Chores Galore

WEDNESDAY- Today was a “stayday”. . . three loads of wash, vacuum and dust, pick up and organize, answer emails and a general stay at the boat day.

Louis managed a long walk through some new neighborhoods; he really enjoys all the attention from admirers along the way.

Just finished a two hour grocery run with a half mile walk both ways and then heaving each bag over the boat rail for transfer to the galley below. Whew! Time for a nap.

Tonight Mike will install our new redesigned Victron charger/inverters to replace the original, defective ones. Boat power management should be a snap with these. We'll be glad to have this issue solved.

THURSDAY- Organized the guest cabin in preparation for Hugh & Lisa's visit this weekend. It's also “Funfest” weekend at Fell's Point, with a tall ship in the harbor. Mike shipped the old Victrons back today (150 pounds!). He's running the new ones through different fazes to check for any performance flaws, but so far so good!.

In the evening John and Linda Reynold's from EASY came over for dinner and we had lots of fun talking boats and dogs.

FRIDAY- Today it's gorgeous so I took Louis for a long walk. Hugh and Lisa arrive late tonight. I hope the weather holds out for their visit so we can do a lot of walking and museum hopping. Bob & Julie return from Nashville, too.

Baltimore row houses.

Painted window screens.

Touring the Town

SUNDAY- The last few days have brought miles-long neighborhood walks and sightseeing. Today, Louis discovered a very nice dog park and played with two cute Jack Russell's. We lunched at a hot dog shop near the park and, otherwise, had an uneventful day.

MONDAY- I walked over 6 miles exploring the Inner Harbor high shopping areas. After scoring some bargains at Filine's Basement, I visited the Civil War Museum and walked the Fell's Point water front before heading back to SeaDream. Mike spent the day with Louie and boat projects. Later that evening, Louis enjoyed a good book (see picture).

TUESDAY- We rode the free water taxi to Fells Point, meeting a delightful English tourist couple from nearby my childhood home in Ipswitch! A “pay for a day” water taxi took us to Fort McHenry, at the mouth of the Baltimore Harbor, with it's amazing history and fantastic views. It's hard to believe that the same British who fruitlessly attacked Baltimore also sailed to New Orleans, only to be resoundingly defeated by that Nashville guy, Andrew Jackson.

Water-taxied back to the Inner Harbor for lunch then walked the old neighborhoods and back to our area of Canton.

Once upon a time. . .

Great place to meet dogs.

Fort McHenry.

Rain All Day

FRIDAY- Yesterday was a grocery & cleaning day. Mike caught up on office work. In the afternoon we walked Louie to the Canton town center and visited the tiny, old-fashioned hardware store. The evening was pleasant, sitting in the park, watching people and dogs pass by.

Today it rained buckets all day. Mike moved the water maker, for easier servicing, and I cruised the net for museums and points of interest. This evening the clouds parted, causing a spectacular rainbow! Hopefully less rain tomorrow.

SATURDAY- No rain!

Fells Point is the oldest part of Baltimore, with a superb deep water harbor where immigrants first landed. We took an "immigration" walking tour and walked the dock where my Great-great-grandfather most likely landed from Bremen, Germany. He arrived on the sailing vessel Brunswick on October 17, 1833, and ended up farming in Morgantown, WV, where he married and had eight children. Later, we walked Fells Point and enjoyed seeing the old parts of town.

In the evening we went to dinner in Little Italy with John and Linda Reynolds. They live on a GH37 and are docked in our marina. Nice to share boat stories and visit friends.

Canton Park with Louis.

Rainbow in evening.

Sunset on other side of horizon from rainbow.

Dock where immigrants landed.

