tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51788318660511645522024-03-13T12:16:01.660-04:00Alice's Maine TrekThis was the blog of a family sailing trek, it is now the blog of our lives on land.Lopez Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627726642527580758noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5178831866051164552.post-3661753667713699622009-10-03T05:57:00.006-04:002009-10-03T09:39:25.344-04:00Where the fog are we?Here's a small video motoring through the Maine fog. Not quite Pea Soup in thickness but chicken, for sure.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxn0TFY3euLCjzn9hU1hALO5_q9MfBeKiD4T98zi6hLoDuDm3qa4T8xZ7bW-T6Ao-8ADScyvw8Un7aGBXCPsA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />When I first started sailing in Maine with Laurel and Laurel's parents George and Greta, a big deal was never made of fog. George would always say that fog works out and his running joke while in the fog was usually "Where the fog are we?"<br />Back then before plotters and GPS were really popular we just worked it out on paper, plotted a course, kept current and tide in mind and watched our time and speed carefully. We also kept our ears wide open. Because if you're sailing you can hear an awful lot in the fog. Like breakers, the swish of swaying seaweed on rocks, bells, gongs and other boats.<br />Laurel and I did a cruise with her parents in Penobscot Bay and when we awoke to fog one morning George employed his "aim straight at land in the fog method." While this method isn't for everyone it suited George's way of thinking perfectly.<br />The area we were in was surrounded by deep water islands. George felt that if you plotted a course straight to your final destination, you wouldn't have a way to know if you had strayed off course, if you could confirm some points along the way you could be more confident of your position.<br />So he plotted straight for the middle of an island. We would sail the course, keeping an eye on the depth sounder and when the island appeared (usually no more than a couple of boat lengths away) we would tack and run alongside the shore till it fell off, then continue on to our next controlled near collision till we made our destination.<br />As a young lad very mesmerized by the sea and sailing, I just drank this stuff in and when we later did our own first cruise aboard a small 12 1/2 foot sailboat with just our sails, a pair of long oars, a stopwatch, compass, and our senses. George's lessons, adapted a bit, served us well indeed.<br /><br />I think the most important lesson about this for me was that fog always works out, and armed with that belief, some skills, tools, and a bit of confidence one can venture forth in fog and in life; our near collisions helping us find our way.<br /><br />C.Lopez Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627726642527580758noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5178831866051164552.post-59907718044086188732009-10-01T19:22:00.004-04:002009-10-02T04:02:52.651-04:00My Foggy CommuteSmall video of my commute through foggy Maine. I'm busy at BRB, we're unstepping masts and in general doing a lot of boat moving, sea trials, shuffling plus helping clients end their seasons. Many boats headed South, I wish them well.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy26ujQXpD8CZZQxrEhnzCK3ZDi1ahBJU382yoihwNaQOhagtDNCbcug2Z3vEq4nvjGEXk2w4e54wVALbpZ_Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />Kiddos are great and all indications thus far are that they are ahead of their classes, despite our year out and homeschooling on the go. Laurel is working at a frame shop, so we're all employed. I'm taking a class here and there, life is good. Hope all is well with you.<br /><br />C.Lopez Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627726642527580758noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5178831866051164552.post-65569785180151258702009-09-07T18:34:00.007-04:002009-09-07T19:13:37.809-04:00Conch cleaning and jobsI did my first week of work which was a week of transition as the person I was replacing was going out and I was coming in. He also had the responsibility of training me but seemed a bit unhappy which made it more of a chore. He has now moved on and I feel as if I'm starting to settle in nicely.<br /><br />I have a small video on cleaning conch, the person cleaning it is Andrew at Frazer's Hog Cay in the Bahamas (at the Berry Island Club). There are two steps missing in the video. One tapping the slot on the shell and two peeling the skin off. The more crucial one is peeling the skin off. Just take a sharp knife lengthwise under the proboscis and eyes make a shallow cut and use the knife to leverage the skin off. Helps if you have a glove on because conch is wicked slippery.<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw6xdrvKpY99JbjvFAFJnSFpAij6XRCucGygpLNIxG3Y6e1nHQMrmAQRpxT244WFlqtClV30Xmee6WPlhZvIQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />I haven't had a chance to search for the ultimate boatyard shoe but am coming to accept the pair I already have. I suppose time does that for you. The kids started school and all is well, Laurel secured a job caring for folks but has not begun yet. Missing the thought of getting on a boat and venturing somewhere far but we're just on a different phase of life just now and frankly I'm feeling fortunate for my job in this economy. Let me know what you think of the video...<br /><br />Best, C.Lopez Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627726642527580758noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5178831866051164552.post-41830715843839047342009-08-30T18:16:00.005-04:002009-08-30T19:19:25.544-04:00Tarantulas, Mini golf and a hole in one.Alistair and I played mini golf today at Long Shot. Really had a great time. I had hoped to video some of it but my camera is on the blink, again...<br /><br />Alistair played great and managed to par a lot of the holes, I made a hole in one on number 4. We were hoping that it was the secret hole in one for the day, as we would have gotten a free round but we were informed that the "secret" hole was number 12. Oh well...<br /><br />After our round I bought Alistair a popsicle and like backseat drivers we stood behind the golfers on the range, silently giving advice.<br /><br />Once home I went back to editing a little sailing video. Find it below.<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxjD1sQSKjf3UudRjul5LTwTgBJ2Mnq38VVb07XG2nGFFZWlmiKwdphuRFAJLJOonYZ9ZEA8nzP43VcqgT7xg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />Tomorrow will be my second day at BRB. Over the weekend I bought some new pants and a fleece vest for work and I spent some time looking for good, simple, warm, sturdy shoes but I couldn't find a pair that didn't look like a drag car or a tarantula on a sole, so I'll keep looking.<br /><br />Will keep you abreast of the shoe search, have a great week!<br /><br />C.Lopez Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627726642527580758noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5178831866051164552.post-91356031700686968862009-08-28T18:22:00.006-04:002009-08-28T19:12:24.130-04:00First day of work and skateboardsI had my first day of work today at Boothbay Region Boatyard, where I'll be the new rigger/dockmaster. I used to work for Maloney Marine Rigging which is in the same compound and rents space from BRB, so I know a lot of the folks there and most faces are familiar to me. Sort of nice, a bit like a homecoming.<br /><br />I spent my first day dealing with admin, safety and an introduction to the job. Then spent the rest of the day on the docks, rigging season not quite underfoot yet.<br /><br />On a different tack I've attached this small video of Dakota and me skateboarding.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx3ZtBEJXNhDfjFYEdL-98GsOtNvyt5A9W1vrwluGwDojsOxIq5DoR_csHGOR-N5BQFAHPo7aUSYkMi-Kx6CA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />I've been having a blast editing and using my sensibilities in something other than still photography which is my background and what I'm comfortable with but now I gotta go, my turn to read to the kids. See ya C.Lopez Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627726642527580758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5178831866051164552.post-33783881189944472712009-08-25T14:21:00.005-04:002009-08-28T19:40:42.196-04:00Frustrations, SolutionsWe've now been back about a month, we're making progress on the job front having had some interviews and interest from a couple of places. We are patiently... waiting for more information from a couple places to see if we can put something together.<br /><br />I've also been working on slide shows, PowerPoint and editing video. Which has been a lot of fun albeit the frustrations that technology can bring about at times. Oddly what creates the frustrations is resolved by the same means. I just post whatever frustration I'm experiencing on the web and find that countless other frustrated folks have been there prior to me and have ready answers for the plucking.<br /><br />This video is from when we first started our voyage, it's the day after Halloween and we're sailing down the lower Chesapeake. Don't mind the fact that I use the word "awesome" more than an eighties valley girl, just a throwback...<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwFexq_5-rm7POFwDIDbLXX-itG-4YgPAND2x3co0lwa026S4KFE4rJ59Ghzo1TY0OkmLU_WWem0PAn8N-JNA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />We're also reconnecting with the community, I spent time at the Bowdoinham library today, doing satisfyingly mundane stuff like chatting with librarian Kate Cutko about cook books and Italian wedding soup.<br />We've been to friend's homes, had some friends here and partied with half the town last Saturday night. What better way to reconnect than to imbibe a wee much with friends.<br /><br />Alas mateys, so it goes.<br /><br />Best, C.Lopez Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627726642527580758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5178831866051164552.post-75447480288383293312009-08-15T07:37:00.007-04:002009-08-15T09:36:03.579-04:00Dolphins and Job HuntingIt's been a while since I've posted anything, we've been a bit crazy just getting our house back together, seeing friends and family, and alas also job hunting.<br /><br />I've attached a video of dolphins playing in our bow wake. This is just off Marathon in the Florida keys. It's quite a large pod to include babies. Very cool.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz2nNfFS3Flz9R-m44CjzXJvTraSI8eLf5wtR8msLER9aHqYiSIu280e56hyvZqyJW6sBjplUrNhwc2_b3RAg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /></div>My first time posting video so I'm not sure if it's in the right format or what have you. If any of you have any suggestions please let me know.<br /><br />Just started using Facebook, it's been great to reconnect with friends that I haven't seen in forever, however it is a huge time waster.<br /><br />Looking for a job has definitely been frustrating, as so much of it these days is sending out resumes through the web, I'm slowly realizing that's not the path. Will keep you updated. Seems as if we managed to come to Maine as the weather finally changed to good and have had more than one person thank me for bringing the sun. I like being known as a bringer of the sun. If I could only get a job doing that....Lopez Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627726642527580758noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5178831866051164552.post-50552288126829446722009-07-31T14:40:00.006-04:002009-07-31T15:02:53.890-04:00Cuttyhunk to Freeport, MaineWell, after Martha's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Vinyard</span> we sailed over to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Cuttyhunk</span>, the last island in the Elizabeth island chain, and spent the day. We had f<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">un</span> hiking the island and then going to the beach for rock throwing challenges.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SnM8Hw3UpiI/AAAAAAAABLQ/FFP1M4n8sTk/s1600-h/IMG_4761_2_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364697685202085410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SnM8Hw3UpiI/AAAAAAAABLQ/FFP1M4n8sTk/s320/IMG_4761_2_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Dakota loves to rock scramble.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SnM8BHFLwwI/AAAAAAAABLI/F8jYoXGN58A/s1600-h/IMG_4766_3_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364697570906718978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SnM8BHFLwwI/AAAAAAAABLI/F8jYoXGN58A/s320/IMG_4766_3_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Hike on the rocky beach.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SnM8AzteCdI/AAAAAAAABLA/HfP1Rmf4WGA/s1600-h/IMG_4781_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364697565706979794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SnM8AzteCdI/AAAAAAAABLA/HfP1Rmf4WGA/s320/IMG_4781_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Taking a break<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SnM8A_96rUI/AAAAAAAABK4/OTyI6fZNj8g/s1600-h/IMG_4790_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364697568997190978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SnM8A_96rUI/AAAAAAAABK4/OTyI6fZNj8g/s320/IMG_4790_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> We then went to South Dartmouth to meet us with our friend Lauren and Cary and their two kids, Max and Milo. They were staying with their friend Jenn, in the middle.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SnM8AiCdviI/AAAAAAAABKw/kiJwZHG5xVk/s1600-h/IMG_4797_2_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364697560963202594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SnM8AiCdviI/AAAAAAAABKw/kiJwZHG5xVk/s320/IMG_4797_2_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> The four boys.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SnM8AdlTO8I/AAAAAAAABKo/ftYK8qaLvDo/s1600-h/IMG_4802_3_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364697559767137218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SnM8AdlTO8I/AAAAAAAABKo/ftYK8qaLvDo/s320/IMG_4802_3_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> The kids made a dam together<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SnM7ko6i2rI/AAAAAAAABKg/zRF64GEFr8M/s1600-h/IMG_4805_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364697081772694194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SnM7ko6i2rI/AAAAAAAABKg/zRF64GEFr8M/s320/IMG_4805_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> We then sailed through the Cape Cod canal and up to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Provincetwon</span>, MA. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">These</span> pictures are widows looking out for their husbands to come home from sea.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SnM7kWCVPiI/AAAAAAAABKY/IKd_CFlqZ1Q/s1600-h/IMG_4812_3_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364697076705082914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SnM7kWCVPiI/AAAAAAAABKY/IKd_CFlqZ1Q/s320/IMG_4812_3_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> They built a 1/2 sized boat in the library.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SnM7kd26laI/AAAAAAAABKQ/6U13vrfFxJc/s1600-h/IMG_4819_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364697078804682146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SnM7kd26laI/AAAAAAAABKQ/6U13vrfFxJc/s320/IMG_4819_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> We met up with our friend Pat and John there and spent a day with them.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SnM7kDB9ckI/AAAAAAAABKI/zXdzIrezG1w/s1600-h/IMG_4822_2_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364697071603249730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SnM7kDB9ckI/AAAAAAAABKI/zXdzIrezG1w/s320/IMG_4822_2_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> They kindly <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">towed</span> us to our boat with our groceries!<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SnM7j45IKZI/AAAAAAAABKA/RQohet0f1VA/s1600-h/IMG_4832_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364697068881848722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SnM7j45IKZI/AAAAAAAABKA/RQohet0f1VA/s320/IMG_4832_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Our next stop was Gloucester, a fishing town. On our way we saw humpback whales!!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SnM7H1FuqVI/AAAAAAAABJ4/-qa6P0Nm07E/s1600-h/IMG_4837_2_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364696586824624466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SnM7H1FuqVI/AAAAAAAABJ4/-qa6P0Nm07E/s320/IMG_4837_2_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Alistair mastering the monkey bars<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SnM7HkS_73I/AAAAAAAABJw/p70053CeKL4/s1600-h/IMG_4866_3_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364696582316879730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SnM7HkS_73I/AAAAAAAABJw/p70053CeKL4/s320/IMG_4866_3_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> A cool sculpture of an artist<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SnM7HcXMkpI/AAAAAAAABJo/IupvQF0Uk9k/s1600-h/IMG_4891_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364696580187001490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SnM7HcXMkpI/AAAAAAAABJo/IupvQF0Uk9k/s320/IMG_4891_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Then we went to the Isle of Shoals, which is a group of islands in New Hampshire and Maine. One island, Star, has a big hotel and retreat center and lots of trails, some of this island is open to the public to explore.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SnM7HPdElqI/AAAAAAAABJg/NmZM0KvysnQ/s1600-h/IMG_4903_4_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364696576721983138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SnM7HPdElqI/AAAAAAAABJg/NmZM0KvysnQ/s320/IMG_4903_4_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Another island, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Smuttynose</span>, is privately owned but open to the public as an historical site where a famous murder happened 100 years ago.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SnM7HE-m0CI/AAAAAAAABJY/8_gMW8vg-M0/s1600-h/IMG_4906_5_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364696573909848098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SnM7HE-m0CI/AAAAAAAABJY/8_gMW8vg-M0/s320/IMG_4906_5_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> The harbor at sunset. The next morning we set sail for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Casco</span> bay and made it in late, then on to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Freeport</span> the following morning. We've been in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Freeport</span> for one week and plan to move back to the house tomorrow! We plan on continuing the blog from home so keep on visiting!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lopez Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627726642527580758noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5178831866051164552.post-61264361616118904482009-07-18T19:57:00.006-04:002009-07-18T20:29:07.115-04:00Martha's VinyardWe spent 7 days on Martha's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Vinyard</span> anchored in Lake <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Tashmoo</span>, a lovely well protected anchorage close to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Vinyard</span> haven or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Tisbury</span>. We had a great time on the island! We took the bus all over, played on the beach, walked among the old captain's houses and admired a variety of boats in the harbors.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SmJj59tkLSI/AAAAAAAABJM/RC_v_V1We0I/s1600-h/IMG_4621_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359956353993682210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SmJj59tkLSI/AAAAAAAABJM/RC_v_V1We0I/s320/IMG_4621_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Dakota and I on the beach in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Tisbury</span><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SmJj5t5zPiI/AAAAAAAABJE/5U05Bb2gKMI/s1600-h/IMG_4650_3_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359956349750033954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SmJj5t5zPiI/AAAAAAAABJE/5U05Bb2gKMI/s320/IMG_4650_3_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> The road leading down to the dock in Lake <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Tashmoo</span>.