We have all been home now for a week. It seems like it's been longer since we all went our separate ways.
Mike and I sent a copy of our pictures to Rick and in return Rick has sent us all his pictures. He has been very busy this past week with editing photo's and also with Google map.
Awesome job Rick with mapping not only our journey, but each day and each marina/restaurant we went to.
Thank you again. Can't wait to see the slide show!
To see the video's of NYC skyline, Norfolk, VA and the Crew Interview, please visit the following link: http://rksthoughts.blogspot.com/2010/10/skipper-bobs-video-in-new-york-city.html
Rick, the Zweigle's white hot's (unique to Rochester, NY) we promised are on there way. You must grill these, and wait for them to POP open. They are the best with a little spicy mustard and ketchup. DO NOT BOIL them!
Let us know what you think!
Thank you again to all our family, friends, new friends and followers. It has been awesome to share our journey with you.
Mike and I are always amazed how boating brings together people who's paths would never have otherwised crossed. Those new found friendships/relationships are both amazing and forever lasting.
Our Trip via Gogal Map
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Skipper's Notes - The Road Runner Voyage Home 2010
Geneva, NY (September 21) to Palm city, FL (October 1)
The journey took 10 1/4 days to travel, 1839 miles at an average speed of 17.5 mph or approximately 105 hours of running.
Time, an average of 10 hours per day. The fall trip was approximately 180 miles longer (1 day) then the Spring trip due primarily to less time in the Atlantic and the necessity to use the Delaware and Chesapeake Bay, ICW route.
The Road Runner averaged .8 mile per gallon of diesel fuel and consumed nearly 2200 gallons on the trip. At $3.00 average per gallon, the thirsty vessel costs an average of $3.75 in fuel for each mile traveled or a total of approximately $6,900 in fuel alone to complete the trip or $690 per day average. As the adage says's "A boat is a hole in the water that you keep pouring money into!"
Highlights:
1- The "Crew" Performance:
Mike Ragan - 1st Mate/Chief Engineer/Relief Helmsman - Nickname - Gilligan. He even does windows and washes the boat exterior!
Kim Ragan - Navigator/Blog Editor/Log Keeper, etc - Nickname - Radar Annie. Every crew should be so lucky!
Rick Kreiselman - Relief Navigator/Chief Photographer/Audio and Video Assistant to the Skipper - Nickname - Renegade Rick. Limited Prior Boating experience - Learned fast and filled many gaps!
2- The "Road Runner" - performed almost flawlessly and kept on Cruisin! A Comfortable Home on the Water.
3 - People we met along the way, who went out of their way to help us! Examples:
Jim at the Crescent Boat Club
Frank, Sue and Sue at the Top Rack Marina
Mr P and Sue in Myrtle Beach
4 - The Manhattan Skyline at Night!
5 - The Marina's and Restaurants we visited (and in some cases "discovered")!
6 - The "Blog" - A wonderful way to keep our friends and families informed of our progress and well being! Thanks Kim!
7 - Kim and Mike's Anniversary dinner in Norfolk!
Lowlights:
1 - The Erie Canal - while often offering spectacular scenery, it's predominant 10 mph speed limit makes
it seems endless and tedious!
2 - Lincoln Harbor Marina in NYC - closing it's fuel dock 15 minutes before our arrival - forcing the skipper to slow down to stretch fuel mileage to reach Atlantic City the next day.
3 - The "Pea Soup" fog in NYC preventing good views and photo's of the Statue of Liberty and making
the trip to Cape May much more intense and difficult!
4 - Gilligan gaining additional nickname of "Slow Poke" and "Spend Thrift" while negotiating heavy seas
in the Chesapeake Bay and disturbing the Skippers' rest period.
5 - The early morning departure from Swansboro, NC when poor visibility and conflicting advice from
all three crew members at once caused the skipper to stop the vessel and wait for more daylight to proceed. (Brilliant!)
6 - The heavy rain encountered from Tropical Storm Nicole in the Wilmington and Myrtle Beach area!
7 - The "Big Bump" that Gilligan subjected us to from the wake of a Casino Boat.
