Arriving in Maryland

We arrived in Maryland yesterday at 5:00 pm. We will stay here for the weekend, and celebrate an early Thanksgiving with Ray, Jan and their family. Bill will leave on Monday to do an OPRA class for his job in Baltimore, then report to the tug on Thursday.....

Gen and I will stay here until early Wednesday morning when we will return to Myrtle Beach and golf and weeks of unloading my truck.....5 days to empty the boat, 50 to put it all away......

I look forward to getting back and getting organized although I miss everyone in NE already. I'll post some pics for you to see....

Janice painted a beautiful pic of Genaker, what a surprise and made us a beautiful afghan to take home. She is very thoughtful.....

Dry Dock here I come!!!!

Naked, "Spirit" heads for dry dock for the winter in NE.....its sad but has to be done. Bill and I want to do so much work on her this spring it will take awhile. Anyway, off she goes, clean (look how she is OUT of the Water) now that I have emptied her out...ha ha....See ya all soon, leaving early in the morning to head South....

MY LIFE - Ha ha

Hi All,
WELL, just didn't work out.....too many time constraints and weather issues to sail south. We have spent the last 2 days emptying Spirit out, WOW, can I fit alot of stuff onboard, I'm proud, Bill was, "no wonder she didn't go as fast" he kept having the bottom cleaned, "oops!!!". Hey, a woman needs things to survive, right?

Anyway, we are sad, cuz we so enjoyed that sail South....Next year, we'll have to leave earlier, which saddens me, but I also look forward to MB.....its our home now and I miss it when I'm away.

It was great to be able to help people out, when their home burnt down, but I missed going to visit during the summer......anyway, I'm on my way ALL, be ready.....I should be arriving on the 19th............

Spirit will be dry docked at Brewers Shipyard in Commonfence Point. She'll stay there for a while, and when we head North she'll have alot of work done on her.....Barrier coat, sanding, varnishing and whatever Bill can think of......

One prayer is, that my friend Carol not go to Afghanistan, but, if she does, may she stay safe and sound, who else can I play golf with and bust their chops.....

Yesterday was my granddaughter Marion's 1st Birthday, love you honey, so glad I got to spend last week with you all..

Love to all........Happy Birthday to my brother Peter, he is 54 today.....

Carol & Bill

Leaving Rhode Island

Leaving to head South has BEEN a challenge so far......first Bill was delayed, then I had health issues, and now the weather isn't cooperating.....it will be a cold journey but as always, I am looking forward to the time to just relax and do nothing. Ha ha, except for standing watch, cooking, cleaning, sailing, getting Genaker to pee & poop and then just plain fall asleep at night.....
We will be leaving to sail on Friday AM or Saturday AM, any later and the boat will have to remain here. Bill has a class to attend in Baltimore, why I stay with Jan & Ray till the 19th of November, then to my condo.....yeah.....can't wait......It will be so nice to be home again and see all my new friends, who I must admit, DID keep in touch with me all summer.......via email or skype or just plain telephone.....what great people.
So anyone who wants to keep in touch, call, skype or just follow my blog, I'll keep it up to date each week.....

Love to you all and have a GREAT THANKSGIVING!!!!!

Carol & Bill

October 2009 - San Diego

Getting 3 to sit still is a real job, but well done..........

Well, I arrived in San Diego and was greeted by all the kids.....what a treat being able to see them again.....

Here are some pics, enjoy them, the children are beautiful if I do say so myself......

CORRECTION - OCT. 30

New date for leaving - Bill has been promoted to a new bigger Tug Boat - Patriot Service - he will be leaving on Wednesday and will not be returning until the 29th of October, this may change things, if it gets too cold or the weather doesn't cooperate, we may have to haul Spirit out up North and leave her here till the spring......this is a tough decision - one we will not be making until Bill is almost home from this next hitch, WEATHER is a huge factor.....but if its meant to be it will be......

Spirit - Painted

This is a picture of Spirit painted by Janice Gagnon. It will hang in our condo next to Cap'N Don, the boat Bill owned when he was a lobsterman...(which also was painted by Jan) Thank you so much Jan, its beautiful.....