Art and More

Baltimore was a workingman’s town but art now plays a major roll. The American Visionary Art Museum is perfectly suited, with works created by untrained artists for the pure joy or passion of creation. Many whimsical sculptures, from a huge balcony nest to a driftwood castle, fill the garden and buildings. They tickle the soul and warm the heart.
The Baltimore Museum of Art also delights with works of Matisse and other impressionists. Sculptures and artworks abound in the city.
We visited Lexington Market in a rougher part of town; it’s reminiscent of Seattle’s Pike Street Market with fresh veggies, fruits, meat and fish.
Brick streets are lined with row houses of different colored, different textured fascades. Many are only 12 feet wide; some have roof top gardens. It’s wonderful to see a city so alive with active, energetic people.
Tonight we’ll walk with Julie, Bob and the dogs to the Italian bakery for ice cream treats. Wednesdays are half-price!

Mike in the "art scene".

Linda in "art scene".

Learning All Things Baltimore

MONDAY- Having lived aboard in Baltimore for two years, Julie and Bob are giving us lessons in “All Things Baltimore.” Julie drove us to the Underarmour (active wear) factory, shopping for quick-dry boat clothes. I found several tops and pants on clearance but Mike found only a T-shirt.
After lunch, Julie & I biked to Fells Point, the older part of town, and visited many cool shops. It’s a mixture of small, old, factory row houses, shops, restaurants and neighborhood bars. Baltimore is very walking & bike friendly with many young singles. We shopped at Whole Foods and then biked back to the marina. Meanwhile, Mike dropped off Louie for a “haircut” then found the near-by West Marine.
Neil called that Frank, his and Kay’s beloved 19 year-old poodle died today of old age. We’re teary, even knowing life had become very difficult for Frank. We’ll miss him so. Louie is our daily joy and he’s ours because of Frank.
Had a dinner salad aboard and to bed early.

Baltimore Berger cookie. Very yummy!

Linda & Louis.

Sunday Already!

FRIDAY- Leaving Lake Ogleton, the morning was cool and calm. At Annapolis, we toured all the possible anchorages before turning North toward Rockhall, a small crabbing village across Chesapeake Bay. We tied at the 140 foot long, free town dock. And later enjoyed the evening walking Louis and visited an old marine supply store that had been family-owned since 1921. That evening Julie and Bob Nederthal invited us to their new Jeaneau 45’sailboat, Doc Holiday, for chili dinner. Also aboard were their delightful weekend visitors, Gale and John Thompson from Nashville. Louis was amazed to see Snickers again!

SATURDAY- We had to leave our free dock because of a fishing tournament but found a lovely anchorage in Swan Creek close by. The day passed lazily. Waterman’s Crab House provided a great dinner for us with Bob, Julie and the Thompsons. We even learned how to crack blue crabs! Waterman’s offered all you could eat in two hours and the buckets of crabs were piled high on tables. Rode the dinghy back to SeaDream in the moonlight. Tomorrow we leave.

SUNDAY- Today we finally arrived in Baltimore! Entering the city is really exciting as you pass under the Francis Scott Key Bridge, Fort McHenry and the large ships and port facilities all around. Two departing freighters passed as we came entered the Patapsco River. I could only try to imagine how it appeared October 17th, 1833, when my Great-great-grandfather arrived from Germany as an immigrant.
We pumped out at an Inner Harbor marina before entering the docks at Baltimore Marine Center at LightHouse Point (a mouthful, huh?). Our spot was deep in the fairways but we got backed into our assigned slip uneventfully and settled in. Bob and Julie arrived shortly and, after walking the dogs, we embarked for a fun dinner at Mama’s, near Little Italy. Now it’s to bed. Baltimore promises many adventures!

At FREE dock in Rockhall.

Crab traps.

Baltimore skyline.

Log-dodging Day

THURSDAY- We left Solomons Island after a calm morning. At sunrise, Louie and I were visited by a lone white swan. I thought it was an omen and Louis thought it was a curious kind of “duck”.
Soon we were in Chesapeake Bay waters to begin log-dodging. The water was full of debris, wood pieces and logs. The wind began blowing 15-30 mph, kicking up the seas, and it began to rain so Mike steered from above, on the fly bridge, to see and avoid the logs.
At about 6:00 PM, we entered the Severn River toward Annapolis but the wind and rain were getting worse so we pulled into little Ogleton Lake to anchor. The Active Captain review claimed plenty of room and good holding but the trusty Rocna anchor lost its hold in the soft mud bottom twice in the 35mph gusts. As we moved, looking for a more protected spot to anchor with the Fortress anchor, a voice on the radio invited us to tie up at the community face dock. He had seen our struggle with the wind and soft bottom. What a blessing!! We’re still listening to the wind howl but we can sleep well now.

