D Vernon Goodfellow
We are about 4 hrs away from the strait between Grand Manan and N.B.
Trying to get in before the tide switches. Don't think we will make it.
It does not really matter because we will be held up waiting for slack to go thru Reversing Fallls. Hope to tie up around 4:30 am.
I feel I must thank at least a few of the people who made this adventure possible.
The adventure:
364 days since we left the Chatham Wharf.
Over 15000 nautical miles sailed
32 countries visited
26 others did significant sailing with us
13 mountains climbed. Quite a few with Anne.
1 scooter sent skidding across the road in front of the traffic with Anne and I skidding behind. Road rash!
First, deep appreciation to all who shared this adventure with me. It was not always the best, all the time. It is a sometimes a threatening environment and the closeness does wear on a person over extended time.
For those who did experience some fright, I do apologize. Certainly, not my intent. Perhaps more cautions in advance would have helped.
On the otherhand, it was mostly wonderful, fabulous fun.
Endless Love lived up to her name. Romances fluorished and friendships formed everywhere we went.
Too many people to thank to mention by name but certainly a few.
Spencer: For all his help getting ready and his steady hand during the nearly 6 months he was on board.
Anthony: What a perfect crew member from Canaries to Granada. A very impressive young man.
Brother Frank: Part of the home port crew. Always there with advice and time to track down needed parts. His arrival on board on the way home was timely. Daughters: How lucky to be blessed with such wonderful people.
Janet and baby Simon: Janet is one of those wonderful mums. Always a joy. Simon is too charming.
Amy Lynn: Flew all the way from Alberta to the Canaries to join EL. What a thoughtful and capable addition to the crew. Cute swimming mid ocean tethered to EL.
Anne: Flew in twice from Australia to join. She was involved from the get go in planning, in encouraging and in supporting me as we planned this year.
Too bad she still picks on her Dad. I was not the only person in that Idiot Party pic. She picked one wonderful man for her future hubby. Chris. He can climb mountains!
Donna: This was not Donna's first choice for an activity. Nor was it even vaguely close to her idea of a place to put our savings. As I have been known to say. It is only money. She has not complained. Imagine!
She has solidly been supporting me for these two years, twice coming to join me. What fun we had. Wonderful memories of evenings sitting in the cockpit watching the last of another beautiful day. (We were always anchored on the western or lee side of the Caribbean islands.)
I have to go on watch.
Even though I hope to sell her in the next few weeks, may the spirit of Endless Love live on.
As we say on VHF
This is Endless Love Out
It was not only a pleasure to have brother Frank join me but it turns out rather a necessity.
Weather has been windy, rainy and unpredictable. I would have lost days waiting for better weather before venturing out on my own.
With his help, we had some great sails and some heavy weather motoring.
Just this morning, we hit rain and 25 N of wind on the nose. Stopped again until it passed. 2 hrs. tacking back and forth.
New York city was a thrill. Down past the Statue of Liberty, the buildings replacing the twin towers (World Trade Center) then into the East River flowing at 5 + N, so add the boat speed of 6, we were doing over 11 at times. Slow- except on a sailboat.
What a view of the city! Pure magic on a beautiful spring morning.
Showed the boat to a fellow who is really interested in purchasing ELT at the City Island Marina In NY. Then on for another 40NM. Full day.
Skipped past Boston today and into Gloucester this pm. Frank is off in the morning. His son, John, has joined for the run to N.B.
Wonderful Italian meal tonight. Beautifully prepared fish and scollops!
John does not have enough time to make the run into the Miramichi so we will take ELT into St. John until we have time to regroup.
Showing the boat to another potential buyer in the morning before taking off North. He will be here at 7:30.
3 days to St. John.
While loving the thrill of all this, I am looking forward to a rest!!
Not to mention, how eager I am to be home with Donna. Oh yes, and the cats.
A year of living on a sailboat nears an end....sad and happy. Mostly happy. It is time.
My last weblog will attempt to thank the many many people who made all this possible.
Wonderful memories!
I see a hill!!
First one since entering US waters early April.
12 NM from New York City.
Darn Anne got a pic of my haircut?
Wonder where I will see that next.
Should be solo.
Brother Frank joined me in Atlantic City. His son John will be joining in Boston.
We visited the Golden Nugget Casino. We were tied up right in front.
Had a meal and watched all the folks losing money.
What a unbelievable amount of money flows through those places.
Even with Mike's coaching, I am not ready for blackjack yet.
Need more practice so I can lose my money slowly. (Won't get much from me.)
Will reach the entrance to New York Harbour tonight.
