Mosquito Inlet (it's at the north end of Mosquito Lagoon) and used by commercial shipping. Nowadays it is important for sport fishing from the New Smyrna Beach and Daytona areas.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw3mZo2wVkENKMbcu7JK1Y0EgCwp31DTCMpdZ3DrXpZX2_efGPY2qGxpWXONzDfU7v6hO2p0l9XAbWNYJ04qsamMmavoy428VHKD6kJFLL2TpaK52oe3ZuQDCNjJ-V2K5YVqQ1iGWUgfw/s1600-h/P1130489-daytona+bridge+mosiac.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw3mZo2wVkENKMbcu7JK1Y0EgCwp31DTCMpdZ3DrXpZX2_efGPY2qGxpWXONzDfU7v6hO2p0l9XAbWNYJ04qsamMmavoy428VHKD6kJFLL2TpaK52oe3ZuQDCNjJ-V2K5YVqQ1iGWUgfw/s320/P1130489-daytona+bridge+mosiac.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150627435913131074" border="0" /></a>We anchored in the Halifax River, basically surrounded by downtown Daytona Beach. It was quieter & nicer than one might think. Although there are a number of new high-rise bridges, there are still a number of lower bridges that open for boats on the waterway. The bridge keepers proved to be friendly and helpful with navigation & anchoring advice... it's possible that they liked the <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W</span>. because we can lower our antennas & mast and don't need them to open their bridges for us.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI11zCkhER1lN6Hy1BFP1seTTo6gkUF-ZsDmCDxMwLV8xa-90Ht5skT5yqFjABr4IIMwkcymyLWhodMDLDH6W7nvwLoI8yas6o0wxEYvjgBD5VnRPaSVNvDdLi8emIJuJqp4vO-CVli9Y/s1600-h/P1130487-daytona+bridge+mosiac+closeup.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI11zCkhER1lN6Hy1BFP1seTTo6gkUF-ZsDmCDxMwLV8xa-90Ht5skT5yqFjABr4IIMwkcymyLWhodMDLDH6W7nvwLoI8yas6o0wxEYvjgBD5VnRPaSVNvDdLi8emIJuJqp4vO-CVli9Y/s320/P1130487-daytona+bridge+mosiac+closeup.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150627427323196466" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Daytona spent some extra money to make their high-rise bridges prettier. W</span><span style="font-size:85%;">e appreciated it and K</span><span style="font-size:85%;">athie managed to get some photos. Here you can see the bridge piers, decorated with mosaics of colored tile encircling the lower part of the pillars.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Here is a close-up of the mosiacs (they are all alike). They show a porpoise and a manatee.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">We appreciated the bridges and we appreciated the waterfront parks, too. We've had a long-running series of photos of Hank in his "sports car," the rowing dinghy that Doug<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaobNd0WNRmn2RYF7EygTtmvAlzryaWMzyhvfbkI_EiiinfRIUWDyrjqobZ1OghRVl0_R72ehyphenhyphenYyhN8628_cpiFu17M7V92OCIVzBwHU9lt3RJWB_j6jTzVn1lZav4OockZSPrPn6ZcYc/s1600-h/P1130506-hank+dinghy+zoom.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaobNd0WNRmn2RYF7EygTtmvAlzryaWMzyhvfbkI_EiiinfRIUWDyrjqobZ1OghRVl0_R72ehyphenhyphenYyhN8628_cpiFu17M7V92OCIVzBwHU9lt3RJWB_j6jTzVn1lZav4OockZSPrPn6ZcYc/s320/P1130506-hank+dinghy+zoom.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150627435913131090" border="0" /></a> designed and built. The spot that we anchored at Daytona was right in front of a very nice waterfront park which Hank enjoyed. (<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=29.2206,+-81.0195&ie=UTF8&ll=29.224321,-81.018505&spn=0.066666,0.11673&t=h&z=13&om=1">link to</a><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=29.2206,+-81.0195&ie=UTF8&ll=29.224321,-81.018505&spn=0.066666,0.11673&t=h&z=13&om=1"> GoogleMap</a>)<br /></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">One of Kathie's artsier shots, partly due to the soft light of dusk. Looks like the boat is speeding along as Doug rows.</span><br /></div><br />Next we found ourselves on the Matanzas River, which connects its inlet with Saint Augustine. It's unusual in that it is relatively deep and was navigable in historic times.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkPzuVElGRaTgMNaQ6_TqtaOHeAEW_i07-6tioqUgzijZOTLomwNlmvNlOqHlxQ8ODcDQ10JSx3WECQ9NZ82a2iUyIalZh2RagpSv93BRY6setN8nR7b4mK9SfYm5SRgCWLi9jzhWzu4/s1600-h/P1130538-+fort+matanzas.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkPzuVElGRaTgMNaQ6_TqtaOHeAEW_i07-6tioqUgzijZOTLomwNlmvNlOqHlxQ8ODcDQ10JSx3WECQ9NZ82a2iUyIalZh2RagpSv93BRY6setN8nR7b4mK9SfYm5SRgCWLi9jzhWzu4/s320/P1130538-+fort+matanzas.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150636751697196162" border="0" /></a>St. Augustine is the oldest town in the U.S., founded in 1565 (<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/db/Mapstaug.jpg">link to old map</a>). As a port, it was somewhat unique because it could be reached by either of two inlets. In olden days, the lure of Spanish treasure from their mines in Central & South America brought pirates & privateers to the Florida coast (<a href="http://www.staugustinelinks.com/st-augustine-history.asp">link to SA history</a>). The Spanish soldiers at St. Augustine fought the French and the English both, and the city was sacked by Sir Francis Drake (whom the Spanish considered a pirate) and by real pirates. Both inlets were eventually protected by forts.<br /><br />Here are two photos of Fort Matanzas , by which<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrC4mUWC6MkQWX3bZoBIh5W5VVAFOTj6e6ldQq5qoctBOm11ivXXm-gSHEbOiF-fo1_lOizhC9JUS8k5vk0eWJ3kwtd5NTeLkyHneGfLWc8sk0iD4DfLHiRaX3g2rnTs6PLsXoXguHBA/s1600-h/P1130545-+fort+matanzas+cannoneer%27s+view.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrC4mUWC6MkQWX3bZoBIh5W5VVAFOTj6e6ldQq5qoctBOm11ivXXm-gSHEbOiF-fo1_lOizhC9JUS8k5vk0eWJ3kwtd5NTeLkyHneGfLWc8sk0iD4DfLHiRaX3g2rnTs6PLsXoXguHBA/s320/P1130545-+fort+matanzas+cannoneer%27s+view.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150636747402228850" border="0" /></a> we anchored (<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=29.718,+-81.2427&ie=UTF8&t=h&om=1&ll=29.722197,-81.246643&spn=0.066339,0.11673&z=13&iwloc=addr">link to Googlemap</a>) and visited. Above you can see the sentry box at left, the cannons aimed over the wall, and the building which housed the soldiers & the magazine. One of the items on display is an old chart of the inlet & river. In the lower photo, you can see the cannoneer's view and imagine approaching enemy ships. The inlet is bridged by Highway A1A but in olden times it was wide & deep, with the main channel somewhat north of the modern inlet.<br />(<a href="http://www.staugustine.com/visit/history/fort_matanzas.shtml">link to Fort Matanzas history</a>)<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM15a4Gz7qCGT1knyRLM9ioD4_GlCRRHZi_e-oTiL3FkMeKEOvCVo_EN7D8UoxhjrG7-dvEV1XyQuAGoQDpbuDGu1H7aTsM3WV6mUBnnYKl-yBM7yL3O7_NgZdwodLDmGfAZkg2up2X8s/s1600-h/P1130559sunk.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM15a4Gz7qCGT1knyRLM9ioD4_GlCRRHZi_e-oTiL3FkMeKEOvCVo_EN7D8UoxhjrG7-dvEV1XyQuAGoQDpbuDGu1H7aTsM3WV6mUBnnYKl-yBM7yL3O7_NgZdwodLDmGfAZkg2up2X8s/s320/P1130559sunk.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150636743107261538" border="0" /></a><br />From this anchorage, we headed north along the winding Matanzas River to the town of Saint Augustine.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">hurricane damage? carelessness? a sunken boat along the San Sebastian River</span><br /></div><br />Yesterday in Saint Augustine we officially closed the Great Loop, since we bought & christened the <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W</span>. here in 2002, and then cruised from here to our home in North Carolina. We have both sentimental & practical reasons for stopping here. It's a great cruising port, with good shelter (weather forecasts are grim), nearby stores, and<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLGiAWUMNcLEmFH6G363iuk_8ch7-fZjGssXdTAgi4ojBcKDs4IWQnfs5nTeiSTiXouaZf-YkoTQdXVg3qqMAvFc4cjX_EahA1dXjiU4CDHR6LCa3aVuudGmY9ceFhz3R-T_Fk5S67HU/s1600-h/P1130563op1-C.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLGiAWUMNcLEmFH6G363iuk_8ch7-fZjGssXdTAgi4ojBcKDs4IWQnfs5nTeiSTiXouaZf-YkoTQdXVg3qqMAvFc4cjX_EahA1dXjiU4CDHR6LCa3aVuudGmY9ceFhz3R-T_Fk5S67HU/s320/P1130563op1-C.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150623055046489074" border="0" /></a> interesting sights to see.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Among the first sights we saw in St. Augustine.<br /><br />We're not serious birdwatchers, for example neither of us could tell you the difference between a Heron and an Egret. However we love to spot & observe wildlife & nature; Kathie has gotten pretty good at snapping quick photos.</span><br /></div><br />So now we are restocking (bought a new camera; the old was dropped one too many times!) and waiting for a cold nor'easter to blow itself out. We're also meeting interesting people including fellow cruisers. It turns out to be a small world; the couple on the boat behind us at the dock are from a town very close to us in NC.<br /><br />Best wishes to you all- Doug & KathieWinnie W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17632345983473544153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085430222728194861.post-56974606841737387422007-12-31T11:18:00.000-05:002007-12-31T13:27:38.282-05:00"Crossing our wake" (and Happy New Year!)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqh27ScNzuuf6epz04USeaQNVdu53ge45IHULT-hUsmU6ZjZw7FpVmSjBRTCnwqdbecn03v61_MPzOBjvTP1ArFrcVIeEkH_KCCPk-1a4zSnjouIhFWehVbLxppDGIW9wmgwSwoUqp6-Y/s1600-h/P1130550op1c-hwy312+bridge.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqh27ScNzuuf6epz04USeaQNVdu53ge45IHULT-hUsmU6ZjZw7FpVmSjBRTCnwqdbecn03v61_MPzOBjvTP1ArFrcVIeEkH_KCCPk-1a4zSnjouIhFWehVbLxppDGIW9wmgwSwoUqp6-Y/s320/P1130550op1c-hwy312+bridge.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150201843308803026" border="0" /></a>Hello all:<br />Today is an auspicious day for us: we are "closing the Loop," or "crossing our wake," or in non-Loopers parlance, we have now completed the Great Loop around the eastern half of the United States in our beloved <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W</span>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Looking north on the Matanzas River, the town of St. Augustine and the Hwy 312 bridge is just coming into sight. Under the bridge & to the left is the San Sebastian River.</span><br /></div><br />When we bought the <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W.</span> in 2002, she was docked in a marina on the San Sebastian River in St. Augustine. We immediately brought her back<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJaw02H19uKo-FaFWJpt81MrvUokQBMAoPeLv5MyeDXVWcn3j2kQ8eGNkjvusKuDm7pP757EBSqXirBD6U88q1PZC0G0ieWL_uBM_pUJoSxS0LgNsKsc_4oShlJ8ZkW3pjH4xMilycMI/s1600-h/P1130552op1c-enter+San+Sebastian+River.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJaw02H19uKo-FaFWJpt81MrvUokQBMAoPeLv5MyeDXVWcn3j2kQ8eGNkjvusKuDm7pP757EBSqXirBD6U88q1PZC0G0ieWL_uBM_pUJoSxS0LgNsKsc_4oShlJ8ZkW3pjH4xMilycMI/s320/P1130552op1c-enter+San+Sebastian+River.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150201847603770338" border="0" /></a> to North Carolina; now, in 2007, we have proceeded counter-clockwise from our home port in North Carolina up the east coast, through New York state, across Canada, through the Great Lakes and inland rivers, and around Florida to where we started this journey in 2002.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Crossing our wake as we enter the San Sebastian River, passing Marker #1... Hooray!</span><br /></div><br />So tonight we will toast the <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W</span>, ourselves, and our family and friends as we bring in 2008 in St. Augustine, where the <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W</span> became part of our family and we embarked on this great journey.<br />Best wishes for 2008! Kathie and Doug (and Hank)Winnie W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17632345983473544153noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085430222728194861.post-88431469882614400282007-12-27T08:40:00.000-05:002007-12-29T20:55:25.834-05:00A Few More Days Northward on the Florida ICW<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZCvPvExh6KhaXOECEVawhQ2R3TY_ZYl-0gbM4iEdadUbffUCfksKmgtb30RtdAL3C4OyqOKMSPlr4QeYDbX3UCXhSk8X0uuoftVhSb0sXC79RBolxZP54XzBpvmNZAdts2_Do17h7jA/s1600-h/P1130374channel.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZCvPvExh6KhaXOECEVawhQ2R3TY_ZYl-0gbM4iEdadUbffUCfksKmgtb30RtdAL3C4OyqOKMSPlr4QeYDbX3UCXhSk8X0uuoftVhSb0sXC79RBolxZP54XzBpvmNZAdts2_Do17h7jA/s320/P1130374channel.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148647821061894978" border="0" /></a>Hello all-<br />Despite going the "wrong way," we are making progress. A day's travel by cruising tugboat equals about an hour's drive by car, so by most standards our progress is slow.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Here is what we like... red markers on one side, green markers on the other, with a clear & easy channel in between. This is the IntraCoastal Waterway channel in the Indian River just north of Fort Pierce FL.</span><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWnB6QCCPOy2il7cEIwrjxOpuMSMpleuCuDZ_s9fbvpyn2gLqh6ZfubzoZyzkUVVN2ngnTO5H9YblUJEj2valzIdFGICvKqJ-HTkIrqTSCj-NroEL9lVu7bgUNfy3MQfgOlqrS3y_MK8/s1600-h/P1130375sandbar.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWnB6QCCPOy2il7cEIwrjxOpuMSMpleuCuDZ_s9fbvpyn2gLqh6ZfubzoZyzkUVVN2ngnTO5H9YblUJEj2valzIdFGICvKqJ-HTkIrqTSCj-NroEL9lVu7bgUNfy3MQfgOlqrS3y_MK8/s320/P1130375sandbar.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148647821061894994" border="0" /></a>From the Okeechobee Waterway along the St. Lucie River, we entered the Indian River. This is really more of a sound or bay. It runs over 100 miles north to south, past Fort Pierce, Melbourne, and passes west of Cape Canaveral. North of Titusville there is a 1 mile canal connecting to the next inland bay or sound, romantically named Mosquito Lagoon.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Here is what we don't like... shallow water & sand bars! As always, never drive your boat where birds are standing.</span><br /></div>We have seen a lot of dolphins (porpoises), but not been able to get any good pictures of them.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWbfZrmLet7GT_TcfyGMvDwQ_jKKHxJNV21DuNSuVUQWPFEaTZvqzJ4WLRS57IWXqz85OttySEdNFK79CWUSmDGRTU5-_YoIf_CeWkGEMcro6VkBJHaFfaFYpl28ujeW4ftuYmFCgIeE/s1600-h/P1130388launch.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWbfZrmLet7GT_TcfyGMvDwQ_jKKHxJNV21DuNSuVUQWPFEaTZvqzJ4WLRS57IWXqz85OttySEdNFK79CWUSmDGRTU5-_YoIf_CeWkGEMcro6VkBJHaFfaFYpl28ujeW4ftuYmFCgIeE/s320/P1130388launch.