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The Sturdy Beggar News |
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January e-mail01/05/01Thank you all for your interest and good wishes. The temperature is finally up to about 50 today, a far cry from what it has been. The boat I am traveling with, the Sojourner, and I will be leaving for sunnier climes in the morning. Got a hair cut, shower and shave today, so all is well. Saw the Bill Fitzpatrick's in Myrtle Beach the other day. Nice to see old friends. Jimmy B., if the lobsters get any cheaper you might as well sign up with me. Hope all is well with Capt. Fred. See ya, Rich. 1/6/01Two days to Charleston then on to Savannah. Warm weather ahead! Fitzpatrick's were headed toward Charleston day before yesterday and spotted the Sturdy Beggar near the Georgetown Bridge. Tried to catch up with the boats by detouring off the h8ghway, but lost sight of both. It was quite a thrill to see them. We're now in FLA. Have faith, Captain, it's in the 60's!! Regards, Joan Fitz This is the first I've heard from you since you left New Bedford. I'm very sorry I could not make the trip with you. Good luck and fair winds. I really envy you. RJM Hi Rich, Glad to hear you are making progress toward the palm trees. I have not talked to Barb and Rick but their Christmas card said they would be heading south in early January. I assume they might be on the way. I am glad you have connected up with them. They are the first friends I made in Marblehead and we have been in touch ever since. Good luck on the rest of the trip. E.T.
Hi: Thanks! Got the December Log and enjoyed it very much. You appear to be moving right along and it shouldn't be too long before you reach the land of milk and honey. Wes! 01/07/01In Charleston, SC tonight. Big day today. Went ashore and watched a football game and had a Caesar salad. A front is coming through and we may get two days of rain. Temp. was up to 60 which is an improvement. Next destination - Beaufort, SC then Savannah, GA. RJO Good Luck Rich from Down Under. If you need a safe harbor don't forget my buddies in Georgia. Weather here terrible. About 90 Deg, fair wind, humidity just right, have another bloody barbi to go to today. You know beer, steaks, saugages, prawns, and wine. Just another s____y day here in Sydney. Forgot to tell you, I play golf at a club nearby my house. A member of the club is an LCDR in the Navy. Off the Brisbane. He remembers you and I in the Wardroom many years ago when he was an ensign. They are getting ready to scrap the Brisbane. Hope you hit calm warm waters. With regards to lobsters. Maybe you should fish here. They selling in Viviane's (my wife) restaurant for about $70.00 each. See you and give my regards to the New Yorker in Barbados. Carl C 01/08/01Rain. Very windy. Still in Charleston Harbor. Temp. was up to 60 at the airport but not here in the Harbor. Got fuel and water. Ready to leave in the morning weather permitting. Heading toward Beaufort - 70 miles - too far for one day with all the bridges that open at set times. Stove flared up after dinner so have shut it down. No heat tonight. Will trouble shoot it in the daylight. Maybe water in the new fuel or a back draft down the stack. Temperatures expected in the 30's tonight. Any one what to sign on? RJO 01/08/01Rain. Very windy. Still in Charleston Harbor. Temp. was up to 60+ at the airport but not here in the Harbor. Got fuel and water. Ready to leave in the morning, weather permitting. Heading toward Beaufort - 70 miles - too far for one day with all the bridges that open at set times. Stove flared up after dinner so have shut it down. No heat tonight. Will trouble shoot it in the daylight. Maybe water in the new fuel or a back draft down the stack with all this wind. Temperatures expected in the 30's tonight. Any one what to sign on? RJO 01/09/01HAVE A NEW RECRUIT FOR YOU IN SEPTEMBER, GRAMPY. STAY WARM AND BRING BACK SOME SEA SHELLS. DANIEL 01/09/01We are getting ready to head back south departing about 1/19. (hopefully to stay 5 months this time) we may have messed up our plane reservations so will likely drive to Beaufort NC... I gather Rich may be coming home shortly from the emails. If It works, we could again drive back together (3 of us this time) drop us in Beaufort NC and then return the car to Hilton Head or Savanna. Actually a good spot for Rich to leave the boat is in Beaufort SC (NOTE SOUTH CAROLINA) the municipal marina has good slips and longer term rates also use of a car. We have stayed there in the past it's a nice southern town, and the docks are right downtown. The Savanna Thunderbolt Marinas are sort of in a ghetto) with nothing nearby. Let us know if this looks like it would work. We are not totally sure of our plans yet but I just wanted to give you a heads