Mike Gladysz...A Friend That will Never Be Forotten, Missed Dearly

I would be remiss if I did not look back two years ago, on this day, when mike Gladysz was suddenly taken from us. No long or overdone speeches, just, we miss you Mike and will always love you and your style.

Mike, in his favorite environment, on the water!
This was taken aboard Lee Marie
His three children were with him enjoying a peaceful sail.

Weekend In The Adirondak's

Last weekend two of my riding buddies and me took a motorcycle trip to the Adirondack Mountains. We started in Jackson, NJ and by way of the NJ Garden State Pkwy, NY Thruway, Hwy 28 West and finally 30 North we arrived in the Adirondack Park, however, not without paying the price of riding in the rain for two and a half hours. When we started on the Parkway, at mile marker 100, it was just overcast, that soon changed to pouring rain at mile marker 105. From 105 to Albany NY, before heading West to get out of the weather system, we rode in very unfriendly biker conditions. Once on Hwy. 28 West we soon left the rain for some very nice riding conditions that stayed with us for the remainder of our weekend ride.

We arrived at Tupper Lake about six PM,stopped by a local watering hole for a beer then headed to the Woodhaven Cabins, where we planned to spend the night. After a good meal and a cigar we hit the sack only to wake up to 45 degree temperatures, great for sleeping. The night time temperatures were soon replaced by a warming sun that moved the thermometer up to 77 degrees, perfect for riding and a wonderful change from the sweltering heat that we left in NJ. Our plan for the day was to have breakfast then head to Lake Saranac then on to Lake Placid. After a fuel stop in Saranac, we rode to Lake Placid only to find that the tiny town was playing host to a very popular and well attended Iron man competition. There were literally hundreds of athletes from all over the country, running or biking, getting in their last practice before the competition the next day. Because the town and all the surrounding roads were scheduled to be closed for the competition, we elected to keep going. Next stop Lake George and surrounding area.
The roads were empty and the rolling hills and curves made for some great riding and sight seeing, exactly the reason we made the trip.

Scott Senter in front of our cabin in the Adirondack Mt's.

Wood haven Cabin's

45 degrees in the am

Lunch time rolled around and after stopping by a local Harley Dealer, we looked for a place to get a bite to eat, we finally settled on a place called the Boar's Nest. The Boar's Nest is an off the beaten path Tavern, where we found not only cold beer but a nice lunch. Nice stop. After lunch we planned to arrive at our next overnight spot early, the riding, which was almost non stop had tired us and we wanted to spend some down time before the ride home the next day. Well, we stayed on the road a little longer than we planned but it was worth it to see some of the most beautiful lakeside scenery in the mountains.

Bikes parked outside the Boar's Nest

Belly up to the bar for a cold beer and a meal

Tom Renae and his Harley, Road King

Our final stop for the evening was a small town on the edge of the park, called Johnstown, where we found a nice motel and a great place to have dinner. Sam's Seafood and Steakhouse provided us with top notch dinner of Seared Sea Scallops, Grilled striped Bass, and one of the best Bombay Sapphire Martini's I've ever had the pleasure of sharing with my stomach. Choosing this town put our ride the next day at a comfortable distance from home. After the traditional Continental Breakfast of junk we headed home, arriving in time for an early dinner and opportunity to unpack.

The trip turned out to be better than expected, in spite of the rain. When all was said and done, we covered almost a thousand miles, most of which were ridden on back roads through the Adirondack Mountains. Great stuff!

This Chef really knew how to cook the Striped Bass

Our waitress Sarah, she made dinner even more enjoyable

Bombay Sapphire Martini
Shaken, not stirred

New Posts Coming.

Last week I took a motorcycle trip to the Adirondack Mountains, this week Frannie,  me and some friends took a trip to Padanaram, Mass., for the  fiftieth Anniversary of Marshall Marine and to participate in the annual Padanaram Sailing Regatta. Since it has been such a busy two weeks, it will take some time to post the best of the best. Thanks for waiting....a teaser....



Catboat parade through the Padanaram Village Bridge.

Mike Gladysz Revisited!

Just because you tragically lose a friend, it doesn't mean you ever forget them, this is the case with Mike Gladysz. 



We all miss you Mike



Tomorrow marks the second year of my friend Mike Gladysz's passing, I will never forget his zest for life, his unconditional love of his children and the affection and dedication he felt toward his mother and father. His laughter and willingness to help everyone was contagious, he was always the one with the positive attitude and nothing was impossible to achieve

Sunshine Charters, St. Thomas and The Chesapeake

Two of my former students, from my teaching and coaching days at Jackson Memorial HS, have recently begun a 43" Catamaran Charter Service in St. Thomas, VI.  Last fall Michelle Emmons and her partner Capt. Bill Wilson  re-commissioned a 43' Leopard Catamaran he purchased in 2006, built by Robertson and Caine, with the intent of chartering her for six months in St. Thomas and six months on the Chesapeake. "Steppin Up",  as the vessel was named, is a beautifully laid out Catamaran that features spacious accommodations, shaded dining and seating areas as well as a comfortable bow Hammock for relaxing as the boat glides across the sea. As Capt'n Bill's resume indicates, he has sailed in the South Pacific, including Tahiti, Bora Bora and Croatia. His experience sailing in the Southern Caribbean this past winter has served to enhance his ability to deal with any condition the sea has to offer in that Idyllic environment. Luckily, I have sailed in some of those same waters, not as a Captain, but rather as a guest aboard a beautiful ship.