8 - Wake warning's from "Heute Teute" marinas in affluent ICW communities, and South Carolina permitting residents to erect "No Wake" signs that are enforceable.
9- A waitress in a C&D Canal Marina restaurant continually referring to our crew as "Youse Guys".
Skipper Bob (Cap'n Bligh) wants to thank Mike, Kim and Rick for making this journey one of the easiest he has ever experienced as Captain of the various Road Runners through the years. As he grows even older and less willing and able to undertake such maritime adventures, he will fondly remember this trip as the most relaxing, due to the crew's competence and abilities, and their constant attention to duty and to assisting the Skipper willingly and pleasantly whenever requested and seemingly enjoying the adventure and experience as much as I did!
Sincerely
Bob Henderson, Skipper
The journey took 10 1/4 days to travel, 1839 miles at an average speed of 17.5 mph or approximately 105 hours of running.
Time, an average of 10 hours per day. The fall trip was approximately 180 miles longer (1 day) then the Spring trip due primarily to less time in the Atlantic and the necessity to use the Delaware and Chesapeake Bay, ICW route.
The Road Runner averaged .8 mile per gallon of diesel fuel and consumed nearly 2200 gallons on the trip. At $3.00 average per gallon, the thirsty vessel costs an average of $3.75 in fuel for each mile traveled or a total of approximately $6,900 in fuel alone to complete the trip or $690 per day average. As the adage says's "A boat is a hole in the water that you keep pouring money into!"
Highlights:
1- The "Crew" Performance:
Mike Ragan - 1st Mate/Chief Engineer/Relief Helmsman - Nickname - Gilligan. He even does windows and washes the boat exterior!
Kim Ragan - Navigator/Blog Editor/Log Keeper, etc - Nickname - Radar Annie. Every crew should be so lucky!
Rick Kreiselman - Relief Navigator/Chief Photographer/Audio and Video Assistant to the Skipper - Nickname - Renegade Rick. Limited Prior Boating experience - Learned fast and filled many gaps!
2- The "Road Runner" - performed almost flawlessly and kept on Cruisin! A Comfortable Home on the Water.
3 - People we met along the way, who went out of their way to help us! Examples:
Jim at the Crescent Boat Club
Frank, Sue and Sue at the Top Rack Marina
Mr P and Sue in Myrtle Beach
4 - The Manhattan Skyline at Night!
5 - The Marina's and Restaurants we visited (and in some cases "discovered")!
6 - The "Blog" - A wonderful way to keep our friends and families informed of our progress and well being! Thanks Kim!
7 - Kim and Mike's Anniversary dinner in Norfolk!
Lowlights:
1 - The Erie Canal - while often offering spectacular scenery, it's predominant 10 mph speed limit makes
it seems endless and tedious!
2 - Lincoln Harbor Marina in NYC - closing it's fuel dock 15 minutes before our arrival - forcing the skipper to slow down to stretch fuel mileage to reach Atlantic City the next day.
3 - The "Pea Soup" fog in NYC preventing good views and photo's of the Statue of Liberty and making
the trip to Cape May much more intense and difficult!
4 - Gilligan gaining additional nickname of "Slow Poke" and "Spend Thrift" while negotiating heavy seas
in the Chesapeake Bay and disturbing the Skippers' rest period.
5 - The early morning departure from Swansboro, NC when poor visibility and conflicting advice from
all three crew members at once caused the skipper to stop the vessel and wait for more daylight to proceed. (Brilliant!)
6 - The heavy rain encountered from Tropical Storm Nicole in the Wilmington and Myrtle Beach area!
7 - The "Big Bump" that Gilligan subjected us to from the wake of a Casino Boat.
8 - Wake warning's from "Heute Teute" marinas in affluent ICW communities, and South Carolina permitting residents to erect "No Wake" signs that are enforceable.
9- A waitress in a C&D Canal Marina restaurant continually referring to our crew as "Youse Guys".