What kind of duck is that?

On to the Chesapeake and North

WEDNESDAY- My computer is crashing lately, very frustrating! Hopefully, we can keep it going.

We reluctantly left Cobb Island after three peaceful days. Yesterday Mike cleaned the sea chest and steering locker; I ran several loads of wash and cleaned inside. In such a small space, two people and a dog can certainly create a lot of dirt. Louis enjoyed many walks through the island’s narrow streets and grassy areas. The Thayers were most generous to let us stay so long at their nice dock.

We entered the Chesapeake again this morning for a seven hour cruise in calm seas and refreshing winds to the Patuxent River, then turned West to Solomons Island. Anchoring seemed doubtful until we turned into tree-lined Mill Creek and found a delightful spot next to our new Canadian friends, Diana & Ross, whom we’d met in Washington. What a surprise to see them here. No dinghy tonight but did enjoy a romp with Louie on the bow of the foredeck at sunset. It’s to be a cool 70 degree night.. Good sleeping weather. Tomorrow we’re off to Annapolis.

Mike cleaning steering locker.

Walking on Cobb Island.

Anchorage at Solomons Island.

Cobb Island

SUNDAY- The Mattawoman Creek anchorage was so full of debris that we didn’t even run the generator last night for AC or cooking. Dinner sandwiches and breakfast cereal sufficed. We headed south this morning on the Potomac. Constantly dodging miles of grass rafts, logs, branches, dock sections and general trash washed off the shores during the recent floods was the order of the day. Many times we had to coast through and hope for the best. We made it through, very slowly, and the river finally cleared pretty well south of Aquia Creek but the crab pots continued.

Fellow GH owners Don and Barbara Thayer have a home at Cobb Island and generously offered us their dock. It is the cutest little island (three miles round) with cottages nestled on a few narrow roads. There’s a small store, post office and coffee shop and, across a small bridge, there are a couple of local crab shacks and a marine store.

This morning( Monday) as I enjoy my coffee and watch the sun warming through the clouds and the ducks swim by, I decided to stay one more day.

TUESDAY- . . . And another day!

Docked at Cobb Island.

The other White House on Cobb Island.

Coast Guard Boarding !

SATURDAY- Hauled anchor at 10:15AM. It was a beautiful sunny day for cruising but the flooding filled the river with logs and debris to dodge. Approaching the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, a regatta also filled the river with at least 30 large sailboats, changing course (tacking) ceaselessly. Mike was dodging the abundant wood & logs and now the sail boats.

A Coast Guard boat passed slowly, then radioed us, announcing their desire to make an onboard “recreational boat” safety inspection, right then! They said “Maintain your course/speed and we’ll come alongside.” Mike explained he couldn’t maintain course because the sailboats had right of way. They agreed, saying we should meet them on the other side of the race/regatta, near the bridge. Two very courteous officers boarded as we moved. While boarding they called out, “One Over!” then, “Two over!” After checking our documentation, manuals, fire extinguishers, life jackets, noise makers (horns & bells), holding tank & pumpout records they said all was well and even complimented us on our preparation, including our ship’s log. That felt really good! We received a document of inspection and they left.

That was all the excitement we needed today. Moving slowly to avoid the massive river debris, we finally anchored at 4:00PM in Mattawoman Creek and promptly took a nap.

Dragon fly "Love Bugs"

Debris in water from flooding rains of the past few days.

Rain, Rain & More Rain

FRIDAY- I haven’t blogged in several days, all washed together in persistent rain. Wednesday’s rain prevented sightseeing but I did some bulky laundry ashore and bought delicious steamed shrimp at the fish market for a dinner aboard with Diana and Ross. Her raspberry sauce on chocolate brownies with whipped cream was exquisite. Another fun evening (with rain).