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SmJj5cPLp7I/AAAAAAAABI8/HEAMOVUCdTw/s1600-h/IMG_4661_4_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359956345007876018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SmJj5cPLp7I/AAAAAAAABI8/HEAMOVUCdTw/s320/IMG_4661_4_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Aquinnah</span> cliffs from a look out. These cliffs are visible as you sail in Rhode Island sound towards Buzzard's bay.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SmJj5Vi2IKI/AAAAAAAABI0/bDJDv-IB1ko/s1600-h/IMG_4666_5_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359956343211303074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SmJj5Vi2IKI/AAAAAAAABI0/bDJDv-IB1ko/s320/IMG_4666_5_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Dakota looking at the lighthouse.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SmJj5EPzmDI/AAAAAAAABIs/9_luFfDFMRs/s1600-h/P1060610_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359956338568042546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SmJj5EPzmDI/AAAAAAAABIs/9_luFfDFMRs/s320/P1060610_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> That same day we went to a town called <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Menemsha</span> and the kids went crabbing with many other kids and had a ball!<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SmJjULMbcfI/AAAAAAAABIk/l7FkZd9KIJw/s1600-h/P1060625_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359955704777765362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SmJjULMbcfI/AAAAAAAABIk/l7FkZd9KIJw/s320/P1060625_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> More crabs!<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SmJjT6Hk-5I/AAAAAAAABIc/4EIEnH9uAHU/s1600-h/IMG_4673_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359955700194016146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SmJjT6Hk-5I/AAAAAAAABIc/4EIEnH9uAHU/s320/IMG_4673_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Statue in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Menemsha</span><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SmJjT9GdHjI/AAAAAAAABIU/3FAGTf8JacY/s1600-h/P1060654_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359955700994612786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SmJjT9GdHjI/AAAAAAAABIU/3FAGTf8JacY/s320/P1060654_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Thirsty!<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SmJjTk5GBmI/AAAAAAAABIM/Izc7WjwRoWE/s1600-h/P1060666_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359955694496122466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SmJjTk5GBmI/AAAAAAAABIM/Izc7WjwRoWE/s320/P1060666_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> The crab was this big!! Crabbing in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Tisbury</span>, they caught maybe 30 crabs!<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SmJjTbHKAxI/AAAAAAAABIE/9qOjYNGsQgI/s1600-h/P1060668_2_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359955691870749458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SmJjTbHKAxI/AAAAAAAABIE/9qOjYNGsQgI/s320/P1060668_2_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Arrrrgh</span>!<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SmJio0MRNAI/AAAAAAAABH8/5-SU83wib3A/s1600-h/P1060674_3_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359954959868703746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SmJio0MRNAI/AAAAAAAABH8/5-SU83wib3A/s320/P1060674_3_1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Many of the towns on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Vinyard</span> are very old and have a long history of fishing and whaling, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">therefore</span> they have old captain's houses with widows walks. These are balconies on the roof where the wife of a sailor would go to look out to sea and see if her husband was returning.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SmJiok008WI/AAAAAAAABH0/icj5EJ4zaNY/s1600-h/P1060689_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359954955743850850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SmJiok008WI/AAAAAAAABH0/icj5EJ4zaNY/s320/P1060689_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a>Some of the garden's were lovely, many houses are planted with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">hydrangas</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">daisys</span> and many other perennials.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SmJioQU6hUI/AAAAAAAABHs/Si-wyMHyzVE/s1600-h/IMG_4697_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359954950241289538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SmJioQU6hUI/AAAAAAAABHs/Si-wyMHyzVE/s320/IMG_4697_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a>The path to the lighthouse and beach.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SmJioSK29GI/AAAAAAAABHk/kJWyXZDkLk8/s1600-h/IMG_4698_2_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359954950735983714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SmJioSK29GI/AAAAAAAABHk/kJWyXZDkLk8/s320/IMG_4698_2_1.jpg" border="0" /></a>These roses grow wild here!<br /><br /><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SmJioFZ8t5I/AAAAAAAABHc/TtVEsYSqkbs/s1600-h/IMG_4710_3_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359954947309614994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SmJioFZ8t5I/AAAAAAAABHc/TtVEsYSqkbs/s320/IMG_4710_3_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Edgartown's</span> waterfront<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SmJh-J6kMQI/AAAAAAAABHU/DG982oNoMjY/s1600-h/P1060696_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359954226965655810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SmJh-J6kMQI/AAAAAAAABHU/DG982oNoMjY/s320/P1060696_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Kiddos<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SmJh-CCfHSI/AAAAAAAABHM/QhqHZk5jAFI/s1600-h/P1060707_2_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359954224851393826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SmJh-CCfHSI/AAAAAAAABHM/QhqHZk5jAFI/s320/P1060707_2_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Charles relaxing in front of the Whaling Church<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SmJh96uGZOI/AAAAAAAABHE/7vQ6smn0xEc/s1600-h/IMG_4719_2_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359954222886839522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SmJh96uGZOI/AAAAAAAABHE/7vQ6smn0xEc/s320/IMG_4719_2_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Pillars</span> of the Whaling Church in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Edgartown</span>. They are made of wood, the whole building is classic New England architecture.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SmJh9siFbuI/AAAAAAAABG8/gNmJTnDAHk0/s1600-h/IMG_4725_3_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359954219078348514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SmJh9siFbuI/AAAAAAAABG8/gNmJTnDAHk0/s320/IMG_4725_3_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Our last day we met a lovely couple, John and Pat, sailing on Remedy their nonesuch 30. They had us for cocktails and we all loved them. This in Pat with Alistair.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SmJh9tXpH0I/AAAAAAAABG0/8dh8JlMMFrE/s1600-h/P1060714_3_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359954219302985538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SmJh9tXpH0I/AAAAAAAABG0/8dh8JlMMFrE/s320/P1060714_3_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> All in all we loved <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">MV</span>. it was a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">definite</span> highlight for me this whole trip. A perfect blend of quaint towns, very friendly people, interesting history, crabbing for the kids and of course there was Lake <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Tashmoo</span>.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lopez Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627726642527580758noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5178831866051164552.post-22777900062209682332009-07-12T10:37:00.028-04:002009-07-12T14:55:55.140-04:00Woods HoleWe travelled from Watch Hill in Rhode Island where we had spent the fourth to Cuttyhunk in the Elizabeth islands of Cape Cod.<br /><br />NOAA had predicted light winds instead we got 25 knots and by the end of the day 6 foot seas. Not a problem as it was behind us and it was taking us fast to our destination but our dinghy was surfing down the waves hard enough to hit the boat and then get jerked as the Alice took the slack of the line up. It was enough to damage the painter attachment point.<br /><br />We played with how much line we let out to stop the surfing but by then the damage was done. In retrospect we should have put the dinghy on deck but had expected light winds so didn't. Lesson learned..<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SlogB9c5-sI/AAAAAAAABGs/TO_j5D6x4gc/s1600-h/IMG_4522_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357629924758387394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SlogB9c5-sI/AAAAAAAABGs/TO_j5D6x4gc/s320/IMG_4522_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> We spent a windy night anchored in the outside harbor of Cuttyhunk and then left early to meet up with our friends Josh and Naomi and their kids Yacob and Jasmine. Josh and Naomi summer in Woods Hole where their family has a summer place. We anchored on the Buzzard's Bay side just in front of their association beach. Was really great, the kids played and swam hunted for creatures and got along really well.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Slof9P_jntI/AAAAAAAABGk/-cUHJW36iII/s1600-h/IMG_4528_2_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357629843836214994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Slof9P_jntI/AAAAAAAABGk/-cUHJW36iII/s320/IMG_4528_2_1.jpg" border="0" /></a>Meanwhile Josh helped me fix the dinghy. They very kindly gave us the tour of the local area including the aquarium and part of the institute's tanks which house everything from Fiddler crabs to squid, lobster, dogfish and much more. Definitely a highlight. We also heard and participated in local folk singing on Tuesday nights a Wood's hole tradition for over 40 years. </div><div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Slof4BphSrI/AAAAAAAABGc/NHbdsQbBHiY/s1600-h/P1060504_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357629754086345394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Slof4BphSrI/AAAAAAAABGc/NHbdsQbBHiY/s320/P1060504_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Here the kids are setting up a trap to catch fish in Eel pond. One of the local restaurants nicely donated their old bread to the kids.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SlofyutoLKI/AAAAAAAABGU/m2Iuo5GuXXA/s1600-h/P1060513_3_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357629663103954082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SlofyutoLKI/AAAAAAAABGU/m2Iuo5GuXXA/s320/P1060513_3_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Here is one of the touch tanks at the institute, Josh is handling a blue lobster. Great stuff for the kids and us. </div><div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SlofnJLy5MI/AAAAAAAABGE/XoszkDYZ6QY/s1600-h/IMG_4538_2_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357629464051377346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SlofnJLy5MI/AAAAAAAABGE/XoszkDYZ6QY/s320/IMG_4538_2_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> We spent a few days there with many excursions into town, here the kids are playing soccer at Josh and Naomi's place.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Slofh690gGI/AAAAAAAABF8/HCuUKDwvCwk/s1600-h/IMG_4544_3_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357629374335320162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Slofh690gGI/AAAAAAAABF8/HCuUKDwvCwk/s320/IMG_4544_3_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> We left Wood's Hole with the end of the current as it rips through theWoods Hole cut. Josh, Naomi and kids joined us for the sail to Martha's Vineyard, where they planned to return via ferry later in the day. </div><div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Slofaxbp3HI/AAAAAAAABF0/CQE5Th9Aj0A/s1600-h/IMG_4548_4_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357629251517013106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Slofaxbp3HI/AAAAAAAABF0/CQE5Th9Aj0A/s320/IMG_4548_4_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Josh cranking in the Yankee.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SlofUTJogsI/AAAAAAAABFs/J1sKPqT1_eU/s1600-h/P1060534_4_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357629140309148354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SlofUTJogsI/AAAAAAAABFs/J1sKPqT1_eU/s320/P1060534_4_1.JPG" border="0" /></a>Naomi and Jasmine up forward.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SlofMtbAUKI/AAAAAAAABFk/m5VgFe9t3-w/s1600-h/P1060541_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357629009922379938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SlofMtbAUKI/AAAAAAAABFk/m5VgFe9t3-w/s320/P1060541_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a>We all took the bus to Oak Bluffs, and then went to the Flying Horses a merry go round carousel where you have the additional challenge of trying to grab small rings as you go around. If you get a brass ring you get to ride again. The kids really dug this.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SlofG_-eobI/AAAAAAAABFc/3cB0jeiGaxQ/s1600-h/P1060542_2_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357628911823790514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SlofG_-eobI/AAAAAAAABFc/3cB0jeiGaxQ/s320/P1060542_2_1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SlofAGlYhkI/AAAAAAAABFU/F4PBMOssBKg/s1600-h/IMG_4585_2_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357628793338496578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SlofAGlYhkI/AAAAAAAABFU/F4PBMOssBKg/s320/IMG_4585_2_1.jpg" border="0" /></a>Here is Dakota trying to get a ring. It looks static here in the picture but when the carousel is moving right along its pretty exciting!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SloU2jmhZYI/AAAAAAAABEM/8FCnd2ODm84/s1600-h/IMG_4587_3_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357617634212930946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SloU2jmhZYI/AAAAAAAABEM/8FCnd2ODm84/s320/IMG_4587_3_1.jpg" border="0" /></a>The horses are all antiques, you stack your rings on a rod on top of the horse's head.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SloUjzQ10rI/AAAAAAAABD8/9eiZh47NYH0/s1600-h/IMG_4590_4_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357617311999447730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SloUjzQ10rI/AAAAAAAABD8/9eiZh47NYH0/s320/IMG_4590_4_1.jpg" border="0" /></a>Of course there was ice cream. This is the "kiddy size" in Oak Bluffs.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SloUWgfv5SI/AAAAAAAABD0/zUvmyVnuIiM/s1600-h/P1060550_3_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357617083623400738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SloUWgfv5SI/AAAAAAAABD0/zUvmyVnuIiM/s320/P1060550_3_1.JPG" border="0" /></a>In Oak Bluffs there is a section of town that is all Ginger Bread cottages, these started in 1835 as tents where people would get together for religous congregations. Apparently these were huge events with each mainland church having it's own tent. Over time these tents got roofs and eventually evolved to these cottages. They are arranged in a semicircle around an area called the Tabernacle where the preaching happened.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SloTyRjvkFI/AAAAAAAABDs/-BhMCoggUL8/s1600-h/P1060559_5_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357616461138333778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SloTyRjvkFI/AAAAAAAABDs/-BhMCoggUL8/s320/P1060559_5_1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SloTZyoQC6I/AAAAAAAABDk/2bi1w372sw0/s1600-h/P1060563_6_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357616040518880162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SloTZyoQC6I/AAAAAAAABDk/2bi1w372sw0/s320/P1060563_6_1.JPG" border="0" /></a>All in all we had an excellent time with Olins-Beal family, thanks for the great time guys!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SloSXKSZd_I/AAAAAAAABDE/_EwcZa1JTXo/s1600-h/IMG_4544_3_1.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lopez Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627726642527580758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5178831866051164552.post-47387113296711140402009-07-04T14:51:00.010-04:002010-08-31T05:41:37.495-04:00MysticWe left Essex and traveled down the Connecticut River for an easy trip up to Mystic, that is until we started to hear rumbling in the sky. We then heard on the radio the coast guard issuing a securite' warning for dangerous thunderstorms with winds in excess of 60 knots, of course the warning happened to be for the Fisher Sound area where we happened to be. I didn't dare to go into the harbor which is chock full of moored boats and not much open anchoring area. So we stayed out in Fisher Sound Where we got rain, lightning and squallish weather in what felt like 30 knot winds and then got the big one. I couldn't hold the bow into the wind so we turned with it and ran under bare poles at just under 7 knots! Wow! It blew by fairly quick, and left gray, rainy, foggy, wet skies. I could hear the sirens in Groton and could see the fire engines on Groton Long Pt. Someone later told us that winds had been clocked at 70 knots there.<br /><br />We went into the harbor grabbed a private mooring for about an hour and just let the heavy rain pass through.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sk-mIkYPlsI/AAAAAAAABBM/hoE53gkiBG8/s1600-h/P1060314_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354681148101334722" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 225px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sk-mIkYPlsI/AAAAAAAABBM/hoE53gkiBG8/s400/P1060314_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> We continued on to inner Mystic Harbor where we tied up at the Mystic Seaport. Laurel's cousin Steve White has recently taken the helm at the Seaport and with his very charming wife Maggie, they welcomed us a little later that afternoon when they could get away.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sk-mIZgEyRI/AAAAAAAABBE/rovwWCLXHpA/s1600-h/P1060316_2_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354681145181391122" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 225px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sk-mIZgEyRI/AAAAAAAABBE/rovwWCLXHpA/s400/P1060316_2_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> I've always loved the seaport and it's representation of America's nautical roots. It somehow satisfies some inner need in me for nautical detail which is displayed, taught, sung about, acted, cataloged and worked on at the seaport.</div><div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sk-mIE6sBEI/AAAAAAAABA8/U4nSOB1bZIs/s1600-h/IMG_4425_2_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354681139655869506" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sk-mIE6sBEI/AAAAAAAABA8/U4nSOB1bZIs/s400/IMG_4425_2_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> George and Greta came up the following day and later Mathew and Nancy also joined us. </div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354681132501973826" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 225px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sk-mHqREO0I/AAAAAAAABAs/1r-Iai_HVOg/s400/P1060363_2_1.JPG" border="0" />Steve and Maggie joined us all for lunch and we had a great time learning more about them, the museum, and Steve's goals for the Seaport. I was impressed by his reasoning and the clarity he seems to bring to problems and issues. Thanks Steve and Maggie for your hospitality, we remain grateful.