Maine to Florida

	July 11, 2002  Incommunigato is launched. Upper left - the crew arrives at the Waldoboro boat ramp and steps the mast. Upper right - The crane won't let loose of the mast.  Disk climbs up to release the crane. Lower left - Into the water.  Note that the trailer is no longer attached to the truck.  It is backed to the water on a cable. Lower right - Incommunigato floats at the Waldoboro dock. From here, Incomunigato motored down to the Broad Cove Marina for final commissioning on July 12.
	July 12, 2002 While Dick finished up the boat, we visited the Wooden Boat Show in Rockport. More important we hatched the plan in our motel room.
	July 13, 2002.   Ready to load up Incommunigato and move on. Bob and Karen provided the first lunch on the boat. Later in the afternoon, we went on a check out cruise with Dick.   We were ready to head out at dawn. Destination, Monhegan Island.
	July 14, 2002.   We arrived at Monhegan Island about 1:00. Monhegan Island is an artist colony, at least in the summer. We were told that the population in the winter is only 75. This picture is off the Island Inn.  The white spots below the Inn are lawn chairs.  Yes, there are people there with a  bucket of ice, a bottle of wine, and some cheese.  I thought we were in an F. Scott Fitzgerald novel. We hiked to the Monhegan Lighthouse and had dinner at the Island Inn. Highly recommended. The harbor master was very helpful in directing us to a protecteed mooring.
	July 15, 2002  We left Monhegan in strong winds. Then half way to Rockport, the wind died and we found ourselves in a calm surrounded by fog. When we arrived in Rockport, our mooring was near the finish line of the Atlantic Challenge. This is some sort of half sailing and half rowiing race.  As each team came across the finish line, they broke in to yelling and songs.  I think a good time was had by all.
	July 16, 2002 We had a plan.  We planned to leave Rockland harbor at the crack of dawn. The picture on the left was the harbor well after the crack of dawn. So, we went into town and did some shopping. One thing I needed was a funnel to use for adding oil to the engines. The marine store did not have a funnel. The drug store did not have a funnel.  Finally found a funnel in a gourmet cooking store. Stainless steel and a paltry $10.  Seemed a shame to soil it with oil. We finally got out of town about noon with a destination Round Pond. We had hoped to get to Round Pond early in the afternoon to have some shake down problems resolved and add an option I had neglected to order. Round Pond was a beautiful and quaint anchorage. There is not much there and we resigned outselves to dinner at the only eatery. What a pleasent surprise. We discovered that people drove for miles to eat there.  Good food and a great view of the harbor. Dave from the factory came the next morning and put things in order on the boat.
	July 17, 2002 After the work was done on the boat, we got out of Round Pond late and headed for Portland. We got to Portland just before dark and were beat.  Didn't want to cook, didn't want to go anywhere.  Someone suggested getting a pizza delivered. We talked to some folks on the dock and ask if thye knew a pizza joint that delivered.  They said, Yes, the Pizza Joint."  We ask for the name. "The Pizza Joint." they said again. So, we called The Pizza Joint and ordered a large with everything but fish. The Joint warned us that 3 people could not eat it but we said we were really hungry.  The Pizza Joint reiterated that they put on more topping than anybody.  We persisted.   Had the pizza for dinner. Scrapped topping off the remaining pieces in morning and made omlettes. Ate was was left for lunch and never noticed that half the topping was gone.  The Pizza Joint, on the approved list.
	July 18, 2002 Took a liesurely shower at the marina in Portland while we did laundry. Made omlettes while we waited for the dryer. Read the paper while we waited for the dryer. After three hours, we took our mostly dry clothes and headed out. Next stop was Kennybunkport and dinner with George Bush at his house there.  Okay, this is not the George's house and he did not meet us for dinner. Finally, the weather looked good and it warmed up. We put the screens in the boat and headed for dinner in the dinghy.  Before dinner could  be served on the deck, the blackest thunder cloud ever seen decended on us. We got back to a cold, wet, boat. 2 hours of warm weather. Yahoo.
