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Date: 30 Sep 2007 20:27:49
Title: Change of Plans
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39:16.799N  76:34.883W
 
Nope, we haven't changed our minds about sailing around the world (sorry mom's), but we have changed our minds about the timing and the path we plan to take to the Caribbean.  Originally we had planned to stay here in Baltimore for about 10 days.  Then our plan was to continue sailing down the Chesapeake out into the Atlantic and down the coast to St. Augustine, Florida.  Once in St. Augustine, we had planned to stay for about a month, stock up the boat, go see Don's mom in Hobe Sound, Florida and fly home to Syracuse for Thanksgiving.  Right after Thanksgiving, we had planned to make the 1100 mile trip from St. Augustine to St. Thomas (about 7-9 days).
 
Well, when we arrived in the Chesapeake earlier this week, we looked at what the trip would be like to St. Thomas if we left from the mouth of the Chesapeake instead of from St. Augustine.  Surprisingly, the trip is only about 150 miles longer if we leave from the Chesapeake.  Also, the sailing should be much better as we should have good wind from proper directions the whole way down (key word 'should').  Anchorage Marina here in Baltimore is very nice and the fee we would have had to pay for 10 days is exactly the same as what we have to pay for 1 month. 
 
So, we are going to stay here at the Anchorage Marina until the first or second week of November.  Then, depending on the weather (hurricane situation), we will leave here, work our way down the Chesapeake and go off shore for the 10ish days it will take us to get to St. Thomas.  This will put us in the Caribbean a little sooner than planned, which will mean we won't have to rush as much getting to St. Lucia by 1/15/08 to meet up with the other around-the-world rally participants.  We still plan to see Don's mom, and will fly down to Florida 10/11-10/15.  We also still plan to head to Syracuse and will be there 10/25-11/2, with a side trip to Buffalo 10/26. 
 
All of the above means we have about 21 days here in Baltimore to get the boat fully prepared and stocked for the 'Big Adventure'.  As you can imagine, Don is already busy making lists of things to do and things to buy and doing research on the best dinghy (one that won't self destruct) and motor, the best batteries (our lifeblood here on the boat), charts for the full world tour, satellite phone, etc.
 
What does all of this mean for the blog?  Well, since we won't be going anywhere, this will more than likely be the last blog entry for a while.  If something significant happens I'll post a message, but unless you have an interest in our supply buying (like how many rolls of toilet paper we plan to bring with us) or boat waxing progress there won't be anything exciting to write about (although you could argue that much of what I've already put in the blog is low on excitement).
 
Before I sign-off and take a break from blogging, there is one more story I'd like to share.
 
When Don and I were in Quebec City, we took the boat over to the gas dock at the marina there to fill up with diesel.  While Don was busy filling the tank, I went up on shore and was hailed by a couple who asked if I was American.  At that point, deep in French Canadian land, it was unusual to run into Americans.  So I of course said yes and proceeded to chat with this couple, Cyn and Louie Seo.  Cyn and Louie have a home in Vero Beach, FL, but spend about half the year on their 61 ft motor yacht 'CYN's LOUnasea'.  At the time I met them, their boat was in Bar Harbor, Maine where they had rented a car and driven up to Quebec City for fun.  We chatted for a little bit and exchanged 'boat cards'.  Boat cards are like business cards except that they have nothing to do with business and simply have your name, name of your boat, contact information and usually a boat picture on them.  This is a boater thing and we exchange them with most everyone we meet.  After my initial meeting with Cyn and Louie, we occasionally exchanged emails as they made their way down the coast a bit ahead of us.
 
It became clear in the latest email exchange that we would both be in the Baltimore area at the same time, so we made plans to meet Cyn and Louie at their boat for cocktails this past Friday (9/28).  Don had never officially met Cyn or Louie since he was doing the diesel thing when I met them and neither of us had seen their boat.  So, last Friday, Don and I and our niece Tracy walked over to Baltimore's Inner Harbor, where the Seo's had their boat docked.  A quick note about Tracy - she is my sister Harriet and brother-in-law Donald's daughter and lives here in Baltimore.  On Friday, Tracy was helping me with a hair emergency I had (which turned into an even bigger hair emergency, but that's a story for another time), and so she joined us for our visit with the Seo's.
 
When you randomly meet people along the way like this, there is always a little bit of trepidation when you make plans to meet again and spend more time with them.  But I have to say that we've never had a bad experience and this time was no exception.  We had the best time.  It would be difficult to find a nicer, more down-to-earth person than Louie, and Cyn, simply put, is a character.  I mean that in the most complimentary way.  Their boat is gorgeous and is the only large motor yacht we've seen with a neon Miller Lite sign proudly displayed on the side of the upper deck.  Cocktail hour turned into hours and ended with dinner at the Cheesecake Factory with the three of us and Cyn, Louie and Cyn's son Harley (not sure of the spelling).  We had great conversations and promised to catch up with them after we get back from the Big Adventure. 
 
The next day, Louie dropped by with two CD's Cyn had prepared - one for Don and I and one for Tracy, each meticulously labeled and containing the pictures she took of us and one of their boat (first and second pictures below, note the Miller Lite sign on the boat).  Cyn is an avid photographer, and when on a trip, will take as many as 700 pictures a day (and I thought I was doing well at 30 pictures a day).  She specializes in wildlife (another passion of hers), and has quite a collection of photos.  My photos are pretty sad next to hers, but the third picture below is one I took of Louie, Cyn and her son Harley in the salon on their boat. 
 
All and all, a great experience. 
And with that, I'm officially signing off.  Tune in again in about 4 or 5 weeks for an update on our preparation progress.  Also, by then we should know exactly when we plan to leave Baltimore.
Thanks for your attention and all of your kind words about my attempts to write something remotely entertaining.
Anne  

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