September 9, 2008 |
| Reflections..... |
Given enough "down time" you tend to find time to actually reflect on life. As we reflect on our last 32 years we are reminded of just how fortunate we really are. To reach lofty goals takes a lot of things......hard work, patience, endurance and the support of strong family bonds! As we are organizing old photos it occured to us to jot down our thoughts. Problem is, however, it can't be put into words. Any attempt would fall short. So we wanted to simply post random shots of family and friend gatherings from recent past. The shots remind us of the great times we've had and the ones we'll soon have together again. It is a simple start and we will add to this album as we create new memories. Love ya all.....
Pat & Randy
See Album at Click Here
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September 8, 2008 |
| Our first visitors!! |
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Two amusing fisherman on the docks in "backwater" Crisfield.
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No....not these two Huckleberries fishing.....but rather Barb & Henry Nixon. They drove over, from Chincoteague, today and joined us on HB for a very nice visit. Walked around Crisfield and had lunch. Always great to see friends no matter how long (or recent) since last meeting. Thanks Barb and Henry! We're here for another day....we will go over to Smith Island tomorrow to take in the history of this beautiful Chesapeake Island. Then we're off to Onancock, VA for a day or two and then to Norfolk or somewhere near (York or James River/s). After a bit of provisioning and sight seeing we'll enter the ICW (Intercoatsal Waterway). We've decided (at least for now) to head to Ocracoke and spend a couple of weeks anchored in Silver Lake. Youthful memories and a lifelong dream to anchor there are like a "sirens song" luring me ever closer!! We'll see how it goes. Can't help but think that, with dink trips to Portsmouth, fishing, beachcombing and just generally taking in the serenity we'll have no problem with an extended stay there. Besides it's a great place to come visit us???? Right?? Anyway...that's it for now....more later.
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September 6, 2008 |
| At the risk of "over exposure".... |
This is how Hanna left the area today! Couldn't help but post her parting shot. All's well that ends well. Good night~
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September 6, 2008 |
| What DO you do alone on a boat 24/7....... |
that's a question often asked. Today we're cozied up down below awaiting Hanna to blow out of here. I think the worst is already past us. We have 30+ knot winds, lots of rain and damp cold skies! Good day to stay below. Our day consisted, thusfar, of a few minor maintenance things (below), reading, discussing our next stop (Crisfield with a "tourist jaunt" over to Tangier Island) and napping. Then Pat whipped up some fabulous White Chicken Chili as shown in this pic. Unbeatable...especially on a miserable day like today! This afternoon we'll read some more, perhaps another nap and, then, I may even start my guitar lessons! So, as you can see, there is no problem filling the day. There's always work to be done..... planning and just simply "living well". So far, so good! Pat hasn't thrown me over (yet). I know...I know...it's early!!!! Stayed tuned!
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September 5, 2008 |
| Not to worry....... |
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Cliffs providing protection from the east.
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We are safely anchored in the Patuxent River! Sailed into Mill Creek today to ride out the weather Hanna will bring tomorrow. Forecast calls for 40-50mph winds from the east. This mini hurricane hole is protected from the east, south and west leaving only northern weather to contend with. As you can see, in the photo, we are snuggled up to a 25 fooot cliff which will provide good cover. Really not anything to worry about! That said; we know many have been concerned (from the emails, calls etc.).....we are OK. Thanks for thinking of us. We will stay here through Saturday and leave for Crisfield on Sunday (forecast 12 - 15 knots out of the northwest). That should be a great sail. That's it for now.....we're doing well and adjusting to the cruising lifestyle. Later......
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September 1, 2008 |
| We're Off........... |
Wanted to drop a quick note to let you know we're safely "off the clock" and have moved into a "fulltime cruising" mode. We will take a hiatus from the recent "kaos" we've been living within!!! It's time to decompress, slow down and let this new chapter wash over us (bad choice of words I know). We will now adjust to an "underway" shipboard routine. That means we're, most likely, going to go "silent" for a week or two. We might update the site but, then again, we might not. Whatever floats our boat! The hard part is over! Planning, boat refit, provisioning, hard work and sacrafice have brought us to this point. Pat and I will now turn to one another without the many distractions that are everpresent in the workaday world. It will take a little time to fully appreciate just how this new lifestyle will playout each day. So....stay well....stay tuned.....we'll be back shortly.
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August 31, 2008 |
| Dateline Saturday August 30th.... |
Boat People!!! Gotta love em! They, too, know how to throw one helluva party! This on top of one last visit with the Longs, Markels, Buckinghams, Culps and Daphne really set Saturday and Sunday as a very special weekend (like they haven't all been over the top fabulous!). Great food, drinks, laughs and music......what can I say. Monday we shove off and will reflect on these last months with a smile on our faces and a warm glow in our hearts! We love you...."Thank you!".
Click here for Pics
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August 25, 2008 |
| R2 retires........ |
What a night! Pat, Zach, Emily and the Captn' sailed HB north to Philadelphia for my retirement party. Really couldn't have been any better! LaVeranda Restorante' (at Penn's Landing) provided the perfect waterfront venue for our farewell. A great time was had by all. Outstanding food, great friends and family.........all first class! Joe and Valerie created a farewell gathering which Pat and I will hold in a special place in our hearts and minds! As I leave the industry, I can only really recall the many good times, and good fortune, which Pat and I have derived from these many years. We will miss you all! Once the madness settles down we will update the Photo Album page with pics from these last few weeks of "goodbyes"! Need to rest (recover actually) before I tackle that job! 4 days to go.....then's it's one more "goodbye party" and then we're off! Stay tuned and "thanks" to all those, with whom, we've shared time with recently. You will see us again!
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August 20, 2008 |
| Saying Goodbye is hard work!! |
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Markel's Garden Part. Plenty of laughs, good friends and great food. Hated to see it end!
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A lifetime of friends and family is a hard thing to say "goodbye" to! We've spent the last few weeks saying farewell to those we love and will miss dearly. Party here...party there...goodbyes... tears of joy and tears of sorrow. Again....a bitter sweet farewell. Leaving is harder than we anticipated! That said; we're leaving nonetheless! We will be back and we will see some of you along the way. Please, if you can, come join us when you can.......we look forward to seeing you in tropical locations. We're down to twelve days until departure.........reality is setting in! We love you all and eagerly anticipate our next get together. See you soon. We'll update the site once underay on September 1st. Stay in touch and live well till we next meet.
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August 15, 2008 |
| Pat's Thursday Breakfast Club (aka "The Hens") |
This turned out to be the "inaugarul" send off gathering! It set the bar (literally and figuratively) for many a night to follow. This crew came together through "The Hens" and a their weekly Thursday breakfasts. We've shared many years of memorable gatherings where great food, good wine and great company were the norm. Good living......great friends.......what more can you ask for~
See you in the islands!
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2010
Slow Days.......
August (12)