26 DAYS till We head South

Well, its hard to believe but summer is over and we will be heading south on October 22nd, when Bill returns from his next hitch.
Stop by anyone to say bye......

SUMMER ENDS!!!!!

Everett J. Borden, born 9/17/09 to Nathan & Erika Borden.......

It's sad to say, but its coming to an end.....lots has happened. Carol D. got deployed, BUT now has an injury to her left knee, the good one or the NONE repaired one.....so now its a waiting game.

Nate and Erika have a new son, Everett J. Borden, born September 17th, 2009, Eric & Sara are expecting another child in February and boy our family is growing by leaps and bounds these days. Thank god for healthy, happy families......

Soon Bill & I will leave to head to Solomons' Island, that is where Spirit will be staying for the winter and maybe next summer......she needs alot of work so this may be the best option.

So more to come and I'll keep you all up to date.

HEADING BACK SOUTH!!!!!

60 DAYS and we'll be heading back to No. Myrtle Beach....The summer went quickly, it rained forever and then suddenly the sun came out and stayed for days of hot, steamy weather. I actually golfed 9 days in a row with 1 day of rain......
So, soon, the blog will begin again.....
Take care and talk soon.......Love to you all......

July 4th, 2009

Hanging with the "kids".....

Friends of Josh & Cath come aboard for the night...... Cory & Christina....

Josh attempts to row........

Sunset at Block Island

Cath & Josh
Our 4th of July weekend started out with a great sail with family and friends. On Friday morning we headed out in the bay with Mark, Arlene, Jan and Debbie for a great day of sailing.......

Later that evening we headed to Block Island with Josh & Cath....We anchored out in Newport only because it was late and Bill was concerned about seas being rough.

We woke early and headed off shore on our little journey. (for Bill and I anyway) Unfortunately it wasn't all it was cracked up to be for Cat, she got sick & had a rough ride. When we anchored out at BI, the kids showered and headed off to meet up with their friends, who later came aboard for the night. We had a great evening, Bill & I had to sail back to Portsmouth, only because Josh & Cath took the ferry, as a safety precaution....Oh well, sailing to the Bahama's maybe out of the pic........

All in all, it was great weekend........

July 3rd, 2009

Boat with a 4th of July sail.....

Bill & Mark sailing on July 3rd....2009

Moving right along.....

Jan and I posing.......

A great day for a sail with family .......on Narragansett Bay........great wind, food and booze.......

Reservation Country Club

Today I played golf with my mom at Ressie.....we had a great time, we were guests to Patty Sullivan and Barbara Messier. Mom did well and managed to keep up with us all.....

TURNING 55!!!

Mommy, I'm only 3.5 yrs. old...

Day before I turn 55......relaxing on Spirit with Genaker..... Hi All,
Well, I'm all geared up for the big 55!!! Oh my gosh, a speed limit.....can you believe it......I'm excited but wow, can't imagine.....more than half my life is gone, OR as I would like to think of it as the best years are ahead.....and what a year it has been......exactly one year ago, Bill and I sold our home of 25 years, moved aboard our boat for the summer, purchased a condo in Myrtle Beach, had a grandson and granddaughter, got to meet Josh's girlfriend and her children, SAIL the east coast from Massachusetts to South Carolina and back again. How lucky is that!!! VERY......it has been a wonderful ride and I look forward to celebrating with all my friends & family.....pics to follow.....

BACK IN NE....

Last leg to the marina.....

We made it......thank god for a safe return home....It was an amazing adventure....and we landed at about 11:45....thanks Mom, she came down and brought me for our truck, Deb and Carol met us here tonight for dinner.... We also had some great boat drinks w/George Toomey who welcomed us home and took us aboard Panjandrum....his new C & C Sailboat......
Thanks and enjoy the pics. Love to you all..

DAY 15 - PT. JUDITH

Newport Bridge....

