Magnolia moves definitely into south Florida!

Vero Beach is such an easy place to be it is often referred to as Velco Beach.  We have so many happy memories here. This is “THE PLACE” to meet fellow cruisers. I remember meeting  Acapella here…we spend time with so many boats here. Our friends EleanorQ & Journey are not out this year but boy we have some happy memories.

We eventually broke loose of the Velcro and made the short trip to Fort Pierce to meet up with some VIP guests!

Mike and I served aboard Ticonderoga the early 1980s. We have crossed paths a couple of times over the years but since they have moved to south Florida I look forward to many more visits.

I gvuess the only bad thing is they way my toupe’ looks in this picture! Mike wears his much better!!!

From Fort Pierce we made a stop in Stuart looking forward to our next VIP guests…yup we have more coming!

We have been to Stuart once before for a short visit so we thought this would be the perfect opportunity to explore.  Upon our arrival we me up with our friends on Pegasus. We have had brief visits on docks from Florida to New York but have never been in the same place long. Pegasus introduced us to Acadia and well as you can see, the party was on!

We did have a lovely week and though the pictures do not include the chores accomplished rest assured they did get done! We have VIPs coming!!!

We headed a few miles further south to Palm Garden to meet Annette’s  sister Rochelle and Robbins who were to be in the area on vacation.

We had a terrific day sightseeing around Jupiter and just catching up. I also believe I was able to identify the famous Tiger Woods fire hydrant! We got an early start to the day and before anyone knew it it was time to start getting the boat readied for departure.

Our plan was to get underway from Palm Gardens, go down the ICW to Lake Worth Inlet and get down the coast as quick as we could. The Christmas Winds are blowing from the east and weather windows allowing travel this time of the year can be short and very narrow. Hence we were threading the needle a little bit…

Mar-A-Lago is just a few miles south of the Lakeworth Inlet. The Coast Guard had established a 1000yd security zone off shore so we headed straight out to stay out of trouble. As you can see the CG was going their bit to ensure security. Believe me, the boat had 2 50 Cals on the bow ready to go!!

We had an amazingly fast run down to Miami where we ran into some ship traffic as they were going into Port of Miami. The below maneuver is referred to as the “Bryan Peters.” When presented with the opportunity to stay away from the pointy end of a speeding cargo ship take it…its hard for them to back over us!!! An extra 10 min, no fuss, no stress.

As we passed Miami and began our over night trek down the keys, we were definitely rewarded by the skyline views as sunset.

We had a quiet over night passage. Normally we would take two days and travel inside the reef in the Hawk Channel. As you recall though we were threading the needle on this passage and that forced us into an over night outside the reef. Also outside that reef is the Gulfstream. We were not immediately in the current but we could definitely tell it was right near us. If our course drifted out 1/4 mile off the reef we were immediatly bucking a 1 knot current. Pretty amazing how a small distance can make all the difference. Turas/Agape take note!

Not surprisingly all the mooring balls are currently full in Boot Key soo we dropped the hook west of the harbor.

We are a little exposed but provided with some epic views of the gulf…”you know, we can see Cuba from here!” Its only about 70 miles from here.

Next we are getting ready or the next part of our adventure. So you thought Key West was about as far west as you can go…but no, we are ging another 70 miles to the west to the Dry Tortugas! We are totally juiced!

After departing Cumberland island we headed to Jacksonville, FL to meet up with our friends Greg & Marie from Second Sally. We had and easy passage down the ICW  and up the St Johns River.

The bridge below is the Main Street Bridge. The St Johns has a strong current and as we waited a fellow boater actually lost control of their boat because of a mechanical failure and was swept right into the bridge. There was no damage to the bridge but certainly significant damage to the boats mast…he gads.

We took a dock at Ortega Landing in on the Ortega River. Lovely marina.

First order of business was for the Admiral to produce one of her much sought after “Bowline Bags” for the Pentagon Sailing Club Awards Dinner Raffle.

On Thanksgiving we hopped in our rental car and drove to Vero Beach to join in the annual Cruisers Thanksgiving Lunch. It was a lovely time and we enjoyed meeting up with friends we had not seen since last winter. After that, we headed to St Augustine to enjoy and evening catching up with my Great Uncle Wayne, Carmen and my cousins. It was a wonderful evening!!!!

