Thoughts and observations from a "first time" first mate

On this trip, I am getting to do more "boat" jobs. Before now, Scott has hardly ever needed, or asked me to help with lines, driving the boat and such. However, I have gotten a crash course on these things, and on-the-job training! Scott was mostly concerned about going through the locks, where you really need two people, one at the bow, and one at the stern. One the days before the first lock, Scott started to show me how to tie off lines, and how different situations required the lines to be in different places. I also got some practice behind the wheel, more than just watching the auto pilot drive.

Going through the lock proved to be much easier than either of us thought, the worst part being the driving rain that pelted us while we went through BOTH locks. The lines were so wet, they felt like sponges! I am now a lot more comfortable with all of my "duties". I just go, and tie off, where Scott tells me to. When you come into a slip at a marina, there is almost always someone there, to grab lines and tie off on the pier. This is also really helpful. I've found it also doesn't hurt to throw out "I'm new at this, and still learning". :)

We have seen all types of boats and people making the journey south. They have many destinations...Florida, the Bahamas, around the world. I am shocked at how many people are clueless, and are just really "winging it". Some are only traveling with charts. This is ok, but we also have guide books that cover the lower Atlantic states, and a separate one for Florida and the Bahamas that we have poured over many times. The books are filled with tons of helpful info., like currents, tides, and conditions at anchorages, as well as what you can find in towns along the way. Some people we've met are doing the trip south for the second, fifth or eighth time, and still get stuck and have problems in places they shouldn't, still missing things they should have, and still running with motor problems that should be fixed.

There is a couple traveling on mostly the same schedule that we are. They are from Annapolis, and have told Scott that they have no set destination. They are going to travel until they find somewhere that feels right, and then spend as much time as they want there, whether it be Savannah, Florida's gulf coast, or the Bahamas. Problem is, they have absolutely NO boating experience. They have latched on to another couple, and are basically following them from marina to marina. The two boats came into Dowry Creek Marina yesterday' and Scott went out to help. The Annapolis couple came in, and hit there bow on the pier, as they were BOTH back at the stern, fooling with the lines. SOMEONE NEEDS TO BE AT THE WHEEL WHEN COMING INTO A DOCK OR PIER! So the guy had to circle and come in again. It took a long time, and was a comedy of errors. The wife handed someone on the pier a line, and walked away, saying "this is too much work". If you are able to be very open about your travel plan, and have no experience, I think hiring someone to captain your 44ft. boat down south for you. That way, you can relax and learn. We're glad that they aren't latched on to us!

The man, who we're calling Shorty, is traveling south in a 18ft sailboat. He's come from New Jersey. I also call him Crazy. We are in awe whenever we see him traveling near us..wow!

Two Canadians are anchored in Dowry Creek, in sight of the marina. This am, they rowed there dinghy, 90 minutes, to the marina! In 32 degrees and 25mph winds from the north...I think I may have to call them crazy, too! Canadians seem unfazed by the cold weather that we are having.

George and Pat, whose catamaran we hitched a ride on to get to the Mexican Restaurant on the Dismal Swamp, seem to be traveling gypsies. They have stuff ALL over, just thrown here and there. I don't know how they'd find something, if it hit the fan and they needed something quickly. You'd think they'd been traveling and living on that thing for YEARS, but they left from Virgina four days after us!

There are two guys traveling in a sailboat, with the mast down. We're guessing to make bridge crossings easier(don't have to wait for openings). The boat looks so weird without the mast up, kinda likean immigrant boat loaded for a trip. I'll try to get a picture of them.

We seem to have fallen in with the same group of boats headed south, staying at anchorages and marinas(although thankfully, for them, the Annapolis couple sticks to marinas)at the same time give or take a day. Even though everyone travels differently, they are all friendly, and we all exchange information.

I am even more grateful than before of Scott's preparation for our trip. We both spent hours discussing what we wanted to do and see, and he spent a million more hours honing the plan. Every night, he goes over the next days journey, sometimes the next two days, just to be sure. Things can always come up, weather issues and such, to change our schedule. Scott's great at adjusting and re-planning. It has made for a much more enjoyable and relaxing trip!

So, my first mate duties continue, and I am told that I'm handling them just fine. Hopefully, I can be help all the way to Florida!