Skipper Bob (Cap'n Bligh) wants to thank Mike, Kim and Rick for making this journey one of the easiest he has ever experienced as Captain of the various Road Runners through the years. As he grows even older and less willing and able to undertake such maritime adventures, he will fondly remember this trip as the most relaxing, due to the crew's competence and abilities, and their constant attention to duty and to assisting the Skipper willingly and pleasantly whenever requested and seemingly enjoying the adventure and experience as much as I did!
Sincerely
Bob Henderson, Skipper
Day 12 - Going Back Home
Yesterday, after arriving at Stuart Fl, Bob showed us around his neighborhood and took us to lunch. It is a beautiful area and everyone we passed knew Bob and were happy of his return.
After lunch, we dropped Bob off at his house and headed back to the boat to give it a good cleaning. After 10 1/4 days of living aboard, it was a little dirty and we wanted to make sure it was nice and clean. Bob is heading back to NY on Monday for one last race at Watkins Glen and didn't want him to worry about having the boat cleaned in case he did decide to put the Roadrunner up for sale this winter.
Soon it was after 5:00, so Mike and I loaded up the car with all of our stuff and headed back to the house. We had promised Bob an Italian dinner tonight and we didn't want him to have to wait till 8 or 9 to eat like it has been.
After a great diner we headed back to the house were Bob played a few video's of two older trips that were taken in the previous Roadrunner. One taking the boat back to Seneca Lake in 2009 and one trip to the Key's. We discovered in watching these video's that there was a common theme with Bob, he likes to live on the edge and take a few chances! We also were able to see the special video that was put together for his 70th birthday.
In the morning we had our coffee and were just about to head down to the docks to take a look at a trawler that was there and also to finish a few last things on the Roadrunner before we left for the airport. Just before we were heading out the door, Bob presented us with his Skippers Notes from the trip that he wanted to have put on the blog. I will be typing that in as a separate post right after Day 12.
At around 11:45 we headed to UPS and the airport. When we arrived at the airport, we said our goodbyes again to Bob and off he went. What a trip!
Our flight went from West Palm Beach to Philly were we had a 2 1/2 hour lay over. We had a couple beers and some dinner and then headed to our gate. We ended up running into parent's of a friend (yes Dan your parents and sister were in Colorodo) and chatted about our adventure.
For this last leg of the trip, Mike and I had first row seats on the plain. I was so excited, we would be the first one's off and I could see all the different controls in the cockpit. Well, as the stuartdess closed the door, the pilot told her that there was to much weight in the front of the plain. She asked us or the other gentlemen who was sitting on the other side, if we would mind having a seat in the back! Mike offered and off we went to the very last row, who knew we would be used as ballast on a plane.
We soon were landing in Rochester, and Mike's mom was there to greet us. Thank you again Mom for picking us up and for taking care of Shadow. As soon as we got home, we played with Shadow for a little bit and went to bed. Our own bed!
Tomorrow, we will just take care of a few things like cutting the grass and getting groceries. Then I think we will just enjoy being home.
After lunch, we dropped Bob off at his house and headed back to the boat to give it a good cleaning. After 10 1/4 days of living aboard, it was a little dirty and we wanted to make sure it was nice and clean. Bob is heading back to NY on Monday for one last race at Watkins Glen and didn't want him to worry about having the boat cleaned in case he did decide to put the Roadrunner up for sale this winter.
Soon it was after 5:00, so Mike and I loaded up the car with all of our stuff and headed back to the house. We had promised Bob an Italian dinner tonight and we didn't want him to have to wait till 8 or 9 to eat like it has been.
After a great diner we headed back to the house were Bob played a few video's of two older trips that were taken in the previous Roadrunner. One taking the boat back to Seneca Lake in 2009 and one trip to the Key's. We discovered in watching these video's that there was a common theme with Bob, he likes to live on the edge and take a few chances! We also were able to see the special video that was put together for his 70th birthday.
In the morning we had our coffee and were just about to head down to the docks to take a look at a trawler that was there and also to finish a few last things on the Roadrunner before we left for the airport. Just before we were heading out the door, Bob presented us with his Skippers Notes from the trip that he wanted to have put on the blog. I will be typing that in as a separate post right after Day 12.
At around 11:45 we headed to UPS and the airport. When we arrived at the airport, we said our goodbyes again to Bob and off he went. What a trip!