Before long is was time to get underway. While we at the dock in Ortega a cruise ship actually struck the Main Street Bridge in addition to the sail boat. Needless to say the events of that week added a bit of anxiety and silently we were happy to be though this ship eater!!

Here is the ship that struck the bridge being repaired in a nearby yard.

I guess that is the ships dinghy…or maybe they are just hauling that guy to the Caribbean for the winter.

Beautiful transit day down the ICW to St Augustine.

As we approached the “Bridge Of Lions” in downtown St Augustine who do we see but Uncle Wayne & Carmen. 

It was a real treat for us and and we hope for them as well. Be warned my Uncle Wayne is 98, I have his genes, I can only HOPE to be getting around like he is at that age!

As we transited down the ICW it was easy to see the damage that was done by the recent hurricane Mathew. We would guess the 60% of the docks along the ICW were damaged.

There is a huge backlash against people who anchor in Florida. It is a very complicated issue that does affect our anchoring choices. Sadly this is just one example of a nearly derelict boat. Sadly at some point this boat will likely sink, be abandoned and left for the state to clean up and remove.

Never forget though we are blessed with some wonderful scenery along the way.

Magnolia has never made a stop at the New Smyrna Beach (NSB) and our friend Cheryl has spoken highly of the town many times. We decided we would make the stop. Annette sent a message to Cheryl to let her know we finally made it. Little did we know that Cheryl was on a business and made a 36 hour stop in NSB. It was an amazing coincidence and allowed us to share a few minutes catching up. 

Proceeding south we passed Cape Canaveral and Vehicle Assembly Building.

We had to make our traditional stop at Coco Village. We really enjoy this town and over the times we have stopped here have made many wonderful memories! Always a happy place for us!

As soon as we arrived Vero Beach, maintenance began. In this case Annette got after troubleshooting a problem with the oven broiler. Very proud!

SV Anania and SV Agya  along with Magnolia met up for a casual dinner. We also had the opportunity to dine with Ann Catchick who is our SSCA Homeport Representative. Sadly we gabbed the night away and forgot the picture!!!!

Guest post this week by Annette, the Admiral.

Plum Orchard – a Carnegie $10,000 “starter” home. Lucy Carnegie’s 19 year old daughter-in-law thought it was too small and spent an additional $50,000 to enlarge it.

The  house is six feet above sea level.  Vents in the foundation allowed rising sea water into the foundation where it was funneled it out through this trough to the river.

Indoor heated pool 9’ deep

This is the first Black church in the Settlement started by Cumberland Island freed slaves.  It also was where John F. Kennedy Jr. was married.

Dungeness – Lucy Carnegie’s home

From the Dungeness cemetery. Harry Lighthorse Lee, a VA civil war hero,  died in GA. VA stole his body back and left this stone.

Magnolia enjoyed our short stay in Moorehead City with the highlight getting to visit Annette’s cousin.

We just happened to depart the morning after the Presidential Election. The moment I started under this bridge I thought it was the perfect metaphor for the morning. I wonder what the future will bring?

Magnolia had pretty good weather in-shore but off-shore conditions were not suitable for us. This kept us traveling the Inter-Coastal Waterway.

We had prepared ourselves for some long days and the first day out of Moorehead we made it as far as Camp Lejeune, NC. There is a well protected basin just off the ICW. We are not allowed to go ashore on the base but we are welcomed to anchor as we please.

We have seen many different things while anchored here and this time no different. It appeared there was some kind of small boat driver training going on…okay, maybe not that small.

Another long day brought us down the Cape Fear River where there was a HUGE dredge working along the river. The scoop could pick up a whole Volkswagen Beetle!

Another long day brought us to Southport NC. Annette is a long time contributor to Hank Pomeranz ICW Status seminars. 

We had never anchored in Southport Harbor before but did remember our friends Al & Michele from Kindred Spirit had. A quick message provided a couple of suggestions and we were quickly anchored. While Annette attended Hank’s seminar I needed to run a couple of errands. On the way back, on the way back I noted I could see Magnolia right through the waterfront restaurant.

As I headed back to Magnolia the sunset light, the rising moon and calm waters provided one of my favorite pictures of our girl.

