Cold is a Relative Term

Today we drove to the Bay to check on Annie and to take a painting to the gallery in Mathews. It was a bright, clear day in the 30's and climbing down below reminded me of cold nights out in early trips. She was dry and had a crisp, still feel aboard. Asleep awaiting the spring when her 'mates'... wind and water join in again.

After returning home and a nice dinner we watched the second episode of Chasing Shackleton on PBS Video Online. Extreme sailors and mountaineers attempt to recreate the heroic rescue voyage of the polar explorer. It is a grueling endeavor with great scenes of a relentless Southern Ocean off Antarctica. I grabbed a blanket about half way through. Recommended.

Finding Treasures

It is cold and raining outside and a good afternoon to organize and sort out files in our new house. Came upon images of a working marina with railways that led into towering man-cut caverns used to shelter work in progress. I had sketched there, taking in the remnants of material culture and maritime traditions that the setting offered me alone that afternoon.


On location: Marina di Cassano, Sant A'gnello, Campania, Italy  2006

c. early 20th century view

Shore Side and Return to the Scull

2013 is over and I for one am glad. Many things happened both good and bad. And although sailing the Chesapeake was great I believe 2014 will be even better.

On New Years Day we started moving into our new (old) house in Richmond. Since leaving St. Augustine in the spring of 2012 we have lived in a tent and a series of apartments. This self-chosen 'vagabond' lifestyle was quite an education. We came to realize that we need another "base camp" to venture out from. Think we found a nice one.

The Old Home Place

Annie is buttoned up tight and weathering the winter at Gwynn's Island. When it warms a bit (mighty cold this coming week) I plan to go over, camp at the marina and return to maintenance jobs that have been on hold. While there I'll be checking in with my gallery in Mathews and the good folks at Deltaville Maritime Museum where I'm consulting on their new exhibits. 

The end of the year blog check revealed that the post on Annie's sculling oar is still the most viewed. I hope others have tried the design or modified it for the better. I still would like to hollow out the blade's underside to roll down in the water and hopefully get more thrust. We'll see...

Photo by Steve Earley