Cherish 30April - 9 May 2009
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| Date | Location | Log and Pictures | |
| 30 April 2009 | Beaufort, NC |
Surf City proved to be a delightful location and unique as well. .0530 comes early any where you are but on a boat after a long day before it's painful. The crew awoke to Barney's gentle words and headed out for a Hardee breakfast.....the spelling is correct. Cherish was docked right behind a Hardee's Restaurant and there were chicken biscuits for all. We headed to the beach anticipating a gorgeous sunrise only to find an overcast sky; but ... A Bad Day At The Beach Is A Better Than A Good Day At Work. We all got our toes in the water and sand in our shoes. We were treated to a site that none of us had ever seen before, a different technique to surfing with a paddle always standing up. The surfer never fell! We headed back to the boat and with the fog we were able to catch up on a few personal things. Barney headed to the grocery under a locals advisement that it was "just over the bridge." One hour and a mile and a half away he found it. Luckily he was noticed by some boaters coming back and they gave him a lift; he is use to waling 3 miles a day but not toting 20lbs of groceries. We headed out with a rally of dolphins to our starboard side, they ran along amidships for about 1/2 to 3/4 a mile. It was great. They rolled to their side and looked up at us as we hailed them and waved goodbye. Even though we missed the sunrise we were treated to a "Moon Rise" on the bow while getting underway. Not quite the same but it did get the attention of the captain and the navigator as it crossed the bow. We were once again graced with a fabulous lunch by Chef Barney-- "Burgers on the Burger." Bogue Sound was gorgeous. We saw a, few shoaling spots but never experienced less than 7' under the keel. Captain Bill managed the markers in the channel with excellence and took us safely into Beaufort City Dock for the night. We docked successfully behind a new Hatteras but didn't feel any envy as Cherish was still the pettiest vessel in the Marina. !We were met by a wonderful smiling face, Kenny the mechanic. Bill had called ahead to get Kenny to fix the engine synchronizer problem. Kenny was successful. We have synchronizers again and the tachometers are all working properly. Kenny also explained that a noise we have been hearing on the starboard engine side was the shaft's cutlass bearing. He said he has installed a few this season that are doing the same thing and explained since it's running well, leave it alone. We headed for Clawson's restaurant for dinner. What a treat ... soft shell crab and shrimp and grits. No room for vanilla ice cream and creme D' miint. It has been a great stay and the crew decided that we have learned several new terms. We thought that Vicki and Bob we not seasoned boaters, but they have taught us a few new terms. Bob and Vicki have really made the trip fun. We love them both and they sure do love one another. They are the only folks I know that have made climbing a ladder romantic. Well off to bed but first we had to fight off a few Somali pirates but we came out on top after offering a little grog, so tomorrow is another day. Next stop Belhaven or Dowry Creek Marina. |
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| 1 May 2009 | Dowry Creek, NC |
We departed Beaufort City dock at 0715 headed through the Adams Creek Canal. The Neuse River was very friendly and kind and allowed us passage without incident. As we headed through the Hobucken Cut we fell behind a barge and moved comfortably through the cut and into Goose Creek. On to the Pamlico Sound, we experienced 2’-3’ swells, that were gentle and rolling, Cherished seemed to enjoy the open waters and treated us to a lovely ride. The crew did weekly chores and had a visit from “howskeeping” . We moved forward into the Pungo River; she was a little choppy and wind began to pick up to about 15 knots. We arrived in Belhaven with the wind on our stern and a smile on our faces. We lined up on the private marks of Upper Dowry Creek and arrived at Dowry Creek Marina at 2:45 PM. We settled in and rose out glasses to the tradition toast to Cherish for another safe passage and a good time with friends. Denise arrived from Richmond with Bill’s shopping list of items at about 4:00 PM. They made a quick trip to the traditional grocery store and liquor store run….can‘t seem to find that white wine monkey that keeps sneaking in the middle of the night and drinking our stock and wouldn’t you know he has now taken up drinking vodka!!! Barney “graced” us with some very “slick” footwork. As he stepped onto Cherish gravity prevailed and reached up, snatched his glasses of his face and tossed them in the drink. He was still able to prepare a wonderful steak dinner on the grill. We contacted a diver and he will be here in the morning at 8:00 AM. The evening went well with stories as they were told and laughter was abound as we all had a great time sharing and trading jokes and tales. |
