July 14, 2014
Forecast this morning was for small craft advisories until
10 am. Looking out the Coan River towards the Potomac, it
didn't look all that bad tough. Still, I
wanted to leave around 9 because the forecast also included an updated rain
forecast, basically saying it was going to storm this afternoon up around Monroe Bay where we are
headed. So we decided to leave right
away, about 8 AM, and make the 36 mile journey slow and close to shore to avoid the larger
swells forecast for the Potomac.
It again took some doing to get the anchor up. Lots of mud which is good for holding but not
so nice trying to clean it off. As Mary
was going below to shut off the windlass she inadvertently moved the port engine throttle forward. I heard the change in engine sound and was beginning to frantically assess why they sounded different before I
noticed the rpm's had changed. The joys
of cruising.
We snaked out of the circuitous channel with Field Trip
following. As we entered the Potomac
they turned right to head down river towards the Solomons in Maryland and their marina while we turned left to head up the Virginia side of the Potomac to Monroe Bay where Colonial Beach is located. We’ll be leaving the boat while we head toWisconsin .
We approached Monroe Bay through some shallow areas without problems and entered the channel leading into the bay where The Boathouse Marina is located.
The marina isn't a resort, but more of a working boat yard. But Bill
is such a sweet, knowledgeable man, it makes up for any lack of amenities. And
they do repair work here so I’m hoping we can get the dinghy winch repaired or
worst case replaced. It just occurred to me that it seems every time we stop at a marina for any length of time we spend gobs of money on boat stuff.
Ugh …
Oh,
and did I mention there are severe thunderstorms forecast for the morning around the time we are moving the boat. And then again around the time we would be walking to the Metro. Luckily we have one umbrella. Any guesses as to who's going to be soaking wet?
July 15, 2014
This morning we completed arrangements. It all took some time but we know how to get around and have the Amtrak tickets in hand. Bill has our repair request for the dinghy winch and we're ready to pack after we move the boat into its new slip.
Moving to the new slip was not as easy as yesterday. Our petite little boat is 15 feet and 5 inches wide. The slip we were entering is 17 feet. With the winds blowing this morning and the mild current it took me two tries before getting the stern inside the posts so I could pivot it around in the slip.
Slip is probably not an accurate term. The "slip" consists of three poles on each side with a small 6 foot triangular dock in one corner. The trick is to position the boat where the swim platform is next to this little platform so we can, well, get off the boat. And we had to accomplish this while getting lines on the leading posts to secure the boat. Lots of fun. And we realized that at low tide, the leap from the swim platform up to the triangular dock up was about 5 feet. Olympics Mary?
Charlie was picking us up at 1:30 to take us to Fredericksburg to catch the commuter train into Alexandria. We were pretty much packed and ready by noon and we spent the remaining time putting up sun screens, adjusting lines and and closing up the boat.
We tossed the luggage the 5 feet up to the pier and then gracefully got Mary up there too. She took her sole plant up to Bill who had agreed to care for it while I loaded up the marina van. Charlie showed up and we were off to Fredericksburg.
It so happened that Charlie grew up in Fredericksburg and so were treated with a mini tour. He showed us Washington's birthplace, and the house of John Paul Jones. When he picks us up I'm betting we'll get a more detailed tour.
The Amtrak station in Fredericksburg is rather spartan. No inside area or bathrooms. And the waiting area is on benches outside, right along the two tracks. The train traffic through here is impressive with freight trains and passenger trains arriving every few minutes on both tracks. Evidently, as we learned from a nice New York Lady, Amtrak doesn't reveal which track your train is on until a few minutes before it arrives.
And even though we arrived 30 minutes before the train was scheduled we must have disturbed the station karma because the train ended up being two hours late. So we ended up walking over to this German restaurant, The Bavarian Chef where we ordered a pretzel. And used their bathrooms.
The pretzel was a foot in diameter. Very tasty except that we brought it back to the station and as we started to eat it, a freight train rolled in and stopped for a few minutes right in front of us. The train consisted of mostly tanker cars. The car facing us was a molten sulfur car. Yummy pretzel with a stunning aroma of molten sulfur. Hard to beat that for a culinary experience.
