NORFOLK, VA: Battleship Haven

The s/v American Rover!

Waterside Marina, Norfolk Va

Docked at Waterside Marina, we've met many cruisers who are making their way to bahama, and the caribbean. While here we are seizing the opportunity to visit the sights. Battleship USS Wisconsin is the star of the show but there are many lovely 2 and three masted schooners which have been refitted. What a place!

The Bow of the USS Wisconsin built in 1950's served through to the Gulf War!

 

Norwegian S/V Statsraad Lehmkhul

We are docked at the Waterside Marina in Norfolk Va. The mecca for all things ship-like! This Norwegian vessel is a leadership training vessel for Norway's sea cadets. It arrived a day before us and was heading up to Baltimore next morning. I'd hate to be the guy on the ropes of this monster...

 

Feathery Freeloader!

It amazes me that so far from land we can be boarded by some cute little exhausted birdies! One rainy day in Ìn Newfoundland, a little sparrow landed on Voyageur`s deck then crawled behind our helmsperson to stay out of the wind till his wings dried. Once drier and stronger, he would fly short distances on board and finally; strong enough, he flew away!
This little fellow joined us on our way up York River. He stayed with us for half an hour hopping around the deck and lifelines till he finally got the strength to fly away. That evening at anchor we identified him with the help of our Audubon Society's" Birds of the North America " book. He is a crimson crown kinglet, olive green with a crimson tuft that is only visible when he is aroused or (in this guy`s case...cold and fearful!)

Cold Weather Sailing

 Since Hurricane Sandy passed the weather has taken a turn. It is cold! Sailing down the Chesapeak, the winds have been favourable but we need to dress for it!We anchored at  Grog Island picking our way between sticks that the locals had impaled in the seabed demarcating the sandy shoals.WE enjoy a warm supper and hot tea because once we get to bed, we must wear lots of clothing . WE have had to add another Hudson's Bay Blanket to our bed!


A good time at Anchor in the Chesapeak

Time at anchor with nice weather is an opportunity to tend to those "Odd jobs"..like...

Installing the treadmaster on the aft deck.....

 

 

Installing the 150 gallon fuel tank and pump...

and ...installing the 10 gallon water heater...

AAAHHHHH...a warm shower at last!

What to do while awaiting the passing of a Hurricane

Carol sews the liner for the wet locker

Ken installs the rope lights - portside

LAUNDRY- Now you see it...



...Now you don't!
 

A "Happy" Hurricane Experience!

Although Sandy packed a 60+ knot punch,
Voyageur, Ken and I fared quite well!

What a relief...unscathed!

Wye River, MD: Making Ready for Hurricane "Sandy"

 

Once we learned that the wind was to
be moving around to the North,
moved voyageur to a more
sheltered anchorage and began
strapping down anything that moved!



 

As Ken continued, the winds
began to build. We had arrived to our "hurricane hole"just in time!

35 knots and building.....

All we have to do now is ...watch the barometer, download the latest Passage Weather, do hourly inspections or rigging, monitor the chartplotter check if our 55Kg ROCNA is dragging...etc.  (All in 35-60 knots of biting wind)

Clipping On !
 

Every things A-OK!

St Michael's Maritime Museum

At this Marine Museum, rotted and forlorn past century ships are restored to their previous lustre.



Ken tries his luck with the oyster tongs. 8 foot pincers
used to harvest oysters at the turn of the century

Not bad for your first try!



Wild weather on the high seas...
not quite the proper attire!

This 2 inch diameter barrel shotgun is almost
as large as the boat. (Duck hunters ??)

St .Michael's, MD ...A "must-see"...

St Michael's Marina, MD

 From Shaw Bay, Ken and I motored 1 1/2 hours to St Michaels in 78 degree weather! Dockmaster, Michael (not related to the Archangel) catered to our every need. Great amenities and a postive atmosphere, gave St Michael's a special place in our memories. We walked the charming town, visited the museum, provisioned and enjoyed a delicious steak dinner with a dockside view aboard Voyageur!

Shops & Boutiques at St. Michaels

Cruising Life

Getting a long overdue haircut

 I always find it surprising that when some boat owners discover that we are live-aboard cruisers, they ask us if we ever get bored. How can one get bored when your destination changes daily, one must still carry on normal day to day tasks as well as fitting in boat maintenance, the occasional visit to a barber and sewing a new bimini?  I cut Ken's hair, he cuts mine. We help each other with boat maintenance and sewing tasks.....It's a team effort! It's fun!  It's never boring!

Reviewing the finished product

Summer in October!

What a treat! Summer weather in Maryland! We left Selby Bay to continue our cruise the Chesapeak. Across the shipping lane we headed for Shaw Bay.  Rounding a peninsula dappled with lovely homes, we anchored in 15 feet of water, weather was warm and the scenery was glorious. The next 2 days were forecasted to be in the high 70's. Yesterday, the mercury climbed to 83 degrees F! WE took advantage of this beautiful weather and enjoyed two beautiful sunsets!


 

Selby Bay Marina, Maryland

Since the Annapolis Boat Show on Thanksgiving weekend, Ken & I have had a marvellous time! We were joined by our good friends Joan & Bruce, visiting from Barrie! Kindly, they drove us back to Toronto for a long awaited visit with Mom & Dad Gillstrom and our two wonderful children! During that week-long whirlwind visit, I had a special priviledge to teach a few dance classes at BDC, organise a few things and catch up with friends. Bussing back to Selby Bay, we found Voyageur 10.10 safe and sound as we left her 7 days earlier! Thank You, Selby Bay Marina!

 

Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron - Regatta Day!

See the number of vacant slips?.... That's because It's Regatta Day!

Ken and I met the bifurcation Buoy that lead us along the Northwestern Arm of Halifax Harbour. Midway down the channel, they arrived in droves! 20 - 30 sailing yachts; all shapes, all sizes, all tacking toward us criss-crossing the narrow channel. I, was at the helm and Ken was my fearless navigator. We were thinking on our feet! "Speed up, take this one's stern!" "Slow Down.", "Stay center,"" Wait for this one,", " Take this one's stern then immediately make a sharp turn to port!" These were welcomed comments that helped Voyageur, under power, avoid any mishap! It was a whirlwind! It was exhilarating! It was nerve wracking! At 3:00 it was over. Too bad we hadn't made that bifurcation buoy 1 hour sooner or 20 minutes later!

Carol's Favourite shift is 3 to 6 am!

Day breaks after an overnighter from Bras D'Or Lakes, enroute to  a quiet anchorage off Hope Island

Voyageur Students are used to shifts of; 4hours on, 4 hours off when passage making, but by ourselves, Ken and I have found 3 hour shifts suit our sleep habits best. In our past lives, I, being a dance teacher have always been active 9-12 midnight, arriving home to Ken; already asleep! Ken has always been an early riser, so 6am is never a problem. Midnight to 3 am suits him just fine. Therefore, I have the pleasure of a beautiful sunrise...Seeing the new day beginning uplifts my spirits!  

 

 





Morning After Hurricane Leslie

St.Peter's Lions Club Yacht Club, at the cuff of the Bras D'Or Lakes

The day before Hurricane Leslie, Ken and I set a breast anchor, snugged up all lines and prepared for the worst. Happy to report Hurricane Leslie had little effect where we were.  What a glorious morning!

Port aux Basque and Ramea Island