August 8th, 2012 and I am just now posting about our trip north from St. Thomas, which was just wonderful. We left Red Hook on Thursday the 12th of July, being very superstitious sailors there was no way we were leaving on Friday the 13th! It worked because the trip could not have been better and we sailed most of the way arriving at the mouth of the Cape Fear River early on July 20th! We had one issue with a loose bolt on the self steering gear which was quickly replaced - no way either Pieter or I wanted to steer, and then we did have a blocked head. I have always managed to get out of that job, but Pieter was asleep so I went at it and fixed it, much to his amazement! The only problem is getting out of doing it next time! The winds were in the 10 to 15 knot region and on the beam so great sailing, and with diesel at around $5.50 a gallon we were glad to conserve fuel and still make tracks.
We didn't see too many ships but our trusty AIS (tells us who they are and where they are going and how fast) kept us informed and we only had to alter our course a couple of times. Modern electronics like AIS and GPS have made off shore sailing so much safer and easier for us.
One of the electronic devices that we are starting to enjoy is our small DVD player, I devoured the first season of Downton Abbey and have the second on order for our sail home. Books, both e and paper, puzzles like sudoku, solitaire and crosswords, and cooking (when it is calmish) are what we do for entertainment and the days just fly by.
We couldn't believe how fast we made it this time ... 24 hours off our fastest time! We enjoyed our run up the Cape Fear River but arrived at the turn off for our marina at low tide so had to keep going to downtown Wilmington to tie up for the night. We were busy on the old cell phone getting caught up with family and got honked at by a huge orange tanker who wanted to pass, that woke us up! The family news that had us so enthralled was son Paul's engagement to Jessica - the things they get up to when we are at sea! - but we heartily approve and look forward to hearing about wedding plans when we get home.
Our summer plans are a trip around Florida, which we are half way through, time in Greensboro with the grandkids, and then back to Independence for a haulout and maintenance before heading to Beaufort. We will wait there for a weather window to Bermuda, probably leave in early October, that's where I like to get the varnish and stainless all done to be ready for our charter season. We will leave Bermuda in late October and be back in St. Thomas a week or two before our first charter which will be November 12th, I think, maybe earlier but that one is booked!
We hope that you are having a wonderful summer and that if you are planning a stop in St. Thomas that you will think of a full or half day sail on Independence. We'd love to have you aboard!