Thursday we visited the Museum of American History. Rain poured while we were inside and completely soaked us all the way back to Sea Dream at 5:30. Fred and Linda tried to drive in and meet us for dinner but roads from Solomons to Washington were flooded so we cancelled and watched the President’s speech on TV with lightning flashing all around. We marveled that he was less than a mile away in the Capital. As Barb says,” Washington’s local news is everyone else’s national news.”

Today is another pouring rain day. We may tour one more museum and then haul anchor tomorrow for Baltimore. Should take 4 or 5 days.

Diana's delicous brownies with rasberry sauce and whipped cream.

My new drum.

Tourist in D.C.

MONDAY - Monday was the last of the summer holidays so everyone was outside enjoying the beautiful weather and being tourists in D.C. Louis enjoyed walking the grassy mall but pets aren’t allowed to visit the Memorials. After a good walk, we returned to Sea Dream for a nap. In the evening, we had a delicious grilled fish dinner and really fun conversation aboard Diana and Ross’s 45’ sailing catamaran. They’ve been living aboard for a year and plan to sail around the world.

TUESDAY - Today was cool & rainy, perfect for museums. Touring the Bureau of Engraving & Printing, we saw specialized presses printing stacks of money. The stunning exhibits at our National Museum of Natural History are incredibly interesting; we wanted to stay for a month. At closing, we headed back to Sea Dream and Louis for a grilled cheese and hot bowl of soup. Now it’s cozy time on Sea Dream.

We’ll probably stay in D.C. until Friday or until the rain and wind clear.

Louis and Mike touring D.C.

"T Rex" with Mike center in white jacket.

Three Visitors from Baltimore

SUNDAY- This morning, our Nashville boat-friends, Julie and Bob, called. They were driving to Washington from their boat in Baltimore. Could we meet them for the day? Of course! They arrived with Snickers (their Labradoodle, Louie’s good friend) after we visited the Freer Art Museum. Louis was sooo excited to see Snickers; he could hardly believe his initially boring day on the boat had become so much fun. Both dogs promptly watered the aft-deck pee pad! Julie and Bob had never seen Sea Dream and we spent the afternoon relaxing and visiting with our good friends. Bob went to Medical school in Georgetown and recalled an old, landmark hot dog joint near Georgetown called Ben’s Chili Bowl that sounded cool. He & Julie navigated their car through a maze of neighborhoods to Ben’s. It was crammed but the wait was worth it! Even the president stops there. Bee Bop music blared as plates of cheese chili fries and chili dogs were served over the counter.

Another great day in the city and this one shared with friends. Tomorrow we can go back to the museums and dinner with our new Canadian friends, Diana & Ross, aboard their sailing cat, One White Oak.

Julie, Bob, and Snickers on Sea Dream.

Ben's Chili Bowl

Seeing the Sights and Being Sighted

SATURDAY- Took Louis ashore for a land fix then returned to Sea Dream to prepare for walking the sights. While passing Gangplank Marina, a boater called out, ”Are you Linda & Mike?” Huh? We don’t know anyone here! Turns out he’d spotted Sea Dream and called George and Christy Comrie, owners’ of Great Harbor N47 #3, in Coco Beach, FL, to report our presence. Diana and Ross (yes, that’s their names) are friendly Canadians here for the sights. We expect to get together again soon. We also met our closest anchorage neighbors and toured their neat boat with drinks at sunset.

Walking the mall and monuments was awesome on this beautiful day. Thousands, of every race and ethnicity, were sightseeing and taking in our country’s amazing history. Pictures are truly worth a thousand words.

Looks like Hurricane Katia holding course toward us. Hope she’ll stay away.

Sea Dream flagged for Washington

Live crab at dock fish market.

Yummy lunch at dock fish market.

View down the mall from the Lincoln Memorial. Reflection pool dug out for repairs.