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148648284918362978" border="0" /></a>Rocket!<br />We thought this was the shuttle going up, but it wasn't. The U.S. space program is one of our most incredible national accomplishments, but nowadays a rocket launch is ho-hum to most people.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNRaLJU51b3wCh8KagJSgML5rnLyMYt1RRfU7clfXZj-2BYMSsot3hauojVBxKz0N515Zz6E7tgcweqJpI_JLkkzBU66IN4-lBO0G1-ZtU1mMAUlAS8LIny4Z6Y0pzA3Rrn9iRMUQXvTs/s1600-h/P1130396agrnd.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNRaLJU51b3wCh8KagJSgML5rnLyMYt1RRfU7clfXZj-2BYMSsot3hauojVBxKz0N515Zz6E7tgcweqJpI_JLkkzBU66IN4-lBO0G1-ZtU1mMAUlAS8LIny4Z6Y0pzA3Rrn9iRMUQXvTs/s320/P1130396agrnd.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148648289213330290" border="0" /></a><br />Either this cruiser wanted to scrub his hull, or he did not fare so well anchoring near the islands.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguXRBQIEQ3cwQrUAb2U_l7EiIEdnFHh4JX5I8qVl8asdzb7SEMdV6L-ZRuGIUpnE0gVzRqE2Uh_CioC8H_LfJRjh2Ch-ZAaaUIj2RfZiVN5sDov85gBJgiQ2AIc0YwTdE0donm23egcTE/s1600-h/P1130408ind-r-C.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguXRBQIEQ3cwQrUAb2U_l7EiIEdnFHh4JX5I8qVl8asdzb7SEMdV6L-ZRuGIUpnE0gVzRqE2Uh_CioC8H_LfJRjh2Ch-ZAaaUIj2RfZiVN5sDov85gBJgiQ2AIc0YwTdE0donm23egcTE/s320/P1130408ind-r-C.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148648293508297602" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">These island are all "spoil banks," which means they are piles of sand, mud, &</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> rock dredged from the channel. Without dredging, the coastal sounds & estuaries would not be deep enough for practical navigation. And the islands are kind of cool! (<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=27.9969,++-80.5492&ie=UTF8&ll=28.000313,-80.540085&spn=0.069721,0.11467&t=h&z=13&om=1">link to GoogleMap</a>)</span><br /></div><br />Like much of the southern U.S. coast, Florida has a chain of sandy barrier islands between the open Atlantic and the mainland. These provide nice sheltered waters and a great aquatic environment... although the nation averages about 40% of the original wetlands remaining (<a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=original+wetlands+percentage+remaining&btnG=Google+Search">link</a>). Some states have lost more than 90% but Florida has kept about half.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwUcuBag4q_Ixb3RiLSfURG9VGzXAiFF6GbHQtSFqDUoe82KzZ1B5LNENJPXx456C4DDvPckNhyqzyroB7PZWaNnQrJDHAcS8WJfVpa4PQjaWsLi91BJmTb0FlHPVGbE_rs55wcD1D_L4/s1600-h/P1130426indian-river1c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwUcuBag4q_Ixb3RiLSfURG9VGzXAiFF6GbHQtSFqDUoe82KzZ1B5LNENJPXx456C4DDvPckNhyqzyroB7PZWaNnQrJDHAcS8WJfVpa4PQjaWsLi91BJmTb0FlHPVGbE_rs55wcD1D_L4/s320/P1130426indian-river1c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148648632810714002" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Here's is Hank going ashore on his personal spoil bank island for an early morning walk. Some of the tree stumps are driftwood, while others grew there and have been undercut by erosion.</span><br /><br /><br />Florida's east coast is more developed than the west, and for most of the ICW we are within sight of waterfront houses, parks, & hi-rises. Boat traffic is pretty heavy, especially on the weekends.<br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhCDMgdgMlburbrLrYrvg94RSYq0nmq2deHElZd5pmFotDqkxJaROcaobDPLpeq-3U9Em8u_cs_QV-r1ppH6qWEnuVhcoUSSV7h2Pgsi8-e7BaEcJUI0tna_3SgZ2UP8Hc9IgwzZh5LY/s1600-h/P1130440haulover-canal1c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhCDMgdgMlburbrLrYrvg94RSYq0nmq2deHElZd5pmFotDqkxJaROcaobDPLpeq-3U9Em8u_cs_QV-r1ppH6qWEnuVhcoUSSV7h2Pgsi8-e7BaEcJUI0tna_3SgZ2UP8Hc9IgwzZh5LY/s320/P1130440haulover-canal1c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148698316992394178" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />This is the Haulover Canal, between the Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon. This photo w</span><span style="font-size:85%;">as taken on a drizzly day with a chilly nor'easter blowing 20+ mph.</span><br /></div><br />There have actually been two Haulover Canals, and the place was called "the haulover" long before there was a canal! (<a href="http://www.nbbd.com/godo/history/landmarks/01.html">link to local history site</a>)<br /><br />The <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W.</span> spent several days at the New Smyrna Beach City Marina, a great stop.... more details later!<br /><br />Best wishes- Doug & KathieWinnie W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17632345983473544153noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085430222728194861.post-85519096611044179652007-12-19T17:14:00.001-05:002007-12-20T12:08:13.324-05:00Hooray! North on the ICW (wrong way?)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTrEo3EnMDfObIhTqbUtSnp6K3ugTrwN57YxHAhOD1QaaXQMyzmawUGJjub2WMFQJ0pWLnxpotpPmcyir4RfGViO7ZFRQOIeWNIMqg_NllBUJ3KFaS-eOsBU-I0x9RCZue57Mv67PB7vA/s1600-h/P1130195c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTrEo3EnMDfObIhTqbUtSnp6K3ugTrwN57YxHAhOD1QaaXQMyzmawUGJjub2WMFQJ0pWLnxpotpPmcyir4RfGViO7ZFRQOIeWNIMqg_NllBUJ3KFaS-eOsBU-I0x9RCZue57Mv67PB7vA/s320/P1130195c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145811931465757378" border="0" /></a>Hello all-<br />Well, we have not "closed the Loop" or "crossed our wake," as is said of people completing the Great Loop cruise. Technically, the <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W.</span> will cross her wake at St. Augustine, Florida since we bought her there and brought her up the ICW to North Carolina ourselves; however we have to take her home anyway so we will obviously continue! Today we made it to (and past) Mile 0 (zero) of the Okeechobee Waterway; we're now on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, so we're celebrating.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Here is a crane waiting for breakfast on a chilly morning. He is all grumpy and huddled up, trying to keep warm. The waterways of southern Florida are great for bird-watching; you not only get to see a lot of different species but you get to see them act differently.<br /></span></div><br />We're on the home stretch, more than 5/6ths done with the Great Loop. We've transited all the locks on our route. Not only that, but we are in relatively familiar waters for the first time since last May.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIIgvq4lkSP_3xmA72X50fpEa0GangXThtS0-CGWNOIPL3JB8KOFEXXhBX1hmfd3pDTltJUQlQ1rozTFyy4I1tp2wUhPTL_roe4NwsD5K8osqwqs5RFi0Hxiy524rasDMH0LLWNnlCfFU/s1600-h/P1130179cc.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIIgvq4lkSP_3xmA72X50fpEa0GangXThtS0-CGWNOIPL3JB8KOFEXXhBX1hmfd3pDTltJUQlQ1rozTFyy4I1tp2wUhPTL_roe4NwsD5K8osqwqs5RFi0Hxiy524rasDMH0LLWNnlCfFU/s320/P1130179cc.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145811922875822770" border="0" /></a> However the <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W</span> is in the odd position of heading north for the winter. Everybody we meet tells us we're going the Wrong Way! Doug always replies, "Not really, straight down is the only Wrong Way."<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Kathie's cousin Andy visited us along the shores of Lake Okeechobee. He lives in the port of Miami, which the <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W.</span> will unfortunately skip on our route. It was too windy to cross the Lake but the weather was perfect for an afternoon visit!</span><br /></div><br />Leaving Moore Haven, we exited the canal into Lake Okeechobee itself. This is the central component of a vast water system that once fed<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ceMtLQvy1syOdT3u7w8XuSXNCV1ThCqrQ5Lpf7Za_5WsvVbdVva7NNXJT4QfyF3E2Y_tclfspteOin9CXFV8TzINjiFuX6AO6Ay2ncmQyLMWogOTh0VIWE3Th8JIUiY0J7LAayNQQVo/s1600-h/P1130243c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ceMtLQvy1syOdT3u7w8XuSXNCV1ThCqrQ5Lpf7Za_5WsvVbdVva7NNXJT4QfyF3E2Y_tclfspteOin9CXFV8TzINjiFuX6AO6Ay2ncmQyLMWogOTh0VIWE3Th8JIUiY0J7LAayNQQVo/s320/P1130243c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145811944350659282" border="0" /></a> the Everglades, and now provides irrigation & drinking water for much of southern Florida. The lake is 30 miles across but very shallow (about 11' at it's deepest part), and after a long drought there have been serious questions about navigation.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">This photo is looking down the channel from the lake towards Clewiston. The rock lining the edge of the channel is natural; much of the lake floor is rocky & very unfriendly to boat hulls & propellers. The Army Corps of Engineers makes water level info available so that boaters can judge whether it is safe to pass thru these channels; the <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W. </span>made it with about 6 inches to spare (lowest depth4.5 feet). (<a href="http://www.waterwayguide.com/navupdate.php?area=7">link to Kathie's report</a>)<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYPx32ZzGRpyGtq3qnIy5ArfhDFZQ_EHJ5zJKrATNXQJDsrSxRMHFBeC6X6uu3uI44XrzfieB_3OlC7-oh1eqC-P74SHALqlKGV8rFyrM4uRmA5RZmlvtjvGUC2TC56ZsR5FZcJJUFJxI/s1600-h/P1130267c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYPx32ZzGRpyGtq3qnIy5ArfhDFZQ_EHJ5zJKrATNXQJDsrSxRMHFBeC6X6uu3uI44XrzfieB_3OlC7-oh1eqC-P74SHALqlKGV8rFyrM4uRmA5RZmlvtjvGUC2TC56ZsR5FZcJJUFJxI/s320/P1130267c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145813323035161314" border="0" /></a><br /></div>After several hours, we reached the eastern shore of Lake Okeechobee and re-entered the canal system. The Port Mayaca lock was the 2nd to the last lock that we would encounter on our whole Loop, and the only one (of all) that opened both gates at once for us to drive right thru.<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">This photo shows the view right thru both sets of gates of the Port Mayaca lock as <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W.</span> approaches from the west, coming in from the open lake. Unfortunately we did not get a picture of the large iguana that was sunning himself on the lock fendering.</span><br /></div><br />During our Tuesday run, we saw one iguana and<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeK_uWiZQkQVZ32HeLsvWHJ7dw7Hsgr3JSAcO7n_JGITlatM76wEjGLmjPeGaCnGFhmBThF8y0lfmthX78LQkXZzWGOIm3RdCIt5Eh51IiZ7LuVwL-rjAtVjbCPFpCgtSO_XcayDRkUJA/s1600-h/P1130287c+Alligator+w+pointer.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeK_uWiZQkQVZ32HeLsvWHJ7dw7Hsgr3JSAcO7n_JGITlatM76wEjGLmjPeGaCnGFhmBThF8y0lfmthX78LQkXZzWGOIm3RdCIt5Eh51IiZ7LuVwL-rjAtVjbCPFpCgtSO_XcayDRkUJA/s320/P1130287c+Alligator+w+pointer.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146068955193652002" border="0" /></a> 3 alligators. We never doubted there are alligators present; for one thing, Doug lived in Florida for a few years and has seen many of them before. However it is difficult to pilot the boat safely, spot alligators, and also take pictures!<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Here's the one alligator, medium sized, that Kathie was able to catch with the camera. </span><br /></div><br />The folks who live here have told us that they see large alligators.... 10' (3.1m) +... all the time, swimming in the creeks & ponds... one lady said she had a 14' (4.3m) alligator sunning himself on her carport one day!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZKPHMEXX9dgoKgwefGvyQwHgkmxNxTzXIlJ0KwKHurUpf4x4f9rj-9vKuhNyR5gYTfZZxz9wnDEbvSooSu-nSBA7JWS0i20kI-Xr9VZAxY8ZmT9i7wybp2IWrv1TEoDgS8T2mrC0kXWI/s1600-h/P1130339c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZKPHMEXX9dgoKgwefGvyQwHgkmxNxTzXIlJ0KwKHurUpf4x4f9rj-9vKuhNyR5gYTfZZxz9wnDEbvSooSu-nSBA7JWS0i20kI-Xr9VZAxY8ZmT9i7wybp2IWrv1TEoDgS8T2mrC0kXWI/s320/P1130339c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145813374574768914" border="0" /></a>Here's an alligator tip- NEVER feed an alligator! It seems very obvious, but apparently it's a growing problem. These critters are basically leftovers from the dinosaur age, and they can be very dangerous. In the wild, they are timid of humans, but only one feeding can teach them people = food!<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Here's another common problem in Florida- wrecked & derelict boats. They are expensive to dispose of and an environmental hazard.</span><br /></div><br /><br />Despite all the hazards & problems, Hank has a great time. We don't let him swim here, but we<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNA8qzsWDUR1G8YBkgY06E3udBCIeOSq_GtZxezTNbjrBp86jRX0waz3GfTz6205fI7Gu0xclK9IsqLbOhtylrM_o9JSPx7dLeECoOB4CoDreY6Ewck40rTk4EICllVNCHVSh87EDqJnk/s1600-h/P1130321c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNA8qzsWDUR1G8YBkgY06E3udBCIeOSq_GtZxezTNbjrBp86jRX0waz3GfTz6205fI7Gu0xclK9IsqLbOhtylrM_o9JSPx7dLeECoOB4CoDreY6Ewck40rTk4EICllVNCHVSh87EDqJnk/s320/P1130321c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145813340215030530" border="0" /></a> can still play fetch in the park.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Here's a photo of Hank protecting his toy from alligators, and Doug keeping Hank away from the canal. Dogs are great for sharing life's simple pleasures... Kathie says that Hank has such a good day, every day, that we can't really do much more to make birthdays & for Christmas more special.</span><br /></div><br />Today we are in Fort Pierce, then heading north up the East Coast Intra-Coastal Waterway... it's warm enough that we've run the air conditioner a few afternoons... it'll get colder! Still, it feels like we are almost home!