Here are the "log" entries from Commander Bev Astles as Shabu made her way. It should be noted that the "log" entries are now in reverse chronological order (bloglike), but the dates stated represent when they were received by me, not necessarily the dates they were written. Since access to the Internet was fairly limited, lots of details about the trip are not posted. I'm hoping there will be more details available to post later.
The
Shabu Has LandedJuly 4, 2006 - Word from the Commandant, Admiral, Captain, First Mate and Crew - The Shabu has arrived safely in Essex, Connecticut having completed the Great Loop. After three year, Shabu is getting the TLC and clean-up she needs from the crew. Pictures and reports to follow
Armchair Cruise Part 10: On the last leg of Shabu’s Great Loop she left Norfolk and headed up the western side of the Chesapeake Bay. She spent a few days at the Rappahannock River Yacht Club and traveled up the Potomac River for a 5 day visit to Washington DC. From here she headed to Baltimore, then on to Cape May and up the Jersey Coast to Sandy Hook. With favorable current and weather Shabu passed NYC and arrived at the CT River on July 4th, completing her Great Loop voyage over 7K miles. Enjoy the pictures from Part 10. [posted 8/9/06]
Armchair Cruise Part 9: Shabu has been working her (north) way along FL’s east coast from Boca Chita Key, thru Miami, past the Jupiter Inlet, and stopping to visit relatives and friends in Stuart and Jensen Beach. Then on to a wonderful day at the Kennedy Space Center. As we moved up the coast we revisited favorite spots in St. Augustine, the Lightner Museum and Flagler College, the old Ponce de Leon Hotel, and Steamboat Creek. Cruising on the Waccamaw R. can be colorful. Fresh shrimp are plentiful, but if you need this ferry it’s a bit cramped. Nonsuch friends the Nelsons showed us Oriental NC and then we headed to the serene Dismal Swamp Canal and Norfolk. Enjoy the Images from Part 9
Webmaster's Note: I spoke to the Commander and Admiral last week for the Admiral's birthday. They were enjoying a rainy day on Chesapeake Bay with plans to head to Baltimore. They were hoping to catch up with Cousin David and his family as well as Captain Rich who was to be in Port Baltimore this coming week. ETA in Connecticut is early July. [Posted 6/11/06]
Armchair Cruise Part 8: Shabu spent 6 weeks in the Fort Myers/Naples area enjoying friends and family. We toured Sanibel Island and its historic village by car and the nearby Everglades by swamp buggy. Then, heading down the west coast we stopped at Marco Island and Everglade City. Part 8 Pictures
At Key West we visited the Customs House, the official end of US Route 1, USA’s southernmost most point, the Key West Yacht Club, the Mel Fisher Museum with the treasures found at the wreck of the Atocha, and Mallory Square, during the daytime and at sunset to see the entertainment high about the huge crowds gathered in the square.
With 9 days of high winds and seas running 4-6+, we opted for the high speed ferry to the Dry Tortugas and it famous Fort Jefferson, reported to be built with 16 million bricks. [Posted 4/19/06]
Armchair Cruise Part 7: While Shabu waited for a weather window to make the 153nm Gulf crossing, she indulged in oysters - lots of them! The right window finally came as the #6 sunset taken 60 nm out shows. Twenty-eight hours later Shabu arrived at Anclothe Key and headed up the channel to Tarpon Springs for some "R&R." Then she moved down FL’s west coast, stopping a few days in St. Petersburg and then at Boca Grande, Gasparilla Island. Part 7 images.
