October 2005

10-1-05
(Sat), Anchorage, Cape May, NJ: 0600 - Up & breakfast. BP 30.05, Temp 70 F. Clear & Sunny. 0715 - Raise anchor and depart heading west on the Cape May Canal. Weal Sea leads since she has chart plotter chip of this region. ~0900 - Enter Delaware Bay and set course NNW (322 degrees M = magnetic) for the Miah Maull Shoal Light near the junction of the Delaware River & Delaware Bay (~ 15 nm NNW of the west end of the Cape May Canal). We will then follow the Delaware River (which is actually 2-4 nm wide) north to the Chesapeake & Delaware (C&D) Canal about 50 nm north from Cape May. (Note: George Washington crossed the Delaware River during the American Revolution somewhere along here... I'm not sure where). Paul believes we can make it all the way to Chesapeake City. I am not so certain since it is an additional 14 nm up the C&D canal. Winds out of S @ 5-15 knots. Nice sailing but only making about 5 kts.

1130 - winds have been dropping, water is smooth & we have turned on our engines. It is now apparent we cannot possibly make the entrance to C&D canal before 1800-1900 hr let alone Chesapeake City before 2100. We decide to head for & anchor in the Cohansey River on the E side of the Delaware River about 10 nm north of the Delaware River-Bay junction. Many of the sailors we've met along the way have used the river in the past and indicated its an excellent and very protected anchorage. 1545 hr - Arrive @ buoy off Cohansey River. It's entrance is about 25 yds across with a 6-7 ft low spot immediately at the entrance. Cool Change is ~1 nm behind so we hold station until they catch up. The entrance can be tricky. Weal leads the way. Immediately after entering the river its depth increases to ~30 ft. There are already 3 other boats at anchor at the first kink in the river 300 yds in from the Delaware. However, there is plenty of room. The river twist like a snake here and the shoreline consist of tall salt marsh grass. 1635 hr - Drop anchor (39.20.95 N, 75.21.43 W) letting out ~120 ft of chain-rope rode. Its getting dark. Dinner by candle light then hit the sac @ ~2100.

10-2-05
(Sun), Anchorage, mouth of Cohansey River, off Delaware River, NJ (39.20.96 N, 75.21.43 W): 0600 - Up & coffee. Sky clear, BP 31.00, Temp 65. Mist on the river but many boats are already making their way out of the Cohansey River into the Delaware River. 0715 - Raise anchor and depart. Paul's chart plotter's chip covers this region and the rest of the Chesapeake. However, Weal Sea leads. No wind and we motor the entire way up the Delaware River to the C&D Canal. We make 8 knots much of the way since the tide is coming in and is assisting us. There is a lot of freighter traffic here heading north up the river to Philadelphia.

0915 - enter the Chesapeake & Delaware (C^D) Canal. This canal, which is about 15 nm long, connects the Delaware River (Bay) & Chesapeake Bay. It is relatively straight in most place, about 100-200 yds wide, and averages 40 ft in depth. There are lights along the side and I understand you can navigate it at night (?). This is a busy canal with lots of powerboats. Some are doing 10 plus knots and throwing up a huge wake! Many, but NOT ALL, do not slow down when passing sailboats and smaller vessels causing them to bounce around... very inconsiderate.

1215 hr - Arrive Chesapeake City, Maryland (39.31.57 N, 75.48.46 W) on the C&D Canal. This is village size "city" with a small harbor (more like a pond! 20-30 acres?) on the south side of the canal about 12 nm west of the Delaware River entrance to the canal. The harbor was packed full of weekend powerboats and some sailboats. We found a spot at the east end and dropped anchor in about 10 ft water. Met Ben, a retired banker & his lady friend, Daniell, (s/v Octopus) from Quebec, Canada. He is recently retired and is headed for the Bahamas the first time. Also met Robert, a retired CPA with a thick French accent, & Michele, his wife (s/v Sunshine Express) from Quebec City, Quebec, Canada as well. They have been sailing to the Bahamas ~ 5 years and are headed south again. Sunshine Express, Cool Change & Weal Sea all decided to go ashore and eat outside at dock-side restaurant. Robert, Paul & I have fish & chips. Mary & Michele have crab cakes. Pat has her usual, steak WELL DONE! 1830 - return to our boats. Most of the weekend power boaters have pulled anchor and departed... all kinds of room now. Talked to Paul about Mary. She has not been feeling well and we are all concerned. She will probably see a doctor when we get to Annapolis. 2130 - hit the sac.

