Chesapeake City

Baltimore has so much to offer that we stayed a total of 4 nights right downtown 20 paces from the happenings.   We decided not to go to Philly after all;  Jayne and I had both been there at earlier times.
Today we left Baltimore to travel throught the top of Chesapeake bay to the C and D canal which connects Chesapeake Bay with Delaware Bay stopping at the little town of Chesapeake City.  The free dock was full so we anchored out and dingyed into the resturant.
Not a lot of stuff to do here - we needed the break.


After dinner icecream!




More Maryland crab cakes




Time to get back to the dingy and boat!




Town hall in a store front

 Tomorrow we travel 70 miles down the Delaware Bay to Cape May.  Delaware Bay can be a boaters nightmare if the weather doesn't cooperate.  Weather permitting we will leave early to beat the afternoon storms.

Baltimore 3 days then Philly

Going to Philidelphia is will add 4 days to our trip.  If Philly is 1/2 as enjoyable as Baltimore then we have made the right decision!

Baltimore really surprised us.  Many first class attractions are within walking distance of the waterfront.
All of this and it is only 30 steps from our boat to the beautiful waterfront walkway which included such activities as outdoor musical groups, boat rides of all kinds, water rides for the kiddies, the la Cross championship games, beach volleyball, science and art museums;  Just a little furthur away but in walking distance the Ravens stadium, and the Orioles ball park plus more museums.
One could spend months here and never get bored.


Lots of park land near the water.




On the waterfront in front of the science museum and visitor center




Kids love these!




An outdoor concert hall




Waiting for a water taxi




Prom grads entering one of the big dinner boats.




Big india fest




Free indian meal -  line was too long for us - blew another freebee!

 Jayne and I took a great narrated bus tour and then walked our legs off  going to a lot of sites all over the city.  On Sunday we took their free buses for our own 1hr tours.

We will leave here Monday and arrive in Philly on Tuesday.

Baltimore

We  are enjoying this 1st class city to the fullest;  we are extending our stay from 2 days to 4 days!   So we will be here through May 31st.
We will not post until June 1st.

Annapolis day 3

The Grand Graduation Ball!



Charles house and grounds( signer of the Declaration of Independence where we stayed  off shore...




...To hear and see the graduation at St Mary's




Nice Kids - 2011




Sculpture of Alex Haley(Roots) and kids




Watching the water taxis go by





The boats are watching us!!



Today we dingied to downtown and walked into the Naval Academy where we visted their outstanding museum.  We learned about the many famous graduates and what it takes to graduate as an officer in this fine institution.   One in ten applicants are accepted; usually straight A high school grades who show examples of outstanding leadership qualities through different clubs and teams. 
On the 1st day on campus their clothes are taken away and they are issued their new uniforms and the makover begins.  
We talked to many midshipmen (students) of all 4 levels and were amazed at their manners, and polished  demeanor.  Jayne and I would be happy to adopt any of them!!
 Because this was graduation week we were priveleged to be able to participate in a lot of the many activities that took place this week.
The grand ball was one event that was free for all  featuring dancing food and drinks.

Graduation is tomorrow; we love this place but we are moving on to Baltimore

Annapolis day 2

Today we decided to stay on a mooring ball for the first time.  We think we like it because it cost very little but we can dingy to shore and have the same advantages would have on a dock.

Lady Jayne and Dingy(?)



Big Rivalry!




Nice Visitors Center



1/3 of students activities are physical

Atheltic courts



an amazing organ and organist

 Today was our US Naval Academy day, starting with an hour and 1/2 tour, a terrific concert featuring a great organist and  outstanding student musicians, a great lunch in the Dry Dock resturant, more walking, an ice cream and back to the boat.

Impressions:
Totally white uniforms but they don't get dirty!
Yes Sir!! everywhere we go.  Really feels good!
These kids are kids to be proud of.
Many famous people graduated from the Naval Academy including several presidents, sports figures like Roger Stuabach, etc.

Tomorrow we go to the Naval Museum and more exploration.

Annapolis!!

What a beautiful city, the capitol of Maryland.  The large historical district was totally walkable with tons of resturants and many preserved and restored homes.  We were impressed with the colorful houses, beautiful gardens, and all brick streets and sidewalks.  All very close to or on the water.
We did our walking tour, including a guided tour of the state capitol building where we stood in the same place that many historic events happened including Washington's resignation.


There were seven freighters waiting outside Annapolis




The Capitol




Colorful houses were restored



another restored home

Jayne and friends



I did OK too!



Guess who was responsible for creating the big lightening rod on the dome??  Ben Franklin of course!   After 200 plus years it is still up there collect lightening strikes!

St Michael's

On Monday the 23rd we crossed back over to the east side of Chesapeake bay and visited the remote island that holds the  beautiful town of St Michael.  This town was established in that 1600s. The nieghborhoods are very pretty with vintage houses  and much greenery and gardens.  The main street has many upscale restuarants and shops.   We are impressed that this town is so remote yet is so upscale- it's on an island!

Light House @ Museum of St. Michaels



Lots of cute little shops ( and models)




St Michael Trolley




Lots of B@Bs




 Tomorrow to the capitol of Maryland; Annapolis and home of the US Naval academy. 

Solomon Day 2

We walked to one of the finest marine museums we have ever experienced.  After several hours there we walked back to our marina and took the shuttle bus to the 1st Mac Donalds in two months!  The big macs were a #1 treat!

After being picked up we decided to ask the driver to drop us at the other end of the island.  We walked to a tiki bar and lo and behold we ran into some old boating friends Ron and Jan.  We compared intineraries and made some changes.   Tomorrow we will go to St Michaels a premier destination on Chesapeake bay.


Jayne with a guide who is a world champion weight lifter, a trained singer from the met who has sung and performed  with many top stars, and has found time to be a prize winning wood carver!




One of the many remote controlled boats




Great!




Who is the fat guy?



Waiting for the big race!

On Tuesday and Wednesday we will be in Annapolis Maryland enjoying the graduation of the cadets and the air show featuring the Blue Angels.

Smith Island to Solomons Island

Before leaving we visited  with a family to observe hear about their crabbing operation.  We happened to see an open door in their "shack", asked a few questions learned a lot from grandpa and grandma while they were processing the crabs caught yesterday. Son and grandson were out in the boat attending to the traps.

We crossed chesapeake east to west today in good weather enjoying the relatively calm winds to arrive at Solomons Island, Maryland which is on the Putuxant river (north of the Potomac).  Because of the distance involved we (200 miles round trip ) we chose not to visit Washington on this trip.
This area is truly the Yachting capital of Chesapeake Bay.  The marina we stayed in has over 200 slips and the number of marinas in this area is huge.
The facilities are really nice and include a large pool, courtesy van, plus other amenities.  We are going to stay here two days to visit a couple of museums (maritime and archeological ) and do a few boat chores.
The day after tomorrow we visit Annapolis, the large interesting, historic town that contains the US Naval Academy.

Bye to Smith Island, Grandma and Grandpa and the family!



A target ship in the bay totally beat up from bombing run practices




Our bow showing the American Great Looper Cruiser Association burgee



Met a few frieghters today



...Plus lots of boats fishing for stripers




and great numbers of sail boats

 No posting tomorrow.

Pictures for May 20th

One big navy boat to avoid!



the marina and surrounding area




a scene around town




Momma's Worry -  Ma I bought a bigger one so you won't worry




The new family in town!