Our flight went from West Palm Beach to Philly were we had a 2 1/2 hour lay over. We had a couple beers and some dinner and then headed to our gate. We ended up running into parent's of a friend (yes Dan your parents and sister were in Colorodo) and chatted about our adventure.
For this last leg of the trip, Mike and I had first row seats on the plain. I was so excited, we would be the first one's off and I could see all the different controls in the cockpit. Well, as the stuartdess closed the door, the pilot told her that there was to much weight in the front of the plain. She asked us or the other gentlemen who was sitting on the other side, if we would mind having a seat in the back! Mike offered and off we went to the very last row, who knew we would be used as ballast on a plane.
We soon were landing in Rochester, and Mike's mom was there to greet us. Thank you again Mom for picking us up and for taking care of Shadow. As soon as we got home, we played with Shadow for a little bit and went to bed. Our own bed!
Tomorrow, we will just take care of a few things like cutting the grass and getting groceries. Then I think we will just enjoy being home.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Day 11 - Ft Pierce to Stuart FL, Our Final Destination
We left Ft Pierce at 7:45, a little later then normal, but we only had 30 miles left. Before we knew it Bob was telling us about all the buildings and bridges around us. He was close to home.
At 9:15 we made a turn to the port and there was home. We were met at the dock by Bob's friends, Peter and Stephanie Lutz who helped us tie up and get the power hooked up.
Final numbers for our trip:
Total miles - 1839
Average MPH - 17.4
Gallons Used - 2156
Total Hours on the Engines - 119
Average MPG - 8.5
Total of 10 1/4 Days
What a trip! Mike and I cannot thank Bob enough for his generosity and hospitality. This trip has been such a great experience and just re-enforced the fact that we love boating and are looking forward to obtaining our captains licences in November. We both have learned so much and along the way have met and become friends with two wonderful people.
Thank you Rick for not only your friendship, but for all the photo's.
Soon I will be attaching a slide show of our odyssey and also the video that Bob did of NYC, Norfolk and the final interview of the crew.
Thank you also to all that followed us. We loved all the support and comments.
At 9:15 we made a turn to the port and there was home. We were met at the dock by Bob's friends, Peter and Stephanie Lutz who helped us tie up and get the power hooked up.
Final numbers for our trip:
Total miles - 1839
Average MPH - 17.4
Gallons Used - 2156
Total Hours on the Engines - 119
Average MPG - 8.5
Total of 10 1/4 Days
What a trip! Mike and I cannot thank Bob enough for his generosity and hospitality. This trip has been such a great experience and just re-enforced the fact that we love boating and are looking forward to obtaining our captains licences in November. We both have learned so much and along the way have met and become friends with two wonderful people.
Thank you Rick for not only your friendship, but for all the photo's.
Soon I will be attaching a slide show of our odyssey and also the video that Bob did of NYC, Norfolk and the final interview of the crew.
Thank you also to all that followed us. We loved all the support and comments.
Day 10 - St Augustine to Ft Pierce, FL
We left at 7:15 with a few light sprinkles, but sunshine and it looked like we were going to have a really nice day. It was a slow go at first, with all the houses and marina's along the ICW, but all those that know me, know that slow is good when you can't see the next channel marker!
One thing we learned on this trip is in the south when they say "No Wake" they mean no wake at all. Over the past few day's, both our captain and first mate have been scolded on the radio for going to fast. Bob had 2 and Mike had 2, but don't worry, but the end of the day the tie would be broken.
At 11:00 I booked our flight home for Saturday afternoon. We were not sure of what time we would arrive at Bob's house, and wanted to make sure we gave ourselves enough time to clean the boat and also make it to UPS. I over packed of course and we need to send a few things home via a different method besides US Air.
We passed Daytona around 11:30 and then we were able to get back up on plane, but only 25 mph because of the Manatee's. We also got to pass close to Cape Canaveral and could see both the launch pads and the assemble building. This is were Mike broke the tie with being yelled at. We went down a little cannal following another boat and both were scolded about minimum wake and if they didn't slow down the bridge master would report them. We were going slow, but once again, not slow enought!