It is 17 degrees but I am finding it cold.
My poor system has been spoiled by too much tropical weather.
Miramich River may never see this old frame again. I like it hot!
Granada again, maybe, on a boat, maybe not.
Soon be home. I can see Donna`s smile of welcome relief from here.
V
Today, I walked close to two miles to buy groceries before heading out.
I was told the area I was walking to "was rough but maybe I would be ok in the daylight".
As you might expect, the neighbourhood was almost totally inhabited by african americans or whatever the politically correct term is these days.
In my travels, I saw a barbershop. Now my hair was particularly longish and unruly, so I went in.
I watched as the barber ever so carefully sculpted the tight black tight curls of his current customer.
When it was my turn he asked how I wanted my hair cut. I told him just to shorten it some but not too much.
I could tell he was having some difficulty handling my straight white fine hair.
In any case when he finished and I got a look, I realize he had cut my hair in the same style as his previous customer.
Not much left.
Slopes down to little to none over the forehead and it is perfectly balanced left and right.
No discrimination in this barbershop.
He thought I looked "much better".
It is possible, he is right, depends on your point of view.
It should grow back out again in time for the wedding.
High seas tomorrow.
I will wear my hat to keep the top of my head from being sunburned.
Oh yes, I piloted EL into a restricted military area today. There were no signs.... A little siren, a tie up to a military police boat, a very polite and respectful conversation with a couple of Navy guys... Donna they have your phone number if they wish to follow up.
More than a chuckle a day.
V
I have had three days of running solo to get here.
The last day was a really picturesque and enjoyable run though barges use this part of the ICW. Not a lot of room but no problems.
I am eager to see rocks and hills. Nary a one since Miami. Global warming predictions better not be right because South Eastern US will disappear.
What low country!
Showed ELT to a prospective buyer yesterday.
No go. Liked the boat but would have to change engine and inverter to get her back into Norway.
Donna gave me 4 hrs warning they were coming. What a scramble as I had the forward locker torn apart trying to find a wayward leak.
Found it, fixed it, put locker back together, cleaned up,... Not perfect but not bad.
Doing repairs today and tomorrow in preparation for showing in New York and Boston on the way home.
Heading offshore if the weather gives me a break.
Home soon.
Upper Kent and Point Aux Carr will be welcome.
Hope Alton and Eric have the perennial manure pile ready for our garden.
V
The ICW is no breeze.
I am now at the N Carolina Virginia border.
Simon, what a charmer, and Janet, charmer too, left me early Friday morning.
We had some good experiences including the last day when our forcasted 10 knots, so we went outside, turned into 25 or so.
Fortunately, it was from behind but too much for the sail. Janet and I had our thrills getting the main down.
Very!! rolly.
I have been solo for the past two days on the ICW. There are two open bays about 12 NM across that I cross on the way up. The first had about 20N of wind and took me 3 hrs to cross. I got caught in a squall 25 N this afternoon that stopped my forward progress for nearly an hour. Of course, on the nose again. Full power and I was stopped dead. Tacked back and forth until the squall passed.
Perched on the side of the waterway tonight. I was running out of steam and daylight. Had to park somewhere.
Looking for a peaceful day tomorrow.
V
Teaching me respect for the weather on this coast.
Consistently, the roughest I have encountered.
Two 12 hr days in a row.
I am within striking distance of Chesapeake tomorrow.
We woke up to near freezing temperatures this morning - yikes! Simon wore his snowsuit and we were wearing most of our warmer clothes, and we weren't even offshore. This is the coldest weather Dad's seen since last May.
We had a fast ride from Little River, SC to Wrightsville, NC reaching 8.8 knots at one point. The currents and the winds were finally working with us and we were anchored, with a beer in-hand, by 4pm. A first.
The ICW has been an interesting trip up the coast. The numerous inlets and outlets to the Atlantic, the wide sounds, large and small rivers and marshes means that the scenery is always changing. Unfortunately, so is the channel as the currents fill it in and the dredging equipment cleans it back out again. A huge task! It also means that maps and charts aren't always very accurate and we've been briefly "shoaled" twice. TowBoatUS boats patrol the trickier portions of the ICW watching for customers - $400! if you need to be towed. Lots of focus required - right, Vern?
Special thanks to Sandra at Coquina Marina (Myrtle Beach) for looking after us. It was greatly appreciated!
Tomorrow we're headed for Beaufort, NC where Simon and I will leave the boat for home. I'm glad I had a couple of weeks on EL2 and have loved travelling through such a beautiful part of North America. Simon and "Grampie" will miss each other. For anyone who's ever wondered what Dad was like as a baby, I may have the answer...
