Plain Jane Plain Talk
Journals from the road, trails and at sea
Category: 2009 Adventures
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It’s hard to describe the tranquility at Mosquito Lagoon. With winter temperatures in the 50’s — there were no mosquitoes here! This area is a vast body of shallow water, in between the barrier island and the mainland in central Florida. Utterly peaceful, quiet and undisturbed views abound. There is no shortage of dolphins, pelicans…
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I awoke to a brisk 48 degrees inside of Cat Maudy. Soxy was glued to me under the covers and it was obvious that we had not yet reached “the south”. Today would be a full day of motoring on the ICW, with many 65′ fixed bridges to navigate under. Rumor has it, that the…
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37 degrees in St. Augustine FL? I had to look twice at the thermometer just to be sure. It couldn’t possibly be 37 degrees — after all, we are in FLORIDA! But, we are still too far NORTH. And, as much as St. Augustine is a very cool place to hang….it’s just not cool at…
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The port side rudder was LOCKED into place. It would not turn – making steering Cat Maudy a challenge. So when we paid a visit to the St. Augustine Marine Center – (who were short on staff due to the December holidays) – we weren’t sure what to expect. Would Cat Maudy need to wait…
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Our new found fishermen buddies Holland and Shawn found some of the best fishing grounds inside of the St. Augustine Inlet, and only a few yards away from Cat Maudy. Naturally I cheered like a wild woman when Holland caught his first Sheepshead fish (the fish that have human like teeth). Sssshhhhhh. Cheering for a…
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Christmas Eve at the Pizzeria and Christmas day at the Columbia Restaurant in historic St. Augustine – with CAT mates Rick & Linda (MakeItSo), Larry & Karen (Chateau sur la Mer), Shelly and Lynn (Anythings Pawsible). The jammin’ and Christmas sounds of St. Augustine made for a festive atmosphere as we took a break from…
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5:30AM, on December, 22, (the day after solstice, and the second shortest daylight hour day), a convoy of 3 catamarans departed the Charleston Harbor in SC. The temperatures were a balmy 45 degrees, and light winds. After waiting dockside for 6 weeks due to a series of excuses such as: work, inertia, flu, boat repairs,…
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As cruisers arrived at the Charleston Maritime Center – Dockmaster Bob generously volunteered to OPEN the KITCHEN doors and the adjacent conference room to cruisers for a Thanksgiving feast. Living on a boat, I have learned to cook with a single propane cooktop burner – which basically means I skip the cooking notion altogether and just…
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Busy with client work, sailing Cat Maudy out of Charleston is delayed – until after December 1. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t spend some time capturing local flavor. My Charleston tours are more like an exercise jaunt around the tip of the Charleston SC peninsula. Notable sights include: Grasses at low tide Lake…
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After a 72 hour sail from Baltimore MD to Charleston SC, we take in the sights including: The Historic BatteryThe Recently built Ravenel Bridge …and everything inbetween. Waiting 30 days…for Admiral Captain Jane to arrive.
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Delivery Crew (L to R) Bill Edward, John Martin, Pat Todd, Frank Rubright Baltimore to NorfolkDeparted Balitmore 0919 140nm 21.5hrs avg: 6.6kts SOG Norfolk to Cape Hatteras148nm 23hrs avg: 6.4kts SOG Cape Hatteras to Cape Lookout77nm 11hrs. Avg: 7kts SOG Cape Lookout to Frying Pan Shoals79nm 9hrs 8.8kts SOGFrying Pan Shoals to Winyah Bay67nm 8hrs…
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Notes from dockside: Friday, Oct 16, 2009 9AM:On an unusually COLD (40 degree) and drenching rain day in Baltimore, Cat Maudy departs the docks at Anchorage Marina…to head south to Charleston SC. Captain Pat heads up a very capable 4 man crew of John Martin and Frank Rubright from Michigan, and Bill Edwards from Baltimore…
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50’s are the new 30’s. Ok, maybe I’m pushing that a bit, but I’m now officially part of the “AARP Club”. Let the member benefits begin! Cat Maudy’s repair list is nearing completion – but she is still dockside. My big day would be filled with land-lubber activities. After sharing coffee and tea with hubby…
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50’s are the new 30’s. Ok, maybe I’m pushing that a bit, but I’m now officially part of the “AARP Club”. Let the member benefits begin! Cat Maudy’s repair list is nearing completion (i.e. we’re taking a break from spending $$$)- but she is still dockside. My big day would be filled with land-lubber activities.…
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…and breathing….and rotating…and breathing some more
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Demonstration on how to put 120 pounds of air into a bike tire…
