33⁰49’37” N – 078⁰42’30” W

Well “Somedayers” we found the sun, it’s still a bit chilly though. Today we had wonderful bright sunny day, and by the end of it we were shedding a layer or two. The morning found us in the Cape Fear River, after having traversed Snow’s Cut, a very confusing channel. In the river we encountered a huge oil tanker (you’ll see the pic below). After that we traveled the rest of the way through the state of North Carolina, and anchored just inside the South Carolina state line. And, we seem to have fallen in with “Pirates”!!! But being pirates ourselves we are too concerned by the situation. We are moving south in a loose convoy of four or five other sailboats, one of which is a black hulled Choy Lee 33 ketch named “Pirate Witch”, from Wisconsin. One of the others is a small boat named “Ragtime” being single handed by a young man on his way to Miami. We haven’t spoken to him much, other than to find out his destination, but he seems to be a real gypsy/pirate. His boat “Ragtime” is kind of slow, covered in gear, he sits on a bucket while at the tiller and doesn’t seem to be monitoring his radio… we’ve named him “Mikey”. All the best Mikey, if you ever see this!! One of my favorite things about this trip, so far, is the people we’ve run into. Some of them we don’t even ever meet, like Mikey, but we know that on some level we’re not that different from them, and if a meeting ever does take place… I’m sure we’d like them. One of things that all of us out here share (and many of you who couldn’t make it this time share as well) is our love of boats and what they represent. I have a favorite quote that I had my Mom send me to add to the blog for today (thanks Mom), it is…

“If a man must be obsessed with something, I suppose a boat is as good as anything, perhaps better than most. A small sailing craft is not only beautiful, it is seductive and full of strange promise and the hint of trouble.”

              E.B. White.

That pretty much says it all, don’t you think so? More to come tomorrow “Somedayers. Till then Banana Winds standing by on 16… Clear.

34⁰06’15” N – 077⁰52’32” W

COLD!!!!! That about sums up our day today “Somedayers”, COLD!!! We left our anchorage this morning at about 0730, and hoped all day today that it might warm up, it didn’t. We only made it about 40 nautical miles today partly because we were to cold to continue and also because we encountered a lot of bridges today that operate on strange schedules. One would open every half hour on the half, and the next would only open on the hour, and they were fairly close together (like five miles) so we had to go very slow so we wouldn’t have to sit and wait for them. For on five mile stretch we were only cruising at 4 kts (we usually cruise at 7 or 8 kts). But we made our way to a very nice marina for the night and had hotdogs and hamburgers for dinner. The pics for today are of a big shrimpin’ boat (again no sign of Forest Gump, darn it!) and of a sailboat that tied up just a little to close to land at high tide. Hope all is well at the home front, and please think warm thoughts for us. Banana Winds standing by on 16… Clear.

34⁰33’02” N – 077⁰19’28” W

WE FOUND THE SUN “SOMEDAYERS”!!!!!!! We didn’t run across it till this afternoon, but we got it. It wasn’t all that warm mind you, but when the sun is out, you’re able to tolerate the chill a little bit easier it seems. Today we made it about forty nautical miles and should pass into South Carolina tomorrow. We did have a fairly exciting day today. We encountered a fleet of recreational fishermen who seemed to believe that the fish only swim in the exact middle of the Inner Coastal Waterway channel. I find that hard to believe, but I also know the futility of arguing with a fisherman over such things as where to find the fishies, so we sailed around them. We also got waived down by some fellers in a Navy Patrol Boat and then told that they were going to be using the ICW as a live fire training area. And then just as we were about to set our anchor and wait for the war games to complete, they said we could go on though, if we hurry… GREAT!!!! We did hurry and on our way though we saw the potential “War Gamers” and their boats with the big nasty guns on them, and we hurried a little faster. I took lots of pictures of the fishing fleet in the channel, and of the Navy gun boats. We even got to see some of the targets the navy was planning to shoot at as well, holed is an understatement; I got some pics of those as well. We bid you fair winds and calm seas “Somedayers”, Banana Winds standing by on 16… Clear.

P.S. We haven’t heard from Perry since he left us back on Wednesday, if any of you have heard from him, drop us a line and let us know he made it home ok.

