Voyage 2004-2005: Chapter 2

Bob got the word...no real sailing for 3-4 months (just to be sure that heart is working OK). So, back to the business of living. We were to take Jule III from Baltimore to Annapolis to attend the wedding of Chris R. and Trish H. aboard the schooner Patricia Divine at Port Annapolis. We made the wedding but not by boat. It had all of the components of a great celebration: beautiful bride, crazy groom (Elvis and Redskin fan), and lots of fun all at a marina. We wish them the best on the 'voyage' and hope to see them for Chris' (our son) wedding in July.

We had bought a home in Wilmington NC and it was time more our stuff down there. Chris brought an armada of his friends to help with the packing and moving. Nobody would let Bob move more than a 2 pound box. He was feeling like the proverbial Captain Dunsel. Stuff was moved, we were moved, and here we are. We can't thank Curtis, Tien, Thi, Aaron, Charles, Nate, and many more that my failing memory can remember right now.

Hmm, we're in Wilmington, our boat is Baltimore, and family is in Virginia. Wow, what a plan! The house is actually kinda special to Ann. It has her wrap around porch, breakfast nook, bay window, and other boring stuff. But the neighborhood is great, the neighbors, though quite a bit younger than this crusty crew, are very friendly and helpful. We are about 4 miles North of Snows Cut, quarter of a mile east of The Cape Fear, and about 10 miles from Wrightsville Beach

One of first excursions was a trip on the Ferry Fort Fisher. The ferry crosses the Cape Fear River at Fort Fisher below Carolina Beach and ends up right outside of Southport. The trip takes about 35 minutes give or take. Those of you who cruised in the area know that the Cape Fear can ebb at 5 knots. It was the first time Bob was on the water since the heart attack. We brought the 'kids' in the back seat of a VW Jetta and toured the town. Bob would wander to the fishing pier and look longingly to the Atlantic (kinda sappy, but true).

02 Nov 2004, Baltimore to Deale MD, 39 16.793 N/ 076 35.014 W

Jule III was still in Baltimore waiting for her trip South. Unfortunately, the trip would only be 50 miles to her winter storage berth at Herrington Harbour. The wonderful crew of SV Legend offered to help sail her down, just in case Bob had some lingering problems. The sail (we actually did some sailing) was enjoyable even dodging the occasional ship. Butch and Vicki were great company and Bob milked the invalid thing as much as he could. He had them doing all of the chores that he supposed to perform.

It was truly sad this year to prepare Jule III for her hibernation. We should be somewhere South of Beaufort, but we are not. Gallons of the 'pink stuff' were poured into her innards; water was drained from the hoses; sails taken to the loft, and finally the cover installed over the deck. No major winter projects were planned so we headed down to Wilmington for a while. Ann wanted to be down there for Halloween. Don't ask!

30 Dec 2004, Relaxing in Wilmington, 34 05.932 N/ 077 55.092 W

Halloween came and Ann was happy. For you see, this is the first time we had kids at our front door for 21 years. Our Vienna house is in the boonies and nobody has the courage to trek up the long and lonely drive. Butch and Vicki came down for Christmas in preparation for our joint Land Voyage down to Florida. We had a bunch of fun with them. Bob and Butch cooked pine cones to rid the back yard of the debris. Of course, we performed other equally important duties.

Legend's Miss Vicki had real work to do. They started a refrigeration and air conditioning business in Deale MD called Shiver Me Timbers. Business has been good, but business slacks off in the dead of winter. Vicki has been busy stuffing her new computer with 'Shiver' facts and figures. Not sure Butch even knows (or cares) how to turn the thing on. Even with all of our work, we managed to have a great Christmas together.

Chris and Christina came down for the holidays. This was difficult for them as Chris just started his new job as a federal employee for the National Institutes of Health. Chris and Christina brought lots of good presents for us and the 'kids'. Sadly, little Collin could not come as he had a prior engagement. Oh, I forgot, Bob had a meeting in DC that he had to go to. He did 16 hours of driving. Fortunately, he and the kids, caravan-ed back to Wilmington together for Christmas.

Jim and Karen of SV Wanderer came to Wilmington to check on the construction progress of their new house. (They are the ones that clued us onto Wilmington in the first place). They stayed with us for the night and the 6 of us had a merry time during the Christmas holiday season. We expect to see them often both in Wilmington (as neighbors) and in Deale as they work on the new Wanderer.