Hola Madrid!
Our European Adventure started with an overnight flight from JFK to Madrid. We picked up our rental car, drove through the city to Hotel Moderno, and brought our luggage up to the sixth floor. Thank goodness there was an elevator! It was a sunny day as we located El Oso y el Madrono (The Bear and the Strawberry Tree) sculpture around the corner from our … Continue reading Hola Madrid!
Now what?
As we pulled into Key West last November, Kenton and I were discussing this very question. The Great Loop and the Canada Loop had been fantastic, but now what? We had enjoyed almost three years of living and traveling on a boat, but had no definite plan for the future beyond spending another beautiful winter at a marina near Key West. We gave ourselves an … Continue reading Now what?
Finding Our Happy Place
Our first stop in Florida was Fernandina, the pretty town between the factories on Amelia Island. We docked nose-to-nose with Double Down, a 214-ft yacht that made our boat look like a tender. We walked the town, finding good music along the way. Next stop was Jacksonville, where we celebrated Curtis’s birthday with Chrissie and new friends from the dock. Then on to St Augustine, … Continue reading Finding Our Happy Place
Looking for Warmer Weather
Our visit to NJ allowed us to avoid traveling through Hurricane Ian. We used the time to visit family and friends, and to pack up the house we were selling in Toms River. Once Ian was gone the weather had cooled (38 degrees!), and we enjoyed one last fire in the backyard before we moved back to our boat to head south toward warmer weather. … Continue reading Looking for Warmer Weather
Heading down the Hudson River
We left the Erie Canal and turned south, cruising down the Hudson River past Troy, Menands, and Starbuck Island. At Albany we watched a small tug turn a large freighter that was docking. We made a quick stop at New Baltimore, then continued south on the always beautiful Hudson River, past Coxsackie and Athens, following a rainbow. The clouds swirled as we passed Saugherties, Kingston, … Continue reading Heading down the Hudson River
Rainy days on the Erie Canal
The weather was gloomy as we headed into the Erie Canal. We fueled up at the infamous Wardell Boat Yard and then headed east, cruising behind a sailboat with new owners who jokingly referred to us as their “search and rescue” team. The skies were gray and it rained off and on as we made our way to Middleport. We tied to the wall for … Continue reading Rainy days on the Erie Canal
Lake Erie, Revisited
We worked our way through the amazingly blue waters of Lake Huron as we headed south along the Michigan coast, stopping first at beautiful Rogers City. Then we made a stop at lovely Port Austin, where we had a fantastic dinner at The Bank. I love a restaurant with a theme! Also impressive was the sunset that evening. The next day we continued on to … Continue reading Lake Erie, Revisited
Georgian Bay
I’m sailing away (Wye Heritage Marina) Set an open course for the virgin sea (Beausoleil Island – Frying Pan Bay) ‘Cause I’ve got to be free (Beausoleil Island – Hiked around Fairy Lake) Free to face the life that’s ahead of me (Three Finger Bay – Anchored and tied our stern to a tree) On board I’m the captain, so climb aboard (Sans Souci) We’ll … Continue reading Georgian Bay
Trent-Severn Waterway
A quick stop in Trenton gave us the opportunity to refuel and provision before entering the Trent-Severn Waterway, a series of beautiful rivers and lakes connected by locks that run through the heart of Ontario. Once we were set, we entered the waterway. Observing the posted speed signs, we cruised the Trent River. The path was beautiful and there were many locks. Soon we had … Continue reading Trent-Severn Waterway
Thousand Islands
After enjoying our stay in Kingston, we left the harbor, went under the bascule bridge and turned at Fort Henry to head north on the St Lawrence River. We cruised through the Bateau Channel, staying on the Canada (west) side of the Thousand Islands to reach Gananoque. We visited the small antique boat museum there, and explored the pretty, artsy town. Next day we continued … Continue reading Thousand Islands