No Health

      We are in Annapolis after the first part of our cruise south and there will be no mention of my health. Oh, wait, that was a mention. Sigh. Anyway, there's no need for an update as there's no change. That's good. So for the first time in a while this entry will be like they used to be: just about our travels to and from Florida. 

     We got underway from Old Lyme after a few breezy, cold days and my last weekend of work at the Museum. It was still breezy and cold but not quite as breezy or cold as it had been. The wind was going to be from the north or northeast and the current was going to change in our favor soon after we got to Long Island Sound. After passing north of Long Sand Shoal we turned towards Port Jefferson. The wind and seas were behind us so the two to three foot waves were not uncomfortable. Our SOG was very good, also. It only got rough as we neared PJ. We borrowed the same mooring we grabbed last fall but this time we were not asked to move. When we left PJ the next morning it was quite sporty. Waves came right down the channel and bounced and slammed us all around. When we got around Old Field Pt. it was slightly better. Slightly. We discovered our man overboard pole had left the boat somewhere off PJ. The lines and shock cords couldn't take the pounding and it took off. We made a general announcement about the pole on the VHF so people would not think someone went overboard and start a search. Been a while since we lost something expensive. Usually when we have major expenses it's because we hit something. 

     We stopped at Port Washington for the night and grabbed a formerly free mooring. I guess they are still free when no one comes around to collect. We never go looking for someone to pay. The moorings were not full but most were taken. We saw a number of boats we've seen along the road in the past. The next morning was less breezy and a little warmer. We had to leave at first light to insure we had a good current at Hell Gate and through the City. The East River was calm but the Upper and Lower Bays were choppy. Upper due to wakes, Lower due to the wind. We got to Atlantic Highlands, NJ before noon to rest up for our upcoming overnight passage. The wind was from a good direction and was forecast to ease overnight but we decided we'd wait for calmer seas as Teddy moved farther away from us. An unusual sight was 'smoke' off the Freedom Tower. The cool, early morning air was damp but not hazy or foggy. The sun reflecting off the glass warmed the air near the building and made a very localized cloud like fog that drifted away from the skyscraper making it look like it was smoking. Eerie considering what building it was and the history there but it was a fascinating phenomenon.  

     When we got underway for our New Jersey offshore passage it was almost calm with a breeze on the beam or slightly aft. Seas built to one foot and almost on the bow. As the day progressed seas built to one to two feet and more and on the nose. Overnight it was cool but not cold and not too windy. Steering was easy but sleeping was not. It was just lumpy enough with 2ft seas to make it uncomfortable below. Oh well. Daybreak found us right at Cape May. Seas were not bad and on the port side stern. Would have been worse if we were going into the waves. The current was against us nearly all the way up the boring Delaware Bay. It only turned in our favor at the Salem Nuclear plant but was back to against us as we entered the C and D Canal. Eventually it was neutral  as we got to Chesapeake City where we anchored. We had an easy day going to Worton Creek the next day. It was near calm with good current. The next passage, to Sillery Bay on the Magothy River, was even calmer, again with good current. We had a Blue Jay join us for almost an hour as he rested on the bow. When he flew off we were miles from where he joined us. Wonder if he could or needed to get back to where he started. Never know, I guess. 

     Anchoring in Sillery Bay was pleasant for one night before we headed to Annapolis. We waited for a rain shower to go by and got underway. The larger Bay was a bit lumpy but not uncomfortable and we still had a favorable current. It was a quick trip anyway. We went into Back Creek in Eastport but found all the moorings and anchoring spots were taken. No boat show this year and it was still full. We then went over to Spa Creek. Surprisingly, this area was not as crowded. Usually it fills first. We took a city mooring for a week. Closer to town but a little further from groceries and marine supplies. Oh well. The other interesting event was going through the Spa Creek Bascule Bridge that connects Annapolis to Eastport. A quick search said it had a 62ft horizontal clearance. No way! When we went through we found about 5ft on either side of our 24ft beam. Very tight. We've gone through tighter bridges but this was close enough. One way water traffic for sure. Post passage research showed the opening was 40ft. Seemed less. 

     So we'll stay put for a week or so. We'll do some maintenance, restock groceries and medications and get fuel and water. About the time we are ready to go the weather is forecast to be good (probably will change) and the current pattern will change to against us not with us (will not change). We shall see. Next posting may not be until we get to Florida but it could be sooner if adverse events occur. 

     Not that that ever happens. 

  

     

End of summer 2020

      We've come to the end of meteorologic summer and are just into September. This posting will be about our summer activities and update my health situation.
   