<br /><br />Best wishes and Happy Holidays to you all- Doug & KathieWinnie W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17632345983473544153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085430222728194861.post-85806527721608368172007-12-16T16:18:00.000-05:002007-12-26T21:51:59.647-05:00Turning The Corner- South to East<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg482sWpxpHNV28g43k7FqwNJy5V8zeTTli4Z-DuMMFqWTbq2gv0Da1usPMHRA4DFKG1Zq761L2hwq9Vrc_wXeL0MnfpDXW5Lec1y1QlBvDcEnXWDtGm3n5402rDUOGLQKn5cJLr9IIIDo/s1600-h/Southern+Corner+Map+1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg482sWpxpHNV28g43k7FqwNJy5V8zeTTli4Z-DuMMFqWTbq2gv0Da1usPMHRA4DFKG1Zq761L2hwq9Vrc_wXeL0MnfpDXW5Lec1y1QlBvDcEnXWDtGm3n5402rDUOGLQKn5cJLr9IIIDo/s320/Southern+Corner+Map+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144683592017490482" border="0" /></a>Hello all-<br />The <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W</span>. has turned the southernmost corner on our Great Loop cruise. Traveling down the Gulf IntraCoastal Waterway on the west coast of Florida, we passed Sanibel Island and turned left (east) toward Cape Coral . As you can see on the map, this is not quite as simple as negotiating a cloverleaf on the highway. For one thing, there are strong tidal currents in San Carlos Bay and across the mouth of the<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirxvFIcwigaN065YgWWu7YkfKO9rvlmnWgzn1ar5twTFdzdkKQptkiZm-s6zmX8WPV-LjSJhYoyiF-hprC0HLf27GuFMcys5SMwBbAHrpWl56CvNYWpHnMKb_WysaWQG6a2t2fwVx2izg/s1600-h/P1120704op1c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirxvFIcwigaN065YgWWu7YkfKO9rvlmnWgzn1ar5twTFdzdkKQptkiZm-s6zmX8WPV-LjSJhYoyiF-hprC0HLf27GuFMcys5SMwBbAHrpWl56CvNYWpHnMKb_WysaWQG6a2t2fwVx2izg/s320/P1120704op1c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144683583427555874" border="0" /></a> Caloosahatchee River. Many boaters are swept by the current out of the channel & have some trouble in the shallows.<span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Birds of a feather do in fact flock together. Pelicans calmly sitting along bridge fendering... probably waiting for the next fishing boat.<br /></span></div><br />The Caloosahatchee River forms part of the waterway across southern Florida via Lake Okeechobee. There are several sets of locks, although the overall rise & fall is not large. Franklin Lock was our first on this waterway, and its total lift was only a foot or two. However it keeps the tidal & salty estuary waters out of<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU16rFf8Q2dHtwJO-WBhGCdvvQg79Jps-kbedh_iGWrVYITGO0UMp8MxAnbjILhDzlJyw6iddlGIVh2rNVFnzjeRcw7Q4BfNX3fq9W648sPcOMxHS2FKODzgkL6is9stzeWYVr_WioKQ0/s1600-h/P1130042c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU16rFf8Q2dHtwJO-WBhGCdvvQg79Jps-kbedh_iGWrVYITGO0UMp8MxAnbjILhDzlJyw6iddlGIVh2rNVFnzjeRcw7Q4BfNX3fq9W648sPcOMxHS2FKODzgkL6is9stzeWYVr_WioKQ0/s320/P1130042c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145139897932952130" border="0" /></a> the fresh water system. The Lake Okeechobee basin provides irrigation & drinking water for most of southern Florida. This is why the Everglades is drying up, although the record drought hasn't helped.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Shortly after we 'rounded the corner at Cape Coral, we met up with our friends Wayne & Diane. To save trouble of explaining how to navigate in his neighborhood, Wayne simply drove out in their runabout to meet us... this is the first time the <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W.</span> has had an escort!</span></span><br /></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Shortly after this photo was taken, we had the</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCyUBXsKnwaXXVihT8x5TYhXFdXxIdC-ULFZ4fmTv2LUPc9fBmynXKAVnxyP5Sag3QTivP8w_kubg-BPyBnu0njmE93063lWmVz1HhwDdd7OEzfrAwILhntgNuAayM5Gl4gI-VNChqJZs/s1600-h/P1130060c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCyUBXsKnwaXXVihT8x5TYhXFdXxIdC-ULFZ4fmTv2LUPc9fBmynXKAVnxyP5Sag3QTivP8w_kubg-BPyBnu0njmE93063lWmVz1HhwDdd7OEzfrAwILhntgNuAayM5Gl4gI-VNChqJZs/s320/P1130060c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145139902227919442" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> heaviest rainfall this area has had in a year. It was badly needed so we didn't mind.</span><br /></span><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">After a great visit, we headed further up the river. Passing the city of Fort Myers, we couldn't help but comment on this classic bit of Florida architecture. To be fair, it should be noted that the buildings on the left aren't finished yet.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcWt8bIVDNAFuEl9-VYzlCuZ6aIvWFCJ43hDCP0EdpNdd2RSR8Ttc17ACNDVc-389JE2VgvAEliLWcBUpWM5BdmA56Cxh-SpC9_nzs_mDKmHZGCvFN7eQWMhkbyWoQFC3h6qqHrjXPIp0/s1600-h/P1130071c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcWt8bIVDNAFuEl9-VYzlCuZ6aIvWFCJ43hDCP0EdpNdd2RSR8Ttc17ACNDVc-389JE2VgvAEliLWcBUpWM5BdmA56Cxh-SpC9_nzs_mDKmHZGCvFN7eQWMhkbyWoQFC3h6qqHrjXPIp0/s320/P1130071c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145139902227919458" border="0" /></a>Continuing up the Caloosahatchee River, we visited with Jerry & Rosalie, who own an orange grove. They cruised the Great Loop earlier this year, completing the trip last month in time to begin harvesting. They were also very glad for the rain!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Jerry, Garrett, Doug, & Hank in the orange grove. We picked a few bushels of oranges, although Hank didn't really help much. This picture does not do justice to the bright color of the oranges or how thickly they grow... some trees seemed to have just as many oranges as leaves!</span><br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1h24GGY1d9s1V5ZSl7Cv0BkVGKC6b2gKZNINex4eXgOjzZa4q8cPfoZuUg9nbCP2syUwsrfLcz_BZxoNfVBuXpAWoLs2PNiUpH_OsjVfA7HJSVSZU7g868g0v2UVKXCFHmB8h3rwZ1Gg/s1600-h/P1130099c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1h24GGY1d9s1V5ZSl7Cv0BkVGKC6b2gKZNINex4eXgOjzZa4q8cPfoZuUg9nbCP2syUwsrfLcz_BZxoNfVBuXpAWoLs2PNiUpH_OsjVfA7HJSVSZU7g868g0v2UVKXCFHmB8h3rwZ1Gg/s320/P1130099c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145143789173322354" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Here is a cute cruising boat. It could be the <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W.</span>'s little sister.<br /></span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7oNA6cSHq36dUeV6SxQXVWPOzookGa8Sv-MfisSz7xGwnvCuxN0J9M0cGY1bSKYXIC7ds_3PsY6WeCG5lG1Z4Hqw49PqnyL_V0Hjd7RmS0pePNXrNzAa_fqTj8I_RvSZLYRbDjXLRyzg/s1600-h/P1130145c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7oNA6cSHq36dUeV6SxQXVWPOzookGa8Sv-MfisSz7xGwnvCuxN0J9M0cGY1bSKYXIC7ds_3PsY6WeCG5lG1Z4Hqw49PqnyL_V0Hjd7RmS0pePNXrNzAa_fqTj8I_RvSZLYRbDjXLRyzg/s320/P1130145c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145143793468289666" border="0" /></a>Locks on the Okeechobee Waterway are a little different. Instead of a system of valves & conduits, they just open the lock doors a little and let the water pour through. The rise & fall of the water level is always 6' or less. Part of the reason for these locks & dams is to protect the drainage & irrigation canals from hurricanes.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1NE0-z17nHw2VGp3Yb3eDqb2YwjoBEtEPZiCWD_QpuDNI9PqKnT00aaEsJ5WOCA6itWGYtyKOY5MM7otuYZPAzylLJaWdp-2xlNlKg2pC-c_paiEE-HlkanAh7Bd9FXRINU-TninlU0/s1600-h/P1130159c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1NE0-z17nHw2VGp3Yb3eDqb2YwjoBEtEPZiCWD_QpuDNI9PqKnT00aaEsJ5WOCA6itWGYtyKOY5MM7otuYZPAzylLJaWdp-2xlNlKg2pC-c_paiEE-HlkanAh7Bd9FXRINU-TninlU0/s320/P1130159c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145143797763256978" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: left;">After traversing our third set of locks & dams on the Caloosahatchee River & Canal, which forms the western part of the Okeechobee Waterway, we arrived in the "mountain region" of central south Florida.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This system of canals was begun in the 1850s, chiefly for drainage of the marsh for use as farmland.<br /></div></div><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtoMuHUFdAAJoIDy6oo8Pm69dMRDzU1S6XfWtzy3bq5aNqI6shMzVdMv2_x_b_1HLxQ-uQBHEu0o9zBT8guLsNct84mn36qZc3mk1QYsWLIB2h_5kH5_0W8qDpLGtqignGOw-UITaiNHo/s1600-h/P1130173c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtoMuHUFdAAJoIDy6oo8Pm69dMRDzU1S6XfWtzy3bq5aNqI6shMzVdMv2_x_b_1HLxQ-uQBHEu0o9zBT8guLsNct84mn36qZc3mk1QYsWLIB2h_5kH5_0W8qDpLGtqignGOw-UITaiNHo/s320/P1130173c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145143797763256994" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Here is Kathie's cousin Andy trying out the famous dinghy. It was a chilly & windy day but we rowed most of the way to the next lock, along the waterfront of Moore Haven. Hank watched anxiously, as he considers the dinghy to be *his* sports car.</span><br /></div><br />Tomorrow we plan to continue across Lake Okeechobee itself, maybe through a couple more locks. We are about 900 waterway miles from home and starting to get the itch to finish the Loop!<br />Our best to you all, Doug and KathieWinnie W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17632345983473544153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085430222728194861.post-45639030695674904242007-12-11T12:57:00.000-05:002007-12-13T15:14:51.834-05:00Tampa Bay Skyway and Southward BoundHello all-<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_HpKrzYtVRktiW8CJfRs3u5XO1FN_4ACJCzVfC96MYIgSTi92EVLKRP4PwpoldqVXq0JZWXM0dIqN2FFxDgIU82yBLYmPDYvlmbYkWgilObNIetYHPJMMEM5DpBySVv7pQH3u_UeKks/s1600-h/P1120762oddyssee+siris.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_HpKrzYtVRktiW8CJfRs3u5XO1FN_4ACJCzVfC96MYIgSTi92EVLKRP4PwpoldqVXq0JZWXM0dIqN2FFxDgIU82yBLYmPDYvlmbYkWgilObNIetYHPJMMEM5DpBySVv7pQH3u_UeKks/s320/P1120762oddyssee+siris.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143523500576862914" border="0" /></a>OK here we go traveling further down the Gulf coast of Florida! We've had a more relaxed schedule, hanging around Clearwater for a few days. Loopers from various boats and hailing ports were there with us.<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Here are fellow Loop cruisers Claire & Chuck<br />(<span style="font-style: italic;">Odyssee</span>), and Al & Marilyn (<span style="font-style: italic;">Siris</span>). They<br />left in company the morning before we did.</span><br /></div><br />The <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W</span>. left Clearwater and headed into the open Gulf rather than down the GICW. We reasoned that it was a calm day (and it remained calm) and we could make better time, plus we had already seen the sights. This route brought<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1YimAh551fbLIaGsIi2AqakQaC-JMoVtCPDjkf0se1-aojgpR5nIOo8DZ37BC0glfeZi522evp48DNm_HQl6VWSEgpvT-pgM9LMq9EtXisaX2uUD1-wC_6QaNaAc4JaYOyouyORrUL8/s1600-h/P1120786c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1YimAh551fbLIaGsIi2AqakQaC-JMoVtCPDjkf0se1-aojgpR5nIOo8DZ37BC0glfeZi522evp48DNm_HQl6VWSEgpvT-pgM9LMq9EtXisaX2uUD1-wC_6QaNaAc4JaYOyouyORrUL8/s320/P1120786c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143524149116924642" border="0" /></a> us back in at the entrance to Tampa Bay with the tidal current helping us along. The route was slightly longer but we did not have to wait for bridges, slow for manatee/no wake zones, and we probably gained about an hour.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">You can see the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in distance, behind the island. The freighter MOBILE heads out to sea as the<span style="font-style: italic;"> Winnie W. </span>enters Tampa Bay via Egmont Pass.</span><br /></div><br /><br />From here, we turned right (south) behind Egmont Key and into the GICW to Longboat Key.<br /><br /><br />Bob & Sue on <span style="font-style: italic;">Tom-Kat</span> also left Clearwater and reached their wintering<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Kypxr3iyQO-j77VjOvhfisOj_znrTjjXgUAb36o4DV8Dbghe0_fsaMIVG8rFUO0m0Evi3HGf1Y6l-DQcEFgOngBLvjD_xbkwSpv1P2aUsP5os9__Gf9ygW_X-Du-TmOGAUfc_IVY2P0/s1600-h/P1120815opt1c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Kypxr3iyQO-j77VjOvhfisOj_znrTjjXgUAb36o4DV8Dbghe0_fsaMIVG8rFUO0m0Evi3HGf1Y6l-DQcEFgOngBLvjD_xbkwSpv1P2aUsP5os9__Gf9ygW_X-Du-TmOGAUfc_IVY2P0/s320/P1120815opt1c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143526592953316082" border="0" /></a>-over destination on the Manatee River, near Bradenton. This is their winter home because Sue's sister has wintered here for years! They all drove (by car) over to Longboat Key and treated us to a great seafood dinner. We have had a great time cruising in company with <span style="font-style: italic;">Tom-Kat</span> and it is sad to say farewell (for now) to them.<br /><br />Here is where we stayed (<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=27.4384,-82.6804&ie=UTF8&ll=27.44004,-82.671089&spn=0.142598,0.233459&t=h&z=12&om=1">link to Google Map</a>).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Bob & Sue, Doris Jean & Bill; in the background you can</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> see Moore's Stone Crab Restaurant where we all feasted.</span><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxO_o4xqFKzu2mp3r9uEGUSlwLx4gQWP3HcyJxaNjh-Ww1oVzIZIN0ZwvpleIZl2ngoKdk_MSystMsr1YV7792l-INpuySyPTj5FGG7xGvhyphenhyphenTA7cSWcq0_LI-LKMXrCBgi_HR_ZAZcUc/s1600-h/P1120878c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxO_o4xqFKzu2mp3r9uEGUSlwLx4gQWP3HcyJxaNjh-Ww1oVzIZIN0ZwvpleIZl2ngoKdk_MSystMsr1YV7792l-INpuySyPTj5FGG7xGvhyphenhyphenTA7cSWcq0_LI-LKMXrCBgi_HR_ZAZcUc/s320/P1120878c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143526597248283394" border="0" /></a><br />The west coast of Florida is low & sandy; before it was developed it was all marsh & mangrove. The GICW channels are artificially dredged, although the churning propellors of constant traffic also help keep them open. Cruisers have to navigate carefully to avoid the shallows.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">This photo is looking back at a sandbar along the north edge of Sarasota Bay, with mangroves down to the water's edge. At right you can see the heavily built-up mainland.</span><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WiXZY8C-_yaFrj91qibbLa5_dYeKtJ1lh43uHpzy3_HqlO4100N1zeUV-dtBErYDcp62q5xbw2pC63-n5CRXEweBmluEq9ZUydoyDP9H9H6NiXko2PvbFRwMlDk0uFAAinHZiZJEklc/s1600-h/P1120772c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WiXZY8C-_yaFrj91qibbLa5_dYeKtJ1lh43uHpzy3_HqlO4100N1zeUV-dtBErYDcp62q5xbw2pC63-n5CRXEweBmluEq9ZUydoyDP9H9H6NiXko2PvbFRwMlDk0uFAAinHZiZJEklc/s320/P1120772c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143524140526990034" border="0" /></a><br />There are lots & lots & lots of boats here in Florida. Everyone says "Don't try to make any miles on the week-end" but we saw plenty of traffic on a sunny Wednesday... kayaks, jetskis, pontoon boats, center-consoles... lots of people fishing. The traffic, combined with the narrow channels, tidal current, and bridges, makes for a challenging day for the cruising skipper.