</div><div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sk-mH3iEeSI/AAAAAAAABA0/wQe19lQYHiQ/s1600-h/P1060349_3_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354681136062953762" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 225px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sk-mH3iEeSI/AAAAAAAABA0/wQe19lQYHiQ/s400/P1060349_3_1.JPG" border="0" /></a>We spent our time at may of the scheduled exhibitions like the dead horse ceremony which the kids took part of above and looking about at the many boats, walking the village and chatting with staff and volunteers.</div><div><br /><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sk-lgczKhHI/AAAAAAAABAk/afYUuup2XJo/s1600-h/IMG_4446_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354680458871997554" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sk-lgczKhHI/AAAAAAAABAk/afYUuup2XJo/s400/IMG_4446_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a>Here are the kids helping with old fashioned ice cream making.</div><div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sk-lgEmbAQI/AAAAAAAABAc/QMS3lO_mqmE/s1600-h/IMG_4454_2_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354680452376101122" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sk-lgEmbAQI/AAAAAAAABAc/QMS3lO_mqmE/s400/IMG_4454_2_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is Alistair as an old hand in the "Tale of a Whale" I even got a chance to participate.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354681665852089202" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sk-mmtJpI3I/AAAAAAAABBU/1dJjVi6DP_s/s400/IMG_4461_4_1.jpg" border="0" />The kids made boats at one of the exhibits and then did their best to sail/tow them around.</div><div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sk-lf-PioDI/AAAAAAAABAU/DGYN_3hEcFE/s1600-h/IMG_4464_5_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354680450669518898" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sk-lf-PioDI/AAAAAAAABAU/DGYN_3hEcFE/s400/IMG_4464_5_1.jpg" border="0" /></a>We all had drinks and dinner aboard. Tom a local shipwright came by for a visit and joined us for a glass of wine. Greta brought lobster salad from Maine, so we all very happilly dug into lobster rolls.<br /></div><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sk-lfgyCF4I/AAAAAAAABAM/kNIGAChcAPI/s1600-h/IMG_4467_6_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354680442761123714" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sk-lfgyCF4I/AAAAAAAABAM/kNIGAChcAPI/s400/IMG_4467_6_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> The following day we spent time seeing some of the exhibits we had missed, we saw re-enactments of whaling days and then made our way to the anchorage where we dropped our hook, spent the afternoon, did a bit of walking and tucked away.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sk-lfWB3vOI/AAAAAAAABAE/aogI__CDib0/s1600-h/P1060380_4_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354680439874764002" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 225px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sk-lfWB3vOI/AAAAAAAABAE/aogI__CDib0/s400/P1060380_4_1.JPG" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><p>Today we are at Watch Hill for the fourth and fireworks, tommorow we will most likely move on to Block Island or Cape Cod area. Happy Fourth!</p><p>C. </p>Lopez Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627726642527580758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5178831866051164552.post-12363273108821254602009-07-01T08:15:00.005-04:002009-07-01T09:02:11.223-04:00Visit with Matthew and NancyAfter leaving NYC, we made our way up Long Island Sound (or is it down?) to the Connecticut River and dropped the hook in Essex about 5 miles up. We were looking forward to seeing my brother Matthew and his family for a couple of days. The following morning he came and picked us and our laundry, of course, up and we went to his house to hang out, play etc.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SktUzEVfiSI/AAAAAAAAA-U/Rb-ZRXW7xuM/s1600-h/P1060236_2_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353465818373916962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SktUzEVfiSI/AAAAAAAAA-U/Rb-ZRXW7xuM/s400/P1060236_2_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Matthew has gotten really into mountain biking and was showing us some of the stuff he's learned to do on his bike. It was pretty cool and the kids were <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">truly</span> inspired (we have ramps and jumps in our future). We also discovered Scott's (our nephew) old skate board and then Charles became inspired and now he has a skate board and lots of plans to ride again!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SktUm6XUrqI/AAAAAAAAA-M/LoF08U7I1ag/s1600-h/P1060241_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353465609538809506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SktUm6XUrqI/AAAAAAAAA-M/LoF08U7I1ag/s400/P1060241_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> The boys love the pond with all its wildlife. Tiny toads, tadpoles, fish and big daddy frogs like this guy! That evening we all had dinner together and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Derik</span> (nephew) and his girlfriend <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Britany</span> joined us and although I sadly don't have a picture of them, they look great and happy!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The next day we met Matthew in Waterford, CT to go fishing. We got to go 32 mph, quite a thrill compared to 5 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">nmph</span> (roughly 6 mph) that is our average cruising speed! Hence the grins!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SktUmhj4xtI/AAAAAAAAA-E/tzhEZHPXSrQ/s1600-h/IMG_4392_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353465602880620242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SktUmhj4xtI/AAAAAAAAA-E/tzhEZHPXSrQ/s400/IMG_4392_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Matthew happy and at ease at 32 mph! My brother loves to fish and has <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">always</span> been the fishing guru for us. Whenever we have a question about fishing, need advice or encouragement, or catch a fish, Matthews phone rings! He is always patient and enthusiastic!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SktUmhQoF7I/AAAAAAAAA98/77yydrdmURE/s1600-h/IMG_4394_2_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353465602799835058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SktUmhQoF7I/AAAAAAAAA98/77yydrdmURE/s400/IMG_4394_2_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> So he took us to the out flow of a nuclear power plant, a fish mecca in the tropical waters, a nuclear hot spot, fish bliss and it didn't <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">disappoint</span>! We caught good sized bluefish right off! We kept one for the grill and let the rest return to the virtual spa waters.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SktUmYi16KI/AAAAAAAAA90/R1RI1JzCncY/s1600-h/IMG_4395_3_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353465600460318882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SktUmYi16KI/AAAAAAAAA90/R1RI1JzCncY/s400/IMG_4395_3_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Dakota was very excited to haul in a blue! They are great game fish, meaning they put up a great fight and are fun to land.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SktUmK1er0I/AAAAAAAAA9s/n5tkGHabkuw/s1600-h/IMG_4396_4_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353465596780392258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SktUmK1er0I/AAAAAAAAA9s/n5tkGHabkuw/s400/IMG_4396_4_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> We also caught this beauty of a striped bass, not a keeper though for in CT they need to be 28 inches minimum. <br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SktUGK5AnJI/AAAAAAAAA9k/iblbJdUajwU/s1600-h/P1060248_3_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353465047039384722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SktUGK5AnJI/AAAAAAAAA9k/iblbJdUajwU/s400/P1060248_3_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> After we were done catching blues, we decided to try our luck with Porgies, so Matthew set about getting everyone set up with rigs for still fishing with bait. We moved to a point that Matthew has marked "porgy" on his GPS and they tried but had no luck. So we moved and also had no luck and lost a lot of rigs, which Matthew says is an occupational hazard of bottom fishing. So having had our fun we headed for shore to have a picnic lunch.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SktUF-y96_I/AAAAAAAAA9c/UR2NmdIIUYg/s1600-h/P1060252_4_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353465043792817138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SktUF-y96_I/AAAAAAAAA9c/UR2NmdIIUYg/s400/P1060252_4_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Matthew took the boys back to his house to wash the boat and set up for badminton. Charles and I went to search for a place to fill the propane tank (whole other blog entry).</div><div> </div><div>When we got back we all played badminton and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">bocce</span> ball and had a great time. No other game makes me laugh as much as badminton, its too funny, I'm in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">hysterics</span> the whole time.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SktUFqRu_gI/AAAAAAAAA9U/cBEmORIlplw/s1600-h/P1060267_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353465038284717570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SktUFqRu_gI/AAAAAAAAA9U/cBEmORIlplw/s400/P1060267_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a>Matthew and Nancy have a really nice pond that the kids love, here is Alistair looking for frogs in the late afternoon sun (sun!).<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SktUFQMTQ3I/AAAAAAAAA9M/URX5KSKpKqE/s1600-h/P1060278_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353465031282606962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SktUFQMTQ3I/AAAAAAAAA9M/URX5KSKpKqE/s400/P1060278_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a>That evening <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Derik</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Britany</span> came again and we all had fajitas that Matthew did on the grill. yum! Nancy made some serious cosmopolitans and we all had a great time! Here is Nancy with Kinsey.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SktUFT5rR8I/AAAAAAAAA9E/J27wcRk1Nd4/s1600-h/IMG_4398_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353465032278230978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SktUFT5rR8I/AAAAAAAAA9E/J27wcRk1Nd4/s400/IMG_4398_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Thank you Matthew and Nancy for a great visit!!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lopez Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627726642527580758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5178831866051164552.post-79683160254076335592009-06-28T07:37:00.011-04:002009-06-28T14:41:51.784-04:00Barnegat, NJ to NYC<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SkddjadlEgI/AAAAAAAAA88/afGYUXcdv5M/s1600-h/P1060003_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352349545133314562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SkddjadlEgI/AAAAAAAAA88/afGYUXcdv5M/s400/P1060003_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> We arrived at the Barnegat Inlet from Cape May late in the afternoon and woke really early to go to the Forked River to meet our friends Deanna, Guttorm, Olivia and Andre and their extended familjies at the Marina in which they keep their boat the "Abby J".<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Skdc_1FmwvI/AAAAAAAAA80/M2yxIlWVq48/s1600-h/IMG_4263_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352348933805228786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Skdc_1FmwvI/AAAAAAAAA80/M2yxIlWVq48/s400/IMG_4263_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Deanna's parents Joy and Tom were great and had us over at their home on two nights which was great as it was raining and we got to visit not only with them and the Baadsviks but also with Deanna's sister Kara her husband Keith and their kids Jake, Maddie, and Sophie.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Skdc_lWZExI/AAAAAAAAA8s/Ct2O-gMPcaA/s1600-h/IMG_4267_4_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352348929580667666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Skdc_lWZExI/AAAAAAAAA8s/Ct2O-gMPcaA/s400/IMG_4267_4_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> This was a boon for the kids as they got to have lots of buddies their age and all had a blast!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Skdc_sP8ymI/AAAAAAAAA8k/8nK2SnH29Vk/s1600-h/IMG_4268_5_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352348931432696418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Skdc_sP8ymI/AAAAAAAAA8k/8nK2SnH29Vk/s400/IMG_4268_5_1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This is Maddie and Olivia.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Skdc_btdeaI/AAAAAAAAA8c/-kTuSIsKbAM/s1600-h/IMG_4274_2_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352348926993070498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Skdc_btdeaI/AAAAAAAAA8c/-kTuSIsKbAM/s400/IMG_4274_2_1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here are all the boys Andre, Jake, Alistair and Dakota. Probably up to no good...<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Skdc_bvG9pI/AAAAAAAAA8U/TOBsO_OLsKU/s1600-h/IMG_4280_3_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352348926999983762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Skdc_bvG9pI/AAAAAAAAA8U/TOBsO_OLsKU/s400/IMG_4280_3_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is Keith rowing Olivia and Maddie on the Forked river.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SkdcYETHa5I/AAAAAAAAA8M/1ajhfJ4Sr2A/s1600-h/P1060019_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352348250693659538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SkdcYETHa5I/AAAAAAAAA8M/1ajhfJ4Sr2A/s400/P1060019_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a>Guttorm was in fine form, the dads and kids all went sailing on Barnegat Bay. He and Deanna are part of a new start up jet charter company called "Zen Air". Deanna is back in the work force doing the books for Zen Air, before I left Guttorm gave me his Zen Air hat and is currently my favorite hat.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SkdcXzHPz1I/AAAAAAAAA8E/Kj-Lz2wXT3Q/s1600-h/P1060026_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352348246080474962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SkdcXzHPz1I/AAAAAAAAA8E/Kj-Lz2wXT3Q/s400/P1060026_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Here is the Alice anchored at Barnegat Light, you can see her new colors.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SkdcX05JhUI/AAAAAAAAA78/F6TQxr7wvoY/s1600-h/P1060031_2_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352348246558213442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SkdcX05JhUI/AAAAAAAAA78/F6TQxr7wvoY/s400/P1060031_2_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> After the weekend we spent an extra day at Barnegat Light discovering the lighthouse and town, this is the view of Barnegat inlet from the lighthouse "Old Barney".<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SkdcXkaDH1I/AAAAAAAAA70/5gKzHymPj28/s1600-h/P1060079_5_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352348242132803410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SkdcXkaDH1I/AAAAAAAAA70/5gKzHymPj28/s400/P1060079_5_1.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div>We left Barnegat light at 9:00 and motored in a windless day to NYC where we anchored at Liberty Park on the Jersey side next to the Statue of Liberty. Above is Dakota swinging from the rigging as we aproach the Verrazano bridge.</div><div> </div><div></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SkdcXfxamDI/AAAAAAAAA7s/vGq-cNzVFiA/s1600-h/P1060097_4_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352348240888633394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SkdcXfxamDI/AAAAAAAAA7s/vGq-cNzVFiA/s400/P1060097_4_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> On our way out the next morning we passed the Statue of Liberty as close as the security perimeter allowed us and explained to the kids her significance. We headed for the 79th St Boat Basin which is a city Marina and therefore the best deal in NYC, I read another cruiser's blog that said you can pay 80.00 dollars plus a foot for docking in private Marina's. Ouch!! A mooring at 79th st Marina is 30.00 bucks period and you get free ice, showers and laundry. We spent two nights there, the Hudson can be very rolly during the day, because of big boat wakes so we planned to spend our days in the city and come back in the evenings when the river is calmer.</div><div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SkdbRUAR_iI/AAAAAAAAA7k/OmAp7luhqQ8/s1600-h/P1060113_3_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352347035138915874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SkdbRUAR_iI/AAAAAAAAA7k/OmAp7luhqQ8/s400/P1060113_3_1.JPG" border="0" /></a>We spent our first day at the American Museum of Natural History, the kids really loved it, we spent a few hours there in the morning then took the subway to China town and had lunch at an<br /><div></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SkdbRb2mdJI/AAAAAAAAA7c/oqIYDDrPm38/s1600-h/P1060122_2_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352347037245797522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SkdbRb2mdJI/AAAAAAAAA7c/oqIYDDrPm38/s400/P1060122_2_1.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div>excellent and cheap noodle and dumpling restaurant. It was really good we all left happy. </div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SkdbRNzd-PI/AAAAAAAAA7U/ahBPrny111s/s1600-h/P1060144_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352347033474562290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SkdbRNzd-PI/AAAAAAAAA7U/ahBPrny111s/s400/P1060144_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a>If you've seen "Night at the Museum" this is Dum Dum give me Gum Gum, there were hordes of kids who all looked for him and took their pictures with him all the while saying "Dum, Dum give me Gum, Gum" I kept hearing "there he is!". It looks as if the movie has been good for the museum.<br /></div><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SkdbQ-RfLtI/AAAAAAAAA7M/ZWD6EnyLm04/s1600-h/P1060157_6_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352347029305503442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SkdbQ-RfLtI/AAAAAAAAA7M/ZWD6EnyLm04/s400/P1060157_6_1.JPG" border="0" /></a>After lunch we spent time at Central Park this is the Shakespeare Garden.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SkdbQnMfO4I/AAAAAAAAA7E/JURAQ6dJRsA/s1600-h/P1060168_4_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352347023110519682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SkdbQnMfO4I/AAAAAAAAA7E/JURAQ6dJRsA/s400/P1060168_4_1.JPG" border="0" /></a>Nearby in the park was Belvedere castle where we climbed to the top and the kids got to see the turtles that hang out in the sun on the lake below.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SkdYstTPkrI/AAAAAAAAA68/OKgxyOTa9Zs/s1600-h/P1060170_7_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352344207250920114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SkdYstTPkrI/AAAAAAAAA68/OKgxyOTa9Zs/s400/P1060170_7_1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SkdYF9WGFEI/AAAAAAAAA60/JOl81yRvwoY/s1600-h/IMG_4346_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352343541542949954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SkdYF9WGFEI/AAAAAAAAA60/JOl81yRvwoY/s400/IMG_4346_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> We got around the city by subway and bus, was nice to have lived in the city before as getting around made sense to us. <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SkdYF7_CHqI/AAAAAAAAA6s/9SoCKw596e8/s1600-h/P1060189_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352343541177786018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SkdYF7_CHqI/AAAAAAAAA6s/9SoCKw596e8/s400/P1060189_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> We also went to the Metropolitan Museum or the MET where we spent a couple of hours, we knew that trying to do the marathon museum thing is a killer not only for the kids but also for us so we kept our visits short. A good thing to remember when you go to the MET and the Natural History museum is that these museums are by donation. They have posted suggested prices but you can pay what you want.