up, if you are in touch with Rich. Cheers Rick, (Cara) For Capt O'Leary. A safe harbor. David says: " We are 60 miles South of Savannah - maybe go via ICW. You would be welcome to dock for a few days at our house. We have 7 ft. of water at LLW and the vertical height of Back River Bridge is 40 ft. @ high tide. If interested I can give you a course from ICW (McKay River.)" Carla 01/09/01Didn't leave Charleston. John, owner of the other boat, was sick. If he is better in the morning we will leave. Weather is suppose to be good tomorrow. Cold tonight, in the 20's. Warmer as the week goes along. Only 200+ miles from Florida! Katharine, twins! Great news. 01/10/01To the Chief Captain; Sorry to learn of all the delays in your epic journey, weather can be such a nuisance. You will have your chance to give it to me later, but I can't resist complaining that we have to suffer through 55-degree temperatures on the golf course today. Oh well, someone has to do it, so it might as well be us. Kidding aside, I hope it improves soon and you can enjoy the fruits of your labor to the fullest. It was wonderful seeing you in MB, and we both agreed that the SB is one terrific vessel. We might be staying in a motel in Savanna the night of Thursday, January 11. We will be out on Route 95 but would run to the shore if you happen to be there at the same time. Keep us posted. Hope you and all are well. More later. Fitzy 01/10/01Saw two bald eagles, pelicans and dolphins today. Ran aground in the mud on this very low, full moon tide. Minor event. Off in a few minutes. We are between the Ashepoo & Coosaw rivers tonight. It was 22 this am but up in the 50's during the day. Not bad. Beautiful moon rise over this g-- d--- swamp. the boats dirty, I'm dirty. Never again. Rick S. I am going to keep going until we hit warm weather. At least that is the plan tonight. Always subject to change. Hey, Daniel & Trish - great news! Tim, did you get the results of the exam? RJO I received picture! It appears that Bennett is expressing Rich's feelings about now. Sure hope he can reach warmer shores soon. The Rick S that he refers too is a friend that I worked with at Honeywell some years ago. He wrote me an E-mail a few weeks ago when he had returned to Maine. He had seen my name in the Copy to. It's a small world. Regards, Rich 01/11/01In Beaufort, SC. Went ashore. Walked around. Here for the night. John on the other boat is visiting his cousin. Hope to leave in the morning. Suppose to rain. We'll see. Hey Dad. Hope you have reached Beaufort SC safe and sound, weather sounds like its getting better for you, have you fixed your stove problem( do you still have your eyelashes?) Things are fine here, got our first bit of snow Mon. 3-4 inches, very pretty on the trees. Temps have been on the chilly side, river froze up the other day. Nothing new or exciting to report, our tenant moved out last weekend and was very appreciative of the opportunity to stay there. All babies are healthy and new Mom's are getting little sleep! Looking forward to seeing you soon, let us know your plans. K, B & L xoxo 01/13/01Hi Capt'n; I just thought I'd log in and tell you that I just returned from Florida and although it was chilly it seems to be warming up. Should be toasty by the time you get there. I spent some time with friends in Tampa and then went down to see Reg and Jan Berry in Port Charlotte. I think that you caught the worst fall for cold weather in years. I was reading some of your mail from the web site and it seems that you must be sailing the "Sturdy Beggar" to Norway next year. My--you are really getting used to this cold weather to attempt such a daunting trip. Hope you get to wherever you are going quickly in order to get warm before you have to start back. Stay Well, Dick B don't know Richard personally. Joe Paone is a friend of his and Joe lives here in Florida and was using my Email address to follow the Sturdy Beggar and wants Richard to stop in here on his way south. We are located on the Indian River at marker 55. The weather here in Fla. has finally warmed up. Regards Ted 01/14/01The good news - it's not snowing. Am in GA close to Brunswick. Sun yesterday. Cold and overcast today. Up in the 40's tomorrow so they say. 4-5 days to FL. Wicked tides. It's the pits! RJO 01/14/01Hello RJO, Keep the news coming. This is a great variation!!!!!!!! Regards, Fog Happy New Year. We appreciate your keeping us informed of his passage. Feel badly that the weather has been poor but I know that you are having a good time. Congratulations on the new baby! If you come home to do year end business give us a shout and we will get together for dinner. I have been keeping Newt informed between his trips to Tortola. Thanks again for keeping us in touch. We have been busy around home. Marcia is still playing