Going south land yacht style 2023

Fri Oct 13 An auspicious day to start the land yacht voyage. Up and out just past 0900, headed to the Annapolis Sailboat show. Had packed yesterday for a 2 week trip with weather from 55° to 85°, and that's only the predicted for the first week. Not much traffic and got down to Annapolis in ~ 2 hrs. Parked at the Navy Football Stadium (had bought parking pass ahead of time). They had school buses shuttling us to the boat show. Went right in, no line at the entrance by Pusser's. Had a blast, saw Dave and Erin Townley, Dave was at the Jeanneau booth and Erin at the Excess catamaran booth. Talked to someone at Rochna about anchors, Raymarine re: getting nav info below, checked out a parasail spinnaker, saw Chuck O’Malley, who was not a fan and gave an example of someone on a 57’ Hylas that was going around the world and ended up packing it away as it did not perform better than an asymm. Looked at the mattress companies, bought my 2023 Boat Show T-shirt, had a lovely lunch of 4 grilled/chilled shrimp and cream of crab soup (lots of crab) from Latitude 38°, while Laz had a hot dog. Pretty much walked the whole show, got on board a Hanse, which was fine but not special, a Jeanneau to ask about the barber haul type system and the Dufour 41 and 37 (met the owner of the 37 who is putting it for charter in the Caribbean. She’s a real estate agent in South Jersey at the shore.)

Stopped by Redbeard Sailing to check on how to properly trailer our Takacat. Asked how to put the patches and D rings back on, Alex aka Redbeard recommended this vinyl cement. There is a video online with good instructions on how to roll and store in the bags as well. Said hi to Marcus as well and told stories of how much we love *Boji*. The vinyl cement can be used to put *Boji's* name on, when we have the letters cut.

Absolutely gorgeous boat show day in the high 60’s with light breeze. Found all the water bottle refill stations as well. Stopped by *Pride of Baltimore ll* to say hi to Shevawn, the Senior Mate we met in HdG. We kept missing them in Maine and on the Chesapeake when under sail.

Crazy Eastport bridge selfie. We had arranged to meet Cate and David from *Noeta* for dinner. We had hoped to meet at Carroll’s Creek but they were closed for a private party. Met instead at Boatyard, where I was able to try their oysters frites, delicious and juicy fried oysters.

Shared a delicious crab and artichoke dip

I had a lovely fresh grouper special, grilled with asparagus over mashed potatoes. Yum! Had a fabulous time catching up with Cate and David and discussing boat show finds, good tidbits learned etc. They are headed to Zimmerman’s in Matthews on Mobjack Bay to be hauled out with things to be done. Then flying home to NZ for Cate’s father's 90th birthday. They were shocked when we picked up the tab, our treat as our exchange rate is 1:1. David always jokes about his Pacific pesos with the current exchange rate for NZ $. Got a Lyft back to the Navy Stadium parking lot (the busses are done at 7:30p) and drove to the Hampton Inn in Easton for this first leg. Excellent day!

Sat Oct 16 Headed off to Duck to Miriam and Mike Rollin’s house. Rainy day, drive through drizzle and heavy rain too. Drove on the Chesapeake Bay Bridges and through the tunnel. Passed the spot where we sailed over in April. It was so rainy it was hard to see the water, although you could tell the wind was blowing a bit. Not many boats out. Got there in ~ 5 hours.

Stopped at Mod Pizza in Norfolk just before we got on I-64 for a quick bite. Got to Sandcastle, Miriam and Mike's house by 5pm.

Hung out in their turret, as Miriam calls it, for the view of the ocean. Enjoyed some multicolor carrots with hummus and cheese and crackers.

The rain let up enough for us to take a walk. We headed over to the beach.

US Army Corps of Engineers Field Research facility in the distance. You can see their pier and tower.

Of course there were plovers. At least I think they were plovers

This little one stopped to let me snap a photo

We walked across the main road to the Currituck Sound side, where there is a boardwalk. This is as much of a sunset photo as I got

More of the Currituck Sound close to the boardwalk.

A pair of heron squawked and one landed on the roof here. Quite dark by the time we got back to the house. We ended up walking over 4 miles, which was delightful after a long car ride.

Mike made a delicious veggie lasagna. Along with salad and bread, finished with some lower sugar Swedish ice cream and Voortman dark chocolate cookies.