35⁰12’46” N – 076⁰35’27” W

It’s a little warmer today “Somedayers”, and it’s not raining. So there’s that. Other than that we are just heading south, and we seem to have found the mass exodus. Today finds us in the middle of a caravan of about seven or eight other boats. I spent the morning cleaning out the refrigerator and taking inventory of what we have left. With Perry no longer with us the roll of Galley Chief has fallen to me. “LT” has offered to do the dishes if I continue to cook the meals, and we stuck an accord on that plan. We have passed several “shrimpin’ boats”; I kept hollerin’ for Forest, but got no answers. We also pasted a little US Coast Guard station and saw some “Coasties” playing football, the cool thing about that was that one of the “Coasties” we saw was a German Sheppard, and I think his team was winning. I included pics of all these fun things, I hope you enjoy them. Till later “Somedayers”, Banana Winds Standing by on 16… Clear.

35⁰31’55” N – 076⁰37’18” W

Well we made it through the flow ice (HaHaHaHa) to Belhaven, North Carolina. We are sitting firmly at anchor and have just finished dinner. I made beany-weenys, but used Italian sausages instead of hotdogs and added a bunch of grilled onions and peppers. When I checked the camera tonight I found that we did get a shot of a dolphin, it’s not easy to make out so I added a red circle to help you see it (it really is a dolphin in the circle, I swear). I have added some more pics to make y’all jealous about not being here. More to come tomorrow “Somedayers”, until then, Banana Winds keeping a weather eye out for ice bergs, and standing by on 16… Clear.

35⁰35’11” N – 076⁰15’53” W

ITS COLD AND RAINING “SOMEDAYERS”!!!!!! If you have been reading these log entries and wishing you were here with us the whole time… let me tell you this “Somedayers”, today is your payback day. We left the Alligator River Marina this morning at about 0900hrs, it was cloudy but it wasn’t raining and the temperature and winds were mild. And then, just about the time we had made it far enough that turning back would have been a hassle, it started to rain. And it has only gotten worse as the day has progressed. I have just come below to change into some dry pants and warm up a bit (however I know as soon as I go topside I’ll be wet and cold again in a matter of minutes). On a happier note, we saw our first pod of dolphins today. So, I have to remember, even when things are at their nastiest out here, there are still some pleasantries to be had. But given the choice of dolphins or warm weather… I’ll take warmth at this point. I’ll try to get some pictures and give you an update when we stop, till then Banana Winds standing by on 16… Clear.

 36⁰13’31” N – 076⁰05’17” W

Today we left Elizabeth City, North Carolina “Somedayers”. We seem to be traveling light these days too. Tony remains tied up with work and won’t be joining us until next week at the earliest, and Perry “Cookie”, had to leave us today for personal reasons. WE’LL MISS YOU P-DOG!!!!!! If you are a person who prays, please say a prayer for Perry’s safe trip home, and if you’re not the praying type please keep him in your thoughts. He has been a good friend to us and the absence of his laughter will be noticed. Perry, May you always find Fair winds and calm seas in all your voyages. And Tony… Quit your dumb job and let’s go sailing Gaffman!!!!!!!

We had a great stay in Elizabeth City. It is a town that is quite famous among sailors for its hospitality. Actually “Hospitality Harbor” is the name of its free marina. They threw a wine and cheese party for the five boats that were there last night. The local grocery store “Farm Fresh’s” will drive out to the harbor, pick you up, and take you back with your groceries for free, a service we used today to get some perishables. So, now we’re headed out across the Albemarle Sound with just the three of us on board Capt. Greg, Jim “LT” Bryant, and me. I hope we don’t get lonely or starve, Perry was our cook. I’m sure we’ll be fine. Keep us in your thoughts “Somedayers”, and we’ll do the same for you. Banana Winds wishing Cookie a safe trip and standing by on 16… Clear.

36⁰24’18” N – 076⁰18’02” W

We are out of the Primordial “Dismal Swamp”, “Somedayers”. Sorry I missed my log posting for yesterday, I was busy cooking. We got up early yesterday morning to bright sunshine in the Hampton flats, and among Navy’s Atlantic Fleet in Norfolk, Virginia. We sailed past two aircraft carriers and a vast assortment of smaller fleet ships and men o’ war. It was quite impressive to see. We continued down the Elizabeth River, where we past mile marker “0” of the Atlantic Inter Coastal Waterway, and into the Dismal Swamp. Being true to its name, as soon as we entered into the swamp, the weather turned dismal and it started to rain. At the southern end of the swamp, we missed the last opening of the lock and had to lay-up on the wall for the night. It was kind of a blessing in disguise though; it was the first time in 18 days that we weren’t on an anchor, which means we all got to sleep a little more soundly without the threat of dragging or swinging into something or someone. As I said earlier, I gave Perry the night off, I made Dinner last night, one of my favorites. I made homemade Sloppy Joes and fresh onion rings. We didn’t have any hamburger buns when I started so we were going to roll them up it tortillas and call them “Sloppy Jose’ Ole’” but as it turned out there was a little convenience store right there where we tied up and we got some buns. Everyone loved it and it was nice to give “Cookie” a night off. Although, I still had him do the dishes, I tried but I was way over my head… the sinks are so small. And for a super special treat, the convenience store had ice cream as well, so we even got a fancy dessert.