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Sunset over the beach-front skyscrapers, with<br />a pelican seeming to muse on another day... or<br />perhaps planning ahead for tomorrow.</span><br /></div><br />Hope you all are well & happy-<br />Doug & KathieWinnie W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17632345983473544153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085430222728194861.post-4839408280790766702007-12-10T15:35:00.000-05:002007-12-11T14:59:02.905-05:00Crossing The "Big Bend" + Answering Some Questions<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.blogger.com/%5BURL=http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2931077860035692614sfRIPM%5D%5BIMG%5Dhttp://thumb14.webshots.net/t/52/152/0/77/86/2931077860035692614sfRIPM_th.jpg%5B/IMG%5D%5B/URL%5D"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://www.blogger.com/%5BURL=http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2931077860035692614sfRIPM%5D%5BIMG%5Dhttp://thumb14.webshots.net/t/52/152/0/77/86/2931077860035692614sfRIPM_th.jpg%5B/IMG%5D%5B/URL%5D" alt="" border="0" /></a>Hello all-<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMePa-dQeIjye8NuxYkd5eC2XateY6KQGGb8npc7fnKDxgaPcTJsnf6d_1QJ-RCfglAzUtzdwugF3lAKaGX9V12e2Yx3XmiCHLxg0pyb3m42zN4YSGuiq6ofo-QFIe388-mgFlu7aVmo/s1600-h/Carrabelle-Clearwater+Map+1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMePa-dQeIjye8NuxYkd5eC2XateY6KQGGb8npc7fnKDxgaPcTJsnf6d_1QJ-RCfglAzUtzdwugF3lAKaGX9V12e2Yx3XmiCHLxg0pyb3m42zN4YSGuiq6ofo-QFIe388-mgFlu7aVmo/s320/Carrabelle-Clearwater+Map+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142757291296158242" border="0" /></a><br />First, let's talk about crossing 140+ (nautical) miles of the Gulf of Mexico... mostly at night. There are several problems, foremost of which is deciding when the weather forecast is suitable to go ahead. Then there is the chance of hitting something along the way, especially when your boat's cruising speed necessitates a night crossing. There is commercial traffic, and yes, there are crab pots and fishing nets for much of the way across.<br /><br />This past Saturday (12-7), as we traveled down the Gulf IntraCoastal Waterway with our friends Bob & Sue on <span style="font-style: italic;">Tom-Kat </span><span>(<a href="http://www.tom-kattrawler.com/logs/log.php?id=113">link to </a></span><a href="http://www.tom-kattrawler.com/logs/log.php?id=113"><span style="font-style: italic;">Tom-Kat</span></a><span><a href="http://www.tom-kattrawler.com/logs/log.php?id=113">'s blog entry for that day</a>),</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>we listened intently to<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfdnMJCDu7XQaiPMDdD0fBB7ohPpF1xpv0_J_H3P6DZfiZH6sbRfW7OIRlRwlheU05WlBRGkCE1Wz_qRnv7kXeZXOHGrO7T97hf_em4DQb0qtLeXjKY9SBoSfA0kycSUZXGhj490Ai7o/s1600-h/P1120713op1c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfdnMJCDu7XQaiPMDdD0fBB7ohPpF1xpv0_J_H3P6DZfiZH6sbRfW7OIRlRwlheU05WlBRGkCE1Wz_qRnv7kXeZXOHGrO7T97hf_em4DQb0qtLeXjKY9SBoSfA0kycSUZXGhj490Ai7o/s320/P1120713op1c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142766972152443458" border="0" /></a> weather reports around the Gulf region. We also checked several internet web sites including two with live data from NOAA buoys (<a href="http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/maps/Florida.shtml">link</a>) and a Navy wave height model (<a href="https://www.fnmoc.navy.mil/ww3_cgi/cgi-bin/ww3_all.cgi?color=w&type=prod&area=natl&prod=sig_wav_ht">link</a>) and another NOAA wave height & direction prediction model (<a href="http://surfinfo.surfline.com/html/gulfwave.html">link</a>) (note: for some reason, these maps are upside-down).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Here's Sue & Bob waving good-bye as we depart the Moorings dock at Carrabelle.</span><br /></div><br />The day was rather calm, with a building high pressure system and light winds around the north-eastern perimeter of the Gulf. It looked like a great "weather window" but the forecasts<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfN9tS_st0LnOl2LhUP_rtVghveEmse0efj6XrMIBhmodIqvWWDz1yplYYxbYkQDUiadevSzB57jvbK6EYjY2fKUzo0V1ecAdRR8SlukY7fnXEyZWr-ukTwgG_yOeyUJ8YRz8Zzan5MU/s1600-h/P1120711op1c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfN9tS_st0LnOl2LhUP_rtVghveEmse0efj6XrMIBhmodIqvWWDz1yplYYxbYkQDUiadevSzB57jvbK6EYjY2fKUzo0V1ecAdRR8SlukY7fnXEyZWr-ukTwgG_yOeyUJ8YRz8Zzan5MU/s320/P1120711op1c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142766963562508850" border="0" /></a> were that it would not be as good for at least a week... winds were predicted to build within 36 hours, a cold front was coming (which usually bring rough weather), etc etc.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Photo at right shows the mast of a vessel sunk in the West Pass between Dog & St. George Islands.</span><br /></div><br />So the <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W.</span> made just a brief touch-and-go at the Moorings Marina in Carrabelle, which we regret because it's such a great place.... and the weather was relatively kind to Kathie & I as we took turns napping & driving the boat for 22 hours straight. We had to dodge some other boats, judging by radar & visible light, we also<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGflhwmicdKSCzL5XmCwVBH8i0OL_y4Rw4xN5OnlpqIJfzAkRlmaFDbP4lBhZMyqH5LnohMSfUUUaMVdRIFQS7T3bNqIq_pTiJRAQV4ypHYO1nV8FdIovxEcnivgSuZ2hQIaqo6ISDKaE/s1600-h/P1120723op1c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGflhwmicdKSCzL5XmCwVBH8i0OL_y4Rw4xN5OnlpqIJfzAkRlmaFDbP4lBhZMyqH5LnohMSfUUUaMVdRIFQS7T3bNqIq_pTiJRAQV4ypHYO1nV8FdIovxEcnivgSuZ2hQIaqo6ISDKaE/s320/P1120723op1c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142766989332312674" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGflhwmicdKSCzL5XmCwVBH8i0OL_y4Rw4xN5OnlpqIJfzAkRlmaFDbP4lBhZMyqH5LnohMSfUUUaMVdRIFQS7T3bNqIq_pTiJRAQV4ypHYO1nV8FdIovxEcnivgSuZ2hQIaqo6ISDKaE/s1600-h/P1120723op1c.JPG"><em></em></a><em></em>dodged one unlit obstacle that looked very big & solid on radar, and we had a few narrow scrapes with crab pots (this doesn't sound like much, but the lines can get tangled in the propeller... BIG problem). No rough waves, either! In fact the weather was so kind to us that it was flat calm for the last 1/3 of the trip.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">This photo shows dawn on the open Gulf, a cheerful sight after many hours of tense darkness!</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W. </span>arrived in Clearwater Beach at about 3:30 on Sunday (12-8) afternoon. We were ready for a shower, a pizza, and a good nights sleep. We didn't get the pizza, instead we took another nap<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRxROmovfc1trfVvAdd1HJlRaRe0qxllNnD7vFqnzzuH_0ys5FcVDU_FZuTaERKQIbKVMJGsKPApNCRIDguosKVvCNrLpLcOwcwVIGDW6HjsfSa667PHmLfqlewloaTdJiqcyRbZkYqY/s1600-h/P1120742op1c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRxROmovfc1trfVvAdd1HJlRaRe0qxllNnD7vFqnzzuH_0ys5FcVDU_FZuTaERKQIbKVMJGsKPApNCRIDguosKVvCNrLpLcOwcwVIGDW6HjsfSa667PHmLfqlewloaTdJiqcyRbZkYqY/s320/P1120742op1c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142768144678515330" border="0" /></a> and went out to dinner at Frenchy's with fellow Great Loop cruisers Chuck & Claire from <span style="font-style: italic;">Odyssee </span>(<a href="http://www.gorgensodyssee.blogspot.com/">link to their blogspot</a>).<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Finally, here's Clearwater Pass. We go under the bridge and take a left to the Municipal Marina!</span><br /></div><br />We've had a number of questions from people, by comment on this blog or by e-mail. The first answer is "<span style="font-weight: bold;">thank you all</span> so much for letting us know you're watching;" it really means a lot to the crew of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W. </span>to know that you care!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Answers to questions:</span><br />Among the bigger jobs we did to get ready for<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://inlinethumb08.webshots.com/33543/2931077860035692614S425x425Q85.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://inlinethumb08.webshots.com/33543/2931077860035692614S425x425Q85.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> "serious cruising" was to install a bow thruster. (<a href="http://sports.webshots.com/album/550708407IeSjaU">link to Webshots photo series</a>) This was a pain in the neck, more ways than one. It really gave Doug a nervous attack to saw a pizza-sized hole in the bow of our boat! Then it was also troublesome to get the components aligned properly and to stay that way while the fiberglass resin hardened. Finally, the wiring components (300-amp DC breaker, plus key parts of the controls) are not available off the shelf. The breaker was first installed using a much lower rated breaker than needed, which tripped instantly and kept us from using the bow thruster for a month or so, until the real breaker arrived. Next, the control circuitry seemed erratic and the indicator light kept burning out after a very short use. With some diagnostic help from friend and electrical expert Ron M, and a real he-man indicator light supplied by friend Jeff D, the bow thruster has worked perfectly ever since. It is not necessary, but it's quite a nice helper to make smooth dockings and to maneuver into locks.<br /><br />We have had to fix a few things along the way, like replacing the raw water impeller which is really minor and needs to be done every so often anyway, rebuilding/replacing the alternator (<a href="http://dnkcruising.blogspot.com/2007/06/musing-on-cruising.html">link to blog entry</a>), and the genset coolant pump (<a href="http://dnkcruising.blogspot.com/2007/05/heading-north-through-chesapeake-bay.html">link to blog entry</a>); but the <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W.</span> has had only two real problems: batteries & engine cooling.<br /><br />The engine is not boiling over, just running about 5~10 degrees warmer than it should. This is actually better, for a diesel, than running 5 degrees too cool; however Doug is futzing with the cooling system every time we take a lay day. He replaced the thermostat, which is a 3600 hour maintenance item anyway, in Dog River near Mobile. He has also flushed both raw water & coolant circuits, thoroughly cleaned the heat exchanger, and a few other things which should<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1sPn_3ULW5mjWCtZb5UtwYifk0QepLtvs9wNR7oDfuGG8wwk6WpWFe5kp742E2xeE8ZRe7-9xwBSdpUz2RJ54Guv1NPTb-O2JhClPSb6orlw5erYvC-KTrKHHNVcS6sgsLL5dxDSbNBI/s1600-h/DSCN2028c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1sPn_3ULW5mjWCtZb5UtwYifk0QepLtvs9wNR7oDfuGG8wwk6WpWFe5kp742E2xeE8ZRe7-9xwBSdpUz2RJ54Guv1NPTb-O2JhClPSb6orlw5erYvC-KTrKHHNVcS6sgsLL5dxDSbNBI/s320/DSCN2028c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142771791105749650" border="0" /></a> definitely have fixed the problem.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Here is the <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W'</span>s genset. It has been<br />moved off it's normal mount in order to<br />work on otherwise-inaccessible plumbing.</span><br /></div><br />Batteries are a big concern for any cruiser. They are the power source for all times when not tied up at the dock... i.e., all the time when *really* cruising! The batteries get charged by either the engine alternator, or by a separate generator... if the boat has one, which <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W. </span>does. We installed 3 new Interstate SHM-29 batteries for the "house bank" which should provide more than twice as much power as we consume for lights, refrigerator, etc, in a 12-hour period. We've replaced these batteries under warranty 3 times along the way, which is time-consuming & troublesome. Doug is not satisfied that they are performing up to spec, but they are doing well enough that we can continue to anchor out.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCs30fbTTBc8HSgcMe5iU627h19xRtg_yt49aSN7pSVrKH1bRIindUnHTLgDp-LJPOSfhntnoBzxUzl-mEZCy2xUDe-y4yt285covVQuHHDogrwnXGWrym3Yr5Rk23E-tTu8X26aWmrbQ/s1600-h/P1010720c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCs30fbTTBc8HSgcMe5iU627h19xRtg_yt49aSN7pSVrKH1bRIindUnHTLgDp-LJPOSfhntnoBzxUzl-mEZCy2xUDe-y4yt285covVQuHHDogrwnXGWrym3Yr5Rk23E-tTu8X26aWmrbQ/s320/P1010720c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142771795400716962" border="0" /></a>Common Problems we have NOT had- fuel filters clogging, engine boiling over, transmission blowing up, banging propellor into rocks/logs/etc; electric fires or wiring snafus, pirates, scurvy, mutiny. Just lucky!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Here is the <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W</span>'s beautiful propeller; looks like a piece of jewelry, doesn't it?</span><br /></div><br />One more question we are often asked: "What has been your favorite part of the trip?" This is a toughie. About 90% of the places we've seen have been our 'favorite' and they are so different it's impossible to really compare them. We loved visiting Wolfe Island in Lake Ontario, and that's probably Hank's favorite stop so far. The North Channel of Lake Huron lived up to it's reputation for beauty. Joliet Illinois was a pleasant surprise; previously I connected that name with the Federal prison (long since closed) but the town is very friendly and a fun stop. The Tennessee River had much to offer and a kinder, gentler cruising atmosphere. The Gulf is rather similar to our familiar Southeast coastal waters, but with deeper channels and more big-city places to stop (hello, seafood restaurants!). How could we pick a favorite?!?<br /><br />Best wishes to all- Doug & KathieWinnie W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17632345983473544153noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085430222728194861.post-80239680712887961192007-12-10T13:45:00.000-05:002007-12-10T16:10:38.496-05:00Cruising Thru the Florida PanhandleHello all-<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjyEDD32nj0ut_ptboZvCzsPXz62PNi5hz_FMX95VH34PAZeRR88NHm0f1CZwZSwZC0bqpYd_X3JKTCbHQcmHw_w3fl8fkJZi7JTjyaVPRKZyegA2t6El8k7V2TwoqJ8v2tAtzIX_5iI/s1600-h/Mobile-Carrabelle+Map+2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjyEDD32nj0ut_ptboZvCzsPXz62PNi5hz_FMX95VH34PAZeRR88NHm0f1CZwZSwZC0bqpYd_X3JKTCbHQcmHw_w3fl8fkJZi7JTjyaVPRKZyegA2t6El8k7V2TwoqJ8v2tAtzIX_5iI/s320/Mobile-Carrabelle+Map+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142420286687277474" border="0" /></a><br />We have loved the Gulf Intra Coastal Waterway, with its mellow tides, deeper channels, and mix of sheltered waters & wide-open bays. This map shows our route thru the panhandle to Carrabelle, where we jumped off to cross the open Gulf of Mexico to the western Florida coast (more on this later). From Dog River on the western side of Mobile Bay, we went to the Fort McRae anchorage just west of Pensacola, then the eastern side of Choctawatchee Bay, and from there to an anchorage in a little creek just east of St. Andrews Sound at Panama City, and from Upper Wetappo Creek we made it to Carrabelle just before dusk on Saturday (12-7) night.