At around 2:45 an alarm started going off about water being in one of the drives. Ugh, we had to wake the captian from his nap. Bob got out the manuals and took over the helm while Mike tried to figure out what was going on. He did find it was just a warning and nothing to be to concerned about at the moment. Bob asked for me to get the phone number for the marina were he bought the boat so Mike could talk with the service manager. Once we got a hold of him, he agreed it was nothing to be concerned about and how to disconnect the alarm. Of course, we couldn't find it right away, so every 45 seconds we had to listen to the loud ear piercing noise.
About 20 more miles and it was time to pull into Melbourne and drop off Rick. He had his bestman pick him up and then he was off to see family. It was great getting to know you and really look forward to seeing you again in the future. The rest of the trip will not be the same.
We took a few "crew" photo's and then the three of us were off to Fort Pierce. We wanted to make it as far as we could with the light we had left. I started to look for marina's in that area and found one that was open till 7:00 and had a Boat US discount. Yeah, finally a good find.
It was about 6:45 when we arrived and had a little bit of a problem trying to find the enterance. Because of different hurricanes that have hit this area, they had to change were the channel was due to schoaling. We soon got help over the radio from the marina and we finally were docked.
We stayed at the Ft Pierce City Marina and we were also there just in time to get fuel, so in the morning we will be ready to finish the last 30 miles or so. Mike also was able to find the alarm, yes it was still going off, and finally disconnect it.
For dinner we ate at the Tiki Bar at the marina. It was very casual with all different types of music. Bob wasn't to impressed with the selection, especailly the B-52's (sorry Troy). But we had a nice dinner, laughed a little and had a toast to Rick.
We went a total of 194 miles today and took 198.02 gallons of fuel at $2.82/gallon.
Just one more day of travel.
One thing we learned on this trip is in the south when they say "No Wake" they mean no wake at all. Over the past few day's, both our captain and first mate have been scolded on the radio for going to fast. Bob had 2 and Mike had 2, but don't worry, but the end of the day the tie would be broken.
At 11:00 I booked our flight home for Saturday afternoon. We were not sure of what time we would arrive at Bob's house, and wanted to make sure we gave ourselves enough time to clean the boat and also make it to UPS. I over packed of course and we need to send a few things home via a different method besides US Air.
We passed Daytona around 11:30 and then we were able to get back up on plane, but only 25 mph because of the Manatee's. We also got to pass close to Cape Canaveral and could see both the launch pads and the assemble building. This is were Mike broke the tie with being yelled at. We went down a little cannal following another boat and both were scolded about minimum wake and if they didn't slow down the bridge master would report them. We were going slow, but once again, not slow enought!
At around 2:45 an alarm started going off about water being in one of the drives. Ugh, we had to wake the captian from his nap. Bob got out the manuals and took over the helm while Mike tried to figure out what was going on. He did find it was just a warning and nothing to be to concerned about at the moment. Bob asked for me to get the phone number for the marina were he bought the boat so Mike could talk with the service manager. Once we got a hold of him, he agreed it was nothing to be concerned about and how to disconnect the alarm. Of course, we couldn't find it right away, so every 45 seconds we had to listen to the loud ear piercing noise.
About 20 more miles and it was time to pull into Melbourne and drop off Rick. He had his bestman pick him up and then he was off to see family. It was great getting to know you and really look forward to seeing you again in the future. The rest of the trip will not be the same.
We took a few "crew" photo's and then the three of us were off to Fort Pierce. We wanted to make it as far as we could with the light we had left. I started to look for marina's in that area and found one that was open till 7:00 and had a Boat US discount. Yeah, finally a good find.
It was about 6:45 when we arrived and had a little bit of a problem trying to find the enterance. Because of different hurricanes that have hit this area, they had to change were the channel was due to schoaling. We soon got help over the radio from the marina and we finally were docked.
We stayed at the Ft Pierce City Marina and we were also there just in time to get fuel, so in the morning we will be ready to finish the last 30 miles or so. Mike also was able to find the alarm, yes it was still going off, and finally disconnect it.
