October 31

 HAPPY HALLOWEEN......we traveled 85 miles today on Albemarle Sound, the Alligator River and the Pungo River Canal.     It was warm and sunny and we are now in Belhaven, NC.    Nice little town (unfortunately, some of the  shops closed at 2 PM --- too bad they didn't know I was coming)!!!    We had another awesome seafood dinner (lots of shrimp tonight along with clam chowder and corn muffins) at Georgie's, a favorite of the locals.

October 30

Hello from Coinjock, NC (gotta love this little town with a name like that)!!!   Nice sunny day for traveling from Norfolk (50 miles) and now on the intracoastal waterway.    Oh so many boats (lots of catamarans) from all over the country are making the trip south.  We arrived in Coinjock around 1:00 and enjoyed a great lunch at the marina restaurant which is quite famous as folks come from miles around.   We just can't get enough crab and today we had crab bisque, crab salad and crabcake sandwich - all excellent!

Passed by these big navy ships as we left Norfolk this morning

Just a few of the 19 boats that traveled with us - we went under 13 bridges 

and thru one lock

October 29

We left Tangier Island at 8:30 today and cruised tn misty rain to Norfolk, home of the world's largest naval base.   We are at Waterside Marina tonight and had an excellent dinner at "456 Fish" and visit with Katherine who lives in Virginia Beach and came onboard Catrina.    Her parents, Paul and Kathy are good friends from back home and it was so good to see her!    Katherine and Ryan were good boating buddies from their very early years - lots of fun times together and we had a good evening of reminiscing...

Katherine on Catrina

October 28

Hello from Tangier Island, Virgina.   We had a good first day on Catrina cruising the Chesapeake and dodging many crab pots.   Although the day started out cloudy and rainy and then turned to thick pea soup (I do NOT like boating in fog), the afternoon was lovely with sunny blue skies and 71 degrees.

We met a nice couple from Connecticut who are cruising to the Bahamas.    There are 4 seafood restaurants on this tiny island but 3 are already closed for the season.    We had carry-out (fresh shrimp and crab) from Lorraine's Seafood Sandwich Shop and oh my..............deeeeelish!   Hoping to get my fill of fresh seafood this week!!!

Here are a few pics from today...

US Naval Academy as we were leaving Annapolis this morning

State capital building and many, many sailboats all around harbor

One of many huge freighters we saw today

October 27

After 2 beautiful days, today was very wet!!!    We really lucked out unloading all our stuff yesterday with  many trips back and forth from truck to boat in the sunshine!   Today would not have been fun with all the rain!   But we are pretty well settled and enjoyed some browsing and strolling around Annapolis this afternoon.    A wonderful city with soo much charm and history and neat old red brick buildings!

We had delicious crab cakes for lunch at another favorite "Davis' Pub"  and then spent a bundle at Target.   Drove in more rain to Baltimore and picked up Philip and had a really good Mexican dinner at Los Portales.    Just hanging out on Catrina tonight and Philip plans to leave early in the morning to drive our truck to New Bern, NC where we'll pick up and drive on home after this first leg of the journey.    We can't go any further south tll after November 15th cause of hurricane season (insurance).   So, rest of the trip will come after Thanksgiving.

Great crab cakes here

Philip on Catrina

Really appreciate his delivery of the truck for us - these kids sure come in handy!!!

October 26

Hello from Annapolis, Maryland - sailing capital of the world!    We arrived here this morning around 10 and took our power catamaran to the Bert Jabin Yacht Yard and then the unloading from truck to boat began!    Sooo much stuff, but I'm thrilled with the new "Catrina" and all the wonderful features and storage.    Just back from a wonderful dinner at a favorite Annapolis restaurant..."The Chart House" and ready to call it a day.    Tomorrow, lots more to stash away before we meet Philip in Baltimore!

Catrina

October 25

The Nomads are back "on the road".  We started out this morning at 7 AM in drizzle heading to Annapolis.   The skies cleared and it was a spectacular sunshiny day with glorious fall color.   We traveled from IL to IN, OH, WV, PA and MD.   Tonight we are in Clear Spring, MD with about 2 hours to Catrina, our new power catamaran.  Here are some of the pretty views we enjoyed along the way...

Earlier this week, we had Chinese for dinner and Mark's fortune cookie read:

"You deserve to discover new frontiers - it's time to travel"!!!!

And, so we are....

October 23

Rain, rain, so much rain....we've had over 3.5" since yesterday afternoon and it's still coming down!   But, we've been getting lots done inside packing for our trip to Annapolis and adventures on the new Catrina heading south for the winter.

Last night we had a really nice dinner/visit with friends, Don and Cathy and talked about RV's, Alaska, grandbabies, etc.    Today, Mark and I visited my Dad and then Liam and Connor came to Trick or Treat us and we all went out for dinner.....

