Grandkids, Storm Sail, Pups and Old Friends, June 11-22, 2019

World famous "Horseshoe Curve", just west of Altoona, PA

While Karen enjoyed a wonderful trip in Europe with her daughter, Allison, I spent a few days of slow travel aboard the train to visit my grandkids and old friends.  A bonus surprise was a sail with friends as a squall ran over our Catalina 25, trying to drive her onto a lee shore.  More about that later.

I spent the weekend getting reacquainted with Paul, Kelsey, Avery and Jesse, especially Avery as she is now 4 years old and a bundle of energy!

Avery, Paul, Kelsey, Jesse

Avery and Grandpa Murph both had a blast with the tire swing

After a wonderful Father's Day meal with Paul's family, I caught up with sailing friends at Lake Arthur.

Captain Jim Clark's Catalina 25, Magi's Mate

Keith, Murph, Capt. Clark, Bill as we set out on our sail

The Magi's Mate crew had been sailing all weekend, including a Friday afternoon sail and a late night sail on Friday.  Even though rain and thunderstorms were forecast as a possibility, we decided to venture out on Sunday.  It began wonderfully, but after an hour on the water, we could see the storm clouds racing in our direction.  We first thought we could head south and away from the blustery breeze, but the storm was faster than our 5 knot pace.

Bill caught Keith and I on video as we dashed about the boat to prevent the squall from driving us onto the lee shore.  As our efforts proved to be successful, the event felt like an exciting adventure, rather than anything worse.  Since there are no waves on small inland Lake Arthur, handling the boat is pretty straightforward.  Magi's Mate heeled in the strong breeze, but there was no bouncing, thanks to the flat water.

The sailing adventure was brief and fun, especially as we seemed to handle ourselves and the boat well.

On Tuesday morning I caught the train that would make the return trip, but I decided to make a two day stop at D.C. to visit Harry, Narjes, Shirley and their new pup, Cable, in Annapolis.

The "Horseshoe Curve" as the train took me to Philly, then D.C.

During the stopover in Philadelphia, there are impressive displays to help pass the time.  This is called "Spirit of Transportation."

Spirit of Transportation, 30th Street Station, Philadelphia

In Annapolis, I had a blast getting to know Cable.  At 45 pounds, she's still only half her adult size, so I'm certain she'll prove to be an exciting friend in the months to come!

Cable and CaptMurph

Our waitress captures Harry, Murph, Narjes and Shirley

A huge surprise 

Capt Jones, Murph

on the overnight leg of my train journey home took place after breakfast in the cafe car.  I was reading my book and realized someone had stopped at my table.  When I looked up, it was Capt Jeff Jones, a co-worker from Leopard Catamarans!  Although we've kept in touch occasionally at the boat shows, neither of us expected to see the other on this train trip.  Jeff was returning home to Ft. Lauderdale after delivering a sailboat from south Florida to Savannah, GA.  We enjoyed each other's company all morning long until I left the train in Orlando.

My days traveling north were wonderful as I caught up with family and friends, enjoying pups and adventure along the way.

Pittsburgh Family, Friends and Irish Rover Returns, August 13-23, 2018

Thanks to our trip planning, the 13th was another short driving day.  We arrived at Hart's Content Campground near Beaver Falls, PA well before dinner and settled in for a relaxing evening.

Our campsite at Hart's Content

The next day we did some chores, as even on vacation not everything can be put off.  Following the chores we jumped onto our bikes and I showed Karen the wonderful biking to be had riding around North Park Lake in Pittsburgh.  Our bike ride was 7 miles around the park environs.

We wrapped up the day, playing pickleball on the very nice courts built recently in North Park.

Jesse naps through breakfast

The next morning my son, Paul and his kids, 3 year old Avery and newborn Jesse, joined us for breakfast at a nearby restaurant.

Avery grins for the camera

As we were having a good time and the kids were wonderfully behaved, we stuck around after the breakfast crowd departed so the waitresses could dote over the kids.