Janet
Always something to plague a fellow.
My beautiful intake pump job worked perfectly for about an hour then started to leak again. The man with 40 yrs experience who I paid 60 $ to take off the old bearings and seal and install new ones did not emery the shaft. I would have but what do I know.
I took the pump apart again this morning and called a repair person. It looked like it was going to take days again so I got some emery paper and made sure the shaft was smooth, then I modified the seal a little so more rubber seal was on the shaft. Put it back together and it has been working perfectly. Will buy a spare to have on the boat.
We had a hard days sailing yesterday. Went off shore on a weather forecast but the wind stayed dead on our nose all day. Took us 12 hours of motoring and bouncing to make 40.
Came up the waterway today because this section is straight. Great day. Motor sailed all day - very relaxing. Made over 40 and we did not get off until after 11. Lots of wildlife.
Most of this section is not developed but beautiful. Janet and I loved the nature tour. Simon seemed to enjoy as well especially sticking his head out and getting it wet when it rained.
Go figure.
We spent the day on Monday out coastal cruising in very light air. We made it into the Wilmington River heading into Savannah 72 NM. What a lovely part of the world.
As we were coming up the river in the dark, against the current (the usual), Janet had to go below and feed Simon.
I headed over to the left bank of the river to see if I could get into a marina. Current was fast and the opening was small and the space inside was narrow. No thanks.
As I turned out I saw this apparition rising over the river bank and heading down the river. There was a row of flashing red lights over a wide row of bright bright white lights.
Finally as this got ever closer it became apparent this was a helicopter sweeping the river.
I moved back out into the river and then swung back in to the left bank behind the marker and proceeded to anchor when another starnge sight came into view heading down river. There were lights on the water and there were lights 20 ft or more over the water.
Janet came up and thought it was a submarine.... So help me...
Turns out it was a boat attached to a helocopter and people were rapelling onto the boat.
Good thing our mast was not still in the middle of the river.
Next morning we went into Thunderbolt Marina and tied up as we had a leaking water pump.
Took it apart.
Seal and bearing gone.
Marina fees, hired car, parts shipped on from two locations, fees to take the old bearing off and press on the new ones.
400 + : Donna: Not to worry about the cost of a dress. About the same as two small bearings and a tiny seal.
Anchored in the Savannah River tonight.
Jack- You are right. Much better offshore.
If subs and pigs could fly.
Strange world.
Wed: Had a second good days sailing on the opean ocean in light winds. The only thing of interest were two big sea turtles getting it on. I thought that must be a rich tactile experience. What do I know, because they did not stop for my sailboat 10 ft away.
Thus: Winds up and on the nose so I went into the ICW. Very lovely but very tiring. Have to stay on the wheel to avoid hitting low spots or whatever. After anchoring, EL waited until after dark to twist the anchor line around the keel. Big tidal flow. Had to call for help on the VHF to retrieve my anchor line after I tied a bumper to it and released it. I then came back around and picked it up. Little rest that night.
F: 2nd day on ICW. Made it into Morningside Marina at the mouth of the St. John's river. A little tuckered.
Sa. Daughter Janet and Simon (7mo) flew in . I finally got to report into Customs again. They were not amused nor accepting of any excuses. Said they would fine me if I moved again and did not report in.
Worked on fixing a fuel leak in the selenoid on the bottom of the high pressure fuel pump. Went everywhere but the thread is atypical so had to improvise.
Was helped by everyone. Wonderful people who could not do enough to help. That is the other typical American.
Su. Paid up and headed up the waterway.
Good day even if we did run aground slightly. Very difficult spot. We were moving slowly so easily backed out. Janet is a great help with the navigation even when feeding Simon.
In the middle of nowhere tonight but went into a lodge and after 4 calls, reported in.
N.B. is getting closer. Not quickly.
Great run yesterday.
110 NM from Lake Worth Inlet to Cape Canaveral Port. Left at 430 and got tied up at 930.
Very fast sailing. Lots of wildlife. Big silver fish jumping, dolphins encircling a school of fish... Lots of chomping. Yum! Turtles..
Wind unexpectedly came up and got me outside the port at dark.
Long way in.
I tried to raise some help on the radio. Only got someone on the waterway which is not connected to the port. Surprise
Then I tried to hail down a couple of small boats. The first just laughed at me the second ignored.
I worked my way into the back of the port and found a small marina.