Sun Oct 17 Miriam made us scrambled eggs served with cheese, toast and berries. Their child, Sam, had recently made apple butter, it was delicious! We headed off to New Bern.

It was overcast and windy, a chilly 60°.

Going over the Croatan Sound. The road kill here are seagulls.

The Alligator River. Didn't see any alligators.

Traffic came to a halt. I got out to see what was going on. There is a drawbridge!

*Le Grand Petit Prince*, a lovely Beneteau

All through and the swing bridge closing. Time to get back in the car.

Stopped at a rest area to use the head. We are in black bear country! Stopped at River Dunes to check out this planned marina and community. There are several parcels left. It is far from everything, about an hour from New Bern and 1/2 hr from Oriental. Had a nice talk with Scott, the dockmaster. The marina has floating docks and it is a purposely built hurricane hole. Stopped and picked up literature. We had learned about it at the Annapolis Sailboat show last year. Headed into New Bern and ran into Mum Fest, apparently a big weekend there. Streets closed off, music, vendors, food trucks, a big party.

Checked into The Aerie B&N and the lovely Kennebec room at around 5pm. Very comfortable chairs to relax in, a nice TV with Hulu, a lovely Jacuzzi tub/shower. They had cute complimentary water bottles and a snack room with two cockatiels, Kevin (who looks like Pern) and Steve (who looks like Zazu). Kevin and Steve were not snacks though.

Found out that my dear friend Linda Garrison Ragsdale died suddenly this morning. She drew this a few years ago and shared with me on Facebook.

Linda survived so much, including a terrorist shooting in Mumbai and Stage 3 breast cancer. I am having a hard time believing she is not with us still. An amazing woman, generous of heart, mind and soul. I will miss her very much.

Linda founded Peace Dragons after she recovered from her gun shot wounds. Walking the streets of New Bern, I found this and it made me smile, thinking of her

Drowned my sorrows in crab nachos, shared with Laz

Also had a salad with fried goat cheese and grilled shrimp.

Laz enjoyed the brisket, a Mum Fest special

We shared a butter cake with fresh strawberries and whipped cream. Walked back to The Aerie and enjoyed some chamomile tea in our room while watching Giants and Buffalo. Will be off to Wilmington tomorrow

Mon Oct 16. Delicious breakfast at The Aerie. Wish I had a picture, but I was having an enjoyable phone free breakfast. Perfect scrambled eggs with a delicious pork sausage that tasted like 1/2 scrapple, 1/2 sausage and pumpkin spice pancakes. We are not pumpkin spice fans, but this was delicately seasoned, light and fluffy with a dollop of whipped heavy cream and warmed maple syrup. Had a lovely chat with the server about raising chickens. Drove to Morehead City to check out the marina that Steve from Tidewater Marina and West Marine brings his boat to in the winter. Right now only motor yachts, large, larger and giant Viking type boats. No services there and boats need to be evacuated if hurricane warning is in effect.

We then took the local road near the water and stopped in Atlantic Beach NC at Crab’s Claw for nice waterfront lunch. I had a mahi sandwich and Laz had a grouper sandwich, both were generous portions. I took the rest of mine out with the leftover fries and onion rings. Not sure I will be able to eat them later but you never know.

Boats out enjoying the lovely day and good breeze. Drove down the beach road on the barrier islands, but you really couldn't see much water due to the homes on both sides. Caught back up with the main roads and made it to Wilmington in early afternoon.

The Residence Inn Landfall has a lovely house cat. Not allowed inside but very sweet and greets you outside. And smart enough to avoid the parking lot. The senior rate made this lovely spacious room with full kitchen one of our least expensive, about $145.

Made it over to Casa Blanca, a local coffee roaster before they closed for the evening. Got a 1/2 cafe roast which they ground for pour over for me.

Went to the Riverfront Historic District of Wilmington to Nikki's Fresh Gourmet & Sushi. Our waitress was bored as there was no one in the restaurant until we walked in. Then after we came in several other parties followed. I had a delicious Naruto roll which was salmon, tuna, hamachi and avocado wrapped in cucumber, plus a tempura zucchini roll.

