Great Bridge VA - Free Dock

Free Dock at Great Bridge, VA.

24 hour mooring allowed. Sydney has already been Swimming.

It's about 68F outside, but very windy (~20 knots).

Great Bridge VA - Southbound - and Misc. Pics

Attached is either one or two pics of AB at Great Bridge VA, after passing through the 12 bridges, and one lock on Sat. Morning (Southbound) - October 26th, 2008.

The other pictures I just found in the camera: passing through NYC (Statue of Liberty; NYC in our wake; and Sydney doing her impression of the last Dog Watch).

Glenlyon also came through this morning, and are secured against a similar wall on the north side of the Great Bridge Swing Bridge. We'll see them later tonight.

Next really long stop will be in Broad Creek off the Pamlico River to get our refrigeration system fixed (lost refrigerant).

Solomon Islands MD - southbound

We spent a few days in the Solomon Islands MD, off of the Chesapeake on the way South.

We spent time with Brian and Sheila Strutt (s/v Moonshadow) who also anchored in Back Creek.

As we were going down to Moonshadow we also met the S/V Intransition (Randy and Kathy Chamberlain) from Buffalo (They were our slip neighbors at Harold's World on the Buffalo River).

New Solar Panel System installed

It's just about time to toss the lines, and head South. But this time we're trying out a new system; solar panels (2) to cover our daily DC usage. Without counting the refrigerator/freezer system, we use an average of about 50 to 80 amp-hours each day, while at anchor.

The Solar-Stik system, that we chose, should give us about 80 amp-hours each sunny day.

I think we'll still have to run the generator (5 kW) to charge the refrigerator freezer, but the time of running should be much less.

The solar panel system should also give us the freedom to leave the boat anchored or moored some place... and "know" that the bilge pumps will have enough "juice" to keep normal leakage at bay.

Once a location was selected (on AB); it was the port Quarter; but on deck. We decided not to mount the unit outside the deck rails on the side (docking), or on the stern (windvane); so that relagated us to using a little of the "porch" (the Aft Deck).

The solar panel mast is strong enough to mount a wind-generator in the future, should we see the need. (this will become more obvious if we ever change to a 12 VDC refrigerator/freezer system).

Anyway... pictures later.

River Drift Dive - Preparing

This photo was taken after the River Drift Dive in the Niagara River (Spring 2008).

Ruth, James, Susan and I (NAUI Advanced dives) - 54F water temperature is the reason for the 7 mil wetsuits... BRRRR.... Lot's different than diving off of Key Largo this winter....

We now carry four (4) scuba tanks on board the AB, (for pleasure, and for that occasional emergency when we might have to go under the boat [crab/lobster pot leads; etc].

Space Shuttle Lift off - Titusville FL

Space Shuttle lift-off as seen from Titusville FL (while anchored out); 0228 hours;

Nice week spent with friends (Brian and Shiela Strutt - fellow full time cruisers - They winter at Westland marina in Titusville, FL).

Anchorage outside Titusville has good holding, and is fairly protected (Indian River).

Home for the Summer 2008

Catskill Creek: Home for the AB for the Summer of 2008; Hop-O-Nose Marina (about 30 miles south of Albany, NY)