For dinner we ate at the Tiki Bar at the marina. It was very casual with all different types of music. Bob wasn't to impressed with the selection, especailly the B-52's (sorry Troy). But we had a nice dinner, laughed a little and had a toast to Rick.
We went a total of 194 miles today and took 198.02 gallons of fuel at $2.82/gallon.
Just one more day of travel.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Day 9 - Hilton Head, SC to St. Augustine, FL
We left Hilton Head hoping for the best with the weather and hoping to make it to Jacksonville or even St Augustine. Mike checked the marine forecast just to make sure the Atlantic hadn't gotten better, Bob would prefer to go outside, but it still was not looking good out there.
Bob stayed at the helm all morning, making great time through Georgia. There isn't much there to see along the ICW, just a lot of swamps and a few nice houses that pop up out of no where. It was just sprinkling a little when we stopped for fuel at 9:30. I had called a lot of different marina's on fuel prices and found that the best one was about a mile off the ICW. Our Captain was not happy, but the prices just kept going up the further we went.
Were we stopped, it was a little rustic to say the least. Bob started questioning the fuel we were putting in, wondering if it was all full of water and/or algae. I was just hoping and praying it was good, because after going up to pay, it was the cheapest, but he also charged 3% for credit card. Ugh, there goes our savings. Bob did request a fuel sample when Mike was almost done filling both tanks, he didn't say anything, so I took that as a good sign.
We took on 200 gallons at $2.93 and then we were off and back on the ICW heading to Florida. The weather continued to be good. Just a few little showers and then a little sun. At 12:30 Mike (aka Gilligan) took over at the helm, and told Bob he would try and make good time! Bob keeps teasing him that he is a slow poke.
The three of us did well navigating, we only had one little hiccup going through a section on the Crooked River. All of a sudden we were loosing depth and we were at a split. We came to a stop and all of a sudden I could see the missing marker laying on top of the water. We got back in the channel and off we went. Soon we were heading right at a military submarine. Very cool, but there were a few patrol boats sitting in front, so we thought it best to keep moving and not stop for photo's.
At round 3:30 we were passing Jacksonville, so we were off to St Augustine. It is only 30 miles more, but as we rounded the corner, we realized it was going to be a slow 30 miles. Florida unlike Georgia, has a lot of houses, very nice houses built on the ICW. Of course, after we were going slow for a little bit, the captain came up to see what the problem was.
We had some good laughs at Mike's expense, but about 10 miles further we were able to get back up on plain and soon we were in St. Augustine. I called around to a few marina's and Bob decided on Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor. It was very nice, with a few mega yachts and a ton of large fishing boats. The marina was open till 7:00, so we were able to fuel up tonight instead of having to find it tomorrow.
As Mike was ready to hand the helm back over to Bob for docking, Bob thought this would be a good time for Mike to dock the boat for the first time. Rick and I handled the fenders and lines, and Mike took a deep breath. He did awesome, got it right up to the dock without a scratch!
Because we were staying for just one night and it was 5:30, we were able to stay right there for the night.
We were very happy that the saying was true about red sky at night. It was a good day and tomorrow looks even better. It looks like we will need to stay on the inside again tomorrow, the waves are expected to build to 7 or 8'. We also will be loosing Rick tomorrow. He get's off in Melbourne, so we are going to a nice dinner tonight as a send off. He will be missed.
We went a total of 216 miles today, so far on the trip we have gone 1613 miles. When we fueled up we took another 202 gallons.
In the morning we will head to Melbourne and then as far as we can before dark. We are thinking that we will make it to Palm City tomorrow afternoon.
Bob stayed at the helm all morning, making great time through Georgia. There isn't much there to see along the ICW, just a lot of swamps and a few nice houses that pop up out of no where. It was just sprinkling a little when we stopped for fuel at 9:30. I had called a lot of different marina's on fuel prices and found that the best one was about a mile off the ICW. Our Captain was not happy, but the prices just kept going up the further we went.
