So What

We rush from bus stop to chiroprator clinic to grocery and marine hardware store . Staggering down the dock we find an invasion of flowers bunched up by the pilings. Stinging flowers, but beautiful all the same.

Hampton VA

We sailed off shore from Fort Pierce Florida to Beaufort NC, (450 nautical miles) and returned reluctantly to the ICW after the seas and wind became rough. A quick run north on the ICW brought us to HAMPTON VA. Vinnie's back had become a serious problem and we parked in the river to find a cure. Richard and Rosa are dock masters. We could not believe how kind, knowlegable, and helpful they were. They were our introduction to a city of wonderful people. Can you imagine a Rotary Club inviting clean, but informaly dressed transients to their dinner and drinks on the dock festivities? Oh yes, we are now seeing a chiroprator whose office staff provide rides back for sailors. (Dr. R. Miers at Bayview ChiropracticClinic) This town is a wonderful place.

Reminders

We travelled off shore until the seas and wind drove us back to the inland passage. Great to see reminders of home and family.

Surprise

We thought that our return to Riverside Marina and east coast travels would be a repetitive bore. So, we planned to shut down the blog and spare our friends and family the tedium of our replay, but life continues to surprise us. We found that our neighbors in the boat yard were movie stars. John and Barbara Ann Calvert
have traveled all over the world as magicians, actors, producers, and explorers. Although John is 95, he and Barbara Ann ?, work on the boat while exuding glamour. Their most recent movie is "Curse of the Elephants Grave Yard". They loaned us the Promo edition. BIG FUN. Please note that John and Barbara Ann are working on a really big boat.

Boat yard sages

We returned to Fort Pierce and Riverside Marina. In between our rush to complete necessary maintainance and repairs, we had time to consult with the boat yard sages. Here Vinnie and Pappy (a mature and knowlegable 77) review the facts.

Family Visits

When not in Iowa City, we wandered about the country checking up on the well being of our family, putting over 7,000 miles on our little car. Although suffering from the loss of our morally uplifting presence, they seem to be doing very well.

Back to Work

Fortunately, we were able to return to short term, gainful employment. This did much to improve our financial standing and moral fiber. Here's Vinnie off to work, another pirate rehabilitated.

The Wedding Party

With an entourage of 7 opinionated female relatives, Alessia braved the hoards of crazed brides to be and shopped for her wedding dress. All of her dress pictures are restricted and can not be published or shared in any format. We can provide evidence that the Sandra (the mother of the bride) and Sue (mother of the groom) are already working on their ensembles for the big day.

Alessia and Jim

Alessia and Jim are engaged! They are excited to have months of wedding preparations ahead.

Camping in Iowa

We rented a wonderful apartment for a month in Iowa City so that we could spend time with Chiara and James after Samuel's death. Here two of our technically adept family members meditate on the intricate system of internet service. Thanks Vinnie and Sandra.

Baby Samuel

The birth of Samuel, the first child of Chiara and James, was at the heart of our decision to return. "Now I lay me down to sleep" is an organization of professional photographers who donate their services to take photopgraphs of babies who die at birth. One of their members, Lisa, drove an hour and a half to take pictures for Chiara and James with baby Samuel.

















On Friday, May 26, 2006 Samuel Lewis Hemsley was still born. All of Samuel's aunts and uncles, grandparents, and many friends of the family joined Chiara and James for his memorial service.

James Graduates

Then our son-in-law James received his MBA from the University of Iowa and more celebrating was in order.

Cecca's Graduation

Dodging storms and nasty weather, we arrived in the states just in time to see Francesca graduate from Grand Valley State University. Another Philosophy Major ready for the job market.

Heading Home

During the past several months, our family kept busy generating new events to distract us from our travels. While we were waiting for a weather window in Mayaguana, their news reached critical mass and it was time to return. The rest of our travels were just the fast road to home. Painting by Kateri Herrmann, 8/2005.