10-3-05 (M), Anchorage off C&D Canal, Chesapeake City, MD (39.31.57 N, 75. 48.46 W): 0730 hr - Up & breakfast. Clear & sunny, BP 31.00, Temp 60 F. 0900 - Pat, Michele (s/v Sunshine Express) & Paul get a ride to the grocery store from a fellow Paul met the previous day (Paul promised to bring him back 2 Cuban Cigars from the Bahamas!) Mary is staying on the boat; still not feeling well. 1100 hr - Pat & others return from grocery shopping. 1215 hr - weigh anchor and head for the fuel dock. (Sunshine Express & Octopus fueled up the previous day and left ahead of us.) The fuel dock is on the north bank of the C&D Canal immediately across from the entrance to the Chesapeake City harbor. Paul fueled up first while we held station in the canal with our bow facing eastward; The tide was going out toward the Chesapeake Bay and there was a 2-3 knot E to W current. (Took on 7.9 gal diesel, $23.22, Eg hr = 1642.44).

Motored east on C&D Canal ~3 nm to Chesapeake Bay. Good winds. Set genoa. (Note we rarely if ever use our Main sail. Almost everyone we met are using their head sail which is almost always a genoa. Occasionally will see a cruising spinnaker.) We (Octopus, Sunshine Express, Cool Change & Weal Sea) have all decided to head for the Sassafras River anchorage on the east side of the Chesapeake Bay about 20 nm SW of the west entrance to the C&D Canal. 1530 hr - approach mouth of Sassafras River and turn sharply to port sailing directly east. The river narrows about 2 nm in and veers SW around Ordinary Point. This region of the river is buoyed and you need to follow the Red-Green rule. We dropped our Genoa before the buoyed channel, turned on the motor and contacted Robert (s/v Sunshine Express) on VHF (channel 68). He and several other boats were already anchored on the river on the E side of Ordinary Pt. Robert told us we should be able to see him as we rounded Ordinary Pt. Sure enough there he was with Octopus, and 2 other Canadian sailboats: Wizzard & a Catamaran. (It seems we are sometimes out-numbered by our Canadian friends from the north on this trip!... however they GREAT PEOPLE! and we really enjoy their company.) The river is about 0.5 nm across at this point and has an excellent well-protected area to anchor along the north shore in 4 to 10 ft of water. Also, a great place to swim.... and all the guys took advantage of the chance to cool off. 1930 - Weal Sea invited the crews of Cool Change, Sunshine Express, Octopus & Wizzard over for coffee, sweets and other refreshments. Paul comes over but Mary is still under the weather and stay on Cool Change resting. 2130 - hit the sac.

10-4-05
(Tue), Anchorage, Sassafras River off Chesapeake Bay, MD: 0615 hr - Up & breakfast. Overcast, drizzle & mist. BP 30.95, Temp 65 F. O815 hr - weigh anchor and depart. Sunshire Express and the other boats are still at anchor. We exit the Sassafras River and enter the Chesapeake Bay.  Heavy overcast & considerable drizzle. Not a great day; everything is damp. Set genoa but only making 4 knots so we decide to turn on engine. Talked to Paul on VHF. Mary is still not feeling well and plans to see a doctor when we get to Annapolis. Otherwise it is an unremarkable cruise.

1500 hr - Arriv Annapolis harbor. Filled with sailboats anchored off City Dock right downtown next to the Naval Academy. Its VERY crowded.  All the municipal mooring balls are taken ($25 / day include showers but not the water taxi. That's extra). We make our way through the field of anchored boats to the drawbridge leading to SPA Creek which separates Annapolis on its north shore from East Port on its south shore. The bridge, which opens every 30 minutes, opened on schedule @ 1530 hr.  Speed here is limited to 6 mph. We proceed slowly about 0.5 mi up the "creek" (actually more like a narrow bay 200-400 yds wide) between the anchored boats & those on mooring balls.  There are several spots still available and we drop 2 anchors off the bow in about 20 ft of water.  We had been previously warned by other boaters and the harbormaster that the bottom here is muck and the holding is considered poor. Thus, using 2 anchors is advisable. The entire shore around the anchorage is lined by docks, condos and private residences.  The Annapolis side of Spa Creek is the historic part of the city.  Streets run right down to the water's edge and there is often a dinghy dock located here. Shortly after arriving, Arne and Bev dinghy by with Mary who is going into town to see a doctor.

1830 - Pat and I dinghy into town do a bit of exploring. There are numerous residences undergoing restoration along the side streets in this  expensive and exclusive part of Annapolis. The harbor at the bottom of Main Street has been completely taken over by vendors and sailboat companies. There must be between 100 and 200 boats tied to the docks and packed-in like sardines. The show opens just 2 days from now, on Thursday, Oct. 6. It runs through Monday, Oct. 10. We are also looking for the Post Office so we can pickup our mail which has been forwarded to us by Susan our daughter.  We stop a pair of Naval Cadets on the street and asked for directions to the Post Office. They tell us it is at the top of Main Street across from Church Circle near the Governors Residence and the State House.  This is only about 5 blocks up from the harbor. We locate the PO, as well as a laundry (for later use), then find a small restaurant where we have have coffee and tea.

