Thursday, September 22, 2011

Google Map of the Trip from Solomons to Savannah

Over the course of Whispering Jesse's sailing trip from Solomons to Savannah, I sent out fifteen SPOT messages to give people on my email list and readers of this blog an idea of where we were and let them know that we were safe. Now I have put them together into a Google Map that shows the entire trip. Click the map image to the left to see the full-size version.

You might notice that the trip appears to end in Charleston instead of in Savannah. We encountered some terrible weather and huge seas on Friday, September 16, starting at about 5:30 AM, and we decided it was best to cut the trip short. The SPOT off the coast from Charleston was to let people who were following the weather know that we were OK and give them the idea that we were heading in to Charleston. The final SPOT is from the next day, at City Marina, where Whispering Jesse will be slipped until we can return next month to finish the trip to Savannah.

Check back for more details about the trip in upcoming posts.

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Check-in/OK message from Whispering Jesse SPOT Messenger - 09/17/2011 09:38:11 EDT

Whispering Jesse
Latitude:32.77676
Longitude:-79.95038
GPS location Date/Time:09/17/2011 09:38:11 EDT

Message:This is the crew of Whispering Jesse checking in. All is well. Click the Google Maps link to see where we are.

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/5_CRG/32.77676N/79.95038W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=32.77676,-79.95038&ll=32.77676,-79.95038&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

Whispering Jesse

You have received this message because Whispering Jesse has added you to their SPOT contact list.

Every day is an Adventure. Share Yours.
http://www.findmespot.com

Friday, September 16, 2011

Check-in/OK message from Whispering Jesse SPOT Messenger - 09/16/2011 09:19:03 EDT

Whispering Jesse
Latitude:32.63605
Longitude:-79.20432
GPS location Date/Time:09/16/2011 09:19:03 EDT

Message:This is the crew of Whispering Jesse checking in. All is well. Click the Google Maps link to see where we are.

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/5-cMh/32.63605N/79.20432W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=32.63605,-79.20432&ll=32.63605,-79.20432&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

Whispering Jesse

You have received this message because Whispering Jesse has added you to their SPOT contact list.

Every day is an Adventure. Share Yours.
http://www.findmespot.com

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Check-in/OK message from Whispering Jesse SPOT Messenger - 09/15/2011 20:25:11 EDT

Whispering Jesse
Latitude:33.23375
Longitude:-78.69977
GPS location Date/Time:09/15/2011 20:25:11 EDT

Message:This is the crew of Whispering Jesse checking in. All is well. Click the Google Maps link to see where we are.

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/5-Nqf/33.23375N/78.69977W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=33.23375,-78.69977&ll=33.23375,-78.69977&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

Whispering Jesse

You have received this message because Whispering Jesse has added you to their SPOT contact list.

Every day is an Adventure. Share Yours.
http://www.findmespot.com

Check-in/OK message from Whispering Jesse SPOT Messenger - 09/15/2011 07:20:09 EDT

Whispering Jesse
Latitude:33.78738
Longitude:-77.5267
GPS location Date/Time:09/15/2011 07:20:09 EDT

Message:This is the crew of Whispering Jesse checking in. All is well. Click the Google Maps link to see where we are.

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/5z-Ec/33.78738N/77.5267W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=33.78738,-77.5267&ll=33.78738,-77.5267&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

Whispering Jesse

You have received this message because Whispering Jesse has added you to their SPOT contact list.

Every day is an Adventure. Share Yours.
http://www.findmespot.com

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Check-in/OK message from Whispering Jesse SPOT Messenger - 09/14/2011 16:46:27 EDT

Whispering Jesse
Latitude:34.64853
Longitude:-76.73019
GPS location Date/Time:09/14/2011 16:46:27 EDT

Message:This is the crew of Whispering Jesse checking in. All is well. Click the Google Maps link to see where we are.

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/5zhXZ/34.64853N/76.73019W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=34.64853,-76.73019&ll=34.64853,-76.73019&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

Whispering Jesse

You have received this message because Whispering Jesse has added you to their SPOT contact list.

Every day is an Adventure. Share Yours.
http://www.findmespot.com

Check-in/OK message from Whispering Jesse SPOT Messenger - 09/14/2011 13:23:59 EDT

Whispering Jesse
Latitude:34.80564
Longitude:-76.68488
GPS location Date/Time:09/14/2011 13:23:59 EDT

Message:This is the crew of Whispering Jesse checking in. All is well. Click the Google Maps link to see where we are.

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/5zZsf/34.80564N/76.68488W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=34.80564,-76.68488&ll=34.80564,-76.68488&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

Whispering Jesse

You have received this message because Whispering Jesse has added you to their SPOT contact list.