<br /><br /><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SkdYFr4looI/AAAAAAAAA6k/qbK56njnGZw/s1600-h/IMG_4347_3_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352343536855786114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SkdYFr4looI/AAAAAAAAA6k/qbK56njnGZw/s400/IMG_4347_3_1.jpg" border="0" /></a>Laurel spent the afternoon walking around the city while the kids and I went to a movie. We had wanted to see Up but in NY 3D movies were more money 16.00 for adults and 12.50 for kids!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SkdYFTCH76I/AAAAAAAAA6c/KKcUvFj6eD4/s1600-h/P1060174_3_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352343530184896418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SkdYFTCH76I/AAAAAAAAA6c/KKcUvFj6eD4/s400/P1060174_3_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> At the end of the day we got some goodies at a local supermarket on Broadway and I think 74th. We bought a bottle of white to go with it and enjoyed the evening on board overlooking the city. Doesn't get much better.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SkdYFDr37jI/AAAAAAAAA6U/jsapp6g1QB0/s1600-h/P1060175_2_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352343526065040946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SkdYFDr37jI/AAAAAAAAA6U/jsapp6g1QB0/s400/P1060175_2_1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SkdXDQ4URfI/AAAAAAAAA6M/K6TxHC5WNuQ/s1600-h/P1060199_3_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352342395735524850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SkdXDQ4URfI/AAAAAAAAA6M/K6TxHC5WNuQ/s400/P1060199_3_1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Saturday morning we caught the end of the ebb on the Hudson and the beggining of the flood tide on East river. The current really rips through the East river, while going through Hell's gate we found ourselves doing over 10 knots.</div><div></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SkdXDHnV4dI/AAAAAAAAA6E/EpdK-iJMlVo/s1600-h/P1060203_2_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352342393248408018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SkdXDHnV4dI/AAAAAAAAA6E/EpdK-iJMlVo/s400/P1060203_2_1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SkdXDPMu2UI/AAAAAAAAA58/UJipD3dCjkM/s1600-h/P1060216_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352342395284281666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SkdXDPMu2UI/AAAAAAAAA58/UJipD3dCjkM/s400/P1060216_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SkdXC8HhMaI/AAAAAAAAA50/NlKSoSlSAdY/s1600-h/IMG_4375_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352342390162141602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SkdXC8HhMaI/AAAAAAAAA50/NlKSoSlSAdY/s400/IMG_4375_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a>Here is Alistair swinging on the rigging as we pass the UN. Below is me with a bluefish we caught on Long Island Sound. Next stop for us is the Connecticut river where we'll stop and see Laurel's brother Mathew and his wife Nancy. Best, C.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SkdXCqXizsI/AAAAAAAAA5s/rQVrPEBo3iw/s1600-h/P1060218_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352342385397518018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SkdXCqXizsI/AAAAAAAAA5s/rQVrPEBo3iw/s400/P1060218_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lopez Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627726642527580758noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5178831866051164552.post-54483755900642821822009-06-18T08:43:00.003-04:002009-06-18T09:28:14.421-04:00Annapolis to Cape MayAs we sailed through the Chesapeake to Annapolis we decided to throw out a hook. The result was a 25 inch rockfish (striped bass). We were very excited because this fell into the legal limits in Maryland to keep. He made for an excellent dinner! Two dinners actually. I just read a book in which the author described the size of fish they caught by how many dinner they got out of it. The biggest fish they caught was an 80 dinner tuna!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sjo3mLrK6tI/AAAAAAAAA5k/JMYgdctS60E/s1600-h/P1050953_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348648636564302546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sjo3mLrK6tI/AAAAAAAAA5k/JMYgdctS60E/s400/P1050953_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> This is the Alice in Spa creek, notice that the boot stripe has been repainted a darker blue. Charles has been working on the boat and little by little she's getting a face lift. The wood is stripped, name re-applied, boot stripe done. We hope to come home looking better than when we left (the boat that is, as for us personally.....oh well).<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sjo3l_cei2I/AAAAAAAAA5c/hq5Tp86qmo8/s1600-h/IMG_4249_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348648633281448802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sjo3l_cei2I/AAAAAAAAA5c/hq5Tp86qmo8/s400/IMG_4249_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is a sleeping lion that we saw in the town of Cape May. The town is very quaint and pretty with lots of cute houses and B&Bs. We were glad to be here after a gruelling day coming down the Delaware Bay. We started from Chesapeake City at 4 AM and made the end of the C&D canal at around 7 to catch the outgoing tide. The beginning was great, we had some wind and the tide we were making 8 kts! Then we came around the corner into the bay, we could see it in the distance like little ripples, a broken horizon and bam! Chop! At first it wasn't too bad but it only got worse before it got better! The chop maxed out at maybe 3 plus feet and then the tide switched against us!! We buried the bow sprit up to the cabin top over and over! Our record low speed 0.0 kts and Dakota even said "are we going backwards?" Maybe! Luckily it got better as we got slowly closer to Cape May and thankfully the wind veered a little in our favor too. We got into the canal around 4:30 and heaved a huge sigh of relief! We had a well deserved spaghetti and meatball dinner and crashed! The kids did great during the day, Dakota read a lot and Alistair even slept for the worst of it. We also had fun yelling and shouting at a particularly bad set of chop that Charles took to calling the three sisters, as the big ones seemed to come in threes.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sjo3lnzvN2I/AAAAAAAAA5U/FGz3BODVi5g/s1600-h/IMG_4252_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348648626936559458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sjo3lnzvN2I/AAAAAAAAA5U/FGz3BODVi5g/s400/IMG_4252_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Alas, the next day we waled into town and found a grocery store and rolled the food back in our cart and rowed it out to the boat. This pic is of the groceries tucked between my legs as Charles rows.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sjo3lQIx-aI/AAAAAAAAA5M/jxaiMc7Yk-g/s1600-h/IMG_4262_2_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348648620582369698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sjo3lQIx-aI/AAAAAAAAA5M/jxaiMc7Yk-g/s400/IMG_4262_2_1.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div>Lopez Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627726642527580758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5178831866051164552.post-34171114305392150902009-06-11T19:16:00.004-04:002009-06-11T19:48:29.776-04:00Elizabeth City to Tangier Island, MDWe sailed of the outer banks and into Elizabeth City and were immediately greeted by Lynn from Silver heels II and Bruce from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Zingara</span>, both we had met in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Exuma</span> park in the Bahamas. We attended the traditional <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Rose</span> buddy cocktail hour and then a pot luck that Lynn had <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">orchestrated</span>. We had a ball that night catching up with old friend and making new. We met Arnold a single handing Englishman and Catherine, Patrick and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Rubert</span>, a french Canadian family. We stayed up way too late talking and getting to know Catherine and Patrick and decided to travel together the next day. Below is their steel boat <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Noka</span>.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SjGSVP2PgPI/AAAAAAAAA4k/KNtKtCYSg-s/s1600-h/P1050895_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346215126394437874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SjGSVP2PgPI/AAAAAAAAA4k/KNtKtCYSg-s/s400/P1050895_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> This is Charles and Bruce (who's from Maine!) on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Zingara</span> at the Dismal Swamp Welcome Center free dock.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SjGSBXvKm6I/AAAAAAAAA4c/7dly-8GISTE/s1600-h/IMG_4199_3_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346214784914856866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SjGSBXvKm6I/AAAAAAAAA4c/7dly-8GISTE/s400/IMG_4199_3_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> We went with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Noka</span> to the Dismal Swamp museum across the canal and found a beautiful building an interesting museum, also trails that we walked a little on before departure for Deep Creek.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SjGSBND9JcI/AAAAAAAAA4U/5Vt3ChLScqo/s1600-h/IMG_4204_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346214782049265090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SjGSBND9JcI/AAAAAAAAA4U/5Vt3ChLScqo/s400/IMG_4204_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Zingara</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Noka</span> and Alice at the dock together.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SjGSA22JBPI/AAAAAAAAA4M/rpGY4CG70YI/s1600-h/IMG_4205_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346214776085742834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SjGSA22JBPI/AAAAAAAAA4M/rpGY4CG70YI/s400/IMG_4205_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Charles and Patrick, probably talking boats!<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SjGRo-a8brI/AAAAAAAAA4E/r81GFeB86c8/s1600-h/IMG_4217_2_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346214365802294962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SjGRo-a8brI/AAAAAAAAA4E/r81GFeB86c8/s400/IMG_4217_2_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Rubert</span> is three and a sweet little boy, we all adopted each other! Dakota and Alistair had a great time playing with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Rubert</span>.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SjGRolsQbiI/AAAAAAAAA38/8ez3Jad3RGw/s1600-h/IMG_4235_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346214359164022306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SjGRolsQbiI/AAAAAAAAA38/8ez3Jad3RGw/s400/IMG_4235_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Noka</span> and Alice at Deep Creek. Here there is another free dock and we took advantage! With a grocery store and a playground nearby it is a great stop. We had yet another fun evening with Patrick and Catherine!<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SjGRobnvDVI/AAAAAAAAA30/mbGT4wksT6A/s1600-h/P1050906_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346214356460703058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SjGRobnvDVI/AAAAAAAAA30/mbGT4wksT6A/s400/P1050906_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> The boys brought the lock master shells from the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Bahamas</span>!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SjGRoVBXq5I/AAAAAAAAA3s/mnIm3SniA3Y/s1600-h/IMG_4236_2_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346214354689174418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SjGRoVBXq5I/AAAAAAAAA3s/mnIm3SniA3Y/s400/IMG_4236_2_1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here we are in Hampton, VA at the Cousteau <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">submersible</span> outside the Cousteau center there. We came into Hampton and found the Blackbeard festival going on so we picked up <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Noka</span> and motored up to see the re-enactment of a pirate battle. Later after we anchored we all went ashore to walk around and see the Cousteau Center. Exhausted after many busy nights we all tucked in early. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Noka</span> was also getting ready to go off shore to New York the following day.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SjGRoLa-1wI/AAAAAAAAA3k/qZ85fCjZUAA/s1600-h/P1050916_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346214352112244482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SjGRoLa-1wI/AAAAAAAAA3k/qZ85fCjZUAA/s400/P1050916_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> The next day we entered the Chesapeake and Charles caught a flounder!! It was delicious!<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SjGRDBJdhVI/AAAAAAAAA3c/y6Yxy7qIsG0/s1600-h/P1050920_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346213713699243346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SjGRDBJdhVI/AAAAAAAAA3c/y6Yxy7qIsG0/s400/P1050920_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is a fish shack in Tangier Island, an old fishing island where they speak an old <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">English</span>. We came in the eastern entrance and motored <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">through</span> the town <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">fascinated</span> by the crab boats and the piers and fish <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">shacks on</span> stilts.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SjGRC43OcuI/AAAAAAAAA3U/iYYFj13ljvA/s1600-h/P1050942_2_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346213711475274466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SjGRC43OcuI/AAAAAAAAA3U/iYYFj13ljvA/s400/P1050942_2_1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />A crab boat in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Crisfield</span>, MD. These boat are made for the Chesapeake, long and narrow with a fine entry, they can cope this the chop in the shallow waters here.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SjGRCnbaYdI/AAAAAAAAA3M/nZSbil6MTIk/s1600-h/P1050949_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346213706795213266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SjGRCnbaYdI/AAAAAAAAA3M/nZSbil6MTIk/s400/P1050949_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a>The main street of Tangier Island. The town is small so people get <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">around</span> by golf cart and bicycle. It reminded us of the Bahamas.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SjGRCQwbrlI/AAAAAAAAA3E/VceA42IGdKQ/s1600-h/IMG_4246_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346213700709363282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SjGRCQwbrlI/AAAAAAAAA3E/VceA42IGdKQ/s400/IMG_4246_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a>A couple of folks had maps and recipes out for a couple of dollars, all crab recipes of course! We enjoyed walking around and listening to the locals talk in their dialect and watch the rails and herons in the marsh (until we were driven in by the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">mosquitos</span> which would carry you off!!)<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SjGRCNOMzEI/AAAAAAAAA28/53qFG6ut42w/s1600-h/IMG_4247_2_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346213699760475202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SjGRCNOMzEI/AAAAAAAAA28/53qFG6ut42w/s400/IMG_4247_2_1.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lopez Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627726642527580758noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5178831866051164552.post-64454910511786374812009-06-01T10:13:00.007-04:002009-06-01T10:51:41.079-04:00Oriental to OcracokeThis picture is of Dakota cutting bait for fishing in Oriental. I include it to show how far we have come as parents: notice the ultra sharp <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">fillet</span> knife that Dakota carefully and competently used to slice his fish up. The kids had a blast fishing and playing on these docks, they wore themselves right out to the point where they were so tired they were in tears at night, complaining that their legs hurt etc.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiPj68pvFUI/AAAAAAAAA20/trjUKOIECT0/s1600-h/IMG_4129_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342364184844637506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiPj68pvFUI/AAAAAAAAA20/trjUKOIECT0/s400/IMG_4129_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> I wanted to show some pictures of the people we met that made Oriental such a wonderful and special stop for us. This is Jodi and Mitchell. They were really wonderful and funny and we hope that they continue to make their trips on Scarlet and the next one that Mitchell designed and is building himself!<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiPjmz1E4OI/AAAAAAAAA2s/kFX_fNpBDIA/s1600-h/IMG_4147_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342363838878900450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiPjmz1E4OI/AAAAAAAAA2s/kFX_fNpBDIA/s400/IMG_4147_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Below is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Sigi</span> and Joe, a lovely German couple that have lived in the US for many years and were so kind and generous. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Sigi</span> made the kids peanut butter cookies designed like mice the first day we arrived and we spent lots of time chatting on the docks or in the Bean (coffee shop).<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiPjmhXRt3I/AAAAAAAAA2k/55xyoe_Efwc/s1600-h/IMG_4164_5_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342363833922074482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiPjmhXRt3I/AAAAAAAAA2k/55xyoe_Efwc/s400/IMG_4164_5_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> The last night in Oriental Melinda and Kieth invited us to have dinner at their home. We eagerly accepted and had a great time! Melinda has planted wonderful gardens all around their home and Keith is behind the awesome web site <a href="http://www.towndock.net/">http://www.towndock.net/</a> . Gil and Laura (below) came as well and it all made for a fun evening. Such a treat for us to have a social evening! Laura spent a lot of time with the kids drawing and we all shared life experiences. For a look at the kids on their website click on this link: <a href="http://towndock.net/on-the-cover/lopez-brothers-shrimping">http://towndock.net/on-the-cover/lopez-brothers-shrimping</a></div><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiPjmjO4YEI/AAAAAAAAA2c/hFLKQQKfWUM/s1600-h/IMG_4155_4_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342363834423730242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiPjmjO4YEI/AAAAAAAAA2c/hFLKQQKfWUM/s400/IMG_4155_4_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Keith and Melinda, thank you for opening your home to us!!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiPjmV7PeOI/AAAAAAAAA2U/4Gva0jL7mj8/s1600-h/IMG_4157_3_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342363830851696866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiPjmV7PeOI/AAAAAAAAA2U/4Gva0jL7mj8/s400/IMG_4157_3_1.jpg" border="0" /></a>We also met Marvin Bullock, a local realtor (if you ever need to buy in the Oriental area he's the man!), he gave us a tour of the area and also brought us the paper that Dakota and Alistair were in. This shows why we choose to stay an extra day, who wouldn't?!