[Webmaster entry] Shabu and crew have been resting and visiting in Fort Meyers with daughter Cheryl for the past month. Daytime temps in the mid 80's and all are well. Heading out now for Naples and points south. Plans are to continue to Key West and then start the long row north as the warmer weather arrives. [Posted 3/5/06]
Armchair Cruise Part 6: Shabu traveled 190 mi down the Tenn. R, 250mi along the Tenn-Tom Canal and then 217 mi on the Tombigbee to Mobile. We visited the Nathan B. Forest State Park where we saw early 1900’s tools and crafts. In this area Tenn Valley Authority (TVA) built nine dams that prevent disastrous floods generate tremendous power and provide deep dependable channels. As you lock around these dams you loop spring lines around the floating bollards and have a pleasant ride up/down. The anchorages and cliffs along the riverbanks catch your eye. Mobile’s harbors support significant commercial traffic as well as many pleasure boats. From Mobile we motored along the Panhandle’s waterway to Pensacola, then sailed outside to Port St.Joe. Posted 1/8/06. Part 6 images.
Armchair Cruise Part 5: Shabu traveled some 300 mi on the Illinois R, and then 220 mi on the Miss R. where large tows, fast moving currents, and wingdams were common. Distances between fuel stops and anchorages were substantial. After just 60 mi on the Ohio R., we then turned up the Cumberland R. We decided to take a side trip up to Nashville, about 190 mi. We didn’t see a Titan game, but did see all the city sights, including a show at the Grand Ole Opry. Posted 12/17/05. Part 5 images
Armchair Cruise Part 4: Chicago’s lakefront has 9 harbors. We chose DuSable Harbor, the center of downtown activity: Millennium Park - its outdoor concert pavilion, Cloud Gate sculpture and 50 ft Crown Fountains; Navy Pier - its sights, sounds and famous hot dogs; the Art Institute now featuring a Toulouse - Lautrec exhibit; the Observatory on the Hancock Building’s 94th floor.
Shabu entered the Chicago Lock and followed the Sanitary and Ship Canal through the heart of downtown to Joliet, about 40 miles south of Chicago. More images.
Armchair Cruise Part 3: After checking in with Customs we toured Mackinac Island where the only transportation is horse drawn carriages or bicycles. We saw the Grand Hotel, renown for dining, hospitality, and the world’s longest veranda (660ft), a limestone formation from the Glacial Age called the Rock Arch, now 146 ft above water, and Fort Mackinac built in 1781.
We sailed under the bridge called the Mighty Mac that crosses the Straits and is some 4 miles long.
We continued down Lake Michigan’s eastern shore, crossing the lake at its narrowest point (60nm) to Sheboygan where we enjoyed SYC hospitality.
After a brief stop in Milwaukee, the mast was unstepped in Waukegan for the Chicago to Mible leg of our trip. Here are images from this part of the journey.
October 27, 2005 - [Webmaster entry] I've had a couple of correspondences from the crew with links to pictures. These describe sections of the trip from Mackinac to Chicago. Here they are from Admiral Bev...
October 14, 2005 - [Webmaster entry] Heard from the Shabu crew this evening after many weeks. Some time during August, Shabu was hit by lightning and did some expensive damage to the electronics. No injuries and after a week delay they made it to Chicago to visit Cousin Ralph in late September. Currently they are berthed on the Ohio River, near the confluence with the Mississippi. The cruise plan is to continue south crossing into the Gulf by the end of the year.
August 22, 2005 - Armchair Cruise Part 2: We have spent the past month cruising the North Channel, beginning with the 9 mile fjord-like Baie Fine, which ends in the Pool. From here we sailed to Little Current and stopped at its town dock. Roy Eaton, Commodore of the LCYC gave us a grand tour of Manitoulin Island, sharing its history and many unique sights. From here we sailed further west to the Benjamin Islands and the beautiful bays and anchorages of N. Channel. Here are the images from August 22.
July 17, 2005 - Our first stop after driving across the border was Niagara Falls. Before starting our cruise from Penetang, we visited St. Marie among the Hurons, the first white settlement in Ontario and one of its national historic sites. We have started up the eastern shore of Georgian Bay - Frying Pan, Red Rock, San Souci Is, Parry Sound area, Pt au Baril, and through Hangdog Channel to the Bustard Islands. From here we sailed into Bearverstone Bay, then Collins Inlet with a stop at Keyhole Is and then on to Killarney. Here are the images for July 17.
You can also check out previous years voyages: