Sunday, July 9, 2023

"Screamin' Eagle" Sail

Nicole Cassano at the helm of Screamin' Eagle
Nicole and John Cassano became great friends with Jada during their sail together in the BVI this past January.  Nikki and Jada are both accomplished artists and each appreciated the other.  In fact, all the better photos on this post were taken by Jada or Nicole.  

Last season the Cassano's added Screamin' Eagle to their fleet, keeping her at the same marina in Sandusky, Ohio where Murph kept Kelly IV for three seasons.

Murph sailed with the Cassano's just a month ago for a great sail and visit to Kelleys Island.  This sail to South Bass Island and Put-In-Bay was even more fun and there were no propeller issues!

The hard right turn into
Kelleys Island
defines where
the captain made his
move towards shelter.

Weather did become an issue, briefly, when the forecasted storm arrived early.  The wind and waves began battering the crew, 75% of them new to Lake Erie storms, 25+ knots of wind and 3-5 feet tall waves.  The captain made a decision to take shelter in the nearest port, which handily was Kelleys Island, only a mile and a half away to starboard.  With a turn of the helm we were leaving the weather behind and ducking into the marina, out of the waves and bouncing they caused.

The weather that chased us
into Kelleys Island.

Lunch at Kelleys was brief as the weather passed through and Screamin' Eagle resumed her cruise towards Put-In-Bay and South Bass Island.


Jada with Vivian, Cassano's pup.

Marblehead Lighthouse

Perry Monument, South Bass Island

Boardwalk at Put-In-Bay as
seen from Screamin' Eagle

John and Nikki Cassano at
Perry Monument

When built a hundred years ago, Canada, UK and the US
had been at peace together for many decades.

Jada & Murph approach the 
National Park Museum.

From inside the museum looking out.

John at the top, overlooking the islands,
including those of nearby Canada.



The tall ship brig, Niagara, is
visiting Put-In-Bay.
Viewed from the lookout at the top of
the Perry Monument, 300+ feet above the Lake.

Looking north to Canada.
Viewed from the lookout at the top of
the Perry Monument, 300+ feet above the Lake.
That's Pelee Island, Ontario on the horizon
at the center-right of this photo.



Last Resort Engine Company





Vivian's spot at Hooligans.

Floating Tiki Bar at Put-In-Bay.












Benson Ford Shiphouse on South Bass Island.
We've sailed past this ship/house
numerous times over the years.

Under sail aboard Screamin' Eagle


Under sail aboard Screamin' Eagle


Under sail aboard Screamin' Eagle 
approaching Cedar Point.

Approaching Cedar Point

Lake Erie water snake 

Knot Board at the marina

Knot Board at the marina



The sail to Put-In-Bay that was interrupted by the weather,
forcing a turn into Kelleys Island.
Below are charts of our sail with Screamin' Eagle on Lake Erie.
The continuation
to South Bass Island.

Our track from South Bass Island
returning to the marina in Sandusky, Ohio.

Friday, July 7, 2023

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Jada checks off a bucket list item.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was a bucket list item for both Jada and Murph.  After some provisioning errands we drove from western PA to northern Ohio to our Boondockers Welcome Host at Forsythia Forest.  It was outside the bustle of the big city, yet close enough that we felt like city tourists as we drove into downtown Cleveland to ogle the sights, enjoy live and recorded music, even indulge in a fine meal. 

All the better photos on this post were taken by Jada.

Downtown Cleveland seen from the R&R HoF.


Dinner the night before our visit to the R&R HoF,
At Morton's.  A favorite of mine when on expense account.

Sculpture downtown



George Harrison guitar




As the Beatles were the focus this month, we enjoyed the
R&R HoF in-house band playing live music of The Beatles.


Beatles on the Roof Top, 1969

Beatles on the Roof Top, 1969













Tuesday, July 4, 2023

Independence Day Weekend

Jada captures a great photo of
downtown Pittsburgh!

Bucket List Vacation

(To see all these posts, Click thru the "Newer Posts" at Bottom)

Escaping the heat of southern Arizona, Jada flew to Pennsylvania for the holiday weekend and to check off some bucket list items.  She began her quest with a relaxing weekend at Lake Arthur. 

All the better photos on this post were taken by Jada.

Bill Paviol's sailing dog, Elsa

Davis Hollow Marina
Photo by Jada
She took almost all the photos over
the next 5 weeks. 

Bill Paviol, Commodore, sailor, chef
and pie baker extraodinaire!

Murph and Captain Cole

Captain Soler


Lake Arthur

Murph, Jada

As Captain Soler is an EMT Life Flight
First Responder, he has organized his boat
just like the helicopter.


Captain Bill Bauer aboard Kerry's and his Catalina 22.
Jada collected a noteworthy assemblage of boat names.
Click Here for her photo collection.

Jada and others enjoyed watching and
occasionally feeding the fish.

Nico Soler's Albatross