7 day sailing course/ASA101-104, Florida Keys

Brian and Tom came over for a week of sailing  in the Florida Keys. We mixed a little snorkeling, a little fishing, and a lot of sailing and playing while working on their ASA certifications ASA101-104.

Capt. Jenn and her two pirates...

Sailing by Alligator Reef Light while practicing tacking and a cushion overboard drill:0)

Brian the pirate

Going over the reef line colors

Tom riding the bow

Brian at the helm

Full rainbow at sea

Local fishermen

Life is good (don't sweat the small stuff)

Brian hoisting our colors

Blue, turquoise Florida Keys water

Thunderstorm coming over while at mooring ball at Indian Key

I think they are going to get wet...

Some peace and quiet time fishing

Yes I think they did get wet

Still fishing...

What is that knot called again??

Just a beautiful sunset sky

I think I like this lifestyle..

Brian's looking pretty red

More sunset's picture

Nurse shark under dock

Visiting World Wide Sportsmen

Hemmingway sister's ship

Nurse shark feeding at local restaurant

Indian Summer II under sail

Tom the pirate in action

Sailing with all your senses....

Enjoying a beautiful dinner at Lazydays restaurant on the ocean

View from restaurant

Where is the emergency exit?

I love drinking water:)

I love cookies:)

Sailing vessel leaving the anchorage

Brian sailing with all his senses...

ICW-Intracoastal Waterway

The Intracoastal Waterway- Officially it is called that way and it officially runs from the Annisquam River in Massachusetts, north of Boston, all the way down the East Coast and across the Gulf Coast to Brownsville, Texas. Officially it was constructed to provide a protected route for vessels that otherwise would hve to travel on more exposed bodies of water. Actually it is called, variously, the Inland Waterway, the Ditch, Inside, the Intercoastal, or the ICW. Actually, when most people refer to this waterway, no matter what name they call it, they are referring to the section that stretches from Norfolk, Virginia, to Miami, Florida. The truly protected "inside" section of the Waterway, and the one most mysterious to those who have never traveled it, begins at Mile Zero in Norfolk Harbor and ends at Mile 1,095.0 in Miami.

The Intracoastal Waterway Cruising Handbook by Jan and Bill Moeller

Bridges- Of the 137 bridges that cross the Waterway, 81 are opening bridges and need to be opened for most pleasure boat to pass through.

Anchorages- Please make sure to get a copy of Anchorages Along The Intracoastal Waterway by Skipper Bob for a listing of best anchorages, free docks, bridge and lock restrictions, and waterway shoaling from Hudson River to Key West. We used his guide everyday.

A cup of Ma-tea at sunset. Preparing ourselves with some mexican caffeine to sail thru the night the entire Chesapeake Bay. What a sail!

Under full sail in the Chesapeake Bay

Going thru the Dismal Swamp, just beautiful

Dismal Swamp Canal

Reflections

Lock

Psi Star waiting at lock

Visitor Center for boats offered us some cake

A truck slid down into the Dismal Swamp and they closed the canal to remove it after a power boat hit it.

Vegetation in canal

Coming to our first lock

Lock closing

Turtles resting on tree truk

Elizabeth City offers free docks for up to 48 hours. We got some fresh veggies and did some laundry and went out for some country cooking.

A really cool city

Docks at Elizabeth City

Book store at Elizabeth City

Osprey and nest

Encountered of Turtlebones, a CSY 44 that we knew from Key Largo that has been purchased by someone from Nova Scotia...small world.

Psi Star at dock in Elizabeth City

Jeff and a loaf of fresh home made bread....Yummy

I think I am going to have a bite too.

Jeff going to check the propeller...cold water!

Sunset at anchor

Jeff cranking on manual windlass

Beautiful morning dew

Monkeys at sunset holding hands

Oops my bad! A picture is worth a thousand word.

Osprey on daymark

Osprey proctecting his nest

Tug boat pushing hard

Grey heron on ICW

Fish On!

A fisherman getting ready for a hard day at work

Offshore Sailing course from Florida Keys to Chesapeake

Doctor Dave and his son BT the pirate came on a offshore sailing course to build their sea legs. We left on May 03, 2008 from Tavernier, Florida Keys on the sailing vessel Psi Star, a 44' CSY. These are the pictures of our trip.

Final Destination: Annapolis, Maryland

We awoke this morning to the sounds of woodpeckers, whippoorwill and cicada mixed with the grog of frogs and other animals we couldn’t identify. The stillness of it all contrasted very much with our last four days waltzing offshore with the Gulf Stream. The morning dew danced just above the creek’s brownish water creating a mist that gave our anchorage a mystical feel. The sweet green smell of our surroundings filled our lungs with a freshness that only nature can offer. We sat in silence grateful of our safe passage and thankful of our entourage; the nature, our friends, our family, our life. As we left our anchorage and started making way down the Thoroughbred River, we saw a reminder of the wildness of the swamps of South Carolina: an alligator. When he noticed our presence he went down under as we proceeded further down the narrow river into the sunrise and the morning mist. What a special way to start your day. The crew of s/v Psi Star.