Our friends Joe and Christine were out of town during out visit so we just waved as we passed St James Plantation.

We spent a couple weeks at Osprey Marina in the spring and looked forward to our brief return AND their great price on diesel fuel!!! Departing on a cold wet morning only further motivated us to get this girl moving.

We anchored in Winyah Bay about 50 miles north of Charleston and prepared Magnolia to go off-shore early the next morning. We always do some cooking so that we can have hot meals offshore. We also rig lines and tethers to secure ourselves while we are working on deck at sea. We also test and take an extra look around at all the gear might need while offshore. Things are never perfect but to minimize risk, we want things to be as good as we can make them!!!

Of course when we got up early the next morning it was dark AND foggy. We decided to drag our feet a little till atleast the sun came up and shortly the fog was lifting too. We fired up the radar were off. By the way, Winyah Bay is also set up so the marks appear as AIS objects which is also helpful for navigating in low visibility conditions.

We happened to be offshore the day AFTER the most SUPER of the super-moons but ours was not too bad. I had never experienced being underway and having a moon so bright that for the first couple hours after coming it was like having a truck following us with its headlight shinging behind me. It was REALLY bright.

The 33 hour 200 mile offshore leg was pretty good except for a surprisingly strong chop from the SW that added a good coating of salt to Magnolia!

We arrived the St Mary’s River which is the dividing line between Georgia and Florida and made our way up river about 10 miles to Cumberland National Park.

Cumberland Island Ferry – Currently the only way to visit but more about that in the next post….

Before departing Herrington Harbor in Deale MD we did have a couple last minute items. One was to meet up with my cousin George & Julie (Magnolia Crew Members) whom we missed in the spring visit! Always great to catch up.

We also had the matter of Anniversary #12 to celebrate. Annette being a crab cake coinsurer we were able to find the perfect little corner place!

It was finally to get Magnolia off the dock and get ahead of the cold!!

The first portion of the trip was right at 400 miles from Deale, MD down to Moorehead City, NC.

As we were pushing off the dock I saw the below and took it as a good omen. My friend Greg gave me that name a long time ago…thankfully its been fairly accurate!

Out first day out found us with fabulous conditions.

We intended to sail down to Solomon’s Island but the 20knts in flat water made for a fast passage and we continued down to Reedsville. That was even with the shorter fall days!

Smith Point Light marks the south point of the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay.

We arrived in Hampton VA in time to attend the Old Point Comfort Yacht Club Halloween Party with Greg & Marie. Not new tag (#dummytooknopicts).  The following night we met up for a lovely Anniversary follow-up dinner. Thank you Greg & Marie! (SV Second Sally)

Magnolia moored Sunset Marina, Hampton VA.

#dummytooknopicts – this is where a picture of our visit with Annette’s Aunt should have been!!!

As we started on the next part of our journey we departed Hampton and noted an Aegis Destroyer anchored in the harbor. Never see Navy ships out here so I can only guess the crew was too big of a Liberty Risk and and had to be isolated!!!

Great Bridge Lock is located on the Atlantic Intercostal Water Way. In the past we have used the Dismal Swamp route but the route is currently closed to the damage caused by Mathew and the other fall floods. 

Magnolia secured in the lock.

Since the ice cream store in Hampton, with great sadness we were able to score at the DQ nearby the Great Bridge Lock Free Dock!

Our friends Pat & Becky from MV Turas were nearby Great Bridge having some boat work done. Always great to catch up along the way.

The mornings around Great Bridge always look like the water version of I-95 at rush hour. Things open and spread out pretty quick thankfully.

Magnolia continued to Broad Creek where we were rewarded with a very quiet fall anchorage.

Departing Broad Creek in the morning we expected a “brisk” north winds for the trip across Albemarle Sound and down the Alligator River. We were not disappointed. Magnolia was pushed to her limit of where things go from comfortable to uncomfortable, thankfully we did not get to the “uncomfortable” level. 

The entrance to the Alligator River from Albemarle is a little tricky and sadly two boats were aground awaiting the Coast Guard and Tow Boat.

Pictures never represent the conditions very well, wind is blowing close to 30 knts and 3-4 foot short cycle waves. Our girl is solid and takes it all in stride.