	July 19, 2002 The trip from Kennybunkport to Gloucester was brisk. The two hours of warm weather were gone. We took the short cut through a small river or canal to Glouscester Harbor.  The railroad bridge was listed as 30 feet wide but I swear we only had 3 feet on each side getting through. We picked up a mooring in Glouscester Harbor and went ashore to meet Donna Ross. While waiting in the bar to meet Donna, we saw the weather report on TV.  A front with severe thunderstorms was bearing down and was scheduled to arrive in Gloucester at 7:30.  We decided to get our dinner to go, met Donna, and headed back to the Incommunigato. The storm never came and we had a pleasent dinner on Incommunigato. After dinner, we were visited by beggers in the harbor. We found that they were not very discerning.  Did not know the difference between fingers and food.
	July 20, 2002 Next stop was Plymouth, Mass.  We rented a mooring form the Plymouth Yatch Club. Saw part of Plymouth Rock and a replica of the Mayflower. What we could not find was a liquor store near the harbor. Fortunately, while doing some other shopping, we met a member of the yatch club in a convenience store. He drove Bob to a liquor store and back to the yatch club.
	July 21, 2002 We left Plymouth before the crack of dawn.  Objective, hit the Cape Cod Canal with a following current. Fortunately, we suceeded and were through the canal in a couple of hours with a help from a 2 kt current. The canal has a variety of beautiful bridges. This one is raised vertically according to how high your mast is.  After we talked to the bridge operator, we started to worry that he had not understood our mast height. We called back and he confirmed he woud give us our required 47 feet and 10 feet of margin. Once at Wood's Hole, we dinghied into the Woods Hole Yacht Club.  I found the dinghy mooring arrangement for the yacht club members interesting. One brings the dinghy in past the outer line and picks up a stern line.  Then the dinghy is brought to the dock for unloading.  Once unloaded, the dinghy is pulled back away from the dock.  The dinghies are staggereed so that many boats can be stowed without banging into one another.
	July 21, 2002  Evening Woods Hole was a very interesting place.  We walked around the Institute and visited a couple of watering holes. Note that at the draw bridge in town, there are lots of people and bicycles but no cars.  No wonder.  Parking was $25.00. We ate at a place that had a better reputation than reality. Still Karen got the shell fish down. Things were looking good at sunset. Little did we know.
	July 22, 2002 Again we had a plan.  We were going to stay at Woods Hole for two more days and then head to Block Island.  While at Woods Hole, we would take the ferry to Nantucket and Marthas Vineyard. Then we turned on the weather forcast in the morning. It was bad and forcast to get worse for the next three days.  We agreed that if we were going to get to Block Island on Thursday to make a crew change, we would have to leave immediately. So much for the plan. We headed out to catch the current and stopped at Marthas Vineyard for gas.  It's a long ride to Block Island. Fortunately, although we had 4 foots seas, the wind allowed a single tack all the way to Block Island. Well, almost.  We wound up 1 mile off the entrance and motored in.  You're supposed to sail in but we didn't know the harbor and elected to motor.. Not a mooring to be had in the harbor.  We finally dropped the anchor near the harbor entrance.  We figured to get a mooring the next morning when some folks left. Our concern with the anchor was the forcast. 20 to 25 knots and a wind switch Wednesday at midnight. Had dinner on board and broke out the candle lantern for dinner.