</div><div> </div><div>We headed for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Ocracoke</span> in the outer banks the next day and after a some what gruelling motor sail we made it and were pleased to find a very protected anchorage, snug and peaceful.</div><div></div><div>The next day we went into town and went to see the lighthouse, the second oldest in the us, I believe. We could not go to the top but were able to enter the base and talk to a nice ranger.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiPjmKXT_MI/AAAAAAAAA2M/Ciies4Pugj0/s1600-h/P1050867_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342363827748207810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiPjmKXT_MI/AAAAAAAAA2M/Ciies4Pugj0/s400/P1050867_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a>window shot.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiPi1iPRSyI/AAAAAAAAA2E/EPhSA9oI1NU/s1600-h/IMG_4176_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342362992343337762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiPi1iPRSyI/AAAAAAAAA2E/EPhSA9oI1NU/s400/IMG_4176_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />After the light house we stopped at the Jolly Roger for refreshments for it was scorching hot and we got a wee thirsty. So the following pics are from the restaurant deck as we <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">rehydrated</span> with sodas and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Yeungling</span> lager.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiPi1VEyPYI/AAAAAAAAA18/ZrR_0hZpnBk/s1600-h/P1050869_4_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342362988809698690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiPi1VEyPYI/AAAAAAAAA18/ZrR_0hZpnBk/s400/P1050869_4_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Feeling much better!<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiPi1N6ma5I/AAAAAAAAA10/lNGI15iL2-o/s1600-h/P1050882_2_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342362986887932818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiPi1N6ma5I/AAAAAAAAA10/lNGI15iL2-o/s400/P1050882_2_1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiPi08Y5WUI/AAAAAAAAA1s/xpRq4O78t3I/s1600-h/P1050888_3_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342362982183164226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiPi08Y5WUI/AAAAAAAAA1s/xpRq4O78t3I/s400/P1050888_3_1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiPi0gx1akI/AAAAAAAAA1k/zzyhcEXlwK8/s1600-h/IMG_4185_2_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342362974771571266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiPi0gx1akI/AAAAAAAAA1k/zzyhcEXlwK8/s400/IMG_4185_2_1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lopez Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627726642527580758noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5178831866051164552.post-67712979920167732932009-05-29T14:18:00.011-04:002009-06-01T08:56:04.143-04:00Morehead City, Beaufort and cool and cozy Oriental<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiArG6LzajI/AAAAAAAAA1c/8mvpANaUCBM/s1600-h/P1050663_2_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341316555759381042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiArG6LzajI/AAAAAAAAA1c/8mvpANaUCBM/s400/P1050663_2_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> North Carolina has been great! We really have been enjoying the people, places, playgrounds fishing and boating here.<br />After leaving Little River we journeyed to Southport and then onto Wrightsville Beach. The kids enjoyed the beach at Wrightsville and were captivated with the local surfing scene. We stopped for fuel at the Dockside restaurant and they gave Laurel and Dakota a ride to the supermarket, talk about friendly!<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiArGNVvGbI/AAAAAAAAA1U/M52gBrzXvyk/s1600-h/P1050676_3_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341316543721445810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiArGNVvGbI/AAAAAAAAA1U/M52gBrzXvyk/s400/P1050676_3_1.JPG" border="0" /></a>From Wrightsville Beach, we slowly made our way to Morehead City where the kids found an excellent playground, we also found a great library and a lot of sights, we tied up at the Sanitary restaurant for ten dollars a night which was a godsend because our windlass broke down and hauling our 45 lb anchor and all chain rode by hand is a backbreaker.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiArF1QF9fI/AAAAAAAAA1M/-EYM7TKTo-A/s1600-h/IMG_4054_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341316537255327218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiArF1QF9fI/AAAAAAAAA1M/-EYM7TKTo-A/s400/IMG_4054_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> The really cool part of Morehead City though is the sportfishing scene, we happened to be there during a tournament and got to see, huge fish. The excitement in the air is palpable.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiArE4SLD5I/AAAAAAAAA1E/DfbydMSSF_I/s1600-h/P1050765_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341316520889487250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiArE4SLD5I/AAAAAAAAA1E/DfbydMSSF_I/s400/P1050765_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Here is a Marling being offloaded a sportfishing boat, this one weighed in at 441 pounds. The minimum size is 400 for a keeper. The tournament winner was 645.5 pounds. There were also Mahi and Wahoo.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiArEiGdT_I/AAAAAAAAA08/x4r7a-t1-yk/s1600-h/P1050775_2_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341316514934771698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiArEiGdT_I/AAAAAAAAA08/x4r7a-t1-yk/s400/P1050775_2_1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiAqdNbdtbI/AAAAAAAAA00/Jlq3Jf-AWXg/s1600-h/IMG_4085_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341315839370835378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiAqdNbdtbI/AAAAAAAAA00/Jlq3Jf-AWXg/s400/IMG_4085_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Laurel was captivated by this Marlin eye, so were all the kids as they all passed by and poked it at least once.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiAqdIHweVI/AAAAAAAAA0s/18-urDk2ueU/s1600-h/P1050789_3_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341315837946001746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiAqdIHweVI/AAAAAAAAA0s/18-urDk2ueU/s400/P1050789_3_1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiAqc60aXpI/AAAAAAAAA0k/-HCVu8aZZhk/s1600-h/IMG_4091_2_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341315834375200402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiAqc60aXpI/AAAAAAAAA0k/-HCVu8aZZhk/s400/IMG_4091_2_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> The sportfishing industry is strong enough that local fish cleaners will clean your fish for 35 cents a pound, not bad when just one boat can bring in over 600 lbs of fish. These guys were amazing to watch they could clean a dolphin in less than a minute.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiAqchVpU9I/AAAAAAAAA0c/4S-SNSxWzTg/s1600-h/P1050795_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341315827535270866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiAqchVpU9I/AAAAAAAAA0c/4S-SNSxWzTg/s400/P1050795_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a>The kids captured this green fellow, he got poked and prodded a bit but the kids did let him go.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiAqcTWquDI/AAAAAAAAA0U/K9kzl9uyPnM/s1600-h/P1050796_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341315823781460018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiAqcTWquDI/AAAAAAAAA0U/K9kzl9uyPnM/s400/P1050796_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> This is a small black bass that the kids caught, inspired by the tournament they spent an afternoon catching small fish in front of the Sanitary Restaurant, they tossed them all back and had blast doing it.<br /><div><div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341314559573476690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiApStz_xVI/AAAAAAAAA0M/u6JAZYy2U0g/s400/P1050802_2_1.JPG" border="0" /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiApSCPvxgI/AAAAAAAAAz0/hEDAEiSRZ9I/s1600-h/P1050827_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341314547878708738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiApSCPvxgI/AAAAAAAAAz0/hEDAEiSRZ9I/s400/P1050827_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiApR4Ua9QI/AAAAAAAAAzs/Xg7jbylh0w8/s1600-h/P1050843_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341314545213961474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiApR4Ua9QI/AAAAAAAAAzs/Xg7jbylh0w8/s400/P1050843_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Oriental! What a great place with great and really friendly folks. The locals treated us just great. This is Melinda teaching the kids the finer points of using a casting net. She runs a local website called <a href="http://www.towndock.net/">http://www.towndock.net/</a> and the kids made the website's front page. Thanks Melinda for lending us your net! They also made the local newspaper with photos of them fishing at the town dock.<br /><div></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiAowCGk90I/AAAAAAAAAzk/-JKgb7LaAa4/s1600-h/P1050844_2_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341313963724699458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiAowCGk90I/AAAAAAAAAzk/-JKgb7LaAa4/s400/P1050844_2_1.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiAovt1vQZI/AAAAAAAAAzc/cvk5LJLXHxo/s1600-h/P1050845_3_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341313958285361554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiAovt1vQZI/AAAAAAAAAzc/cvk5LJLXHxo/s400/P1050845_3_1.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div>The kids spent hours and hours catching fish with the casting net they threw most back but kept some for bait. They also caught some large crabs which we cooked.</div><div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiAovhQNKHI/AAAAAAAAAzU/BBkZhmw87rY/s1600-h/P1050846_4_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341313954906712178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiAovhQNKHI/AAAAAAAAAzU/BBkZhmw87rY/s400/P1050846_4_1.JPG" border="0" /></a>This is a small flounder, Dakota caught.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiAovZtj8-I/AAAAAAAAAzM/lf6IpWlPRLQ/s1600-h/P1050860_2_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341313952882357218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiAovZtj8-I/AAAAAAAAAzM/lf6IpWlPRLQ/s400/P1050860_2_1.JPG" border="0" /></a>This is Gill, he showed us his workshop his furniture and artwork, his wife Laura who is also an artist showed us her drawings. Everybody has been very welcoming in this very relaxed sailing town and we are greatful to them for the big welcome. Thanks!!<br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiAovPip96I/AAAAAAAAAzE/VHy_qvCBk_c/s1600-h/P1050857_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341313950152259490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SiAovPip96I/AAAAAAAAAzE/VHy_qvCBk_c/s400/P1050857_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><p>We are currently at the Oriental town dock in company of Joe and Sigi on Sigi 7 and the Mitchell and Jodi on Scarlett. Jodi and Mitchell trailered Scarlett from Ohio and are cruising here for a couple of weeks. Has been fun to hang out with them.</p><p>We also took advantage to do woodwork on the boat and fix the windlass with parts that came from Scotland. Also a big thank you to Bob Gerwig for the advice on the water pump. We replaced it, no more leak. Thanks Bob. Tommorow if all goes well we will head to Ocracoke to explore the outer banks. Hope all is well with you!</p><p>Best, C.</p>Lopez Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627726642527580758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5178831866051164552.post-56724809851060516072009-05-14T16:04:00.007-04:002009-05-15T18:56:13.474-04:00Waccamaw River, SC<div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgyzjXZ6LuI/AAAAAAAAAyE/qV-2K6rcJ2Q/s1600-h/IMG_3976_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335837078686674658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgyzjXZ6LuI/AAAAAAAAAyE/qV-2K6rcJ2Q/s400/IMG_3976_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a>One of the highlights of the ICW for us is the Waccamaw River. It winds its way from Georgetown for miles twisting and turning through cyprus swamps. Filled with wildlife, we spotted our first swallow tailed kite and first aningha here. We saw alligators, turtles, osprey with babies, listened to yellow bellied sapsuckers and a myriad of other birds. The swamp is so peaceful with glassy waters and only the sounds of nature.<br /><div><div><div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335773767600624594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sgx5-LOu09I/AAAAAAAAAwk/FBoNyNyT1Mw/s400/P1050567_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></div>Looking at turtles<br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335773774070405362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sgx5-jVP2PI/AAAAAAAAAw0/2md-kIisxcU/s400/P1050579_1_1.JPG" border="0" />Here are two turtles, most likely yellow bellied sliders sunning on a log<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sgyv65XQ_TI/AAAAAAAAAxs/xAlkXXRjU-s/s1600-h/P1050623_2_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335837434316629938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sgyz4EOsp7I/AAAAAAAAAyU/SUeWmOCvg8k/s400/IMG_4020_1_1.jpg" border="0" />beautiful reflections<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335833084892871986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sgyv65XQ_TI/AAAAAAAAAxs/xAlkXXRjU-s/s400/P1050623_2_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Fishing in lilies<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335834405379620962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgyxHwj1wGI/AAAAAAAAAx8/8BUtw1AHG1g/s400/IMG_3991_1_1.jpg" border="0" />Osprey mamma defending her nest<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335834401588189026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgyxHib5F2I/AAAAAAAAAx0/rW5_kb22gYI/s400/IMG_4001_3_1.jpg" border="0" />Lilly pads<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sgyv6tvDSCI/AAAAAAAAAxk/1T--0eoiOzA/s1600-h/IMG_4028_2_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335833081771411490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sgyv6tvDSCI/AAAAAAAAAxk/1T--0eoiOzA/s400/IMG_4028_2_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Cyprus swamp<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sgyv6VPGOXI/AAAAAAAAAxU/JZG9cHx_Zv0/s1600-h/IMG_4014_4_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335833075194935666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sgyv6VPGOXI/AAAAAAAAAxU/JZG9cHx_Zv0/s400/IMG_4014_4_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335837429473603922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sgyz3yMB8VI/AAAAAAAAAyM/kayo8zRMbas/s400/P1050630_3_1.JPG" border="0" />At the end of the day we rowed across the river to a dock to check it out and see if we could walk up it or not. It turned out to be building lots not yet being built on and we could walk up the long pier through the swamp and around the lots. We found some black berries to eat and enjoyed a leg stretch!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lopez Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627726642527580758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5178831866051164552.post-89256012433944382502009-05-13T16:03:00.005-04:002009-05-13T17:03:33.334-04:00Mother's Day, CharlestonBelow is Laurel on Mother's Day morning enjoying coffee in the cockpit. I think the lads and me would have messed it up but Laurel was way ahead of us. The day before Mother's day she handed us a brown bag, the kind boutiques give you with cute little handles and all. She announced to us that this was her Mother's day gift, and we were to present it to her on Mother's day, a couple of hours later she suggested to the kids that it'd be a good time to maybe make some cards for Mom. I quickly figured out I better get makin one too.<br /><br />In the end it went great and I coerced the kids to wake up, jump on Mommy and wish her well on her day. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sgspr3_Fb0I/AAAAAAAAAwc/is6ELIT7WN4/s1600-h/P1050541_3_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335404017290145602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sgspr3_Fb0I/AAAAAAAAAwc/is6ELIT7WN4/s400/P1050541_3_1.JPG" border="0" /></a>We spent that Sunday in Charleston at Patriot's Point which is a Naval museum. For their artifacts they have a submarine, aircraft carrier, destroyer and a coast guard cutter. We called the Marina that abuts it and they let us tie up to their sea wall for a few hours free of charge to visit the museum. Very nice.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgsprqD8IqI/AAAAAAAAAwU/-vgiCqiYHlU/s1600-h/IMG_3950_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335404013552411298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgsprqD8IqI/AAAAAAAAAwU/-vgiCqiYHlU/s400/IMG_3950_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> The kids were particularly excited about visiting the submarine,"The Clagamore" (by the way Laurel is wearing her self picked present, it's the top) it really was pretty cool, specially seeing the fore and aft torpedos. The crew quarters are teeny. They fit 6 to 8 guys in the space of a medium size closet. The engine room temperatures went up to 120 deegrees and the noise of the diesels was fifteen times the noise of our little diesel with a crew of 23 assigned to it.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sgspro3A1aI/AAAAAAAAAwM/xla_3A8df_A/s1600-h/P1050544_4_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335404013229757858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sgspro3A1aI/AAAAAAAAAwM/xla_3A8df_A/s400/P1050544_4_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Dakota sits in the cockpit of a fighter jet on the " Yorktown"<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgsprlDwLyI/AAAAAAAAAwE/G7rtAn5V9uc/s1600-h/P1050546_5_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335404012209450786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgsprlDwLyI/AAAAAAAAAwE/G7rtAn5V9uc/s400/P1050546_5_1.JPG" border="0" /></a>Below are the kiddos and Laurel on the Yorktown deck.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgsopLd7AGI/AAAAAAAAAv8/Z85WLGdounA/s1600-h/P1050547_6_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335402871468523618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgsopLd7AGI/AAAAAAAAAv8/Z85WLGdounA/s400/P1050547_6_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>The Yorktown.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sgsoo6TX0OI/AAAAAAAAAv0/mBaf18f2CjI/s1600-h/P1050551_8_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335402866860871906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sgsoo6TX0OI/AAAAAAAAAv0/mBaf18f2CjI/s400/P1050551_8_1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Here Dakota and Laurel check out some of the museum pictures on the Coast Guard Cutter. </div><div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sgsoo7riKyI/AAAAAAAAAvs/tHncBQ52dZY/s1600-h/P1050552_7_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335402867230649122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sgsoo7riKyI/AAAAAAAAAvs/tHncBQ52dZY/s400/P1050552_7_1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />When the kids got back to the boat they were so excited that they built their own Lego submarines, here's Dakota and his.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgsoowkUXVI/AAAAAAAAAvk/6cjLyDY2w3Y/s1600-h/P1050556_2_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335402864247594322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgsoowkUXVI/AAAAAAAAAvk/6cjLyDY2w3Y/s400/P1050556_2_1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This is Alistair's<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgsoonG1gUI/AAAAAAAAAvc/YGk69YXsRjE/s1600-h/P1050560_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335402861708017986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgsoonG1gUI/AAAAAAAAAvc/YGk69YXsRjE/s400/P1050560_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a>It had been a really hot and heavily humid day, when we found out that the Marina had access to a pool we spent the night and took advantage of it. Luckily we had storms and rain in the afternoon which cooled things down, specially for sleeping. We left Charleston the following day at 6:00 in order to make an early bridge opening and then had a short day to Minim creek. Around marker 26, ICW mile 423 to 420 we saw a whole mess of alligators, our first sighting. It was just below mid tide and once we saw the first one it became easy to pick them out. Very cool. We saw them in the water and on the edges of the marsh getting sun. We had a good night at Minim creek and continued on to the Waccamaw the following day.