March Bluster

Yesterday was proclaimed to be a sunny warm day along the middle Chesapeake. I got up early to head  out for Gwynn's and noticed that 'sunny' had changed to overcast. But what the heck... it would still be warm. At least that's what was predicted. I found marina closed on Monday and Tuesday so I was quite alone and that was alright. There was much to sort out.

Once loaded I hooked up and crossed over the island bridge to the public boat ramp. It was high tide but a stiff cold wind was blowing onshore. So I stood there for a minute (alone) and scratched my head. Decided to lengthen the dock lines and drape them on land from the starboard side where I had decided to launch close to the bulkhead. Got wet, hustled and puppeted Annie out to the end with the wind pushing hard against us. Tied off with a couple of quick clove hitches. So far so good.

The outboard, fresh with its new juices, fired off easy. Soon we were in a short chop heading in the direction of Hole in the Wall. We passed a deadrise crew hoisting their oyster dredge. That type of fishing is limited but I suppose they were harvesting their quota whatever that might be. 

It was cold and the wind was following the creek right on our nose. I anchored, closed the spray hood and ate lunch in the lee. I sailed for a bit and made way back to the launch. The reload was "just as much fun" as the launch. Good practice. You get a lot single-handing.

Fast forward. I had rinsed off, flushed the outboard and started back to slot where I store Annie on trailer. The tires started spinning and before long we were mired up. I couldn't unhook the trailer, too low now and with 200 lb. tongue weight I was again scratching my head. Thanks to a pile of gathered pine needles in the ruts the wheels grabbed and I escaped. 

Annie performed well and is as beautiful as ever. Can I say as much for myself?

Looking Down

Here is a photo sent to me by a friend of a friend taken from a kite cam at the start of the Everglades Challenge. More shots here.

Spring Track

In May I plan to explore the central Chesapeake Bay. Possibly the first or latter due to college graduation occurring on the 13th in Richmond. My preliminary track touches several places that interest me. Starting at Gwynn Island the course could start north in a clockwise circuit or east, counterclockwise. Will probably watch the weather and decide later.

I worked at Smith Island in the early '90s and look forward to returning. From the isolated culture, to feral cats, to the marsh "graveyard" for spent cars... it is a step back in time. My friend Steve of Log of Spartina may be in the area completing his circumnavigation of the Delmarva Peninsula. It would be great to be around when he and his friend Bruce finish.

Will start tomorrow researching safe harbors along the track...

Shopping Day

I ventured out of the studio this morning with a bit of paint still wet on the palette. It rained and sleeted last night but had started to clear. With Annie in mind I headed out to West Marine.

I had a small pocket full of money that had come from a melt-down silver coin sale. (Silver prices are up by the way). When we left St. Augustine I returned an 11-pound claw anchor that I had borrowed from my sailing friend Terry. It had been stowed in the bilge for weight and as a backup to the deck-mounted Danforth. With spring sailing in the Chesapeake coming up soon... it was time to dole out.

I also grabbed new flares and a waterproof chart to study and use. It will be time to get wet again soon.

Making enlarged copies of river entrances

A claw will really dig in and hold

Work Day

I arrived at Van & Denise's place on Pepper Creek yesterday, late morning. I was there to pick up Annie and had brought a small load of firewood to share. The fields were pretty soggy from the rains and it was a slow, deliberate tow out. Headed back north up the neck and turned off toward Gwynn's Island. On arriving at Morningstar Marina I found the office closed and not a soul about. The 'boat on trailer' area was open so I decided to back the rig in and get about my work.

Winterizing had alluded me. I knew it important for the outboard but with spending so much time in North Carolina and still in the Florida head, it had gone undone and fear of repercussions had set in. With fogger, 10-40 oil, a new spark plug, gear oil and crossed fingers I set in. All went well until it came to the oil drain plug. The supplied wrench (they are never the best) started to strip the hex head and I stopped. I fashioned a water bottle/water tubing suction device that worked well pulling out the old oil. All and all the maintenance, albeit late, felt positive. 

I emptied out gear that had been left aboard, did a bit of cleaning, and found the wast oil dump. Although the place was deserted the clean restroom/ shower was open. Left a note, locked the trailer ball and headed back west.

Gwynn's Island road cut-off landmark: the old Donk's Theater

A temporary mess

Works great!

Callis Wharf on the island across Middle Grounds

Gwynn's Island swing bridge from Morningstar

Great Guy

I named Annie after my mother... for her bright, adventurous spirit. But there is much more to single-handing in a small traditional boat than adventure. Along the way you must learn, plan, experiment, and fail. There is a constant parade of decisions and problems to be solved, often in the moment and full of consequences. I am a pretty handy guy that can fix things and work through adversity. I love the outdoors and thrive when I have a chance to be a part of nature. Those qualities come from my father. He passed away a few weeks ago and left our family a lot of memories. He was great guy.

I took this photo in 1980. I was waiting for a haul-out in Oriental, NC on my way south to Florida. Dad had driven down from Hickory and together we repaired Quelle's (page 24) leaking transom.

Bernette Lindon Bowman
1923-2013

30 Degrees

I have been sorting through equipment with thoughts on spring. There are a pack of checklists, some dating back to camping trips in the early 90's. Not sure why I keep them... so much has been weeded out in the past couple years.

