Finally Going Cruising

[crazycarl]

Chris and I had planned to sail the Keys for 6 weeks this winter, but a surgery, 6 week recovery, and a funeral delayed the trip to April 17th. A date we judged too late. So, he will be trailering his Suncat to my house where we will start our voyage. As of now we are thinking of heading out of Oriental to Hubucken where we will spend the night on a creek off the Pamlico River. From there we will sail on to Washington and utilize the free docks. Once we're asked to leave we'll head to Bath and cause enough trouble they'll think Edward Teach has returned. After they run us out, we head up the Alligator River and on to Elizabeth City where we will once again take advantage of the free docks. When they have had enough of us, and if they hadn't called ahead, we'll try our luck in Kitty Hawk. At this point we will surely need to sneak into Manteo under the cover of darkness. After ditching our disguises, we'll need to hide in a less populated area like Ocracoke, the Outer Banks, Lookout Lighthouse, and the uninhabited Shackleford Banks until the "heat" cools off. With luck we'll visit Fort Macon, where no doubt one of us will end up in a cell, Beaufort, and then up Adams Creek and home.

Without many places to seek refuge along the banks, our itinerary may change due to weather and time restraints, but so far this is the plan. I will try to post our progress, or lack of, for everyone to criticize and leave suggestions after we make those embarrassing mistakes. (i may even capture some of them on the go-pro)

If we stop in your town along our route, don't be put off by our rickety boats, lack of sailing prowess, strange dress, unshaven faces, or fermented breath. Buy us a beer and we'll consider you our friends. We may even allow you to be in a photo with us! What more could one ask for?

[passagesfromtheheart]

Wow, that sounds like quite the adventure, crazycarl! Are you taking your 19? Your Orion? Or are you sailing with Chris aboard his Sun Cat? Please keep us posted and share pics, too!

[crazycarl]

Wow, that sounds like quite the adventure, crazycarl! Are you taking your 19? Your Orion? Or are you sailing with Chris aboard his Sun Cat? Please keep us posted and share pics, too!

Chris will be sailing his Suncat and I my 19.

Began picking up stores for the trip today. Nothing I dread more than meal planning. If I had my way I'd eat cereal everyday, but the wife says I need to eat better so I'll be grilling some burgers and brats, them vacuum sealing them and deep freezing them. When I want one, I place the bag in a pot of water, and bring it to a boil for about 10 minutes. They taste as if they just came off the grill. I also made some sausage gravy for biscuits. I'll try the same with the biscuits, but it will be the 1st time so I'll see. I have a friend with chickens. I'll bring unwashed eggs so I don't need to keep them cold. Another way to keep eggs fresh, dunk them in boiling water for 10 seconds. This seals the inside of the shell by solidifying the film.
Granola, nuts, dried fruit, and water will be in the cockpit with me while under way. Powdered milk, coffee, tea, beer, and rum are on the list. Pork & beans, tuna, clam chowder, hash, ramen noodles, a chunk of cheese and potato soup are staples on my boat. Can't sail anywhere without fresh oranges and apples. Maybe I'll grab some plums and red grapes too. Green and yellow beans, baby potatoes along with corn are about the only veggies I eat. Those little singles of cinnamon applesauce pack nice. Yogurts will be on top in the cooler and eaten first. Ice cream will be sought out in every town we visit. I'll be drinking mainly water, except for the anchor beers. Have to have a beer every time the hook is set.

I've been reading up on the towns along our proposed route and there are some interesting places I'd like to see. A lot of history here. 

[Christopher]

Hey Carl thanks for the food ideas!  I'm just thinking about updating one of my prior "to bring" lists.  I know a lesson I learned from the Fl120 is don't over-pack.  It seemed like I was always moving something out of the way when trying to find something.  I didn't seem to have that problem up at the North Channel?  I'm not sure why.