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This log runs through January 2, 2003 September 14, 2002 at anchor in Willoughby Bay, Norfolk, VA September 18, 2002 at anchor in Deltaville, Virginia CLICK HERE for enlargeable photos of Pioneer’s extensive refit. September 19, 2002 at anchor in Herring Bay, Deale, Maryland CLICK HERE for enlargeable photos of Maryland. September 24, 2002 at anchor on the Rhode River near Galesville, MD September 28, 2002 our Renaming Ceremony on the Chesapeake Neptune eyed our vessel with deep suspicion, demanding to know its name. Realizing that although PIONEER would not be on Neptune's register without an Official Renaming Ceremony, Becky immediately bowed to the powerful Neptune and asked him, as he was hanging around anyway, to perform the ceremony. Neptune asked if we possessed the required elements: official records, incense, wine, champagne, salt, home port water -- and most difficult of all, a sacrificial virgin. Although those can be hard to find, a virgin happened to be nearby. Her parents were relieved when the powerful Neptune, being in exceptionally good cheer, did not require her sacrifice. In the ceremony that followed, we found ourselves presenting documentation and burning incense and sprinkling home port water and salt and wine all over the boat. Becky's mother, filling in for Queen Elizabeth who was unavailable, attempted to break a bottle of champagne on the bow. When after three mighty whacks it refused to break, we popped the cork and she poured what little that didn't explode onto the audience. In the end Don was dubbed Captain of Pioneer -- and Becky ADMIRAL. The ceremony was sealed with a kiss. Our most heartfelt thanks to the special friends who came to our ceremony. You are welcome to sail with us anywhere, anytime. Special thanks to Neptune and Aeolus, our dear and thoughtful friends Rich and Jane of the sailing vessel Cabochon. September 29, 2002 in Rosehaven, Maryland October 3, 2002 sailing to an Annapolis anchorage October 7, 2002 moored in Clements Creek near Annapolis October 14, 2002 on Saltworks Creek near Annapolis We're replacing ropes, installing a chart plotter and making minor repairs in preparation for heading to the Bahamas ASAP. October 20, 2002 in Saltworks creek Readers know that we were on a remote Indonesian Island on 9/11. There, we met a delightful woman named Rahel (Becky and Rahel). She recently moved to Bali -- just in time for the terrorist bombing there. Fortunately, she's okay. October 24, 2002 heading south Yesterday Don single-handed Pioneer from above Annapolis to Herring Bay on the west side of the mid-Chesapeake -- and made record speed. Even while pulling our dinghy Scout, and running against the tide, Don saw 8.3 kts on the chart plotter, and a max speed of 8.6! The lure of the Bahamas (and beyond -- we have charts all the way to South America and Panama) grows larger. October 29, 2002 in Hampton, Virginia In cold, rainy, windy weather we sailed down the Chesapeake (hitting a max motor-sailing speed of 9.3 kts!) and into an anchorage at Hampton where we're awaiting a weather break to carry on more pleasantly. CLICK HERE for enlargeable photos of Virginia. October 30, 2002 still in Hampton, Virginia November 1, 2002 Halloween Day The next morning Pioneer sat quietly at Elizabeth's Dock, poised to enter the canal when the low bridge ahead opened. We are traveling down the Great Dismal Swamp, canal which was surveyed and timbered by George Washington, built by slaves, and was a former hideout to bands of runaway slaves. The locks were captured and destroyed in the Civil War. The name of the swamp is misleading, as George Washington called it a "glorious paradise." We are having peaceful trip -- while the optional route along shallow Currituck south is foaming with high winds and seas. Pioneer spent the night at the only place in the nation where sailors and motorists on a public highway share a visitors' center. November 3, 2002 in Elizabeth City, North Carolina November 8, 2002 in Oriental, North Carolina November 11, 2002 -- STILL in Oriental November 13, 2002 -- FINALLY leaving Oriental for good! Our friends Doug and Mary Ann loaned us their car. So with our chores done -- clothes laundered and a huge supply of food and drink and spare parts aboard -- we're heading south. This delay was a good thing: the wind gusted to 43 kts today right in this highly protected marina, and was horrendous out on the open water. November 17, 2002 near Cape Fear, North Carolina We've been holed up on the Cape Fear River, awaiting the departure of a nasty weather system before heading offshore toward Charleston, SC -- further if possible. Planning departure on the morning tide. November 22, 2002 in St. Augustine, Florida This was an important first test in rough conditions. While this photo shows only average seas because it wasn't possible to take pictures when the conditions became challenging, the waves grew to about eight feet, higher than Becky's head when she was standing on deck (or trying to). With strong winds and following seas, we made such good time that we had to stand off the dangerous St. Augustine inlet in the early morning until it was light enough to see the newly relocated channel buoys. November 27, 2002 in St. Augustine CLICK HERE for enlargeable photos of Florida. December 2, 2002 in Cocoa, Florida Pioneer is now docked at a marina in Cocoa. This shore access is a luxury for us, but in this case a necessity, as we're preparing to fly to California to visit relatives for a week and our sailboat insurance won't cover if we leave Pioneer at anchor. We'll return in time to sail to Miami for Christmas. After that: the Bahamas and points beyond. As we arrived in Cocoa, 20,000 motorcycles were roaring down the street as part of a holiday Toys for Tots program: great people, but not as "out there" as the bikers we encountered in South Dakota. December 4, 2002 flying from Cocoa, Fl to Sacramento, CA December 8, 2002 in Sacramento, California December 11, 2002 THREE YEARS ON THE ROAD TODAY The last week was especially rewarding. We hopped on a plane in Orlando, Florida and flew across the Rocky Mountains to Sacramento to visit Don's wonderful parents, and his brother and sister in law, Tom and Kathi. In Sacramento we discovered the terminus of the Pony Express and explored paddle wheel steamers. Pioneer missed us and is eager to sail us to the southern tip of Florida and then on to the Bahamas. December 19, 2002 in Cocoa, Florida Man, we may have gone overboard buying hundreds of pounds of food and grog. Our challenge is stowing it all. We're ready for sunset dinners in the Bahamas -- with about 500 people! December 22, 2002 enroute to Melbourne, Florida December 28, 2002 in Miami, Florida After escaping the Gulf Stream's adverse northbound flow and high waves by hugging shoreline southbound, we made an afternoon arrival at the impressive harbor of Miami. We motored past colorful buildings and big restaurants and gave wide berth to huge freighters and tour boats -- and especially to cruise ships. Miami harbor is nearly as impressive as Norfolk harbor, but with more cruise ships and fewer military vessels. We're now anchored behind Miami Beach, obtaining paperwork from U.S. Customs, making repairs on our broken oven and awaiting a weather window to cross the Gulf Stream to the Bahamas. Today the wave height is 14 feet -- well beyond our comfort zone. December 29, 2002 in Miami January 2, 2003 in Miami Dry Tortugas: a group of ten coral keys or islets in the Gulf of Mexico west of Key West. Among the principal islets, all of which are low and partially covered with mangrove bushes, are Bush Key, Loggerhead, East Key, and Garden Key. Garden Key islet is the site of Fort Jefferson National Monument. PREVIOUS LOG or |
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ICW's Dismal Swamp Route south of Norfolk, we discovered the perfect place for Halloween -- and a free dock to spend the night nearby. As if on cue, there in the shadowy autumn evening was a centuries-old cemetery with markers dating back to the early 1800's.
(Photo: anchorage and old fort at St. Augustine)
(photo: steamers on the Sacramento River)