The next day we arrived in Campbell Creek to visit Beth & Rip (MV Lab Partners) and Mike & Kathy (SV Braveheart).  We had a lovely little breeze all the way into the creek and Magnolia arrived in style under her main.

#dummytooknopicts – this is where a picture of our visit with Beth & Rip should be! Argh! Thank you Beth & Rip and for Mike & Kathy, hope your time in the Caribbean aboard Braveheart is going well.

Beth did get a fabulous picture of Cally workig to convert Annette from a Cat to a Dog person….it is amazing how many dogs have taken this on as their mission.

Shrimp boat in Hoboken, NC

Next in line was a stop in Oriental NC.

There is supposedly a West Marine and a Piggly Wiggly grocery store down here. We spend a lot of time WALKING long straight roads like this one…like the curvy ones better.

#dummytooknopicts – this is where a picture of our visit with SV Scout and also Pentagon Sailing Club Members Roger and Leslie Hammer

Early the next morning we had “crisp” conditions to cross the Neuse River head down Adams Creek to Moorehead City.

We arrived in Moorehead City with hopes of heading off shore towards Wrightsville Beach. Weather conditions did not allow that but we did get to visit with Annette’s Cousin Beth.

#dummytooknopicts – this is where a picture of Beth’s visit would go! Argh!

I am going to do better on pictures….I promise!!! Really mean it this time!…be well, be safe!

Magnolia recently went through a mid-life restoration. Her decks are a layer of fiberglass, wood, fiberglass. After 25 years moisture has caused the wood core to become soft and weaken. We hired Osprey Composites (http://www.ospreycomposites.com/) in Deale, MD to replace about 13 feet of deck on each side of the cockpit.

They first cut and peeled back the top layer of fiberglass. As you can see the wood decking below is completely compromised.

The second step was to clean out all of the old rotten wood.

Once the old wood core was removed the core replaced with a new foam core.  “J” did most all of the work on Magnolia!

It begs the question why they used wood in the first place??

After the core was in place layers of fiberglass was built up on top of foam core.

Once the fiberglass was in place a layer of leveling compound and the deck was sanded smooth and level.

While things were getting done on deck, down below the hull was compounded and waxed.

Once the wax was done it was time to get the bottom sanded and painted.

After the fiberglass was complete a coat of gel was applied.

Followed by a thorough sanding and buffing. Finally the non-skid was laid down

Magnolia was splashed and we began cleaning her up and moving back aboard. We could not be more pleased with the work that Osprey did. The completed the work on schedule and on budget.

After 5 weeks Magnolia is ready to go, and we are off!

Magnolia will be racing south staying ahead of the snow flakes! We have reports from CT, MI and NY that the flakes have fallen there….that is NOT that far from here!!! Time to go!!

As we departed my parents home first stop was Phillips Orchards & Cider Mill ( https://www.facebook.com/PhillipsOrchards/ ) Every fall growing up I remember going to a Michigan cider mill.

Once arriving in Detroit we had met up with my niece Janine and her partner Rami. It was a terrific evening. In addition and lacking pictures we had a terrific lunch with my brother Jimmy and his family as well as a get together with some friends I went to elementary school with. It was a great visit to Detroit that is for sure!!

Early the next morning we departed for  Fallingwater – Frank Lloyd Wright in Pennsylvania. We have had this visit on our list for a long time and glad we were able to make it.

It is certainly a beautiful home but you could clearly see that like all Wrights homes…dang thing leaked like a sieve. Living a a boat I might be a little sensitive to this issue!

Arriving back in Washington DC we had great evening with Dan and Lori in Arlngton and then it was back to Deale MD to check on our girl Magnolia. Oh, this is going to leave a mark…rotten core from our deck…more in the next post!

After a wonderful visit in NJ we started heading west. Heading inland AWAY from saltwater is a little un-nerving. (grin)

First stop was the 9-11 Flight 93 Flight Memorial. I have no pictures and a week later still feeling a little overwhelmed.

We arrived at my parents home in Canadian Lakes, MI

Our stay was brief as  we were quickly off to St Ignace which would serve as our base for a couple of days of sightseeing.

Looking towards Mackinac Island as we head for the Upper Peninsula.