<br /><div></div><div>We are currently anchored in Little River very near the border of North Carolina. Will post another entry soon about the Waccamaw.</div><div></div><div>Best, C</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lopez Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627726642527580758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5178831866051164552.post-40411589140468400622009-05-08T19:48:00.008-04:002009-05-08T21:40:07.601-04:00Vero Beach, FL to Beaufort, SC<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div>Hello! Once again its been a while! We've been busy! After getting into Vero we had a visitor! Papa Charlie flew to Vero to see us, we were thrilled to see him, the kids couldn't stop hugging him and it was great!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333606458871409042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgTG0NDCaZI/AAAAAAAAAuM/TozBljZ3Q2U/s400/IMG_3818_1_1.jpg" border="0" />We had lunch together and sat and talked and caught up on the last days in the Bahamas and all the news.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333606456455979010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgTG0EDJ4AI/AAAAAAAAAuE/FpH9hCMLT7U/s400/IMG_3827_1_1.jpg" border="0" />We got a chance to see a little blue heron on the docks at Vero, always a beautiful sight.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgTGUjY67DI/AAAAAAAAAt8/yyJ1QwBORAU/s1600-h/IMG_3828_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333605915112959026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgTGUjY67DI/AAAAAAAAAt8/yyJ1QwBORAU/s400/IMG_3828_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> So this is what part of the intra-coastal looks like. I loved the palm trees in a stand together, many were falling down as well. They always remind me of The Lorax by Dr. Seuss. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgTGBLdeGNI/AAAAAAAAAt0/Yr2BP0x3RKA/s1600-h/IMG_3834_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333605582272075986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgTGBLdeGNI/AAAAAAAAAt0/Yr2BP0x3RKA/s400/IMG_3834_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />In St Augustine we stopped for a couple of days to explore the town and in particular the Fort Castillos de San Marcos. This fort is interesting because it is built of coquina, a stone made of sand and shells compressed together. The stone is porous and is the reason why the fort was never in almost 300 years defeated, the cannon balls would either bounce off or embed themselves into the coquina instead of shattering it as it would other more brittle rock. The fort only ever changed hands by treaty negotiations.<br /><br /><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgTGAyfa6QI/AAAAAAAAAts/fLUUcriZecY/s1600-h/IMG_3846_3_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333605575569369346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgTGAyfa6QI/AAAAAAAAAts/fLUUcriZecY/s400/IMG_3846_3_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> The museum is a living history museum and so you will find local volunteers dressed in Spanish military garb and firing cannons, on Saturdays the English were there too and muskets get fired along with the cannon in a changing of the flag ceremony that they re-enact.<br />Needless to say the following weeks 'how to' writing assignment ended up being "how to fire a musket"!<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgTGAyo75OI/AAAAAAAAAtk/KOHk3LsRwKU/s1600-h/IMG_3850_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333605575609279714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgTGAyo75OI/AAAAAAAAAtk/KOHk3LsRwKU/s400/IMG_3850_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Viva Espana!<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgTGAjSLE7I/AAAAAAAAAtc/3uCXXv6lyrw/s1600-h/IMG_3854_2_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333605571487273906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgTGAjSLE7I/AAAAAAAAAtc/3uCXXv6lyrw/s400/IMG_3854_2_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> We moved on to Fernandina Beach where there was the annual shrimp festival happening. It was just terrible to eat cajun shrimp, cajun crawdads and cajun fries. We were all just so unhappy!=) It was awesome!!!! Lots of local artists, lots of food, very hot!! Fun! </div><div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgTGAu7qQLI/AAAAAAAAAtU/lminci6uWWM/s1600-h/IMG_3858_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333605574614073522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgTGAu7qQLI/AAAAAAAAAtU/lminci6uWWM/s400/IMG_3858_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> AAAAAARGH! The Fernandinans take piracy very seriously and many people were dressed up and there was much pirate regalia to be had.<br />The shrimp boats decorated too, for a special ceremony called the blessing of the fleet, a blessing for the boats and the fishermen to keep them safe at sea.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgTFgxnV7kI/AAAAAAAAAtM/LtYIWsH31PQ/s1600-h/IMG_3864_2_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333605025578348098" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgTFgxnV7kI/AAAAAAAAAtM/LtYIWsH31PQ/s400/IMG_3864_2_1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div> </div></div></div><div><div>From Fernadina we went to Cumberland Island, a park with lots of trails, beaches wild horses and climbing trees!!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgTFgoU8WjI/AAAAAAAAAtE/Vr36-pbsEP4/s1600-h/IMG_3869_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333605023085255218" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgTFgoU8WjI/AAAAAAAAAtE/Vr36-pbsEP4/s400/IMG_3869_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />The live oaks are gorgeous with the Spanish moss and saw palmettos underneath.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgTFgpBaXTI/AAAAAAAAAs8/eFW-cXEwQKQ/s1600-h/IMG_3890_2_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333605023271771442" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgTFgpBaXTI/AAAAAAAAAs8/eFW-cXEwQKQ/s400/IMG_3890_2_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Dakota and Alistair ever in the water! Spearing something!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgTFgchdP4I/AAAAAAAAAs0/mpIBxUACsag/s1600-h/IMG_3942_3_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333605019916517250" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgTFgchdP4I/AAAAAAAAAs0/mpIBxUACsag/s400/IMG_3942_3_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Happiness is a great climbing tree! We spent over on hour in this one!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgTFgZC4tWI/AAAAAAAAAss/fHED9XjeOdY/s1600-h/IMG_3945_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333605018982987106" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgTFgZC4tWI/AAAAAAAAAss/fHED9XjeOdY/s400/IMG_3945_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />After Cumberland Island we decided to go off shore to skip Georgia. This is because Georgia is notoriously shallow and long and winding on the ICW.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>We made two hops one around 70 miles to St Catherine's sound and then the next day another of 35 miles to Tybee Roads and Hilton Head. We ended up in Beaufort, SC and took a couple of days break there. Charles is here holding a king mackerel that we caught coming in to St Catherine's sound. The conditions were about 20 kts of wind and 5-7 ft seas, so we had had a long day and were tired but much rewarded by the catch!! We had caught one other but he bounced off the boat when we were hit by an unusually large wave, thank goodness we caught another!<br /><br />We arrived in Beaufort around 5 PM, anchored, ate and went ashore for a short walk, while there we scored showers which were very appreciated! We've been here two days and have had a great time, the town has a free dock during the day so we have been able to take advantage and clean, work on projects and just enjoy the luxury of getting off and on a a whim. There is a wonderful playground here too that the kids have enjoyed. We met some nice folks sailing with their three kids and that has been fun for all, the kids played a lot today and we adults talked lots too.<br /></div><div>Tomorrow we leave and head for Charleston for a couple of days. Wishing you all the best and happy mother's day all you fabulous moms!!</div><br /><div> </div><div> </div><div><br />More photos, my camera went missing so these didn't make the above that Laurel penned, alas I did find it eventually so here are some more pics. </div><div> </div><div>C.<br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgTa7hhU1vI/AAAAAAAAAu0/XRFrDq0tAV4/s1600-h/P1050476_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333628574858794738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgTa7hhU1vI/AAAAAAAAAu0/XRFrDq0tAV4/s400/P1050476_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> The boys at the fort being pirates! <div><br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgTa7RwNFCI/AAAAAAAAAus/qKBW3uziNJk/s1600-h/P1050478_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333628570626233378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgTa7RwNFCI/AAAAAAAAAus/qKBW3uziNJk/s400/P1050478_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> At the fort.<br /><br /><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgTa7J-J0AI/AAAAAAAAAuk/TNWuYBHSE3g/s1600-h/P1050500_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333628568537255938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgTa7J-J0AI/AAAAAAAAAuk/TNWuYBHSE3g/s400/P1050500_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div>Firing the cannons</div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgTa7DiL5DI/AAAAAAAAAuc/nZA38jytbhQ/s1600-h/P1050510_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333628566809338930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgTa7DiL5DI/AAAAAAAAAuc/nZA38jytbhQ/s400/P1050510_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Leaving early out of Fernandina Beach.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgTa64b6uWI/AAAAAAAAAuU/3jHLK1FtAkc/s1600-h/P1050520_3_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333628563830258018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgTa64b6uWI/AAAAAAAAAuU/3jHLK1FtAkc/s400/P1050520_3_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Shrimp Boat<br /></div></div></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgTbngOF4XI/AAAAAAAAAvU/Fhy2-ai8Opo/s1600-h/P1050461_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333629330423931250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgTbngOF4XI/AAAAAAAAAvU/Fhy2-ai8Opo/s400/P1050461_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Papa Charlie! <div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgTbnQTIlMI/AAAAAAAAAvM/mkLMYnu-4Ew/s1600-h/P1050464_2_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333629326150112450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgTbnQTIlMI/AAAAAAAAAvM/mkLMYnu-4Ew/s400/P1050464_2_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Papa Charlie again!!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgTbnSzCrRI/AAAAAAAAAvE/lSLDtmg1Vf0/s1600-h/P1050468_2_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333629326820814098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgTbnSzCrRI/AAAAAAAAAvE/lSLDtmg1Vf0/s400/P1050468_2_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> The boys drawing while the adults had a brew at A1A in St. Augustine.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgTbnH8ERDI/AAAAAAAAAu8/myXf95vCBME/s1600-h/P1050488_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333629323905877042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SgTbnH8ERDI/AAAAAAAAAu8/myXf95vCBME/s400/P1050488_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Kids making friends in St. Augustine.<br /><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lopez Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627726642527580758noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5178831866051164552.post-67629695189153182762009-04-26T07:44:00.009-04:002009-04-26T10:12:55.524-04:00North Abacos, back to the U.S.Where do I begin?! Its been so long since we've had any Internet and so a long time since we've blogged. We've been busy! After all the family left, we went back to Marsh Harbor to get a package and to re provision a bit, we encountered a ton of wind there but accomplished what we needed and left for Great Guana Cay. We ran into friends, Rob and Teena there, we met them initially at Marathon and then saw them at Green Turtle. We spent a nice time at Grabbers hanging out, swimming and catching up. They had cruised the Abacos and shared some great info on places to go with us. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328972726507529650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRQde055bI/AAAAAAAAAsk/i8W86a3uWns/s320/IMG_3554_1_1.JPG" border="0" /><br />We then rounded the Whale once and for all. The Whale is a cay that sticks out into the ocean and therefor one must go "outside" to get around. The way that the Abacos are laid out with Great Abaco and the chain of Cays creates a protected bay between with narrow opening to the ocean. Because the inlets are narrow they often are subject to fast currents and breaking waves, when there is strong N- NE weather they become quite treacherous and this is know locally as a rage. When listening to the weather the conditions are announced and rated for safe passage.<br /><br />So once on the other side we spent about a month hopping from one uninhabited cay to another. Here are the highlights:<br /><br /><br />Powell cay was a favorite! A beautiful island with beaches all around. Great swimming and fishing! The first time we were there the kids and I scored on the ocean side beach combing for shells. Charles spent a lot of time fishing with great success, much to every ones delight! The kids fished as well and took much pride in their catches!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRQdeICmwI/AAAAAAAAAsc/tDxIIZeOcd8/s1600-h/P1050099_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328972726319356674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRQdeICmwI/AAAAAAAAAsc/tDxIIZeOcd8/s320/P1050099_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />They caught grunts at a wreck there and barracuda on the flats. The flat fishing was fun using poppers and small buck tails brought in nice barracuda such as this one! They were then filleted, marinated and grilled. Only the small guys are edible, less than 5 pounds. At one point Charles hooked one from the beach and reeled him in right up onto the beach, this was pretty exciting all around. They are beautiful fish with black spot and a mouth full of sharp teeth. There are many a barracuda story amongst the cruising community!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRQdGViI9I/AAAAAAAAAsU/c4sSqEPbaj4/s1600-h/P1050135_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328972719933498322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRQdGViI9I/AAAAAAAAAsU/c4sSqEPbaj4/s320/P1050135_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRQdDTWKiI/AAAAAAAAAsM/lApilLHQKRM/s1600-h/P1050138_2_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328972719119018530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRQdDTWKiI/AAAAAAAAAsM/lApilLHQKRM/s320/P1050138_2_1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Another great place is Allans-Pensacola Cay. This is two islands that are sort of side by side with a fairly protected harbor on one end. There is a path to the ocean side and on the day that we spent there we lucked out with winds from the west and therefor a flat calm beach on the ocean side! The water was crystal clear, warm and with a sandy bottom. We played and swam all day. Someone had also set up a swing an a tree from flotsam and the kids spent some time on this.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRQc8dxpvI/AAAAAAAAAsE/ctfCaewJzrM/s1600-h/IMG_3596_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328972717283714802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRQc8dxpvI/AAAAAAAAAsE/ctfCaewJzrM/s320/IMG_3596_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRP426X3XI/AAAAAAAAAr8/RomFjHCqhac/s1600-h/P1050144_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328972097317756274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRP426X3XI/AAAAAAAAAr8/RomFjHCqhac/s320/P1050144_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Not bad, eh?<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRP43F1kzI/AAAAAAAAAr0/zHEsqD8zBYc/s1600-h/P1050146_2_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328972097365840690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRP43F1kzI/AAAAAAAAAr0/zHEsqD8zBYc/s320/P1050146_2_1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We saw a ray swimming along the beach the kids followed it as far as they could. Later in the day we had just finished swimming and were thinking about packing up when we saw a small nurse shark patrolling up and down the beach. Soon after we saw a large reef shark doing the same and then another large nurse shark! This was very exciting as it always is to see any animal in its natural environment. The beauty is indescribable!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRP4nPkeII/AAAAAAAAArs/aR4fuVKxuR0/s1600-h/P1050157_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328972093111695490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRP4nPkeII/AAAAAAAAArs/aR4fuVKxuR0/s320/P1050157_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The kids had tons of fun playing all sorts of spearing games on the beaches. One in the dinghy spearing and one either towing the dinghy under swimming power or pretending to steer the outboard! GO, go go! They shout, the spear flies and they always get their catch! Turtles, sharks, rays, fish, anything goes and all is gotten in the world of play!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRP4osEl1I/AAAAAAAAArk/A4Iiwxc1icY/s1600-h/P1050233_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328972093499676498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRP4osEl1I/AAAAAAAAArk/A4Iiwxc1icY/s320/P1050233_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRP4ttqoaI/AAAAAAAAArc/F61IxFmn0f0/s1600-h/P1050272_2_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328972094848541090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRP4ttqoaI/AAAAAAAAArc/F61IxFmn0f0/s320/P1050272_2_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> YAR!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRPQNwzM3I/AAAAAAAAArU/FPnxvbfi1Y0/s1600-h/P1050254_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328971399076983666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRPQNwzM3I/AAAAAAAAArU/FPnxvbfi1Y0/s320/P1050254_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Dakota landed this beauty, oh happiness is a fish on the hook! (or even better in the boat and on the grill!)</div><div></div><div>On April 15th Charles celebrated his 42nd birthday in Cooperstown on Great Abaco at a restaurant called Richie's. We had barbecued chicken and rice and peas. We then re provisioned as much as we could and moved on!<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRPQHVQx0I/AAAAAAAAArM/ZNrJ-pz7bAU/s1600-h/IMG_3637_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328971397350868802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRPQHVQx0I/AAAAAAAAArM/ZNrJ-pz7bAU/s320/IMG_3637_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />On of the things that we had to do a lot in the Abacos was dodge weather. There are still quite a few cold fronts (northerly winds usually around 20 mph with higher winds in squalls) around and we were constantly looking for good land protection and good holding for the anchor. One place we spent many a front was Crab Cay. Here there wasn't all that much to do on land but we went just for the front and then would move on to Powell mostly to enjoy the beaches and swimming while the weather was good.