Back on the Water

The last posting was in January and I guess since we have started our journey again we should let all our friends know what's happening in our lives.
The winter was glorious in our new home. We accomplished a lot of projects and had quite a few visitors which we enjoyed. I (Dick) got my woodworking shop up and running and started producing again. Made a group of shelf brackets and shelves for our den which are hung and looking great. Got the den almost finished but will have to wait until we return in the fall. The extra bedroom and bathroom was also finished and now we only have the kitchen, living room,dining room,master bedroom,master bathroom, garden, lanai, front hall etc,etc,etc to do. LOL.....
Working on the shelves for the Den
Shelves installed and room painted!
The week we had planned on leaving on our northern journey was filled with major thunderstorms, lightning and a tornado touching down in Boca Raton not far from our home.
We finished loading all the last remaining things from the house closed it up, left it in good hands with our house sitter, and drove to the boat. Couldn't believe how much we put back on the boat, but we are going to be living on it until the fall, so it has to have everything we need. While Elle started stowing things away I returned our rental car. Got back to the Summer Wind about 11:00 that morning and cast off by 11:30. It was exciting getting back on board since we haven't used her all winter. That day was a short one and we dropped the hook in Hobe Sound after a 35 mile trip. Everything was working fine so we popped open a bottle of wine and toasted to our journey.
Ocean Avenue Bridge Boynton Beach
Sun Fest Alive and Well after a very rainy start!
Jupiter Lighthouse
Dropped the hook in Hobe Sound after a successful first day.

Taking a walk through the Wetlands of Florida

A Green Heron
Egyptian Geese - Non Native to Florida. They are from Africa
Black Crowned Night Heron
White Ibis,, coming in for a landing
Glossy Ibis look below at what these guys were really perched upon

This guy uses camouflage,,, I bet you can't see him!
Here pretty bird, hmmm !!
Whistling Ducks,,no ordinary quackers!

25* degree drop in one day!

Friday, October 5th,

Captain's Log -

Another beautiful day. Left Jackson Creek early in the morning heading for Portsmouth,VA. We have been on the Chesapeake many times and the last few days has been the best we have seen. Sometimes it can be pretty nasty with high waves, but this trip it has been as smooth as glass. NICE!!!

This trip takes us close to the Navy base and we see many "Warships" as they call themselves on the radio. As we approached the York River one of those ships was heading down and out to sea. Behind it was a very fast boat that was riding on an airstream. It approached the large ship as the back of that opened and this boat just rode right in and the back closed. Very Neat!!!

Came to the basin where we normally tie up and noticed new signs which we never saw before. "No Docking between 12am to 6am. Being nervo9us about that we checked with the marine store next to the basin and the coffee kiosk and both stated not to worry. The signs are for Liability since there is no electric or pump out service here. Have been here 3 days and no one has approached us.

 In the morning we strolled through Portsmouth. We checked out the farmer's market and the flea market. Although we didn't purchase anything, there was a lot of tempting items. Had a great lunch with our friends Sam and Barbara yesterday. This has become a bi-annual celebration and this year was no different. Thanks guys for joining us again. See you at our new home in Paradise.

Tomorrow Monday, October 8 we will depart. Fill the fuel tanks and head south.

To be continued:
Sunrising on the Chesapeake
Wolftrap Light
LCAC entering an Amphibian  Naval Ship
A Pod of Pelicans
Interesting Coat Hooks?

Some kind of Agricultural Gizmo?
Lunch on Granby Street

Sunday October 7th-

First Mate-  Woke up to a chill in the air, the thermometer read 60 degrees and there was a cool breeze blowing in the hatches. At first we weren't sure where we were because we fell asleep to  very comfortable 74 degree temperatures last night. It looks like fall weather is finally here! We enjoyed a warm sunny day yesterday of 85*! Needless to say, shorts was not the dress for the day. Out came the sweatshirts and long pants! We thought about travelling today and then looked at NOAA, nope, travel isn't in the forecast. Mother Nature is bringing in some pretty heavy thunderstorms. So, we're staying put for the day.
We turned on the generator to warm up the inside of the Summer Wind. Next order of business was getting a nice hot pot of coffee brewing. Breakfast,,, hmmmm, what to make for breakfast, a cool  wet and windy day requires a  nice hot breakfast. My solution was a steaming pot of oatmeal. But not ordinary oatmeal, no, out came an apple, a few strawberries and  some cinnamon and a little vanilla.