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Rich from Georgetown Yacht Basin, Galena MD worked on Cat Maudy’s saildrive problem. He had the drives out of the boat a couple of hours after we were blocked on the hard.Rich found that in addition to the rubber diaphrams we needed prop shaft seals and damper plates on both drives. So while Rich was…
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We left Georgetown Yacht Basin in the pre-dawn. As we motored through the twists and turns of the Sassafras River area of dense fog were sculpted by a light NE breeze. This of spit of land provided a very nice photo op and then I made kinda B & W. We moved along at idle.…
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As I scanned google maps looking for the ideal bike route, Betterton, MD – with a whopping 6 streets and a public beach at the mouth of the Sassafras River stood out. Betterton. Yes, I liked the sound of this. I imagined that life was tranquil, slow to be precise – and that would be…
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While Paddy preoccupied his time working on boat projects, I yearned for endorphins. I scanned google maps looking for the ideal bike route. Betterton, MD – with a whopping 6 streets and a public beach at the mouth of the Sassafras River stood out. Betterton. Yes, I liked the sound of this. I imagined that…
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Is traveling to Georgetown like time traveling into the past? It is and it ain’t.. Georgetown Yacht Basin is the only yard able to haul very beamy cats. So in the mid-Atlantic region GYB is THE destination for big cats.
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Jane and I departed the dock at 1300 hrs. we had a very good 10-15kts from 045. close hauled we were making 7 and 8 until we reached the bay and the wind increased. We were nearly at the eastern shore and the weather was looking a little nazty so we turned back. This course…
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Now, I realize that it’s been awhile since we’ve skated “FAST” – but could we really be skating THIS slow? As Jill and I descended toward the lite rail train tracks…the train lights began flashing, and the barricades descended – stopping all traffic. No problem. We waited for the train to pass. No sooner had…
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In the process of performing rudimentary skate maintenance, one very small – but necessary – skate bolt managed to disappear. This gave Tami and I the opportunity to: broach the subject of replacing Tami’s 10 year old skates with ones that have standard parts discuss expanding Tami’s repair toolkit beyond 2 q-tips consider skating on…
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Wed 8/26/2009 The winds were light – but it didn’t matter. We simply HAD to get away from the dock. With new sails installed, sika fully cured, and my triathlon now OVER — we headed out of the Patapsco River. Our destination would be Hart Miller Island for an overnight rendezvous with fellow CAT travel…
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I departed Cat Maudy at dockside at 4:30AM, still wiping pixie dust from my eyes. After all the media hype, reading up on nutrition, endless days of multi sport training, running 5K races, hours of studying bike technique (yes Lance – it IS about riding an expensive bike)…it all boiled down to getting your girl…
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I departed Cat Maudy at dockside at 4:30AM, still wiping pixie dust from my eyes. After all the media hype, reading up on nutrition, endless days of multi sport training, running 5K races, hours of studying bike technique (yes Lance – it IS about riding an expensive bike)…it all boiled down to getting your girl…
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All of this news chatter about my inability to swim last year and somehow completing a TRI…is now getting under my skin. Local media wants to talk about someone who overcomes big odds….but this is just downright embarrassing. As soon as this interview is over, I’m dusting off my “how to swim” videos – and…
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What started out as a minor “CLEW” repair, morphed into needing new sails. The clew, is the end of the main sail, that attaches to the stern end of the boom. It looked like the attachment had worn out…but apparently the entire sail had no life left in her. So, while Cat Maudy was down…
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Cat Maudy stays “dockside” during my triathlon training season. Since Cat Maudy was broken, Captain Pat was preoccupied with making boat repairs. I could have assisted him, but I am far more pleasant to be around with I get in my exercise. Thus, for 3 summer months, not a day goes by where training (swim,…
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Months ago, when researching HOW to install acrylic windows with SIKA 295UV – Captain Pat ended up having a conversation with the Sika Eastern Seaboard Tech Rep. aka…Mr. Sika himself. During this conversation we learned:1. No person or boat yard in the mid-Atlantic is certified in properly installing Sikaflex2. Any boat yard that tells you…
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The Iron Girls made their official debut at the “Dress Rehearsal” event for a workout of swim and run at 6AM in Centennial Park. Over 1000 ladies participating in this year’s Columbia Iron Girl event on Aug 23 – were here for the trial event. Our individual event sista-hood included Jill and Holly, and the…
