Hi-5 Sailcat - Our Next Family Adventure...

2012-05-10 - in Solomons Island, MD

We couldn't go anywhere today as the wind has picked up and would be on the nose all day to travel. We took the dingy to shore to enjoy the Calvert Marine Museum again. We had done this on the way down but it is a great spot. They have a fossil dig for the kids where they can search for shark teeth and other fossils. They also have a great touch tank. They even had a geocache for us to search for. We did that for most of the day and then just walked a bit in town for a bite to eat. Hopefully tomorrow will be better and we can move once more.

2012-05-09 - to Solomons Island, Maryland

Another long day. It rained and was foggy for most of the day. There was a lot of military presence, however. The first occurred when Kerry was hailed on the VHF radio by a large war ship. They were letting us know that they were performing high speed testing in the area and we were to stay clear. There was also another war ship parked right over a 'bombing site' in the middle of a Danger Zone. There was also a large plane, flying low, in a circular pattern around us. It looked like a training exercise as you could clearly read 'US Navy' on the side of the plane. The other spectacular sight was the witness of a large plane with United States of America on the side accompanied by 2 fighter jets and later a helicopter flying in the direction of Washington. It looked suspiciously like Obama's! ;)

2012-05-08 - to Deltaville, VA

We are now in Chesapeake Bay. We left the anchorage at 8:30am in Hampton and arrived in the anchorage in Deltaville, VA at 2:15. The waves made for a very rolly ride. I stayed inside and kept Dylan and Connor company while Kerry remained outside at the helm. We flew today with speeds ranging from 8 to 11 knots. Deltaville marina offers an anchoring rate of $11 per adult which allows for showers, courtesy car, bikes, internet, lounge, laundry etc. We opted for that and hung out in the lounge for a bit of 'off the boat' time while getting some, much needed, laundry done. Tomorrow we head out for Solomons Island, Maryland.

2012-05-07 - to Hampton, VA

high tide over the docks

In the middle of the night I was up with Dylan so I decided to check out the high tide on the dock. When the town built the dock they didn't factor in high tides, so the dock floods completely whenever there is high tide. This is fine for when you are already on the boat, but if you are returning to your boat it can get pretty uncomfortable. The other thing to is that at high tide the boat is very difficult to get up or down. Other than that these complimentary docks are great and the hospitality from "Mile Marker 0 Marine Supplies" is one of the best boat stores that service the need of boaters. First, they delivered a package of information as soon as we landed, they go and fill your propane tanks up for you, they will handle boater mail (which is great to know if you know you have a package coming), transportation to grocery stores, ice, bread, and the beer (they say the cheapest around!). They were just so nice to meet and their attention to customer service has never been seen like this on the trip so far. If any boaters are heading up this way - stay in the south basin in Portsmouth! You won't be disappointed!!

We had a few minutes in the morning to complete our geocaches. The one that stumped us was a small vial with two artificial leave sticking out of it. We couldn't find it for the longest time, but we finally did in the end.

We crossed the river over to Hampton, VA. It was very rocky and windy. We even lost (for a moment) one of our boat chair....but, not for long. A quick adjustment of sail and direction and we completed a successful

Dylan tries his hand on another flight simulator. He loved the crashing part much better than the
flying. I will make sure he is not my captain if I need to fly!

'man overboard'. We anchored out in Hampton, dinghied to shore and hit the Virginia Air and Space museum. It's been 3 museums in 3 days! We all had a great time but will need to have a good travel day tomorrow to make it north!

Connor tries a jumbo jet simulator

Flight simulator at the Virginia Air and Space Museum

Anchored off of the town marina in Hampton, VA

Virginia Air and Space Museum

2012-05-06 - to Portsmouth, VA

Docked at Waterside Marina, downtown Norfolk

In the morning Connor and I went on a short Geocaching expedition. We had three picked out that were within walking distance and, by amazement, we found all three!! After that excitement we headed over to Portsmouth - to stay on the city docks there. Just after we tied up the owner of Mile Zero Marine supplies came over to give us a welcome package of various pamphlets and boater information.

Connor did 3 more geocaches this morning before we headed out. Found all 3 that we
were searching for!

It was so nice to get this welcome for a change. We spared no time to head over to the Virginia Children's Museum. It was fantastic! I lost Connor the instant that we arrived. He was exploring all of the hands on exhibits. Dylan absolutely loved the model train exhibit. A soon as he saw the trains his eyes lit up. I wish that we could stay longer and do the museum again but, we are on a quick schedule to get home by the end of the month as our renters have decided to move out a month early. I think we thoroughly did the whole museum. By 5:50, they had announced that they needed customers to start making their way to the door. We were the last ones out and

Geocaching brought us to this lovely tribute to soldiers and the women in their lives
called 'Love Letters'. The letters were metal structures appearing as if they had
been blown in the wind. Very moving!

we all had a great time. In the evening Connor and I slipped out again to try another 3 geocaches. We found only 2 as the sun was starting to set. The tide had also come in and the dock is strangely underwater. We had been warned about this from another fellow boater. It's strange that town did not consider height of the dock in comparison to the tides. Oh well, we tucked ourselve in the boat and called it a night. What a great day.

Dylan loved the oversized chair in the Children's museum

Connor checks out the emergency services exhibit at the Children's Museum

Great exhibit showing simple machines....this one is a lever and an elephant!

We spent way too long here.....but so much fun!

Dylan's favourite exhibit was the model trains. Loved it!!!

2005-05-05 - to Norfolk, VA

Connor volunteers in the 'eplosion' demonstration at Nauticus

2012-05-04 - to Deep Creek, Virginia (Dismal Swamp)

2012-04-29 - to Wrightsville Beach, NC

Connor goes surfing! We travelled 60 miles to Wrightsville Beach today. Connor has been very interested in surfing for several months now and we happened to find ourselves in the local 'Surf Shop' when we arrived on shore after anchoring. We did a bit of browsing, looking at the surf boards there. Connor wanted one, but we didn't see the need really on Lake Ontario. We left the store, visited the beach, grabbed a bite to each and then found our way back in the store. It was closing time and the man there offerred to take him

surfing in the morning. We were leaving in the morning, but we could change plans if it meant for Connor to go surfing, finally. The man then offerred to do it right then. Connors face beamed. We couldn't say no - how exciting. We all jumped back in the dingy to grab his wet suit as the water still is a bit chilly. We quickly returned and headed for the ocean. Connor did great! He took him out to where to waves were just starting to form and showed him how to 'pop' up (stand up from laying down). I was so proud watching him take on wave after wave with such determination. He worked very hard. It was so wonderful for that man to offer his time to help Connor. We are grateful that he gave Connor this opportunity!

2012-04-28 - to Calabash River, NC

2012-04-27 - in Myrtle Beach, SC

We had another great day together. Tomorrow we head back out on the ICW!

2012-04-26 - in Myrtle Beach, SC

The boys loved MagicQuest so much they had to go again.....so, we did. After another 2 hours - Connor finally became a 'Master Magi' and got a pin for his shirt. He was very excited. Connor ended up spending the night at the hotel and we went back to the boat. We will meet up one more time tomorrow before we go!

2012-04-25 - in Myrtle Beach, SC

We had a great day together at Broadway at the Beach. We ended up hitting WonderWorks first. This is a great spot for kids. (So much so that there were also 200 school kids there enjoying the day!) It was a cross between the science centre and a kids museum - lots to do. We finally got to MagiQuest where the kids continued on their wizard journey. Ben ended up coming back with us to spend the night at the boat.