BOAT PLANS NEED TO BE WRITTEN IN PENCIL! (Still in Annapolis)

Last Saturday, we were all set to depart Sunday for St.Michaels/Tilghman Island across the Bay. We were going to visit some cruisers we met in St.Augustine. Saturday afternoon, we had a diver come and clean the hull. He noticed a broken weld on the rudder. That meant our boat was not going anywhere until we could have it hauled out on Monday :-( So, we rented a car and drove across the Bay Bridge for our Sunday visit. We had a delightful lunch at the Miles River Yacht Club with our friends and got to see the area. From there, had we gone by boat, we would have headed to the Potomac.

Bright and early Monday AM we got in line for Knotugal to be hauled out, which after several hours, happened about 2 PM. It was a hurry up and wait. We then schelped our bags, cat, litter box, dog ,etc.(including wine) to a hotel that would take pets. This  morning I stayed in the nice AC at the hotel with the "kids" while John took the rented car over to the boat yard to supervise. The welding job finished in time for our boat to be put back in the water about 4:30PM . Meanwhile, I had to check out of the hotel and sat in the rental car, with the kids, for a few hours with the AC running. What would I do if it weren't for Words With Friends on our smart phone. Meanwhile, John took a spill off a ladder getting up on the boat which was up on chocks. Right now his wrist  is swollen and hurts. We'll see what it feels and looks like tomorrow.

We got back to the Marina, then scrambled to turn in the rental car by 6. Had to stop at KFC for dinner, as John had put a stain on the galley floor while waiting around this afternoon. Right now we can't walk on it. Sure do hope it dries overnight.

Tomorrow we head to the Potomac...2 days behind schedule, but that is how boat plans work.

ATLANTA,GA

Nope! We did not get here by boat! We arrived to via car to be on hand for the birth of George James Gugliotta, born today. He arrived at 2:37PM weighing in at 8 lbs 7 oz. He and mom (daddy, too) are doing just great. We are very thankful. He joins big sister, Greer, and big brother, Charlie.
We are assisting with non boat related duties and will head back to sea early next week.

Baltimore (Crab Cake Land)

 Hospital Ship

BALTIMORE/FELLS POINT/CANTON

We had good friends, Eric and Cindy Clancy from PA join us for a cruise up to the Baltimore.The trip was smooth water and good weather.We enjoyed walking for blocks and blocks exploring the area. Dinner was @ Momma's on the Half Shell.....a very happening place in the cutsy, old neighborhood of Canton. We enjoyed Momma's signature drink, the Orange Crush, as well.

Overnight, we had a lot of rain. Bad thing was, all the garbage from the city streets washed into the marina and surrounding harbor. Sadly, we have NEVER seen so much debris in a waterway. There were plastic bags everywhere....a very bad thing if sucked into your sea strainers! We felt very fortunate to depart unscathed.

Got back to Annapolis late afternoon and headed to Carrolls Creek for dinner....had my first crab cake...scrumptious! John had CHICKEN.....scrumptious, he said:-)

Tomorrow AM we will rent a car, drive to Hilton Head, pick up our car, and see John's mom. From there we will drive to Atlanta for the birth Keri and Tom's new baby.....due on Friday...sex TBD. We'll keep you posted!



SURVIVING THE GRANDKIDS

Actually, we had a wonderful visit with Kristi, Rich, Kate, Connor and Evan. It does confirm the theory that raising young children is best left to young parents. Kate and Connor stayed onboard Grampa John's boat, while R, K, & E stayed at a hotel. We had thought our boat was a good size with plenty of room. That is until you put 7 people on it and throw in a crazed cat and an old  dog.

Rich made a wonderful tour guide and historian. He kept everyone on the move. The kids learned a lot of new stuff like: dinghies, jellyfish, crabs, sailboats, the "pump out" boat, ducks that poo on swim platforms, water taxis, granny's cabinet of junk food, walking down the center of the dock, punching in the bathroom code, putting coins in the machines at the marina laundramat, walking around a boatyard and seeing the underbelly's of yachts, trolley rides, and on and on.

Baby Evan proved again to be the best baby on earth, ever! He just goes with the flow and adjusts to whatever is going on. He took a couple naps onboard and always awoke with a smile.

Kristi enjoyed a much needed vacation, and Granny and Grampa John enjoyed the excitement  of having everyone here. The picture below is how Grampa John recovered .

GRETA'S FENDERS

We left bright and early by our favorite (and only) mode of transportation ....the water taxi. We went to see baby sister Knotugal  at the sale yard. We finally went today, as they just now got their power back since last saturday.
The excitement of the afternoon, was moving our boat to another slip. The one we had was not easy to get in and out of. Our new one is a T head....and....it belongs to Greta Van Sustern. She keeps her boat in our spot, but is in Nantucket for the Summer. She, very considerately, left her jumbo fenders, which are putting to use :-)

JULY 4 ANNAPOLIS

Wow! Is it ever hot! Sweat and water are the new normal. We are thankful for good AC on the boat! We did brave going to the Annapolis parade last evening. We shuttled over on the water taxi. It was a hot affair. You sure can tell this is an election year....many, many politicians marching.We went back to the boat afterwards and sat up on our sundeck with a glass of wine to watch the fireworks. A nice end to a nice day.

UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY ANNAPOLIS

We had a marvelous tour of the Academy today. What an awesome , beautiful campus. It is rich in history and tradition. We thoroughly enjoyed it. The Plebes (new students) looked so very young. They are all stellar indivduals to even get accepted here. We were fortunate to see them doing the noon formation. They just arrived 6/30 and have 4 rough weeks ahead. We wish them all the best.

ANNAPOLIS, MD

We left Solomons on Saturday AM and arrived here about 2. Water was fairly calm. Again we were wedged into a slip with a narrow fairway. Fortuantely they will move us in a day or so to a slip that is easier to get in and out of. We didn't realize how lucky we were when we arrived here to have power. A lot of the area is still without, as are many marinas. Can't imagine being on a boat in this 100 degree heat with no AC!

Yesterday we took the water taxi into downtown Annapolis. We walked around and had a nice waterside dinner. I have yet to try a crab cake. I am saving myself for some special time. John will stick with what he knows, and that doesn't ever include crabcakes :-)
We caught up with stuff today and will explore more tomorrow. We like our marina and continue to meet many nice, friendly people.