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRPP7a8CMI/AAAAAAAAArE/I1pIR8ZpcG0/s1600-h/IMG_3639_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328971394153449666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRPP7a8CMI/AAAAAAAAArE/I1pIR8ZpcG0/s320/IMG_3639_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Swimming off the boat! A real pleasure is that we spent so much time in the water. It warm enough to just hang out in!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRPP8iRahI/AAAAAAAAAq8/p3nEuoLhnYI/s1600-h/IMG_3665_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328971394452646418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRPP8iRahI/AAAAAAAAAq8/p3nEuoLhnYI/s320/IMG_3665_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Alistair with his catch, a little grunt! They are called this because out of water they actually grunt. They are pretty little fish that hang around wrecks and reefs.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRPPm-exwI/AAAAAAAAAq0/xfnyT65D2OE/s1600-h/IMG_3698_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328971388665382658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRPPm-exwI/AAAAAAAAAq0/xfnyT65D2OE/s320/IMG_3698_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> We then proceeded to sail around the end of Great Abaco to a cay called Cave Cay. Mostly mangroves and infrequently visited is remains a wild and unspoiled place. We felt we could have appreciated it better had we had a dinghy with an outboard to really explore the area.<br /><br />We left the next day for Great Sale Cay a good stop off for those travelling between the Abacos and the States. On the way we caught a great mutton snapper. This is a very tasty fish a sure favorite of ours, thus the grins!</div><div></div><div>The island has coral rock and beaches, sandy shores and flats. Something for everyone!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfROkdTgrVI/AAAAAAAAAqs/3y5uw27_rd4/s1600-h/IMG_3720_3_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328970647334858066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfROkdTgrVI/AAAAAAAAAqs/3y5uw27_rd4/s320/IMG_3720_3_1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The kids could not resist a swim of the coral rock. Here we saw many fish swimming around the coral and also a small turtle!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfROkHtMJLI/AAAAAAAAAqk/x3VAv_kewlA/s1600-h/P1050381_2_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328970641536984242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfROkHtMJLI/AAAAAAAAAqk/x3VAv_kewlA/s320/P1050381_2_1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Diving in!<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfROkAVRtdI/AAAAAAAAAqc/N2WZsMd936M/s1600-h/IMG_3729_2_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328970639557637586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfROkAVRtdI/AAAAAAAAAqc/N2WZsMd936M/s320/IMG_3729_2_1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />An example of the coral rock, aptly named moon rock or the iron shore.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfROj5YJThI/AAAAAAAAAqU/8xv4wpvPq2g/s1600-h/IMG_3749_4_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328970637690621458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfROj5YJThI/AAAAAAAAAqU/8xv4wpvPq2g/s320/IMG_3749_4_1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Alistair with the lady pirate on the beach.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfROj2tbK2I/AAAAAAAAAqM/l6188fE-xI8/s1600-h/IMG_3771_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328970636974566242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfROj2tbK2I/AAAAAAAAAqM/l6188fE-xI8/s320/IMG_3771_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Another mutton snapper succumbed to Charles' charm. They are called snapper because if you get your finger near its field of vision it will snap at you! Yikes!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRM39n3y2I/AAAAAAAAAqA/ds0Y7Sxthcw/s1600-h/P1050306_3_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328968783404452706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRM39n3y2I/AAAAAAAAAqA/ds0Y7Sxthcw/s320/P1050306_3_1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />He later was marinated, grilled and consumed with thanks.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRM3pJ-YxI/AAAAAAAAAp4/CUGjLv1EqGQ/s1600-h/P1050413_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328968777910346514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRM3pJ-YxI/AAAAAAAAAp4/CUGjLv1EqGQ/s320/P1050413_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Here are a few pics of a front coming through. This one had lots of lightening and rain, which we collected for drinking water. The lightening is intense, all around the boat.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRM3lNukZI/AAAAAAAAApw/HXFMefIj8lk/s1600-h/P1050416_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328968776852345234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRM3lNukZI/AAAAAAAAApw/HXFMefIj8lk/s320/P1050416_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRM3r0R44I/AAAAAAAAApo/-v7EbTykRYU/s1600-h/P1050420_2_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328968778624656258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRM3r0R44I/AAAAAAAAApo/-v7EbTykRYU/s320/P1050420_2_1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRM3WKwroI/AAAAAAAAApg/G1l5h6nGLtU/s1600-h/P1050425_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328968772813368962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRM3WKwroI/AAAAAAAAApg/G1l5h6nGLtU/s320/P1050425_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> We found a window to cross and it looked like another would not appear for two weeks so we grabbed it! We staged at Mangrove Cay in the middle of the Little Bahama Bank and left at 2 AM. The night was calm a beautiful, many shooting stars and our last sunrise in the Bahamas!<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRK0MtSC0I/AAAAAAAAApY/3SHXUT4ScVA/s1600-h/IMG_3803_3_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328966519710944066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRK0MtSC0I/AAAAAAAAApY/3SHXUT4ScVA/s320/IMG_3803_3_1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The day was hot so the kids were allowed to take off their life jackets and just wear their harnesses as long as they stayed clipped in. The harness had a line attached and we have lines and metal loops around the boat to clip into so that if the boat gets jogged or you loose your footing it keeps you on the boat!<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRK0Ga_hHI/AAAAAAAAApQ/R_x6AGe7pDs/s1600-h/P1050442_1_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328966518023619698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRK0Ga_hHI/AAAAAAAAApQ/R_x6AGe7pDs/s320/P1050442_1_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> The ocean swells were there but not too big and so the crossing was long but not bad at all.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRK0KvYduI/AAAAAAAAApI/oPYzOL18eus/s1600-h/P1050439_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328966519182882530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRK0KvYduI/AAAAAAAAApI/oPYzOL18eus/s320/P1050439_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The color of the water is awesome, Alistair described it as " so blue that it is purple" - its true!</div><div>We passed many man-of-war jellies. At one point we had a school of spinner dolphins surf the bow. These dolphins are smaller than bottle nosed and love to leap and jump. Pure joy!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRKzgdDaDI/AAAAAAAAApA/tmuqB-HhIHc/s1600-h/IMG_3817_4_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328966507831715890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRKzgdDaDI/AAAAAAAAApA/tmuqB-HhIHc/s320/IMG_3817_4_1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Back home after 17 hours, we anchored in Jensen Beach, Florida and radioed our new friends, Steve and Sophia on Sea Fox, who had crossed the same day, to let them know we made it.</div><div></div><div>The next day we called family to catch up, Alistair smiles with joy as he talks to Manny (Micheline, Charles' mom).<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRKzs4t8PI/AAAAAAAAAo4/Gr0Q7-2hqKM/s1600-h/P1050451_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328966511168975090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SfRKzs4t8PI/AAAAAAAAAo4/Gr0Q7-2hqKM/s320/P1050451_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>We are now in Vero, doing laundry and getting groceries for a few days. Early next week we will start our journey north.....</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lopez Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627726642527580758noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5178831866051164552.post-17099663485538339032009-04-01T08:45:00.008-04:002009-04-01T10:13:10.571-04:00Family visit in the Abacos<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SdNkL8V0C-I/AAAAAAAAAow/W6RxRKTfXrI/s1600-h/IMG_3379_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319705741193645026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SdNkL8V0C-I/AAAAAAAAAow/W6RxRKTfXrI/s320/IMG_3379_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> We arrived at Green Turtle Cay near 3 weeks ago, we spent some time exploring the reefs, spearfishing and exploring the town of New Plymouth in anticipation to my sister, her husband Bruce and two kids Max and Grant arriving to spend some time with us followed by the Waterman's a week later.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SdNkLqtCL1I/AAAAAAAAAoo/XqFxs0aohMU/s1600-h/P1040859_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319705736459202386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SdNkLqtCL1I/AAAAAAAAAoo/XqFxs0aohMU/s320/P1040859_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Alistair outside of Sid's supermarket in New Plymouth.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SdNkCdABDSI/AAAAAAAAAog/a1GCECDh_lI/s1600-h/IMG_3405_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319705578161900834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SdNkCdABDSI/AAAAAAAAAog/a1GCECDh_lI/s320/IMG_3405_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> The Bernstein family arrived and we all <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">eplored</span> beaches, the island and Pineapples. This is at the Pineapple's pool (bar/beach club) where the kids played in the pool and swam in the beach while the adults caught up with each other and sipped on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Kaliks</span>.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SdNkCKyVm5I/AAAAAAAAAoY/f8OWLeg-3DA/s1600-h/P1040897_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319705573272689554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SdNkCKyVm5I/AAAAAAAAAoY/f8OWLeg-3DA/s320/P1040897_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a>Laurel taking a picture of Bruce at Pineapples.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SdNkCL_bqMI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/zynJt1HT4OA/s1600-h/P1040937_3_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319705573596047554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SdNkCL_bqMI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/zynJt1HT4OA/s320/P1040937_3_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Max showing us one of the huge starfish that are scattered over the shallow grass beds.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SdNkBwTf7eI/AAAAAAAAAoI/DIMedGn9ZkA/s1600-h/P1040965_2_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319705566164020706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SdNkBwTf7eI/AAAAAAAAAoI/DIMedGn9ZkA/s320/P1040965_2_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Here we all are having lunch at Harvey's for some good local Bahamian fare. (grouper & rice and peas)<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SdNkBpmDXpI/AAAAAAAAAoA/nZ9IoFV8QsE/s1600-h/P1040973_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319705564362792594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SdNkBpmDXpI/AAAAAAAAAoA/nZ9IoFV8QsE/s320/P1040973_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> The cousins at the Bluff House beach, happy to hang out together.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SdNjqSexqbI/AAAAAAAAAn4/KlELVLfm1mQ/s1600-h/HPIM1777_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319705163021265330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 239px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SdNjqSexqbI/AAAAAAAAAn4/KlELVLfm1mQ/s320/HPIM1777_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> George, Greta, Mathew, Nancy, Scott and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Derik</span> arrived on the 25<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">th</span> of March, smiling as the ferry pulled in. Glad to see some sunshine, us and of course the little guys Dakota and Alistair.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SdNjqPyt2RI/AAAAAAAAAnw/iB5JGvlNNY0/s1600-h/HPIM1823_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319705162299595026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 239px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SdNjqPyt2RI/AAAAAAAAAnw/iB5JGvlNNY0/s320/HPIM1823_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Lisa and family overlapped with the Waterman's by two days. This is all of us at Miss Emily's Blue Bee Bar having a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Goombay</span> Smash their signature drink. The bar walls are covered with cards and the ceiling rafters have t-shirts signed by the many patrons that have left them behind. Looks like Miss Emily has seen a lot over the years.</div><div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SdNjp9ozccI/AAAAAAAAAno/UfAiqkLOcvI/s1600-h/IMG_3505_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319705157426180546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SdNjp9ozccI/AAAAAAAAAno/UfAiqkLOcvI/s320/IMG_3505_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a>Laurel's " Desperately in need of confession" T- shirt up at Miss Emily's<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SdNjpzuIN9I/AAAAAAAAAng/3TDwZ1sHH5M/s1600-h/HPIM1833_2_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319705154764158930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 239px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SdNjpzuIN9I/AAAAAAAAAng/3TDwZ1sHH5M/s320/HPIM1833_2_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Island transportation is mainly by Golf Cart. This is in New Plymouth where Nancy drove us around that afternoon. </div><div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SdNjpjuRMDI/AAAAAAAAAnY/7HTOPy8PuJc/s1600-h/HPIM1839_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319705150469779506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 239px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SdNjpjuRMDI/AAAAAAAAAnY/7HTOPy8PuJc/s320/HPIM1839_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Scott and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Derik</span> enjoying island life. </div><div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SdNjKLlMmhI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/OFezpotH36k/s1600-h/P1050019_2_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319704611413334546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SdNjKLlMmhI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/OFezpotH36k/s320/P1050019_2_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Laurel's new hat at Coco beach.</div><div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SdNjJ_dYnoI/AAAAAAAAAnI/uC-DeWFKXPo/s1600-h/P1050029_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319704608159342210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SdNjJ_dYnoI/AAAAAAAAAnI/uC-DeWFKXPo/s320/P1050029_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Dakota and Alistair with the kids from "Sweet William" a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">neigboring</span> boat.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SdNjJ_UJZnI/AAAAAAAAAnA/cHWLzp72WQA/s1600-h/P1050033_2_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319704608120596082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SdNjJ_UJZnI/AAAAAAAAAnA/cHWLzp72WQA/s320/P1050033_2_1.JPG" border="0" /></a>Dakota walking Coco beach.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SdNjJ-lfUnI/AAAAAAAAAm4/wYX9iLqyP9k/s1600-h/P1050050_3_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319704607924900466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SdNjJ-lfUnI/AAAAAAAAAm4/wYX9iLqyP9k/s320/P1050050_3_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> This is a very small octopus that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Derik</span> and Scott found.</div><div></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SdNjJtGZEJI/AAAAAAAAAmw/7hHsZYCylyA/s1600-h/P1050057_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319704603231064210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SdNjJtGZEJI/AAAAAAAAAmw/7hHsZYCylyA/s320/P1050057_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Scotty</span> and Alistair at Turtle Dreams.</div><div></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SdNioOdTOQI/AAAAAAAAAmo/qxGdlqnwEEI/s1600-h/P1050058_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319704028069968130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SdNioOdTOQI/AAAAAAAAAmo/qxGdlqnwEEI/s320/P1050058_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div>I went out with the boys one night, where we had great fun playing pool with the locals at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Sundowners</span>. </div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SdNinwg6xQI/AAAAAAAAAmg/MKZA61sAW9U/s1600-h/HPIM1865_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319704020032079106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 239px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SdNinwg6xQI/AAAAAAAAAmg/MKZA61sAW9U/s320/HPIM1865_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div>The rental house that the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Watermans</span> chose had a sort of open air widow's walk on the roof, very cool with great views of Coco bay and the Atlantic, the house like many we've seen around here are named by their owners, this one was named " Turtle Dreams"</div><div> </div><div></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SdNin2tfwvI/AAAAAAAAAmY/fSBZxQ2Ipfo/s1600-h/HPIM1867_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319704021695447794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 239px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SdNin2tfwvI/AAAAAAAAAmY/fSBZxQ2Ipfo/s320/HPIM1867_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a>We all took the opportunity to take family photos on the roof.<br /></div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SdNinQMIFwI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/H-VgrlgVYsU/s1600-h/HPIM1871_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319704011354937090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 239px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SdNinQMIFwI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/H-VgrlgVYsU/s320/HPIM1871_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a>Lunch at Harvey's </div><div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SdNinLC4TbI/AAAAAAAAAmI/XW_4oOlmRj8/s1600-h/IMG_1532_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319704009973976498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SdNinLC4TbI/AAAAAAAAAmI/XW_4oOlmRj8/s320/IMG_1532_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> On the penultimate day of the Waterman's visit we went for a ride on the Alice around the island, Mathew as always hadn't been on the boat 15 minutes before he caught this mutton snapper, we added him to the pile of fish for a fish taco dinner that night. </div><div> </div><div></div><div>We really had a great visit both with my sister and family and all the Waterman's, there's a lot that happened like kite flying, shell collecting expeditions, many special afternoon's watching sunsets, snorkeling, some great walks and even some rum drinking that I'm not covering in detail here, suffice it to say that all left happy and feeling that they had a great visit. </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lopez Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627726642527580758noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5178831866051164552.post-8246472133009799762009-03-17T17:23:00.005-04:002009-03-18T08:43:41.016-04:00Abacos<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/ScDbKo4hDVI/AAAAAAAAAmA/tZVfYVnsi6s/s1600-h/P1040734_2_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314488536116825426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/ScDbKo4hDVI/AAAAAAAAAmA/tZVfYVnsi6s/s320/P1040734_2_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> We are at Green Turtle Cay, having arrived a couple of days ago in anticipation of my sister and family visiting and then the folowing week my inlaws and Mathew, Nancy and kids.