NOTE: We are working on blog updates as we try to document our cruising adventures for the 2018-2019 season. Our most current postings are always on our Facebook PUBLIC page. You do not have to be on Facebook to look at a public web page, all you need to do is click here: https://www.facebook.com/svIslandSpirit/
We departed Annapolis MD in October, as we always do, on the Monday of the boat show. After a very fun time with our Island Packet Yacht Owners Association daily lunches at the Fleet Reserve, we sailed away. We enjoyed promoting the new Island Packet 349 as we shot hundreds of photos and published them to the internet for all to view. Turns out, we helped to sell the first one and we are very proud of that fact. Congrats to Steve, we are very happy for you!
Our run down the Chesapeake Bay was fantastic with code zero sailing and making our normal harbors along the way. First, we stopped in Solomons to have a technician verify our latest radar problem. The result was that a new dome will be waiting for us in Hampton. This stop was made much more fun when Ron and MaryAnn of IP380 CAVU met us on the docks to help us and take us out to breakfast!
Next up was Virginina, with an anchorage in Deltaville and then Hampton City Docks. Unfortunately, we were running directly into Hurricane Michael. Lucky for us, we prepared for it in the water with the shelter of a 6 story parking garage upwind. While in Hampton, we were invited to attend Rick and Jean’s wedding on the bow of their Island Packet Yacht, IP38 SPINDRIFT. This beautiful event was one of the highlights of the season. Notice the beautiful post-hurricane weather. Sooooo much fun and such a privilege to meet their families and to share in their joy!
Departing Hampton, we moved south to one of our favorite places, the South Ferry DockPortsmouthmouth, where we linked up with longtime buddy boat IP350 KISMET, Laurie and Jim. We went to the Commodore Dinner Theater and saw the movie A STAR IS BORN. What a great stop this was.
Next up was the world famous DISMAL SWAMP. This is one of our favorite sections on the ICW. It is a photographer’s dream. Here are a few of my favs.
From the Dismal Swamp. we pushed hard for Oriental, NC, where we were invited to spend a few days at an IP owners dock. This was a great rest. Thank you so much John and Cyndi of IP380 CHARDONNAY.
We enjoyed a great surprise running into Dave and Kim of IP320 ANDIME while meeting Dave and Suzy of IP 37 CAY PARAISO. IPs are everywhere!
Now, it was time to hit the ocean at Cape Look Out and sail offshore for Charleston, SC. This is a 2-day passage and the winds were perfect and the moon was out, but WOW was it cold! We bundled up and set sail for sea. Here are a few photos pushing for Charleston, SC.
Now we can take a break, as we ALWAYS spend a week in Charleston, SC. WHY? Because it is a dream city to sail into, especially if you dock at the Charleston Maritime Center. This places you nearly on East Bay Street in the heart of the action. We love staying in the Maritime Center. Charleston is a great American city. Here are a few photos:
This concludes our update blog from Annapolis MD Oct 8th, 2018 to Charleston, SC Oct 30, 2018. Remember, we are posting live updates to our Facebook Page: please use the link above to follow us.
We have been blogging for over ten years and this is a great way for us to archive what we have done have and where we sailed. It is also a way to share photos of our friends and our great sailing adventures. Thank you for sailing along!
Hayden and Radeen in Turks and Caicos, waiting for the next weather window to move onto Puerto Rico.