Monday is today, again.

Again, it is Monday. I wonder if anyone feels the same as I do; Back into the hamster wheel of running to no specific destination. Same as it ever was; so sayeth the prophet David Byrne.



The weekend was a bit somber, but gray skies bring hope that tomorrow will indeed be sunny, and perhaps a bit warmer... Hmmm?

My good buddy from Hayward, Phil, paid me a great compliment concerning this blog. He says the one thing he has gleaned from my endless ego-powered screed is that one should carry spare pumps on his sailboat.

That, and he allowed me to drink almost his whole supply of ice cold Yuengling's.

I almost felt a validation. Yessirree! But carry three pumps one should. They aren't expensive and they remove water from a boat, which is a very good thing.

Sunday's highlight was helping a boat dock at NAS Jax marina. The crew was a German Shepherd, the skipper Mike and the aforementioned Phil. I shall include a photo of the boat. It is a 50 foot ketch, made in Formosa and looks very "Piratey", sayeth Phil. Phil thinks that we should acquire such a "Piratey" vessel and sail forth doing piratey things; Like drinking beer on foreign shores and wenching.
Mike's Dog docking;


What other reasons are there, indeed?

This would require our crew to include the great Elmer, our other retired Navy buddy. Elmer or more properly pronounced "El- Mare"; Of the Sea, is a must have at any party, sailboat or other conveyance of convenience. Elmer is a master mechanic and gadget fixer of the first rank. Elmer, practically alone, floated Barco One when it had the misfortune of settling into the mud, two years ago. (That is another tale for another time, Dear Reader) More importantly, Chicks dig Elmer. The photo's of all the lovelies he has on facebook has confirmed that he is a true and living "Chick Magnet". I would link his facebook, but it wouldn't be proper. Soooo, us three amigo's would be a complete Piratey crew for a Formosa 50, sailing from port to port in search of fine potent potables and attractive wenches to accompany us.

Elmer don't do ugly.

Of course, I would need permission from She Who Will Be Obeyed. So maybe not so much of the Wenching for Moi. I'll navigate and sail, instead.

I mentioned this fantasy while we dined on grilled pork tenderloin, last night. Phil was with us and he got to see the mirth on Spousal Unit's face when I asked if I could go sailing with the boys.

"Not". Is the answer I received. Phil laughed at me as I tried to keep a brave face.

"Next year, we meet again in Port Royal!" I said.

So much for Pirating, anytime soon.

Friday, again.

This is the finish line of the week. Normally a happy occasion. Unfortunately, the Barco crew is making a sad trip to Tampa/St Pete; A person close to the Spousal Unit had the worst news possible on late Tuesday afternoon. A twelve year old child had been in an accident and did not make it back home.

There is nothing a person can say to mitigate the incredible grief. An entire industry in Florida has reacted, showering a shattered family with well wishes and sympathy. This is a credit to the bright youngster and the well regarded father and mother.

There will be an unscheduled trip and RON (Aviation term for remain overnight) in support of the funeral and bereaved family.

I just cannot imagine the depth of agony and feeling of loss.

Stay safe out there.

Barco Out.

Sorry about the delay in return; Wednesday Edition

Ok, my bad. I have been slacking on this blog, and I know that there are nice readers who tune in daily for whatever I happen to be typing.

Last on the big trip story; We are in Guadeloupe, partying with Pierre Louis and others on our sailboats. I will return to that later...

Today is a a brief description of a decent weekend on the St Johns River. After the last post we cleaned up and packed an overnight bag. The Barco was going to be occupied, one way or another. The weather was getting cooler, and the grey clouds looked a bit ominous. No matter; A day on the boat beats a day in front of the tv.

Arrived at the boat about 1300, loaded up and untied lines. The boat was readied, fuel and fluids checked and decidedly prepared, we were. Started motors and pulled out with a Northerly wind pushing us off the dock. I managed to not hit any pilings and we were underway by 1400.

We passed NAS Jax and I decided to do a pass by of the Navy Jax Yacht Club, I knew they were preparing for the Change of Command to be held at 1900. I noticed some scurrying about but did not try to contact them. They would have tried to talk us into pulling in and joining the festivities. The winds were beginning to pick up and I decided to just pass by and head South.

This is an eagle that was actively hunting fish. He had just grabbed a skate, which turned out to be too large to carry. The skate broke free in flight and did a tumble crash into the water. Note the clouds.


We cleared out of the marina bound for either Collee Cove or Six Mile Creek. This would mean either anchoring or a dock, depending what the winds were doing.

Once again, we were practically alone on the river. There were maybe three other boats on the river, and they were sailboats enjoying the steady breeze. I was feeling a little envious, but I was in an enclosed flybridge and was not feeling any of the wind.

