July 15, 2013--- Fast Signs of Norfolk came out to our dock to place the name that we commissioned on our new boat. Little glitch in the application, but nothing that can't be remedied. As dictated by Poseidon or King Neptune, a naming ceremony was performed. All items with the former name of "Monk's Vineyard" are removed and Catalina is christened.
Relaxing at anchor
Deep Creek off the ICW
Chesapeake, Virginia
Looking down on Catalina (blue bimini) from rooftop at Hampton Marina
July 4, 2013--- Rendezvous weekend with the Williamsburg, Colonial Power Squadron and our Virginia Beach Squadron at Hampton Marina in Hampton, Virginia. Lovely one hour journey up to Hampton with no difficulties. Hot, but nice on the water. Stayed two nights in the marina. Nice walk into town for a lunch at Venture, recommended by our dock-neighbors, Marc and Ray.
Scott relaxing at Hampton Marina
(actually studying boat manuals)
The first night, everyone pitched in for a potluck on the dock. Good way to meet some of our squadron members and people from the Williamsburg contingent too. We enjoyed some friends that we already knew--Joyce and Wolfgang and Monika and Joe. Monika brought along her 80 year old mother, Renata, who loves to tell stories and has lots of them! Another of our power squadron members, Jamie and Jennifer Switzer, invited everyone aboard their 56 foot Hatteras for cocktails on our last evening. Very impressive vessel, great living quarters, decorated to the nines. Jamie and Jennifer are live-aboards. Jennifer is a personal chef (which comes in handy for super quality of life while living aboard) and Jamie is an engineer who does his own repairs and upgrades. He has invested lots of time and energy into making his vessel a great place to live and travel. They plan to even take her to the Mediterranean to cruise.
Chrissy and John joined us for the voyage up to Hampton but couldn't stay. John has limited visiting time at home due to being stationed in California and spending most of his time onboard the Coast Guard Cutter Waesche, on the Coast Guard's newest ships.
Only one incident--Catalina got her first boo-boo while docked in Hampton. Just before we left the dock, another boat came into the slip and caught their railing on our bow, due to high winds making for a difficult docking situation. Scott and the other boat's captain traded contact information and we made for home with no further ado. No loss of life or limb, not a show-stopper.
Had a great ride home, good weather. Scott docked Catalina stern first on first attempt. Sweet success!
July 20,2013--- Partners in Command class taken at Vinings Marina. After classes from 9am to 3pm, last minute decision made to cruise south to Deep Creek (approx. 8 miles) and anchor overnight for our first anchoring expedition. Very hot weekend. Winds 10 knots. While transitting south on the Elizabeth River, met head-on, a commercial vessel traveling in the opposite direction. Huge 400 foot cargo ship, taking up the entire channel. The vessel's master radio'd a message to "south-bound pleasure craft". Scott and I both looked at each other and said "is he hailing us?" As we were the only craft around, we deduced that indeed he meant us. The only option for us was to turn around and go the other direction. When we cruised over to the side of the channel to let him pass, we were hailed by 2 Navy security boats guarding the Navy boatyard waterfront. They advised us to get into the channel, but we found that difficult with the behemoth taking the lion's share of the passage. Got past that situation, made it to Deep Creek-- a lovely protected anchorage off the ICW. Successfully anchored, spent the rest of the evening swimming in the 90 degree water, although it was quite brackish. My suit turned tea-colored. We were surrounded by lots of small pleasure craft until night-time, then total seclusion. The little guys went home for the night. Dinner was egg salad sandwiches with fresh tomatoes. That was the quickest thing for me to make up and grab on our way out that afternoon. Joyce and Wolfgang joined us and we had our first rafting up experience. Lots of fun. They only stayed for a brief swim and a quick cocktail. We celebrated Wolfgang's new job, then they were off.
Our friends Joyce and Wolfgang
in their C-Dory
Did some motoring with the dinghy, Cathleen getting some practice. Lovely Sunday morning, all alone, swimming. Uneventful cruise home, successful initial attempt docking. Exhausted.