Eventually the train did arrive. On the opposite track so we all had to clamor down the ramp, under the tracks and back up the other side to be hustled along by a frantic conductor who no doubt was feeling some urgency since they were a trifle tardy.
We started rolling through the country side. Very scenic. We made a stop at Quantico but as we rolled out of the station the train didn't pick up its customary speed by clanked along about as fast as our boat. The really frantic conductor came up on the loud speaker and explained we have to follow a freight train adding another 30 minutes to the delay.
But its not like we have to be anywhere soon, so enjoying the comfortable seats we watched the countryside roll by and eventually came into the Alexandria station.
Under sunny skies, not rain as predicted, we walked to the Metro station right across the tracks.
It took us a few minutes to figure out the ticketing, mainly because we needed glasses to read the dark machine signage. Eventually with tickets in hand we boarded the blue line train to Crystal City.
It was only a few stops before we reached the Crystal City station. As we were walking up the ramp I noticed Mary was purple-bagless. She had left her bag, with wallet, drugs, and hotel papers on the train seat. And D.C. is not the best place to loose anything.
We immediately made for the little enclosure where Metro employees command all the goings on in the station and explained to Kirk what had happened. He leaped into action and called the train but warned us that it was only a 50-50 chance we'd see the purple bag again. He suggested we check in the hotel and return to see if it was retrieved.
The hotel was only a few blocks away so we checked in and hastily made our way back to the station where Kirk looked quite sad as he told us the bag was safely at the Smithsonian station but we'd have to go get it ourselves. Quite the jokester, Kirk.
We got on a blue line train to the Smithsonian stop and per Kirks instructions found station 54 which was the employee enclosure where the bag was being held. And sure enough it was there on the floor. What wasn't there, was a person. So we waited for a few minutes until a Metro employee showed up. We said we were here to pick up that purple bag lying on the floor and he simply gave it to us without asking any questions. A little odd, but Ok.
Nothing was missing or disturbed so we counted ourselves extremely lucky. So we got back on a blue line train going back to Crystal City. And by the way, we were allowed to travel without charge!
As we made our way through the station and the retail area we stopped for a sumptuous meal at a just about to close subway. Yum ...
The route to our hotel from the Metro station runs through an underground retail area then up to the Crystal City Gateway Marriott out their door and 2 blocks up the street. The Americana was unique. It had pink and grey bathroom tiles. And a bed that was, well not a Hampton Inn bed. Only two pillows too. Very nice people running it though. They even arranged for a taxi at 4:30AM. Seems the hotel shuttle doesn't begin running until 6am. And we fly out at 6am. And for some reason we couldn't print our boarding passes. I'm having visions of a middle seat in a 3 seat row. ugh ...
July 16, 2014
We woke up at 3:55AM. Mary was the chipper one this morning. I was silent wondering if I was awake or just dreaming. We made it downstairs with enough time for coffee before the cab arrived. We got to the airport in 6 minutes, checked in at the curbside check in and I paid $25 to check a bag. No rant about flying, but I wont fly unless there is no other alternative.
We went through the security line in 30 minutes and chatted with a few peace core volunteers including an interesting older man heading off to Guatemala. He and I reminisced about the good old days of flying.
At the gate we bought a soda for Mary and gum and water for me and boarded the plane. But not before they announced that because of lack overhead space, passengers could check their bags for free. Mary did. I was smart and paid $25 at the check-in counter for the privilege of walking a few hundred feet without having to haul a bag. Sheez … We were in the last isle. Sweet! My seat didn't recline. Bummer.
Landed in Chicago and dashed to the G concourse but stopped along the way to secure 2 bagel, bacon and egg breakfast sandwiches at one of the places with the smallest line.
I should mention we did get a free cup of coffee on the Chicago flight. On the flight to Milwaukee we were offered a nice glass of water.