Every day is an Adventure. Share Yours.
http://www.findmespot.com

Check-in/OK message from Whispering Jesse SPOT Messenger - 09/14/2011 05:56:40 EDT

Whispering Jesse
Latitude:35.24487
Longitude:-76.5914
GPS location Date/Time:09/14/2011 05:56:40 EDT

Message:This is the crew of Whispering Jesse checking in. All is well. Click the Google Maps link to see where we are.

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/5zNYq/35.24487N/76.5914W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=35.24487,-76.5914&ll=35.24487,-76.5914&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

Whispering Jesse

You have received this message because Whispering Jesse has added you to their SPOT contact list.

Every day is an Adventure. Share Yours.
http://www.findmespot.com

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Check-in/OK message from Whispering Jesse SPOT Messenger - 09/13/2011 14:33:11 EDT

Whispering Jesse
Latitude:35.52255
Longitude:-76.577
GPS location Date/Time:09/13/2011 14:33:11 EDT

Message:This is the crew of Whispering Jesse checking in. All is well. Click the Google Maps link to see where we are.

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/5z0L5/35.52255N/76.577W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=35.52255,-76.577&ll=35.52255,-76.577&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

Whispering Jesse

You have received this message because Whispering Jesse has added you to their SPOT contact list.

Every day is an Adventure. Share Yours.
http://www.findmespot.com

Monday, September 12, 2011

Check-in/OK message from Whispering Jesse SPOT Messenger - 09/12/2011 18:09:28 EDT

Whispering Jesse
Latitude:35.90555
Longitude:-76.02869
GPS location Date/Time:09/12/2011 18:09:28 EDT

Message:This is the crew of Whispering Jesse checking in. All is well. Click the Google Maps link to see where we are.

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/5ya23/35.90555N/76.02869W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=35.90555,-76.02869&ll=35.90555,-76.02869&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

Whispering Jesse

You have received this message because Whispering Jesse has added you to their SPOT contact list.

Every day is an Adventure. Share Yours.
http://www.findmespot.com

Check-in/OK message from Whispering Jesse SPOT Messenger - 09/12/2011 08:52:41 EDT

Whispering Jesse
Latitude:36.61044
Longitude:-76.05319
GPS location Date/Time:09/12/2011 08:52:41 EDT

Message:This is the crew of Whispering Jesse checking in. All is well. Click the Google Maps link to see where we are.

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/5yHei/36.61044N/76.05319W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=36.61044,-76.05319&ll=36.61044,-76.05319&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

Whispering Jesse

You have received this message because Whispering Jesse has added you to their SPOT contact list.

Every day is an Adventure. Share Yours.
http://www.findmespot.com

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Check-in/OK message from Whispering Jesse SPOT Messenger - 09/11/2011 17:17:39 EDT

Whispering Jesse
Latitude:36.72388
Longitude:-76.18741
GPS location Date/Time:09/11/2011 17:17:39 EDT

Message:This is the crew of Whispering Jesse checking in. All is well. Click the Google Maps link to see where we are.

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/5x-os/36.72388N/76.18741W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=36.72388,-76.18741&ll=36.72388,-76.18741&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

Whispering Jesse

You have received this message because Whispering Jesse has added you to their SPOT contact list.

Every day is an Adventure. Share Yours.
http://www.findmespot.com

Check-in/OK message from Whispering Jesse SPOT Messenger - 09/11/2011 09:13:42 EDT

Whispering Jesse
Latitude:36.84395
Longitude:-76.29269
GPS location Date/Time:09/11/2011 09:13:42 EDT

Message:This is the crew of Whispering Jesse checking in. All is well. Click the Google Maps link to see where we are.

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/5xiQq/36.84395N/76.29269W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=36.84395,-76.29269&ll=36.84395,-76.29269&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

Whispering Jesse

You have received this message because Whispering Jesse has added you to their SPOT contact list.

Every day is an Adventure. Share Yours.
http://www.findmespot.com

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Check-in/OK message from Whispering Jesse SPOT Messenger - 09/10/2011 21:02:04 EDT

Whispering Jesse
Latitude:37.62304
Longitude:-76.16904
GPS location Date/Time:09/10/2011 21:02:04 EDT

Message:This is the crew of Whispering Jesse checking in. All is well. Click the Google Maps link to see where we are.

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/5xUzA/37.62304N/76.16904W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=37.62304,-76.16904&ll=37.62304,-76.16904&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

Whispering Jesse

You have received this message because Whispering Jesse has added you to their SPOT contact list.

Every day is an Adventure. Share Yours.
http://www.findmespot.com

Check-in/OK message from Whispering Jesse SPOT Messenger - 09/10/2011 13:00:58 EDT

Whispering Jesse
Latitude:38.28648
Longitude:-76.33246
GPS location Date/Time:09/10/2011 13:00:58 EDT

Message:This is the crew of Whispering Jesse checking in. All is well. Click the Google Maps link to see where we are.