After running some errands in Zelienople, Karen and I took a walk about town as Murph played tour guide in the town he called home for 30 years.

Thursday the 16th began wonderfully as Paul brought Avery Mae to the campground so she could enjoy the playground.  As it turns out, all four of us had a blast at the playground, especially as Avery "drove" the car, truck and train.

Dinner that evening was at Luciano's with Murph's great friends since moving to western Pennsylvania over 40 years ago, Carol and Bob.  Not surprisingly, we all had a wonderful evening together.

Friday was filled with Murph's final efforts to conclude his pleasant duty to build and mail the photo book about his recent "Delt Gathering" in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.  With all the books on their way to his brother Delts, Murph and Karen joined Wabash alumnus, Larry, and his wife, Linda for a terrific evening of fun, recollection and stories.  It was a few years since Larry and Murph last met and that was in Annapolis.  It was great to be back together and Karen got to learn more about the special bond that exists between Wabash "brothers."

Sandbar Bash, photo by Sean

The big deal on Saturday was the annual "Sandbar Raft-Up" on Lake Arthur.  It is the yearly event co-hosted by the Lake Arthur Sailing Club (based at Davis Hollow) and the Moraine Sailing Club (based at Watts Bay).  Sean and Bill are both very active in their respective clubs as Sean sails his MacGregor 26, Hakuna Matata, and Bill runs the Community Sailing Fleet of the MSC, including Sunfish, Optis, Hobies and Flying Scots.  Karen joined Bill and crew for a fun sail aboard Capt Jim Clark's Catalina 25, Magi's Mate.  Keith and I drove to a spot in the park only a couple hundred yards away from the sandbar where all the boats were anchoring for the afternoon's festivities.  Keith and I swam the 200 yards and climbed aboard Magi's Mate to enjoy a meal and drinks after playing volleyball in the shallow water by the boats.  The sun and sky were golden and blue, maybe highlighting my time at Pitt?  :-)

Avery with her frequent babysitter, Haley

Karen and I spent Sunday at church with Paul, Kelsey, Avery and Jesse, followed by a wonderful Sunday dinner with all six of us plus Kelsey's sister, Haley and friend, Brittany.

Our return trip began Monday morning as we struck camp and drove to Brady's Bend for a brief look at the Allegheny River Overlook above the famous river bend.  Then the real work of the trip commenced as we retrieved Irish Rover from storage, inspected and prepared her for the 1,000+ mile trip south to Florida and set off southbound.  We were in "delivery mode," which to us means that we drive until we're too tired to proceed, have dinner and sleep, then do it again every day until we arrive at our destination.  This trip our stops were in Weston, WV, Columbia, SC and Jacksonville, FL.  Although we could have wrapped up the last couple hours to Titusville that last night, we decided to stay in Jacksonville as we had nowhere to store Irish Rover in Titusville until the next day.  We're storing her instead of launching because hurricane season doesn't end until November.  We'd rather keep her safely stored than launch her only to haul her out for every hurricane that heads our way.  Come November we plan to begin spending LOTS of time sailing Irish Rover.  Anytime you find yourself in Central Florida, let me know and we'll do our best to go sailing together!  (A comment posted below will work, if you've lost my phone or email.)

Cross Country by RV: PA, OH, IL, NY, FL, NC, MD, CO, AZ, July 16-December 9, 2017

Sailing and Camping in Ohio and Pennsylvania - July 16 - August 15, 2017 (Click thru the "Newer Posts" at Bottom)

Now that I'm confirmed as a bachelor on my own again, I split my time.  First with camping and visiting family & friends in western Pennsylvania, then sailing with friends out of Sandusky, Ohio.

Pool at Hart's Content Campground, Beaver Falls, PA

Playground at Hart's Content Campground, Beaver Falls, PA

It was great seeing my son, Paul, his wife, Kelsey and their daughter.  Yep, I love being a grandpa!  I found a nice campground near Beaver Falls where Paul and his family live.

