Today was a day to rest up and gain back some energy from our long day yesterday. We are still in North Carolina at Kelly and Matt’s cousins house. We had an awesome breakfast and then went to the house were we left our skiis to pick them up and drive the rest of the way to morehead city. After we docked them we at a local dock we came back to the house and get ready to go out to dinner at Alex’s work (one of Kelly and Matt’s cousins). The good was really good and I’m having a good time spending a couple days here. Vinny, Alex, Sophia, and Alaina are all really fun to be around and very outgoing. All of the guys can really relate well too so it’s as if we are at home. I think we are staying one more day and leaving on Tuesday.
Category Archives: Qwin
7/5/14 (Qwin)
Today was a tough day. We finally got out on the water again. We went probably over 140 miles. I just know it was a very long day. We first went around 65 miles on the ocean which was a very rough ride. We had our work cut out for us. We knew it was going to be a tough ride. And once we got inside we were hoping for it to be a little better and it wasn’t. It was just nasty water all the way through the sound. But eventually we reached the mouth of the river we were going to take up through to morehead city. But we were running out of time. With the sun setting we became very desperate and was forced to dock our skis in the backyard of someone’s house on a beach. Thankfully these people were incredibly nice and very friendly. They allowed us to dock the skiis on the beach and brought us into their house and gave us watermelon and cantaloupe and drinks. Not to mention this cracker dip they had. It was amazing. But they saved our butts out there. We are so thankful for that. We had 10 more miles to go. Low on fuel and light we were so fortunate that we were able to meet such nice people.
7/3/14 – 7/4/14 (Qwin)
Today we just prepared for the storm that is headed our way we are in a very sturdy hotel and are ready for whatever happens. But today besides that me and Matt went to the beach to catch a few waves and hangout by the water. And later on once we got home and showered we had an awesome dinner that stuffed me and Matt to the point where we could barely move haha. After that we had an awesome dessert, a molten chocolate lava cake with vanilla ice cream. Matt is now obsessed with it and demands to get it every night. Haha but through the night we didn’t even hear the storm at all. Well I didn’t. And when everyone got up there was no sign of a hurricane even coming through. We carried on our day normally we went and got breakfast at big sams, and walked around for a little till resorting back to our hotel. Kelly and Mr. Grillo went to check out the jet skiis and Matt went to go catch some Waves but had a hard time with the current pulling him. Finally tomorrow we will be leaving Virginia beach and Virginia all together. I believe we are all ready to get back on the water and start making some progress to our ultimate goal. I enjoyed our stay here for the short duration and I’m glad it was a place where we could actually find things to do. I just look forward to every coming day to bring me new adventures.
7/2/14 (Qwin)
Today was easy day to relax after yesterday’s insane day. Me and Kelly went fishing and between the both of us caught six spadefish. We were just giving them away to people because you can eat them and are supposedly really good. We also had a really good dinner at a sushi restaurant called Yama with one of mr. Grillos friends, Mary and her two kids Tim and Danny. It was so good and probably the most sushi I’ve ever eaten in one sitting. They gave us four more special rolls on the house. And even cheesecake all on the house. So obviously we took advantage of the free food and scarfed it all down haha. After that me Kelly Matt and Tim went to “fun land” as Matt calls it and built up the courage to get on the slingshot. A ride that literally is a sling shot and shoots you 215ft into the air. We all had a lot of fun walking around Virginia beach just doing a little exploring and checking out some cool things that are happening around in the town. It’s a really cool place to be stuck at for a couple days glad I got to be here.
7/1/14 (Qwin)
Today was an interesting day, after walking out of my hotel I saw some cute little ducks walking outside. But after, we packed up our skis and headed out front into the ocean for about 15 miles. Once we reached an inlet we continued for 35 miles on smooth water in the ICW. Once we got out of the ICW we stopped at the Grillo’s favorite spot for food before we attempted to concur the Chesapeake. They called it the circle bar. It was a cool little bar that you can pull up on the beach and grab some good food and drinks. After we fueled up ourselves and our skis we were ready for the Chesapeake Bay. We knew what we were getting ourselves into some crazy swells, but maybe this was a little more than we expected. There were points where the swells were 2-3ft over my head. And at points the swell would start to break on us. This was scary and very nerve racking when we were only able to go 7 mph. This 18 mile trek took us two and a half hours to complete. But there was nothing we could do about it. I’m thankful we all were tough enough to take the beating that was given to is and no one showed any fear. It was an experience I will never forget. And once I saw the first sight of the jetties leading into rudee inlet we all let out a sigh of relief.
6/30/14 (Qwin)
Day one of our trip really showed us many things. Today was a type of day for trial and error. We now know to not slow down in shallow water haha. Besides that I really enjoyed today. I saw so many cool and interesting places and landmarks along the way. We also had a pod of dolphins follow us as we passed through the Delaware bay. Supposedly Kelly’s dad saw a sun fish and I really wanted to see one. We also saw a ton of rays come to the surface and interact with our water crafts. But in total it was a long day on the water probably going to be our longest day through the trip. But it was fun and we all still were able to laugh at our own mistakes I can’t wait for what we take on next.
Hello Friends and Family! 1st Post (6/26/14)
As you all know, our trip is almost here and the prepping has been CRAZY. As Dad, Matthew and I (Little Kelly) have been working like mad men to get this trip up and running, Dad has to get most of the Spotlight.
Where will this adventure take us?? Well, the ultimate destination is Nassau in the Bahamas to stay for a few nights in Atlantis, but we will be making tons of little stops all the way down the eastern coast to Florida.
Now, to talk about how we have prepared for the trip. . . We purchased a rescue sled that surfers use to rescue other surfers from getting crushed by big waves out in California.
They attach it to a jet ski (like we will be doing to ours, obviously =P), and fly out to surfers in distress and pick them up. The one that we acquired was also designed for carrying scuba gear, spearfishing gear, or just general equipment for different things. But my dad, being the somewhat mad scientist he is, came up with a design that would hold our surfboards, dive gear, and camping equipment.
Now if that didn’t sound crazy enough, he converted a pelican box (impervious to water and the elements) to house all of our electronics and use a SOLAR PANEL hooked up to a wheelchair battery to charge up all of our electronics when we stop at night. Yes, it seems crazy, but on a trip like this where we may not be able to get to a hotel with outlets, its going to save our butts if we need our cellphones or something of that nature.
Now having read all of the things we have done, I think you deserve some pictures. . . Here they are:
Thank you for being so interested in our trip. It makes happy to know that we have somewhat of a fan base you could say, that will be following us on our trip to the Bahamas. Many more posts to come. . .
Over and out.
Little Kelly