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpy97TNO_aJeYSXNYyrG5hDjm9OuTSVUvJHw61-AVru1b-RMBYJqdGHsmqNVEciZcTi9wklXzNX3PlcjFeM7asVvpMGu2WJQJaJjgqubB751g4mySP0ajiYQW-VUtO6EsNEya16-RwLTo/s1600-h/P1120550opt1c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpy97TNO_aJeYSXNYyrG5hDjm9OuTSVUvJHw61-AVru1b-RMBYJqdGHsmqNVEciZcTi9wklXzNX3PlcjFeM7asVvpMGu2WJQJaJjgqubB751g4mySP0ajiYQW-VUtO6EsNEya16-RwLTo/s320/P1120550opt1c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142420290982244786" border="0" /></a><br />If this doesn't seem like fast progress to you, then let us assure you that averaging 70 miles on short winter days in a 7-knot boat is a full day's work!<br /><br />This first photo is Hank enjoying a morning ashore on the island just north of the Fort McRae anchorage (<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=30.3279,-87.3199&ie=UTF8&ll=30.343843,-87.314186&spn=0.138664,0.233459&t=h&z=12&om=1">link to Google Map</a>). This is a beautiful spot, with two islands to explore, and is both perfectly sheltered and has good holding ground... firm sand, our anchor loved it... and the channel is deep & easy to find one's way in from the west. This is a totally five-star stop and the<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_8Tqy5g4RyX2dcunOBx9kJ0kiqiVIc6OwHbH97_t5dNSi_aZJGSSrmDnVsveptmBzvW57-KscMZA1-ij68Rdc6A58HX5bcTeXMS69T8kZmMvIT9YDreffBdSMM9OazJur6Ea_U9QV1U/s1600-h/P1120573opt1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_8Tqy5g4RyX2dcunOBx9kJ0kiqiVIc6OwHbH97_t5dNSi_aZJGSSrmDnVsveptmBzvW57-KscMZA1-ij68Rdc6A58HX5bcTeXMS69T8kZmMvIT9YDreffBdSMM9OazJur6Ea_U9QV1U/s320/P1120573opt1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142420295277212098" border="0" /></a> only reason we're not trying to keep it a secret is that it's already in all the cruising guides!<br /><br />This next bit of scenery comes from the channel passing Fort Walton Beach. This wrecked sailboat is on a sandbar just outside the marked GICW channel; we don't know if it's a remnant from a hurricane or a derelict that was abandoned for somebody else to clean up (this is a common problem in Florida).<br /><br /><br /><br />This photo is of our next anchorage in <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigdQObYIy-s6bqExNDtLxBwc2JmfPfnlcIqH3paeyYzVdEprGieHxwlnxfM46AFxw_OP4b9LqHoeR9slRcIbSkHqicFPgkskdQyQWhRZaGJgc1jIQ9LqJYPW3Sn7dHOXWzlId2MHPWqug/s1600-h/P1120597opt1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigdQObYIy-s6bqExNDtLxBwc2JmfPfnlcIqH3paeyYzVdEprGieHxwlnxfM46AFxw_OP4b9LqHoeR9slRcIbSkHqicFPgkskdQyQWhRZaGJgc1jIQ9LqJYPW3Sn7dHOXWzlId2MHPWqug/s320/P1120597opt1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142420299572179410" border="0" /></a>Choctawhatchee Bay (<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=30.397,-86.1742&ie=UTF8&ll=30.478266,-86.197357&spn=0.553892,0.933838&t=h&z=10&om=1">link to Google Map</a>), just west of the causeway supporting the Hwy 331 bridge. This was not a choice cruising anchorage, but it did provide shelter from the predicted easterly wind (which did arrive about midnight; so the weather forecasters have our sincere thanks), and we took Hank for a walk on the causeway. There is constant commercial traffic, this tow passed our companions on <span style="font-style: italic;">Tom-Kat</span> (link to <a href="http://www.tom-kattrawler.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Tom-Kat</span>'s web site</a>) at dusk and several more went by in the night with bright, bright searchlights glaring.<br /><br />The next part of this voyage took us thru a long, <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjauM_CoN6b9ng-fQ3oDXAmUuLBUVvfJGXR1SV694Dz34udnpEYtuFDYIpK7CRIaNaRE0_DSbwoD3gkshF4ugknrP6KHlMQWzjvkCdxXm6HQl4NE28QueI9ylIhHaMiodX-3sRGkEZVi4Y/s1600-h/P1120628opt1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjauM_CoN6b9ng-fQ3oDXAmUuLBUVvfJGXR1SV694Dz34udnpEYtuFDYIpK7CRIaNaRE0_DSbwoD3gkshF4ugknrP6KHlMQWzjvkCdxXm6HQl4NE28QueI9ylIhHaMiodX-3sRGkEZVi4Y/s320/P1120628opt1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142420312457081314" border="0" /></a>steep-sided canal far inland. This is commonly referred to as "The Canyon" by towboat captains; it's narrow enough that communications by VHF radio with any nearby vessels are needed to arrange safe meeting or passing. It is also tidal and we had an unfavorable current much of the way.<br /><br />As we passed thru St. Andrews Sound near Panama City, the excitement for today was the arrival of a brand-new Navy ship, the USS Mesa Verde (<a href="http://www.ccmesaverde.com/">link</a>). As you can see, we kept well clear of the security zone around the vessel. She is an impressive addition to our U.S. fleet, and we hope that all her future voyages are successful & safe.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighkUPzXPvgVm8cA7vPJ2yVWblGL-Q1MjxXO97eCQhHkOmOD3SD8Ws-vLEURjryA3YflDhkZE-18UwVk_V90ubiw2e0NAiv5uxwQwzbZdVAeBCgP7y8LzwnnarTZ1EJcU_s6bjhEAPz3c/s1600-h/P1120672opt1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighkUPzXPvgVm8cA7vPJ2yVWblGL-Q1MjxXO97eCQhHkOmOD3SD8Ws-vLEURjryA3YflDhkZE-18UwVk_V90ubiw2e0NAiv5uxwQwzbZdVAeBCgP7y8LzwnnarTZ1EJcU_s6bjhEAPz3c/s320/P1120672opt1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142420741953810946" border="0" /></a><br />Our last two photos show what the scenery is like along this stretch of the Great Loop. Florida has a lot of swampy places and lowland forest, laced with creeks & marshes. We have not seen any alligators yet, but when we take Hank ashore in places like this, we do NOT want to see any!<br /><br />Our last Panhandle anchorage (<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=30.011,-85.3729&ie=UTF8&ll=30.028083,-85.394669&spn=0.139109,0.233459&t=h&z=12&om=1">link to Google Map</a>) was in a place that looked very much like this last photo, with a fringe of tidal marsh. We were very careful to scout the area and to make lots of loud noise as we went ashore; however Hank was uncharacteristically hesitant to go. In <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijOOuaur1Eoab8dPfn9rRLMtfeCtlGybnm6_G8t75phaOtK8G23FrScXHoLLgg2vvaPCq98u8EWH4v2fggyBWRj78eeyuwXN_IuwZ08GxhRICZDN7DQ6LZwjrsJGbcR651hH0Mr1Radj4/s1600-h/P1120680op1c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijOOuaur1Eoab8dPfn9rRLMtfeCtlGybnm6_G8t75phaOtK8G23FrScXHoLLgg2vvaPCq98u8EWH4v2fggyBWRj78eeyuwXN_IuwZ08GxhRICZDN7DQ6LZwjrsJGbcR651hH0Mr1Radj4/s320/P1120680op1c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142420737658843634" border="0" /></a>fact he seemed timid, and we wondered if his canine senses told him it was a hostile environment.<br /><br />From here it was a day's run past Apalachicola to the small town of Carrabelle, where many cruisers get ready to cross the upper-eastern (140+ miles) part of the Gulf of Mexico. This is often called the "Big Bend" of Florida and there is no sheltered waterway. Weather is critically important here!<br /><br />We don't want to keep anybody in suspense; we made our crossing in relatively calm conditions, arriving safely in Clearwater on Sunday (12-8).<br /><br />Hope you all are well & happy-<br />Doug & KathieWinnie W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17632345983473544153noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085430222728194861.post-33363699380058581092007-12-05T20:41:00.000-05:002007-12-07T09:47:16.921-05:00East bound on the Gulf Intra Coastal Water Way<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFmmofjazyMRCQn0jy3dptMi3SWQfEzQyOJoe64qkm-x2vdgrX-J8Lg4VjAOanwfRgRp1f8v-5jot1eeci4mLacOCMXcQUx11Aud7D59cbhyphenhyphenNps_0AGzFan5GVUcGkVuEZCYpQQfxNQQ/s1600-h/P1120518opt1c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFmmofjazyMRCQn0jy3dptMi3SWQfEzQyOJoe64qkm-x2vdgrX-J8Lg4VjAOanwfRgRp1f8v-5jot1eeci4mLacOCMXcQUx11Aud7D59cbhyphenhyphenNps_0AGzFan5GVUcGkVuEZCYpQQfxNQQ/s320/P1120518opt1c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140670457265628562" border="0" /></a>Hello all-<br />Today we made good progress on this part of the Great Loop. We left Dog River early in the morning. The first leg of today's journey went 35 miles from Dog River, on the middle left (west) shore of Mobile Bay to the bottom right (south and east) corner of Mobile Bay, where we officially joined the Gulf Intra Coastal Waterway. The <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W.</span> steamed another 30 miles before anchoring just short of Pensacola.<br /><br />This photo shows the Pensacola lighthouse, looking from the eastern most end of Perdido Key. You can see the intracoastal waterway in<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPswTB2Zy1R2JxyU1fIEx3d8TTyQ2MJGLl9h2S9YnkFQPAWHMYUZU1JgvA03CocODjyZ4Aoqw1rVFDQhPt_U3PNyyxjDEDnrHzwvk_o9A707GYGgSJimgXkk48EoYJ-DcaAaND4sl0FLc/s1600-h/P1120526opt1c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPswTB2Zy1R2JxyU1fIEx3d8TTyQ2MJGLl9h2S9YnkFQPAWHMYUZU1JgvA03CocODjyZ4Aoqw1rVFDQhPt_U3PNyyxjDEDnrHzwvk_o9A707GYGgSJimgXkk48EoYJ-DcaAaND4sl0FLc/s320/P1120526opt1c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140672480195225010" border="0" /></a> between; the sign at right is a warning against making excessive wake.<br /><br />The second photo is <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W.</span> in tonight's secure anchorage, sheltered behind high dunes in a little tidal pocket. We have had the Blue Angels (<a href="http://www.usnavy.com/navy_blue_angels">link</a>) flying over, and also a few trainers plus other aircraft that may be military. Since nightfall it has been quiet.<br /><br />The Gulf Intra Coastal Waterway zig-zags thru a series of lagoons & bayous that are separated from the open water by a thin line of sand dunes... often heavily developed, high-rise condos & resorts flourish... but it's a pleasant route. Tides are irregular but slight; today had a single tide rise & fall (some days have three) of 1 1/2 feet (about 0.4 meters). There are plenty of anchorages and the sand is both good holding ground and makes nice beaches to walk.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqL1GLWv3Zvagvm-ID_AdHl_Qw-7h1avl_VYDdVbJ6uRpjbCF3bQ_msZnxO5s_6936Z87aXP0HKnmj76IFSf3R9NZJ2_nLNhYaqRf5s49CpjlyjXz4NQxspENgdeHMsdUZs0DJf_uNyeA/s1600-h/P1120535opt1c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqL1GLWv3Zvagvm-ID_AdHl_Qw-7h1avl_VYDdVbJ6uRpjbCF3bQ_msZnxO5s_6936Z87aXP0HKnmj76IFSf3R9NZJ2_nLNhYaqRf5s49CpjlyjXz4NQxspENgdeHMsdUZs0DJf_uNyeA/s320/P1120535opt1c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140674022088484290" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Speaking of which, here is the crew enjoying a fine evening walk. The <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W.</span> is in the upper background, a little hard to see in this light (believe it or not, the sun was setting as this photo was taken). Thanks to Sue H for this keeper of a shot! The crew also found our first sea shells of this voyage, but decided that with limited storage aboard, we'd leave them for another discoverer.<br /><br />Hope you all are well & happy- Doug & Kathie (and Hank)Winnie W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17632345983473544153noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085430222728194861.post-63620914119160215532007-12-03T21:31:00.000-05:002007-12-03T23:27:31.169-05:00Another Major Milestone: Reaching the Gulf Coast!Hello All-<br />Yesterday we arrived in Mobile Alabama (<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=30.56732,+-88.09152&ie=UTF8&ll=30.582953,-88.091812&spn=0.276648,0.466919&t=h&z=11&om=1">link to GoogleMap</a>)! We have just completed the whole Inland River part of the Great Loop; this part began 'way back in late August when the <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W</span>. passed thru Chicago. In our time on the Illinois, Mississippi, Ohio, Cumberland, Tennessee, and Tombigbee Rivers we have gone from flood to low water, scorching summer afternoons to frosty mornings, mountains (well, at least some big rocky hills) to swamp. It's been a wonderful time offering beautiful sights, new friends, and cruising challenges entirely different from those of coastal waters.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWgHihZtbcmwcs9ygGm9FO-LcqUwOIGdRDvGI3ucWkiRl44bV-kYXDpGco4zOads7sQtpI6IHYqHI8kSJUT7Mcif0HsdHVnIorn041vaFwyulg89Cr7b4KCSUBzudmGxu5Iyzw3p3sJBY/s1600-r/P1120251opt1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDF2M9kPwqt0AOmYHJpFDDr4ozFOmW2UShR_3NzS-RR0ncDXiSSK1nVHhoUzSdBqqAUMY_OI_QCI38Xcp1P0PH9PCdAR20ZmiIUfDrXYYs02Hc42Gz89FeUO0jiq82fFQq-HJsgSyl8a8/s320/P1120251opt1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5139958815544419602" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This photo shows the waterfalls below Demopolis Lock & Dam, which we passed early in the morning while the (relatively) warm river water was sending fog into the chilly morning air. The dam is visible in the right background.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This photo is one of Doug's rare shots, taken from the dinghy. It sh<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7zO0vusPDYT00bsQVNBzbUL2wrhqSGokSho2Ip8EnGGSpoAjRFx-dg9fyOpMm4wljkL3Uj87jeO30RXzuoHKz3SixYf09waUAJZoKiCwlWgAaMO29b31YIi6T8CNRjk5U45wMjX6Si_c/s1600-r/P1120292opt1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUm5iUcTjycu850IzCESsotlZhcIOUjtLMc78TwwglCctzZ3KU3Adp48jgR1hyphenhyphenb2s9T1U3_AO4iqdZnHQCYiJZLZRV9pl3DQDrJKXdPz1vvbfpPGUbDLAWfVOsTmkC7y9ZzMQbIwTuQVw/s320/P1120292opt1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5139958819839386914" border="0" /></a>ows one of the last anchorages we stopped in while traveling the Tenn-Tom Waterway, a little place called Bashi Creek (<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=31.9557,+-88.07108&ie=UTF8&ll=31.956168,-88.071084&spn=0.068163,0.11673&t=h&z=13&om=1">link to Google Map</a>). This creek is nice & deep. Fishermen seem to like it. However it is a bit narrow! We rafted up to Bob & Sue on <span style="font-style: italic;">Tom-Kat</span>, using each boat's bow anchor in opposite directions so they could hold the boats in position.