1/21/16

For those of you who may have checked this blog site and wondered where we are and what we have been doing here's an update.  I (Karen) flew home in December to spend the holidays with my family and to see how Dad was doing as he had recently had a number of health issues.  He was doing better the first week I was there but that didn't last.  We ended up taking Dad to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse (about 1 1/2 hr. away) to find out what was wrong the morning he woke up and couldn't walk.  We suspected lyme disease (as he's had it many times) and thought we'd find better resources in a bigger city with a teaching hospital.  The ER experience was....memorable.  Wonderful people and staff but there was no room.  Dad had a bed in the hallway along with many others waiting to be seen by doctors.  We had seen our fair share of ER "excitement" during our 10 hour stay there including a man who staggered in through the ER doors holding his side proclaiming "I've been shot!"  He obviously received immediate treatment.
The neurological floor is where Dad stayed and went through 100 tests - including CT scans, MRIs, and a spinal tap.  He was finally diagnosed with inclusion body myositis, a rare muscle disease,  by Dr. Young, a neurologist who specializes in muscles.  In order to confirm that diagnosis he'd have to have a muscle biopsy.  There's no treatment for inclusion body myositis so he decided why bother with the painful biopsy.  He'd had enough testing at that point and we made arrangements to find a rehab center in Ithaca to continue the physical therapy he was receiving at Syracuse.  He was working on balance and walking with a walker.  Through the whole ordeal Dad was an exceptional patient, albeit a bit humorous/sarcastic at times.  Who would come back from each test and say, "Well, that was fun." He had more needles poked into his arm in those 10 days than he's had all year.
During those 10 days Mom and I stayed at the hospital from 7 am to 8 pm each day, preparing our meals mostly from the cooler in the back of the car.  Each evening we drove 20 minutes to our friends, Brian and Deb's, to stay in their guest room.  I don't know what we would have done without them.  What a wonderful feeling to arrive at their house each evening, sit back and relax, have a warm meal or muffins or freshly baked cookies with a glass of wine, visit, and especially get some sleep!
A rehab room was found in Ithaca at Cayuga Ridge nursing home where Dad stayed for a week.  Two wonderful therapists worked with him on walking, maintaining balance, and exercising a couple of times each day.  It took a little finagling but we got him released on Martin Luther King Jr. Day which is also Mom's birthday.  We pulled out of the place with Dad proclaiming "Free at last!  Free at last!  Thank God Almighty, free at last!"  Fitting.  A celebration for many reasons that evening.
Back at home I had put up a handrail down the hallway, installed a raised toilet seat with grab rails, changed the hard-to-pull bathroom faucet, lowered the bed, added another grab rail in the shower and some other accommodations.  Mom and I found a loveseat recliner and got rid of the old couch to make their small home more walker-friendly.  My brother installed a garage door opener so no more manually lifting the door.  Dad is getting around rather well with the walker (even used just his walking stick our neighbor Bruce made for him years ago), doing exercises to try to maintain or build muscle strength, and working to put some weight back on.
And Jerry!  He's been in Stuart, FL on Persephone awaiting my return.  Luckily, there are a number of friends on the water and on land that have kept him busy and entertained best they could.  Thanks Dale and Roni, Tani and Jamel, Aunt Susan and Ken, and of course Donna and Jerry who spent Christmas anchored next to Persephone.  Jerry had to defrost the refrigerator recently to throw out the food that he didn't eat because he had so many dinners at friends' places!  Our friends Bob and Susan Church from Fulton, NY arrived to go for a day sailwith Jerry there in Stuart.  Bob brought along his whole family - sisters, brother-in-laws, kids - 14 in all.  A grand time was had by all.
If all goes well, and Dad's progress continues, I will fly to FL on Feb. 2nd.  Not sure what our plans will be upon my return.  I'll try to keep you posted. 

12/8/15

Northeast/east winds 20-25 gusts to gale force – that was the forecast along the Florida coast Thanksgiving week.  Sadly, when we left Jacksonville heading east on the St. John’s River we had to turn south onto the Intracoastal Waterway instead of continuing out the inlet to the ocean.  We like wind for sailing but that’s a bit too much.  It was rough on the ocean all week.