Jennifer and Jonah met us as we trudged up the ramp at Mitchell Field in Milwaukee. We lingered there for a few minutes and had some more coffee pastries before heading off to do some grocery shipping before picking up Jack (and surprising him) at his school. Per our usual routine we had lunch at the Chocolate Factory and got back to their house to relax before Greg, Laura and Seany came over for dinner and a party.
Later Laura and I took Jonah and Seany for a walk. Seany ran most of the way testing my diminished running capacity.
I suspect this will be an active few weeks!
they turned right to head down river towards the Solomons in Maryland and their marina while we turned left to head up the Virginia side of the Potomac to Monroe Bay where Colonial Beach is located. We’ll be leaving the boat while we head to
We hugged the western shore thinking it would act as a barrier for the swells generated by the blustery southwest winds. And as we left the sea state in the river was rolling pretty good but nothing
compared to what I was expecting. As we moved further north the seas became almost calm. And the rain?
Right. Sunny skies all
morning. Gotta love those forecasts.
We cruised around 6 mph and enjoyed the beautiful
weather. We had time to begin figuring out how and what we were packing
for Wisconsin . Checked bags or just a carry-on? How many clothes? We're going to Wisconsin... coats, hats and gloves? What luggage do we even have on board and where is it? Do we still print boarding passes? Will they make me toss my 6oz. tube of toothpaste? What an absolute PITA flying is now days.
 |
| Entering Monroe Bay |
Monroe Bay is well marked but shallow, around 6-7 feet. Bill, the Boathouse marina owner and Charlie were on the dock where we were to tie up. It was an easy docking exercise with them taking lines and having us secured within a few minutes.
 |
| Tied up now but but we have to move tomorrow |
We went into this slip for the night but we have to move to
a different one tomorrow. And it’ll be a
back-it-in situation. We take supreme delight backing into slips because I cant see
anything behind the boat and Mary has to shout/scream directions because we invariably
forget to use the marriage savers two way radio headsets we purchased for precisely these kinds of situations. I imagine it's highly entertaining for those on the dock watching
 |
| It a working boat yard here |
Charlie will be taking us to Fredericksburg where we catch the Amtrak train to the station at Alexandria which is adjacent to the Metro station where we catch a train to Crystal City and the hotel which is a few blocks away. Our flight from leaves from Reagan National Airport at 6 am meaning we have to be up at … well at an hour
I don’t frequently see because I’m asleep.
Another adventure!
Tonight we'll just get everything laid out to pack and get some idea of the the train schedule and Metro stops. In the meantime we ate dinner aboard, and went to bed early.
Retirement is indeed a relaxing journey …. J
July 15, 2014
This morning we completed arrangements. It all took some time but we know how to get around and have the Amtrak tickets in hand. Bill has our repair request for the dinghy winch and we're ready to pack after we move the boat into its new slip.
Moving to the new slip was not as easy as yesterday. Our petite little boat is 15 feet and 5 inches wide. The slip we were entering is 17 feet. With the winds blowing this morning and the mild current it took me two tries before getting the stern inside the posts so I could pivot it around in the slip.
 |
| Our new slip |
Charlie was picking us up at 1:30 to take us to Fredericksburg to catch the commuter train into Alexandria. We were pretty much packed and ready by noon and we spent the remaining time putting up sun screens, adjusting lines and and closing up the boat.
We tossed the luggage the 5 feet up to the pier and then gracefully got Mary up there too. She took her sole plant up to Bill who had agreed to care for it while I loaded up the marina van. Charlie showed up and we were off to Fredericksburg.
It so happened that Charlie grew up in Fredericksburg and so were treated with a mini tour. He showed us Washington's birthplace, and the house of John Paul Jones. When he picks us up I'm betting we'll get a more detailed tour.
 |
| Busy train station |
 |
| Restaurant across the tracks |
 |
| A really good pretzel |
 |
| Pungent vapors right in front of us. |
Eventually the train did arrive. On the opposite track so we all had to clamor down the ramp, under the tracks and back up the other side to be hustled along by a frantic conductor who no doubt was feeling some urgency since they were a trifle tardy.