<br /><br />If a cruising boat swings around a single anchor here, it could hit the sides.... not a disaster since there is only slight current and it's well sheltered from wind... but branches knocking against the window would be a rude awakening and bugs & snakes could crawl onto the boat!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSo5zEbj_5O0_kMpwS2F41IQYSGSwhIY7Ic62XBcTD8V4cqLVPKSJP9LG4G8gfY1bdjQ9gklhuWAsG6WCejHkHcde3Sgf5qByBBdNj-B-YyPPJN-Z_-Tc6Ivdly-c0x_GkUqEmcb2IA_o/s1600-r/P1120321opt1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-zw5FRc2SWwqE1l2OmryrNYor1SmyI9H-s3_wjQtNr1EhmNOQ1i0-_jq7D5sTNisdSmvyH3QXhqUUrb0R4NPoYiDTIIY7Q_9SrzPZkjs4OC9YToZjal0CixgNe-OnVtyzJJi3l2cVrMw/s320/P1120321opt1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5139958824134354226" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here is <span style="font-style: italic;">Tom-Kat</span> leaving Bashi Creek on another chilly & foggy morning. There is barely room to squeeze by the other cruisers who decided to "stay home" a bit later.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTYKigyEJhXvR7DT6UBhFaViE9-gzRY7hJpW4QoytvnFTwr6v72SxLaze36m9piTCSPhSiEPhmsDzlO97caJsXOBvoQP8lHIx-mxEm1cfChVvB35jb40hE3VhTfOTotHgsYtv4O1qFVfo/s1600-r/P1120334opt1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRHaZSe2VvPr8KalAliUwYtM-NvBM0oVvFaHcHNJYJQ7nzHxMlOkHDe0CRm9qmUosppYiypbVb6JO8DFNZLytL-vOyN2YijmlIvBIamqcdgffRIUBh_1hHbQiLMvYgLj4bQquW3N2T9hY/s320/P1120334opt1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5139961907920872770" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here's another in our long long series of "More Beautiful Scenery" pictures. A white crane is reflected in the totally still water as he hunts along the riverbank. The lovely creek in the background is too shallow to make a good anchorage.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUFoKdxDLFd9DCbb2_cftp2vlhNSO_PX9_H2vgEjWMF15XNv7M3QgJEn1_3uTbNXPErW9lKeHhjOlE7pljogmwbn27WSyQkEw-5zSXDASerWr7VbJVH9agefoVk-xQex0Deak5uhA2h-M/s1600-r/P1120399opt1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxLURIYewMDr7yDNj0Pw4IQ3ztu4E91HZjfCJU5VeaUTihThX-OeeWGEgZdFNZWNsdPfNRVgqCei2aHKZ-XFYLpow6HWqgwE1I9YZQqDpYqInMmke6KaaKkHXL7VqQYyjuf0CR5kb5uk/s320/P1120399opt1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5139961925100741986" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Now here is another wildlife shot, only the "wildlife" involved is a mixed herd of cows. Were they thirsty? Were they just enjoying the feel of river mud squishing between their toes?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3eMJE1FeGNRhxq80zrJh0DzgaxLkIhytTjJQ9djsJNMTMNPSQ5lqCsy3IbA4pQ7XIPBoXUKGVKnV25feO8jaDRKLmMNY6q8wUBqqdd4rUkK-pYVCu40Yjn_s_INDfiSEly5MgMADmz9Q/s1600-r/P1120446opt1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEzUW6Bz2iMar69Mmot-MhkBcl6SLpUszBBwq0vopGhXRH75DWtrmAXDA1CJbX7qwpY3iyHck5we5Du25jEqrvSTwi3AyeKHSwt85p5QxwmRwyp2k7wWgvgu3CEfVMAsxsCEX6ChHN_PY/s320/P1120446opt1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5139961929395709298" border="0" /></a>Heading south down the last few miles of river, the city of Mobile looms up head!<br /><br />Now we are back in salt water, and we have to pay close attention to the weather... in fact, it's been a long time since a 'Marine Forecast' applied to us. Case in point, the arrival of a cold front.... accompanied by headlines about snow storms up North... brought 25 knot winds to Mobile Bay and we stayed sheltered in port. This was a good time to catch up on some maintenance chores on the boat, so Doug spent most of the day in the engine room.<br /><br />Tomorrow, we plan to cruise the <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W.</span> eastward along the Gulf IntraCoastal Waterway towards Florida! Best wishes- Doug & KathieWinnie W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17632345983473544153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085430222728194861.post-24386591858262153792007-11-28T21:50:00.000-05:002007-11-29T00:38:09.951-05:00Further Down The Tenn-TomHello All-<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4KSNOVZjJQgcQEvdD0rkTC6a21x0WxXUp1DiZRlwQILWMEkQwiDRBb5AmkRDOIXT1tTjC0EbWGqIfs8ZD2anXTWPHLQUIKZDXAH-F1pmCRp975MdFUR2zREBz5qlpzHcOE9d-QF7gkg/s1600-h/tenntommaptaller.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4KSNOVZjJQgcQEvdD0rkTC6a21x0WxXUp1DiZRlwQILWMEkQwiDRBb5AmkRDOIXT1tTjC0EbWGqIfs8ZD2anXTWPHLQUIKZDXAH-F1pmCRp975MdFUR2zREBz5qlpzHcOE9d-QF7gkg/s320/tenntommaptaller.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5138098992195160434" border="0" /></a><br />The Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway is a little-known connection between the Gulf and the Tennessee River. It's 450 miles long, so it's handy to consider it in three different sections. The northernmost sections are in northeastern Mississippi; they are the "Divide Cut" and "Canal" sections, which was a bigger engineering project than the Panama Canal. The middle is the Tombigbee River section, which crosses into Alabama, and this part along with the upper section has 11 locks. The southern section (which is about half the overall length) is also the Tombigbee River but below it's junction with the Blackwarrior River, and it only has 2 locks. The locks on the Tenn-Tom Waterway have a total drop (or raise, depending on which way you're going) of 340+ feet from the Tennessee River valley to the Gulf of Mexico. We've been traveling in this area for the past couple of weeks.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAur07DuRXSvMcUzGR4qSO5ynVTqiaRjwTHwnJtosc4c4uj4reRvMsO2QQXuAXhTvb-V6lgxMfZQI8CYhFWSMvl0_1rbdJB-IotHKUJ4O4ebhcqHv4WczzbgA1z3I2ND9x3acRbu-4-YI/s1600-h/P1110864c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAur07DuRXSvMcUzGR4qSO5ynVTqiaRjwTHwnJtosc4c4uj4reRvMsO2QQXuAXhTvb-V6lgxMfZQI8CYhFWSMvl0_1rbdJB-IotHKUJ4O4ebhcqHv4WczzbgA1z3I2ND9x3acRbu-4-YI/s320/P1110864c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5138098996490127746" border="0" /></a>Here is a very well marked (but curvy, shallow, with lots of weeds and waterlilies) side channel leading into the small marina basin at Aberdeen, MS. We stopped here overnight with Jerry & Betty in their boat 'POGO.'<br /><br />We toured Aberdeen in a borrowed Lincoln! We saw a few of the grand antebellum homes and the still-vital downtown. The Tombigbee River has carried commercial traffic since the area was first settled, and most of the small towns along the river have a long history as river ports.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQrFsv-Ky4ujOWo1pQ_cBuGVN87OiGFLQZblQoKhfGD37J9VODhn6QqGs0OCkIwbEgmIsO3P6hPpTxOLY_vP9fs3PJctaCTOAgNxWEWtz76r1KiZSQ32ZG7Zm-C4WZoBOFtMnOO5ou4s/s1600-h/P1110887c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQrFsv-Ky4ujOWo1pQ_cBuGVN87OiGFLQZblQoKhfGD37J9VODhn6QqGs0OCkIwbEgmIsO3P6hPpTxOLY_vP9fs3PJctaCTOAgNxWEWtz76r1KiZSQ32ZG7Zm-C4WZoBOFtMnOO5ou4s/s320/P1110887c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5138099005080062354" border="0" /></a>Here is another photo of lovely scenery from the marina near Fulton MS. No boats have been by since the evening before, and there's not a breath of wind to make any ripples, so the water is like perfect mirror. The Tenn-Tom Waterway with its lockage and the wandering Tombigbee River results in many flooded areas, with flowers sprouting around trees and stumps.<br /><br />This shot, like all the others on this blog entry, were taken by Kathie.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6JCY-mo1LnG4bovn_VphDkDZxPv2RXMcYNWcgGqjv9QdW50PqDzwlE2y4hD-_irddO-mqG2V1gw6IVqpod-FkJT8vriK9kO4Q4NKX-IpjDz6Z3qSdBmzDiuJwoWaEVF1Gxq-JLBnznT8/s1600-h/P1120177c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6JCY-mo1LnG4bovn_VphDkDZxPv2RXMcYNWcgGqjv9QdW50PqDzwlE2y4hD-_irddO-mqG2V1gw6IVqpod-FkJT8vriK9kO4Q4NKX-IpjDz6Z3qSdBmzDiuJwoWaEVF1Gxq-JLBnznT8/s320/P1120177c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5138105288617216418" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is an afternoon view of the White Cliffs of Epes, a few miles north of Demopolis, Alabama. Check the scale by the size of the pickup truck on the bridge... there is also a rope swing hanging from the left-hand end of the bridge!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7bUCAKImSbvPygwIobANqPfFF1Qbzhr2cTZjrado5hFLqI_Edy8MbDcW9m5xgMV_KRCsWQouJgYJ8pMrI4XXfFRmQFZY2_iJIdCZI9qpBqS78fcpHlPaL8ufHxdhsqTJ22_ngksyIdUY/s1600-h/P1120008c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7bUCAKImSbvPygwIobANqPfFF1Qbzhr2cTZjrado5hFLqI_Edy8MbDcW9m5xgMV_KRCsWQouJgYJ8pMrI4XXfFRmQFZY2_iJIdCZI9qpBqS78fcpHlPaL8ufHxdhsqTJ22_ngksyIdUY/s320/P1120008c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5138105292912183730" border="0" /></a>Here is our Hank, getting some exercise to work off his Thanksgiving turkey. His friend is a Portuguese Water Dog named Yogi. It makes us tired just to watch them!<br />As you could probably tell from our "blog silence" over the past week or so, we've been visiting family and friends over the recent holiday. We're back 'on the road' again, so more adventures; however, internet coverage is sparse, so we'll update when we can.<br /><br />Best wishes to you all<br />Doug & KathieWinnie W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17632345983473544153noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085430222728194861.post-76098923775472775832007-11-16T14:17:00.000-05:002007-11-16T18:02:05.373-05:00Chasing the Season (Tenn-Tom)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGcxUmHei-HFH0tcolDXVS4Q5Pr0hmmPPWReN8cpDeKS-orwI-OKqul-pGzr245ahCtyA7Kc9ZNHP_KVdrNaJ2ButmozWm5RCNd4mFpK3-NpcB2J0j9LZwnntVX-JKfZGdmbReOj1o7Ys/s1600-h/P1110504op1c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGcxUmHei-HFH0tcolDXVS4Q5Pr0hmmPPWReN8cpDeKS-orwI-OKqul-pGzr245ahCtyA7Kc9ZNHP_KVdrNaJ2ButmozWm5RCNd4mFpK3-NpcB2J0j9LZwnntVX-JKfZGdmbReOj1o7Ys/s320/P1110504op1c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133563601219864882" border="0" /></a>Hello All-<br /><br />We apologize for not updating our blog recently. Our computer's "air card" has not been able to access the internet very well in this area. Cell phone service has also been spotty.<br /><br />Lovely autumn day for sailing near Guntersville. The Tennessee River forms a wide (2 miles+) lake with plenty of open water. We haven't seen as much sailing up here as there should be!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXw-ieD3sJWIMrpu1HkmslspDXqyZlHHObf5eck2Oj0-8PMgZP1TDepy8poMRoTGxxmx_KvAMignZH_pMNXXVi_NEuhErVsXvabBWfJrLdHP3DciD4yBF8wXc2bcVPRFEnUkPoYMjpifE/s1600-h/P1110700op1c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXw-ieD3sJWIMrpu1HkmslspDXqyZlHHObf5eck2Oj0-8PMgZP1TDepy8poMRoTGxxmx_KvAMignZH_pMNXXVi_NEuhErVsXvabBWfJrLdHP3DciD4yBF8wXc2bcVPRFEnUkPoYMjpifE/s320/P1110700op1c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133563605514832194" border="0" /></a>Did somebody say "autumn"? This has been a very dry year... record-setting drought in some areas... so the trees are not producing their best fall colors. However we are definitely seeing the change of seasons here. This photo was taken by Doug, the <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W.</span> is tucked into a lovely quiet anchorage near the northern end of the Tenn-Tom waterway.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAi2sJprnVEyx3oVcOpJKItGPn1Gr-TaAX1MYHoz4doehW4uwYAKVRsZolI-U4jlck0kaUflO64z91mA3a6jZaVSH4cZ6DJ-DjUJAwF4QIMZy8-FcNXN1Rf-k-dN7CiI_7m_XXDDWzPNA/s1600-h/P1110714op1c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAi2sJprnVEyx3oVcOpJKItGPn1Gr-TaAX1MYHoz4doehW4uwYAKVRsZolI-U4jlck0kaUflO64z91mA3a6jZaVSH4cZ6DJ-DjUJAwF4QIMZy8-FcNXN1Rf-k-dN7CiI_7m_XXDDWzPNA/s320/P1110714op1c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133563609809799506" border="0" /></a><br />Here is a nav marker near the anchorage pictured above. Very easy to tell which side to take this marker!<br /><br />The upper part of the Tenn-Tom waterway was hacked & blasted out of very rocky hills. This part is called the 'Divide Cut' and required more earthmoving than the entire Panama Canal.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7ojCJPYV831i4kgW_hZ8qHHQyYJ9DVglrF4Tc07eBN-El7pN3pA1hKhCZYi-n_E-Aigqlp6D1LW2gvciZmcu_bkqYbWeFWWanPgrFb5yO1LsOcEpqjO__6Y7KLnHHPNE4fg3mv0AzMk/s1600-h/P1110719op1c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7ojCJPYV831i4kgW_hZ8qHHQyYJ9DVglrF4Tc07eBN-El7pN3pA1hKhCZYi-n_E-Aigqlp6D1LW2gvciZmcu_bkqYbWeFWWanPgrFb5yO1LsOcEpqjO__6Y7KLnHHPNE4fg3mv0AzMk/s320/P1110719op1c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133563614104766818" border="0" /></a><br />This red marker looks like it's been bumped into, although it's hard to see how a boat could reach it. Or maybe the Corps of Engineers piled up the rocks after it got bumped, to protect it? Anyway there is no doubt autumn is upon us... in fact we've had a frost on the boat the last few mornings... thank goodness we're headed south!<br /><br />Sincere best wishes-<br />Doug & KathieWinnie W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17632345983473544153noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085430222728194861.post-14253225631500689372007-11-11T09:28:00.001-05:002007-11-11T11:43:04.518-05:00Cooking with Gas! (We're in High Cotton)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://inlinethumb30.webshots.com/28253/1142005030035692614S425x425Q85.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 201px;" src="http://inlinethumb30.webshots.com/28253/1142005030035692614S425x425Q85.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Hello all:<br />The title of this post reflects not our cooking capabilities, but our heat! As you probably know, "cooking with gas" refers to the 1920s-era when gas started being piped into homes for cooking (rather than using a wood stove); "high cotton" is a southern expression referring to the best part of the crop! Alongside this text will be photos of the furnace (all except the heat shield in the aft cabin that Doug just tied around the insulation-wrapped exhaust with Monel wire).<br /><br /><br />As you know, Doug not only maintains the <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W</span>, he *improves* it! Several years ago, knowing my (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">KK</span>) intolerance of cold weather, he installed a diesel furnace that pipes heat to all sections of the boat, so the boat warms up *everywhere*, all at once! This is <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://thumb14.webshots.net/s/thumb1/0/74/76/142007476pgulhl_th.