Spring 2009
After spending the bulk of the winter in the Exumas, we returned to Miami from North Cat Cay. Easy sail across the Gulf stream. Met a wild T-Storm about 7 miles off of Miami, but it was over by the time we entered the Gov't cut. Then the culture shock of Miami VS. the Bahamas... Wow! Over powered, Overcrowded, and over-speakered go-fast boats were everywhere !!!
We picked up my TWIC card on Dodge Island from Homeland Security. That's a story unto itself!
We stopped at Dinner Key to enjoy a little of the good life at Scotties, and Cocanut Grove, then started north to see our friends at Titusville, and Annapolis.
We mostly did ocean hops from large port to large port with a few ICW days (poor weather). We have grown to accept the ICW days, but much prefer the ocean, with "NIGEL" (the wind vane) steering, radar on watch (with alarms) and freeing us for visual watches, reading, etc. (as opposed to the constant vigil that is required on the ICW).
The AB was hauled at Titusville for some bottom work (patching the skeg; and repainting some of the lower keel; changing Zincs, painting the prop., etc.) .
We had some guests there at Titusville; The Jones'(Lauren and Kelvin) stopped in. They were visiting friends nearby in Cocoa.
We swam, and truly enjoyed our time in the Indian River, except for seeing the 7 foot alligator, just after we (including Sydney) had our swim. HUMMM ????
We had a great time with Brian and Sheila Strutt (our friends that were with us in Miami, before we crossed to the Bahamas, but returned to Titusville for the remainder of the winter).
Brian and Sheila were kind enough to let us, (including Sydney) stay on their boat (Moonshadow) during our stay "on the hard" at Westland Marina.
We rented a car, and went to NY for a party with Ruth, and James, and the Memorial Day HERD gathering in Bethlehem PA. This was during the week the AB should have been "drying OUT" on the hard.... (IT rained almost continuously in Titusville while we were gone)... So much for drying out. 
After splashing, we moved smartly up the coast to the Cheasapeake where we visited with Deb and Scott Taber near Annapolis. 
We had a WILD storm while we were anchored at Atlantic Highlands, waiting for Ruth and Savannah to join us for the trip up the Hudson. 49 knot winds hit during the frontal passage; followed by horizontal rain, thunder and lightening. Quite the evening!!! Anchorage went from dead calm to malestrom.We had great weather for the trip up the Hudson with Ruth, and Savannah. The only incident occured right at the end of the trip. Ostensibly Savannah "knew" there was only hours left in the trip, and "exited the boat" in the middle of the Hudson River.... "Doggie OVERBOARD - All Hands on deck !! " No problem... ruth, and I got her smartly back on board in a hurry. We think she was "surprised" that no one followed her into the water.... "seemed like a good idea, at the time !!!"
The boat is now at Hop-O-NOSE Marina in Catskill Creek, and we're at Lake Erie in a cabin in a state park (enjoying grandkids, relatives, and friends).
More later,
