capt jake
09-15-2002, 07:32 PM
Well we just got back from our journey to the East. We had a wonderful time traveling through Missouri for three days. We met my wife's 1/2 brother (no she never had met him before) after all these years. He and his wife took us to their cabin at Truman Lake. We spent a lot of time on his pontoon boat fishing for catfish. We had a great time!
Next we flew to Raleigh NC where we rented a car and drove to Morehead City (stopping at Wilburs BBQ as directed). I tried to meet up with Custom Skiffs/Oyster Mike, though I got my wires crossed and never made the connection. I have wanted to meet him for some time but failed to do so (the only low point of the trip). We drove to the home of Princess Marine and got to climb on the 'Princess' (a B&B Yacht design). Though she was under a shed and hard to climb about, I got a really good feeling for the boat. I have the plans and intend upon building her someday. While there Graham Byrne met us there to talk about his design. Great guy.
Drove to Oriental NC and met with Tom Lathrop. He and his wife Liz graciously took us out on her namesake (AKA "Blue Jacket 24'). We cruised the river for better than an hour and had a great time. I finally found a boat that my wife fell in love with. We where in awe of the vessel. Let me say that the photos on the web do not do her any justice at all. This was one beautiful boat! Anyway, I had to buy the plans before I left (the one 'good' souvenir that I bought). Many thanks to Tom and Liz!! Oh, this guy is no amateur woodworker either. Not only the boat was beautiful, you should have seen his house!
From there we went to a potluck dinner at the Vandemere Fire station. Both Graham and Carla are volunteers with the department. Here again, we had a great time. It was very nice to be able to meet Carla and Graham, whom I have had so many conversations with. Truly nice to be able to spend the little bit of time with them that we did.
Now that used up my allotment of time for the 'boating' stuff (per the boss). Next we headed North on the backroads to Virginia. Went to the northern end of the Outer Banks. I misread the map and thought it connected to Virginia. Well I was wrong and had to backtrack a ways to get us back on track. Stayed in Newport News (was this place named after a newspaper???). Drove to Jamestown and finally got the some of the history that Debi wanted to see. Then on to Williamsburg (as recommended by rkrough). Great place, though a little confusing with the road signs. Never made it back across the James river as recommended by Anita though the whole time we were in awe of the old plantation houses and grounds. Oh, Anita, the Williamsburg Pottery factory IS much more than pottery (as you stated). I wish we had places like that here!
Next came the Chesapeake bay/bridge-tunnel. Amazing, I would never had dreamed it was built back in the 50's! continued with rkrough's recommendation and hit another little town (that I can't spell or remember).
Anyway, on North though Delaware and into NJ. By this time it was getting dark and had the cell phone in full use to navigate the twisty road following the Delaware up to Phillipsburg (friends live there), definitely some of the neatest houses and land that we have ever seen. Those stone houses are really nice.
On North again to Connecticut, ending the day in Mystic. My wife and the girls loved the movie 'Mystic Pizza' so it was a must. Turns out there is the Mystic Seaport Museum right there. So I got another day of boating fun. This time Debi began to really enjoy the nautical 'thing' and started talking about redecorating in a naughtical theme (all right!). Great museum and demonstrations! Of course we had to stop by Mystic Pizza and pick up some shirts.
Next was Newport RI. A very beautiful place, though very confusing streets and (lack of) signs. Toured 'Rose Cliff' mansion and then headed inland. We were there on 9-11 so all of the tours were free! This only made the crowds worse.
Through the Poconos and winding through Eastern PA, we ended up in Allentown with our friends again. They drugged us out for a night of live music. Though reluctant at first, i had a blast. An outdoor concert at the fairgrounds with the Jeff Bellfie Band was incredible! But not as amazing as the little hole in the wall pub (the Blue Note) where we watch in total amazement as 12 year old Eric Steckel blew our socks off with the blues. That's right, 12 years old!!!!!! I had to buy his CD and have him autograph it as he is one we will hear about in a few years!!
We managed to be right behind or in front of every single storm that has hit the East Coast and Midwest while traveling. Never had rain once and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The only downside (if you want to call it that) is that we have to sell our house now, to accommodate a larger 'boat shop'. As soon as we find the land we are going to start building the shop, sell our place, and begin building the Blue Jacket 24! I guess that's not too bad of a thing!! smile.gif smile.gif
This was one great vacation!! Thank you to all who help in the planning and who took us 'in'. Though only 2 weeks, this was the longest vacation I have had. Logged over 2100 miles on the rental, and worth every mile. Even though I didn't make it to Maine to pry Thads hands off of those Maltese cross blocks.
