Annual Summary of 2014

We sailed north through the Caribbean with stops at several islands. From St. Thomas we sailed to Georgetown in the Bahamas and then slowly through those islands up to the Abacos. From Marsh Harbour we sailed directly to the Chesapeake Bay. We spent considerable time visiting family and friends ashore, and completed many boat repair and maintenance projects. We left the boat on the hard for the winter and stayed with relatives in Vermont. "Arctracer" sailed 3050 miles in 2014.

January - Stayed in Tyrrel Bay, Carriacou while repairing a broken rudder with help from local experts. Enjoyed good times ashore and afloat with several other cruising boat crews. Jerry's mother passed away and he went to her funeral.

February -Sailed to Martinique and saw Fort de France, Anse Mitan and Saint Pierre. Then sailed slowly north, stopping overnight at Dominica, Guadeloupe, Montserrat, St. Christopher and finally (Dutch) Sint Maarten.

March - Moved around to Marigot in (French) St. Martin. Hosted niece Abby for a week which included Mardi Gras, snorkeling and fine cuisine. Hung out in Grand Case. Sailed to Antigua where Tom of "Ambler" replaced our broken propeller in the water. Visited St. John's, Deep Harbour, Five Islands Harbour and Jolly Harbour.

April - Sailed to Nevis and then past St. Kitts, Statia and Saba to St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands. After a couple weeks in Charlotte Amalie sailed to Georgetown in the Bahamas just in time for the Family Island Regatta, three days of traditional Bahamian sloop races.

May - Sailed north to Cat Island, then Little San Salvador (now called Half Moon Cay), Eleuthera, and Great Abaco. Enjoyed the foundry, gallery and pub in Little Harbour before moving on to Marsh Harbour.

June - Sailed directly from Marsh Harbour to the Chesapeake Bay and checked into the USA in Baltimore. Moved to Worton Creek Marina on the eastern shore of the bay.

July - Bought a car (first since 2001 in Australia.) Drove to New England for visits with family and friends. Housewarming party at Grandson Nico and Steph's house in New Hampshire. Canoe trip on the Saco River in Maine with Granddaughter Sara and Jack. Family weekend at Flying Point camp in Maine. Annual party on Metcalf Pond and bridge games with friends in Vermont.

August - Returned to "Arctracer" in Maryland for maintenance and repair projects. Enjoyed 200th anniversary re-enactment of the War of 1812 battle of Caulk's Field.

September - Continued boat maintenance while temperatures dropped as autumn progressed. We were not used to cold weather after many years in the tropics.

October - November - December - Stayed with family in Vermont while "Arctracer" rested on land in Maryland. Visited nieces and their families in Virginia at Thanksgiving. Visited with Ben and Dorothy and other relatives in early December. Played Canasta with Hope and Denny. Visited Mom in Brookside Nursing Home. Went to annual family Christmas party and Yankee swap.