Doctor Dave the pirate

Doctor Dave, BT the pirate, Jeff and Jenn

Passing Miami off our port beam

Sunset out at sea with aircraft carrier in background

BT the pirate at the helm offshore. We celebrated his birthday out at sea. He took part of our 3 hour shift watch schedule

Studying for their exam and navigating

BT the pirate on watch offshore

Doctor Dave turning into a pirate

Captain Jeff smiling at life

Coming into South Carolina inlet after 4 days offshore

Bald Eagle greetings us at the inlet

ICW-tree that was hit by lightning

ICW-Sunset at our first anchorage

Cruisers at anchorage

Capt. Jeff giving a Power Point class presentation

Morning mist on ICW underway

Doctor Dave at the helm in ICW

Another beautiful morning in the ICW in SC

Osprey resting on branch in ICW

Another Osprey in the morning mist

Grey heron flying to his nest

Psi Star underway in ICW

A quaint little marina and ship store on ICW

Doctor Dave...what is that your are drinking?;)

BT the pirate having some tea time

Swing bring on ICW

ASA104 Bareboat Chartering Sailing Course

Jay at the helm of Indian Summer II

Monkey offering advices while Jay is taking his ASA104 exam

Jay taking his ASA104 exam..good job Jay!

Jay practicing 2 anchors mooring.

Jay watching the full moon rising over the ocean

Full moon

Jay smiling about sailing

Another perfect sunset

Jay is going snorkeling at White Banks coral reef

Ahhh...the Florida Keys...
Jen, 
I had such a wonderful time sailing with you for the Bareboat course! You've a fantastic instructor, a great cook and very cool lady. Jay W.

ASA101 Basic Keelboat/3 day live aboard sailing course

Carolyn came for a private sailing course. She is an awesome lady and now a great pirate! We did an ASA101 Basic Keelboat course/3 day live aboard class. By the end of the three days she could tack and jibe and take charge all on her own. Congratulation Carolyn! You are the woman.

Jen- Only two events in my life were greater gift than the last three days spent with you and Indian Summer. They were the births of my children and grandchild. This was truly a life altering experience. Thanks for all your love and patience. In New England when we have an Indian Summer is it a rare gift....and so are you. Love and Peace, Carolyn.

Carolyn and Jenn goofing off under the Tiki Hut.

Carolyn the pirate sheeting in and trimming her jib sail

Sailing towards Tavernier Key

Carolyn and Monkey at the helm

Carolyn taking her ASA101 exam...she did great!

Fisherman on the horizon

Just a beautiful day in the Florida Keys

Carolyn working the mainsail

Carolyn with her usual beautiful smile

Sunset over the Florida Keys

Sun

Youth group/Troop 127 from California

Sunrise in the Florida Keys
























Captain Jen,

Just wanted to thank you so much for a great time!  What a treat to get to sail with 2 great captains and a blessing in disguise!
You are such a great teacher.  The boys had such a great time and are already trying to figure out how they can go another sailing trip - hopefully, to the Bahamas! Once we get our girl Sea Scout Ship going, we will definitely get in touch with you to sail with you.
Let us know when you post your pictures on your site.  Alyssa is putting together a collage of everyone's pictures and we will send it to you once she has finished it!
Thanks again! Denise Selogie Troop 127 - Agoura Hills, California

4 Day Live Aboard Sailing course

Jen- You are extraordinarily gifted! Thank you so much for many "lessons" learned, your superb cuisine, your patience, your guts to keep us doing man overboard again and again!!! your music, and just your love of adventure-and being able to share yourself! You've inspired me -and you'll hear more later-Ann

The cool sisters racing to the anchor

Bob the pirate studying for his ASA exam

Anchored at Rodriguez Key in Key Largo

The ladies performing water dances while anchored

and still dancing...

and still dancing....

Practicing navigation skills and plotting courses for the day

I live at 60D=STreet

Whiteface/Gary with his usual smile

Barb and Ann discussing about life like sisters do

Bob the pirate trimming the jib

Bob telling sea stories

Barb the sailor taking over the ship

Jenn-This was a great experience. We loved your stories, your expressions; cooking was awesome; teaching was wonderful! From rope tying to ass to the wind; lightning storms to leaks and man overboard drills. What a great adventure! Yeah for ASA101

Ann the pirate building her biceps

Jenn-You are a fantastic teacher! Your patience is extraordinary. You have really found your calling in life. Good for you and keep doing what you love! Thanks for a great 4 days. Gary K.

Wetface/Gary sailing the seven seas like a pro!

Jenn, you are terrific! You definitely have the right sail plan. Thank you for your patience and your many many lessons. I learned a lot. Most of all thank you for your wisdom and your friendship. You inspired me. We'll do it again- Bob