Pt. Judith - 7:47 am 5/21

Good morning All,

We just passed Pt. Judith at 7:47 this morning, May 21st. We should be pulling into Portsmouth, RI at around noontime. Can't believe we made it, what a long last leg........Here are some pics of Pt. Judith and the Newport Bridge in the distance.......

DAY 14 - SWEET SAILING!!!

Daddy look at all the water to play in......so what if its 50 degrees....

Lunch today, Deer steaks on the grill w/cabbage and carrots.....

All morning ships from all over the world were coming by, I guess there is a big Navy show in NY, which is why we stayed away from there all together. (sorry Kurt & Annette) This ship is from Canada and Gen was barking her head off at it.......

We will be in Montauk tonight which is better than we hoped. Looks like it will be sometime tomorrow afternoon we'll be pulling in, I'll let those know via email.....We have had a great day today sailing, cool but the sky is clear and the seas are just beautiful. So nice to see the deep green water again, the ICW is brackish brown......yuck. Here are some pics of the day and Gen just hanging out.....she has been excellent.....

NO MOON - But alot of STARS!!!!

Genaker wanted to go to sleep in the V berth at about 9:00 PM last night, leaving Bill and I to fend for ourselves, some big protector hey!!!
It was a long night, I lasted till 3 and got up every hour to help adjust sails, then got up at 6:30 am and took over the helm till 11:30, figured the guy must need to sleep......

It was freezing and I had 5 layers on.....alittle different from offshore in NC when all we wanted to do was jump in it was so hot......but the sunset was beautiful.....and the sailing was sweet, we made great time...all the way up the coastline of NJ. Tomorrow early we head off toward Long Island then cut over to Block Island and up Narragansett Bay.......looks like Thursday afternoon folks.......enjoy the pics.

May lose wifi contact for a day or so, so don't panic mom......And the radio blabbed, so Congrats to Shawn Johnson, who won Dancing with the Stars - can't wait to see the end.......

BYE BYE, ATLANTIC CITY, HELLO PORTSMOUTH

Atlantic City - Trump Towers in Center w/shiny roof.......

Wildwood, NJ right outside Cape May....

We had a great day sailing so far, BUT there will be no more stopping.....until Portsmouth, RI...we sail straight through now, hopefully real fast.....I'm not too good at about 3:30 am, and Gen always wants to go down below......

All well, should be pulling into Portsmouth, RI on Friday, early AM.....today I took some great pics of Atlantic City as we sailed by and parts of the NJ coastline.....should we lose cell service, I'll get in touch with everyone tomorrow sometime......Josh has the day off.....Night for now.....

Also, thoughts are with Ray & Jan who went to see their grandson Brian off to Afghanistan... God bless him!!!!! (and all our other troops)..

DAY 13 - AFTER a DAY of REST

Sunrise as we are leaving our anchorage this morning....

Sunset.....

It really was a day of rest, Bill was at the wheel 14 hrs. the day before.....

We're off!!!! Finally the bad wind subsided and we are headed up the Jersey coast......Boy was it cold last night. Of course, when you are at anchor, you don't have heat, except for us, we have a dog....and they generate more heat than you can imagine.....thank god. Although, great big down comforters help also.......Bill laughed at me for bringing it....
We hung out and played cards, ate, drank wine and had a quiet WINDY day....I took some great pics of the sunset (from my bunk last night) and the sunrise this morning. We pulled up anchor at 5:45 AM and have some pretty calm seas-finally.....just not the kind of wind we need. I think we will be getting some in the next day or so....
Enjoy the pics and we'll talk soon. Love to you all....and it seems we'll make it home for the holiday weekend. This is the first time ever I can't remember my birthday falling on memorial day weekend. OH well ----- guess what -- I'm a speed limit this year ----55. (thanks Jean, I love that one)

DAY 12 - ROCK N' ROLLIN

Others ran for shelter, also....

Bill with Genaker......

Inner Breakwater Lighthouse....