Today, we got up and made it though the southern lock at South Mills, North Carolina The weather today is nice, a bit chilly but it’s supposed to warm up later.  We are on our way to Elizabeth City where we’ll wait a day for Tony “Gaffman” to show up, and then we don’t stop again till we get to Miami. We bid you all fair winds and calm seas… Banana Winds standing by on 16… Clear.

38⁰47’34” N – 076⁰25’50” W

Well “Somedayers” we’re back on our way, and that way is SOUTH!!!! It feels good to be back to being sailors again, we were all getting tired of skylarking at anchor. The old sailing captains of the 18^th and 19^th century navy’s hated being at anchor, for they knew it was bad for moral. But on the Banana Winds moral is back up to operating norms again, and we are going to Key West! Yesterday we pulled the hook up and moved out of Spa Creek. We wanted to be out where we could swing on the anchor a little easier and we also didn’t want the Spa Creek Bridge getting in the way of us leaving today. So we filled up on diesel and water, reset the anchors out in the bay in front of the Naval Academy. We got underway this morning at about 0830hrs. We’re missing Tony the Gaffman, we left him somewhere and now we can’t find him, but hopefully he’ll turn up in a few days… oh well, you have to expect losses in a big operation, Right? Just kidding, we know where the Gaffman is. He went home while we were in Annapolis and got tied up with some work so he’ll be joining us in a few days, probably in Elizabeth City. Cookie made us a great underway breakfast to day of pancakes and sausage, it was delish’. We are hoping to make it to Hampton Roads, Virginia either very late tonight or if we stop for the night sometime tomorrow. The Banana is running well and we have our main sail up to help with our fuel consumption. In the words of our intrepid Capt. Greg… “We’re southbound and down!!!” Banana Winds standing by on 16… clear.

38⁰58’22” N – 076⁰29’27” W

Well, “Somedayers”, I’m back from my “Vacation”. I stayed the weekend with an old friend and had a very nice time. From what I understand the guys here had a fairly easy weekend, LT and Perry went to town each day and continued their sightseeing, while Capt. Greg mostly just hung out on the boat and relaxed. We have developed a serious battery issue, they’re old! These batteries are over five years old and they’ve been working hard the whole time. And while on this trip they have been working even harder, to the point that they have given up the fight. They are taking a charge but they won’t hold one, so tomorrow or the next day we’ll be replacing all eight old batteries.

Yesterday Capt. Greg and I hooked up with some friends of his whom own a Formosa 51 just like the Banana Winds. Andy and Carole Keenan of KTI Systems inc. Andy is the inventor and the distributor of “Filter Boss” fuel systems. Capt. Greg installed one in the Banana Winds. We love it, and would recommend it to anyone who owns a boat with a diesel motor. Andy and Carole invited us to their apartment here in Annapolis for dinner last night and boy was it good. Carole made shepherd’s pie, and some homemade salsa, it was delish’. You know “Somedayers”; the thing that makes the cruising life so nice is the people you meet and the common bond that is formed when you find yourself among others doing the same thing. Living aboard the Banana Winds is wonderful, but it has its draw backs. For instance, we have a shower but it’s small and it uses precious water and we choose to use it sparingly, and we have no easy way of doing our laundry on board. When we first met up with them on Monday Andy and Carole said “Hey, guys why don’t you come by, have dinner with us, take a shower and come back tomorrow and do some laundry.” It is so nice when someone knows just what to say to make you happy. So this evening we went back to their place to break bread with them again and found out that we would be sharing our meal with Bob Bitchin and the rest of the Latitudes and Attitudes boat show crew. A great time was had by all. We ate a heck of a meal, consisting of steak, sausages, and fresh veggies. They made us feel like shipmates. The cruising community always makes me think of one of my favorite sayings, “A candle looses nothing when it lights another… and the flame that is made burns twice as bright”. I try to live by those words and I know that anyone who has found themselves on the receiving end of the kind of hospitality that Capt. Greg and I have received from the Keenan’s and Bob and his crew would agree that this is the life. And on that note… Banana Winds standing by on 16… Clear.