Magnolia departed Galesville MD last Thursday.

Before departing though we had Hartges pull Magnolia out of the water to have a thorough bottom cleaning, replaced the zinks and lubricated the propeller.

There is noting more important to the Admiral than swimming off Magnolia. First stop was Broad Creek up the Magothy River. Annette had the whole afternoon to swim and I slipped in much needed nap!

Friday Magnolia headed on up the Patapasco River towards Baltimore. Our first stop Tidewater Yacht Service…no Magnolia did not need work done. No Tidewater was the closest marina to the Maryland Cruise Ship Terminal.  See my cousin Suzie was returning from a cruise to Maine & Canada and since she came all the way from Ohio…so we just had to go and meet her return.

In addition Dan and Lori made the trip up for the brief visit as well.

It was a really fun impromptu visit!

After Suzie headed back for Ohio we decide that a visit to Fort McHenry. Yes, the Star Spangled Banner place!!!

The grounds of this monument are just beautiful!

We participated in a terrific talk about the history of the American Flag, the whole time holding a replica of the flag flown over Fort McHenry during the war of 1812.

The Army Fife and Drum Corp from Fort Myers.

Also the Army Drill Team also from Fort Myers…watching these guys tossing rifles with bayonets…nuts!

Magnolia got underway this morning for Baltimore Inner Harbor. Like going down the New Yorks East River, Washington’s Potomac we simple had to go up the Patapasco River to right downtown.

Magnolia dropped the anchor near the area called Canton where we will pick up a friend who is crewing with us up the coast…which leads into the next picture.

We will depart Baltimore in the morning for the Sassafras River so we can take pictures for my Aunt Julie…that’s just a plus! We will transit the C&D Canal to the Delaware Bay down to Harbor of Refuge off the Delaware Coast…from there we still do not know. There are two lines, one will take us through NYC and the other straight up to Block Island RI. The current weather pattern is making it a little tough to call right now so that will be a game day decision for Wednesday or Thursday….standby!

PS Dan and Lori, thanks for spending a terrifically fun day with us!!!

After departing Washington DC we have been a bastion of non-stop activity…some fun some work so its all good!

After stopping and visiting the Metts Family again in Fairview Beach it was off to Solomons Island. On the way we passed

Naval Air Station Patuxent River. They must have cool stuff going on with all those antennas!!!

The real reason for the visit was a quick catchup with S/V Runaway whom homeport in Solomons. We had not seen Matt & Marti since the Bahamas so was great to catch up.

Prior to meeting up with Pentagon Sailing Club raftup Magnolia made a quick trip on out to Cambridge Maryland, one of our favorite spots. Runaway had shared some history information and we really enjoyed following up on that. Had no idea Cambridge was such a key player during the struggle for civil rights.

There is a lovely basin right in the middle of town to anchor and City Hall provides free WIFI.

I really dropped the ball on pictures at the PSC RaftUp but did score a good shot of Ray’s boat SV Etude.

We arrived in our “homeport” of Galesville MD then on the Memorial Day.

Its a little weird being gone for so long and then returning back to familiar surroundings.

Our dear friends Burt and Prue aboard SV Exuberant had already arrived and we spent some great times catching up. We were last together in Vero Beach, Fl but no matter we seem always to cross paths along the way somewhere.

As soon as we arrived we got right to work getting boat chores done. We started out easy, Annette getting the life raft to Baltimore for recertification and I getting the teak threshold stripped and varnished.

We were able to meet up with Frank and MaryMarie of SV EleanorQ in Annapolis and entertained by a storm and a rainbow.

We spent a great deal of our first season with these two and figured a lot of things out together, memories last a lifetime!

Not sure why the picture was taken at night but I had spent the day getting the water line cleaned up. It really was gleaming!

As much as many things about this yard make me crazy…the view is spectacular and even more so with a chilled glass of wine!

One high of the highlight of our time in Galesville is having the opportunity to visit out friends Jack and Kathy in New Jersey. There was an extra bonus of having Joe and Christine visiting from North Carolina. We wanted to get a group picture before we boarded Jack’s Checker for a trip to the ice creame store.

There is lots of leg room in the back seat!!!

It seems that our visit coincides with setup for the church festival and so for the last 4 years running we have had the “opportunity” to assist in setting things up. As you can see the ladies came by to check our progress…probably on the way to the spa!!!