	July 23 24, and 25, 2002  Block Island We sent the dinghy out on patrol for a mooring first thing  Tuessday morning.  They radioed back that the the mooring area looked like a Walmart parking lot at Christmas.  Boats wandering the mooring area looking for someone to leave.  We decided to stay on the anchor. At noon we went ashore to survey the island.  On the left, the famous Block Island Cemetary.  We looked around for a while but did not see any really memorable epitaphs. We continued on to Champlins marina. I was astounded to the see the arrangement at the Marina. Boats were packed in like sardines. You didn't have a slip, you just rafted up to the next boat with fenders between. Some boats were six boats away from being able to leave.  I hope they put folks on the outside that were leaving early. The picture does not do justice to the density in this marina. Wednesday night we went into town and had drinks and dinner.  It was warm when we left the boat but by the time we were ready take the launch back to Incommunigato, it was pretty chilly. Here is the crew huddled in the front of the launch. Back at Incommunigato we were treated to a beautiful sunset.  The boat is an evening charter cruise leaving the harbor. Shortly after, a small storm before the major front, came past.  Incommunigato made a circle around the anchor and finished back in the starting position. Since we stayed in place for this little storm, we gained some confidence that we would hold when the wind shifted later in the night.  A 180 shift was predicted for midnight. Instead it came a 4:00 AM.  I came up on the bridgedeck and found Karen already up and assessing the situation. The wind had indeed shift 180 degrees and was blowing a steady 27 kts in the harbor.  We were keeping an eye on a large boat in front of us and considering our options if it started to drag.   About 4:30 I thought we should also formulate a plan in case we started to move. How would we avoid the two boat raft up behind us. I looked back and saw that those boats were dragging rapidly toward the far side of the harbor. These boats were unattended and moving rapidly.  Their anchor finally grabbed in shallower water near the far shore. The radio was alive with calls to the harbor master, no answer and then to the local SeaTow. He was a busy guy until dawn as folks called in to report dragging boats bearing down on them. By morning, things calmed down and it was time for crew number 1 to bail out.  The launch took the crew to land where the plan was a high speed ferry to the mainland and bus to Providence.  Bob tells me the concept was better than the reality but they did make it. Later, I finally found crew number 2, John Amadon and Sue McNeil.  We made plans for an early departure to catch the current at the race.
	July 26, 2002 This morning we were able to easily sail out of the harbor and had a fair wind all the way to Clinton Connecticut. Take a look at the picture on the left.  Yes, that is the sail of a submarine. Tough to get a good picture at long range from a pitching boat.  This was the first of three submarines we saw on the trip.  I thought that quite unusual. We pulled into Clinton and gassed up before we tied up.  We had radioed ahead to confirm dock space. As we fueled up, the young man at the dock remarked on what a beautiful boat this catamaran was.  He seemed quite surprised.  I think most of the cats that pulled in before must have been a bit run down. John and Sue went shopping and returned with the makings of a great dinner, shrimp cocktail, salmon, green beans. Lovely. Ever wonder how your swim platform got so decorated.  Take a look and all is revealed.
	July 27, 2002 Evening found us at the Blackrock Yacht Club. Sue's dad was a founding member of the club and Sue had contacted the club before the trip. What wonderful hospitality. We tied up to a club mooring, launched into the club and had dinner with the commodore and his wife. Wish I had more and better photos of this beautiful facility.  John, Sue, do you have some I could add to this page? Of course this was taken the next morning and we were fogged in again. But we got off early enough to make Port Washington by early afternoon.
	July 28, 2002 The harbor master at Port Washington pointed us to a mooring. We soon discovered that our mooring was in the middle of a race course. Here is one of the racers coming by our mooring.
	July 29, 2002 Big day.  We waited till late to leave Port Washington.  The plan was to ride a favorable current through the Throgs Neck Bridge, Hell's Gate and the Verizono Narrows Bridge. We caught the currents as planned but it put us through Manhatten at rush hour. Those high speed ferries come up on you like you wouldn't believe.  As soon as we got to some open water, John suggested we put the sail up to that the ferries would be burdened.  I not sure they cared. We put in for the night at Atlantic Highlands where we passed an evening cruise coming out ot the harbor.
	July 30, 2002 We left Atlantic Highlands at the crack of dawn and headed for Atlantic City. There are a couple of fixed bridges on the New Jersey ICW that are too low for Incommunigato. Fortunately, we had a strong west wind and were able to make good time down the coast. This got us to Atlantic City at early evening. Only one problem on this streach. We were attacked by hundreds of flies. John's theory is that the west wind blows the flies offshore. They see a nice big white thing and go for it.  These flies were ankle biters and drove us crazy. We had only some old newspapers to swat with.  John had to reinforce the newpapers with duct tape as the became completely tattered. John and Sue went to the store in Atlantic City and bought some fly paper. The photo is of the strip with the fewest flies!
	July 31, 2002 We left Atlantic City early and got a nice picture of Atlantic City.  Again this day we had a nice west wind and were plagued by flies. Afternoon brought us to Cape May.  We got what had to be the worst slip of the entire trip but did manage to finally get tied up in a stable position.  Despite the akward slip, the marina was nice and within walking distance a marine store and fine restaurants. We ate at the one in the background of this picture.
