When we departed on this journey back in October, several cruising friends said they envied us a bit because it was our first time. And we would never have another first time like this one. Our first time cruising. Our first time down the ICW. Our first time at the Dismal Swamp Welcome Center. Our… Continue Reading
Back on August 13, 2015, Discover Magazine advised, “A new El Niño forecast is out, and while it may not be terribly surprising, it’s still worth noting: El Niño will almost certainly be hanging around for at least the next seven months, and probably more. But not only that. It continues to look very likely that… Continue Reading
The eastern coast of Florida has been quite the joyful discovery for us. Each town has had its own charms, and we continue to be amazed at how much we’ve enjoyed our travels in the 6th state of our sailbatical. An added bonus has been the absence of hours spent calculating tidal changes and shoaling… Continue Reading
In previous posts, I wrote about the importance of good coffee shops as essential cornerstones in small towns and communities, not to mention a mainstay of my own personal happiness. My blog post on Day 36 listed the following characteristics of an outstanding coffee shop: several different seating areas, electrical outlets near those seating areas,… Continue Reading
Wow! It did feel good to be out on the water again after two months in a marina. There’s something about the mystery of adventure and wondering what’s around the next corner that fills a yearning deep in my soul. Although I’ve always had a bit of wanderlust, this sailbatical has certainly magnified it beyond… Continue Reading
It’s hard to believe that we spent two full months in New Smyrna Beach (NSB) Florida! When we docked at the courtesy wall in mid-December, we planned to stay in NSB for just one night. But the quaint town tugged at our hearts and we moved to the city marina for one month, and then… Continue Reading
On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…. Not eleven pipers piping but one beautiful wonderful amazing folding Dahon bike. And the Captain’s true love (that would be me) gave him a matching Dahon bike on the twelfth day of Christmas. Don’t ask why these twin bicycles were delivered on different… Continue Reading
The morning of New Years Eve found me ready to return to Dudley and Belle Bateau in Florida after the long holiday break in PA and MD. I waved goodbye to my parents in PA as Jean-Luc served as my chauffeur again, and the long drive to BWI felt quite short as we chatted incessantly… Continue Reading
Christmas was quite different this year. To begin with, Dudley and I became landlubbers for a few days, but in different cities. We rented a car for a one-way drop-off at the Orlando airport on December 22, and kissed goodbye at my gate as I headed to Baltimore, while he flew to Atlanta to be… Continue Reading
When we left St. Augustine, we had planned to spend one night at anchor near Daytona Beach, one night at a rare courtesy wall in New Smyrna Beach, and then arrive our “holiday” destination of Titusville near Cape Canaveral. We had made reservations at a marina in Titusville for a whole month in order to… Continue Reading
Cheryl Duvall and Dudley Whitney
3 Church Circle, Unit #138
Annapolis, MD 21401
cherylduvall@mac.com
dudleywhitney1@comcast.net