Capt'n Bill Willson and Michelle Emmons
Sunshine Charters

This fall will be their first active season and with Captain Bill's reputation as an accomplished sailor, Michelle's knack for preparing wonderful on board meals, and a variety of exciting adventures available, I'm sure that their efforts will be greatly rewarded. I have provided a link to their Website that will answer any questions about the vessel, pricing, destinations, accommodations and activities. You can follow the sailing adventures of Michelle and Capt'n Bill Wilson on their Blog @ http://sunshinesailingcharters.wordpress.com/

http://sunshinesailingcharters.com/Sunshine_Sailing_Charters/Ahoy%21.html

This summer Michelle and Capt'n Bill used their time, aboard "Steppin Up', to sail from St Lucia, to NY Harbor. During their voyage they visited almost every Southern Caribbean Island, including the Windward, Leeward and the Lesser Antilles Islands then on to the Bahama's before arriving in North Carolina, their home Port. Without much down time, Bill and Michelle headed their vessel North, with the idea of stopping in NJ to visit with friends and family, having done this, "Steppin UP"and her crew will head back to NC, and make last preparations for the return trip to the Caribbean in early October.

Steppin Up visiting friends in NJ
Barnegat Bay

In light air Steppin Up relies on two 40 HP diesel engines to power her.

After the NJ visit she'll head back to NC then to St. Thomas.

Relaxing aboard Stepin Up

Michelle and Bill chilling with friends

Storm developing off Sandy hook

Never a good thing to see
Lightning strike off  sandy Hook

Dan Black and his wife Vickie aboard Steppin Up.
You can never have enough friends




I wish all the best to Bill and Michelle and hope their endeavour is safe, happy and successful.

Fair winds

Have you seen this boat?

Calling all vintage sailboat enthusiasts. I have had this picture in my posession for about twenty years and have always wanted to find out more information about her, I think the location is off Island Heights, not sure though. I would appreciate any information that you fellow Bloggers might have, my E-mail is located in my profile if you wish to contact me. Thanks, my friends!

First Guess, close but no cigar.
Thanks Baydog

Mystery Ship

Peter Luger Birthday Dinner

Wednesday was my birthday so Fran planned a dinner in NY  at the Peter Luger Steakhouse. We took the Seastreak Ferry to South Street Seaport then the Subway to Peter Luger's. The Luger dining room is very stark and unadorned. There were no tablecloths, you eat off very plain Stoneware plates and as the pictures show a delicious Porterhouse is the center of attention, I think that it is planned that way. The steak was good, tender and cooked to our liking. I have to wonder though, could I have cooked a meal like that at home and been just as happy? All that being said, it was a nice trip into the city and an opportunity to enjoy a meal at one of the top ten Steakhouses in America, according to Zagat. The whole day was enjoyable.

Thanks for the Birthday dinner Fran!

The Peking, a familiar sight at the Seaport

Arriving at South Street Seaport

Fran, at Peter Luger's

A waiter's point of view

Porterhouse steak for two, medium rare, no frills and no steak sauce. Each cut of the steak had a distinctive flavor. It came out sizzling hot and was delicious.

Catching my breath, belly is full, can't you tell.

While waiting for the Ferry we watched two Schooners on their way out of the harbor for a sunset cruise.

On the Ferry, Fran enjoying the sun setting over the bay.

With the sun at my back we arrive at the dock.

Unusual color for a sunset capped off the day.

Ride to the Union Hotel, Port Deposit, Md.

Yesterday my girlfriend Fran, good friend Scott and me ventured out on our Harley's to a place called the Union Hotel and Restaurant, located in Port Deposit Md. The hotel dates back to 1777 and is a regular meeting place for bier's every Sunday. There is a log cabin bar, and a main log cabin building that serves delicious meals in an Early American setting. The Waitresses all dress in period clothes and the service was excellent. Three delicious soft shell crabs, wild rice and a salad was my choice for lunch, I was not disappointed.

Scott and me outside the Bar..n

Fran and me

First of hundreds of bikes that show up each Sunday

This is just one of the dining rooms in the Hotel Restaurant

Let's see, I have one from column A and one from column B

Fran and me after lunch, on the porch

One of the smaller dining areas

Corner cupboard

More bikes arriving

If inside the Restaurant doesn't excite you, you can always eat on the porch

Port Deposit has a great history that is included here:

Port Deposit is a historic town, extending for approximately one mile along the east bank of the Susquehanna River . Having several names prior to 1813, when the governor gave the town its present name, Port Deposit was not an overnight boomtown, for it served mostly as a collection point for lumber floating down river from Pennsylvania . Fortunately, it was too inconsequential to attract the attention of the invading British in 1813, who bypassed the town in favor of burning a warehouse across the river.
Within the span of a quarter century, however, Port Deposit had risen to importance that rivaled even the county seat. It was the junction point for lumber, grain, coal, whiskey, and tobacco trade, being the furthest point downstream on the Susquehanna River, and the furthest navigable point upstream for ships plying the Chesapeake Bay .
While the lumber floating down river provided the country with building materials, one of Port Deposit’s own industries produced building material of unmatched quality. By the early nineteenth century the granite deposits of the town were, from an engineering standpoint, to have few rivals. It was, however, the tone and texture of the stone that made it a favorite aesthetic choice. The quarries, located north of the town, provided the granite used for many churches, schools, and buildings in Baltimore, Washington, and Philadelphia . Many of Port Deposit’s buildings are constructed of granite. Nowhere in the county was there a stronger stone masonry building tradition than in this small town along the Susquehanna. With all the work available in the mills, factories, fisheries and lumberyards of Port Deposit the town grew into prominence. On the eve of the Civil War, it was the eighth largest city in all of Maryland . Most Cecil County men who fought in the Civil War joined the Union Army. By the 1850’s a large concentration of free blacks were to be found in Port Deposit, where they numbered over 21 per cent of the population, well in advance of President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.
An early testament to the commercial success of “Port” was its prominence in the financial community. In 1834 the town had its first bank and for many years was the only place between Wilmington and Baltimore where banking could be conducted.
While progress in commerce and finance grew rapidly the progress in public education was slow. Throughout the early nineteenth century, efforts to establish public-supported education in the county were spotty and disorganized. It was not until 1889 that the first countywide free school system was put into place.
An outspoken critic of the school system was the industrialist, Jacob Tome. He arrived in town in 1833 on a log raft, penniless but ambitious. Tome joined with men of greater capital and entered the lumber business. He was later to become one of the wealthiest men in the country but he never forgot the town of his beginnings. In 1889 he endowed the town with a substantial part of his amassed fortune to establish a separate free school system and five years later the Jacob Tome Institute opened its doors to Port Deposit children. Within four years over 600 area children attended school in the various institute buildings. At Tome’s death in 1898, another sizable amount was bequeathed to the school system and was used to establish a boarding school for boys on the high bluff overlooking the town. It was considered the most beautiful “Prep School” in the .
By the end of the nineteenth century, railroads had taken over a large portion of the county’s shipping business, but Port Deposit was to benefit immeasurably by this new convenient source of transportation. The railroad that passed by the quarry connected it with major markets to the north and south,. while the light-draft vessels tied up at the town wharf provided shipments to points as far away as Richmond , often at a fraction of the railroad rates. It wasn’t until 1927 that “Port’s” river connection to the north was brought to a final close with the completion of the Conowingo Dam.
Within a year, however, the dawn of the electric age was darkened by the Depression; the national economy collapsed. “Port” struggled through these times as did the quarries, for concrete had replaced stone as a building material.In 1941, only a year after the Tome School for Boys closed, the sprawling campus was taken over by the U.S. Navy to become the principal training center on the East Coast. For Port Deposit, World War II was brought right to its doorstep. At its peak, the center housed nearly 35,000 recruits and by the end of the war more that half a million had passed through the Bainbridge Naval Training Center . In 1947 the recruit-training section was closed, and thereafter used only sporadically by the Navy, finally closing in 1976.
In 1980 Wiley Manufacturing Company occupied much of the water front in Port Deposit. This expanded operation was to manufacture tunnels for under the Harbor along I 95, the largest project on the interstate system. Again, the river was the focus of industry.
Now a peaceful, slow-paced town, Port Deposit continues to bask in the sparkle of the river. A condominium community makes its home on the former site of Wiley Manufacturing and the Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway is working to complete a “Riverwalk” to will link recreation and open space areas along the shore in both Cecil and Harford Counties . The Bainbridge Development Corporation, formed by special legislation in 1999, is working diligently to convert he former Naval Base of 1,200 acres from abandoned surplus property to a viable and vibrant mixed use community – with a branch of the local public library, Cecil Community College and Accelapure, a large pharmaceutical company already part of the development project. Also atop the bluff above Port Deposit, the over one century old Tome School for Boys Campus, designed by architects Boring & Tilton and once part of Bainbridge, is now undergoing extensive stabilization prior to an intensive restoration initiative by Paul Risk Associates.

Photos of Silent Maid at Newport, NYYC Regatta...Boat of The Show

The Maid made it to Newport and competed in the New York Yacht Club Regatta where she raced, won and received very high marks for her performance. Click on the link below for 89 pictures of the Silent Maid in action.

Silent maid at her pre-launch party

http://www.photoboatgallery.net/p370093526

Her new rig and sail proved to much for her competitors.

Congratulations to the Silent Maid, her crew and Peter kellogg. Way to go guys!

Fran's BD dinner

Not the best, but good enough to put a smile on Fran's face.
Her favorite meal,  Rack of Lamb (rare), sides Asparagus wrapped with prosciutto and shaved Parmigiano Reggiano, washed down with a good Cab. The corn on the cob would usually be potatoes sauteed in olive oil, butter and Rosemary, then roasted. 

Fran's Birthday Dinner, simple but good!