Derecho - we are fine

Well here we are in the midst of a record breaking heat wave anchored out in Washington Channel. We arrived on June 22nd hoping to find a nice spot to anchor before the boats start arriving for the 4th of July. We have a nice spot with a great view of the Washington Monument. The temps had been high as we traveled up the Potomac with the heat index over 100 degrees and continued to rise after we arrived.  On Sat. we had a great dinner with our DC/VA kids all who have June birthdays as does John. By Tuesday we finished applying the final coat of Cetol gloss to our brightwork and began to remove tape and replace the stainless pieces that we removed for the work. It looks so much better.

This past Friday June 29th the heat was intense and registered a record of 104 degrees at National Airport quite close to where we are anchored. We had heard there may be some t-storms during the evening so we made sure we were back on Spunky by early afternoon. Around 8 pm or so Mike, our son who lives in Ashburn, VA west of DC, sent us a text warning that he had heard of a line of storms heading east that were pretty strong. We pulled up radar and started watching the long wide line of reds and yellows move east. While we were waiting we let out more anchor rode (line/chain) so our anchor would have a better chance to hold. We tied down anything loose on deck and closed up all of our hatches and ports. Then we waited. We ask Mike to text us when it hit Ashburn, VA. He sent a text that winds were very high and scary. We had our VHF on and there were consistent warnings of a line of high winds approaching.

Then it hit. We rode out 60 mph winds in Marsh Harbor, Abacos last winter, but this was somewhat different. Spunky laid way over. We put the engine on as a backup if our Rocna 73 lb. anchor did not hold us in place (although a friend said it could hold the Queen Mary). I tried to get our Tacktick wind speed guage up and running but it took a few minutes or more while everything else was going on around us. By the time I got it turned on it only registered 44 mph. National Airport registered 70 mph so we assume we were higher at the beginning of the storm. The rains followed and poured down on us so we could not see too well. It was dark but there was lightening all around us with loud claps of thunder and we watched the 40 ft. sail boat anchored just in front of us start dragging down toward us. John pulled out our horn so we could warn them if they got close. Fortunately their anchor finally held and they stopped short of us. The storm moved through very quickly and we sat up past midnight watching the remaining lightening. The next morning the boat that dragged pulled up their anchor and anchored back in their original spot.

Today we hear that a Derecho is a rare event and we should not see one again for some time. Folks are saying that it hit with no warning but we had Mike watching the weather and had ample warning to prepare. Over 1 million folks in this area are without power and the heat continues to be oppressive. Lots of homes are without a/c. We live without a/c so we are hot but more used to it. Several metro stations were closed over the weekend without power. The power companies are saying it will be Friday before they have 90% of repairs completed. We rode to Pentagon City Mall on Saturday to buy a new US flag as ours was shredded in the storm.

The weather reports are for above average temps for the current week coupled with high humidity it feels like it is in the 100's. We will be here to visit with our Kansas kids who arrived in DC today for their vacation and we plan to depart on Saturday or Sunday to return to Annapolis.

Hope those of you in the area are safe. Check in and let us know how you did in the storm.

More Thoughts

I was born in DC and grew up in the area.  I love coming back and seeing old sights and updated versions of my youth.  On one side of our anchorage is Hains Point.  It is parkland and a golf course that sticks out into the Potomac.  Catholic University's rugby team that our son John coaches play their matches there.  In high school my friends and I sometimes brought our dates there to watch the late night submarine races.  The rules were if you were parked in your car and the police could see your heads, they would not stop.

Elyse mentioned the Arena stage.  It has been rebuilt at least 3 times.  I think one of the things that interested me in VMI was seeing the play "Brother Rat".  It was made into a movie with Ronald Reagan in one of the roles as a Keydet.

There are very few cities as pretty as DC with as many things to do. The best part is so much is free.  Now it's even better because we have a son who owns a bar a block from a metro stop.  It is also one of the worst places on the planet to own a car.  No place to park and difficult to drive around.  The local legislators are no better than Congress at planning for and carrying out plans for the growth.

Time to turn in so we will be ready in the morning.  My you have many blessings and a wonderful week.

Beautiful Night

Hey Gang,

What a beautiful night.  We are anchored in the Washington Channel in downtown Washington, DC.  We were promised thunderstorms tonight but is is quiet and the sky is clear, so far.  As you can see by Elyse's more detailed updates we are working our way north.  In a couple of days we will be in Annapolis.  We are hoping to find our old spot in Back Creek where we spent most of last summer.  There is only room for two or three boats to anchor and Elyse get's mad anytime I tell people where it is located.  It's going to be interesting without a car.  We think we can get a bus from Annapolis to one of the metro stops in DC. We are considering signing up with Zip Cars or Car 2 Go were we can pick up a car and just pay for the time we use it.

This morning our wash down pump stopped working so I have to try to figure out what happened.  There is no place worse to pull up an anchor than the Chesapeake.  Lots of muck.  We have learned that much of our time is fixing our boat in exotic places.

After "You're going to do what?" one of the most frequent questions we are asked is "How long do you plan to do it?".  Our answer has always been as long as it's fun and our health holds up.  We are now in the process of deciding the definition of "fun".  We have had some incredible experiences.  Most of them have been good and we have met some wonderful people.  When we figure out the answer to our question, we will let you know.

We hope you are enjoying your time with us.  We have enjoyed having you along.