	August 1, 2002 I started out the morning by backing over the davit lift line and fouled the starboard prop. Had to make my first swim of the trip in Deleware Bay to clear the prop. As we came up on the nuclear power plant near the top of the bay, we were greeted by about 15 small navy boats fllying multiple flags. I called these PT boats but I supect  the navy has a new name. Two guys on jet skis came out I think to jump wakes from the PT boats. To get a quick intercept, they cut across the stay out zone of the nuclear plant. From out of nowhere a marine patrol boat was on the case. He rounded up the jet skis and got a big thank you from the navy. In the current environment, one needs to give the navy a wide berth. We stayed at the Deleware City Marina and they recommended Wiso's Crab House for dinner, a good call. Afte dinner we went downtown to a free concert and ice cream social.
	August 2, 2002 John Amadon departed for the Philly Airport.  Sue and I headed for the C&D canal. Again we got the current right and sailed through the canal quickly. We stopped near the north end of Chesepeak Bay at Fairlee Creek. Did not use the Fairlee Creek Marina but instead anchored in the little bay and dinghied over to the marina.   No cell coverge here but found a phone at the marina and called ahead to Sue's cousin in Annapolis to coordinate our arrival there on Saturday.
	August 3, 2002 Pulled up anchor early and headed for Annapolis.  We were trying to coordinate with meeting Jeff McGinn who was flying in to Baltimore. We tied up briefly to the Annapolis Yatch Club dock and met Sue's cousin Roddy.  He rounded up Jeff at the Lowes Hotel (look for the 6' 6" guy) and met us at his dock. The plan had been to tie up there but the dock was being repaired and it looked like a tie up that would keep me up all night. Sue departed and Jeff and I went back to take a mooring in the Annapolis harbor. While pulling in, another large cat hailed us and yelled that they had one of those, pointing at the Maine Cat.
Bonus picture from Reedville a couple of days later.	Aug 4, 2002 Jeff and I did laundry and grocery shopping in Annapolis and did not get out of the harbor till near noon. The wind was right in our face and we soon discovered that we were not going to make our intended destination.  We diverted to the Choptank River and pulled into a deep (6 feet with 2 and 3 feet all around) spot just outside the harbor.  This in the dark. Made first use of the grill and it worked like a champ. Thus began 3 days of anchoring in places made for the Maine Cat. Secluded little places with shallow draft. Unfortunately, no pictures of this spot but a bonus photo here. If you look closely in Jeff's glasses, you can see me taking the picture.
	Aug 5, 2002 Jeff and I made a quick stop in Solomon to get some documents notarized and mailed out.  That is where I discovered I had no drivers license. Called back to the Annapolis Harbor Master and confirmed I had left it there. The Harbor Master promised to send it on to our marina in Annapolis. We left Solomon with the intention of going to  Crisfield.  But, the wind was not equal to the forcast and we bailed to Point-NoPoint.  This was another scary entrance with shallow water on both sides of the channels. Once we got in, with only one bump, we had 4 to 5 feet of water. I think Incommunigato was the biggest sailing vessel the residences around Point-NoPoint had seen in their little bay.
	August 6, 2002 We pulled into Reedville early as the bay was no fun.  Not much in Reedville except for the Menhaden processing plant. Fortunately, we were able to find a little pond to anchor in upwind of the plant. This place is interesting for the contrasts. Not much there in the way of business but many beautiful homes on large plots. Jeff and I walked to the grocery store about a mile and a half away.  Tried to make a cell phone call and the clerk saw me and laughed. No cell phone coverage at all in Reedville. Not even analog. No pay phones either. The store finally loaned me their phone briefly. On the way back to the boat, Jeff tramped through a field to get this perspective on our anchorage.
	August 7, 2002 We left Reedville with a strong breeze at out back. Reefed down one level on the main sail.  With Jeff the surfer at the wheel, we hit 15.2 kts heading for Norfolk. Coming into Norfolk Jeff got us over 11 kts on a sustained basis.  Saw our second submarine of the trip as we entered. On the way to the marina we passed what seemed like miles of naval ships. Checked the marina office for mail but no drivers license. Jeff and I had a nice dinner at an Irish Pub.