Paul and his family as we leave after a summer evening playing in the park.  Avery Mae and I had such a good time, I was too busy for pictures.  :-)

Keith and I met with our old sailing buddy, Capt. Jim Clark and enjoyed a fine lunch at a local Mexican restaurant in New Kensington, PA.

July 22-27, 2017
After several days in western PA, I returned to Sandusky, Ohio to stay aboard Irish Rover at the Sandusky Sailing Club (SSC).  She was in great shape and ready to go sailing.  Unfortunately, there was actually too much wind for both me or my little cruiser to feel comfortable sailing so we played pickleball at a nearby park.

Irish Rover in her slip, buttoned up for the coming high winds.

A most beautiful disc golf course at Osborne MetroPark, Huron, Ohio.

After playing pickleball with some new friends, I'd play a few rounds of disc golf at the park's flower-bordered course.

July 28-30, 2017
Jack VanArsdale joined me for some sailing, but with the blustery breeze, we waited until Saturday afternoon when the windy air calmed to about 15 knots. 

Sandusky Bay Sail

As the open lake still had waves over 5 feet high, we sailed the calm waters of Sandusky Bay, a real treat as Jack and I had not sailed together for about 3 years.  As one of Kelly IV's regular crew, Jack and I have sailed together for several days each summer over the past decade or more. 

Sail to Kelleys Island with Jack

On Sunday, we sailed to Kelly's Island for a nice lunch and returned to the SSC.

July 30 - August 1, 2017
Shortly after Jack departed, Bob Zimmerman arrived for a few days of sailing.  As the winds had calmed, we were able to enjoy a terrific sail to Middle Bass Island on Monday.  It was particularly enjoyable as all the weekenders (especially the large wake-producing powerboaters) were gone.  Just Irish Rover, some ferries, a few distant fisherman and small boat cruisers slicing through Lake Erie's clear, freshwater waves.

Bob and Irish Rover before we depart SSC.

Irish Rover reaching under Drifter and Mainsail by Bob Zimmerman

Bob Z. sail to Middle Bass Island

Bob and I did a "walkabout" the small island as we explored the new state park, campgrounds, rocky beach and a couple small resorts.  The new marina is very nice, especially as our few weekday neighbors were quiet and considerate.  We met a gent from Indiana who owns a fleet of old wooden powerboats including a few Lyman's.  Very impressive runabouts from the 50s and 60s.  The next day we sailed back to SSC and Bob returned to the working world, while I continued my single man's lifestyle of retired living.

August 1-10, 2017
The lure of my new-to-me RV was calling, so I returned to western PA visiting Paul and family briefly, then setting up camp in Rose Point, PA.  It was close to Moraine State Park where I spent most mornings doing my exercises and run.  OK, what I do is so slow that most folks would have trouble deciding whether I was walking fast or jogging.  The term "run" would not enter most minds.  :-)

Over the weekend, I visited my brother, John, and his son, Patrick, in Columbus, Ohio, including Sunday morning church service with them.  A bit of a change from my church in Annapolis, but uplifting just the same.

Hopes of sailing a few days with good friend, Nino, and his son, Nick, were rudely dashed by car trouble that pinned them in Pittsburgh.  Thankfully, Bill and Sarah Paviol had no issues with their car and they arrived at the SSC raring to go sailing aboard Irish Rover.  We awoke and departed for South Bass Island with a terrific breeze out of the northwest.  With full jib and mainsail, we tacked out of Sandusky Bay, and pointed as close upwind as Irish Rover would let us.  In fact, we are able to sail significantly higher into the wind on Irish Rover than on Kelly IV.

Irish Rover underway by Sarah Paviol

Bill Paviol at the helm by Sarah Paviol

Sail track of the Paviol Sail

College Roommate Cruises Florida - April 1-6, 2016

Rob Matthews spent four years with me as we negotiated the challenging waters of our college careers at Wabash College, Crawfordsville, IN.  We are both very proud of our Alma Mater, if not of some of our shenanigans while enrolled there.