Just finished a painting of a deadrise crabber that has been on the easel for what seems like forever. I now feel that it is resolved and its on to another. Maybe I'll have a go at a rousing run onboard Annie. Where I would like to be today... if it wasn't 30 degrees outside!

Headin' In
Acrylic on canvas, 36" x 48"
© Curt Bowman 2013

Sketch of the Day

At the end of last April we passed through Jekyll Island, Georgia before our trip to Spain and Portugal. Walking along the shrimp boat docks we saw an egret tiptoeing along a shrimper's stern eyeing the hold, maybe hoping for some leftovers. I hope he scored.

Checking the Hold   pen & watercolor wash
© Curt Bowman 2012

Best River Town

Richmond, Virginia- where we now live- was built on the James River at the fall line where the Piedmont Plateau drops to the Coastal Plain. It is navigable up to the downtown area and beyond is strewn with boulders and rushing waters and in some places Class V rapids. In October Richmond was awarded "The Best River Town in America" by Outside Magazine. The article is worth a read.

I went across the river yesterday afternoon, along the skywalk to Belle Isle. The sun was going down and it was quite warm. I will go back again soon.

Had fried shrimp lately?

I'm thinking about a big platter. With sides of hushpuppies and cole slaw. Maybe a large sweet tea...

Probably won't indulge until we return to St. Augustine for a visit. Northeast Florida is the birthplace of modern shrimping and still somewhat home to shrimp boats and the industry that they provide for. It is nothing like it used to be but you can still get some of the best anywhere.

Shrimper on the easel...

Return to Solomons

From 1988-1993 we lived in Solomons, Maryland on the western shore of the Chesapeake. I was the curator of design and exhibits at the Calvert Marine Museum. It was an exciting and challenging job that took me from the great eastern maritime museums to the dinosaur fossil fields of Alberta to Great White Shark research in Capetown, South Africa. Our daughter was born there in 1990 and we all wanted to return and see what had become of that place and those we had known. So this past Friday the three of us headed up and had fun exploring and remembering that time in our lives.

The same exhibits with new upgrades. 20 years later.

Maritime Patuxent, the permanent maritime exhibition

Our family with Megalodon, in the
paleontology exhibit I designed

One of the many aquariums in The Estuarium

Boat basin with Small Craft Shed beyond

Drum Point Lighthouse

The first boat I built was here... a 12' sailing skiff

A view from atop the lighthouse

Wm. B. Tennison, the oldest, Coast Guard approved,
passenger carrying vessel on the Chesapeake

Late Fall in Florida

Today is Thanksgiving here in the States and we are cooking and hanging out at home. My friend Ron sent me a note and a picture from Placida just north of where Terry and I sailed about this time last year. I was really taken by the image and stayed up late painting it. Annie and I will get back there some day. Highly recommended!

Still Harbor, Placida
Pen & Wash, 8" x 10"
© Curt Bowman 2012

Getting Up to Speed

Have been painting everyday and starting to get in the groove. I've gotten a good response... that sure helps in this sometimes lonely endeavor. Thank you to all and Happy Thanksgiving with your family tomorrow.

PS Catch a fish and save a turkey!

Basque Fishing Boat Tenders

Acrylic on canvas  24" x 24"

Pokin' Around

It was sunny and warmer on Sunday when we went to the Bay to check on Annie. I cleaned and checked tie downs while Ellie collected sticks and branches for the fireplace. Hurricane Sandy had left a lot of fuel on the ground but had spared the Pepper Creek area from damage. 

Annie's custodian

We decided to drive to Urbanna and take a few photos for ideas for new paintings. There weren't many folks about so we took liberties and poked around the areas marked for 'slip owners only'. Here's some of the sights...

Made to Fish

Alberg Typhoon

Basic

Too bad it was closed

Water garage

Old Favorites

Pre-Wireless

My Friend Calls Me Sketch

I'm just in from North Carolina and I have gotten a number of nice responses to my drawing of Spartina. I love to draw... especially boats. For those interested a small original of your boat in a 9 x 12" mat is $200, and limited edition prints at $40 of Spartina plus shipping. Larger pen & wash, and acrylic paintings are also available on commission. Send me an email at hbdgcurt@yahoo.com

Visit my maritime painting site CLICK HERE. Thanks for interest!

Sketch of the Day

Back to Work

Annie is covered and quiet near the Mobjack Bay and I am in Richmond typing this (or is it keystroking these days) in my studio. I am now an aspiring maritime artist who is trying to cast off thoughts of how daunting a decision that is and will be. Just Do It is my mantra. Time will tell. 

Got a half a cord of wood 

In Process

Storm Update

We talked to Frog this morning and he has postponed his departure south due to high water in Mathews County. He said that high tide had brought water from Pepper Creek across the yard and up to the stairs leading into Denise and Van's house. His trailer and Annie were fairing well. He thinks the worst will be over by midday and he will head toward NC. I will try to get out there in a few days after our return to Richmond. Best of luck to those further north.

Sandy

With Hurricane Sandy churning offshore and being called "Frankenstorm", I have been on alert about Annie. Mathews County Virginia is quite low with the area that she is stored being only a few feet above mean high tide. We are in western North Carolina with my father this weekend and watching the predictions closely. The latest reports say that landfall will be in the New Jersey/ Philadelphia area with a 900 mile wind field. Hurricane Irene left the Mathews area slightly flooded with a similar storm surge as to that predicted for Sandy. If thatholds true we should be OK. Will see what the news is tomorrow morning...

Annie's space