2030 - dinghy back to the boat and hit the sac. We are tired and have a busy day planned for tomorrow. We discovered that Deirdra, Pat's sister-in-law in Ireland  was flying into the Washington, DC area with Clodagh her sister to visit their other sister, Dervala. They are planning to drive to Annapolis to visit us on the boat tomorrow.

10-5-05
(W), Spa Creek anchorage, Annapolis, MD: Up 0630 & breakfast. Sl cloudy, BP 30.90, Temp 70 F. Work around boat cleaning and getting things organized. 1130 - Deirdra telephones and says they will arriv at noon.  We give instructions and tell they to come to the dinghy dock at the bottom Shipwright St on Spa Creek. We explained that they could spot Weal Sea anchored about 50 yds off shore since she was flying the Irish Flag from the port spreader (this is the location you fly the national flag of the guest onboard your boat). 1205 - We spot Deirdra on shore and I dinghy over to pick up her, Clodagh and Dervala. Its warm and sunny, a beautiful day. We spend the afternoon on the boat and have tea and sweets in the cockpit. 1500 hr - We decide to dinghy into town and grab something to eat.  The ladies also want to look around and Pat needs to go to the Post Office to get our mail.  We eat at Phillip's Restaurant over looking the harbor which is filled with sailboats and vendors tents. What a sight. We all have sea food. I have crab cakes while Pat has Lobster!  Deirdra was kind enough to treat us... thanks Dee! 1730 - Deirdra, Clodagh and Dervala need to get back and depart. It was a lovely warm and sunny day and we really enjoyed their company. 2000 hr - telephoned friends and hit the sac about 2130 hr.
 

10-6-05
(Th), Anchorage, Spa Creek, Annapolis, MD: 0700 - Up & Breakfast. BP 30.80, Temp 70 F, heavy overcast sky with drizzle. Rain and drizzle all night. Dinghed over to see Paul.  Mary is not feeling well and Paul has managed to get a mooring ball (has been on an anchor since arriving). 1000 - Not really a very pleasant day but drizzle has let up.  Pat and I decide to dinghy ashore to do some laundry.  Pat's back continues to bother her and she has trouble walking long distances. 1230 - Finish laundry and dinghy back to  boat. 1300 - Receive telephone call from Chuck & Linda Reed. They are in town for the Boat Show and want to meet up some place in Annapolis. However, Pat is resting and not feeling up to another trip into town today. Because we had previously agreed to pick up Boat Show tickets from Chuck, I dinghed in meet him & Linda at a local restaurant for coffee. Had a great get together. They had visited with Pete Duerr (another member of Chicago Catalina Fleet 21) earlier in the day at his booth at the Show (he sells Tufted Toppers).  Also met John & Beverly Moss's (from Chicago) daughter at the restaurant.  Chuck & Linda had previously arranged to meet her there.   She is graduate of the Annapolis Naval Academy and is a member of their sailing team. The team is departing next week to participate in a sailing competition in Brazil. 1630 - Return to the boat. However, Pat & I would meet up with Chuck & Linda tomorrow (Friday) for lunch. Dinghy back to boat; dinner & hit the sac ~ 2330.

10-7-05
(Th), Anchorage, Spa Creek, Annapolis, MD: 0545 - Up & breakfast. BP 30.60, Temp 70 F. Heavy overcast sky again with drizzle. Rained all night. Boy, this weather is getting depressing. They say its related to the hurricanes in the Caribbean. We had planned to attend to Boat Show today. However,  Pat's back continues to bother her and she is not interested in attending in the drizzle. Told me to go ahead and check it out. She just wants to rest on the boat for now and will go into town in the afternoon to visit Chuck & Linda.

0900 - I dinghy ashore and wander the Boat Show.  There appears to be a fairly good turnout despite the rain and drizzle. I purchase 2 "donut" storage containers for our shore power cords, a set of duplex wireless headsets for Pat and I to use while anchoring, and a wind-up / capacitor flashlight.  Also found Pete Duerr's Tufted Toppers booth... great to see him. His brother David has flown in from Colorado to help him manage the boot for a few days. Madalyn, Pete's wife, is arriving tomorrow to help out. 1145 - Head back to boat to pick up Pat and return to shore to meet Chuck & Linda for a late lunch.

1330 - Meet Chuck & Linda at the restaurant.... had a great meal and chatted about our adventures. We plan to visit them on our return trip. 1600 - Return to Weal Sea. 1630 - Dinghy over to Cool Change.  Bad news... Mary is still not feeling well.  Has been to the doctor. He said she needs rest and has recommended that she not continue on the trip at this time. Its too late in the season to start back to Michigan. Thus, they have decided have Cool Change pulled out and stored on the Chesapeake Bay at Herrington Harbor North Marina about 17 nm south of Annapolis.  They will leave the boat there for the winter and return next spring to spend time sailing on the Chesapeake Bay before sailing back to Michigan. Depending on the weather, they plan to sail Cool Change to the marina Sunday or Monday. They have already scheduled to have her pulled out next Thursday (10-13-05). Pat and I are very disappointed but decided to continue on. We discussed the situation with Bev & Arne (Scandia). They were planning on heading south next Tuesday, assuming the weather improved. We will head out with them.