John

Back to Annapolis

We are leaving tomorrow a.m. for Annapolis after an enjoyable stay in DC. The anchorage in Washington Channel has been great. We used the services at The Gang Plank Marina the entire time. Although we began the stay with a cold shower, all was fine the remaining 2 weeks. The staff was great and treated us well. We were invited to their annual slip holders party with free food and drink and we danced the night away. This is a perfect location only a block from the Metro green line and the Safeway/CVS. We were easily able to ride the train into VA for visits and appointments. There were never more than 4 other boats anchored while we were here.

This past weekend was the Blessing of the Fleet and we sat on Spunky and watched the 90 trawlers and power boats motor by each being blessed. We called on VHF and asked for a blessing and Spunky and all her crew, now and future, were blessed as well. Then a raft up of 3 trawlers close by invited us for drinks and company and we had a very nice visit with some very nice folks.

While here we have met with children and friends and ended our stay with half priced tickets to "The Music Man" at the Arena Stage which is across the street from the marina. The production was good and very enjoyable but the Arena Stage, which is theater in the round, lends itself to more intimate productions rather than musicals.

This morning in the rain we motored down the channel to the James Creek Marina to get diesel, gas and water tanks topped off so we are ready to leave tomorrow for the trip back down the Potomac. It was wet but nice as we were the only boat trying to get into the fuel dock. We returned to the Gang Plank and took showers, did laundry and turned in our electronic pass cards. We are planning on 2 days down the Potomac and 2 days up the Chesapeake to an anchorage in Annapolis where we will do maintenance and repairs on Spunky and catch up on doc appointments.

Hope life is good for all of you. Please let us know what is going on in your life.

Elyse and John s/v Spunky

Anchored in DC

We arrived last Wednesday after leaving the marina at Colonial Beach. Our trip up the Potomac was uneventful. There was no wind to speak of and the river was like glass. We motored along enjoying the vistas of wide water and treed lined banks. We didn't pass one other boat along the way. We enjoyed seeing Mount Vernon (George Washington's home) up on the hillside and were excited to see the Wilson Bridge come into view. The old bridge was demolished and a new one built several years ago and now Spunky can fit under the span without having to arrange a midnight opening. We arrived earlier than espected and entered the channel to find it almost empty with only 2 other boats anchored. The next morning we took the dinghy into the Gang Plank Marina and signed up for the use of their showers, laundry and dock. Their facilities are a little primitive but ok. We took a shower and were shocked to only have cold water. Seems that the laundry had been in constant use and all the hot water was used up. We talked about moving up to the Capital Yacht Club which is more expensive but nicer but we were already paid up for 3 days so we waited and our next shower experience was much warmer so we have decided to stay where we were. There is a Safeway market and a metro stop only two blocks away so it is a good location.

On Saturday we met son John to watch the Washington Irish Old Boys Rugby Match and had dinner with daughter Haley in the evening. Sunday we took the metro into VA to have dinner with son Mike and daughter-in-law Jo and granddaughter Alaina. It was so good to see them all and catch up on everyones life.

Today, Monday, we took the metro to the metro sales office and purchased our long term senior travel cards. It is neat and we can add money to the cards as we need. It works on all the transit in the area so we can use it when we travel into VA. We have found their is one bus that goes from Annapolis to DC twice a day so when we take Spunky to Annapolis to have work done we will be able to get back into the city. We visited the Museum of American History today to see the presentation on Thomas Jefferson and slavery. It was very well done. Tomorrow we plan to go to the National Art Gallery to see the Miro exhibit. It is fun being a tourist and so much to see. We are hoping to visit the Newseum while we are here as well.

We are anchored next to Hains Point here in the channel. On the other side of Hains Pt. is National Airport and so we hear all the jets taking off during the day. On our side of the channel is where all the helicopters fly over all day long I assume going from the Pentagon to the White House or other meeting places. They fly over constantly and very low to the water. John thinks he saw the President's helicopter fly over last week. I get concerned that they are not going to see our mast at night so I make John turn it on early. It is really lovely here and we can see the top of the Washington Monument from where we are anchored.

We are looking forward to seeing all the sights in the next few weeks. There is such a great energy in the city.

In Washington DC

Friends & Family,

Yesterday we left Colonial Beach and motored up to DC.  There was no wind and the water was flat.  It got a little boring but Elyse pointed out that was a lot better than the terror we have experienced at times in the past.  The win to day before was great and gave us a great push up the river. It was very pleasant.  It was also cool going past Mount vernon, George Washington's home.  We are now anchored in the Washington Channel in the heart of Washington.  Later this afternoon we will jump on the Metro and head into town.  We will probably visit Solly's, our son's bar. Now that we are sitting, it has started to warm up.  The anchorage is nice.  There are only two boats anchored in the channel.  This morning we went in and signed up with the Gangplank Marina.  We can use their dock and services for $10 a day.  Our excitement was dampened when we took our showers without any hot water.  If that continues we may pay a little more to use the Capital Yacht club next door.

John has agreed to loan his truck one day so we can run over to Annapolis for doctor appointments and to drop off our main sail at a loft to have some repairs made.  In a few weeks we will motor back down to the Chesapeake and up to Annapolis.  Spunky performed very well on the trip from the Bahamas to Charleston and then up the ICW. There are some projects in front of us.  Lots of cleaning, sanding and varnish to be completed.  I have noticed that many of the boats headed north need some work.  Part of the problem in the Bahamas is that you have to pay for water in most places.  In addition we spent all our time at anchor so water and power were very precious.

Hope all is well with you.  I will send more later.

John