May 13, 2013---Scott arrived home from work with a mischievous grin (Knew something was up); He said, "You're not going to believe it---the Monk 36 (previously Integrity) is for sale" That was it. He was so excited and all engines were "go" for this. He had been planning and dreaming for over 10 years for this moment, which we had thought would be at retirement time. We are still a couple years from retirement, but the moment seems very right.
John Milner and Scott on survey day
May 18, 2013---Traveled to Annapolis, Md. to view the boat. It is sitting in a beautiful private harbor in the backyard of the broker, John Kaiser. John took us out for a brief, lovely stroll around his part of the Chesapeake Bay. Perfect. Put an offer on the boat. While we were driving to Scott's parents place in DC for a quick overnight visit, we got the phone call saying that our offer was accepted.
Scheduled a survey for next Wednesday, May 22. That will be our next trip up with the surveyor.
Begin telling family that we may be getting our boat, finally.
Thinking about lots of boat names. Tried several such as GypSea and others; The finalists were: Joy, Orion, and Catalina. Catalina won out. When talking with Anne, our daughter, she reminded us that it was she who put out that name as a possibility some time ago. As we searched our memory banks, we realized that she had planted that ideal name, from a endearing nickname that Scott would sometimes use for me, Cathy. It has a musical ring to it, and of course, I am honored to have our longed-for yacht/second home named after me.
After so many years planning and dreaming, we both keep saying, "We are not worthy". haha
It is so exceptional to find that dreams really can and do come true--especially if one puts in the time and energy necessary.
June 3, 2013---Purchased vessel from Gerry and Linda Etzold in Crownsville, Maryland. The to-be-named Catalina, had formerly been named "4 CEES", then "Integrity" by Bill and Ruth Donovan, and then "Monk's Vineyard" by Gerry and Linda. Our motor vessel has completed the Great Loop twice and wintered in the Bahamas once by the time that we purchased her.
June 16, 2003--- We depart Little Round Bay in Crownsville, Md. on a hot 85 degree day. This is our first voyage. Just the two of us heading south to Norfolk to deliver "Catalina" to her new home/berth. We make 50 miles in about 7 hours to get to Spring Cove Marina in Solomons, Md. Easy bow first docking. Nice dip in the pool. We take free bikes from the marina into town for a nice dinner. We had attended Trawlerfest here in 2007 and never guessed that we would return six years later in our own yacht!
June 17, 2013--- Up early at 0630 to depart Soloman's for Kilmarnock about 51 miles south. We pumped out and filled up with fuel. Diesel was $3.48/gallon. We bought 115 gallons for $400. That should last awhile. Winds are forecast to be 10 knots from the south with seas 1-2 feet. Near lunchtime we pass the mouth of the Potomac which is about 8 miles wide. Winds are 15 with 3 footers on the bow throwing spray up to the flybridge. The boat handles fabulously! And as a bonus, neither of us get seasick!
Crossing the mouth of the Potomac
I think we might just pull off doing the Great Loop one day as hoped for. We arrive at the Chesapeake Boat Basin up Indian Creek. The weather is beautiful. The marina is small and we are the only ones around. The dock master checks us in and offers us the use of the marina minivan to drive the 2 miles to Kilmarnock for dinner. Found a nice gift shop and bought my favorite pillow for the salon--"Sandy Toes, Salty Kisses", embroidered on the front. We went to Annie's pizza for a take out salad and pizza which we take back to the boat to dine alfresco on the top deck. After that, a moonlight swim under a full moon--gorgeous!
Catalina's salon
June 18, 2013--- Our final delivery day. We depart early to complete the 55 miles to Norfolk. We have been blessed with warm, pleasant weather again--85 degrees with 10 knot winds from the south. We are gaining confidence with every day, every passage. We will need it when we come into our home dock. We plan to dock stern in at our boat slip in Freemason Condo Marina in Norfolk. We arrive around 2 pm. Our neighbor, fellow Monk 36 owner and retired Navy Admiral Jake Tobin, in on hand to catch our lines. It takes two attempts, amid lots of anxiety, to line up the boat using the bow thruster, but we successfully moor stern first as planned. Our new boat is home in Norfolk. The adventure begins.
