You can monitor our trip at the link: Second Winds Progress Live
Today was an educational day. I participated in a seminar held for those
who were heading out with the “Sailing to the Sun ICW Rally” which is hosted by
Wally Moran. Janine and I met Wally in
No Name Harbor in Key Biscayne FL about 3 years ago and found him to be a
really interesting sailor. He, amongst
many other things is, a writer for Cruising World Magazine who travels from
Canada, his home port, to Cuba, the Caribbean and all points in between. He
claims to have traveled the Intracoastal Waterway, ICW, for over 20 times and
is recognized as an authority on that passage.
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| Little Star under sail |
Wally invited 7 other speakers to offer advice on
various topics dealing with traveling on the ICW, the hurricane damage,
anchoring, provisioning, transiting the Gulf Stream, sailing the Bahamas, how
to sail as a couple and how to keep going with a partially broken boat. A keynote speaker was Lynn Pardey who, with
her husband Larry has circumnavigated the globe in, at first, a 26 foot
motorless boat that the two of them built.
They have made a total of two complete trips around the world and
traveled to and spent time in numerous exotic places. They have been doing this for something like
47 years. They have financed their
adventures writing numerous books dealing with cruising and all fascist of
sailing.
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| Heading up the Wye River on Little Star |
During the meeting, I struck up a conversation with
Berta and John Vinet who are searching for that perfect first boat. They were interesting folks who are convinced
that this sailing/cruising lifestyle is what they are looking for. They are in the market for a boat in the 32
to 35 foot range and as the conversation evolved, I invited them over to see Second Wind after the meeting. I had
discussed with them Jim’s 39 foot Bristol and as we approach the dock where our
boats are moored, I pointed out the Bristol.
Jim was on board and invited us to join him for a tour. That tour ended up being 3 hours long
including Jim’s famous Dark and Stormy rum drinks and wonderful
conversation. Upon their departure we
vowed to stay in touch. They are a fun
positive couple whom I know will enjoy the sailing community and lifestyle.
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| The Thompson Point Light that I will pass tomorrow |
After they left, I grilled a couple of steaks on Jim
and me and we enjoyed a great final meal before I head south early
tomorrow. I have spent time getting the
boat ready to head out and my goal is to make about 45 miles down the bay to
the Solomon Islands where I plan to spend the night. The weather forecast looks good with light
northerly winds on a fairly calm Bay. It
will be quite cool.
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