There was so much wind yesterday and last night, my ears are still ringing. BUT, there is no way we will be traveling today. We anchored out last night across the bay from Cape May, and rocked ourselves to sleep. Actually its my favorite place, Lewes, DE, where we found all the flies last year, but too windy for them even. Its behind the breakwater so it finally settled down at 3:00 am this morning. But unfortunately, not good winds for today.....we'll just hang here until things settle awhile. WHICH may not be good, cuz there looks like not alot of wind for a few days. BUT we can motor sail and pray we can use our Spinnaker.......

LONGEST DAY EVER!!!

Bill, said, this is one of the strongest tugs in the USA.....what a big ship it is pushing.....amazing.

Today was a very long day, the weather sucked, and the winds were horrendous. We traveled quite a ways, but, it was bad weather causing us to put up in Lewes, Delaware. 12 miles from Cape May...we may have to stay here tomorrow cuz the winds will be so bad....and then the rest of the week, they will suck. Anyway, here are some pics of the day and if you really want to see the seas go to my facebook.com @ Carol Elizabeth Chace...

Love to you all, we are getting there, I think, OH, and my supper tonight, Deer Steak, mashed potatoes and cabbage, it was delicious, and WE topped it off with Ray's Luna Rossa, sorry mom, the 4th bottle won't make it. Love to you all. Carol & Bill

DAY 11 - Cape May here we Come!

Summit North Marina.....

Osprey on a buoy...

Today we woke up to a nice cool morning, thank goodness, but it is pouring rain.......it was so humid yesterday and last night I couldn't breath......this marina has more mosquitos than you can imagine.....every mosquito from the east coast Must Be Here.....but its a pretty lively place here, lots of music and action going on.....do you know they have a frost warning out for today, please weather, almost there.....hang in there.
We'll be leaving a little later today, trying to plan the Delaware Bay just right.....So, have a great Sunday everyone, talk later. Love Bill & Ca & Gen....

DAY 10 - Off again!!

Genaker amazed by the bridge.....

Navy ships.....

Looking at the USNA....

Good morning,
Bill & Genaker pulled up the anchor this morning at 5:30 am. I got to sleep in, till 6 anyway. Today we head past Annapolis and up the C & D Canal.....getting closer by the day.
Also, today, Nate graduates school and is officially Dr. Nathan Borden. Congrats and best of luck, I know you will be the best Dr. ever...Talk later.

Hey, back again, what a day of sailing, we made 7.4 knots up the Chesapeake Bay after leaving Annapolis' fuel dock. We got a close up look at the US Naval Academy and some of the Navy boats. They were out on manuevers this morning. Presently we are headed up the C & D Canal, you remember, that place that has the big hunks of seaweed, everywhere. Yuck..... We should be pulling into the North Summit Marina around 8:30 PM tonight......

We had a great bottle of Ray's wine, Mezza Luna, Yummy Ray, it was delicious and tonight for supper I made a stew, from the deer meat Ray gave us...... once we get settled in we'll give a call or skype to whoever is up.....

Love to you all.....enjoy some of the pics, Gen was fascinated by the Bay Bridge.....

PS: I forgot, when we fueled up at Annapolis this morning, I had to take Gen off to relieve herself. As we're walking off the docks, there are really no lawns, where does she pee? Right on the steps of the most prestige place, The Annapolis Yacht Club, and boy, did she pee......Oh well.

DAY 9 - Back at Sea Again!!!

Sunset outside Annapolis...

Gen finally settled in.....

Motoring along on a quiet day....

Today, we woke up thinking, well, what's on the agenda. But, then the weather changed and Bill decided it was time to run before it blew real hard on Sunday night......anyway, we drag all our stuff to the marina - get on board, to find out, we are aground, AGAIN!!! Boy, they sure make shallow marinas down here. After having the staff pull us off, we finally got underway at 1:15PM.

We anchored tonight 10 miles south of Annapolis. Tomorrow we'll sail the bay and head to the C & D Canal to the North Summit marina and stay the night. Gen really had an adjustment period today but is sound asleep now.....

Talk in the morning. Love to you all!!!!

So Happy to see Mommy!!!

Words can't express how much I missed her......