10-8-05
(Sat), Anchorage, Spa Creek, Annapolis, MD: 0645 - Up & Breakfast. BP 30.45, Temp 70. Overcast. Rain & heavy winds all night. Got up and put out a second anchor.  Weather is really awful... damp all the time.... sure hope it improves soon. Spent entire day on boat doing odd jobs.  2130 - hit the sac.
 

10-9-05
(Sun), Anchorage, Spa Creek, Annapolis, MD: 0730 - Up - BP 30.20, Temp 70 F. Pat is feeling very uncomfortable; She has both abdominal & back pains. We decide she needs to go to the hospital. 0800 - Dinghy ashore to Harbormaster's dock.  They telephone for a taxi to take us to the Ann Arundel Hospital emergency room. This is an excellent relatively new facility about 8 miles from the harbor. They are very efficient and immediately check her in (without even asking if we have insurance!). Pat had brought her medical records from her previous hospital visits with her.  They check them and then start a routine laboratory work-up. The CBC (Complete Blood Count) and blood chemistry reveal no infection. However, she does have a low Hb (hemoglobin) and HCT / PCV (Hemato- crit / Packed Cell Volume) which indicates an anemia. The doctors decide that her abdominal & back pain require a recheck for diverticulitis as well as tests to rule-out a gastric problem (barium series and scoping). In addition, they want to check her spine again (MRI). Pat will need to stay in the hospital at least overnight to allow them to run the tests and get back the interpretations. I spend the rest of the day at the hospital with Pat while they run barium series and scoping of the stomach and lower bowel. They will run MRI tomorrow. 0210 hr - I return to the boat anchored in Spa Creek.

10-10-05
(M), Spa Creek Anchorage, Annapolis, MD: 0600 - Up and quick breakfast. 0730 - Telephone Pat at hospital.  She had a good night and seems to feel a bit better. 0815 - ask if it would be possible to move Weal Sea to an "Emergency" mooring ball since I need to be at the hospital with Pat, possibly overnight. (Note: Because of poor holding in Spa Creek, the Harbor Master recommends that people not leave their boats anchored in the creek unattended for extended periods, especially overnight.) The Harbor Master is very helpful and tells me there are a few balls available. I head back to the boat and stop by to see Paul and update him on Pat's condition.  He also agrees to help me move Weal Sea to a mooring ball.

0930 - Move Weal Sea
to a mooring ball and head for the hospital. Spend rest of morning with Pat. Partial results of tests are back: There is no evidence of diverticulitis.  They are running the MRI in the afternoon to check her spine. Pat said there is nothing I can do at there hospital and suggests I go to back to the boat show to see Pete & Madalyn Duerr. 1300 - Take bus back to boat show and see Pete & Madalyn.  1530 - Return to hospital and wait for Pat to return from her MRI tests. 1600 - Pat returns. However, results will not be available until tomorrow morning so she will need to stay in the hospital another night. 1830 - return to boat.

10-11-05
(Tue),: 0530 - Up. Overcast, again.  0730 - Telephoned Pat.  She is feeling better. 0830 - Take dinghy to "Airworks" via taxi to have a leak repaired (scraped against a piling in Sandy Hook). 0945 - Go to hospital to see Pat. MRI results are back: They confirmed the presence of the previously diagnosed compression fracture of the body of one vertebrae as well as the presence a second compression fracture.  The doctors attributed these to P-M osteoperosis and feel that they are likely cause of her back pain.  A spinal specialist is called in and discusses Pat's options. He recommended a procedure to stabilize the fractures while they heal. This involves the injection of bone cement into the vertebral bodies via a small needle. This material is a polymer which sets up almost immediately; it is the same material used in knee & hip replacement surgery. Normally this is an outpatient procedure.  Pat decides she wants the procedure done. May be able to schedule the procedure as early a Thursday, if a surgery suite is available; will be know tomorrow. In the mean time, they decide to give Pat iron dextrane IV for her anemia. 1830 - Pat is discharged and we return to Weal Sea via a water taxi.