Washington D.C. by Boat

FRIDAY- No freeways, traffic jams or rush hour, just the tranquil waters of the Potomac River passing through the heart of our nation's Capitol. Our only obstacles were the many crab pots and half-submerged logs. The river banks were lined with trees and stately homes, including George Washington’s Mount Vernon, for miles. We anchored just south of the Washington Monument, near the mall. The Pentagon is on the other side of the river. Moments ago the bay bloomed with little sail boats, racing all around us; Louis ran out to look. Teenagers were learning to sail. We wave for pictures as tour boats pass! I can hardly believe we’re in Washington. What a different experience it is from the water. One river bank is grass and park land and the other is marinas and buildings. This is truly the pretty side of the city.

Tomorrow we’ll dinghy ashore but tonight we’re enjoying the scenery from the water.

Out our back door.

Little sail boats everywhere.

Came to greet us after we anchored.

Tomorrow We Leave Our Safe Port

THURSDAY- Barb and I walked the dogs this Fall-ish morning. The leaves are already yellowing on the Poplars. Mike and Randy hit Home Depot.

Washed all the windows and cleared the deck of buckets, hoses and brushes preparing Sea Dream for our next adventure to Washington, D.C.

Yesterday Barb and Randy took us to Fredericksburg, George Washington’s home town. It’s old, small and very quaint, sitting on the Rappahannock River. The antique stores are stuffed with wonderful treasures and I spotted a “vintage” clothing stash. Didn’t buy, but enjoyed looking. After touring

Main Street

and the visitor’s center, we stopped at Barb’s favorite ice cream stand. Yumm!

Tonight we had Mexican with Barb and Randy and said good byes. We’ve had a restful, safe, and fun time here in Aquia Marina.

Visiting Fredricksburg, Va.

Vintage stash.

Restoring and Regrouping in Aquia Marina, Virginia

WEDNESDAY - After Irene passed, we were just plain tired. This marina’s peacefulness and fun times with Randy and Barb have been most welcome. Irene passed but boat chores continue. Yesterday we washed it, inside and out. I also washed clothes and shopped

A real treat on Monday was Randy and Barb taking us to the new Marine Corp Museum nearby. It was SPECTACULAR, with exhibits specific to each war and a complete history of the U.S. Marines since the Revolutionary War.

This morning Louis and Ollie had a long walk on the lovely nature path nearby while Mike worked on the autopilot. This afternoon is more small chores.

Friday we’ll motor 45 miles to Washington D.C. to an anchorage near the City Marina, within walking distance to everything. After staying 2 or 3 days, we’ll head for the Chesapeake and Baltimore.

The weather is great now and life is calm!

Mike & Linda as Marines.

Scrubbing the side of the boat.

“Good Night Irene”

SATURDAY- Up early to finish clearing the decks and checking tie downs. Irene brought steady rain by late morning. We all went to Barb and Randy’s boat, “Lazy Dolphin”, to follow Irene on their Direct TV and watch the Carolina Coast endure her full fury. Returned to Sea Dream for a nap, lulled by the rain. By 4:00 PM the wind began gusting to 35 mph; the high tide was only 3 feet higher than before, no real surge. The water lilies in the canal were mostly under water but no threat to us; ducks paddled the stream. As evening progresses, Irene is tracking Eastward toward new lands and we’re relieved to have missed the storms fury.

It’ll rain hard all night but still….. “Good Night Irene.”

Note: Due to Irene’s unpredictability, several friends’ boats in Rhode Island, Maine and on the Chesapeake are now very much in jeopardy.

Canvas off and final tie down.

Saturday morning before the storm. Sea Dream is on far left middle.

Saturday evening with higher water. Sea Dream on far left with yellow dinghy.

Safe Haven in Stafford, Virginia

FRIDAY- 6:30 AM departure into a foggy Potomac River but within minutes it cleared and we continued up river toward safer grounds. The Potomac was glassy smooth and the weather was beautiful, with no sign of the coming maelstrom. At 4:00PM we arrived at the newly built Aquia Yacht Club Marina. The floating docks are attached to heavy steel posts over 12 feet tall and it’s very well protected. Randy and Barb helped tie our lines; I was SO glad to see them and finally be here. Mike and I worked on securing Sea Dream’s lines, stripping the canvas and other things to make her safe. We’ll finish early tomorrow, make a final check, then head to Barb and Randy’s house, next door, to wait out Irene. Tonight we’re still aboard Sea Dream.
Irene will begin showing herself sometime after noon and we’ll be ready. The surge is predicted to be 4 to 6 feet and winds from 35 to 55 mph with 3"-5" of rain.
Barb invited us to their boat for a delicious dinner tonight. Nice to be with friends. Looking forward to a good night’s sleep in the calm before the storm.

