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Great Loop Cruise Video

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by NYCAP123, Aug 1, 2013.

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  1. Twashburn

    Twashburn New Member

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    Cap, You picked the perfect day to round the Point. You are in an area of some of the worst weather and water conditions we have ever encountered on the Bay! A following sea with a out going tide can build up to 6' of very rough chop. Have a great trip up the Potomac.
  2. ombreetsoleil

    ombreetsoleil Senior Member

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    Nice red shirt your wearing today.
  3. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    To me there are two aspects of what you're doing that I find incredibly appealing. The first is just the time on the water. When I'm out on water... lake, river or ocean...I feel a sense of relaxation, escape and peace unlike anywhere else.

    Second, it's exploring new territory. There always will be more to explore. Even in areas we've been, but especially those we haven't yet. We've been accumulating a list of places we dream of exploring and things we want to see and it's far from comprehensive, but it's something we enjoy thinking about. And I guess we're addicted as you are, but traveling on land or plane just doesn't have an appeal to us. Yes, there are less expensive and faster ways to do it, but none of them make the journey as pleasant. In no other travel do we enjoy the trip there. I'm sure many get similar feelings in other means of travel. I understand those who fly from place to place. I understand those who have nice motorhomes and tour the country in them. But it's not for us. Give me the water.
  4. Tatasboat

    Tatasboat New Member

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    you change into a blue tank top
    :p
  5. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    I've heard about the Potomac entrance, so I took it wide around the point. We had strong winds from the southeast, but the tide was inbound. I felt it necessary to remind the owner that it won't always be like this. Whole first leg, and it looks like the whole 2nd leg are just as good as it gets. 90* here today and sunny. Better lucky than good.

    That's a Coinjock shirt, one of many. Always try to pick one up for myself, the wife or the owner when I make the run. Tradition.

    Didn't change the shirt unless I also grew some tata's.:D Our hair's about the same length though, but I've got a better mustache.

    On the way down to the Solomons I saw my first dolphin of the trip, and later a school of them. Today my first pelicans. Mass schools of bait fish with some serious feeding frenzies going on all down the Ches.

    Tomorrow heading into D.C.
  6. lovinlifenc

    lovinlifenc Member

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    Continue up the St Mary's River and see the site of the first landing in MD at Church Point, and the first settlement in MD, as well as a replica of the Dove. If you continue further up river you'll see Glen Mary Farm, the former home of Lord Baltimore, which was my childhood playground. I am heading up there tomorrow from NC.
  7. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Might check Church Pt. on the way back down river next month, but we're a little pressed for time tomorrow. Much further up the river and this old Hat could become a tourist attraction though.:rolleyes:
    Thanks for the heads up.
  8. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I see someone smoking a cigarette on the bow as we speak.....in a light blue t-shirt......hehehe....must be the ole cappy.......
  9. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Must be. ETA at our slip in D.C. about 1730. Another calm, clear day, a liittle over 90*.:D:D

    Nothing quite like almost getting shot to wake you up. I went to the galley to grab a hot dog when I heard "Northbound motoryacht near buoy 27, this is the Navy. You're in our range and we're about to go hot". Anybody think they don't need to listen to their VHF when they cruise?:eek:
  10. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Just came under the Woodrow Wilson Mem. bridge in Alexandria and can see the Washington Monument 5 miles ahead. Kind of gives a bit of a thrill.
  11. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    It's funny, I lived 6 hours from Washington and didn't drive there or really have the desire. Last time I was there was 20 years ago to walk a passport and an Australia Visa through. Yet, I get a thrill imagining your approach today and very much have the desire to go there by water and then to visit the sites such as the Smithsonian that I could have just driven to see. The Potomac just holds a special intrigue. Sounds like you're having a great adventure.
  12. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    D.C. is a great place to visit. There are tons of different Smithsonians that are free and right next to each other. Arlington National Cemetary, all of the different monuments. It's all of the people that work in DC that are the problem....hehehehe
  13. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    The people thing is all over. My wife works for a pet supply company. She often wears a T- Shirt that reads " I love dogs....People not so much", and she means it. :)

    Unfortunately time and my rebuilt foot will keep me from seeing a lot of the sights (you could spend a month on the Smithsonian alone from what I hear), but I'm thinking of taking a segway tour. Wonder what kind of damage I can do on one of those.:D Just seeing the Capital dome and the Washington monument in person as we came up the river was a thrill though.
  14. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Just borrow a wheelchair or a hovaround and they'll let you through the front of the line!!!! hehehe
  15. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    I've got my cane and parking permit.:D
  16. JWY

    JWY Senior Member

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    All you need is an early bird special and you would be a Floridian :D
  17. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Going Dark

    Well, today will be the end of leg 2. This afternoon we'll move Valhalla down river a short ways to a better marina where we can lay her up for about 3 weeks, and disconnect the bow camera (You'd be amazed what Verizon charges for that). I'll post here when we go live again as we move further south in October. Hope you've enjoyed the trip so far.
  18. K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    HI,

    I wouldn't. Not sure how it works in the US but when travelling out of ones home country one normally gets shafted by roaming changes and punishing data rates.

    The worst have had is £1500 for a week back in 2004 when using my phone to access the net and I had to send a spec and contract back and forth a number of times.
  19. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Leg 3 begins Saturday morning. Cruising down the Potomac to Pt. Lookout, next day down the Chesapeake to Norfolk. That's where it'll get very interesting for those who have never cruised the ICW. Over the next 10 days or so we'll be cruising down to Beaufort, N.C. (When I do transports, Norfolk to Beaufort is generally done in one day. This will be much more enjoyable.)
    The Bow camera will be on from 0800 to 1900 EST at:
    Valhalla Does The Loop
    and of course you can follow our AIS track on Marine Traffic: Live Ships Map - AIS - Vessel Traffic and Positions.
    Enjoy.
  20. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    How could you possibly even do that trip in 10 days? Take the normal route, then go back to where you came from on the dismal swamp route then back down the normal route, then up Albermarle sound? LOL.....I guess you could spend a day looking at all the classic boats in their sheds.....and a few days with JW eating his prime rib at Coinjock and watching everyone else cruise by........

    Make sure you stop in oriental.....lololol it's another interesting one horse town......