     Way back at the end of May we went up to Hamburg Cove for our usual Waterbury Power Squadron rendezvous/Memorial Day Weekend. Although we had boats rafted to us, we really never got physically close to anyone. In June we went there again, twice. Once for some boat chores easier done in calm water and once for some fairly rough weather. We could have stayed on our Old Lyme Marina mooring and rode it out but we went for comfort and caution.

     At the end of June and into July we had a cruise with Heather, Mike and Cobbe. We spent time at Block Island and within the Forks of Long Island. As previously mentioned, Cobbe enjoys being on the boat but really loves the beach. He likes being with Grandma and Grandpa, too.
   
    We had another raft-up in Hamburg Cove in July, this time with Gelato. We stayed on our own boats and felt safe enough. Nice to converse with friends. Then we had a second cruise of Block Island with Cobbe and his parents. We mostly followed the same route as the earlier cruise, but in reverse order.

We ended up the Mystic River off of Mystic Seaport Museum where I had an afternoon of work. Cobbe loved the kids games, raising a sail and playing on the boats in the playground.  He also enjoyed the tour of the Morgan, the last wooden whaling ship in existence. Grandpa's work assignment was the deck watch for the afternoon. Still cool to say that. 

     In August we had a tropical storm pass well west of us. This meant the winds were out of the south and were forecast to be pretty strong. We went up to Hamburg Cove again for the protection there. It was gusty but not terrible. We could see the trees swaying and knew the power went out in the area but didn't see the massive electrical failures that were scattered throughout the state. Some had no power for a week. Fortunately this did not affect my doctor visits and tests in Hartford. 

     As we are now at Labor Day Weekend we sailed to Coecles Harbor again. This time we went to the marina for a mooring and daughter and family drove there to meet us. Cobbe quickly gets into the rhythm of boating. Playing, preparing the table for our meals and, most importantly, swimming... at the pool and the beach. 

     We are now just a few weeks away from heading south for the winter again. There are risks going south but winter indoors is a risk as well. The Florida Keys have handled Covid issues correctly but the rest of Florida and the other states along the way are much more stupid. Except for fuel and/or grocery stops we are reasonably isolated and safe. Safeish. 

     Besides my weekends at the Museum we were mostly occupied with medical visits and tests. We have always scheduled our medical visits for the time we are in Connecticut in the summer, eyes, teeth, PCP, etc. but in addition to those I have more new doctors because of my lymphoma and its effects. Now I have a cardiologist and endocrinologist added to my collection of physicians. As I mentioned previously I wore a heart monitor for two weeks and that led to a cardiac ultrasound. That test seemed to show part of my heart was not contracting with the rest of my heart. This sounds worse than it really is. It's not that uncommon but it led to another test, a cardiac MRI. That's more of a big deal. You're in the machine for about an hour and constantly asked to hold your breath for different amounts of time including nearly a minute. Had no trouble doing any of this. The good news from the MRI counteracted the concerns raised by the ultrasound. The anomalies shown by one test were explained by the other. Some muscle bands that should be horizontal are more vertical leading to the appearance of problems. It's genetic and while unusual, it's not all that rare. Works so far. And should continue to work. We hope. My oncologist says the heart is important. It's needed to move the chemo drugs around. Apparently that's a cancer joke. I laughed. A little. 

     So my heart is doing fine. It can be affected by chemotherapy but hematologists and cardiologists are not in total agreement. Because of multiple CT and CT/PET scans we've seen an unchanging nodule on my thyroid. Sigh. Another thing to check out. I saw an endocrinologist and had another ultrasound. This one on the neck. It showed I had two small nodules and a cyst. Fortunately they are not an issue. Just something to watch once or twice a year. Another doctor added to my collection. Sigh. The VQ lung function test I mentioned in my last posting came back with a 'could not be more normal' report from the radiologist so that was good. These tests are a pain in the... wherever but they have been reassuring so that's good. Positive results. Mostly. 

     So that's the summer summary. Medical visits, tests, a few cruises, a few hiding in Hamburg Cove days and the start of my maintenance lymphoma treatments. It's more immunotherapy than chemotherapy using only one of the drugs (retuxin) of my previous regimen. This will happen every two or three months in an effort to keep the lymphoma at bay. The longer the indolent period, the better. Treatments have been improving constantly and although a cure may not be on the horizon hope for a "normal" lifespan is not unrealistic.

     Anybody know what "normal" is anymore? 

PS: August edition of Points East had an article by me. September edition had a letter to the editor and a mention in the editor's column. www.pointseast.com