	August 8, 2002 Jeff had a plane out today.  I had a problem.  The plan was for me to fly out of Norfolk on Friday crack of dawn to my son's wedding on Saturday in Tallahassee.  I called him and told him I might have a problem renting a car as I had no license. He noted that I might have a bigger problem just getting on the plane. Fortunately, the marina staff showed up at Incommunigato about 4:00 in the afternoon with my license. Dodged the bullet on that one. The waterside Marina is a nice place to stay.  Next to a lively center with eats and entertainment. Easy walk to downtown attractions as well.  Unfortunately, the entertainment can go on well into the night. One other downer, they have no fuel.
	August 9, 2002 Caught a cab to the airport at the crack of dawn and headed for Tallahassee. Managed to get on the plane and rent a car with my dandy drivers license. When I arrived, Brian looked like death warmed over. I think he and Tracy had been up too many nights getting ready for the event. The rehersal dinner was Friday night.  Left, Brian and Tracy reherse the only thing that was useful to practice for the next day, eating and drinking.
	August 10, 2002 The wedding took place in ourdoors in would you believe, Oven park.  I had told Brian that holding a wedding in August in Tallahassee in "Oven" park had bad conotattions. However, no problems and it was a beautiful wedding. Brian and Tracy had hired the Tallahassee Trolley to transport people from the wedding to the reception and back to the hotel.  I have some great pictures from the trolley but too much for this chronicle. Maybe sometime I'll do a wedding website.
	August 11, 2002 I flew out early and met the next crew, Mark VanStrum in the Atalanta airport. We got back to Incommunigato in the afternoon ready for a morning departure down the ICW to Coinjock NC. Across the way from the our marina we could see the famous(?) Deck Restaurant.  Also, a marina with fuel where we could tank up for the run to Coinjock. From Norfolk to Coinjock, the ICW is pretty narrow and sailing was out.
	August 12, 2002 After gassing up, we cruised down the waterway to Coinjock.  Did our only lock of the trip on this leg. At Coinjock we were greeted by several families of ducks.  And, the marina restaurant had potatoe chips that were fried on the premesis. Outstanding.
	August 13, 2002 From Coinjock we headed to Manteo, Roanoke Island NC.  Heading along the coast we noticed these nice cottages on the shore. After tying up at the marina, I noticed another Maine Cat 30 in a slip down from us.  It seemed in really good condition and I thought it must be pretty new.  Later, we met the owner, John Harrington and found that the boat was indeed pretty new.  It was launched just before Incommunigato in June.
	August 14, 2002 Sunrise at Manteo was spectacular.  We headed down the coast of Roanoke Island and passed a couple bird rookeries that were dense with pelicans, herons, gulls, etc. Our destination was Cape Hatterass.  I had always heard of Cape Hatterass and was really looking forward to the visit. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. The area is really devoted to fishing and there were few if any other sail boats. We got a slip that was way oversized for Incommunigato.  Had a heck of time just pulling the boat over to seawall to get on and off.
	August 15, 2002 Originally, I had planned to sail south in Core Sound to Beaufort.  It looked like a trick pasage but I thought we could make it.  Talking to folks in Hatterass, they convince me to take the route to Oriental and then down the ICW to Beaufort. While crossing Pamlico Sound we noted a circle on the chart designated as a stay out zone, target area. Later, we noted the smoke seen in the picture and thought it fire on shore. Not so.  It was another target zone that was active. As we got close, we could see helicopters close on the target area, fire something, and then watch the water erupt about a mile in front of the copter. Moral, if it says target zone, stay out. It could be.
	August 16, 2002 We got to Beaufort early and pulled into the Beaufort City Marina.  Tied up along the entrance to our slip was a hundred footer that stuck out from the T-Dock on both ends. It made the entrance to the slip very narrow. Mark and I went to lunch a short walk up the dock. As we came out of the restuarant, people were pointing up the way toward Incommunigato's slip and saying, "Who would have thought a mast could just buckle like that?" We ran up the docks and found this scene.  The boat in the slip next to ours had pulled out and attempted to exit the marina. Mariners beware.  A serious current can run through this marina.  We found about 1.5 knots in the slip when we got back to the boat.  Apparently the current pushed this boat into the 100 footer, the mast hit first and buckled around the deck.  It took a barge with a crane to unscramble this accident.