We took advantage of the wind and current on the “inside” as we traveled south on the ICW.  Just before leaving Jacksonville Jerry walked to the grocery store and bought an 11 lb. turkey.  On Thanksgiving Day we wrestled with the racks in the oven and were able to find a way to stuff the stuffed bird into the small oven.  All afternoon as we sailed we could smell the turkey roasting.  The stove was unlatched at the bottom so it could gimble as we sailed with the gusty winds heeling us over.  The boat didn’t stay level but the oven and turkey did.  We enjoyed a Thanksgiving feast with all the trimmings after sunset anchored near New Smyrna Beach.  Four long days of sailing last week to arrive in Stuart, FL.

Thanksgiving Dinner anchored near New Smyrna Beach

Tania and Jamel sailing "Rainbow Connection"

Dale and Roni live here.  We picked them up with the dinghy and spent a beautiful blue-sky day sailing up and down the North Fork of the St. Lucie River.  That was our second time this year we’ve taken the boat out just for the sake of sailing.  Of course, Jerry and Dale had to look for the other boats in the vicinity and plan how to approach, pass and sail around the smaller boats.  We recognized one of the boats: our friend Jamel and Tania on Rainbow Connection we met in the Bahamas one year.  They’re on their way “home” to a slip at the Sandpiper Marina.   

Jamel took pictures of us as we sailed around.  

Sailing on the North Fork of St. Lucie

Another beautiful picture thanks to Jamel!

 We were again impressed how well the new Persephone sails.  The wind died down and the sun sets as we anchored back where we started.  We shared more stories of sailing, boats, and life as the four of us dine together onboard.

Jerry, Dale, Roni

Jerry and I sailed back up the North Fork the next day to anchor near Sandpiper Marina to find Jamel and Tania when they came home from work.  Jerry ferried them out to Persephone for dinners the two nights we were anchored there.  Tania and Jamel live on their boat all winter.  In the summer they drive to Alaska and operate a commercial fishing boat.  Long days, hard work – they love it!  We’re always fascinated with their tales of work, life, ideas and future plans.  They are both very knowledgeable and experienced and young!  They’re in the “same boat” as we were – trying to sell “Rainbow Connection” and buy something a little bigger.  Know of anyone looking for a nice 32’ Bayfield?

Jerry and I actually had a chance to use our bike and tour the area.  We happened upon the St. Lucie Botanical Gardens and stopped to take a look at the orchids, live oak, bamboo, and other greenery.  I also pumped up the kayak and paddled around on the North Fork.  Until the rain came.

Persephone sailed back to “our spot” near Stuart.  Dale and Roni picked us up and took us to Rancho Chico – an old favorite.  The rest of the week and weekend – rain and wind.  All day, on and off, squalls came through.  On Saturday we donned full foul weather gear – pants and coats, bailed the 40 gallons of water out of the dinghy, and headed around the point.  Our good friend Bob Church’s aunt lives on the water just around the corner.  He wanted us to make sure to visit Aunt Susan.  Susan and her husband Ken were thrilled to have company come by water.  It was nice to sit in their home, look out at the river and rain, talk, and have lunch with them.  Roasted chicken, rice, baked squash, fresh zucchini, apple-banana-cranberry bread, just-made cranberry relish.  Yum!  Aunt Susan sent us  home with a bag of goodies – fresh fruits, more bread, cranberry relish, home-canned applesauce.  Wow!

I suppose it sounds like all we do is sit around, visit, and eat.  We have worked on the boat some – honest!  That is between the visiting, eating, and Scrabble and backgammon.  We’ve also managed to squeeze in the usual grocery shopping, laundry, and cleaning as well.  And we still have to figure out when and how we’ll visit our good friend Arnaud in Manatee Pocket.  Back up the St. Lucie River by boat or a long bike ride across Stuart.

This will be the last post this year as I’m flying to NY to spend the holidays with my parents.  Jerry will stay on the boat and continue the visiting.  Best wishes for the holidays!  Write and let us know what’s happening in your world.

Karen and Jerry

11/25/15

Maintaining a site online may seem like such a simple task – take some pictures, write some narrative and post online.  I have pictures!  I can write words but the online part is more difficult.  In today’s modern times I suppose it’s hard to imagine no internet.  But we have no internet access onboard.  When we’re ashore, visiting with family and friends takes precedent over logging online words and pictures.  Sorry.

Our new jib!

