Going back out West

January 17 to Jan 23

It's time to go back out West and get on the RV for a while.

We left Beaufort Tuesday, Jan 17 after Clara's dentist appointment for the Mountain House.

We arrived in Spruce Pine around 5:30 pm.  Clara called Kit to say Hi and she was getting ready to go to Bonnie and Will's for a "Orchard Cookbook Tasting" and we were to come.  So within a few minutes, we were on the way to their house for a fun evening with friends (while our house warmed up a little).

We had initially planned to stay a couple days in Spruce Pine, but when we woke up Wednesday morning, I saw no reason for not starting our trip today.  So by 10:15, we were on the road to Tony and Jill's in Wichita, Kansas.  We made it through Tennessee and most of Missouri, finally stopping at a small hotel for a few hours
sleep.

Thursday morning, we were on the road early and arrived at the Pimentel's around 2:30 pm.

We enjoyed a dinner out with them at a club they belong to Thursday night.  Friday, we all relaxed and enjoyed the company and Friday night we had a real treat.  We met with two other couples who had been squadron mates in the 340th Bombardment Squadron at Blytheville AFB, Ark.  Hal Martin had been a B-52 pilot and J T Plummer had been a Radar Navigator in the Squadron.  Combined with Tony, who had been a Radar Navigator and me being a pilot, we revisited many old memories and shared stories, which, for the most part had some truth in them.

Saturday morning we departed from Wichita, drove through portions of Oklahoma and Texas and arrived at Kirkland AFB in Albuquerque late Saturday evening, where we stayed at the on-base lodging - a very fine apartment/hotel.

Sunday morning we got up early to recommission the RV.  However, we couldn't get in the gate.  We thought we had the gate code correct, however, we had forgotten the # in front of the four numbers.  After a frustrating couple of hours trying to get into contact with the owner, we finally got in with no problem. 

The RV was in perfect shape.  We removed the cover, checked everything and in a little while were on the way to the RV park at Kirkland.  We got everything running on the RV and went to the commissary to get provisioned.  Sunday night, we are relaxed and caught up on some rest after what seems like a very quick trip across 3/4 of the USA.

Monday, we took the RV to Tom's RV Service and to change the oil, check the fluids and make sure everything was ready to go.  While they were servicing the Matterhorn, we went and picked up the new tow dolly at the shipping company.  We put it together (screwed on the taillights and fenders) and hooked it up to the Honda.  Then went by Camping World to pick up a few items, then picked up the RV and went back to the RV Park at Kirkland and started learning how to put the car on the dolly (not as simple as the video explained).  Tomorrow we head to Arizona.

The TOAD is hooked up and ready to go

First Sail of 2012

Jan 7 and 8, 2012

The weather for Saturday and Sunday was forecast to be good for sailing, so Joe and I took Eureka out for its first sail of the year.

On Saturday, we had a good, stiff Southwesterly breeze fo 15-22 knots and had a great sail in 6-8 foot seas to Cape Lookout.

Nearing the Cape, we ran into the largest concentration of birds that we had ever seen.  There were thousands of birds congregated on the water.

Saturday evening, we were treated to a beautiful moonrise over the Cape Lookout Lighthouse.

And a beautiful sunset.

Overnight, the winds shifted to the Northeast and we had a great sail in 10-15 knots back to port.

A great start to 2012!!

Spring Break and Great Wolf Lodge

Friday, Dec 30 - Friday Jan 6

This was a rare treat for us.  Slade, Evan and Anna came down to Beaufort and spent the week.  This is the most time we've had to enjoy Slade and the grandchildren ever.  And we loved every minute!

Evan had received a "rip stick" for Christmas and we borrowed one for Anna.  The two of them (plus the older kid - Slade) rode them in the driveway every chance they got.  Before the end of the week they were all getting very good on them.

One day, the old double decker bus was doing special tours of Beaufort and we all jumped aboard for a different view of Beaufort.

We dropped by the Maritime Museum after the bus ride and Evan had his picture made with his Great Great Grandfather, John B. Quidley, who was a lighthouse keeper at Cape Lookout Lighthouse in 1911.

On Wednesday, January 4, we drove to Williamsburg, Virginia for a two night stay at the Great Wolf Lodge which features an 80,000 sq ft indoor water park.  This was our third year visiting Great Wolf Lodge with the Grandkids, but the first with Slade.  Having him with us made it very special (and a lot more fun) for all of us.

Anna and Evan exiting the "Howlin' Tornado".  Anna rode it 29 times.

Evan wipes out on the boogie board

Evan (and Slade) got real good on the boogie boards.  They both got to the point that they could do 360's on the ride.

