Happy Independence Day! We are land lubbing at Carol's Mom's home in Landisville, PA for at least a month. We had a great trip from Isle of Palm, SC which included a great deal of sailing and/or motor sailing off- shore from Winyah Bay, SC to Beaufort, NC. The only ICW portion was from Cape Fear to Murrells Inlet, and the only reason for that was to avoid dealing with Frying Pan Shoals. Some of the best weather conditions we've had in a long time! We even hit 13 knots when entering Cape Fear (with the help of a max flood current!) In Beaufort, we met up with some friends we hadn't seen in years while looking for a place to anchor and wound up rafting with them instead. What a surprise! We then proceeded up the ICW en route to Portsmouth, VA. The smoke from the wild fires in NC was terrible on the Pungo-Alligator canal, ash was even raining on use and visibility less than 1/4 mile in spots. Once we got past the Alligator River bridge, prime weather conditions returned and sails were once again flying all the way to Elizabeth City. From there it was a beautiful voyage up the Dismal Swamp canal to Portsmouth. Then the temperature got stinking hot and the genset was laboring when we ran the A/C so we checked into a marina for a few days until the temp went down. We had a good time visiting friends, and while in Portsmouth, the Great Dismal Swamp also had a wild fire start up and the south winds brought it up so we decided to leave. Onward to the Corrotoman River off the Rappahanock on the Chesapeake Bay. We spent a week anchored near Patti & Alan's cottage while Bernie put a fresh paint job on the bottom of their Boston Whaler. We then continued on with stops in Solomons Island, Annapolis, Rock Hall, then to Middle River. While moored in Annapolis we met up with another friend, Annette, who with here hubby, Peter, were closing on the purchase of an IP45 and selling their HC 38. On to Rock Hall where we anchored in Swan Creek, and were pleasantly surprised by Carol's cousin when he, his wife & sister-in-law arrived, they were on a week long vacation on the upper bay. We were pleasantly surprised by some fairly decent sailing weather coming up the bay. Cats Cradle is currently docked in Dark Head Creek where we monthly rented a car to visit family. Bernie will be heading to Alexandria, VA for two weeks to do the closing of the first BOAT US store.