Bright and early Wednesday morning, which for old codgers is about 10 a.m., I'm heading for the boat to set sail down Chesapeake Bay. The new medications have produced incredible results, I can go most of the day without supplemental oxygen, and I am able to sing and play the keyboard now without running out of wind. Unfortunately, my back is shot to Hell, so going back to the grind will definitely not happen in this life.

Talked on the telephone with Don Mason this evening, we didn't solve all the world's problems, but wish we could. Don suggested a new song for me, one that I had heard many years ago, but never performed. The song kinda reminds me a bit of myself, especially the title, Till I'm Too Old To Die Young. In my mind, I sometimes still feel like I could do the things I did when I was 17 years old, but the damned mind keeps making appointments the body cannot keep. I listened to the song on You Tube, and 30 minutes later I recorded it directly on the PSR-S950, one shot, no editing. And, this was after a 12 ounce, Green Coconut Margaretta, and a half glass of Jim Beam Honey Bourbon. Here's my rendition of Till I'm Too Old To Die Young

I'll try to keep everyone posted as to where I am while sailing south, post some photos and vids, and I won't be coming back till I feel like it. Where I'll end up, I don't really know at this time, no particular destination in mind, just gonna sail to Saint Somewhere, catch some fish for supper, and enjoy life.

Cheers,

Gary

Make sure you take your May Day radio with you..

We don't want to find you adrift two weeks from now..

Gary, I hope this isn't a solo trip ...
Safe travels ...

Safe trip Gary

Have a great time Gary and make sure you look after yourself. Awesome to hear you health is improving.

Gary,

Safe trip, take it easy !

South huh? You know how to get here...but be forewarned...it is hot enough here to cook on the sidewalks. Above all....be safe!
Eddie

I knew it --ya can't keep a good man down. (smile)

My friend said: "leave the music business before it leaves you".
There is a bit of wisdom in that.

You have music in you AND you have a boat -- not many musicians get that far. You are in a good place my friend.

John C.

Thanks everyone for the well wishes, and yes, I am sailing alone on this trip - everyone else had to work, and Carol is not as insane as I am. However, I will meet with many friends along the way, and I probably won't leave the confines of Chesapeake Bay unless the weather really cooperates, then I may exit the bay and head north for New England this time (sorry Eddie - Florida is a winter destination).

All the best,

Gary

Be well, and keep the photos coming. an, I wish I had the *alls to do something like that!


Russ

Bon Voiage Gary!

Russ, I figure that if I don't do it now, I might not have enough time left to do it next year.

All the best,

Gary

Russ now ya talkin' my language.

John C.

Thanks Johnny, I'll do my best to keep everyone posted as to where I am, and take as many photos as possible and post them.

Cheers,

Gary

Gary,

If you have the time and sail into Block Island/Rhode Island sound, you know Newport is great, we'd love to see you here!

Steve, I would love to see you guys again, but of course, the itinerary will all depend upon the whims of Mother Nature. It would take me about a week of sailing to reach Block Island and that's if conditions are favorable. When they're not favorable, it could be a real bad ride for two weeks.

All the best,

Gary

Take care and great to hear you are doing so well. Have a great time on your boat and send some video our way. God Bless, Lloyd

Gary !

Turn your Boat North , go up the Coast Line, turn left at the St Lawrence River and head down South and make your way down to Windsor/Detroit.. I will have a "Tim Horton Coffee and a Poutine" ready for you .........

Be Safe on your Voyage !

Your Canadian Friend
Ron

I am anchored at Still Pond Bay, nice and cool,good night for sleeping.

And we know what a bitch she can be at times.

What boat are you sailing Gary? My dream boat (will probably never see it), is a Beneteau Ocianis 31. I sail on a family friends boat on Lake Erie often (Hunter Vision 32). Personally I prefer an in mast furler, the main on that 32 foot Hunter is I believe a 53 footer! It's not an in mast furler, and the mast is as think as a telephone pole at the base 😳. It really cuts into the forward v-birth. If I somehow get rich and famous, I'm buying the Ocianis 41.., dual helm!!!! Have fun sailing!

Sqk

Squeak, I sail a Morgan 33 Out Island

Nice boat!! What year is that one? Looks like a mid 70's. I was on one of those years ago, really liked how the master stateroom was forward.

1973. Great for cruising and living aboard.

Gary

Mr. Diamond, would you please adopt me? I'm little Russ Lay, only 72 1/2 year old.....PLEASE?

R.

Rough day yesterday. High winds, 5 to 6-foot waves but the boat handled just fine. I am anchored in Annapolis in Back Creek,among megayachts.

Gary

Whats you next port of call?

If the weather allows, I hope to reach Solomon's Island by tomorrow.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solomons,_Maryland

Whoa! For a moment I thought you said THE Solomon Islands. I was thinking, MAN, that Morgan is FASSTTT.....and a hellava lot more ocean-worthy than I thought .

chas

She's fast, but not that fast. On a good day, I can get 10 out of here.

Gary

Just chilling out and waiting for better weather.

Gary that must be the boring part of sailing waiting out the weather when you could be sailing the high seas !!!! at least do you have your Yamaha S970 to keep you busy and play music on board with some
kick-a-poo joy juice??

Nah, left the keyboard home-just brought food and booze. Lots of good looking girls in skimpy bikinis passing by every few minutes, though. Never booring.

Gary

Shhhhhhhhhh hope carol ain't reading this

Well, the winds finally died down to a reasonable velocity, about 12 to 15 MPH, however, the temperature rapidly rose after a brief thundershower blasted through yesterday afternoon. The mercury soared to 92 and the relative humidity rose to 85 percent, which is akin to stepping into a sauna. This will followed by a Code Red air pollution alert, which Maryland is famous for. We have the worst air pollution in the US right here in the People's Republic Of Maryland, yet it largely goes unreported.

The above combination is difficult for a person that is in relatively good health, but when your lungs are shot to Hell from asbestos and you have lost more than 60 percent of your lung capacity, these conditions make it impossible to breathe, even with the assistance of subliminal oxygen flowing at 3 liters per minute. Because of this, and with a promise of more to come during the ensuing week, I decided to err on the side of caution, turn around and head home, which took the entire day under motor power.

More to come,

Gary

Gary...Better to be safe then sorry too bad your trip didn't pan out for you..

Donny, Last night was almost unbearable. I was pretty much unable to breathe all night long, and thought it would be my last night on the planet. Now, my damned computer is crashing. I hate the thought of replacing it, but this will likely be the case unless something miraculous happens by tomorrow morning.

Gary

Gary hang in there buddy......when you hit rock bottom there is only one way to go and that is UP! UP! UP! !!!!