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Monday 7/27 My inner voice screams “walk away”! I’ve known Captain Bill for years. He has done hundreds of east coast deliveries, many east coast to the islands, the islands to the east coast, and one trans-Atlantic delivery. He is levelheaded, even tempered, completely competent, and has every quality required for a captain on a…
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Tidewater Marina is located in a quiet industrial section of Baltimore – where the landmark highlights appear to be a cruise line pier, the Baltimore Sun, Walmart and Nicks Fish House. With our salon window redesign underway by repairman Clifton at Tidewater – molds of the new window hatches, grinding and fiberglass dust all added…
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As we departed from the Docks of Anchorage Marina with our big blue tarp draped over the windowless portals of the salon – the skies and waterways were a buzz with police copters and inflatable dinghies. Sure enough a B’more body was missing – and a massive search was underway in the harbor. As we…
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Workin‘ on skate skills at the mega size parking lot next to the runway is one of my favorite things to do. Part of the fun is watching the airplanes take off at BWI Airport – less than 1/4 mile away. Ok ok…this is a restricted area – but the parking lot is just too…
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um…no. That would be a big negatory, ma’am. 40 miles on country roads somewhere northwest of DC, with Joel and his biker buds Tom and Bob made for a perfect Friday afternoon rush hour – on bicycles. Secluded country roads, mostly car-free allowed me to do my job at being the group “bike anchor”. I…
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…when you can spend it on skates with your longtime dear childhood friend from Binghamton NY. Despite the reality of middle age, we somehow manage to feel 6 years old again, carefree, excited about everything, athletic, and ready for our next adventure. Which, by the way is on September 13 at the skate race trak!
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Highlights of the BWC 5K running race: Early arrival: Jill style. Arrive at 6:30AM for an 8AM race start. At least I got a parking spot! Rockin‘ support vibe – solo guitar players at every street corner serenading the runners with whatever they felt like playin. Plus this one very cool bicycle dude giving us…
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We all have them. Voices in our heads that constantly tell us what to do, when to do it, how we feel despite knowing differently. The voices that tell us to stop with all the endorphins – even tho we crave it. Sometimes the Little People go amok with their own version of events, and…
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Without windows, rainy days present a challenge. Our ‘big blu‘ tarp leaks. It rains inside. Daily afternoon thunderstorms, add a touch more drama. 50 knot winds during one recent intense electrical storm set the bucket brigade on Cat Maudy into perpetual motion. We watched helplessly as one of our 2 outer blue tarps flew off…
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Due to popular demand (or maybe just the very cool t-shirt), the Sista-hood decided to make the Run for the Roses an annual event. Unfortunately, Jill did not get the memo for 2009, so Emma and I turned this into a mother-daughta event.The alarm clock on my new Verizon walkie-talkie phone didn’t go off at…
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Don’t try this at home…or on your boat. Unless of course, you want to save $20,000+ in boat yard labor fees. The salon window replacement project began in “concept” – last fall. Without adequate weather or temperatures, windows replacement waited until the following spring. Spring felt more like monsoon season in the tropics. We waited,…
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Two weeks ago Emma and I were feeling mighty mighty after tri-sista Jill’s Columbia Triathlon. We needed a sistahood moment, an event, a race, anything will do really. Emma selected Zooma Annapolis – a mere 10K event just 2 weeks away. Plus, all finishers got a SILVER NECKLACE, a box lunch and a cupcake. That’s…
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Promises were made. Expectations were high. If I could convince Paddy to ride my bicycle with the friends-n-family group at 8AM on Memorial Day– surely there would need to be a TREAT waiting. I had a plan. Chuck, Paddy and Eileen would bike along the B&A trial, and Jill and I would travel via inline…
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Day 1 – Baltimore to AnnapolisWith a full day of scrubbing the inside port hull (mold removal) and stocking up on fruit and salad fixin’s – we were ready to depart for a 3-day sailing weekend with daughter unit Emma and newbie-sailor Mike. This trip would be Mike’s first time out on the water, and…
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She is certainly a WINNER in our eyes. Jill tackled a SOLO adventure of a 1 mile swim, 26 mile bike and 6.2 mile run…to conquer the Olympic course Columbia Triathlon in sub-60 degree temperatures mixed with precipitation on Sunday May 17! Not wanting to miss the START, Jill and support team hubby Chuck arrived…