Anna could walk across the bobbing logs without falling or touching the net.

The family enjoys a few minutes resting.

Great Wolf Lodge Waterpark, Williamsburg, Va.

Christmas, 2011

This Christmas is certainly different from last years when we were stuck on top of the mountain in Spruce Pine by a Christmas Eve snowstorm.

We had picked up Dad earlier in the week and he had spent the week before Christmas with us in Beaufort.

On Saturday, we went to Slades for the traditional Christmas Eve opening of presents with the kids.


This year, we gave Anna and Evan a 2 day trip to Great Wolf Lodge.  This will be our third year doing this.  In the past, we have surprised them, but this year we wanted them to have something to look forward to.

We're going to Great Wolf Lodge!!!!!!

4 Generations that carry the Inscoe name to the future!

Four proud generations!

Bahamas - On the Sailboat

Thursday, Dec 8

Bill, Jan, Clara and I got on a 36' Sunsail sailboat in Marsh Harbor for a few days exploring the Northern Bahama waters.

We were able to get an early briefing and get on board “Cloudy Bay”, a 36 foot Jenneau early and get all our briefings out of the way.

Thursday night we stayed on the dock in the harbor.

Friday, Dec 9

This morning we had a brisk sail in unsettled and rainy conditions to Man of War Harbor.  We found a good deal on dockage and stayed on the dock for Friday night.

We arrived early afternoon on the docks at Man of War Marina and checked out the little village.

We had a fun dinner with John and Sally Lincoln of Liliana (Pearson 365) from South Freeport, Maine who are on the dock with us.  They leave their boat here in the harbor on a mooring and travel here a couple times a year for a month or so.



Saturday, Dec 10

Jan tries to see over the helm!

A leisurely departure with a brisk sail to Bakers Bay where we anchored out for the evening. This is one of the most beautiful beaches we've seen and we enjoyed walking on the beach and I got a nice swim from the boat to shore and back several times.

Jan and Clara look for shells at Bakers Bay

Beautiful Bakers Bay

We hunkered down for a rather eventful night. It rained and the wind picked up during the night. Our anchor snubber didn't work real well and kept the crew up a lot of the night with the banging as we swung on anchor.

Sunday, Dec 11

Another leisurely start to the day and motored to a small island for some shelling. We were very successful in finding some unusual and interesting shells.

Shelling

Today the winds have held constant between 18 and 25 knots most of the day. We had another very brisk, reefed sail to Orchard Bay Yacht Club and Marina. We decided that we'd like to spend another evening on the dock after a restless night on the anchor.

Cloudy Bay in beautiful Bahama Waters

Coming back to the boat from shelling

Orchard Bay is interesting because it is a beautiful marina, but no one is here. We have consistently been surprise at the lack of boats and people in these waters. They are beautiful waters and great sailing (if you like brisk sailing). However, it has remain relatively cool and the waters have been to cool to really enjoy snorkeling. We wonder when the place is busy.

Tonight we went to dinner at Grabber's Bed, Bar and Grill. The dinner was surprising good and we enjoyed a nice evening in a beautiful location.

Dinner at Grabbers

Monday, Dec 12

The wind picked up overnight and this morning it's 20+ knots. We decide to sail with reefed main and jib and head back to Marsh Harbor. It was a vigorous sail, but quite enjoyable. We are getting very use to the relatively warm weather and beginning to realize that we will soon be back in much cooler climates, so we enjoy and relish every moment of warmth.

Clara fights the autopilot

Star Fish at Bakers Bay

We arrived back at the Sunsail base early afternoon and get settled into a slip and enjoy a leisurely afternoon packing, eating and drinking – for tomorrow will end another journey.

Bahama - Phase 1

Abaco Island - The Reef House

After relatively uneventful flight from Raleigh via Miami, we all arrived at Abaco Airport.

Joe and Vickey Barwick, Les and Carol Sadler, Bill and Jan Bass and Clara and I have a week planned at "The Reef House", a very isolated 4 bedroom home on a very nice beach about 18 miles South of Marsh Harbor.

The Reef House

On Saturday, we rode the ferry to Hopetown for nice day.

This is what needs to be close by any place that women like to shop

The Crew for the week

We all had a relaxing week at the Reef House, reading, talking, walking the beach, eating and drinking.  The first part of the week the winds blew strong and we weren't able to enjoy snorkeling and swimming, but by the end of the week, we were really enjoying the water.

On Thursday, Dec 8, the Sadler's and Barwick's departed and the Inscoe's and Bass's got on a sailboat for a few more days.

Pictures from the week are at https://picasaweb.google.com/103547083335306738471/BahamasDec2011#