Rob spent his first week of April visiting me in Florida, so I felt we should do a tour that included both coasts, sailing and rockets.  We drove south to Naples, then northbound along Florida's Gulf coast in hopes of finding CaptMurph's friend, Jim Clark.  Unfortunately, we missed Jim on this trip but we certainly didn't miss any watering holes!

Rob at pub view of the Peace River 

Murph with pub view of the Peace River

We enjoyed the drive along the Tamiami Trail (US 41) along the Gulf Coast and continued north after a night in Venice until we crossed the Sunshine Skyway into St. Petersburg.

We hung a left turn into St. Pete Beach to catch an old work buddy of mine who earns pocket money as a musician at the beach bars in St. Pete Beach, when he's not working his day job selling computers around the country.

Rob and Kenny at Sirata on St. Pete Beach

The evening in St. Pete concluded our Florida road trip, but not our Florida experiences.  Rob and I settled for his last couple days in Titusville where we went sailing, then visited the Kennedy Space Visitors' Center.

Rob and I sailing the Banana River

Rob steering our charter sailboat

This pic proves Rob wasn't sailing singlehanded!  :-)

This is the shuttle "Inspiration" built of wood and plastic for a tour
introducing the shuttle program.  This full size model was sitting on
 a barge waiting to be moved to its final disposition.  We sailed past on our
little boat as we went to and from the Banana River and marina.

Rob sets the perspective on just
how large the shuttle was

Rob enjoys the display of shuttle "Atlantis"

Rob "surfing" outside Fishlips restaurant

Capt Clark's Birthday Sail, May 6, 2014

Jim Clark has taken me and many of his friends for countless sails on his beloved Catalina 25, Magi's Mate, located on Lake Arthur, Moraine State Park, Butler, PA. Now he has embarked on a new adventure, living aboard his new-to-him GulfStar 36 motorsailer, Genie, based in Venice, FL. And Jim begins this adventure on his 80^th Birthday!

Jim's 80th Birthday Celebration at the February Sailing & Suds in Pittsburgh

A large group of sailors and friends celebrated Jim's 80^th in March at the annual Sailing and Suds dinner in Pittsburgh, but since his real birthday is in May, a couple of us decided to join Jim aboard his new yacht to celebrate by actually sailing, just like old times.Kelly IV is currently located. 

Jim aboard Genie in Venice, FL

I used Jim's birthday as an excuse for a train ride from Annapolis, MD where

 Troy Cain, Captain of Relentless, is currently based (after his cruise of over 2000nm from the Chesapeake Bay) in St. Petersburg, FL and picked me up at the train station in Tampa for the drive to Venice, FL.

We spent the first evening and next morning helping Jim move aboard his new yacht, then on the afternoon of his 80^th Birthday, we slipped the dock lines and departed the slip for the first time since Jim had acquired his new home on the water.

After a close encounter meeting some new neighbors in the marina, we topped off the fuel tanks and Jim took us into the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway where his marina is located. The encounter was a bit dramatic involving an heroic effort by Captain Cain, but we were soon on our way with nothing but a blemish on our pride aboard Genie.

Sea creature alongside Genie

The trip down the Intracoastal was brief and took us beneath two bridges then into Venice Harbor. It is a picturesque motoring venue with lots of green palm trees, massive mangroves and all manner of interesting boats, sail and power, large and small. Then Jim took us out into the open Gulf of Mexico.

Captain James Clark

It was a beautiful, bright afternoon with the sun glistening across the waves, sparkling and reflecting onto Jim, Genie and crew. Even with a light breeze Genie moved gently across the water, first north on a port beam reach then south on the opposite reach. Jim handled Genie as if he'd owned her all his life and we all enjoyed several hours of relaxing sailing off the Gulf coast of Florida.

Captain Troy Cain takes the helm

As the sun threatened to sink into the western waters of the Gulf, Jim took us back through the Venice harbor, under the two bridges, then safely and snugly into her berth and Jim's new home.

Genie snug in her slip

CaptMurph enjoying Captain Clark's Genie sail