	August 17, 2002 While the boat tangle above was sorted out, I had gone to the regional airport to pick up Ericka who joined the crew. We motored down the ICW through Camp Lajune. I think this hulk is a target used in exercises in at the camp. We stayed the night at  the Swan Point Marina near Snead's Ferry. The marina loaned us a courtesy car and we drove to Snead's Ferry for a nice dinner.
	August 18, 2002 The shore along this section of the ICW had long streachs of high density development. We dropped Mark off near Willmington and proceded on toward Cape Fear. As we approached the area, I radioed the local marinas at South Port and found them with all transient slips filled. Worse, as we passed the inlet. we were fighting a strong current. We anchored in the Pipeline Canal, a spot reported in Skpper Bob's Anchorage Guide. Nice spot for the night. I recommend Skipper Bob's for the ICS trip.  It has the straight skinny on anchorages.
No picture avaialable this day.  If I had taken one, it would have shown Ericka in a slightly green shade. Dock Holiday's seems like it is on a nice quiet section of the ICW. But, just up the hill from the marina is a 6 lane highway. The good news is there is a selection of restuarants and a grocery within easy walking distance (if you can get across the highway).	August 19, 2002 Ericka had been wanting to go outside and see the ocean. Since we had been fighting a big current as we arrived at the anchorage, we would have been right back in it again in the morning.  The weather forcast was favorable so I suggested we back track a couple of miles and go out Cape Fear and down the coast to Little River Inlet. Unfortunately, this was another case of the forecast and the weather not being equal. The wind was 15 to 20 and right on our nose.  I finally gave up at noon and motored to Little River Inlet. We pulled in for the night at Dock Holiday's marina.
	August 20, 2002 What is that?  I thought we had come across an unknown ski resort.  No, this gondola crosses the ICW to a golf course.  They have baskets on the outside of the gondolas for the clubs. We put in at George Town and met some folks from Vero Beach who were on their way back home. George Town has a nice library within walking distance and we able to use their terminals to check out e-mail.
	August 21, 2002 And, one of the most annoying incidents of the trip. As we approached Charleston, we had been running close to a boat from Texas.  Finally, I passed him and head toward Charleston.  We were fighting some current but I figured I would get to the marina plenty early.  I noticed that the Texas boat even put up the jib to try and capture some extra speed. I should have been looking at the chart. When I did, I found this bridge with a non-opening time from 4 to 6 PM. I poured the coal to the engines and radioed the bridge as did the Texas boat. He said the last opening would be at 4. I assured him I would be there. Then the bridge tender suddenly said next opening at 6.  I arrived at the bridge at 4:01 PM. When he did open at 6, I found it took him 3 minutes to open the bridge. Had he opened at 4, I would have been waiting for him. The photo is of the bridge at 5:00. Note the complete lack of traffic.
	August 22, 2002 Ericka and I spent the day in Charleston and were joined by Charitty and Alix (Sister and Mother) late in the day. We wandered the city and had dinner in an appetizer only restuarant.  Interesting experience.
	August 23, 2002 We left Charleston before the crack of dawn.  Why so early?  Because just south of the marina are two bridges that are closed from 7 till 9 AM.  We got throught the first but had no chance for number two and waited there while the "rush hour traffic" subsided. Our destination was Beaufort, SC. But we did not hurry. Could not make the 4:00 bridge opening to get to the marina in Beaufort.  Waited about an hour till 6:00 to get through the bridge. From our side of the bridge, we could see the marina. We radioed and found that they closed at 6:00.  What kind of a deal is that?  They know people will be hung up at the bridge!  They agreed to stay around to check us in. Governor of SC.  If you are reading this.  You might think about making your state more boater friendly.
	August 24, 2002 In fairness, Beaufort SC has a beautiful waterfront section. We had dinner at a nice restuarant. In the morning, we borrowed the marina courtesey car and went grocery shopping. Then headed down the water way and anchored in the New River.  This was another Skipper Bob recommendation and was beautiful and remote.