You do have to appreciate the Roman Catholics for their refreshments, even if it is 11:00 am!

Caitlin and Christina flanking Jack and Hoban brother Joe.

A visit to Mr & Mrs Hobans home is like visiting my grandparents..their home is always so warm and welcoming.

As soon as we returned to Magnolia is was back to work getting the new water heater installed.

Being social EleanorQ and Slow Waltz visiting in Annapolis.

Had a new backing plate made for the aft cabin top cleats. It was previously washers and looked unsightly. Now matching Stainless Steel.

My cousin Suzie messaged and said they were on a cruise and wanted to know if we were close…Magnolia was anchored in Shady Side, a few short miles away. As I write this we are underway for Baltimore and hopefully will meet them tomorrow (Saturday) morning when they arrive.

Jimmy and Kaitlyn through a cook out on their DC rooftop patio which we enjoyed thoroughly!

Anthony, Jim III and Lucas

We made a stop back at 1805 Crystal Drive and visited with Kathy, Ron, Pat and Will, always good to catch up!

One of the final projects was to get the spare chart plotter installed in the Navigation Station which required relocating the Single Side Band (HAM) radio. Came out nice and works great!!!

We have been wanting to bring Magnolia to Washington DC but truthfully its a long way. To drive from Annapolis MD to Washington DC is 35 miles, to sail, its 165 miles. You see our dilemma and why it has taken us this long. With some planning an the appropriate motivation we pulled it off. Our friends Bryan & Gail live at perfect stop and a perfect stop for friends from Dahlgren to stop as well! Along with that there are numerous  family and friends in Washington and not forgetting the Pentagon Sailing Club where we learned the basics of what we do everyday. It was time to make the trek!

As we departed Hampton we were very excited about the forecast because we would be able to sail all the way to the Potomac River, nearly 55 miles distant. Yea that quickly went out the window with winds right on the nose. The heck with that so we bailed out in early and stopped in Reedsville MD.

We had not anchored in this spot since 2013 but it was one we know. Its worth taking a moment to read that story at “2013-07-11 What we learned on our passage to Reedsville”

As we rounded Smith Point we waved to our friends Bentley and Jim on Salty Paws and entered the Potomac River. It was cool and wet day with little wind. Just a day to make some miles.

It was certainly a soup day but we really were warm and comfortable inside Magnolia’s enclosure.

St. Clement’s Island State Park is one of those places we will put in our back pocket for a time through when its dryer! Looks like a great stop though.

We have equipment onboard that tells us where commercial vessels are bound…this guy was going somewhere on the Potomac to NYC. Have no idea what the heck they are shipping to NYC.

After quiet and wet night at Swan Point we were heading into more familiar waters around Dahlgren and King George County VA.

Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge – I have driven over this bridge a million times but have not sailed under it since the late 1980s when I had a bass boat and fished these waters

Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division – I worked here in the past at different time since 1982…if all goes according to plan I will only see it from this distance in the future!

Looking back south from Mathias Point towards Dahlgren.

Magnolia anchored off shore Fairview Beach, VA framed of course by a Magnolia Tree! Thank you Bryan Metts for the terrific picture.

Annette, Gail, Bryan & Mark at Tim’s II in Fairview Beach. These are the moments Annette and I live for and appreciate it when friends can take time out of their busy schedules to meet up like this!

We made an early start for Washington.

The first vessel we passed was this rather unique looking craft. It turns out it this is the “M-80 Stiletto” It was pretty cool as it passed!

Now this is certainly a different view on Mt Vernon…have to say my favorite!

Who would have thunk it…there really is a Fort Washington at Fort Washington…I never thought about it…

The new casino going into National Harbor

Another bridge I have driven across a million times…this time though we go under it. The sailing club would not let us go any further south than the bridge….

The Torpedo Factory in Old Town Alexandria…now an Art Haven

Annette’s Sister taking a picture of Annette taking a picture of her.

Bolling Air Force Base,  homeport for the pentagon Sailing Club and where it all started for Annette and I

National Airport

National War College and Capitol beyond.

“C1 Washington Harbor”

National War College

Annette’s Sister Rochelle and Robbins – first visitors of many this fun filled weekend!

Dee from the Pentagon Sailing Club took the picture of above of Annette and I..thanks Dee!

GenIV night aboard Magnolia…wait wait how did the GenIV get aboard?

My fellow GenIV Maria with Eric and their GenV..btw not the first time I have gotten that look!

Just a sample of the many guest we had from Pentagon Sailing Club through the weekend.

“A tradition continues!” As the crew of Magnolia was preparing to go cruising, our mentors gave a us a Bahamian Courtesy Flag to hang on the office wall to keep us focused. This year we found the perfect recipients of 2015/2015 flag. Greg & Mary Jerrell. Stay focused and we look forward to seeing you down the coast

As quickly as the weekend began it was over and Magnolia was underway.

The red arrow points to the condo we had in Arlington, below is the view from there…we waited a long time to get the reverse image view!

Laura and Christopher, this one is for you, I believe its the Officers Club at Ft Belvoir.

The great thing about DC is the swag…Magnolia sailed away with a haul. Thank you David Kriescher and Mary Jerrell.

Magnolia has another 170 mile week as we head out to Cambridge to east some oysters (imported) and hit the farmers market ahead of the PSC festivities in nearby Oxxford MD over Memorial Day weekend.

After our trip through North Carolina we were looking forward to a little “still” time.

Our first stop in Hampton was an evening at Old Point Comfort Yacht Club. We are actually members though we are generally observers from a distance.

On this occasion we were able to participate in the spring blessing of the fleet. 

After the winter Magnolia was so challenged we figured an extra blessing was in order.

One of our favorite stops in Hampton is, stet was Ice Cream Parlor. I am sad to report the it was not only the weather that was tough..it appears the parlor did not survive either.

One of the jobs I normally get done in the Abacos is a maintenance coat of varnish of the cap rail. The weather in the Abacos and then again during our stop in S.C. did not allow this job to get done.

Though the weather in the Hampton was hit and miss I did get a couple of coats of varnish laid down. Have to start with a good sanding of the existing varnish.

Magnolia is really ready for a complete strip down of the varnish but I just do not have time in the schedule to get it done…there is just too many other more fun things to do!!!

In the end the finished product met minimum requirements which is about all I can say!

Magnolia snuggled into the dock at Sunset Boating Center, Hampton

While Annette was away on her cousins weekend our friend Jim on SV Agape arrived. We met Jim in Black Point Exumas and have crossed paths along the way.

As Jim was on his way back to Toronto Canada and was preparing to go offshore to New York. It was great to catch up on our final night in Hampton.

Next we are off to Washington DC!

We depart Hampton VA for Washington DC in the AM. It is 183 miles and have days to complete…the goal being to keep the Admiral happy! I originally was hoping to do it in 3 travel days and keep one in reserve but I believe I might have be over optimistic. I do not think we will make it to Fairview Beach/Dahlgren till Weds… Hence no days to spare, We will see……

Please see part one:  “2016-05-13 Anchor Bridle–Storm Recap”

“THE SNUBBER — A snubber is simply a length of line used to take up strain on the anchor chain and acts as a shock absorber. When the wind is strong and pushing a boat back against it’s chain, higher peak loads are created that can cause the anchor to pull free; can cause serious damage to the boat’s windlass and fasteners; and may even damage interior joinery that the windlass is attached to. Also, the jerking motion can be extremely uncomfortable and noisy for those onboard.”

Prior to our January storm event we used the snubber depicted below. Having two lines cleated to the port and starboard bow cleats should always maintain a minimal strain on the chain to keep it secured to the bridle but making the bridle easy to remove in an emergency. We always left a great deal of slack in the chain causing the bridle plate to act as a cantilever with the chain draped over the ends. It clearly can be seen the safety provided by a quick release is also it failure point. We suspect our failure was both snubber lines became slack with the significant vertical motion of the bow the bridle was simply tossed off by the chain.

The settled upon solution perhaps goes to the other extreme in regards to maintaining a good connection to the chain. The “hook” is a Suncor Anchor Snubber purchased at Defender.com. The hook itself is made of 316 Stainless.

From the vendors website.

Magnolia’s implementation consists of the hook along with two 25ft –  1/2 inch 3 strand lines which I eye spliced over a stainless steel thimble. The Admiral made some easy to attach chaff guards out of “Shelter-Rite” attached using super strength velcro. I am monitoring the area near the thimbles for potential chaff from the chain but right now the chaff guards primarily intended for the deck chocks.

The second part of Magnolia’s implementation is a safety stop line incase the bridle fails. This is a standard 5/16th stainless chain hook also with 1/2 inch 3 strand line which I eye spliced over a stainless steel thimble.

Here the safety hook is attached to the chain and cleated to a bow cleat. This whole system I feel pushes the level of complication to a point where I may end up simplifying, perhaps by reducing the the snubber lines from two down to one. On the upside if we need to release the anchor in an emergency my trusty serrated line knife is always nearby! This is just the what we do aboard Magnolia. I am sure everyone has their own idea’s, this is just ours.

This blog post goes back to a short one I wrote in January “2016-01-08 Life Goes On“. That post was done on my phone so let me elaborate a little. As I was gathering material regarding anchor bridles I realized how little I had documented about January’s Storm in the Bahamas. Many in the Washington Capitol Region remember the Derecho that struck in June of 2012. As I recall there was more damage from that storm than from Irene or Sandy. As it happened I was alone aboard Magnolia at a dock in Galesville MD. I was literally tossed out of the centerline berth because of the significant roll Magnolia took in her slip…btw I do not attribute at all the 2 scotches and a cigar to me popping to my feet and asking myself “When did we get underway?” True story….

June 2012 North American derecho – This link documents the June 2012 event.

Fast forward to the January 2016 Georgetown Exuma Event. Magnolia was at anchor in Georgetown on the eastern side of Elizabeth Harbor at Sound Dollar Beach on the morning of event. Note: Generally speaking the prevailing trade winds come from the east but often times bad weather is coming from the west.

The Red mark indicates Sand Dollar Beach

The Blue mark indicates Kidd Cove

The Fuchsia mark indicates where we dropped our second anchor

There had been a front predicted to come through the area the evening of the January 6th so earlier in the day we relocated Magnolia from Sand Dollar Beach to Kidd Cove, essentially moving 1.25 miles to the W-SW to get in the lee. Magnolia anchored in 15 feet and deployed about 100 of our 225 feet of 5/16 chain. During the storm our bridle came loose allowing the strong winds to pull the additional 175 of chain through the gypsy and breaking safety line at the bitter end of our chain. Essentially setting Magnolia a drift in 50 knot winds. With the engine already running Annette managed to get the bow through the wind, avoiding many boats and not striking the point as we rounded. We managed to get our secondary anchor down in the middle of Elizabeth Harbor a short time later.  In my next post I will try and explain why I think our old bridle system failed and what modifications we have done to alleviate the problem in the future. Please note this is NOT a discussion of anchors or “we should haves.” It is what happened to us, why we think it happened what what we are doing to hopefully avoid in the future. Below are a couple of videos as well as a description from out weather router that re wrote the day after.

YouTube — Squall or derecho hits Normans Cay anchorage

YouTube — George Town Derecho

Wx Update, Bahamas & Florida, Thu7, 3pm

At this point of the trip its always easy to “smell the barn” and make a run for our homeport in Galesville but we fought the urge and have been handsomely rewarded!

I cannot say too often how great it was to meet our HAM Radio friends Dick and Judy in New Bern. We enjoyed that little town a great deal.

Upon our departure from New Bern we were rewarded with a lovely sail across the Pamlico Sound. 

It was also lucky we had our friends on Belle Bateau nearby who kindly captured us under sail…Thanks Cheryl Duvall

Our first stop was Campbell Creek and shared Happy Hour with Beth & Rip at their home. We met Beth & Rip last year at Hartges and they will be heading out on their Monk next year. I hate to report that the yacking went on to such and extent I did not get a picture….I am getting bad, more effort for pictures but perhaps I am just learning to live in the moment?

It was short passage to BelleHaven NC. We always try and stop here. It was one our earliest stops when we first departed in 2013.

We tried out a different marina this visit as well. River Forest Marina is under new management and the upgrades to the facility and ground are impressive.

We also NEVER miss an opportunity to dine at Spoon River (http://spoonrivernc.com/). This lovely restaurant is an amazing place for such a tiny town but they are definitely thriving. Above is pork chop on kale with cheesy grits..YUM.

We made a long day of it to position ourselves just south of the Albemarle Sound in “South Lake.” This is one of the most remote anchorages we find along the east coast.

There is nothing out there except one road miles away, no cell service, no nothing. We understand the most prevalent residents are the bears…we anchor a ways from shore for that reason…bears swim!

Here was a strange one….we had not planned to stop in Elizabeth City, NC but sadly as we approached the bridge was reported broken in the down position….not good if you are a sailboat with a 60ft mast. We moored and along with a number of other boats. Thankfully the repair was completed and passed the bridge the next morning. Note the bridge broke again just after we passed and understand the repair time is expected to be A LOT longer…got lucky!

Commiserating……

Making a break for the bridge…thanks Cheryl Duvall.

One of the few things Annette REALLY wanted to do was stop at Williams Strawberry Farm. Our plan was to moor after the South Mills Lock and before the bridge. As you can see lock is quite substantial since it raises us 8 feet to the level of the Dismal Swamp Canal.

After exiting the lock and entering the canal we moored about 1/4 mile south of the South Mills Bridge. Also note the Williams Strawberry Farm on the map…

A side note…if there was ever a Hurricane threatening this is where we would come. Being inside the lock there is no chance of storm surge. In addition the canal is narrow enough that would can stretch lines all the way across to secure the boat if it was going to be getting that rough. Keep this spot in the back of your mind…there is room for a 100 boats up in here…but I digress….

So as we were waiting for the lock we found out from Facebook the fields had been picked through of all the ripe berries…drats…not to worry, they still have strawberry ice cream along with other baked goods. So as we get lines across Annette again checks Facebook and is horrified to find that they have closed the store in the afternoon to give employees some time off…are you kidding me?

No to be defeated…we need to make the bridge opening the next morning at 0900 so we had but once option. Be at the store when they open at 0800 and then return to the boat for the 0900 opening . They even opened early for us…we grabbed a number of strawberry treats…and made the bridge opening.

Upon departing  South Mills we are onto the Dismal Swamp Canal proper.

Belle Bateau coming through the Dismal Swamp Canal

Magnolia underway in the Dismal Swamp Canal

Out first stop along the way is the North Carolina Dismal Swamp Visitor Center. This is a place where we can dock for the night and it is ALSO a great place for people to come meet us for the ride into Portsmouth VA!

This particular night there were a total of 9 boats docked and rafted out.

When you get a group together like this there is nothing to do but have a barbeque! Keep in mind we previously had only known one of the 9 boats!

Shortly after getting underway the following morning we were crossing the Virginia State Line.

The terminus of the Canal is just south of Norfolk so it is a short trip to Portsmouth, VA. My niece Lori and her husband live here and we will not pass by without atleast a brief stop. Yes, yapping and no pictures.

I did manage to capture the Admiral in front of the Norfolk skyline on the way back to Magnolia.

From Portsmouth it was onto Hampton.

First a brief anchorage at Point Comfort, next to Fort Monroe.

We actually belong to the Old Point Comfort Yacht Club and as it happens it was blessing of the fleet day. Magnolia is one boat that leaves nothing to chance so we made sure Magnolia was properly blessed!

As far as all those squiggles on the chart above..our friends Ted & Sally on Amici were coming by the area and we just had to cross the channel to say hello and get a picture or two…see you in Connecticut Ted & Sally!

Next week, Washington DC

Magnolia departed Osprey Marina with enthusiasm and with a little sadness after making such nice friends during our stay. We are hoping everyone can meet up in the Chesapeake before long though! B

Out recent passages take us out of South Carolina and a good portion along the North Carolina Coast. From Beaufort/Morehead City we turned more inland as the Inter-Coastal Waterway turns more inland towards Virginia.

Our first day passage was actually rather anti-climatic…it was nearly 2 miles! Magnolia had been at the dock for nearly 5 weeks so we wanted to get out on the hook and check things over to be sure all was in order before getting to far down the road. We checked out our mechanical to include stuffing box cooling and generator running along with our solar system and our updated ground tackle which I will cover in the next blog.  All was in order so the next morning we were underway in earnest and the day just became more and more exciting….

First though, this is my Captain Ron, “You do a good job, and you get a better job” picture. After 35 years you would have thought I could have gotten a better job than still swabbing the decks!

Our first day out was a little 25 mile hop up to Myrtle Beach Yacht Club. The term Yacht Club does not accurately describe the destination. The destination is though the current home of the previous purveyors of the “Jugg Handle Inn” @ routes 73 & 130 in New Jersey. The wings have not lost a beat in their trip south…but digress.