After spending 10 days or so on Donna and Jerry’s dock in Oriental, NC (yup – visiting with friends and family) we motored to Beaufort, NC and enjoyed a fast sail to St. Mary’s Inlet in Florida.  The northerly winds started out at 25 knots settling down to 18 knots as we rounded Frying Pan shoals on the first night.  The second night saw the winds drop even more.  We ended up starting the motor coming in the inlet and anchoring in Fernandina Beach.  Our short stay in Fernandina was spent visiting my (karen’s) relatives  Walt & Brenda Pakkala, Aunt Lorraine, and 6 year old Christian.  A lovely lunch, apple pie made with NY apples, conversation, and tours of their homes.  Our reminiscing and discussions of Florida, family and boating turned toward more serious matters of sharks and Legos when Christian arrived after school.  It was nice to visit and a delight to share how we live onboard.

Walt, Brenda, Lorraine

My cousin Teneel's son Christian.

From Fernandina we motored down the ICW and at the intersection of the ICW and St. John’s River we turned starboard and headed towards Jacksonville.  With fond memories of discovering the Jacksonville Zoo on the Trout River a number of years ago we anchored to take advantage of the “arrive by boat visit the zoo for free” deal.  Sadly, we learned they no longer offer the free pass to boaters so we stayed aboard Persephone and changed the oil and flushed the cooling system on the engine instead. 

In the past we could turn on the computer and find an unsecured wifi while at anchor.  That’s no longer today’s experience.  All networks that pop up need a password.  No computer updating here.

Next stop – Jacksonville Landing where there are free docks along the downtown Jacksonville waterfront.  Six sailboats were already tied along the floating docks making our arrival lucky 7.  We tied up, walked 2 blocks, hopped on the monorail to cross the river, another walk about 3 blocks to the Bistro Aix where our friend Chris is the head chef.  We were handed menus by the attentive waitresses.  Chris told us we were welcome to read through them but he already had plans.  They were delicious plans!  Warm bread, tuna & crab sushi wrapped in sliced cucumbers, grilled tomato salad, coq a vin, red velvet cake and an éclair.  Every bite was divine – full of flavor, freshness, texture – exquisite. 

Chris, Amy and 3 year old Andrew came to Persephone for dinner that night and then for sailing on Saturday on the St. John’s River.  Perfect partly sunny 10 knot breeze day.  Chris took the wheel and Andrew, with Amy’s eye at all times, went from the table playing dominoes to the cockpit and back and forth and back and forth.  “Can we have a snack?”  Ah, to be young with so much energy and curiosity.  What fun!   After dinner we said goodbye to the Jones family as they walked down the dock with their bags and Andrew asleep in his father’s arms.

Yum!

Chris, Jerry, Karen

Chris at the helm

Andrewand Amy

Andrew, Amy with Jacksonville in the background.

I should have had time to update the blog at the dock!  But, alas, there were more people to talk to instead.  We met Leandro who recently bought his boat.  A 35’ Malo built on the same island in Sweden as ours.  We were fascinated learning about his childhood in Brazil and his career in Russia and Germany.  His Russian girlfriend, Maria, flew in for a visit from………Binghamton, NY!  Where she is studying American History for two years.  Docked in front of Leandro was Fabio, also from Brazil, who recently bought his boat.  It was refreshing to spend time with such intelligent, enthusiastic beginning cruisers who both have plans to sail all over the world.

On Sunday we pulled out the jib and headed south on the St. Johns River to Green Cove Springs.  Our friends Dale and Ronnie from Stuart, FL were driving north as we sailed south to meet at Green Cove Springs Marina.  We anchored out and came in to meet Dale’s friend Mike who had just purchased a beautiful 45’ Shearwater schooner.  More visiting, boat tours, dining together, meeting people working on their boats at the marina – who has time for the internet?  Dale and Ronnie stayed overnight onboard.  Our plan was to take them sailing in the morning.  The 40 degree temperature and brisk winds put a halt on those plans.  (Did I mention Jerry fixed the diesel Webasto furnace that came with the boat?)  Jerry promised to take them sailing in Stuart, FL when we get there.

In order to continue south on the ICW we actually have to go north about 25 miles, back to Jacksonville, and another 20 miles or so along the St. John’s River that flows out to the ocean.   I’ll try to find the time and place to log on to the internet!

One last note:  Our Spot gps lost its signal for a bit when we were traveling on the ocean recently.  We keep it down in the cabin, not out in the cockpit, where it probably would receive better service to the satellites.  This is not a safety device for us, just a way friends and family can keep track of us.  We have EPIRB devices on board if we're ever in any danger that will relay our position to the Coast Guard.  Use our Spot device for your curiosity only.   If it doesn't show our track it may have lost a signal temporarily.   The link for the SPOT can be found in the previous post below.