the organ every Sunday and trying her best to keep up with Jon's books. Look forward to seeing you. Jake & Marcia 01/15/01Thick fog in Brunswick, GA this morning. Everything is expensive here. St. Simons Island is a tourist place. Five bucks to tie up the dingy! Five bucks to take a shower! Twenty four dollars for a taxi to the store. Those of you who like to travel in the Waterway are nuts. It is like traveling around in the Essex marsh for 14 days! 01/15/01Hello Capt. O'Leary. Sounds like you are making good progress, though I thought that only in New England could you have that kind of weather! We were in the high 40's on Sunday and now, Monday eve, we have 4" fresh powder!!! We wish you a safe journey and look forward to hearing that you are sailing into warmer climates! Though we will be quite jealous here in Ashburnham! It was nice to know that you were able to connect with my parents in Myrtle Beach. They were thrilled that it worked out. Best wishes for sunshine and warm winds! Susan LeBlanc 01/15/01Dear Rich, Hope you were able to head out to warmer weather today. It has certainly been a long trip. I can't believe the weather has just been terrible for you. We haven't experience that bad of weather here but there again I'm not sailing around. Sure hope to get into warmer weather in the next couple of days. Regards, Rich Hello RJO, Keep the news coming. This is a great variation! 01/15/01Keep the faith Rich, I bet you can almost feel the heat of the islands. it is snowing here today so you are doing better than us. CHRISTOPHER J. G. Dear Rich, Hope you were able to head out to warmer weather today. It has certainly been a long trip. I can't believe the weather has just been terrible for you. We haven't experience that bad of weather here but there again I'm not sailing around. Sure hope to get into warmer weather in the next couple of days. Regards, Rich Hello Capt. O'Leary. Sounds like you are making good progress, though I thought that only in New England could you have that kind of weather! We were in the high 40's on Sunday and now, Monday eve, we have 4" fresh powder!!! We wish you a safe journey and look forward to hearing that you are sailing into warmer climates! Though we will be quite jealous here in Ashburnham! It was nice to know that you were able to connect with my parents in Myrtle Beach. They were thrilled that it worked out. Best wishes for sunshine and warm winds! Susan LeBlanc 01/16/01The Sturdy Beggar is in FLORIDA! Fernandino Beach. Next stop St Augustine or Jacksonville. Then on to Cape Canaveral. Just south of there Joe P. has found a place across the street from where he is where I can leave the boat for a spell. It is owned by the Bartlett's. Related to Freddie? Called Carl's friend, Melvin. Let him know we were just passing through. Nice guy. Thanks, Carl. Perhaps on the way back. Went shopping for lots of stuff - big bucks. A bag of oranges - $2.00, Cheddar cheese 2 block for $4.00. Not bad. All set for a while. RJO Hi Dad! Just got your letter to Liam today, he loved the part about the tornado and that you have seen dolphins! I didn't know that is was tornado winds that knocked you over (oh My!) Sounds like you're still pluggin along and after reading today's mail( 1/15) is sounds like you need a break! That's a bummer that the intercoastal is so winding and marshy, it must be frustrating as hell, that and the killer pelican on your tail must add to the daily drama!! Hi Rich: We are leaving by car on Friday the 19th to Beaufort. Hopefully our paths will cross again and the weather will be warm. Our plan, if the weather works, is to go direct to the Bahamas (the Abacos) from Beaufort. Otherwise to Lake Worth and cross to West End (Grand Bahama) When do you plan to resume your trip? If we decide to leave from Florida we might be able to cross the stream together. We will still have email while in the states and also the cell phone, so keep in touch. We usually run outside from Cape Fear to Florida so either way I think we can catch up. I am glad to hear you have made it to warmer climes! Keep in touch. Rick (Cara) Dick the Marina I told you to go too does not have enough water for you to get in. there is nothing in Sebastian Deep enough for you So I went to Melbourne and found a marina that you can get into its the Intracoastal Marina Location is between the Melbourne and Eau Gallie Causeways on the west side of the Intracoastal waterway between the Melbourne ICW Marker 3&5 Monitoring Channel 16. They are open 7 days and they said that they space for you here is Tel #407 725 0090 and 1 800 914 0090 but they said you did not have to call Richard: Glad to hear you have hit the Sunshine State, you sound a bit less gloomy and I don't blame you. I think the intrastate was made for power boats who can make better time. Good