	August 25, 2002 In the morning we headed off to Savannah. This was a short run and we pulled into the Isle of Hope Marina about 11:00.  This is where the latin crew  bailed. Chuck Baird had agreee to meet me but could not get there until the next day. The marina drove me to a nice restuarant and assured me that they had a deal with the resturant to provide me a ride back to the marina. When I got done with dinner, the hostess said, "Gee, we are really busy. I don't think I can spare anyone.  But, not to worry. I will get one of the regulars from the bar to give you a ride back." And so it was.
Sorry, did not take a photo this day and neither did Chuck.  Not that it would have done any good.  See later.	August 26, 2002 Rented from Enterprise on Monday morning.  Went grocery shopping and picked Chuck Baird up at the Savannah Airport where he dropped his rental. Enterprise worked well for me on this trip.  I rented from them three times and their "pick you up" service was great. By the time Chuck and I got going it was 1:30.  We anchored in Cattle Pen Creek for the night.  Skipper Bob, you might want to re-think this one.  I could not get the anchor to hold and the creek was extremely narrow. Not much sleep that night.
	August 27, 2002 This part of the ICW is pretty isolated.  From Cattle Pen Creek, Chuck and I passed Saint Andrews Sound and anchored in the Brickhill River. We caught some rain during the day and were surounded by big storms. But, we fortunnately never got caught by a storm like this one. Dumb luck.  It's not like we could alter course to avoid the rain. The Brickhill River was a great anchorage.  We could see only one light from civilization.  Holding was excellent. Most of the night and morning dolphins played around the boat.
	August 28, 2002 Morning found us coming through Kings Bay and the submarine pens.  I foolishly took two pictures of the pens and then two pictures of the degaussing facility just down stream. That's two of the four to the left. Note the doors on the facility are open. Expecting visitors? About a mile or two down stream, we were hailed by, "The Escort for a Unit."  They asked us to move out of the channel and slow our speed.  Slower than the stately 6 kts we were doing?  I did what they asked. Sure enough, they were escorting a submarine to the sub pens. And, since the channel is not that wide, we were up close and personal. The sub was floating high and crew were on deck along the length of the sub. I grabbed my camera and got the dreaded dead battery message.  I had used the last of the electricity for the second degaussing shot. Fortunately, Chuck had a conventional camera.  None of that new fangle stuff that will run out of battery for him.  He got 6 nice shots of the submarine. Unfortunately, Chuck's camera did not have any film in it. Of course we discovered that much later.  So, you will have to take our word for it.
	August 29, 2002 Pulled into St. Augustine early and had a nice lunch at Santa Maria Restuarant. Almost in the picture. That afternoon, Chuck discovered that a big candidates fair was being held only a block from the marina. Free food and drink.  We schmoozed, ate, drank and listened to a concert despite the fact that we couldn't vote for any of these fine folks.  St. Augustine was a scheduled crew change location.  Nancy and Kathy drove up from Melbourne and Chuck drove their car back home.
	August 30, 2002 On the left, the famous mosaic bridge pillings of Daytona Beach. As we pulled into the marina, we were greeted by the marina staff and the crew of the "Rowdy Lady."  They already had deck chairs out on the dock and were well into happy hour. I needed to top off the water tanks but my hose would not reach. The woman who could only be the boat's name sake offered to extend our hook up with her hose. She turned on the flow but it was much too fast for the tanks to accept.  "A little less exuberance.", I shouted. "Well" she said, "That's the first time a guy asked me for less exuberance." Both crew cracked up.
	August 31, 2002 We pulled in behind a small island, Gilligan's Island near the space center. A might choppy early in the evening. Unfortunately, I was unable to get a proper picture of the night's primary entertainment. The water had a degree of bio-luminesence that I have never seen. As the boat bobbed, you could see the anchor line glow as it moved up and down.  Later when the waves died down, you could watch the big fish chase the little guys as they left contrails in the water.  I won't even try to describe what it looked like when you used the head.
	September 1, 2002 From the Space Center it was a short run home.  A surprise party had been organized for my arrival.  However, from the question I kept getting from the crew about when we would arrive and the cell calls going on, I had it figured out.  At least I was able to arrive at the scheduled time. Left is a picture of part of the party.  I think I counted 25 people on the boat at one point in time. So that is how I spent my summer vacation. Next big cruise, the Bahamas in the spring of 2003. Stay tuned.

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