SPOT GPS Tracking Device Link

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0GDxHcnIICYp8nUSWJhRhxonUejZNOheg

Here's the link again for anyone wanting to track our travels.  The SPOT device shows a week of our GPS position as we travel.  (As long as I remember to push the button to have it do so!)   If you wanted, you could "cut and paste" the link someplace so you won't have to find it on this blogspot.

11/3/15

This year's cruising season started early for us.  With the "Old Persephone",  mid- to late October we'd journey down the Erie, Hudson and the coast, sometimes with snowflurries nipping at our heels.  We knew the route and more importantly we knew the boat.  Our departure date this year budgeted for the what-ifs that might come up and time to deal with those problems as they arose on our "New Persephone".  It was not uncommon in previous years to come upon a stranded sailor on the Erie whose winter plans had come to a halt due to engine, steering, electric....or any number of issues that required time and parts to fix with no time left before the Erie canal closed for the season.
We were rewarded with warmish, sunny days motoring the Erie.  The new Persephone putted perfectly along with no problems, perhaps eager to have her mast put up soon and a chance to kick up her heels out at sea.  A "new" boat is all about learning the boat -  not just how to make her go but where to store stuff, how to use the electronics, how she maneuvers, and how to use the systems on board.  Once the mast was up more learning and adjusting - halyards, sheets, winches - same components on any sailboat but not the same set up or performance.  New "pieces" for us too - we have a spinnaker pole and we know how to use it!  It held the jib, poled out to one side of the boat, the main sail out on the other as we sailed straight downwind down the Chesapeake wing-on-wing.  Fast!

Wing-on-Wing on the Chesapeake

That's how we're traveling this year - fast.  From o'dark thirty before the sun comes up 'til late: Kingston, NY to Sheepshead Bay on Coney Island to Cape May, NJ to the Chesapeake.  Long days and lots of miles arriving much faster than we ever have in the past.  We enjoyed a nice 3 day rest in Cape May awaiting southerly winds.

Morning motor south of the C & D Canal

South of C & D Canal

Coast Guard Buoy Tender on the Chesapeake

Crane on board for hauling and maintaining the buoys

Chesapeake Sunrise

In Deltaville, VA we stayed a week anchored just off the stern of Valkyrie at their slip in Fishing Bay.  The theme there - visit and work on Valkyrie.  Out with the old generator and in with the new, Jerry taking charge of the physical installation of the 400 lb. unit.  Levers, pulleys, blocks and knowing how to use them - the unit moved from the dealer in Annapolis, to the truck, to Deltaville, down the dock, to the bridge deck of Valkyrie, down the companionway, to the aft cabin and into the generator bed with no one getting hurt.  Lots of engineering involved as well to prepare the bed for the new generator.

Old generator parts in the wagon to take to storage.

New generator

From the bridge deck to below

Down it goes

In the boat at companionway

Sliding down the planks from the aft cabin to the engine bed.

Yeah!  It's in place!

New generator's home.

We were all spurred on by Jerry's directions each day.  He was spurred into action by the favorable wind forecast approaching for our travels south.  We enjoyed one last dinner with Ryan and Kari aboard Persephone, the generator bolted in its new home, before 3 more days of traveling south to our next stop - Oriental, NC.  Donna and Jerry's  on Broad Creek where the new Persephone is now docked next to the new Bluejacket.

The new Persephone and the new Bluejacket.

Other notes of interest maybe - our two 150 watt solar panels, temporarily mounted for this season on our lifelines, are working well.  They provide more than enough power - a regulator is on our list to buy eventually so we don't have to manually turn things on to use up the excess power so we're not overcharging our batteries.  We look forward to having an arch on the stern (like the old Persephone) to mount the solar panels to the top of that.  And to have dinghy davits!  We miss being able to just haul up the dinghy on davits.  Hauling and storing the dinghy on the foredeck is a chore and not so convenient.  Time for that project next year.....

Sailing through Norfolk, VA.

Sunrise on the Alligator-Pungo Canal

Sunrise on the Alligator-Pungo Canal

Alligator River scene

Staying healthy is a constant focus and we're doing okay, looking forward to having opportunities to walk each morning - and there's nothing like a dose of sailing on such a beautiful boat to lift the spirits.
Send news of what's going on in your lives!  We'd LOVE to hear and keep in touch.

We saw a submarine on the Chesapeake

Sailing from NY to Cape May, NJ