Took a walk along the waterfront at sunset. Lovely view of Battleship North Carolina

Walking back to our car, we went into a cool leather shop called The Quartermaster. All different local artists represented. Hats, bags, belts, wallets. I ordered a replacement for my little wallet. Laz will send his belt for repair. Got a nifty T shirt for Jon B-D. Back to the Residence Inn after a lovely evening.

Tue Oct 17 After a great night's sleep (awesome bed with extra blanket), we had a quick breakfast then on the road to Beaufort SC. Took the road closer to shore, but traffic accident past Myrtle Beach so we ended up going back to the highway. About a 5+ hour drive. Checked in at the Hampton Inn in Beaufort then headed over to Susan and Steve Price’s house. Beautiful home on Gibbs Island. They are near the end of the road and on the water. We walked out their dock, and you could look across to Parris Island. Enjoyed appetizers at the house, then headed into town for dinner at the Old Bull Tavern.

Laz had the low country chicken, which was delicious, but brought on a long case of his esophageal spasm. He's not had one in a while, and took a few Altoids and some time to resolve.

I had the duck with butternut squash. Yum!

Took a walk down the beautiful waterfront there down to the marina, managed by our favorite Safe Harbor.

Got a nice picture of the Lasley cousins before saying good night. Susan and Steve are off to California to see the grandkids (Bryan's)

Wed Oct 18. Headed down the road aways to Jupiter, FL, around a 6 1/2 hour drive down the East Coast of FL. A lovely warm day, which is a great change up for us.

Driving into Jupiter it looked like a bouquet of cranes. Got to the Fairfield Inn on Indiantown Road, got to our room on the first floor with luggage and…it smelled like wet dog. My nose was twitching. Went back to the front desk and he switched us to a third floor room. The only one available was handicapped accessible, but it was nice and spacious.

Met Mark and Leeann Ebel at Lucky Shuck, along this beautiful waterfront on the Loxahatchee River across from the Jupiter Inlet lighthouse. Mark lived on Saugatuck Island when Laz was a teen, and Leeann grew up in Central Florida. Had a wonderful dinner, starting with smoked wings…amazing tasting.

Rock shrimp picatta with artichokes , tomatoes and broccoli. Laz ate his dish (I think it was swordfish) so quickly I didn't get a photo

Gorgeous and delicious key lime pie. Took most of both dinner and dessert home as the portions were generous

Lighthouse is beautiful as the sun was setting

Laz had a strawberry shortcake dulce de leches which was too sweet for me. Mark and his wife were kind enough to treat us to dinner. Mark is a realtor and Leeann manages the properties.

Photo in front of the lighthouse after dark. We had a lot of fun with Dan and Mark catching up. Had a short walk along the waterfront before heading back to the Fairfield Inn. Punta Gorda tomorrow!

Thu Oct 19 The drive from Jupiter to Punta Gorda crosses through sod farms, cattle farms and all kinds of land. All at 60+ MPH one lane each way. It was a little freaky to pass in these conditions, as there is a bit of mirage effect. Is that an 18 wheeler barreling down? Or just a mirage. Nevertheless, I persisted, and was able to pass a couple of cars going just at or below the speed limit. Spoke with Barb, as we were hoping to go to her riding lesson. Turns out Skip is in the hospital with a tachyarrythmia and on IV amiodarone. Not great signal in the middle of FL, but via text found out they were able to switch him to PO metoprolol and would hopefully be sent home in the evening. He did NOT want to stay as he had very little sleep since arrival. Google routed us around Arcadia, where there was some kind of traffic, and then onto US 17, the same US 17 we traveled on the east coast of NC. Turns out that is the road to GG’s house! We got to the SpringHill Suites by 1p and were able to check in and unload all our gear. Went to get a quick lunch at Toula’s, the Greek restaurant and picked up some fancy chocolate at Haley Chocolates. Mom was supposed to be home by 2 from cribbage so we headed over to her place around 3p. Skip was discharged home, but he and Barb were unlikely to join us for Friday daytime activities. They planned to meet us at Riviera Bar and Grill for dinner on Friday night.

Had a lovely catch up in the condo, and admired the view from the lanai.

Headed over to Ichi Hibachi for dinner. It’s relatively new, opened a year or so ago. Extremely fast service and delicious sushi!

Beautiful moon, about 1/2, not captured well by my phone. Kids got in around 11:30p, Jacqui was dropped off to stay with GG at Emerald Pointe.

