Dawg Prep
We are leaving the country on Election Day and I’ve never felt more American. This is because no matter where we are in the world, and no matter who wins the presidency, we are “The Americans.” I’m not kidding. That’s what they call us, “The Americans on Gerty.”
I’m writing from Put-in Creek, Virginia where we are waiting. Originally, we were waiting in Hampton, Virginia, but we sailed to Mobjack Bay, where Put-in Creek is, because we are terrible waiters. We are waiting to depart for Antigua with the Salty Dawg Sailing Association Rally to the Caribbean.
Walking the sun drenched beach at Gwynn Island earlier this week seems like an eternity ago.
Hampton was rainy and grey, but that didn’t stop the Salty Dawg volunteers from getting the fleet organized. A pavilion, complete with a store, a ‘Treasures of the Bilge’ free-bee table, a package station, a covid testing station, and a goodie bag station was available to all crew. Captain’s zoom calls started every morning at 9 am, and Chris Parker, weather man extraordinaire, webcasts started every evening at 5 pm. Detailed advisories were sent out in droves via email. Michael embraced it all, and I nearly had a nervous breakdown.
That’s a slight exaggeration, but without the social component of the rally (think strict quarantine so people don’t wind up with COVID in the middle of the ocean), I found it hard to relieve my building anxiety about the estimated twelve day sail to Antigua.
So, after Michael carried one hundred and forty pounds of batteries to AutoZone to exchange the old Victron AGM batteries for new Optima Blue Top AGM batteries, we did what sailors do and let the wind take us away. Now, our bow thruster is loving the new batteries and we are loving Put-in Creek, home to our new favorite dinghy dock that brings us two short blocks from the Mathew’s town grocery store.
When we’re not checking the weather, planning our watch schedule, testing our satellite communications, checking the ditch bag, changing the oil, stowing stuff, cleaning stuff, or repairing stuff, there is a beautiful country road available to us for walks on the western shore.
We thought we had it all to ourselves, until today when this fine fellow came to say hello and left us wondering . . . Why don’t horses ever jump their fence and run free?
Last remarks:
Wonderful to meet Beat and Antje on SY San Giulio. They are also part of the SDSA Rally. Their Ovni is similar to our Allures, and we will both head out from Put-In Creek with plans to meet up again in Antigua!
Congratulations to Charlie Collins on his BarMitzvah. Thank you for making us a part of it, our first zoom Bar Mitzvah!
Thank you to Chris and Bill Murray of SV Plover, our very gracious Ocean Cruising Club [OCC] hosts in Queens Creek. It was a pleasure!
Thank you to Michael for sailing through my LO and teaching me about post-frontal HIs, gyres, upper-TROFs, and GOMEX.
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Wow! Be careful on that LONG trip!!! Living vicariously thru the 2 of you! Here in Watermill recovering from Ari’s covid-Style Halloween festivities! When can we come to Antigua?!?!!
XOOXOXOOXXO
Anytime! Just let us know when you are in town and promise to travel safely. Happy Halloween!
It all sounds so complicated, but then again I know nothing about boats. Sounds like you have it all together so try and relax and enjoy the trip.
By the way, the horse is fed and sheltered so why would he want to go anywhere else? Animals are so much more basic than we are. Love you both
Love you too!
Jill, Have a wonderful trip. The Salty Dawg gang is definitely the way to go. We did the slow slog into the wind and it took us 15 months to do what you’re doing in 12 days. I look forward to following your blog!
This made us laugh! Thanks!
Amazing photos. Wishing you safe travels. Love, M&J
Thank you!
Glad that you got to experience both Hole in the Wall and Put in Creek on Mobjack Bay, two hidden treasures in Mathews County.
Fair winds for your southbound journey and remember to document it for the your OCC Qualifying Passage and the OCC Qualifier’s Mug Award!
Absolutely will try! Thanks again
All our love and wishes for a terrific adventure. Look forward to the next blog.
Mom and dad
Thank you. “The Old Gallins” is funny 🙂
I’m so excited for you both. Love reading your blog posts. Great photos. 💕😘 Safe journey. Love Me
Thank you!
So so excited for you. I am very impressed with all of your sailing knowledge and language. Can’t believe my best friend is a sailer who is about to set off for the adventure of a lifetime. So immensely proud of you. Bon Voyage!
Aww, Thank you! Now set a date to come visit 🙂 We will be eating pumpking muffins and thinking of you.
Bon Voyage! A lot of hard work to get to this point. Fantastic. I can only imagine the excitement of leaving. Enjoy!
Best,
Noel and Tracey.
Hello found your website while looking at the flotilla in predictwind. Wow you choose to depart early getting all the wind for yourself (grin). Incredible start. By the way your website is very interesting, full of details to appreciate. Wish you the best in your endeavor in Antigua. Fair winds to you