I was reading a little Florida history, and got this little tidbit about William Bartram, famous for exploring the St Johns river in 1775 of whom the Hwy 13 road is named "Bartram Trail". Interesting person, he was known to the Timucuan Indians as "Puc-Puggy", which meant 'Flower Hunter'. Bartram owned a plantation between Six Mile Creek and the East bank of the St Johns River. Too cool!

Puc-Puggy muddied his boots in this swamp! Trying always to be close to history, yes we am.



When we reached Green Cove Springs, we revelled in the clear skies that had opened for us. Funny how the weather will do this on the St Johns River, it will be overcast at Jacksonville but get twenty miles down range and it is a new day.

This is a look behind us:


We arrived as sun was setting and tied up at Outback Crab Shack finding an almost empty dock for our travels. The beautiful sunset was in the trees as a pair of couples walked by and looked us over curiously, but left us alone save one brave soul who had to ask what we were up to.

"Here for Dinner..."

Walked the 25 yard stretch to the restaurant, checked in and ordered. Two pounds of crab and a dozen oysters for SWWBO, while I had a burger and fries. Add the bar tab (another 25 bucks) and we did the whole experience for about 75 bucks. Not bad considering if we had docked at the St Augustine City Marina we would have been clipped for $80.00 just for dockage!

Returned to a warm boat where we started up the generator for heat and had a quick bottle of Montand for starlit nightcaps. We secured the genny and commenced snooze operations at 2100. We left a quarter bottle of bubbly up on deck, a most satisfactory Saturday night out on the town!

Reveille was promptly at the crack of 0730, a pot of coffee was started while we took in lines off the dock. Underway precisely at 0800, with the Spousal Unit undocking us with skill. We headed out to a sunshiny river while I was below making belgian waffles on the Presto Waffle Iron.

Here is a view from the flybridge of the River and the Shands (Green Cove Springs) Bridge;




As we traveled North, with a Southerly breeze following, the clouds started piling up and the weather began to look disagreeable. Our dock was getting a vicious little cross wind but I was determined to dock with one approach. I came in with our nose pointing about 45 degrees to the right and crabbing, but we managed to not hit any pilings. As soon as the port stern spring line was secured I straightened up the boat with a tiny goose on the starboard throttle.

We looked like experts, there. If only for a second.

Great weekend.

I loves a Saturday!

Saturday morning... Especially sunny Saturday mornings are my favorite time of the week. So much hope for doing cool things, fun stuff like cleaning the house, pressure washing the drive way and maybe clearing the dense clutter from the garage.

Except that we are going to the Barco, instead. I think boating has to happen because the weather is here, I wish I was beautiful.

Went to the Wine Warehouse on Edgewood, yesterday. They had some Montand bubbly for $8.99 a bottle so I felt the urge to spend $114.00 for a case. Good stuff, and it travels well from France. We like to have a bottle while bubbling in the jacuzzi and it is priced right.

As I was collecting up some bottles I heard a familiar voice calling from the front door. I squinted into the glare and saw my Mom coming in. It wasn't a mistake. My Mom was actually coming in and she caught me grabbing bottles of firewater.

In trouble, again!

I bought Mom a few bottles of wine for her stash so it was lucky for both of us. She got to see me for a moment and I got the pleasure of saving her a few bucks. It's what I do, right?

Got the bubbly home and cooked up some beautiful steaks for Spousal Unit, which we ate with great gusto along with a 2003 Chateauneuf De Pape. Dessert was tv with a bottle of the Montand.

Taps was at 9:00 PM.

We will do a couple laps around the neighborhood and head out to the bateau for some river cruising. Maybe we will anchor someplace cozy and hopefully be able to watch the stars.

Saturdays are awesome!

The only way this could possibly be better would be if the Roadrunner show was on and I could be over at Mom's having french toast!

Have a wonderful weekend!




Update:
It is 1045, the clouds shot in and obscured the sun. We did our laps and noticed the clouds thickening. I guess I jinxed it by being so happy about the weather.

We are still going to the boat. Hah!

Off to Dominica

After having fun in Martinique, we felt the need to cross some more islands off the list.

Before we were able to leave, there had been some real big winds and choppy seas. Our anchors were dug in well, so I spent an entire day just getting the anchors pulled up.

Most boats have a device called a windlass, it uses mechanical strength to wind up the chain and rope on the anchor rode. We only had the Mk 1 Mod 0 Me to pull them up. The first anchor came up so easily, I found that it had not been holding anything. The second anchor, the one I almost carelessly tossed over the side was the one doing the actual holding. In fact, I could not pull it up. I tied the line to the forward cleat and tried to use the mass of the Wildebeest to break it free.