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| 2 May 2009 | Dowry Creek, NC | Bill has decided to leave Cherish at Dowry Creek until the Jordon River Bridge opens on the ICW. Everyone except Barny is leaving the boat today, headed to their respective homes in Denise's car. Barny will stay and tend to the boat. Bill says he will return next Tue or Wed and recommence the trip to Colonial Beach. Luckily, the diver arrived this morning and found Barny's glasses so he can see while tending to the boat. More updates when the boat starts moving again. | |
| 3-4 May 2009 | Dowry Creek, NC | Last night, the 3rd Barny enjoyed the acclaimed Dowry Creek Beer Can Chicken with the 20 or so residents and transit boaters in the Marina. Today has been a quiet day at Dowry Creek. Barny spent a relaxing day pearl diving or bilge cleaning for the uninitiated. Bill and a new crew member Butch are to arrive tomorrow and weather permitting, Cherish may start heading north on Wednesday. | |
| 5 May 2009 | Dowry Creek, NC | Bill and Butch arrived today. These two plus Barny provided Beer and tacos for a Cinco Demayo party and it was a hit at the Marina. The three of them hope to be underway and make Coin Jock tomorrow. | |
| 6 May 2009 | Coinjock, NC | There was not a dry eye in Dowry Creek this morning. It may have been due more to the downpour this morning than to the actual departure of Cherish. The decision was made to move north hopefully ahead of predicted storms and despite the actual Tidewater area storms. It could not have been a better day to cross the Albemarle Sound. Favoring tide, assisting wind, calm seas, and a helpful bridge tender made for an easy transit of the sometimes difficult Sound. We dodged so many crab pots one fellow boater asked if we knew where we were going. Cherish arrived in metro Coinjock at 2:30 pm for an early happy hour. We are berthed just in front of the restaurant. Just like all fine dining establishments they always seat the best looking gal in the window for all to enjoy. Bob and Ann Blakeley of Killdevil Hills will join Bill, Barny, and Butch at the marina restaurant for dinner this evening. Tomorrow we're off to Tidewater. | |
| 7 May 2009 | Bluewater Yacht Center, Hampton, VA |
Cherish was underway from the Coinjock Marina at 7 am this morning, Thursday the 7th of May. The predicted weather for the day was not that good, but what we experienced was not too bad. A bit of wind as we crossed the Currituck Sound, and a bit of rain up the North Landing River. It was a bit depressing to pass the virtually deserted Pungo river, but the day mellowed as the rain ended and the sun came out as we entered the Great Bridge Lock. The bridges in Norfolk proved to be a non-issue, and our transit of Norfolk and Hampton Roads could not have been more pleasant. The pictures show one of the bridges encountered today. The transit of the Norfolk Destroyer Piers was a bit of old home week for Barny, although they certainly a lot less populated than they were 35 years ago. Attached is a picture of the battleship Wisconsin tucked in behind a mega cruise liner. We all agreed we would rather go to sea on the battleship than the cruise liner. Tonight we are in Bluewater Yacht Center, Hampton. We are looking forward to Peggy Saylor and Diane Burton joining us this evening for the remainder of the transit up the Chesapeake. Tomorrows destination is to be determined by the weather, but possible options are Pt Kinsale or Reedville. If all goes well we will be joined by Apolonia with Phil and Ross Jebson aboard. |
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| 8 May 2009 | Pt Kinsale, VA | Early underway, Bill, Barny, Butch, Peggy and Diane manned Cherish as she pushed up the Chesapeake Bay, landing at Pt Kinsale by 2pm. Phil and Ross Jebson got Apolonia underway from Urbanna and tried to catch Cherish before she arrived in Pt Kinsale, but could not do it. Apolonia arrived at Pt Kinsale about 4:30 and tried to catch up on the partying. Carey had taken Ross and Phil to Urbanna and she arrived by car. A bit later Ed, Sheila, and Mary Kay arrived for a quick tour of the boat. The crew of Cherish accompanied by Phil and Carey ate at the Moorings and then partied a little while on the boats. Bill seemed please with the boat so far and is looking forward to arriving in Colonial Beach tomorrow. | |
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| 9 May 2009 | Colonial Beach, VA |
Easy start to the day as Barny fixed breakfast. About 8 am Cherish,
followed by Apolonia headed for Colonial Beach. It was good to get a
few underway pictures of Cherish. Arriving in Colonial Beach at 11:30
Cherish rounded the corner near Dockside as the Colonial Yacht Club held
their flag raising. Doris, an earlier crew member on the boat left the
ceremony to wave Bill and Cherish into port.
So, Cherish finished her first trip with Captain Bill. 22 days total. 17 days underway. 5 days inport. 2 nights anchored. 20 nights in marinas. 142 hours underway. 9.2 mph was the average speed. 8.5 hours was the average daily underway time. A great trip and Captain Bill showed all his crew members how to have a grand trip on the waterway. |
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