Carol & Bernie

FINALLY we are back in the water, Cat's Cradle grows a few feet every year when it comes to cleaning her up and giving her a smooth bottom. As usual, we had more than our share of foul weather days while "on the hard" which makes for an even longer time. While here we have been able to meet up with a few friends, Joyce & Paul came to visit, JD came to his boat across the river at Regents Point so we boated over to see him on Alan & Patti's 15' whaler, and Rick & Chris sailed down and anchored near Yankee Point. When Joyce & Paul came she just about had heart failure at the thought of having to climb a ladder to get aboard. We assured her it wouldn't be necessary as we were going for a boat ride on the whaler to Patti & Alan's cabin for dinner. We had a great time and they really liked the cabin, but we did encounter a brief shower on the way over AND back while crossing the Corrotoman. Of course the sun was shining while we were indoors! Go figure. When we went to see JD we had a nice crossing both ways on the Rappahanock. We had great visit with JD, unfortunately Dale was not able to come along as she is near full term with the due date nearing. JD fixed us a wonderful dinner on his boat. Rick & Chris were on their sailing vacation and anchored just off Yankee Point where we met up and had cocktail hour on their boat "One With the Wind" and then went for dinner in Kilmarnock. Alan & Patti came up to their cabin just after we got Cats Cradle back in the water and we spent some time with them too. Alan & Bernie went to the so called "air show" at the airport in nearby Topping while Patti & Carol stayed at the cabin. JD was on a weekend pass since Dale's mother was in town, so Bernie & Alan went from the air show to visit him and invited to Carol's birthday dinner at the cabin. It is so wonderful to have spent time with so many good friends these past weeks. Special thanks to Alan & Patti for graciously letting us use their cabin, truck and whaler while we did our annual TLC to Cats Cradle. With a freshly painted bottom and waxed hull she is ready to head south again. Carol & Bernie

Carol & Bernie

We had a wonderful cruise down the bay to Yankee Point Marina off the Rappahanock River. We are on "the hard" which means we are hauled out for all you landlubbers, paying maintenance dues for our past year of cruising. We met up with "Fairways" in Chesapeake City and cruised with Patti & Alan for the next few weeks. Had a great time with them. We rafted at anchor frequently and our kids (cats) enjoyed having an extra boat to explore. Current plan is to not be too long on the hard and continue southward soon. Carol & Bernie