Back to Manjack

A fast ride to Florida, a pleasant sail across the stream, and suddenly we were back on the gentle beaches of Manjack. It is so good to be back.

Who are these stars of stage and screen?

We were shocked to find that our children are grown. Where did these handsome, wonderful people come from. They certainly did not get their style from us.

Grand parents in training

We got to have some practice in our grand parenting. What fun.

We're home

The family was thrilled to have us back.

Mr. Too Cute

Next stop was Grand Rapids, home of the amazing Ethan who has also been growing in wisdom and vocabulary. Too bad he is speaking in a foreign language. Puppy perhaps.

Norah Calling

We left Atlanta and drove to Iowa City where we found Chiara and James doing well and Norah almost ready for her first job. Why did they let her grow up so fast?

Carbon Neutral Day

A quick run down the coast, a fast settling in at Riverside Boat yard, and we were back to civilization in Atlanta. Maria's sister in law had worked to make her store, Eco-Bella, and those of her neighboring businesses carbon neutral. They are the first in the US to do this. The family turned out to hear the speeches and learn more.

Fernandina Beach

We headed off shore at Beaufort and came back to land at Fernandina Beach. It was an unusual place.

It's getting warmer

As we hurried south it gradually got warmer. We stopped wearing socks on our hands and began to enjoy being outside.

Blow your horn

Going through the Dismal Locks we again had the pleasure of a conch Shell serenade by the lock master.

Mojo too

Then everyone wanted to be a cheetah.

Halloween

Lexie helped make her Cheetah costume. It was a miracle of hand sewing and see looked very wild indeed.

Back in our nation's capital

We celebrated Maria's Dad's birthday with Liza, Nat, Matt, and Lexie. A good time was had by all. Happy Birthday Dad.

Chesapeake

We hurried south to Chesapeake City, passing through the canal during the night. The next day some of the crew from Twice in a Blue Moon came and celebrated with us. Michael and Pat are able to make any life fun, but we still miss them in the anchorage. It is time for Trice in a Blue Moon to set sail.

Bundled up

Sometimes you don't want you picture taken when it is so cold that you are wearing socks on your hands and feet.

Winter Approaches

By the time we got back down the Hudson and into the city, the cold was upon us. It was past time to head south.

Orphan Marco

Of course we had to spend time catching up with our Marco. Having been taken in by Syd and Maryjo, he is now officially one of their happy orphans. He was very generous with his time and his possessions. After his night shift at the hospital, Marco slept in his bed during the day and we got it for the night. It was a wonderful visit.

Toilet suspense

The binoculars showed that the workers had a very convenient toilet perched on a flimsy looking platform and hung off the side of the bridge. They must be both brave and desperate to venture to the bathroom.

Toilet challenge

While on the Hudson we saw this bridge being repaired. Where do the workmen go to the bathroom?

Lap 5

By the time we arrived in New York the boys had left down under far behind and were on to the exciting sport of Indy racing with a strong emphasis on collision tactics.

The Boys of Summer

During the family reunion in Cape Cod, William and Thomas were well established in their Alligator Dundee period.

Power Tools

In honor of Vinnie's arrival, Syd broke out the wood splitter. Billy, Syd, and Vinnie had a really good time slamming wood around, breaking it up, and making piles of fireplace sized logs for the cold winter weather that is approaching. Vroooom Vroom.

Bridge to somewhere?

We left Rhode Island and made good time to New York City. Soon we were battling the tide and wind on the nose while providing a tour of the boat to the Coast Guard crew who boarded us going up the Hudson. Happy to say we passed their inspection with a perfect survey. After their departure we continued to race the conditions, hoping to find a secure anchorage before dark. Still there was time to wonder what this structure was for. It did not seem to go anywhere on either end. We managed to anchor off Sing Sing in the dark. The morning came with a loud alarm. We watched the papers for any news of a prison break by dingy.

Time on his hands

While living in land life we would read a few pages before going to sleep, only to find that we had slept through half of them. During quiet times on the boat, however, we have time to read some of the longer volumes that would have been impossible with our 2 pages forward and one back reading pattern of the past.