Looking back up the stream from our slip

Still Seeking Shelter

THURSDAY- To continue moving North and West, we left Norfolk before dawn. The Navy also sent 16 more warships out to sea because they’ll be safer at sea while Irene passes. Their chatter dominated the radio as we left. Literally everyone is fleeing Irene.
Our final plan is to move more Westward, up the Potomac River to a small five mile long creek with a private marina in Stafford, Virginia. Randy & Barb Semper, fellow GH owners, secured us a slip and invited us to stay with them at their home next door to the marina during the storm. They’re super nice people and were the first to visit us on Sea Dream when we commissioned her two years ago. Barbara gifted us a “house-warming” roll of toilet paper, but that’s another story.
Tonight we’re anchored off the Potomac in a nice cove under heavy weather. Severe early evening thunderstorms prevented us from going further. We’ll begin early again tomorrow and make the marina by mid-afternoon.
Our personal version of Irene is expected very late Saturday night. We hope the water surge will be minimal but max winds could be 50-75 mph at the marina. It’s well protected. We will prepare our best then see what comes.

Clear skies on the Chesapeake today.

Still On The Run

Hoisted anchor early to continue North. Irene took small Eastward turns with every 3 hour update until late this afternoon when she made a subtle but ominous Westward wobble.
Cruising the Virginia Cut to Norfolk was exciting and kept us busy. In one stretch, we had five bascule, or “swing”, bridges irregularly spaced with a LOT of big boat commercial traffic. Timing the bridges is critical; some open on the half hour and others on the hour (only) with no openings at all during roadway rush hours. We even ran our first lock (an easy one).
Approaching the Chesapeake, we decided to make more preparation before venturing into this huge, well traveled (but new to us) body of water. Ocean Marina Yacht Center here in Portsmouth sits at the mouth of the river so we’ll start here at dawn tomorrow. We plan a Friday arrival in Baltimore, where we’ve reserved a slip at Baltimore City Marina at Lighthouse Point. Unless Irene fails to turn Eastward there should be less wind there and hopefully, little storm surge. We also have friends there. Irene is scheduled to hit Norfolk very early Sunday morning. It’s a category 3 hurricane and incredibly powerful. If Irene fails to swing more Eastward by tomorrow midday, we’ll go up the Potomac River instead.

Our neighbor.

Chased By Irene

TUESDAY- What a day! Irene continues to follow us as we flee her path. She’s predicted to hit Virginia Beach near the Chesapeake at 2:00 AM Sunday as a category 3 hurricane. Our plans are still evolving as her path develops. Our emergency planning was really hindered today by huge cell phone and internet dead zones.

We’re hurrying as far north as possible with tentative plans to haul Sea Dream on Thursday. We’re praying that Irene takes another Eastward swing. A category 3 storm would be devastating. Made about 112 miles today.

Sunset today.

Started Early With Extra Energy

MONDAY- 7:00 AM all hands on deck! This morning we fueled at Dudley’s Marina in Swansboro. Capt. Mike ordered crew (me & Louie) to put fenders and lines to starboard for a smooth docking in narrow channel and very shallow water.

Fueling 653 gallons of diesel took one and a half hours so Louis and I took a walk. He met a white dock poodle from France, named Rusty; they had a great time dancing and prancing together.

Finishing at Dudley’s, we headed northward. About six hours later, approaching Oriental under stormy skies, we chose to anchor in the South River, across from Oriental and just off the Neuse River. It’s a lovely spot with lots of swing room and, best of all, we have the whole bay to ourselves!

Louis and Rusty in boat yard.

Capt. Mike pumping fuel.