sailing to you. Be careful when you leave the bay behind. Please keep us posted. Fitz 01/17/01Arrived in Jacksonville. Grey, overcast am. When the sun came out the temps were in the 60's, 70's predicted for tomorrow. The guys on the boat from VA want to go to a marine discount store in Jacksonville. Going to look for an autopilot for the Sturdy Beggar. Hope to get out of here shortly. Glad to see Fred & Kitty are headed to Florida. Jim & Tom, let them know where the boat is when they get down here. Thanks for all the messages. Will reply when I have more time at a computer. RJO 01/18/01In a tee shirt today! Finally in warm weather. Went up the river at Jacksonville looking for a discount marine supply place that is no longer there. Found a good place to stay for the night. Headed out tomorrow. Expect to be sailing shortly! RJO Hey pops, make sure you lube up that head of yours with some spf 40, sounds like you're headed into some sunshine finally. Alls well back on the home front. It's colder than .....you fill in the rest. keep the emails coming. I print them out each day and bring them home for Matthew and Tricia. Stay the course and we will see you soon. Hi RJO, Any palm trees sighted yet? Blue green water? It's cold and gray here. Nothing to like about it. Looking forward to spring. XXOO, Ellie Hi Rich: You are about to enter some of the real thin water in the I.C.W so watch it!... Manansas (stay right) close to the bluff and a bit north of Daytona (near Ponce Inlet) Go slow! Hopefully you will be outside and clipping along under full sail and not have to worry about this. I still intend to catch up Rick Hello Richard, You sure have hit an unusual streak of bad weather. Sounds like winter in upstate NY. However, you must be warm by now. We are getting some snow and then the cold will come in behind it tomorrow evening. Smooth sailing !! Chris & Marge Hi Cap! And greetings from Cape Cod. We appreciate hearing of your progress and glad to hear you're into tee shirt wx. We have a nice mix of snow & rain going for us here so as you know you're not missing anything. Just got some retirement numbers back from MEBA and it looks good for hanging it up 12/02. If management keeps going the way they are it might be sooner as they want to 01/22/01The plan is to leave Jacksonville 10 am Monday on the tide. Frost on the deck Sunday morning. Not far enough south yet. 01/22/01 pmStill in Jax. Gale winds still - 25-35 tonight. Maybe get going tomorrow. Raining. Boat's rocking all over the place. Beans and rice - again. Oh, Lord. I am being tested. I will be somewhere else tomorrow night, I hope. RJO Richard, No doubt you'll pass the test!! We have complete faith in you...and pretty soon it might even be fun. You'll stay in our thoughts and prayers! Regards, Joan and Bill Dear Sturdy Richard, If it will help to warm up your Flordia sojourn, you can have my share of the Sunshine state, cockroaches and all. It was 40 degrees here this afternoon and sunny, with enough snow in the side yard for your friend to do some good cross country runs down the hill behind the house. And the sea was THE most gorgeous pale blue and absolutely flat calm. I must say I've enjoyed your frozen voyage reports... even felt sorry for you when your heater misbehaved. After having to have sewn yourself into your long underwear all the way to Florida I'm sure you'll be glad to get back to the fireplace. Ciao, The Back Half of 8 01/23/01Left Jax. Tide was against the wind. Very choppy. Chilly this am, 42 and rain. In the 50's during the day weather cleared. Blew 20-25, gusts 35. Two hours to get the anchor settled. Tomorrow we expect to make St. Augustine. To Joe's by weekend. Seeger said don't give up! Fine thing for him too say! I have scars from this venture! They are going to wait to see which direction to head. Am looking forward to SAILING! Am tired of putt-putt-putt all day long. No more killer pelicans. Have everything under control. Time to fix dinner. Now let's see. What delight shall I have tonight? RJO Punt, I don't get much info on the Sturdy Beggar, at least until recently when I started getting copies of your e-mail. Curious to the size of your crew and when you plan to head for Europe, if you do. I heard rumors that you might. That will be a trip!!! I've read Josh Slocum's story several times along with a separate bio plus many other open sea voyages in small boats. Enough to keep me on shore!!!! Never was a sailor anyway. But very interesting to follow the stories of those who do/are/can, etc. Regards, Fog Hello there, Captain O'Leary! Missing you in Marblehead. Not a single flea-bitten old salt has tried to pick me up since your last attempt. It just ain't no fun without you! Hi Richard, Hang on! It is damned cold here, too. We had a bit of snow but it was light