10-12-05
(W), Anchorage, Spa Creek, Annapolis, MD: 0730 - Up and breakfast. More rain! Pat rested well. Still a bit sore but feeling better. The spinal surgeon specialist's office (Dr. Alfonson Speciale -- that's his real name!) telephoned. They cannot arrange the procedure until next Monday, October 17. Pat says go for it! We telephone Paul & Mary who had sailed Cool Change south to Herrington Harbor yesterday for storage.  They are having the boat pulled tomorrow. Since Pat & I will be flying to Grenada (St. George's University) on the 21st for 2 weeks, we will need a place to store Weal Sea while we are gone. Paul said they have room at Herrington Harbor. We telephone and arrange to sail there this Friday. Excellent slip storage price - only $125/week! Telephoned Arne & Bev and updated them on Pat's condition and our plans. They are heading south since they have a committed to spend Thanksgiving with their daughter in Florida.  We agree to meet up with them sometime after we return from Grenada.

10-13-05
(Th), Anchorage, Spa Creek, Annapolis, MD: 0700 - Up and breakfast. Still raining! However, Pat is feeling better! Take water taxi to shore to do grocery shopping and pick up dinghy at Airworks. Spend rest of day on boat getting ready to depart Annapolis tomorrow. Telephoned Paul & Mary. Cool Change has been pulled out for storage and they have rented a car to head back to Michigan. We have also arranged to rent a car over the weekend at Herrington Harbor.


10-14-05
(F), Anchorage, Spa Creek, Annapolis, MD; 0630 - Up & Breakfast, BP 30.20, Temp 55, Slight overcast. Weather forecast says front moving in with clearing. Small craft warning further south near Norfolk. Winds out of N predicted to be 10-15 with gusts to 20 kt. Herrington Harbor North is 17 mile south. We decide to "go for it".

0730 - Depart. Good sail. Sky clears & 2-3 ft waves. 1045 - Arrive Herrington Harbor North (N 38.46.34, W 76.33.79). (Note - there is also a Herrington Harbor South which is mainly a resort facility). Herrington Harbor North is a huge operation! Resembles an "industrial park" with separate buildings for sail lofts, fiberglass repairs, engine repairs, etc. each operated by separate a company. It so big they even have their own "West Marine" store! Staff is very friendly & professional. The marina is located in "Tracy Landing" on Tracy's Creek. However, if you try to locate it on a map, its immediately adjacent to the samll town / village of Deale, MD. (We are about 20 miles south of Annapolis and 20 miles north of Prince Fedrick, MD by road.) Lots of fishing-crabber boats in the other marina's just up the road about 0.5 miles. We've arranged to leave Weal Sea here in a slip while we are in Grenada.  1200 - the rental car we ordered from Enterprise in Prince Fredrick arrives (they deliver). I drive the driver back to Prince Fredrick and return to Herrington Harbour North. Took car into explore Deale (up the road) to do a bit of shopping for groceries. Pat also located a hair dresser!. Spent rest of day cleaning up the boat. 2100 - hit the sac.

10-15-05
(Sat), Slip, Herrington Harbor North, Tracy's Landing / Deale, MD: 0730 - Up & Breakfast. BP 30.50, Temp 60, clear & sunny. Beautiful day. Many people working on their boats getting them ready to be be pulled out for the winter. Marina has already pulled a number of them. Pat & I spent much of morning drying out (after nearly 2 weeks of rain!) and cleaning up the boat. 1330 - Pat has made an appointment at hair dresser down the road about 0.5 mile in Deale, MD. She wanted to walk but her back is still sore and I drove her there in the rental car. I returned to the marina and checked out the West Marine store and also located "Cool Change" (Paul & Mary's boat) stored on the hard... looks fine. 1345 - returned to pick up Pat but she is still not done. Walked across the road to checked out the "Happy Harbor Restaurant" next to the harbor and fishing fleet on the docks.  Great quaint little restaurant-bar which specializes in sea food but also has steaks, etc. Very relaxed and casual atmosphere. Its been around for years and is frequented mainly by the locals and fishermen.  However, its reputation has spread and many people now come from miles around for crab cakes, crab legs, etc. Portions are large and the prices are very reasonable! Pat is suppose to come across the road after finishing up to lunch with me. I have coffee and French fries while waiting. Pat arrives about 15 minutes later and has a hamburger, fries, etc. We decide we will return this evening for dinner. 1500 - drive over the Tracy Creek bridge & down the road a 0.5 mile to Deale to pick up a few more items at the local stores and locate a laundry and hardware (need propane and some other items for Weal Sea). There is a laundry at Marina but Pat has some LARGE loads to do and needs several washers & driers. 1545 - Return to harbor and walk around exploring the facilities before going back to Weal Sea. 1830 - back to Happy Harbor Restaurant for dinner. Place is nearly filled with families and groups of locals. We have crab leg starters and steak. The crab legs are great... Pat & I could get hooked on these! I recommend you check out this restaurant if you visit the area.  2000 - return to boat and hit the sack.