Phew, the boats were lit. One man was on his deck. Trawler type pleasure boat. I called to him. He quickly disappeared as did his wife. They were having nothing to do with me. They never showed again. How they got their lights turned out without me seeing them I don't know.
By this time my boat had drifted close to an open section on the fuel dock.
I manuvered it in close. No lines or bumpers. I grabbed a dock line and headed over the side but was startled to realize EL was moving.. breeze or currents.
I tripped on something and flipped over the life line and by some split second gyration kept myself from hitting the water between EL and the dock which she was moving towards. I smucked onto the dock. Knee, groin, elbo and ankle all complaining. EL scrunches into the padded dock, I craul over and put the shore line loop over a cleat on EL. Then I secure it to a cleat on the dock.
Gave myself a few minutes to decide my complains are a long way from serious.
Finished tying up EL.
Good nights sleep.
Off at 530 this am.
Sailers are so helpful. Must be the exhaust fumes.
V
Great days sailing. 65 NM
Wind and tide against me this am but both with me in the pm.
Motored in to Lake Worth Inlet against a 4 knot tide flow along with scores of other boats and ships. Wasn't smooth.
Tried to anchor in the first available spot but it was too shallow. Shades of the Napan River. At least when it fetched up on the bottom I knew what to do.
Am now further in around the corner with lots of other cruisers who are anchored. They are travelling the ICW. Inter coastal waterway.
Took my dingy ashore. Tied up at an old dock and tried to make my way up to the street. An old abandoned house on the lot and fences all around. I found a spot and climbed over to be met by a man who demanded to know what I was doing. " You could be arrested you know". His two dogs did not like me either. I pretended he wasn't being an ah and asked him for directions to groceries. Which he grudgenly gave to me. He cautioned me it was a rough neighbourhood.
The cashiers in the grocery store were inside plexiglass and steel bar cages so he might have been right.
Did not seem much like home.
The waterway is lined with mansions and yachts. Big ones. But, the community behind is not prosperous nor progressive!
Missing Anne and Donna of course. Anne was always a step ahead with the chart plotter which kept me out of trouble. It is hard to read the chart plotter, navigate traffic and helm into the setting sun. I think Donna would have loved the day and the anchorage. Maybe not so much getting in.
No traffic moving on the waterway at night.
Hoping to make it to Jacksonville to meet Janet and Simon on Saturday.
We will travel the waterway when she is on board. I feel safer out on the open ocean when I am by myself.
Still not dull.
V
OOPS, after I posted that last post, Dad reminded me that I hadn't added the part about him catching a BEAUTIFUL tuna (just before we entered the shallow basin - a lot of fish hang out there) which according to him may well have been one of the tastiest fish he's ever had. It was pretty darn good, I made a fish coconut curry with one half of it and then we had fried tuna and capers. Dad had a tuna sandwich Thurs morning for breakfast to finish it. It was delicious! Probably about 5lbs but never had fish so fresh. A
 Saturday April 07, 2012 @ 02:39 PM GMT+00:00
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| In Miami, a lot has happened |
Lat:26.3968° Lon:-78.8738°
Wind: NE 19.0 kt | Temp:73° | 
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Sailing through another one of those shallow basins between Nassau &Binimis &for the first time, we were shallower than what our GPS said we should be = PROBLEM! We were in shallow water &getting a little nervous-sails down, motor on, speed decreased. We never touched (and likely didn't come that close b/c Dad says he intentionally allows a buffer depth) but there were some "intense" moments. Then we had to come through this small "cut" between the reefs and islands, in pitch black, a small, deep channel to follow & lots of current running. It's not an easy task at all, luckily Dad is an excellent helmsmen. This is not to mention the (idiot?) person who anchored their sailboat in the middle of the channel adding to the chaos.
From there, an easy 48nm to Miami, & into a marina who charged $4 per foot - yes, VERY $$ but good enough for two sailors who'd had no sleep. We moved EL2 the next morning to a beautiful free anchorage across the bay where we are now. Then we rented a car and drove the 3hrs to Naples to golf with Uncle Frank & Aunt Mary = not pretty but great fun!
Got back last night after dark to a dilemma, we had been dropped off on shore by a neighbour's tender (so ours wouldn't get stolen while away in Naples overnight) and we had no way out to EL2 - eventually a lovely couple who were celebrating their 22nd anniversary gave us a lift on their motorboat (I'm not sure if we looked so tired that they took pity on us). AND now this morning I'm getting organised to get to the airport to return to Melbourne. What a great trip, a little sad that EL2 may be sold by the next time I'm home, but glad to have covered another 1100miles in a great yacht! Thanks Dad!
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