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 264px; height: 198px;" src="http://thumb14.webshots.net/s/thumb1/0/74/76/142007476pgulhl_th.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>a big deal; our reverse cycle heater (or air conditioning, depending on the season) has two sections that leaves most corners of the cabin cold. Using water for our heat exchange helps somewhat but the same principles as with air apply here.<br /><br />The toughest part was the furnace exhaust; it required a long pipe to be bent & welded so as to run from the engine room to the aft cabin roof. The <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">whole</span> system worked well <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">until</span> the heat shield for the exhaust shook <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">loose</span>, probably during those rough days on Lake Michigan. Doug has been mulling over this repair for several weeks, and last night, arrived at a solution (the Monel wire), and we had *heat* last night and this morning! This is important because it has been in the high 30s and low 40s at night, and will remain so until we get further south.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://inlinethumb43.webshots.com/19178/1142006749035692614S425x425Q85.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 264px; height: 353px;" src="http://inlinethumb43.webshots.com/19178/1142006749035692614S425x425Q85.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />These photos show the furnace itself, in the engine room; the installation of one of the heaters (small radiators with 12V fans) which provide about 7500 BTUs of real heat; and the installed heater in our head (bathroom) which makes showering on a cold night just as comfortable as you'd be at home.<br /><br />And here is where we spent last night (Nov 10), anchored near Goat Island on Guntersville Lake (<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=34.43157,+-86.33818&ie=UTF8&ll=34.432222,-86.338184&spn=0.063005,0.11673&t=h&z=13&om=1">link to GoogleMap</a>). You can see the dam and lock chambers at the lower left.<br /><br />Hope you all are well & happy, Kathie & DougWinnie W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17632345983473544153noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085430222728194861.post-75681059094973605722007-11-10T12:31:00.000-05:002007-11-10T13:38:35.553-05:00On the Road (River) Again<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijaZ6eStRyW_A7jf7n-dn7xubH_h5NURk10el99HFYRIcZbswHUZrO0ZkqljqUEW_yiRey_0G4-6iH4vq3fx0bdkxrpGVUpDypFiyniBi8vUYxdUd5d2jNu-h5ZH49of4uhA1cWTCXEvI/s1600-h/1102071543op1c.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijaZ6eStRyW_A7jf7n-dn7xubH_h5NURk10el99HFYRIcZbswHUZrO0ZkqljqUEW_yiRey_0G4-6iH4vq3fx0bdkxrpGVUpDypFiyniBi8vUYxdUd5d2jNu-h5ZH49of4uhA1cWTCXEvI/s320/1102071543op1c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131267625496338978" border="0" /></a>Hello again all!<br /> We're underway again, heading back down the Tennessee River towards the Tenn-Tom Waterway. We departed from the dock at Chattanooga about lunchtime on Friday (11-9) and immediately began hustling. The weather has turned colder than we'd like, and although the boat has heaters, we are definitely interested in getting south to warmer climates!<br />This first photo is from Chattanooga, taken on Doug's cell phone! There is a wonderful aquarium there, which has a Butterfly Room among its nature exhibits. It's got the best flora and butterflies of anywhere that we've been.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMQ2gm4c5fjB_AikPXaY8oxXOaAG9jFSf0OewfgHM0N0_l1u9O4yAFI2oBMpu2HsGgAuqYmkOUDv-RxVjnOzH0PqeS1aHK9ifHuoBG_Z-8a0UuB4zgJjtbhSELpYryVuxcymCvufiGdA/s1600-h/P1110303op1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMQ2gm4c5fjB_AikPXaY8oxXOaAG9jFSf0OewfgHM0N0_l1u9O4yAFI2oBMpu2HsGgAuqYmkOUDv-RxVjnOzH0PqeS1aHK9ifHuoBG_Z-8a0UuB4zgJjtbhSELpYryVuxcymCvufiGdA/s320/P1110303op1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131269493807112786" border="0" /></a><br />Among the "boat jobs" done at the dock in Chattanooga is replacing a fuel filter element. We prefer to do this before they clog and cause trouble! The filter on the left has been in use for about 3 1/2 months, and was not yet gunked up enough to restrict fuel flow. The fuel we get is usually bright & clean (marine diesel is dyed red) but still contains trace amounts of tar & other contaminants in it. Another factor is that the Winnie W's tanks are 23 years old and sat mostly idle for that time, collecting more gunk.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYF9jzK06q2Ge9G-2ahMNjEugUZDOOmLZGsXkvCpHxsMpCF7YusbX6LIls7XQdtDG3YOq6sSH8DAIxhCaxahThNVHgFzrOMXZTBY4onaWXTSCEReytnCHi7Cw-AkRcbu-kXtMzrzTkE5A/s1600-h/P1110373op1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYF9jzK06q2Ge9G-2ahMNjEugUZDOOmLZGsXkvCpHxsMpCF7YusbX6LIls7XQdtDG3YOq6sSH8DAIxhCaxahThNVHgFzrOMXZTBY4onaWXTSCEReytnCHi7Cw-AkRcbu-kXtMzrzTkE5A/s320/P1110373op1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131270077922665074" border="0" /></a><br />Here is a view of the edge of the Cumberland Plateau, abouot 20 miles or so downstream (southwesterly) from Chattanooga. This escarpment rises over 1,000 feet above the river. This area is sometimes called the 'Grand Canyon of Tennessee' and it's only a slight exaggeration. This is one of Doug's rare photos.<br /><br />We've spent a long time on the Tennessee River and its tributaries, almost two months. The river itself is over 650 miles long and has so many beautiful places to stop; we could spend longer if we weren't being pushed by the advancing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvwLLlhX8gNSD15S0laVyUBlq49_hoXYJSqR6niA3TMG3r48_pDCLmA5O_zbokJ-OdSsRfXBFDIRe0KgzkM4uOaF7HH6lO37Exb8v0xKT1M16Q947MeVk6Bs_ZZZCOQhsrwbbqF6voC-0/s1600-h/P1110394op1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvwLLlhX8gNSD15S0laVyUBlq49_hoXYJSqR6niA3TMG3r48_pDCLmA5O_zbokJ-OdSsRfXBFDIRe0KgzkM4uOaF7HH6lO37Exb8v0xKT1M16Q947MeVk6Bs_ZZZCOQhsrwbbqF6voC-0/s320/P1110394op1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131270614793577090" border="0" /></a> season. We've covered approximately 600 miles along this river system and wish we could see more of it. We have about 240 miles to go before we turn left onto the Tenn-Tom waterway, which is another 450 miles long and leads to Mobile.<br /><br /><br />We saw this along the way; not everybody takes such good care of their boat!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6kTn-ouYdiU25BWFAMjcdGK7WWOekzJ7qqRLyahlBzMoBau1SW2dib9NzkEpbwGICAjwMPY6vgqcvjSro23DZEZFys7rvuXmDLDi6SeR-cDT9FDS_Vhe1YeDyN07i9T8dXEbcNS7nCY/s1600-h/P1110423op1c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6kTn-ouYdiU25BWFAMjcdGK7WWOekzJ7qqRLyahlBzMoBau1SW2dib9NzkEpbwGICAjwMPY6vgqcvjSro23DZEZFys7rvuXmDLDi6SeR-cDT9FDS_Vhe1YeDyN07i9T8dXEbcNS7nCY/s320/P1110423op1c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131270941211091602" border="0" /></a>This is more of the Cumberland Escarpment, from a vantage point just downstream of Nickajack Lock & Dam. The fall colors are lovely. You can also see the channel markers, red on the left ("red right returning;" we are headed the opposite way) and green on the right.<br /><br />Hope you all are doing well-<br />Doug & KathieWinnie W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17632345983473544153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085430222728194861.post-38565749153774353992007-11-05T09:34:00.000-05:002007-11-06T23:51:41.550-05:00A Brief, But Very Nice, Photo Retrospective<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxqC1xYQtf6gfYCIeo6FKUO0SWLqFG5feCJyoQcJ7i9Y1DP5jLZUmzKtgz_M6ij2MUwlERhrfQP0T_GXNVI9-oXgCnp2xi494FttNhGiSL8vDJysnuCwoq2HXbX9XF4v6dHbkOwi08ESo/s1600-h/P1110108op1c.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5129393875673355506" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxqC1xYQtf6gfYCIeo6FKUO0SWLqFG5feCJyoQcJ7i9Y1DP5jLZUmzKtgz_M6ij2MUwlERhrfQP0T_GXNVI9-oXgCnp2xi494FttNhGiSL8vDJysnuCwoq2HXbX9XF4v6dHbkOwi08ESo/s320/P1110108op1c.JPG" border="0" /></a>Hello all: We're pausing briefly in Chattanooga to sightsee and do boat projects; Doug says it's so Hank can get his four walks each day!<br />Here are three more of the photos that Kathie took on the Hiwassee River.<br /><br />We are lucky to have been able to make this side trip off the Great Loop; it is a beautiful place.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLj67BeHhyphenhyphen10XOBnnPTJeYKnohXhnk-CD1J5FpbQGRVOiXh9GIgCXoiriyUk392uvAdvP5mFlMe2jiudGDtLvxOObiL3rFZsM-ak5FYKIAaJuPAsRPU1VnMa8qPZ531RwDeZKyx3lqV7A/s1600-h/P1110113op1c.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5129396237905368354" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLj67BeHhyphenhyphen10XOBnnPTJeYKnohXhnk-CD1J5FpbQGRVOiXh9GIgCXoiriyUk392uvAdvP5mFlMe2jiudGDtLvxOObiL3rFZsM-ak5FYKIAaJuPAsRPU1VnMa8qPZ531RwDeZKyx3lqV7A/s320/P1110113op1c.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />It may be a big yawn for others, but we are fascinated to be on the water, and the sunset light on the rocks & trees with their reflections are among the loveliest we've seen anywhere. The photos truly don't do it justice, but these come closer than most.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixB7TEBmShoQZu8dVRt4ZorymBdX7FEEVU3S-fAVlO7XcS176rT3OqtJuVDiBNcqa7LyBKf4v5pfCG4LrYCNMjUL6zJ3bZnlDI86jxMokEC_lZQbOzURoICWPoGfIv3bokON3XjtioT9Q/s1600-h/P1110143op1c.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5129396246495302962" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixB7TEBmShoQZu8dVRt4ZorymBdX7FEEVU3S-fAVlO7XcS176rT3OqtJuVDiBNcqa7LyBKf4v5pfCG4LrYCNMjUL6zJ3bZnlDI86jxMokEC_lZQbOzURoICWPoGfIv3bokON3XjtioT9Q/s320/P1110143op1c.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Another reflective shot: the water is so still that you almost can't tell which way the photo is rightside up. I know; I tried inverting the picture and showing it to people who either didn't catch it at all, or took a long look before catching it.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Bd97zeYVoqSbMtZ4tvOrT0nNpi2uHRzjaBQ5P3SSzZMm49C-Qv43M1URFtEUU46McGmCWX_dBKW-8WV8yRR6Tf6Or9g-5hAhRsoPRrlaMvs8CmeUkajU9D9CCfb_hP9A8QmmlYrs_jY/s1600-h/P1110228op1c.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5129428939786360130" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Bd97zeYVoqSbMtZ4tvOrT0nNpi2uHRzjaBQ5P3SSzZMm49C-Qv43M1URFtEUU46McGmCWX_dBKW-8WV8yRR6Tf6Or9g-5hAhRsoPRrlaMvs8CmeUkajU9D9CCfb_hP9A8QmmlYrs_jY/s320/P1110228op1c.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />In contrast to the shining clarity of the last few photos, here's one that is rather foggy. It's also the latest entry in our long-running "Hank In The Dinghy" series.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqBWOMPyDBbly80OTDmJr-ijaSSe-WyBGYve1qHnqlHu6Xpi25h1Useq6n3rUUTHxmUTaNNKtKZFR1L66hNhdIwdhPOnqCfoEy6gLd9D5v3BopJ8MC3O-oZeiVH9R07dQ2JH8Ppd9LXQg/s1600-h/P1110268op1c.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5129430112312431954" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqBWOMPyDBbly80OTDmJr-ijaSSe-WyBGYve1qHnqlHu6Xpi25h1Useq6n3rUUTHxmUTaNNKtKZFR1L66hNhdIwdhPOnqCfoEy6gLd9D5v3BopJ8MC3O-oZeiVH9R07dQ2JH8Ppd9LXQg/s320/P1110268op1c.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />In the creek leading to one of our recent anchorages, we saw a popular turtle hang-out. The guy on the far right has climbed a 45-degree angle to the tip of the exposed branch. An athlete and daredevil among turtles!<br /><br /><br />We'll keep you posted on our latest exploits! Doug and KathieWinnie W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17632345983473544153noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085430222728194861.post-58589049712650489232007-10-29T12:38:00.001-04:002007-10-30T14:56:28.172-04:00More Beautiful Scenery, and Fog<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDS0rkAFNTb3MCogV_Qchk-mjHTrFFJwGlNZMALkVdcllJPU28yVfmFChYkmoltTj08WGPYqiszq915jzxVeu-ckR3KdzPpflNHpRBBrlojhROsBfbwGI2rCwVGipEPM1Xz6Gic9G-dp4/s1600-h/P1110067c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDS0rkAFNTb3MCogV_Qchk-mjHTrFFJwGlNZMALkVdcllJPU28yVfmFChYkmoltTj08WGPYqiszq915jzxVeu-ckR3KdzPpflNHpRBBrlojhROsBfbwGI2rCwVGipEPM1Xz6Gic9G-dp4/s320/P1110067c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126801273947510290" border="0" /></a>Hello all:<br />We started a couple days ago anchored on Chickamauga Lake, just upstream from Chattanooga on the Tennessee River. The day's run took <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W.</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">Tom-Kat</span> farther upstream to the Hiwassee River.<br /><br />The first photo shows the mouth of the Hiwassee River, once the site of a major Cherokee town. Now it is a nature preserve and we like to think the original citizens would still recognize it.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdA9iSeEMwlM3bhfJHtZGJIVkGBfMn1mDemiT6DpLwz8JgC4fyL2EoCNLxHz7QzysVPk_4qURVp1i2J2xZNz-4z04HHGYwrbms2kvWMa-ehRBZAqRUrKtBQC4pW6itcyauAJI6nYPmG1A/s1600-h/P1110072.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdA9iSeEMwlM3bhfJHtZGJIVkGBfMn1mDemiT6DpLwz8JgC4fyL2EoCNLxHz7QzysVPk_4qURVp1i2J2xZNz-4z04HHGYwrbms2kvWMa-ehRBZAqRUrKtBQC4pW6itcyauAJI6nYPmG1A/s320/P1110072.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126801316897183266" border="0" /></a><br />The 2nd photo shows one of the navigation markers at the mouth of the river. The old saying "Red Right Returning" is easy to remember, and when going upstream it's easy to figure out which side is which. But this red-green-red could be a puzzler if you didn't study the chart & recognize the junction of two navigation channels. This buoy is behind an island that has an "oxbow" (channel parallel to the main river) around it; we want to enter the Hiwassee River which goes upstream from the middle of the oxbow. Because we are headed into the Hiwassee River, this buoy is "green" for us on the right part of the "Y" which means we keep it on our *left* as we head into the Hiwassee; if we were to continue around the oxbow (bend) back towards the TN River (taking the left part of the "Y"), we'd consider it "red" and keep it on our *right*. This is important because the colors indicate shallow places for both the Hiwassee and the oxbow!