Were we stopped, it was a little rustic to say the least. Bob started questioning the fuel we were putting in, wondering if it was all full of water and/or algae. I was just hoping and praying it was good, because after going up to pay, it was the cheapest, but he also charged 3% for credit card. Ugh, there goes our savings. Bob did request a fuel sample when Mike was almost done filling both tanks, he didn't say anything, so I took that as a good sign.
We took on 200 gallons at $2.93 and then we were off and back on the ICW heading to Florida. The weather continued to be good. Just a few little showers and then a little sun. At 12:30 Mike (aka Gilligan) took over at the helm, and told Bob he would try and make good time! Bob keeps teasing him that he is a slow poke.
The three of us did well navigating, we only had one little hiccup going through a section on the Crooked River. All of a sudden we were loosing depth and we were at a split. We came to a stop and all of a sudden I could see the missing marker laying on top of the water. We got back in the channel and off we went. Soon we were heading right at a military submarine. Very cool, but there were a few patrol boats sitting in front, so we thought it best to keep moving and not stop for photo's.
At round 3:30 we were passing Jacksonville, so we were off to St Augustine. It is only 30 miles more, but as we rounded the corner, we realized it was going to be a slow 30 miles. Florida unlike Georgia, has a lot of houses, very nice houses built on the ICW. Of course, after we were going slow for a little bit, the captain came up to see what the problem was.
We had some good laughs at Mike's expense, but about 10 miles further we were able to get back up on plain and soon we were in St. Augustine. I called around to a few marina's and Bob decided on Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor. It was very nice, with a few mega yachts and a ton of large fishing boats. The marina was open till 7:00, so we were able to fuel up tonight instead of having to find it tomorrow.
As Mike was ready to hand the helm back over to Bob for docking, Bob thought this would be a good time for Mike to dock the boat for the first time. Rick and I handled the fenders and lines, and Mike took a deep breath. He did awesome, got it right up to the dock without a scratch!
Because we were staying for just one night and it was 5:30, we were able to stay right there for the night.
We were very happy that the saying was true about red sky at night. It was a good day and tomorrow looks even better. It looks like we will need to stay on the inside again tomorrow, the waves are expected to build to 7 or 8'. We also will be loosing Rick tomorrow. He get's off in Melbourne, so we are going to a nice dinner tonight as a send off. He will be missed.
We went a total of 216 miles today, so far on the trip we have gone 1613 miles. When we fueled up we took another 202 gallons.
In the morning we will head to Melbourne and then as far as we can before dark. We are thinking that we will make it to Palm City tomorrow afternoon.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Day 8 - Myrtle Beach to Hilton Head SC
The day started a lot nicer this morning, no rain and the forecast looked like the sun was going to shine. We left Myrtle Beach at 7:00 am after the sun started to rise, we wanted to be able to see the markers this morning.
We found out that yesterday the area we were traveling threw had 12" of rain in 24 hours. It was the second highest rain fall in a 24 hour period since hurricane Floyd. So we were really happy that the sun was coming out so we could dry out a little.
Traveling down the ICW in South Carolina was nice and challenging on our way to Hilton Head. We had many dolphins swimming along side the boat, we saw many beautiful houses and many fixer uppers. We had to wait on a couple more swing bridges, but the bridge masters got us right threw.
Captain Bly was at the helm most of the morning. I must have given him a little to much OJ this morning, because all of a sudden he wanted to challenge the boat. He wanted to see if he could get it to 40 mph with the ocean current behind us. We were in an open area, and off we went. He got it to 39 mph, but that was all we could do.
Mike also got kudos from the captain, even though he was a slow poke yesterday, the gas mileage he got was incredible. We fueled up just north of Charlotte at Isle of Palms Marina and took 247 gallons at $2.949, but we got a 5% volume discount. I had called around to about 7 different marina's and it seemed that this one was the best. Of course the captain wasn't thrilled, because I had made a chart mistake yesterday and we went right past the place labeled "cheap fuel" on his chart. It was right at the point were the two chart pages overlap, and also right at a swing bridge. I admitted my mistake and told him I would buy him dinner! After fueling, Bob asked if I could calculate the mpg from yesterday till noon today, Mike averaged .92 mpg...very nice!