Our first stop was the Soo Locks which allow ships to transit from Lake Superior to Lake Huron. 

The Soo Locks lifts/lowers ships 21 feet to make the transit. The largest locks Magnolia has transited are the 8 feet that is required in the Dismal Swamp.

Sharing dinner at the end of a full day…priceless.

The view from our room as the sun rises over lake Huron.

Annette has never been to upper MI before so a trip to Mackinac Island was required. Besides though not likely Magnolia, but a “next” boat we would like to explore the Great Lakes.

We might be off the water but the crew of Magnolia still enjoys a little time and mom and dad seem to enjoy the short ferry ride as well.

The ferry we took made a brief trip west towards and under the Mackinac Bridge. We have transited many similar bridges but when we come back with our own boat, that will make the moment even cooler.

As we approached Mackinac Island the Grand Hotel became quite visible from the ferry. The hotel was featured in a movie, “Somewhere In Time” starring Christopher Reeves and Jane Seymour.

Fort Mackinac

Saint Anne Church – The original St Anne Church started on the mainland in 1743 and then in 1780 it was moved across the ice to Mackinac Island! How cool.

I forgot to mention there are no motorized vehicles allowed on Mackinac Island, hence below is a horse drawn street sweeper….thats a new one one me!

Below is the “Scout Barracks” on Mackinac Island..I HIGHLY encourage you to click the below link and read the story…I NEVER saw this one coming but very cool – http://www.mackinac-island-insider-tips.com/scouts.html

Looking east across Lake Huron

Mackinac Island Yacht Club (http://www.miyachtclub.com/)

Heading back to St Ignace, MI

Annette and I had a lovely visit with my parents who made our stay absolutely terrific!! 

Soon after Magnolia was bundled up for her visit to Osprey Composites it was time for the crew to get on the road.

First stop was Baltimore, MD for a brunch date with M/V Amici. We never miss an opportunity to visit with Ted & Sally. We always have a great visit and this one was no different. 

After rolling ourselves into the car have a huge brunch we rolled on up I-95 to Jack & Kathy’s place in New Jersey. Kathy invited their neighbors and our friends Neil & Merle for dinner and an evening of catch up. Always fun and thanks to Merle for coming direct from and long day and a miserable commute!

Early on Friday morning we off to work at the Cherry Hill Veterans Stand-down. We have never participated in one but it was a day well spent. Truly a reminder of how blessed we are. Below is Team Hoban (R-L Caitlen, Matt, Kevin, Kathy, Jack H, Jack T, Annette and I)

News Story:

http://www.courierpostonline.com/story/news/local/south-jersey/2016/09/24/homeless-veterans-services-cherry-hill/90916028/

After knaps and showers it was time to roll!

First stop was Tonewood Brewery

The it was on to a Surprise Hoban Party. The surprisees…we never like to miss a Hoban Party and thankfully the family is use to us showing up!!

Annette, Kathy H and Kathy T

Mom Hoban has always welcomed us and she has been doing it for over 25 years now!

Caitlen, Andrew and Mathew at Lower Forge Brewery, not near as good as Tonewood

Sadly it was so quickly time to start heading out on Leg #2 but Kathy made a us a terrific dinner before heading out!

We will miss you Tennars, be well!

Long time readers have know Frank & MaryMarie of S/V Eleanor Q since the early days of this adventure beginning.

Frank & MaryMarie are currently living ashore but that does allow them to load us there very swell dock! Here Eleanor Q & Magnolia hanging out as they have done before so many times before. Like the boats, the crew are old friends and pickup right where they left off…thank include MM busting my chops at every turn!

In the late spring and early fall a large majority of the cruising boats pass through the Annapolis MD area so we were hardly the only boat around. Frank and MaryMarie had an open house having a number of the cruisers over for an evening of compadre. As you can see Mary Marie and Frank are quite and accomplished musicians.

While we were at the dock in Annapolis we able to get Magnolia ready to go into the yards in Deale MD for maintenance. We ohave never been to a yard where we do not put Magnolia in the travel lift. At this yard the workers do it for you. The picture below is the first time ever that Magnolia as been away from a dock without me aboard. It felt very odd seeing your boat drifting by with out you.