N 38ƒ20.18 W 76ƒ27.63

The boat show was enjoyable as usual and Saturday I spent the day at the Seven Seas Gam on Back Creek. Sunday was spent getting ready to go and saying our goodbys to our Annapolis friends. Some we will see when we go south. Monday morning we decided it is time to head south,anyway even Ruby was anxious to get away. With a beautiful day in front of us we headed south out of Annapolis. All was going well until about 2 hours out the engine driven water pump shed its pulley and we shut her down. Leting papillon find her way under the new jib and autopilot I went below and with Ruby watching dug out our brand new, complete water pump and switched them out. 10 minutes later and we were back underway. With the light winds and 45 miles to go the engine was necessary to get us there before dark and all the other boats that were behind us. Suddenly that pump was worth the $300 it cost, especially since the old one is toast. The pulley made sure it ruined the shaft before it took off. I can probably salvage the housing and bearings?

Any way we arrived in the Solmons and dropped the hook in a very crowded anchorage, with more boats behind us. Today's, tuesday, weather report has a pretty nasty front coming through tonight so we checked with the Holiday Inn and they offered us a slip for $1 a foot. A good deal these days so we pulled up anchor and slipped into the marina. Ruby was imediately greeted by several admirers and it wasn't long before she was on the dock getting the ole rub down and her rubbing back. One of the gals has cats but couldn't bring them along and she said she really missed them so Ruby was getting overtime rubs.

We will probably stay here until thursday and let this front pass and continue south to Portsmouth and our rendezvous with Tom, Donna, Charlie and Lori, family and myLori., who is flying in next wednesday.

We will probably stop in Reedville and Deltaville and be in Norfolk Sun or Monday. There is another front coming thru late friday/saturday and we will probably ride it out in Deltaville or the York river.

After sitting in annapolis for a month it is good to be on the move. After dealing with Isabel I guess I was content to just sit for awhile. Those bad women will do that to you.

" Goin where the weather suits my clothes"

Capt Jon & Ruby

(I'll get the web site updated tomorrow. )

Check out our Bay Map charting our position and updated pictures on http://liveaboardsvpapillon.homestead.com/Chartourcourse.html