so sad

last day

Lagoa Sete Cidades

Blue and green lakes in the old volcano.

morning

The Pilgrim walks out of a cave during the morning walk at Lagoa Sete Cidades, the third volcanic lake we've visited.

dogs and surfers

the mist

near the lake

Fern, wet from the clouds that cling to the tops of the old volcanoes.

hidden in the mist

The Pilgrim looks out over Lagoa do Fogo.

I can see clearly now

Bike stand on the beach at Sao Rocque.

thermal pool

The Pilgrim goes for a swim in a thermal pool in Furnas.

the hike

Steep climb to the peak near an old volcano to look out over Lagoa Furnas.

black lava beach

the view

from a steep hike

Mosteiros

If you want to know where to get local octopus...

Mosteiros

fishing village

Traditional boats at Mosteiros.

local resident

the festival

buttery garlicky broiled limpets with crusty bread

on the waterfront

old town

Ponta Delgada, Azores

courtesy a Delta flight

Chesapeake Bay, at top, Kent Island and Eastern Bay. I could pick out some favorite anchorages on the flight north.

a classic boat for sale

When I arrived at Potters Marine for the sail a week ago I was pleased to see my good friend Curt.  That's him at right in the photograph above.  He and his nephew Noah were just coming in from a week long sail down to Oriental, Beaufort, Cape Lookout and Core Sound.  With Curt and I as fans of wooden boats, it wasn't long before Conway, above left, was showing us the classic wooden boat DOLFIN he was trying to sell for a friend.

I don't have a lot of specifics about the boat other that it is a design from Cape Cod, with lee boards and rigged for sailing, rowing and sculling.  The workmanship is excellent down to the smallest detail.  If I was looking for a wooden boat to get out on the water I would give this boat some serious consideration.  Yes, there would be some sweat equity involved in getting her out on the water - she hasn't been used for a while.  If you are interested, talk to Conway at Potters Marine.  She's too pretty of a boat to be sitting on the shore.

and a few more

Heading off in a couple days for hiking around a volcanic island with the Pilgrim (hope I can keep up).  The daily logs will have to wait until June.

a few photographs

the spring sail

Just shy of 200 miles, above is the track for the spring sail.  Lots of wind, most commonly coming from the direction in which I was to go - which was fine, I wanted to push myself a little bit on this trip.  Lots of fun, good sailing, found some beautiful anchorages (in creeks that I had passed by more than a few times) and met some nice folks along the way.

just before dawn

The moon sets on Durham Creek.

mizzen and jib

Down the Pamlico River today, making 4 and 5 knots under mizzen and jib.

coming in

Sailing in past the old train trestle at Little Washington. One of my favorite waterfronts.

it doesn't get much better

Because of strong winds and (more so) big waves, turned in to a creek this morning. Because of light winds, spent the afternoon exploring nearby creeks. Perfect.

drying out

brunch and a break

Beat up this morning trying to cross the Pamlico River to the Pungo River. Steep steep waves. Took water over the sides in a gust. Turned into ICW behind Goose Creek Island and tucked into a Creek for a hash brown brunch.