After Magnolia anxiously waited for hurricane Joaquin to pass by and remaining unscathed we were grateful and looking forward to visiting our friends Joe & Christine in Southport, NC and then heading back to D.C. for my cousins wedding.

We had a terrific visit with Joe and Christine who always make us feel so very welcomed every time we visit. This visit was not different! Thank you so very much.

Our next planned stop was Myrtle Beach, SC where we planned to leave Magnolia while we returned to DC for the wedding. As we traveled south we became aware that because of the floods we were unable to get under the bridge 1 mile before the marina we planned to leave Magnolia. “Are you kidding me?” We normally have 5 feet to spare but with 7 feet of flood waters we were out of luck. As were looking for a place to leave Magnolia we received a message that the father of the groom passed away. Oh no! We found a place to leave Magnolia and then called to get a rental car to drive back to DC. We found out because of the floods there were no cars to be found in SC. “Are you kidding me?”  Our friends Joe & Christine were so very kind to come pick us up and take is back to NC where we could get a car. We were off immediately for DC for whatever awaited or how we might help but at least to celebrate the marriage of my cousin and his finance. After arriving in DC the grooms mother passed away 4 days after her husbands. I am not kidding you…

After celebrating a lovely weekend wedding and spending time with my cousins and other family we returned to Magnolia and found our friends Al & Michelle of MV Kindred Spirit at the marina upon our return. Joe and Christine drove back down and the 6 of us spent a lovely evening of camaraderie which was exactly what the doctor ordered.

Magnolia & Kindred Spirit both proceeded on to Charleston where we arrived this afternoon. I will be heading back to Washington for the weekend while the Admiral Annette looks after Magnolia. Prayers gladly welcomed and appreciated.

We departed our homeport of Galesville, MD on Labor Day and have faced days of challenging weather the whole trip and most recently a near miss by Hurricane Joaquin. We have been moored to a floating dock Some may have seen the below on Facebook.

Published by Anthony W Baker · September 30 at 1:12pm · Edited ·

Magnolia is going to ride out the Joaquin “event” in Swansboro NC. We are moored at a municipal concrete floating dock with a double width slip. Sails secured, lines ready and enclosure down tomorrow as forecast warrants. Family and land refuge walking distance away. Current metric is 8 models pass over or south of Cape Hatteras. This is our metric for things looking better or looking worse! Vessel & Crew are well.

Published by Anthony W Baker · September 30 at 8:00pm ·

Sadly our storm model metric took a bad hit this afternoon. Over 20 models indicate Joaquin will pass south and west of Cape Hatteras. That is certainly a negative for us but we are preparing the best we can and will head for safety at the appropriate time…promise. Still a ways off, so we will see.

Published by Anthony W Baker · October 1 at 9:02am ·

09:00 Well there is good news and very little news. Because of the complexity of this storm we still do not know where or IF Joaquin will come ashore. That is the little news. The good news is about half of the ensemble models show him heading offshore. That pulls the consensus estimate off shore which is good news. Preparations continue with the enclosure curtains removed last evening. Vessel and crew well.

Published by Anthony W Baker · October 1 at 5:06pm ·

17:00 The news continues in a favorable direction. Granted we are one model run from the story changing but at least at this moment things are looking a bit more favorable. Granted its a little subjective looking at the wider model population but there is no arguing the NOAAs forecast has moved east…keep your fingers crossed this trend continues!

Published by Anthony W Baker · October 2 at 9:32am ·

09:30 – Friday We have a big sense of relief on Magnolia this morning that it appears most of our preparations will not be required as our Jaoquin event continues to move off shore. As our weather guy Chris Parker said, “Could Joaquin still hit US E Coast? It would take a major surprise to bring Joaquin to the US E Coast.” Music to our ears! Thanks for all the good thoughts and keep your fingers crossed!

HOPEFULLY we will get a break enough in the weather to start moving again tomorrow, wish us luck! Vessel and Crew are well.