10-16-05
(Sun), Slip, Herrington Harbor North, Tracy's Landing / Deale, MD: 0730 - Up and breakfast.  BP 30.50, Temp 65, clear and sunny. 1000 - drove to Prince Fredrick to do some shopping... looking for a large supper market, etc. I am also looking for a Wal Mart to purchase thin "Jerry Can" style containers for storing water, diesel and gasoline on deck during our trip to the Bahamas. No luck in Prince Fredrick and drive to Upper Marlboro and Bowie. Finally locate a Wal Mart with some green 6 gal. water storage containers... $7 each but they only have 2; I'd like 3. None of the stores have the "Jerry Can" style diesel or gasoline containers. May end up having to buy them at West Marine @ $25 each! 1700 - Return to boat. Deflate dinghy in preparation to drop off AGAIN at Airworks in Annapolis tomorrow when I take Pat into the hospital for her back procedure. The dinghy had another leak where I had scraped a piling and Airworks is scheduled into repair it while we are in Grenada. 2000 - Hit the sac. Pat has to be in Annapolis at 0900 tomorrow at the Sajak center for pre-surgical clinical pathology laboratory tests. (Note - the Sajak center is named for Pat Sajak of "Wheel-of-Fortune" fame who donated 3 million dollars for its construction... his wife is from Annapolis and they have a home there).

10-17-05
(M), Slip, Herrington Harbor North, Tracy's Landing } Deale, MD: 0630 - Up and breakfast. BP 30.40, Temp 60 F, Clear. 0715 - Drive to Sajak Center in Annapolis, MD for Pat pre-surgical check up - screening. All goes well. She is scheduled for her procedure at 1400 hr. at Ann Arundel Hospital right next door to the Sajak Center. However, still have time to run the dinghy over to Airworks and drop it off for repairs before Pat afternoon procedure. In addition, Pat wants to do quick some shopping at the Mall up the street for a few items for our trip to Grenada. 1300 - Return to hospital and Pat is admitted. 1500 - Dr. Speciale come out to see me in waiting room; Pat is in recovery room. He tells me the surgical procedure took about 45 minutes and went great! This is normally an out-patient procedure. However, because of the late hour, Dr. Speciale wants to keep her in the hospital overnight.  The hospital has pull-out beds in the rooms for a family members and tell me I can stay with Pat overnight in her room. They will discharge her tomorrow morning about 0830. I decide to stay rather than drive 20 miles back to the boat.

10-18-05
(Tue), Ann Arundel Hospital, Annapolis, MD; 0600 - Up. Clear & sunny. 0800 - Dr. Speciale, Pat's surgeon, stops by to see how she feels and examines her surgical site: two 0.5 cm incisions along the thracolumbar spinal with a single suture in each. He says they can be removed in about 10-14 days; we can do it ourselves since we will be in Grenada. He gives her additional instructions and wants to see her the day after we return from Grenada (11-8-05). 0830 - Pat is discharged and we drive back to Prince Fredrick to drop off the rental car. The car rental drives us back to the boat. 
Pat is a bit sore at the surgical site but is feeling much better. 2000 - hit the sack.

10-19-05
(W), Slip, Herrington Harbor North, Tracy's Landing / Deale, MD: 0830 - Up & breakfast. Clear and sunny.  Pat slept well and feels pretty good. 1030 - Pat has an appointment at the hair dresser and the Marina provides a driver for her. Cleaned up boat, did laundry and sorted a few things getting ready for trip to Grenada. Telephoned the Airport Shuttle to arrange a pick-up on Friday morning. [We need to be at BWI (Baltimore-Washington International Airport) at 0530 hr for our international flight check-in. Our plane leaves at 0730 and we need to be there 2 hr before departure.] 2100 - hit the sack.

10-20-05
(Th), Slip, Herrington Harbor North, Tracy's Landing / Deale, MD: 0645 - Up and breakfast. Check out the local West Marine. I have had no luck locating "Jerry Can" style gasoline & diesel storage containers. I may have to spend the $25 @ for the set of 4. I did find 2 Jerry Can style water storage containers at a Wal-Mart. 1300 -  Pack cloths, swim suits (!), computer, etc & get ready for trip to Grenada. 2000 - hit the sack... We need to be up at 0330.  The Airport Shuttle is picking us up at 0430. The drive to BWI is about 1 hr.

10-21-05
(F), Slip, Herrington Harbor North, Tracy's Landing / Deale, MD: 0300 - UP.. clear, Temp 55, bright moon. Gather luggage and took up to the marina office to wait for shuttle. I leave Pat at office and walk the 0.25 mile to the marina entrance to wait for the shuttle. 0430 - shuttle arrives exactly on time. We drive to the marina office, pick up Pat and the luggage and drive to BWI. 0530 - arrive BWI and check in... requires about 1 hr. 0730 - Plane departs on time. 1130 - Arrive San Juan, PR. Have 7 hr lay over to get flight to Grenada. We are both very tired... really did not sleep well last night and neither of us slept on the plane. Pat found a spot to sleep on the floor and cat-napped. 1830 - Plane departs for Grenada. It was a rough flight, bouncing, rain and lightning. 2130 - Arrive St. Georges Airport, Grenada. Temp 80 F.  Check-in through customs was very fast. We told them we were visiting faculty at the University and they essentially waved us on through the line. The University had sent a driver (Felix) to pick us up. Its a 15 minute drive from the airport to the University Club where we are staying. 2200 - Arrive University Club. They provide us with tea, coffee and sweets while we wait for our room. 2330 - HIT THE SACK! What a day!
 