At 12:30 Bob went below to see his show and Mike took the helm again. Soon we felt like we were on a road course at Watkins Glen, we had zig zag turns and had to constantly slow down for houses along the ICW that had boats in the water.
We were on track to make it to Hilton Head and started to recognize area's that we had seen when we had visited Mike's Dad in Hilton Head over the past few years. We went across the Edisto River were it looked like the place we had gone crabbing with chicken necks and crab nets. Around 4:00 we were passing Paris Island and soon we could see Hudson's Restaurant, a favorite place for dinner. We arrived at Harbor Town Yacht Basin at 5:30. This is the place that has the red and white striped lighthouse that is on everything you see or buy from Hilton Head. We had dinner at the Crab Shack, it was awesome!
We were able to see a beautiful sunset, and all are hoping that the saying is true, "red sky at night sailors delight". We have heard about the storm brewing at the tip of Florida and hoping it doesn't effect our travel to bad. Bob had wanted to go out in the ocean today and make it to Daytona, but they are expecting 3-5' today building to 5-7' tonight. We will stay on the ICW for at least another day and most likely the rest of the way. Because of this, we haven't booked our air fair yet, we will see how far we get today and book it tonight. We are still hoping we can fly home Saturday, we are having an amazing thime, but we both miss Shadow and would love to wake up in our bed on Sunday morning!
Enjoy the pictures, these are from our photographer Rick.
We found out that yesterday the area we were traveling threw had 12" of rain in 24 hours. It was the second highest rain fall in a 24 hour period since hurricane Floyd. So we were really happy that the sun was coming out so we could dry out a little.
Traveling down the ICW in South Carolina was nice and challenging on our way to Hilton Head. We had many dolphins swimming along side the boat, we saw many beautiful houses and many fixer uppers. We had to wait on a couple more swing bridges, but the bridge masters got us right threw.
Captain Bly was at the helm most of the morning. I must have given him a little to much OJ this morning, because all of a sudden he wanted to challenge the boat. He wanted to see if he could get it to 40 mph with the ocean current behind us. We were in an open area, and off we went. He got it to 39 mph, but that was all we could do.
Mike also got kudos from the captain, even though he was a slow poke yesterday, the gas mileage he got was incredible. We fueled up just north of Charlotte at Isle of Palms Marina and took 247 gallons at $2.949, but we got a 5% volume discount. I had called around to about 7 different marina's and it seemed that this one was the best. Of course the captain wasn't thrilled, because I had made a chart mistake yesterday and we went right past the place labeled "cheap fuel" on his chart. It was right at the point were the two chart pages overlap, and also right at a swing bridge. I admitted my mistake and told him I would buy him dinner! After fueling, Bob asked if I could calculate the mpg from yesterday till noon today, Mike averaged .92 mpg...very nice!
At 12:30 Bob went below to see his show and Mike took the helm again. Soon we felt like we were on a road course at Watkins Glen, we had zig zag turns and had to constantly slow down for houses along the ICW that had boats in the water.
We were on track to make it to Hilton Head and started to recognize area's that we had seen when we had visited Mike's Dad in Hilton Head over the past few years. We went across the Edisto River were it looked like the place we had gone crabbing with chicken necks and crab nets. Around 4:00 we were passing Paris Island and soon we could see Hudson's Restaurant, a favorite place for dinner. We arrived at Harbor Town Yacht Basin at 5:30. This is the place that has the red and white striped lighthouse that is on everything you see or buy from Hilton Head. We had dinner at the Crab Shack, it was awesome!
We were able to see a beautiful sunset, and all are hoping that the saying is true, "red sky at night sailors delight". We have heard about the storm brewing at the tip of Florida and hoping it doesn't effect our travel to bad. Bob had wanted to go out in the ocean today and make it to Daytona, but they are expecting 3-5' today building to 5-7' tonight. We will stay on the ICW for at least another day and most likely the rest of the way. Because of this, we haven't booked our air fair yet, we will see how far we get today and book it tonight. We are still hoping we can fly home Saturday, we are having an amazing thime, but we both miss Shadow and would love to wake up in our bed on Sunday morning!
Enjoy the pictures, these are from our photographer Rick.
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