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(Captain Pat) Back in the day… …Cruisers had many little tricks for preserving fresh food on board the cruising boat. None of those tricks included a Frigoboat keel cooler refrigeration unit. You can probably google preserving fresh eggs and find that eggs can be kept for a very long time without refrigeration. Ok…we’ll save that…
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The windlass install is complete. In this shot the chain, solenoid, motor, and gearbox are visible. This project was complete on 5/10. We decided to replace the old windlass on 4/19 and started the project with 4 days of dis-assembly. The old windlass was a Diport AG with a much larger footprint and easily twice…
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This year we are in dire need of a good rain. This year we are in dire need of a windlass fix. Driving south toward DC you’ll pass over the itty bitty Patuxent River. It has been an almost dry river bed for a few years now so this abundant spring rain we are hiding…
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Last December while in Sea School working on my USCG Captain’s license…I met “Captain” Jane. What are the odds in a predominantly male merchant marines – that I would meet another femme with the ‘jane name’. We instantly became friends, and shared sailing stories during class breaks. At least I thought we were sharing sailing…
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After a winter in Baltimore, or for no other apparent reason, our automatic anchor windlass has decided to act up. The windlass is a motor that turns the chain holding the anchor…allowing either the anchor to get dropped into the water….or to bring it back on deck. Our best guess, is that the bearings are…
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(Captain Pat) … that I have spent the winter in a dark corner of the basement sucking my thumb while in the fetal position due to this window nightmare. Well… almost. While gas prices were “lower”, we took a road trip out west – a real Lewis and Clarke adventure. This provided a wonderful distraction…
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Cat Maudy gets new cockpit boat cushions on the cheap… * discounted Microfiber upholstery fabric from G Street Fabrics @ $7/yard * reuse existing cushion material * use velcro to fasten ends* use the existing foam to cut new materials * spend a 7 hour rainy day with good friend Husqvarna Viking sewing machine and…
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Cosmic Bowling is now officially checked OFF of the bucket list. I wasn’t aware that this was ever ON the bucket list, but surely it was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up. Cosmic Bowling in suburbia Ellicott City MD starts at 10PM on Saturday nights. Well past my bedtime. Accompanied by cosmic maties Paddy, Chuck…
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Smiles on the ground — while all the HOT AIR came rushin‘ outta the B-DAY balloon ride in Miami FL. Despite the dramatic finish into a field of mangos, and rush of migrant workers to make sure there were no major calamities….all party participants survived the 20 mile treetop hot air fun. Congratulations Jill on…
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We’re back on-board Cat Maudy after a 9 week stint on land. So, what’s changed?– the seagulls (along with all of their friends and relatives) have invaded our dock– the city of Baltimore has installed a shed with a solar powered conveyor belt to help capture storm runoff pollution.– our windows are still broken. Yes,…
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It’s hard to imagine having more fun than combining our favorite ‘dorphin activities – hula and skating. After a long cold winter, temps had finally reached into the 70’s. Only a few remnants of last week’s snowfall remained. We practiced our hula dance in the parking lot, to the delight of children under the age…
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It was now the final leg of our journey – which consists of a 9 hour road trip from Louisville, KY to Silver Spring, MD. Notable highlights in Kentucky include:-horse farms-signs for the Kentucky Derby horse race-more horse farms As we made our way out of Kentucky, into West Virginia, we were back on familiar…
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After 3 days of driving, it was time for a day off. And, what a better place to do so, at friend’s Tom’s home and workshop in Louisville, KY. Paddy has known Tom back in his Michigan days, and I was about to meet Tom for the first time. Tom is an artist. A sculpture…
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The terrain of western and central Arkansas looked a lot like Maryland. Rolling hills, green vegetation and trees over 3 feet tall. The biggest difference was the increase in water supply. Here, river beds actually had water, and the land did not look complete scorched. Arkansas has discovered the meaning of “multi-use development land”. The…
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Let’s just get to it. Some states are sincerely “welcoming” and others are not. We touched on 4 states today (New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas) and the “welcome factor” is very important to my hoopmania vibe as we travel cross-country. New Mexico-Paddy found starbucks coffee at the Silver Moon Cafe next to our hotel-the…