<br /><br />The Hiwassee River flows westward out of the mountains of North Carolina. We cr<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTnqeYJp4VqZtTClFEN2IQ9_i7tytMqZr_XyWLYdqaCBLEN53RM5EUhcgNJSP66SL6zsY7SzVk0yY8655dKrm0vuRTcCJR__AQe-yCVPNZAAjczqSXhfb5JPZStZSf1cpHfZPo2xu-2rY/s1600-h/P1110123.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTnqeYJp4VqZtTClFEN2IQ9_i7tytMqZr_XyWLYdqaCBLEN53RM5EUhcgNJSP66SL6zsY7SzVk0yY8655dKrm0vuRTcCJR__AQe-yCVPNZAAjczqSXhfb5JPZStZSf1cpHfZPo2xu-2rY/s320/P1110123.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126803833748018786" border="0" /></a>uised upstream, kidding about 'going home,' and found a beautiful anchorage about 15 miles from the N.C. border. We could have gone a little closer, but the lower Hiwassee is formed by the joining of the Ocoee River to the upper Hiwassee, and both of these are tough places to travel by canoe, much less a 36' tugboat.<br /><br />We've also been kidded about how every other picture seems to be of Hank... usually riding in the dinghy with Doug. Well, it's all about Hank (<a href="http://dnkcruising.blogspot.com/2007/07/hank-boat-dog.html">link</a>), for sure. But here is a slightly different picture: Kathie riding in the dinghy with Hank.<br /><br />This is probably not one of our best photos, partly because Doug took it. You can see that he did not take care to keep his shadow from partly blocking the picture, although he did try to get the scenic cliffs in the background. What this picture doesn't show is how crazy they all three are, two adults taking a 70-pound dog in a 9' rowing dinghy.<br /><br />The Hiwassee River is part of the pool formed by the<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OamlTnOk8tprzGI6Hld-Plhc6BWntfuQ9tRMDi6SFcixwUVgzW48-G7nEz_sA5_kXZOaUGjdxsQilDFPtyZ1-9n9YM2j4FS9T3e1KNXVKG11yfl6EbQp2dA4pJNNtLYfqD23jSFMCoU/s1600-h/P1110101c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OamlTnOk8tprzGI6Hld-Plhc6BWntfuQ9tRMDi6SFcixwUVgzW48-G7nEz_sA5_kXZOaUGjdxsQilDFPtyZ1-9n9YM2j4FS9T3e1KNXVKG11yfl6EbQp2dA4pJNNtLYfqD23jSFMCoU/s320/P1110101c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126801355551888962" border="0" /></a> Chickamauga Lock and Dam on the Tennessee River. It's mouth is about 55 miles upstream from Chattanooga. The channel is fairly deep, 12'+, and it's well marked. There is some commercial traffic to & from the industrial plants near Charleston TN. Above that, the river is unmarked but still has 6'+ depths for at least another seven miles or so.<br /><br />Here is a view looking upstream from our anchorage. These rocks have fallen into the river fairly recently, and there is still dirt clinging to the tops of the rocks.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQH_gY4c69IJwgaMlIbAW41rArvwcE98sk4miKLm5yHFAJWURiHCA4rK6KmkZMn2RLYgBNsXuv2oAg6V9-816ImYrvo797Z_FG9yDxixdijsjTqnLEjcOf7l1zpCkmJItdkxhkgPT6rD0/s1600-h/P1110111.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQH_gY4c69IJwgaMlIbAW41rArvwcE98sk4miKLm5yHFAJWURiHCA4rK6KmkZMn2RLYgBNsXuv2oAg6V9-816ImYrvo797Z_FG9yDxixdijsjTqnLEjcOf7l1zpCkmJItdkxhkgPT6rD0/s320/P1110111.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126803782208411218" border="0" /></a><br />Now here is a photo that was definitely taken by Kathie. This is a closer look at the tumbled rocks & cliff in the above picture, with stunning reflections.<br /><br />What you can't see in this photo is that although the water is plenty deep for a cruiser to pass, there are LARGE rocks lurking under the surface, companions of these fallen boulders that are visible above. Just like navigating the Georgian Bay and the North Channel!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0A68W-1dZdh4o5kQV2e0Q6-EnTPVQB2cXGznixVxnDkSK_n_6g9oski0wfirTrr2pBTcz21caqrcMNlSpxycNduskLQOksPlvl1WaSQYC9402uOYk5d0Q9pl9v1jaVlbAYdhux_q55qI/s1600-h/P1110214-c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0A68W-1dZdh4o5kQV2e0Q6-EnTPVQB2cXGznixVxnDkSK_n_6g9oski0wfirTrr2pBTcz21caqrcMNlSpxycNduskLQOksPlvl1WaSQYC9402uOYk5d0Q9pl9v1jaVlbAYdhux_q55qI/s320/P1110214-c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127124792359081618" border="0" /></a><br />Currently we are anchored in Richlands Creek, near Dayton TN (<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=35.4767,-84.97358&ie=UTF8&ll=35.47722,-84.973583&spn=0.064304,0.092182&t=h&z=13&om=1">link to Google Map</a>). As we were getting anchored and settled in for the evening, a fisherman stopped by to talk a while. Hank and Doug are discussing local history with Steve, a new friend of us all. <br />Among other things, we learned that the University of Tennessee (UT) "Volunteer Navy" is the twelfth largest in the world, as judged by gross tonnage of vessels. They fly an orange flag with a white anchor on their boats! UT is one of only two schools that have stadiums on the water and fans can go to games by boat. A large<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3maCbUqjUgfUwMEO0phEHzDrg-s2F-yCyMmL3-Da-e_VgH-GSSa3WUaiAMuqc9mPXJZDL_D-pedYhQ7VAh9jwmz3UKQ7ynVPFnWzYNq6H_sVn3Jx3J_BdmHCNbm_-WC-Y3vUckV1fyzU/s1600-h/P1110216-c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3maCbUqjUgfUwMEO0phEHzDrg-s2F-yCyMmL3-Da-e_VgH-GSSa3WUaiAMuqc9mPXJZDL_D-pedYhQ7VAh9jwmz3UKQ7ynVPFnWzYNq6H_sVn3Jx3J_BdmHCNbm_-WC-Y3vUckV1fyzU/s320/P1110216-c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127124775179212418" border="0" /></a> proportion of the Volunteer Navy attends home games, with so many boats rafted together that participants in the festivities can walk across the Tennessee River as they go from boat to boat!<br /><br /><br /><br />A view of the creek yesterday (Monday 10-29) evening<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1zVDhVJ204hZoCXp6nxaHg8P5XFL6prKqCei9rhDHXvRQhAxKDvIZyqXSjWcZQvYQJyBKKYIJPT_l2r5-HmWOvB39KWEMRZrGr5n23zRu_ddFSXk3DT8xV5X6QN0eHbrTt-dCM01ZcY/s1600-h/P1110219-c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1zVDhVJ204hZoCXp6nxaHg8P5XFL6prKqCei9rhDHXvRQhAxKDvIZyqXSjWcZQvYQJyBKKYIJPT_l2r5-HmWOvB39KWEMRZrGr5n23zRu_ddFSXk3DT8xV5X6QN0eHbrTt-dCM01ZcY/s320/P1110219-c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127124766589277810" border="0" /></a><br />The same view this morning! As of this writing, we have waited 4 hours for the fog to clear enough so that we can safely proceed on.<br /><br />Best wishes to all for safe trips in your journeys today! Doug and KathieWinnie W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17632345983473544153noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085430222728194861.post-4266979443190111612007-10-28T18:48:00.002-04:002007-12-03T21:18:57.617-05:00Cruising: not really sure why it's fun, but it sure is!Hello All-<br />OK, we've been cruising the Tennessee River Valley for over a month. Tonight, Sunday Oct 28, we are anchored on the Hiwassee River (<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=35.2608,-84.7187&ie=UTF8&ll=35.261442,-84.718773&spn=0.062374,0.11673&t=h&z=13&om=1">link to map</a>). We've been cruising new (to us) territory for six months now. Are we crazy?<br /><br />Well... yes.<br />Isn't everybody?<br /><br />Cruising isn't a cutting edge, ka-zing ka-zow, kind of sport... although it can be, if you choose a different boat and/or different venues. It can also be much more relaxing & placid. There are as many different ways to cruise as there are people out cruising, and that includes the 200 or so currently "doing the Loop" along with us.<br /><br />One of the great things about the Great Loop voyage is that it encompasses so much of North America, geographically & sociologically. It only includes one foreign country, Canada; although our Canadian Looper friends (see Beardstown entry) say that the U.S. is <span style="font-weight: bold;">LOT</span> more foreign. However it covers the swampy Southeast, so familiar & dear to us; the Chesapeake, the<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6B42xq9-S2ONIlUZfEWc6gfwR0VibyiIzTkYNVWvaDtrcLgkkof-jZoXn9idO847B8GB8kAK6J_q1LwPkcTwaAHO1r99P628Vz0Iqq4hnEYrJHBoqprIIOgbTui6QDQ_FqpUqxu80VR0/s1600-h/P1110008c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6B42xq9-S2ONIlUZfEWc6gfwR0VibyiIzTkYNVWvaDtrcLgkkof-jZoXn9idO847B8GB8kAK6J_q1LwPkcTwaAHO1r99P628Vz0Iqq4hnEYrJHBoqprIIOgbTui6QDQ_FqpUqxu80VR0/s320/P1110008c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126579189778568658" border="0" /></a> Hudson River & Erie Canal, the Great Lakes each having it's own individual character & beauty, the inland rivers, the Gulf Coast, and the long & varied Florida coast. There are big cities, small quaint towns, and wilderness, in every area and with every shade of local color. So the Great Loop is all charted & mapped, but there is something to discover almost every day.<br /><br />This first photo shows <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W.</span> and<span style="font-style: italic;"> Tom-Kat</span> at the dock in downtown Chattanooga. The third boat beside (to the right) <span style="font-style: italic;">Tom-Cat</span> is another Looper, the <span style="font-style: italic;">Carol Anne</span>.<br /><br />A true saying: "Cruising consists of fixing your boat in exotic, romantic, and incredibly inconvenient locations." The <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W. </span>had a brief unplanned stop in Chattanooga, beset by two problems. Neither were serious, but the combination meant that further cruising without repairs would entail hardship & difficulty. Electricity is vital to modern life, and that's where the problem(s) lay. The alternator and the generator both felt neglected and decided they wanted attention and cuddling.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-GTtG2Hlvdsr04dqdj9fERc5uuPvaSBscIFadKWWgQ-Rl8aWRSkgvX2Js_YGvYFS2at7sKNSacaxanFTTV-TihqX6fD9l5F3NhEztpFFhoeiItIfzHHIc8qk2Pxj81O_oNguKxNlDxgE/s1600-h/P1110037c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-GTtG2Hlvdsr04dqdj9fERc5uuPvaSBscIFadKWWgQ-Rl8aWRSkgvX2Js_YGvYFS2at7sKNSacaxanFTTV-TihqX6fD9l5F3NhEztpFFhoeiItIfzHHIc8qk2Pxj81O_oNguKxNlDxgE/s320/P1110037c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126579889858237922" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here's some real electricity- a nuclear power plant along the Tennessee River.<br /><br />The alternator, attached to the main engine so that it provides 12 volt DC power to the boat and charges the batteries while we are underway, had not been acting right for some time. It's a new alternator of larger capacity (90 amps) than <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W</span>'s original, and so the first step was to seek further technical information about it. The problem is that it only provides a maximum of 13.8 volts which is not enough to fully charge the boat's battery bank, compounded by erratic operation. The manufacturer told us the output peak voltage is factory-set and when it senses peak voltage for a certain period of time, it shuts off so as not to overcharge the batteries and boil off electrolyte (a common problem with car batteries). Both these characteristics are built into the alternator as features, and not fixable.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaMfkSOwcx7U-zptUldmMWWRDLqC_pb_VbHX43bmZxQNaQ5BlozKJjx7MEFQP78Vom_LzILiQvj6_Ha5g3rY14MSe8hTB88nXI7jYe9D84kR2_mUVWxXTqlUcuKe2O2T8qeh7nrMeEG7Q/s1600-h/P1110109c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaMfkSOwcx7U-zptUldmMWWRDLqC_pb_VbHX43bmZxQNaQ5BlozKJjx7MEFQP78Vom_LzILiQvj6_Ha5g3rY14MSe8hTB88nXI7jYe9D84kR2_mUVWxXTqlUcuKe2O2T8qeh7nrMeEG7Q/s320/P1110109c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126581066679277042" border="0" /></a>Fortunately, we had had the <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W</span>'s original alternator rebuilt and kept on board as a spare. So Doug simply swapped alternators, a relatively simple job.<br /><br />Here's another in the long series of 'Hank Acting Cute In The Dinghy' series, with a slight difference... Kathie took this shot from the stern seat of the dinghy. The rocky bluff is near our anchorage on the Hiwassee River.<br /><br />Solving our other electricity problem was more complex & time-consuming. Our diesel-powered generator, which supplies 120V AC power to our floating household and also charges the 12V batteries, began making horrible screeching noises and filled the engine room with acrid smoke Thursday (10-24) night. It sounded like a dragging belt, only louder. So Doug let the smoke clear and then began diagnosing the problem... yes it was a dragging belt, and the reason was that the coolant pump driven by the belt had locked up.<br /><br />This was a more complex problem and required teamwork. First, Kathie got us a short-notice reservation at a Chattanooga marina, no small feat on one of the last weekends of the season. Friday we tied up to the dock. Then, Bob on our companion vessel <span style="font-style: italic;">Tom-Kat</span> dug through the Internet to find a wide range of possible part #s and local suppliers for a replacement coolant<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZA7S2OQefGpDoRSijcy7UnInAddmixldlOnsIUoUQCo_8SH1wRDaBK3vDpiyV88CQGaXaHrf77WBWY0gJDBOPWzVLVf142oLmmDbfUndRRtbBECBQaEmrCLhb42K7vulOoFBlCPQ0GM/s1600-h/P1110130c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZA7S2OQefGpDoRSijcy7UnInAddmixldlOnsIUoUQCo_8SH1wRDaBK3vDpiyV88CQGaXaHrf77WBWY0gJDBOPWzVLVf142oLmmDbfUndRRtbBECBQaEmrCLhb42K7vulOoFBlCPQ0GM/s320/P1110130c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126585348761671170" border="0" /></a> pump. Doug sweated and banged his knuckles getting the old pump out (while conserving it in recognizable pieces), then fetched the new pump by bicycle. We all had lunch on Saturday after embarking once again on the cruise, and no shortage of electricity!<br /><br />Here are <span style="font-style: italic;">Winnie W.</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">Tom-Kat</span> in a lovely peaceful anchorage far up the Hiwassee River.<br /><br />So, cruising is witnessing the world's incredible beauty, meeting new people in new places, and it's also self-reliance. It's working with others. Cruising is keeping track of the boat's electricity, and also fuel, food stocks, and water tankage. It is living with a smaller ecological footprint but also taking charge of that footprint. While cruising, we are subject to Nature's whims in a way that cannot be experienced by any other means, but it is also taking control of one's own destiny in a way that is totally opposite to the modern life.<br /><br />We think it's fun! Best wishes to all, Doug and KathieWinnie W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17632345983473544153noreply@blogger.com1