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SOB haul out

SOB haul out

SOB haul out

Hauled out the SOB to clean her bottom. Should be good to go for the rest of the summer...

Dinghy ride

Had some friends over for the weekend and went for a dinghy ride...

SOB 12

Moved the SOB to a new marina over the weekend. Am looking forward to a great summer on the Chesapeake Bay...

SOB Happy Hour

Last SOB HH of the season. Getting much to cold...

SOB Cruise/Happy Hour

Had some friends over for a Cruise/Happy Hour this weekend. Dave, Jennifer, Scott, and Dana. Weather was a bit cool, but a good time was had by all...

Irene update

Minor damage to the SOB. Small tears in the canvas, a little water leakage through a couple of windows, and worst of all, a bottle of red wine came uncorked and spilled (change in barometric pressure??).
Many thanks to my friend Steve for "braving the elements" and checking on the SOB throughout the storm.
I'll be back on the SOB Monday evening, and will post another report next weekend.

Irene

I secured the SOB best I could, and will hope for the best. Am safe at home in Albuquerque now, just watching the weather on TV like everyone else. Am scheduled to fly back on Monday - Sure hope the SOB is still floating when I get there...

Oxford

Spent our last night of the cruise in Oxford, MD, a quaint fishing village just off the Choptank River. Not much shopping for the girls, but quite peaceful, great sunset views, and excellent restaurants.

St. Michaels

Great port of call. Beautiful Harbor. Downtown shops/restaurants just two blocks away. Maybe we'll spend two nights here...

SOB crew

The SOB crew for the week - Marianne, Susie, and Lewis.

Rock Hall was not as expected. Long walk from the marina to downtown, and when we got there, most of the shops were closed. (It appears Tuesday is a "down day" for Rockhallians). Tomorrow's port of call - St. Michaels...

Baltimore Inner Harbor

Got a great slip overlooking the Inner Harbor. Going to the Oriole/White Sox game tonite. Tomorrow - Rock Hall, MD.

August Chesapeake Cruise

Started a one week cruise of the Chesapeake today. This is a pic of our first port of call, Annapolis. Tomorrow - Baltimore...

Working on the SOB

Worked on the SOB all weekend. Never ending projects on a boat. Among other things, I installed a new satellite TV antenna and bought a new dinghy.

SOB Happy Hour

Spent the weekend working on the SOB. I did manage to take a few minutes Saturday afternoon to dinghy across the river for Happy Hour at Skipper's Pier...

Memorial Day Weekend

Spent the weekend on the SOB anchored in the harbor at Annapolis. Pic is of downtown Annapolis at sunset taken from the deck of the SOB.

Day after the storm

Pretty rough storm all day Saturday lasting till early Sunday morning. High winds, driving rain, lightning, thunder, and tornado warnings. Fortunately, the SOB is in a safe marina that is well protected from high waves, and suffered no damage. Rocking and rolling made for great sleeping. Had to make sure the SOB was moored in her slip properly, as the tide was unusually high due to the wind blowing hard from the east, forcing all the water from the Chesapeake up into it's contributories.

Back home to my apartment in Arlington this afternoon - Have to go back to work Monday.

Next blog update will not be till next weekend.

Tax day (April 15)

Spent last night at my apartment in DC. Washed clothes and bedding from the SOB (due to failure to batten down hatches a few days ago). Went to breakfast this morning with my work peeps at the Lincoln Waffle House near the Hoover Building. Had the usual (waffle- no butter - 3 strips of bacon).

Back to the SOB around noon. Big storm coming tomorrow (gale warnings are up), so I wanted to make sure the SOB was secure in it's slip.

Due to the storm tomorrow, the SOB boat party is cancelled. Not much fun partying on a boat in driving rain/wind.

Pics are of the SOB in it's slip at Herrington Harbour North. SOB is just to the right of "Annie".

Day 18

Made it - 800 miles on the ICW in 18 days. Left Reedville this morning (solo) at 7:00 am. Hit a nasty thunderstorm on the Chesapeake around 11:00 am, but nothing the SOB couldn't handle. Arrived at my home port of Herrington Harbour North in Deale, MD at 4:00 pm. Cruised 88 miles today.

I'd like to thank my crew members (deck apes) Marianne, Dan, and Robert. Thanks for the line handling, fixing me lunch, pushing the SOB off the sand bars (Robert), and sharing "the experience" with me. I could not have done it without you.

Obviously, the SOB arrived a few days early, so there will be no party at Solomons Island on Friday, April 15.

However, everyone is invited to party with me on the SOB Saturday (April 16) afternoon/evening starting at 3:00 pm at Herrington Harbour North in Deale. The SOB is in slip C-9. Call me if you need directions.

Pic is of the SOB at home port of Herrington Harbour North...

Day 17

Left Hampton, Va this morning at 8:30. Am trying to shorten our voyage by a few days, so our intended destination today was Solomons Island VA, which is about 100 miles. We didn't make it. Weather turned nasty about 2:00, so we ducked into the nearest port - Reedville, VA, Fairport Marina. Robert's wife is driving down to pick him up tonight, so I'll be be cruising solo for the last day - Just 66 miles to my home port of Herrington Harbour, Deale, MD. Should arrive there tomorrow around 4:00 pm...

Pics are of last night's marina at Hampton, and tonight's marina at Reedville.

Day 16

Another perfect day on the SOB. Left Coinjock this morning at 7:30, and cruised north on the ICW through Norfolk. Lots of bridges, locks, and serious "big boat traffic". Captain Bill and deck ape Robert had to pay serious attention to our surroundings as we navigated north. See attached pics for a "taste" of what we experienced. We are a couple of days ahead of schedule. Traveled 66 miles today, and are docked at Salt Ponds Marina at Hampton, VA.

Tomorrow - Solomons Island VA.

Day 15

SOB DOW. The "Wake up Maggie". Mountain Dew, Makers Mark, Ice. Enjoy!!

Day 15

Another great day. Left Belhaven at 8:00 am (Banjo music woke us up), and made it to our planned destination of Alligator River by 1:00 pm. It was such a nice day we decided to keep on cruising, and arrived at the next available marina (Coinjock) at 6:00 pm. Traveled 90 miles today, which is the longest day of the trip to date. Great marina and restaurant. One of the best on the ICW so far.

Tomorrow - Hampton VA...