<br /><br />The above photo was taken in Man-O-War Cay, like many of the islands around here it is populated by loyalist descendants, they often have industrious, tight religous communities and just like Spanish Wells no alcohol is sold, these islands are dry, although you're welcome to bring your own to the local eateries.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/ScDbKVP7eCI/AAAAAAAAAl4/KGOtg9EFiXk/s1600-h/P1040738_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314488530846316578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/ScDbKVP7eCI/AAAAAAAAAl4/KGOtg9EFiXk/s320/P1040738_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Man-O-War has a very long tradition in boatbuilding and boat repair. Today they build both in wood and also now fiberglass. This is a picture of a boat being repainted. The main waterfront street is lined with boatyards, canvas shops, and boutiques. Very nice indeed.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/ScAcT91E1nI/AAAAAAAAAlw/tSb9Ni877T0/s1600-h/P1040753_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314278689637455474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/ScAcT91E1nI/AAAAAAAAAlw/tSb9Ni877T0/s320/P1040753_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> We spent the weekend at Guana Cay, great island with beautiful beaches, good barrier reefs and island clubs. We anchored in Fisher's Bay and dinghied over to Dive Guana where Maria helped us out and gave us some local knowledge including where to find sea biscuits. You can see the how clear the water is here. The water in the Abacos (so far) is a handsome turquoise green.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/ScAcTeg9BFI/AAAAAAAAAlo/MC178FCSZ1w/s1600-h/P1040776_2_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314278681231557714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/ScAcTeg9BFI/AAAAAAAAAlo/MC178FCSZ1w/s320/P1040776_2_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> We played in the beaches and the boys got to play in the strong surf. With me keeping an eye on them for undertows and the like. Just one of those parent things that's hard to shake. </div><div> </div><div>There are many island clubs here in the Abacos that cater to tourists, travellers and locals. Two of the locally famous are Nippers and Grabbers, with the anchorages filling up on the weekends to listen to Rake and Scrape and take advantages of the pools and island atmosphere. The price of admission in our case is a couple of the local beers (Kalik). Cheap entry for an afternoon of swimming in the pools and listening to good music.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/ScAcSmDcsoI/AAAAAAAAAlg/sF6iQlqbwXs/s1600-h/IMG_3372_3_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314278666075419266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/ScAcSmDcsoI/AAAAAAAAAlg/sF6iQlqbwXs/s320/IMG_3372_3_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Here Is Alistair with his old man at Nippers.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/ScAa5LiZwaI/AAAAAAAAAlY/fx_c-Gi2IVQ/s1600-h/P1040797_4_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314277129949135266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/ScAa5LiZwaI/AAAAAAAAAlY/fx_c-Gi2IVQ/s320/P1040797_4_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Above is Dakota who has become half fish and will not pass by any opportunity to snorkle, swim , wade, splash, etc. <br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/ScAa4nobROI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/x4SZcpT4xpw/s1600-h/P1040831_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314277120310723810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/ScAa4nobROI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/x4SZcpT4xpw/s320/P1040831_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> This is at Grabbers which had a rake and scrape band, here one of the tourists joins the locals to try it out. They use saws and scrape the tooth end with the back of a knife, depending how the saw is bent etc, they get different sounds. Was great to experience.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/ScAa4UDY6VI/AAAAAAAAAlI/JrgjXTzttgc/s1600-h/P1040822_2_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314277115055106386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/ScAa4UDY6VI/AAAAAAAAAlI/JrgjXTzttgc/s320/P1040822_2_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> This is Laurel at Grabbers, nice digs for an afternoon.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/ScAa3f2dniI/AAAAAAAAAk4/0a2CiTuaTBY/s1600-h/P1040835_3_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314277101042245154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/ScAa3f2dniI/AAAAAAAAAk4/0a2CiTuaTBY/s320/P1040835_3_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> This is at the beach at Grabbers on our way home, here Laurel just discovered some sea biscuits, we found many on the grass beds around the boat, just by snorkling for them. these Laurel found off the beach at low tide. </div><div> </div><div>The Abacos are vastly different from the Exumas, they are far more developed and have large communities and provide more entertainement and things to do for visitors. There are more rental homes here, many charter boats, fishing guides, scuba outfits and overall more people. Most likely their proximity to Florida, makes this an easy getaway. </div><div> </div><div>When we first arrived it was a bit of shock after being in the sparsely populated and more desolate Exumas, but alas one adapts and we are enjoying what the Abacos has to offer. The kids and us are specially loving the easy access to pools, other kids, good music and excellent reefs. Many of the Abaco islands have barrier reefs, many are a short swim from the shore. Just yesterday I had the opportunity to swim out to one see a lot of cool fish and reef and spear a couple for the dinner table. Not a bad way to spend a morning. </div><div> </div><div>I have felt very fortunate to do this voyage with my family. Has been easily one of the best experiences of my life. </div><div> </div><div>If you are considering some such adventure, my humble opinion is that it's worth doing and worth what you end up sacrificing (jobs, money, etc.) For life is proverbially short and we don't know what's coming, and what's better than great times and bonds with the ones you love. </div><div> </div><div>Best, C</div><div> </div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lopez Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627726642527580758noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5178831866051164552.post-29742085397904407052009-03-12T20:03:00.008-04:002009-03-12T20:54:53.870-04:00The Abacos<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SbmjqeLlcVI/AAAAAAAAAkw/E0vO9ryJcjI/s1600-h/IMG_3318_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312457185511698770" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SbmjqeLlcVI/AAAAAAAAAkw/E0vO9ryJcjI/s320/IMG_3318_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Before we left Spanish Wells Dakota and I went for a walk around town to look a little more. We went all the way to the tip of the island and sat in a gazebo overlooking the bank and the ocean, also the main island of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Eleuthera</span>. This pic is of the ocean.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sbmjc0DIjdI/AAAAAAAAAko/VBCxvsWMRno/s1600-h/IMG_3323_2_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312456950863662546" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sbmjc0DIjdI/AAAAAAAAAko/VBCxvsWMRno/s320/IMG_3323_2_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div>This is the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">cemetery</span> in Spanish Wells and it is interesting because here they cannot dig into the earth <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">because</span> the coral rock is too hard so they build up with cement. They also decorate highly with plastic flower wreaths. Notice the men resting in the shade of the tree in the background. It was just past mid-day and quite hot.<br /><br /></div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sbmjc7XrS9I/AAAAAAAAAkg/Z09NdwG8yU8/s1600-h/IMG_3330_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312456952828873682" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sbmjc7XrS9I/AAAAAAAAAkg/Z09NdwG8yU8/s320/IMG_3330_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> We then sailed to Royal island and left early the next morning for the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Abacos</span>. It was an exhausting crossing with not enough wind and enough seas and way too much weed in the fishing hook! Charles caught a 48 in mahi mahi and I even saw it jump right before it broke the line and got away! Dakota was devastated! Pasta for dinner again!</div><div></div><div>We made it in by 5 PM and anchored near <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Lynyard</span> Cay for the night. This morning we left again early for Marsh Harbor, our big motivation was propane for we were almost out and Alistair had asked for biscuits for breakfast and pizza for dinner for his birthday. It the least we could do, right?</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>He opened his gifts underway and is happy to be six!<br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SbmjcfdqPCI/AAAAAAAAAkY/NC3XrL1ZZ4c/s1600-h/IMG_3343_3_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312456945337777186" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SbmjcfdqPCI/AAAAAAAAAkY/NC3XrL1ZZ4c/s320/IMG_3343_3_1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Okay so this looks strange, except if you know that Alistair told me that he didn't want cake and we had gone to get ice cream earlier in the day. So he held the candle and we sang and he made a wish! The pizza was great!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sbmjb3ZsbjI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/drIiHvAuytE/s1600-h/IMG_3337_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312456934583725618" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sbmjb3ZsbjI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/drIiHvAuytE/s320/IMG_3337_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We spent a little time walking around Marsh Harbor today. We had curried chicken patties at a local deli, cheap and yummy! We then went and found home made ice cream for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Alistair's</span> birthday cake. I found this beautiful <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Palm</span> tree and the hibiscus flower <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">around</span> 5 in across.<br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sbmjbp77sbI/AAAAAAAAAkI/GXk4kyjpbL0/s1600-h/IMG_3339_2_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312456930969235890" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/Sbmjbp77sbI/AAAAAAAAAkI/GXk4kyjpbL0/s320/IMG_3339_2_1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Marsh Harbor is one of the largest towns in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Abacos</span> and bustles with activity. The harbor is quite large with many cruising boats and restaurants, marinas and resort line the harbor. Cars racing around and people walking and talking and all that. We were in a little bit of a re-entry shock coming from the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Exumas</span> where a large island has a few houses and a bar and an average on has one or two houses or maybe just pigs or iguanas. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Unaccustomed</span> to the hubbub we weaved and stumbled into the deli and were saved by the curried chicken patties.</div><div></div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Tomorrow</span> we will head to Man0war cay or to Great <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Guana</span> cay for swimming, snorkeling and beach combing before we tackle ................the Whale. Just call me Ishmael.......</div><div><br /><br />p.s. We want to thank our friend Lauren for her phone assistance when dakot sliced his foot open pretty badly on a conch shell. It was about 1 inch long and quite deep right on the pad of his foot. She directed us as to the proper care for best healing, thanks Lauren! Its all healed! See you this spring!<br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div>Lopez Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627726642527580758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5178831866051164552.post-86192039837678539262009-03-10T06:11:00.003-04:002009-03-10T07:16:51.507-04:00The grouper, the shark and yours trulyWe had a great time in the Staniel Cay area, where we anchored in the lee of Big Major Cay, great anchorage with good snorkeling and beautiful beaches.<br /> We had all gone snorkeling at the northern tip of Big Major which has small coral heads combined with a coral garden and a sandy deeper trough. I had my pole spear with me. I'd been seeing a lot of small groupers when I spotted one of takable size. He spotted me too and he quickly scampered under a coral head. Seems this is the grouper way, when in doubt go straight into your hole. It took me a while but I did finally manage to spear him in his hole but then couldn't get him out. My spear was laying at the bottom attached to the grouper while I got a breath of air before giving it another go, as I started down I spotted in the distance a shark coming our way, I couldn't tell what type of shark it was and I wasn't going to hang around to find out. I swam back to the dinghy where the kids where already in and Laurel and I got in. We then dinghied over the coral head to see the action.<br /> The shark turned out to be two sharks, both nurse sharks. While they are fairly bening as long as you don't mess with them. I didn't want to get back in the water to compete with food with them. They both had their snouts straight in the grouper hole but couldn't get him, eventually one left, after a beach break, we got the boat hook and went back, to see if we could hook the band on the polespear and pull it out. At this point I was concerned with just getting my spear back. We floated over the reef and actually managed to hook the band, I started pulling and tugging at it with the boat hook, when all of a sudden it all came out, but with no grouper and then I realized no spear tip! I looked down and the shark had the grouper and my spear tip. The tips are expensive and I didn't want to lose it, so I gave the shark a quick jab with the boat hook and it scared him away and he took off. Laurel held the boat at the edge of the shore and after a wary look, I swam in recovered the tip and grouper. He was a bit worse for wear after the shark, but whole, see him in the picture below.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SbY9yJgczaI/AAAAAAAAAkA/V5xnExht_KY/s1600-h/IMG_3276_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311500742284856738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SbY9yJgczaI/AAAAAAAAAkA/V5xnExht_KY/s320/IMG_3276_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> We cleaned him on the beach, and then had this sting ray come by, looking for grouper scraps. The Bahamas are loaded with rays and we've seen many but having this one swim back and forth just a couple of feet from us was really cool. The kids loved it.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SbY9x60kYGI/AAAAAAAAAj4/7h4LST-djYY/s1600-h/IMG_3280_2_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311500738342707298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SbY9x60kYGI/AAAAAAAAAj4/7h4LST-djYY/s320/IMG_3280_2_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> We also visited a place called Rachel's bubble bath or Rachel's pool. It is at the top of Compass Cay and is a natural pool that is protected from the ocean by dunes and reef, however at mid to high tide the waves crash over a coral slot and froth into the pool, you can see it in the picture below. If you stand just in front of the break you get immersed in the froth and bubbles, great experience, we did it with our masks and snorkles to really get the full effect.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SbY9hBgJCYI/AAAAAAAAAjw/fBbsx2N76Z0/s1600-h/IMG_3289_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311500448078301570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SbY9hBgJCYI/AAAAAAAAAjw/fBbsx2N76Z0/s320/IMG_3289_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Below is the northern bank side of Compass Cay where we did some beach combing before pulling our anchor and spending the night at Bell Cay.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SbY9g6XPdrI/AAAAAAAAAjo/YEvtjYjJQqI/s1600-h/IMG_3291_2_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311500446161925810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SbY9g6XPdrI/AAAAAAAAAjo/YEvtjYjJQqI/s320/IMG_3291_2_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> We left at first light the next morning and sailed 35 plus miles to Allen's Cay. We managed to get in early so had a great time at a beach, where we did some conching and where I managed to spear another grouper. We walked across to the bank side where someone had erected cairns. I wanted to include the picture below so you could see how jagged and rocky the Cays can be. These are ancient coral and are really jagged, sharp and pointy. The Cays tend to be a combination of this and of course sand beaches. </div><div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SbY9giYEeDI/AAAAAAAAAjg/VGTaAuq3mUs/s1600-h/IMG_3301_2_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311500439722948658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SbY9giYEeDI/AAAAAAAAAjg/VGTaAuq3mUs/s320/IMG_3301_2_1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SbY9gLuHudI/AAAAAAAAAjY/RRUoyRGe7-c/s1600-h/IMG_3297_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311500433641421266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SbY9gLuHudI/AAAAAAAAAjY/RRUoyRGe7-c/s320/IMG_3297_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> We are currently in Spanish Wells on Eleuthera where we arrived yesterday, had a nice and and uneventful crossing, although went through a section where we had to slalom our way around the coral heads. We will spend most of today here, then stage for our crossing to the Abacos late this afternoon at Egg Cay. Spanish Wells is a fishing and working community and as I write this fishing boats have been leaving the harbor one after another all morning. Here is Laurel walking along the waterfront yesterday afternoon.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SbY9fzpt7KI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/DE1SyG3Bl7k/s1600-h/P1040712_1_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311500427180502178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Oib-wsPFSWI/SbY9fzpt7KI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/DE1SyG3Bl7k/s320/P1040712_1_1.JPG" border="0" /></a>We most likely won't write again until we're somewhere in the Abacos and have internet access. </div><div> </div><div>Best, C.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lopez Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12627726642527580758noreply@blogger.com0