Sunday, 10-23-05,
Spent yesterday (Saturday) recuperating from the trip, as well as getting together with the Pathology Course Coordinator (my first lectures are on Monday, 11-24-05) and check out the lecture facilities and audio-visual equipment (I use Power Point for my lectures).  Thus, today is really the first chance I've had to sit down and do some "serious"(?) writing.

Background: Grenada is a small oblong Caribbean island about 21x12 miles in size with a population of ~90,000 (smaller than Lafayette, IN).  St. George, which is the largest city on the Island, is located at its southern tip. It is very safe here. Although English is the official language, the natives speak very fast and have special expressions which make to difficult to understand them. However, when they talk to "foreigners", they speak slowly. The Island is located just east of Trinidad off the coast of South America.  The main export is nutmeg (the trees of which were severely damaged by hurricane Ivan 2 years ago).  However, the presence of the University has really helped the economy; about 40% of the islands income now comes from St. George's University associated people... mainly students.
 

St. George's University is a private university founded in 1977. Their headquarters are in New York. The 2 "main" professional schools are the School of Medicine (~ 2000 students) and the School of Veterinary Medicine (300-400 students, with plans to expand).  Although they do have some permanent faculty, many of the faculty are visiting professors (VP?s as they call them
here) who come from the Europe, England, Ireland, Canada, South African, USA and other countries.

Today (Sunday, 10-23-05): I've just finished breakfast and am writing this on the patio of the dining facility here at the University Club over looking Prickly Bay and all the anchored sailboats. Great WiFi connection here. Bright, sunny day, temp high 70 F with constant gentle breezes. Pat went back to the room to rest. (I am trying to get this note done so I can go for a swim and take one of the kayaks out on the bay to explore the shore line.... Isn't it terrible the things I have to do to keep busy down here in paradise?)

We are staying in a bungalow at the University Club in the L'ance Aux Espines section of the city over looking Prickly  Bay.... Gorgeous! The University purchased this facility several years ago. Previously it was a small Spanish /Caribbean  style resort. It has only 12 two-room bungalows (with cooking facilities,,, huh? WHO WANTS TO COOK when you have an English chef!) in 4 building (2 in 2 building and 4 in 2 others) as well as several small apartments above the main build... pretty classy. The main building also houses the offices and dinning room.  The dining room is the typical (Oh-hum) tropical / Caribbean open-style facility (no walls, glass window, or screen with breeze blowing through) and over looks the swimming pool and beach with swaying palm trees below about 50 yd away. We sit eating our meals (table cloth, silverware, and flowers) and gaze over the bay at the University campus about 1 mile across the water on True Blue Bay (separated from Prickly Bay by a small peninsula). There are numerous sailboats at anchor in Prickly Bay gently rolling in the swells off to our right near the L'ance Aux Espines section of the town of St. George.  I can imagine Weal Sea sitting out there anchored among them right now!

... Ooops... my mind in wandering.... what am I thinking about (Note: one of the other veterinarians here is from California and has a Hans Christian 38.  He saw me writing this E-mail and asked me if I could imagine Weal Sea sitting out there in the Bay.  He plans to sail his boat down in a couple of years). I've already been swimming several times; took a final dip just before bed last night by moonlight.  I usually swim out to a float about 20 yd off the beach and swim back again, take a fresh-water shower on the beach next to the pool, then hop into the pool to relax. The saltwater must be in the high 70s, really warm ... Hey... this is the living! 

The meals are unbelievable here.  The University imported an English chef (trained in France) who prepares them... We are being spoiled... meals with real table cloths, flowers, silverware and waiters in formal dress in the evening. In addition, I can't even pronounce the names of some of the items on the menus.  On top of that, keep in mind that the University covers everything (room & board - they own the place!) except bar tabs... Wow, what a deal.  They also paid for Pat's as well as my airline ticket and other expenses.  In addition, they pay me a salary! I can understand why they seem to have no trouble getting faculty to come here to lecture; many are retired.

Met Dr. Bhaiyat (Pathology Course Coordinator) & Dr. Sharma (Department head) yesterday.  They are permanent faculty here at St. George's University and accompanied the Grenada students to Purdue last fall following hurricane Ivan. That is where I initially met them and was asked to give lectures to the Grenadian students on the pathology of skin diseases. Dr. Bhaiyat gave Pat& me a short tour of the town and University yesterday and also took us to a shopping center.

