Finally! After four days waiting out this low pressure system, it looks like we will get some relief late today and tonight. That means we’ll be back on our way tomorrow morning barring something unforeseen. We may opt to skip two of our intended stops to make up some lost time in the next two days. It was a very restless night last night. Wind gusts of 30kts+ all night made for some eerie noises in the rigging.
We took advantage of the moderating weather in the afternoon today to see to a few “domestic” chores before we get going again tomorrow morning. We managed to do all our laundry using the facilities at Zahniser’s marina which is only a short dinghy ride from the anchorage. We also got some needed exercise by taking a walk to a nearby grocery store and restocking on greens and fruit. It felt really good to move around more. Also, we got to take long hot showers in the very nice bathroom facilities at Zahniser’s. While we had plenty of hot water on the boat from having run the generator each day, we wanted to conserve on the water supply in our tanks and showers take up water. BTW – These last four days have been the most we’ve ever used our generator in 6 years. Normally our solar panels can keep up (or at least keep close) with our daily needs, but we’ve had nothing but cloud cover here for the last 5 days. Tomorrow we finally expect to see some sun again.
Lastly, we were able unexpectedly accomplish another task – we voted! Before we left, we realized we’d be long gone from Maryland by the time election day rolled around. We applied online for Maryland absentee ballots hoping we’d be able to download them from Maryland’s election website, print them out on the boat, fill them out, and then drop them at a post office somewhere along our way. We both got email notices yesterday afternoon that the absentee ballots were ready and were able to print them, vote and drop them in the mail today. We’d tell you who we voted for, but we’d then have to start a whole new blog site just for that discussion…
It’s about 4PM in the afternoon right now and the weather has improved a lot. Still no sun, and we expect more rain this evening and at night, but the near gale force wind gusts have finally abated. Looking very forward to tomorrow.
9 Responses
here is another question. Do you know if any of the bridges over the icw have web cams. It would be cool to see the cghost going under one. Just a thought.
That’s a good question I hadn’t thought of. I’ll investigate.
Sorry weather has been tough to wait out. Couped up with limited ability to stretch ones legs can get tedious. Here is a question. As you are navigating for extended times and you are out and about on the deck or in the steerage if that is what it is called are you wearing your life vests. Just curious. With the picture of tom performing routing I see the coffee cup proudly displayed. Be safe on the next leg. Btw a few folks have asked for you web portal. Happily provided to them.
Matt – Our life jacket rules: Always wear them if underway at night, regardless of conditions. Wear them when leaving the cockpit to go up on deck while underway. Discretion while in the cockpit (during daylight) depending on conditions. We have all sailing control lines led back to the cockpit, so we rarely have to go up on deck while underway. So happy you noticed the coffee mug. Paula wondered how many people would.
Tom and Paula , we certainly hope the weather on your part of the Bay is better than in the Magothy. Thurman and I left about noon to head to Fells Point for their festival. Raining all the way. Got almost as far as the Key Bridge, then we hit something. Caused a lot of vibrations. We are limping back to Ferry Point. Hopefully , it’s something Mark can fix and won’t delay our departure South.
Looking forward to seeing how far you make it today!!
Paula… That shot in the dink makes it look like Tommy set you adrift! Hope that wasn’t the case! Close quarters on board on a weather delay can test ones patience with their beloved! LOL Safe journey tomorrow!
Rich
Thanks for your concern over my safety, Rich. If you look closely at Poltergiest’s bow there is a thin black line-this is my tenuous connection to terra firma. So far Tom and I have been able to stay out of each other’s hair- for the most part. (Wink.)
Hello, We’re at Ferry Point Marina (arrived shortly before you left) and will be following you down the ICW. We’re going with a group, ICWALLY.COM, departing Hampton October 17th and scheduled to arrive in Miami on December 15th. Good luck with your trip and we’ll be following you!
Thanks Rob. Hopefully you’ll have better luck with the weather than we have thus far. We hope to be in Norfolk by early next week.