This was long, though I left out a lot of the things that will become 'memories' to Debi and I.
Thank you!
Next we flew to Raleigh NC where we rented a car and drove to Morehead City (stopping at Wilburs BBQ as directed). I tried to meet up with Custom Skiffs/Oyster Mike, though I got my wires crossed and never made the connection. I have wanted to meet him for some time but failed to do so (the only low point of the trip). We drove to the home of Princess Marine and got to climb on the 'Princess' (a B&B Yacht design). Though she was under a shed and hard to climb about, I got a really good feeling for the boat. I have the plans and intend upon building her someday. While there Graham Byrne met us there to talk about his design. Great guy.
Drove to Oriental NC and met with Tom Lathrop. He and his wife Liz graciously took us out on her namesake (AKA "Blue Jacket 24'). We cruised the river for better than an hour and had a great time. I finally found a boat that my wife fell in love with. We where in awe of the vessel. Let me say that the photos on the web do not do her any justice at all. This was one beautiful boat! Anyway, I had to buy the plans before I left (the one 'good' souvenir that I bought). Many thanks to Tom and Liz!! Oh, this guy is no amateur woodworker either. Not only the boat was beautiful, you should have seen his house!
From there we went to a potluck dinner at the Vandemere Fire station. Both Graham and Carla are volunteers with the department. Here again, we had a great time. It was very nice to be able to meet Carla and Graham, whom I have had so many conversations with. Truly nice to be able to spend the little bit of time with them that we did.
Now that used up my allotment of time for the 'boating' stuff (per the boss). Next we headed North on the backroads to Virginia. Went to the northern end of the Outer Banks. I misread the map and thought it connected to Virginia. Well I was wrong and had to backtrack a ways to get us back on track. Stayed in Newport News (was this place named after a newspaper???). Drove to Jamestown and finally got the some of the history that Debi wanted to see. Then on to Williamsburg (as recommended by rkrough). Great place, though a little confusing with the road signs. Never made it back across the James river as recommended by Anita though the whole time we were in awe of the old plantation houses and grounds. Oh, Anita, the Williamsburg Pottery factory IS much more than pottery (as you stated). I wish we had places like that here!
Next came the Chesapeake bay/bridge-tunnel. Amazing, I would never had dreamed it was built back in the 50's! continued with rkrough's recommendation and hit another little town (that I can't spell or remember).
Anyway, on North though Delaware and into NJ. By this time it was getting dark and had the cell phone in full use to navigate the twisty road following the Delaware up to Phillipsburg (friends live there), definitely some of the neatest houses and land that we have ever seen. Those stone houses are really nice.
On North again to Connecticut, ending the day in Mystic. My wife and the girls loved the movie 'Mystic Pizza' so it was a must. Turns out there is the Mystic Seaport Museum right there. So I got another day of boating fun. This time Debi began to really enjoy the nautical 'thing' and started talking about redecorating in a naughtical theme (all right!). Great museum and demonstrations! Of course we had to stop by Mystic Pizza and pick up some shirts.
Next was Newport RI. A very beautiful place, though very confusing streets and (lack of) signs. Toured 'Rose Cliff' mansion and then headed inland. We were there on 9-11 so all of the tours were free! This only made the crowds worse.
Through the Poconos and winding through Eastern PA, we ended up in Allentown with our friends again. They drugged us out for a night of live music. Though reluctant at first, i had a blast. An outdoor concert at the fairgrounds with the Jeff Bellfie Band was incredible! But not as amazing as the little hole in the wall pub (the Blue Note) where we watch in total amazement as 12 year old Eric Steckel blew our socks off with the blues. That's right, 12 years old!!!!!! I had to buy his CD and have him autograph it as he is one we will hear about in a few years!!
We managed to be right behind or in front of every single storm that has hit the East Coast and Midwest while traveling. Never had rain once and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The only downside (if you want to call it that) is that we have to sell our house now, to accommodate a larger 'boat shop'. As soon as we find the land we are going to start building the shop, sell our place, and begin building the Blue Jacket 24! I guess that's not too bad of a thing!! smile.gif smile.gif
This was one great vacation!! Thank you to all who help in the planning and who took us 'in'. Though only 2 weeks, this was the longest vacation I have had. Logged over 2100 miles on the rental, and worth every mile. Even though I didn't make it to Maine to pry Thads hands off of those Maltese cross blocks.
This was long, though I left out a lot of the things that will become 'memories' to Debi and I.
Thank you!