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It was time to descend from the stunning views of Colorado Rocky Mountain peaks, and beam ourselves back down to earth. Rather than travel the Interstates, we decided to take the back roads less traveled, southward to Albuquerque, NM – approximately 400 miles from Vail. The skies were clear, and the temperature was a balmy…
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On ski day 4, in the Rockies, we were glad to depart the high altitudes of Breckenridge – and drop 1600 base feet to ski & be reunited with family & friends at Vail . While we wait for the snow squalls to pass and the winds to subside in the early morning, let me…
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There are some expert skiers out here – many who take skiing to the extreme limit. The “bowls”, the “extreme terrain”, getting lost in the “back country”, outlasting an avalanche or 2, or sking backwards down the double blacks. These were some impressive feats to admire…and the apres ski was all about bragging rights. But,…
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After a few hours of computer work, it was time to get the day started on the Peaks at Breckenridge. We sachet’d our way to the bottom of the parking lot – and waited for the free shuttle bus to take us to a ski lift. “Where are you headed?” the bus driver asked. “Anywhere…
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I’m thinking that an emergency oxygen mask should be designed into ski head wear — for anyone skiing in altitudes above 9000′. Wait a minute! Hear me out on this. It would work just like in the airlines. As soon as the oxygen level gets too low…the mask would drop outta your hat — and…
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The weather was calling for 60 degree temperatures in Denver CO…and temps in the upper 30’s up into the mountains. We would soon find out, that there is really no telling what the weather will do in the mountains. The “climb” from the valley of Denver…to the lower mountains was downright jaw dropping…only to be…
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After 2 & 1/2 days of driving…we opted to stay the night in western Denver – just one exit past “Wadsworth Boulevard”. Denver rests in elevation a mile high…a good start to our acclimation process. The Quality Inn had a POOL that was greater than 3 feet deep…so moments after checkin…we raced to the water…
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DAY 3 (Denver CO)Enuf with the HOOPING….Paddy needed COFFEE. and not just your everyday starbucks experience….this was about down-n-dirty getting the best cup of coffee that could be had. I was equipped only with a verizon card…and my good friend google. As a team, it appeared that we had discovered the “coffee district” of Denver…
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Day 2…. Missouri yippee – we just crossed the Mississippi – and I kept staring at that big ARCH – which represents the GATEWAY to the WEST. I stared at it so long as I was driving, that I accidentally got off I-70, and magically appeared at a parking lot RIGHT next to the ARCH.…
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With a brief “low” in gas prices, and in our 2nd winter month away from Cat Maudy, it was time for a new adventure. A road trip. Spontaneous. Unplanned. This is our style. There were many similarities (and differences) between the expedition of Lewis and Clark…and our “Jane & Paddy goes west story”.1. L&C started…
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Remember the days of jump roping, hoola-hooping, skip-it and pogo toys? In celebration of … ahem…ahem…ok, um….getting to the, ahem… 1/2 century mark…ok 50. Yep, I said it – 50. We’re revisiting toys from the past – and conducting a very scientific experiment on their ENDORPHIN OUTPUT. Our initial tests, tho inconclusive, have been very…
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Earl Grey…our Cat Maudy CAT companion, and buddy of 17 years….had to move on to the after life. Earl was an amazing lilac point siamese and shared with us his knowledge on life: – No fear. Earl had no issues standing on the bow of Cat Maudy…at the very edge. – Always lending a hand.…
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It was a beautiful day, with temperatures already in the mid-40’s and rising. Perfect for a bike/skate BRICK, with a 30 mile mountain bike run from BWI airport to Annapolis…followed by a 12.5 mile skate loop around the airport. Somewhere around the first 3/10ths of a mile into the bike ride, with patches of ice…
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Stuck on land for 2 months, and away from Cat Maudy during a cold Maryland winter, we were itching for an adventure. It was close to 10 years since we last hopped onto our ski’s. When we decided Tuesday morning that it was “time” to revisit skiing – we grabbed all of our OLD SCHOOL…
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Stuck on land for 2 months, and away from Cat Maudy during a cold Maryland winter, we were itching for an adventure. It was close to 10 years since we last hopped onto our ski’s, so when we decided Tuesday morning that it was “time” to revisit skiing – we grabbed all of our OLD…
Plain Jane Plain Talk 