and fluffy. I am so ready for warm weather. The school year is half over. I am counting the months. Enjoy the palms. E.T. 1/23/01Hi All: Here we are back in Beaufort NC. It has been blowing like mad here so we will have to wait a bit before heading south. Temps in the mid 40's and mid 20's at night but we are very comfortable with our diesel heater and a lot of good fresh seafood (grouper and shrimp). We will probably wait for the weather to break and then run outside to Cape Fear. Right now they are saying 14 foot seas off shore so I guess we will suffer with the good seafod for a while. We spoke to Rich this AM we both seem to be able to find more wind than necessary. Rick S Beans and rice maybe? I hear the pelican is fresh!!! Keep smiling Captain. We will all be jealous when you are sipping Margaritas in the sunshine! Take care. Susan M LeB Since you're in the "sunny south", try the southern fried chicken. plenty of time to learn if you're doing nothing but put-putting. Hope you said hello to all my old friends at Benny the Bum's emporium in Jacksonville. And the police might just remember that crazy Yankee they locked up for public drunk, and couldn't figure out why he didn't get sober overnight so that they could turn him loose. Finally got tired of waiting and escorted me out of my chicken wire abode only to have the concealed bottle slide down my pants leg, hitting the floor with a resounding "kaploosh". They weren't amused! I could tell by the way they kicked my ___, but at least I got outta there without paying the fine. Ya, give all my best to "sunny" Florida! In St Augustine. Other boat went hard aground. Had to be towed off. We are anchored at the bridge with the lions. Went ashore - laundry, shower, etc. This morning chilly. 60's during the day, not bad. Tomorrow am in the low 30's. 25 mph winds tomorrow so will stay here for the day. Then on to Daytona the next day. Will be headed home soon for a spell. RJO 01/25/01From St Augustine. Went out to dinner with the guys from the VA boat, back at midnight. Breezy all day. Leaving first thing in the morning. Will try to get close to Daytona, etc., etc. Six hours of freezing temperatures predicted for tonight but warm again tomorrow. Good weather predicted for the weekend. Sightseers from a boat that was in Gloucester last summer just boarded so see yea.. Oh Dad! What can I say, my heart goes out to you and the Sturdy Beggar, she's one tough broad. I can't believe the run of bad weather you've had, some one up there sure is testing you! You'll be the better man for it though., I just know it. Looking forward to seeing you when you come home. All our love K, B & L Hello Captain O'Leary! It's about the weather down there. Wuzzup with that weather down there? I bet you thought you'd gone away for the winter but it looks like you brought the winter with you. I've enjoyed your adventure (without freezing my a__ off). I hope you find warm weather and sunshine soon. Keep those messages coming. And have a good trip. Bill C 01/26/01Lovely day, cool in am, warm by noon. Anchored just below Dayton Beach at mile 830. Four bridges in Daytona. Glad to get them behind me today. Three other boats anchored off and to port is the sewage plant. Tackeyville. Still inside the bloody ditch. Little or no air predicted for tomorrow. 52 miles tomorrow. 1/2 day from Joe. Expect to be there Sunday. Need to clean the boat, find the best deal then head home. VA boat is staying in St Augustine through the Super Bowl. Margo, the old salt is planning on being back in Feb. Passed a pretty sailboat from Breen today. She was stuck hard aground. Had an encounter at a joint that had live music in St. Augustine. Gal came over and said, "My God you the most beautiful eyes. etc., etc. Are you bashful?" "No." I replied. She responded, "Oh, you're Irish." And walked away. The guys from VA were with me. They said she was the best looking woman there. Sounds like one of your stories, John. 01/28/01Dear Sherlock: In as much as you had problems, identifying Lee Honey, I will give you a second chance to redeem yourself, although I'm sure it will prove to be quite difficult. Who is the good looking couple serving as Cap't. O'Leary's "Sturdy" crew? Remember! No fair trying to trick the "Dirty Old Man" into supplying the answer. You have to do this on your own! Hi Cap't. Punt: In as much as Ed Sottak, Horace Harrison and I all lived?? down there in Cocoa and vicinity for quite a while, and as much as the snow here is still
as tall as a giraffe, I for one, would be overjoyed to jump right down there
and serve as a tour guide to the Churches and other business establishments
in the area. Have a great trip home and we'll be talking. Turtle! 01/28/01Jim, Tom, where are Fred and Kitty? RJO |
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