Liam (Star Wars) & Connor the Clown

October 17

A beautiful fall Sunday with sunshine and pretty autumn colors.   Connor and I went to visit Grandpa Pete and had a nice time....he was quite a good little traveler and took a nap going and coming back.   We stopped for a few groceries and then had supper at Connor's house and he could tell about his day!

Mark comes home tomorrow!!!

Connor and Grandpa Pete - Connor is wearing Grandpa's Christmas suspenders cause that's who he wants to be for Halloween...............Grandpa Pete!!!

October 17

Mark and Davis were up at 4:30 AM and off to the airport for flight to NC.    So, Davis is back home and Mark is enjoying a visit with Michael, Brooke, Drew and Brady and will return home on Monday.   What a FUN week we had with Davis!!!

Ahhhhhh, the sun is shining!    I went with Anne, the boys and Mary (Patrick's Mom) to the 1st Annual St. Mary's chili cook-off.    What a fun family event with a huge crowd.   Patrick sang and played the piano.   The boys enjoyed the games, chili was great and a good time was had by all...

Liam sliding down the inflatable tunnel

Patrick singing an Elton John tune

Connor playing golf

October 15-16

Took the train to Chicago.   Mark and Davis did their thing for the day and I was with my friends, Kathy and Claire for 2 days of "Girl Fun".   It was COLD, WINDY and RAINY!!!

Here are some highlights.....first the guys went to the Children's Museum at Navy Pier and then to the Field Museum.

Riding on Amtrak

Children's Museum

Field Museum

Taking a Starbucks break from shopping - Kathy and Claire

Kathy enjoying American Girl

Hi Tea at the Drake

Cheers to the Birthday Girl (Kathy) with a champagne toast

We shopped, had lunch at Cheesecake Factory, dinner at Quartino's, enjoyed

Jersey Boys and then back to Cheesecake Factory for dessert/drinks.   Hi Tea at the Drake on Friday was a real treat!!!

Mark and Davis put Daisy away for the winter....

October 14

Rainy, chilly day AGAIN.............Davis and I took Liam and Connor to the sitter; this afternoon we picked  Liam up from school, then Davis from the sitter and then we (Grandpa, too) went to the Ropp Dairy Farm - what fun checking out all the stuff on the farm.....here are some highlights:

Sweet Liam and Connor in their new Bomber jackets!

Our neighbor, Mr. Darrel shows Davis how to trap squirrels

Grandpa and the boys "down on the farm"

Grandpa, Miss Carol (her farm) , Liam and Connor checking out the llamas

Davis and the BIG combine

Everybody hanging out in the combine (and trying to stay warm)!

Tom the Turkey (10 years old)

October 13

 What a BIG day - we packed so much fun into this "cousin" day that Grandma is dragging - ha!!!    We had a bit of sunshine today, but mostly cloudy, windy and COLD!    Here's how we spent the day!

After sleeping in till almost 8:00, Davis read Liam and Connor a story

Enjoying the new Leapster that Liam received for being ring bearer

Here we are at the Sugar Grove Nature Center with a stuffed turkey

Grandpa and Davis with some big antlers

Davis climbing the tall tree

Connor riding the horsie swing

Liam riding across the wire - they all loved this

Lunch at McDonalds

Davis making chocolate chip cookies while Liam and Connor took a nap

The boys gathered 'round the kitchen table to draw pictures for Uncle Ryan and Grandpa Pete

October 12

Another gloomy, cold day....but enjoyed fun times with Davis.    First off, we took Grandpa Pete to a doctor appointment; then to lunch at Culver's.   After we got Grandpa Pete settled at Stonecroft, we hooked up Daisy and finally arrived back home.   Unloaded everything while Davis played outdoors (some baseball with Grandpa), had supper and Davis went with Grandma to meet her Monday Night Friends.    Then we picked up Liam and Connor and they are spending the night with us, all day tomorrow and staying overnight again!

Here are a few pics from today...

Grandpa Pete and Davis at Culver's checking out the ice cream menu

The Ice Cream Man in his musical truck was passing by and Davis enjoyed a "Watermelon Bomb"

Three Men in a Tub

October 11

We slept in this morning and then off to visit Dad and enjoy lunch with Mark's parents, Annette's parents, Annette, Philip, Michael, Brooke and Davis.    Davis (7-year old grandson from NC is spending the week with us - looking forward to a fun time).   Here are some highlights of our day...

Lunch at The Whistle Stop

Grandma C, Annette, Judy, Brooke, Davis, Grandpa D, Pat, Dave, Philip, Grandpa C and Mark

Michael and Grandma C

Davis at the indoor water park

Davis and cousin, Jemma at the Enchanted Forest Amusement Park

Enjoying popcorn and a Pepsi with Grandpa

Back on Daisy munching on a delicious caramel apple (wedding favor)

Playing on the playground near Daisy at Hickory Hollow

Roasting hot dogs with Grandpa