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/5xC2z/38.28648N/76.33246W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=38.28648,-76.33246&ll=38.28648,-76.33246&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

Whispering Jesse

You have received this message because Whispering Jesse has added you to their SPOT contact list.

Every day is an Adventure. Share Yours.
http://www.findmespot.com

Check-in/OK message from Whispering Jesse SPOT Messenger - 09/10/2011 07:34:05 EDT

Whispering Jesse
Latitude:38.33403
Longitude:-76.4624
GPS location Date/Time:09/10/2011 07:34:05 EDT

Message:This is the crew of Whispering Jesse checking in. All is well. Click the Google Maps link to see where we are.

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/5x0rJ/38.33403N/76.4624W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=38.33403,-76.4624&ll=38.33403,-76.4624&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

Whispering Jesse

You have received this message because Whispering Jesse has added you to their SPOT contact list.

Every day is an Adventure. Share Yours.
http://www.findmespot.com

Friday, September 9, 2011

Almost ready to go

Don and Chas working on last-minute details for Whispering Jesse's trip to Savannah
Mike and I have been out in Solomons now for almost a week, taking care of a million details to get the boat ready for our trip down to Savannah. On Wednesday, I picked up Kurt, with the original idea of departing on Thursday, which was yesterday. But we are still here, partly because of the final boat work being done by the Spring Cove Boatyard people but mostly because of the weather, which has sucked. The tail-end of Tropical Storm Lee has been lingering here for the last five days, alternating between light sprinkles and tremendous thunderstorms.

Today is the final day for work on the boat. Don, the boatyard manager, and Chas, his mechanic, are installing some hatch hardware and fine tuning the standing rigging. We were able to get the sails rigged yesterday during a lull in the rain, so we're pretty close to being ready to go.

I wrote the first two paragraphs of this post earlier today. Since then, we have completed a sea trial with Chas, just out into the mouth of the Patuxent River, where it meets up with Chesapeake Bay, to run the new engine through its paces and calibrate the autopilot. Chas also gave us an engine maintenance orientation and showed us how the pump-out for the waste system works.

Now it looks as though we will be ready to set sail at around ten o'clock tomorrow, Saturday. On Don's advice, we will be sailing through the day and overnight to Norfolk, skipping our earlier planned stop in Deltaville. This will help us make up for one of the days we are behind schedule. I hope to meet my old friend Keith and his wife Patti for breakfast there before we push on for the ICW.

Friday, September 2, 2011

Good night, Irene!

Whispering Jesse survived Hurricane Irene without damage. The eye of the storm passed within fifty miles of Spring Cove Marina, with high winds and plenty of rain, but the storm surge rose only to the level of the piers. Two trees were blown down, and one damaged a truck, but according to Lindsay at the marina, who I called on Sunday morning, there was no other damage. Of course, now Hurricane Katia is looming out in the Atlantic gathering strength for a push westward and northward, hopefully more northward than westward so it doesn't interfere with our upcoming sailing trip from Solomons, Maryland to Savannah, Georgia.

I spoke with Steve from Creative Canvas today about the final work he is doing on the dodger and bimini. He said he had been over at the boat and had taken some photos with his camera phone to give me an idea of how everything was coming together. They are a little blurry, but I think they give a more complete picture of the boat than the launching and mast stepping photos I posted earlier:

Steve's photos are meant to show how the dodger, bimini and other canvas are looking. Here is a view of the nearly finished bimini--there will be a mesh sunshade off the back--and the dodger's frame. Note the nice canvas covers over the port hatches. Also, the boom, which was not installed in the earlier photos, is in place now.

A view of the dodger frame from the cockpit, with ropes holding it in place to give an idea of how it will be positioned when the canvas is in place. Note all the new running rigging and the new traveler.

A view of the cabin top and decks looking aft, with Steve's canvas hatch covers in place. Note the new standing rigging, the new chainplates, the new whisker pole on the mast, and the new lifelines.

A view further aft showing the view slot between the dodger and the bimini. Steve has it designed for easy viewing over the dodger while standing and through the dodger's windshield while sitting.

Crewmember Mike and I fly out on Saturday, and Kurt flies out next Wednesday. There is still a long list of things that need to be done and items that need to be bought before we are ready to set sail on Thursday, September 8. I'm hoping we can find time for a quick sea trial. Don, the boatyard manager, emailed me this afternoon that he and Chas are going to take the boat out tomorrow to test the new engine. The sails are not back yet from Quantum Sails or I'm sure they would be testing those as well.