I have my first lectures tomorrow. I usually lecture twice a day; 8:00 am and 1:00 p.m.  They will pick me up and deliver me right to the University. I am looking forward to getting started.

Did have one mix-up.  Forgot to bring my CD with my "pathology LABS" with me; left them on the boat.   However, I had given Dr. Hanika a copy of the labs and the tests I prepared. I will be contacting her hoping she can E-mail them to me here in Grenada.  I don't need them until later in the week. (I am also sending her a copy of this E-mail... Hi Chris).

Well, got to close for now... the saltwater and pool are beckoning me.  Want to take a dip before lunch... Humm ...wonder what chef has prepared for us for lunch?  There will be lots to choose from.... decisions, decisions, decisions.... Oh well, we can handle it.

10-26-05 (Wednesday),
St. George, Grenada: Gave my first lectures on Monday (10-24-05), one at 8:00 am (Term #3 students) and another at 1:00 pm (Term #4 students).  It went great.  The students were very attentive and asked some probing questions. I'll usually be giving 2 one-hour lectures per day (one in the morning and the other in the afternoon.  Occasionally I will have 2 one-hour lectures back-to-back. I have 2-hour Laboratories which are given on Thursday or Friday.)

Yesterday (Tuesday, 10-25-05) was a National Holiday, "Thanksgiving". There were no classes and all the businesses were closed. Despite the closed businesses, Pat and I took time to take the bus into town and explore. We saw a number of business building and homes without roofs as a result of hurricane Ivan. We had a few small showers which lasted 15 to 20 minutes; this is the end of the rainy season in Grenada.

By the way, the "Grenadian Thanksgiving" is NOT the same as ours. It is really a day that commemorates the "Intervention" of the US military 20 years previously to ?save? the Grenadians and rescue the US students at St. George's University during the attempted military coup. (Note: The University flies both the US and Grenadian flags side-by-side in front of the administration building). During the coup, Maurice Bishop, the very charismatic and popular prime minister of Grenada was killed by the revolting faction. Some Grenadians suspect a conspiracy and believe the US knew about the revolt and planned coup ahead of time and use the need to "rescue" the US students at St. George's University as an excuse to "invade" and install a government
more to their liking. (Maurice Bishop was not only very charismatic but also very independent-minded. Some say he had leftist leanings. In deed, he was in fact quite friendly with the Cubans and there were a number of them on the island when the US military landed.) These people prefer to refer to the "intervention" as an "invasion".  It seems most, however, agree it was a good thing.

10-27-05 (Wed.) - 10-28-05 (Fri.), St. George, Grenada:
Completed first week of classes. At the request of Dr. Bhaiyat, I spent part of Friday afternoon reviewing about 30 tumor and skin biopsies Dr. Bhaiyat and his graduate student had received during the past several months. Dr. Bhaiyat and Dr. Sharma also
asked me to serve on their graduate student's committee (he is doing a Masters on disease of the skin of Grenadian dogs).

10-29-05 (Sat), St. George, Grenada: Saturday -
Relaxed at University Club. Swam and did a bit of reading. Dr. Hugh Larkin, clinical pathologist and a permanent faculty member originally from University College of Dublin School of veterinary Medicine, invited Pat and I to his home for late afternoon tea.  His wife, "Pats" is a nurse. She spends several months with Hugh in Grenada and returns to Dublin where she still works. Pat was really hit it off with "Pats" and they had a great talk. Pat told her about the airport security in BWI confiscating her mini scissor which we were going to use to remove her stitches. Pats came through and took them out for her,,,, N/C!  The "afternoon" with Hugh and Pats was great and we didn't get back to the University Club until 9:30 pm.

10-30-05 (Sun.), St. George, Grenada:
The University had arranged to have a tour guide give Pat and me an auto-tour of the island. We circumnavigated the entire island. Spent an hour in St. George city where the driver gave us a brief history of Grenada including the "bit" relayed above concerning the "intervention" and "assassination" / "murder" of Maurice Bishop (one of the driver's heroes). Visited the Concord Falls in the Grand Etang Forest Reserve and a small nutmeg processing facility. We then had lunch near Carib's Leap at the north end of the island.

Returning south we drove through a rain forest which is just starting to recover from the damage created by hurricane Ivan.  Many of the trees were still leaning over all in the same direction similar to what one sees in wheat fields on a windy day. We also passed numerous nutmeg trees along the roads of the interior of the island which have still not recovered.  The driver-guide told us it will be 10 years before nutmeg production is back to normal. Also visited a "crater lake" park.  I had not realized that Grenada had an active volcano eons ago.  However, I do recall that the sand along one of the beaches on the west side of the island near St. George was black, presumably of volcanic origin.

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