Memorial Day 2012

Left Daytona around 9:00, a little later than we wanted to, but with big sun and blue skies - we knew this was going to be an awesome ride. On board for the first time was our daughter Jessica (first time meeting her new lil sister), Lindsay & Perry (a surprise set of stowaways) Dennis & myself. We are headed to St. Augustine to meet up with the Adam's and the Morgan's for a weekend of play in the oldest city. Weather is good, but a bit breezy - but I'm happy cuz I get to spend the weekend with my baby girl (yes I mean you Jess ;-))

Titusville, FL via ICW

We have begun to explore our new backyard.  This weekend we were fortunate to be joined by our good friends "The Morgans". 

Just Because

Finally we had a weekend here in FL where the skies turned big and blue and the wind didn't blow at 40 mph.  We just had to get away from the dock, so we went ~ an hour south (remember an hour @ 8 knts) to Inlet Harbor and spent the night.  Just the 2 of us and the dogs - it was awesome - we felt like we were a thousand miles away - what a great vacation!

We will do this again.

Maiden Voyage Savannah to Daytona

After a Christening, to officially give our girl her name and ensure good luck for our journey, we left Isle of Hope ~ 7am; destination Jekyll Island, GA Weather is a bit cold and blustery, but we have the nice warm arms of the Gypsy Soul to keep us warm underway. Traveled entirely on the ICW and aside from some spots where the water was a bit shallow (at least for our comfort on the first ride) it was a spectacular day. The boat handled really well even in some fairly substantial winds. While underway, we really roughed it with a home cooked breakfast, and showers for all. Capt Dennis was a smooth operator at the helm.

We even had our first bridge opened for us - what a hoot. Turned out that from Savannah to Daytona we would have 5 opened for us; so easy, all you have to do is ask, and voila!

Day 2 Jeklyll to St. Augustine; Another long day (9 hours), but it will make for a quick day 3. Same weather as yesterday, just a bit warmer. After arriving in St. Augustine, we made our way to JP Henley's for a cold brew, then off to Harry's for dinner. What a tough life!

Day 3 Daytona Beach - had a very lazy start to the day with today being a short ride home and arrived in Daytona ~ supper time. Again, Capt Dennis put the "girl" into her slip like he'd been doing it for years. Really senic ride today. Long straight runs on the ICW with lots to see along the way. Escorted by Dolphins, followed by Seagulls and even saw a couple camping on a small island.

What a trip we had - good times, great friends - we are truly blessed!

View some pix here

Christening

I NAME THIS SHIP GYPSY SOUL, AND MAY SHE BRING FAIR WINDS AND GOOD FORTUNE TO ALL WHO SAIL ON HER. WE ASK THE SAILORS OF OLD AND THE MOOD OF GOD THAT IS THE SEA TO ACCEPT “GYPSY SOUL.” AS HER NAME, TO HELP HER THROUGH HER PASSAGES, AND ALLOW HER TO RETURN WITH HER CREW SAFELY.

Watch the video

"E-Ticket"

For those of you who don't know what an "E-Ticket" is [and I don't mean electronic ticket!].  It was a ticket to the best, newest, most bad-ass rides. 

After our hurry up and wait weekend in Savannah, she is finally ours. First of all, Savannah is not such a bad place to have to wait out the delivery. It is one of my favorite cities in the US - lots to see and do and it was super bowl weekend. The only bad part about that was that the Pat's lost ;-(

The weather was a mixed bag - Saturday and Sunday were absolutely gorgeous - shorts and tee shirt weather, Monday turned cold and a little wet. Get this - while waiting for the super bowl to start, found a beer and chicken joint with a band that was pretty good so we decided to sit down a listen for a while. Barry and Bucky were great entertainment. In the middle of the set, Bucky called out one of his friends from the audience to join him in a song or two - it turned out to be Billy Greer from the band Kansas. OMG - what a treat to hear Dust in the Wind, 20 (ok maybe 25) years ago, I'd of killed to see this live.....

Making Progress.....

I expect to be back "on line" tomorrow as we prepare to cross the Panama Canal

NOW YOU SEE IT.... NOW YOU DON'T

In AIS Range yesterday for a few moments.... right until I tried to look that is and then it was gone :-(

About 5 minutes ago, it came into another AIS cell.  Today's position posted below.  My math says that it is still on track to reach Panama ~ 2/2/12, but the ETA shows 2/4/12 - I'm not sure what that is all about.  They certainly haven't received my permission to be late....

CROSSED THE LINE OF MERIDIAN

CROSSED THE LINE OF MERIDIAN

We are now in Western Waters..... and hopefully back into AIS Range in the next couple of days!

SLOW BOAT FROM CHINA.......

Making prgress, albeit way to slow for me.  I am learning patience.  Good news is I had to zoom all the way out on the map to see where it was today, I'm hopeful that soon we will be in view of the America's (on the map that is) in the next ccouple of days..

OPEN SEA -

Left Yokohama yesterday and is now in open sea.  Out of AIS range with no way to track real time progress.  The schedule and track has estimated today's position.

Yokohama harbor

We are ~ 8 hours away from Yokohama harbor.  Cosco New York is the one with the red square around it.

"DOT WATCHING"

As Laurie has so appropriately named it... we spend our day watching a dot move across the screen, trying to figure out if our boat is on the boat or not.... are the satellite images real time or not.... I think I can see our boat on the boat, it's right there.... You get the picture, productivity has dropped to near 0 in the Browne household.  Dennis put it well last night, the last time we were this excite, anxious, nervous was when we were 8 1/2 months pregnant with Jess.  Now our baby girl will finally have the sister she has always wanted.  I hope that they get along with each other (LOL).

Anyway,  I think that we have convinced ourselves that Gypsy Soul is being loaded today. Cosco New York is at dock in Ningbo, which is where the manufacturer is.

For the sailing schedule - click here.

The Final Build Pix

We received the final build pictures yesterday.

  The next time we see her will be in Savanah early February (I hope).  We are still scheduled for the Jan 10 cargo ship - but it will be touch and go and could get bumped due to the rush to get ahead of the Chinese New Year.  Keeping everything "crossed".

Wishing everyone a safe, happy and healthy New Years!

The Final Build Pix

It's January 10th

Yes, even in China it's now January 10th. 

 Use the link below to track the progress of the journey from China to Savannah.  Enter Cosco New York in the box where it says Go to Vessel on the left side of the screen.

 www.marinetraffic.com