We started rolling through the country side. Very scenic. We made a stop at Quantico but as we rolled out of the station the train didn't pick up its customary speed by clanked along about as fast as our boat. The really frantic conductor came up on the loud speaker and explained we have to follow a freight train adding another 30 minutes to the delay.
But its not like we have to be anywhere soon, so enjoying the comfortable seats we watched the countryside roll by and eventually came into the Alexandria station.
Under sunny skies, not rain as predicted, we walked to the Metro station right across the tracks.
It took us a few minutes to figure out the ticketing, mainly because we needed glasses to read the dark machine signage. Eventually with tickets in hand we boarded the blue line train to Crystal City.
 |
| Smithsonian Metro station |
We immediately made for the little enclosure where Metro employees command all the goings on in the station and explained to Kirk what had happened. He leaped into action and called the train but warned us that it was only a 50-50 chance we'd see the purple bag again. He suggested we check in the hotel and return to see if it was retrieved.
The hotel was only a few blocks away so we checked in and hastily made our way back to the station where Kirk looked quite sad as he told us the bag was safely at the Smithsonian station but we'd have to go get it ourselves. Quite the jokester, Kirk.
We got on a blue line train to the Smithsonian stop and per Kirks instructions found station 54 which was the employee enclosure where the bag was being held. And sure enough it was there on the floor. What wasn't there, was a person. So we waited for a few minutes until a Metro employee showed up. We said we were here to pick up that purple bag lying on the floor and he simply gave it to us without asking any questions. A little odd, but Ok.
Nothing was missing or disturbed so we counted ourselves extremely lucky. So we got back on a blue line train going back to Crystal City. And by the way, we were allowed to travel without charge!
As we made our way through the station and the retail area we stopped for a sumptuous meal at a just about to close subway. Yum ...
The route to our hotel from the Metro station runs through an underground retail area then up to the Crystal City Gateway Marriott out their door and 2 blocks up the street. The Americana was unique. It had pink and grey bathroom tiles. And a bed that was, well not a Hampton Inn bed. Only two pillows too. Very nice people running it though. They even arranged for a taxi at 4:30AM. Seems the hotel shuttle doesn't begin running until 6am. And we fly out at 6am. And for some reason we couldn't print our boarding passes. I'm having visions of a middle seat in a 3 seat row. ugh ...
July 16, 2014
We woke up at 3:55AM. Mary was the chipper one this morning. I was silent wondering if I was awake or just dreaming. We made it downstairs with enough time for coffee before the cab arrived. We got to the airport in 6 minutes, checked in at the curbside check in and I paid $25 to check a bag. No rant about flying, but I wont fly unless there is no other alternative.
We went through the security line in 30 minutes and chatted with a few peace core volunteers including an interesting older man heading off to Guatemala. He and I reminisced about the good old days of flying.
At the gate we bought a soda for Mary and gum and water for me and boarded the plane. But not before they announced that because of lack overhead space, passengers could check their bags for free. Mary did. I was smart and paid $25 at the check-in counter for the privilege of walking a few hundred feet without having to haul a bag. Sheez … We were in the last isle. Sweet! My seat didn't recline. Bummer.
Landed in Chicago and dashed to the G concourse but stopped along the way to secure 2 bagel, bacon and egg breakfast sandwiches at one of the places with the smallest line.
I should mention we did get a free cup of coffee on the Chicago flight. On the flight to Milwaukee we were offered a nice glass of water.
Jennifer and Jonah met us as we trudged up the ramp at Mitchell Field in Milwaukee. We lingered there for a few minutes and had some more coffee pastries before heading off to do some grocery shipping before picking up Jack (and surprising him) at his school. Per our usual routine we had lunch at the Chocolate Factory and got back to their house to relax before Greg, Laura and Seany came over for dinner and a party.
 |
| Savoy shopper |
Later Laura and I took Jonah and Seany for a walk. Seany ran most of the way testing my diminished running capacity.
I suspect this will be an active few weeks!
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