Nope.

I didn't want to cut the anchor free. It was a "Fortress 37", and these things run about $300.00. No way would I just toss that away.

There was swimming to be done; I donned my fins and mask and dove. The anchor was too deep for me to freedive, so I had to use a boat hook and grab the line which was on the bottom. I couldn't even see the anchor.

The line was grabbed up, I passed the line to SWWBO, and we pulled the line along until I found the obstruction. A coral head. I dived back into the water and grabbed the other side and cut the line at the head. We pulled the anchor back aboard and got underway for a fuel stop at the Fort De France downtown. After fuel and water we went back and re anchored without incident.

Reveille was held at 0400, we pulled the anchor up and left Anse a L'ane for good. We set sail and headed North for Dominica.

There are no natural harbors, so we hoped to anchor in the last small indentation on the North end. It was a beautiful day to sail and we saw some puffer fish, a sleeping whale and the ever present dolphins. It was a great six hour sail!



We anchored off the Northwest end, by Portsmouth. We were one of the two or three boats there. The holding was so-so, due to all the sand having been scoured out of the harbor the year before by hurricane Lenny.




It took a couple of attempts, but we finally got the hook embedded and I went ashore to sign in. There was a plan to go ashore again at 0900 for a trip to the parrot park up in the mountains. Nice island, wouldn't mind returning, but the weather made us make an unscheduled departure.

Returning aboard from the check in process, we barbecued some chicken and had a couple bottles of wine with dinner. We watched the beautiful sun set behind us and we played cribbage until about 2100.

About 0300, we were awakened by the worst rolling we had ever done at anchor. It was like a hundred power boats were flying through the anchorage, tossing incredible wakes which seemed like they were going to capsize us!

The wind shifted from the normal East to an abnormal Southwest, which brought swells and rolly seas. We tried to just sleep through it but it was no use. We tried to pull up the anchor, but it was jammed in some rocks. Not again!

I muscled it and finally used the weight of the boat to yank that hook back up. Running forward, I managed to grab the line and anchor before we got dug in again. The anchor was bent, ruined on the blades. I actually wrecked a danforth anchor!

We secured our gear, and with no planning we headed South with a following sea. It looked like either Point A Pitre (center of the butterfly shape island) or Basse Terre, the Southwest side of the landmass.

It was pretty choppy as we tried to figure out the destination. As we passed Isle de Saints, the water settled down and the day cleared to the normal warm and sunny state.



The fun meter had slipped a little, but we were still enjoying the event.

We snuck into a little cove with a marina. There was no one to answer our radio hails on channel 16, so in we went. There was one berth open, I boldly pulled in and tied up. This meant we had to go bow first and secure to the dock and I had to swim (yuck!) another line to a mooring ball behind us. It was a modified Med Moor. We secured ourselves and I had to put some adapters on our power cable and finally we were secured and for the first time in months, we had electrical power.

Remarkably, we found ourselves on a Saturday in a marina and there was absolutely no one about!

About six hours later, a young man walked up and asked if we spoke Anglais. He introduced himself as the owner of the boat next to us on the left, his name is "Pierre-Louis D'amoiseau".

I gladly shook this friendly hand and we asked if we were ok being docked in that spot. He replied to the affirmative, "Should be no problem, shecky inn day after tomorrow..."

He went onboard his boat and made a scene of cleaning and scrubbing, but finally he succumbed to his curiosity and came over to ask where we had come from. We offered him cool beer and invited him aboard for wine and cheese. It got brutal, as we had a little boat party on the spot!




We made quite a mess and listened to Jimmy Buffett and Bob Marley to the wee hours.





Pierre kept trying to decline the offer of food and wine, but he failed.

He is an insurance office owner in Basse Terre, and he insisted on being our host in Guadeloupe for the duration of our visit.

Wonderful friend, and we are still in contact.

New book out by Tim Dorsey

I sent Tim (I met him last year in a smoky bar, that makes us friends, right???) a couple pictures from the Hontoon trip and a link to this blog. He replied that Serge A. Storms would visit Hontoon, someday.

So I got that going for me, which is good.

Here is Tim Dorsey pitching his latest book;



I already have a copy reserved at Amazon. Steal one from the library, ok? Serge would approve.

Interesting things by my parked truck

These granite markers were just delivered to the business next door. I happened to be walking to my truck and I had to step over the stone monuments, and I casually looked down and recognized immediately the names. So I took a couple quick pics with my trusty phone camera.

I do not know the destination of these simple carved stones. Maybe the NAS or perhaps the new National Cemetery up by the airport.