Mike and Beth's Adventures

Savanah Georgia Our 2500-mile eastward journey on Interstate 10 from near Los Angeles to Jacksonville Florida transitioned on this leg of our trip.  At Jacksonville we took a left turn and started travelling northward toward Chesapeake Bay. We chose the far southern route to avoid nasty weather, snow, and storm fronts that lingered in the mid-west.  Between Fairhope and Tallahassee, we did have one day of heavy rain, but it could have been much worse had we taken either Interstate 40 or 80. Florida Historic Capital Museum The stop in Tallahassee was short and decadent.  We opted for a Marriott with a gym and eating leftovers in our room.  Despite the rain, we were pleasantly surprised by the Tallahassee’s rolling hills.  Yes!  Hills in Florida!  We watched a movie on Amazon Prime, hit the sack and departed the next morning for Savanah Georgia.  I’m sure the town has much to offer.  We just didn’t have time to explore, and sadly, Ron DeSan...

'There she blows!" Beth bellowed in the middle of the Strait of Georgia.  This is time timeless call that signals the sighting of a whale.  "Where away" I hollered back.  "To port, windward side", was the response.  We slowed to idle and watched a small group of Humpback Whales swim past us, headed south.  Our encounter occurred during our passage from Silva Bay on Gabriola Island to Vancouver. Since 2004, the Humpback Whale population has grown in BC.  In 2004, only 42 individual whales were identified.  By 2019, the population had grown to 426,  and in 2023 the observed population had grown to nearly 800 ,a dramatic improvement.   The whales were commercially hunted from the 1800's until 1965 in the Pacific Northwest.  During this period of time it is estimated that 28,000 whales were harvested. Humpback spend from spring to fall feeding in the waters of the Pacific Northwest.  In the fall they migrate to their breeding groun...

The sea conditions as we departed Nanaimo to cross the Straits of Georgia. Our destination was Smugglers Cove. Beth indicates she is ready to skillfully skipper Amy Marie from Vancouver Island, across the Straits of Georgia, and back to the mainland. Prime Time is enjoying the flat seas as we cross the straits. Our first landfall was in Half Moon Bay, north of Sechelt B.C. Lighted Navaids are strategically placed to keep mariners out of trouble The entrance to Smugglers Cove was so well camouflaged that we initially sailed past it.  Once inside we each dropped a bow anchor and then ran lines to points where rings and chains were attached to the rock.  When in confined areas, this is a more secure method of anchoring as it restricts swinging in shifting winds and currents. Both Prime Time and Amy Marie launched dinghies to facilitate the process of stern tying. Each vessel carried a reel with 300' of yellow polypropylene line.   It is easy to see, and it floats on the...

Beth and the Waving Girl of Savannah April 3rd - 7th, 2022 We all arrive in new cities with preconceived thoughts about what the experience will be.   I certainly arrived in Savannah in this manner.   After spending four days in this charming city, I found it exceeded my expectations. Mike with Prohibition Era Model A Ford The first thing I noticed was the high level of pride residents felt toward their city.   This was seen in the effort that had been invested in restoring and maintaining buildings and homes.   Also new construction was accomplished in a manner which was consisted with city’s predominant the architectural themes.   The only exception was the Federal Buildings, clearly out of step with the city’s overall goal. The Savannah Cotton Exchange We did a food tour while in town. This gave us a chance to not only eat our way through Savannah.   In doing so it became clear you could not only find delicious and imaginative food, but also to see...