Voyage 2004-2005: Chapter 1

Jule III splashed on 20 April with many things left to be done. This was the most 'unready' we have been in 8 years of cruising. Other than cosmetic stuff, she was ready to go back to sea (or so we thought). We moved to our new slip at Shipwright Harbour in Deale MD in late April and found it to be as comfortable as we had hoped. The slip was wide, the staff friendly, and the chatter lively on the docks. The only 'downer' was the ever increasing costs of leasing a slip.

The 'cost' encouraged us to buy a slip at at Anchorage Marina in Baltimore MD where there is always deep water and big ships. Anchorage has floating docks that will be great for the boat but problemmatic for the dogs. We are going to have to jury-rig a ramp for them to board the boat. We will move up there in September to attend the Soutbound Cruiser's Reunion and leave from there to the Bahamas. Meanwhile, we will stay at Shipwright and explore the Middle Bay with the 'kids'.

Our first shakedown cruise had us traveling to the Wye River to meet up with S/V Magic. We decided to check out the autopilot to be sure it still worked. Guess what? It didn't! Add that to the list of things to do. We arrived at Shaw's Bay at 1400 on 15 May. We claimed our acre on the water not too far from Magic. As we are lazy by nature, we asked Ren and Barb to pick us up in their dinghy (we had not yet inflated ours). Ren, being almost as lazy as us, dispatched Barb to pick us up sans the outboard. She got her exercise that day.That night, our acre payed off. A squall passed through the anchorage, and three boats went aground; two came precariously close to Magic. One had to go aground to prevent the boat from sinking. We never found out why they were sinking. Next day, we weighed anchor, bid our farewells, and headed back to Shipwright.

For our next shakedown cruise, we headed for Oxford MD with Ann's niece and her family. They were on S/V Brass Ring, a Hans Christian 33-T, captained by Pete and Karen with able crew James and Jennifer. We were so excited; we actully sailed faster than they -- that doesn't happen very often. When we arrived at the Strand we were excited that there was room to anchor. Wrong, one Bay sailer had over 150' of rode (rope) out which closed the anchorage to any newcomers. So we changed course and headed for Trippe Creek, a couple miles upstream on the Tred Avon river.

Here in the Trippe, we could again claim our acre in 17 feet of water. We asked Brass Ring to raft up with us -- a first for them. No bumps, no scratches, but we let some more chain as a squall was promised within the next 48 hours. Pete and Bob had many serious conversations over cigars, beer, and wine. Later Karen and Pete cooked some fantastic burgers on the propane grill. Bob will not install a grill on Jule III as he is concerned about propane. In fact he is ripping out our propane stove in favor of a kerosene powered unit.

Later, we decided to inflate the dinghy and check out the outboard. Everything was going fine until the engine decided to stop pumping cooling water. Wow, 5 whole minutes of dinghy riding. we added another item to the 'get fixed' list. Next, we decided to 'unfurl' the wind generator and prayed that it would generate power. Well, it did. We were happy and the batteries were happy. Our rebuild from 2002 apparently was stillholding up.

The trip back was largely uneventful though we found ourselves avoiding squally conditions. We finished shakedown #2 under jib alone to the Deale channel. Except for a sick dinghy engine, we had a great trip. Unfortunately, we can't take the 'kids' on any trips until the dinghy engine is heeled. There would be too much dog in the dinghy to row ashore. Maybe we will take them to St Michael's and tie up to to the Museum. The Museum is definitely doggy friendly.

7 Jun 2004, Charbonneau at Rock Hall MD, 39 08.344 N/ 076 14.103 W

The crew of S/V Charbonneau have hung up their sails for a year and are riding their Harley's accross the country to increase the awareness of the great work done by assistance dog organizations. Max and Bailey are the real attraction in their side cars and doggie goggles. I guess we have to give Blaine and Janet some credit. We travelled (land) to Rock Hall to see them in Rock Hall MD. They all looked great. Collin, our 'grandson', enjoyed talking to Max and Bailey. Check out the gang at www.hogsfordogs.com.

15 Aug 2004, Slow Progress, 39 08.344 N/ 076 14.103 W

Progress is slow in preparing Jule III for Voyage 2004/2005. We have been busy performing our Advanced Research Corp work, getting Jule III ready for the trip, and fixing up our dirt dwelling. Our last sail was in late June with family and friends where swabs Collin, Shannon, Christina, Chris; and captains Bob and Ann went on a day sail in the middle Chesapeake. Poor Shannon felt a little Mal de Mer aggravated by too much booze the night before. Yep. a few minutes after this picture was taken, poor Shannon was leaning over Jule III. She and the topsides survived without incident.

Our 'grandson' Collin was anxious to drive the the boat. He did quite well except when his mind wandered and he did a few 'crazy Ivans'. We had to postpone his lessons every so often when we were in danger of an accidental jibe. We hope to get him on the water many times before we head South in October.

Our current homeport is Shipwright Harbor Marina in Deale MD. It is a great place with a more relaxed atmosphere than our previous port (watch out for the grumpy travel lift driver). The management has three or four major feasts every year. We took the crew to the summer barbecue where they ate well and later enjoyed the pool. Georgina was the lady of ceremonies for this occasion and everything was perfect.

In late June, we took LV Jule III (Rialta RV) down to Florida with swab Collin. His first experience on an Atlantic Ocean beach was quite rewarding (and entertaining). Bob played with him in the surf until he (Bob) got too tuckered. Collin had so much fun chasing the waves until he finally got tuckered also. Both Bob and Collin were not too far from an early bedtime.

On our way back home in LV Jule III, we stopped by to see the (former) crew of SV Celena. They traded their boat for a very nice dirt dwelling in Palm Coast FL and now are learning the intricacies of retirement living. Most of our Georgetown crowd have retired from their boats. Kind of sad!

Good friends of the family (Curtis and Marlo) got married in July and that ceremony brought friends from around the country. Chris and Trish are old friends of our son. They are getting married in late September on the schooner 'Patricia Divine' at Port Annapolis. We plan to head up that way and help celebrate this joyous occasion. Of course, mates Sammantha Jane, Levi and Gina will attend the festivities also.