Our friends Joe and Christine Volpe from South Port saw the wing post and wanted it too! In addition our friends from Belle Bateau were making such good time they continued on and joined us as well!  (Photo Cheryl Duvall)

Anthony is obviously pontificating on some self described important issue and as usual the Admiral mesmerized by what she is hearing…..(Photo Cheryl Duvall)

As the evening was winding down it was decided since Joe was playing in a Golf Tournament in the morning that Christine should just stay aboard and supervise our passage to South Port. We had plied Christine with just the right amount of wine…enough for her to go along with the idea and not enough to make the trip uncomfortable. It was a great evening and morning passage….and on top of that, the weekend was just beginning!

Belle Bateau underway from Myrtle Beach on the ICW

Magnolia underway from Myrtle Beach (Photo Cheryl Duvall)

Magnolia and Belle Bateau had a lovely passage to South Port in spite of the occasional shoaling conditions along the NC Coast.

Our friends Jack and Kathy arrived from NJ soon after our arrival and we shared a terrific evening of comrade!

Joe had come up with a great idea to take car ferry across the Cape Fear River over to Carolina Beach…I will let the picture tell the story….

St James Plantation, where Joe & Christine live really rolled out the red carpet where we shared and an evening of live music under the stars!

A terrific evening as Jack enjoys some Terry’s Barbeque!

Kathy and Annette

The get together of the week end….these time go by just so very very fast! (Photo Cheryl Duvall)

Our final stop of the week is New Bern, NC It is the ancestral home of which product?

No Budweiser is NOT the correct answer. Just happens that the Clydesdales were in town we suspect for the Cherry Point Air Show occurring this weekend.

It certainly brought we think everyone in town and perhaps the surrounding 100 miles into to town for the show…we were sure glad we were not driving that is for sure.

The real reason we came to town was to take Dick & Judy to lunch…yup that’s the truth. Annette and I are both licensed amateur radio operators or HAMS as most know the term.  We count on the radio and those on the other end of the radio to provide information such as weather, sea conditions, basic communications and in an emergency, getting us the help we need. Dick and Judy are those people. We have spoken to them for the last 2 years all up and down the coast and from the Bahamas. They have helped with information on weather, bridge closures and even arranged for a mooring ball in St Augustine. If we were ever to get in trouble, Dick and Judy are the people we count on. We can not express to you enough how much we appreciate you!

Annette wanted to bring him home……

As far as the national product…yes, New Bern is the home of Pepsi Cola!

Okay, this article will have nothing to do with actually being on the move, it will simply try and catch up on the happenings since we have been standing still!!!

First and foremost we have enjoyed just being still and looking around us. The scenic beauty and the kind and friendly people have really made Osprey Marina a terrific stop. We nromally kept busy on boat chores mid week and took advantage of special weekend rates for rental cars. Every weekend I was picked up by a different driver. Most are retired gentlemen who moved to Myrtle Beach and wanted a part time job. I have enjoyed hearing each every story how they got here. The latest was the author of “The Boogeyman of Baltimore”, John F Riddick. Mr Riddick was a Baltimore Homicide Detective. I have not read YET but will report out

Nothing particularly striking from the above picture, just my view one afternoon from the “Man Cave.” Life is not so bad…

The section of the marina where we were moored is a bit out of the way so there was a golf cart available to run back and forth.

The best part, okay in my opinion was all the projects we got knocked out. Annette was tied to the sewing machine for 3 days taking care of a myriad of little jobs but the big one was shore power cable covers. We purchased a new set which use the newer Smart Connector. I will be writing next month about this new connection type.

We really did complete all of our stand-down maintenance with the exception of a couple if contractor required activities as well has a teak varnish and deck wax. Both of which I will get done in Maryland.

Another great thing about being stationary is that we had a number of sailing friends pass through this popular marina. Yes that’s ice cream…we are a wild gang!

Kindred Spirit came through and well maybe there is a trend here….

This is the view from our Happy Hour Porch. It was always fun to see which boat was going to come in next. The Trumpy above is owned by Greta Van Susteren. She of course was not board but a very handsome vessel none the less.

Our whole spring plan was based making sure we were at Annette’s nephew Byron and Alex’s wedding in Virginia. The location “forced” us to go right past our favorite Virginia Winery, Barboursville Winery. The winery and countryside is absolutely beautiful.

But then it was time to move onto the main event and sharing the special day with with Byron and Alex.

And yes here is a picture of your particular interpret cruisers in our NOT cruiser uniforms.

After a terrific weekend away it was great to finish it up with Happy Hour on our now familiar Happy Hour Porch. We will be getting underway in the AM so buckle up, its time to get moving!