Fri Oct 20 Due to the late night arrival of the kids, the plans were mellow and loose. The kids were up bright and early, and we met them downstairs for breakfast.

Jasnah likes to take pictures and then review her work

Went to the Peace River Wildlife Center when it opened at 11amand saw the many birds and animals there. This is Luna, the leucistic screech owl who was outside her cage and greeting visitors. Luna is unable to survive in the wild as she does not have the protective coloration that screech owls depend on. She is leucistic, not albino, as the pigment in her iris is normal, she is missing melanocytes.

Excellent grouper salad at Harpoon Harry’s at Fisherman's Village. Took Tristan for a walk along the docks. He shared that he is not a strong swimmer, and was happy to hold hands while.looking at boats. We got to see one boat leave, with a little girl on it. She, Madison, and Tristan exchanged names at her mother's behest. Adorable.

Laz and I took Tristan for a walk to Harbor Scoops in Laishley Park. He enjoyed his strawberry ice cream with gummies and mini M&Ms while looking at boats. He was quite interested in the powerful engines.

Found a rainbow sail for Tristan on this American 14.6

We got our traditional funny face selfie

Walked back to the hotel along the docks and got the dock selfie

When we got back to the hotel, Jasnah was done with her nap. I was going to walk back to the Haley Chocolate shop to get a key for the pretty chocolates. Ben, Yanessa, Tristan and Jasnah joined me on the walk

Apparently Jasnah likes skulls, so we got her one. Tristan chose a peanut butter and jelly as well as a strawberry I think. Ben and Yanessa also got a pick.

Mahi tacos from Riviera Bar and Grill with onion frizzles like the ones from Moon's Landing. So good! Barb was able to join for dinner but not Skip.

Went outside to feed the fish and found this sunset view

We fed them fries and frizzles and then one of the waiters told us that they love shrimp tails. We had plenty of those at the table so went back out with those.

The snook were large and snapped up the shrimp tails.

Seagulls were looking for some of the food too, circling at sunset with the crescent moon behind

Talking and waiting to talk. And a little eating

Barb and Jacqui took Mom home and we went back to the hotel to hang out with the kids. Tristan read us a story.

Then it was Grandpa's turn to read a story before we said goodnight.

Sat Oct 21 Plan was for a pool party and lunch at Barb’s today followed by dinner at the Emerald Pointe Bistro. Went for a fast walk with Dan down the waterfront path

Stopped at a gazebo where there was a Tai Chi class just on the other side of the path.

Some beautiful flowers along the way. Laz reminded me that there was a farmer's market in town. Ran up to the hotel room to get cash and went to check it out. Got a few honeycrisp apples and some sweet clementines as well as a small banana mango pineapple loaf from Grammie’s Cakes. After picking out our cake, the older gentleman at the booth asked us to pick out a handmade quilted bag that we would like. They come with the cake and are just perfect to put the cake in. I thought it would be lovely for Jasnah.
The Swimming party at Barb and Skip’s was a success, with both kids having a ball jumping in. Tristan learned how to balance and use the pool noodle so he and I played cowboys on our horses aka pool noodle. Jasnah enjoyed the play watering can and splashing. GG and Jacqui brought oatmeal chocolate chip cookies that GG made, which were a big hit at lunch. After lunch, we went to see the neighbor's donkeys and feed them apples. Wanted to see the chickens but could not find them. Barb gave Tristan a ride on the tractor and even let him drive a short bit. I didn't get my usual walk with Barb; everyone went back to the hotel or GGs for a rest before dinner.

Before any dinner, we got our sunset photo outside the Bistro. Had a delicious dinner ( Laz and had a lovely chicken piccata) and watched the kids demolish their spaghetti and meatballs.

And then there was birthday cake, for Barb’s birthday (which is on Sunday). Tristan enjoyed sitting right next to the action.

Both Jasnah and Tristan were fascinated by Sweet Girl. Tristan informed me that his Mom is allergic to cats. He also really enjoyed the grandfather clock chimes.

Jasnah allowed GG to hold her which was marvelous. It was a busy day so we went back to the hotel for sleep. More fun in the morning!

Sun Oct 22, Barb’s birthday. Brunch wasn't until 11:30 so I took the opportunity to give Jasnah the little bag from the farmer's market

Going south land yacht style 2023

Alaska 2016