BALTIMORE AND VISITORS FROM NJ!

September 29, 2007

WEATHER: Overcast; NW @20-25; 73 degrees; gives way to 81 degrees and N 10 to 15

COMMENTS:
0500 We’re up and ready to go! … but it’s pretty windy, small craft advisories are posted and it’s dark. We decided to go back to bed.
0700 We’re up again. We had cereal for breakfast, did a few boat chores and listened to the weather radio.
0800 Fire up, weigh anchor!

We're underway in the protection of Bodkin Creek, but we could tell from the rustling tree tops, that in was breezy on the Bay. As we entered the Bay at the mouth of the Patapsco River, we found northeast winds in the 20 to 25 knot range. It was windy and lumpy, but not hazardous, or so we thought.

While underway, we listened in as the Coast Guard performed a search and rescue for a Gibson 41 Houseboat. The vessel was underway with four people aboard. It was bow down and taking on water. The skipper didn’t think they’d make it to port. He reported that they were “seriously bow down and the engine was cavitating.” After about 15 minutes, the coast guard arrived on the scene and took to people off of the boat. A short time later, there was talk about the chances of fluids (diesel fuel and engine oils) “leaving the boat.” The vessel apparently went to Davey Jones’ locker shortly after the people were rescued. The drama unfolded a few miles south of us at the entrance to the Magothy River.

After we went under the Francis Scott Key Bridge, perhaps the official entrance to Baltimore Harbor, we made a slight turn to starboard to see the “Star Spangled Buoy.” It is reported that this buoy, marks the position of a prison ship that held among others, Francis Scott Key. It was from that ship, anchored in this spot that he peered out into the morning sky to see Old Glory still flying over Fort McHenry. The sight inspired him to pen the poem, “The Star Spangled Banner.”

1200 We tied up to the face of “E” dock at Inner Harbor East Marina. After doing a few boat chores, we took a walk to Fells Point. It’s a cool place with some fun eateries, plenty of bars and interesting stores. We settled in for lunch at Bertha’s Mussels. Good food, particularly the shrimp salad sandwich enjoyed by Anna Marie. It was chock full of whole shrimp.
1600 The Shelley, Greg and the KIDS arrive! After they loaded their stuff on board, we hot-footed it to the Baltimore Visitor’s Center where we boarded one of the DUCKS. Although a bit pricey, it was a great tour. Driver/Captain Crabby was great fun. The tour lasted about 1 ½ hours. We used our “quackers” (a duck beak/duck calling souvenir) the whole way!

After the tour, we strolled a few blocks to little Italy for some homemade pasta at Caesar’s Den. The meal was authentic Italian and very good.

Back at the boat, we enjoyed a Starbuck’s nightcap and hit the sack! We’ll “git ‘er done” tomorrow.

September 30, 2007 LAY DAY #2 – LET’S PLAY WITH THE KIDS in Baltimore, MD


WEATHER: Overnight temp cooled off nicely; daytime high of 77, clear, cloudless sky; winds around 10 to 12 knots.

COMMENTS: The night was comfortable, perhaps even a little cool. We turned the fan off in the wee hours of the morning and pulled up the comforter.

0700 Shelley and Geoffrey were the first to get up and Anna Marie and I joined them in the salon. We talked about the day’s activities and sat in the cockpit enjoying the early morning harbor sights.

0830 Anna Marie and I worked on cutting cushions for the helm seats. Shelley graciously brought the closed cell foam cushions from home. We seats will be much more comfortable than the cushions we previously had.

0900 The girls got up and brushed their teeth, leaving only Greg still in the sack. Shelley, the kids and I walked off the find a McDonalds and to ride the dragon peddle boats. When we arrived, the peddle boats were still closed. By this time, Greg and Anna Marie caught up with us and we were off to McDonald’s on Light Street.

After breakfast, we marched back to the peddle boats in the hopes they were open. Alas, they were not. Anna Marie took the kids for a tour of the Constellation, the last “strictly sail” warship commissioned by the US Navy.

I took the water taxi back to Harbor East and made the short walk back to the boat while Shelley took the kids on the Dragon peddle boats. I needed to do some things on the boat and promised to catch up with everyone later.

The rest of the crew went to the Port of Discovery Museum and had lunch. They returned at about 1500 hours and were nice enough to bring me lunch. Shortly after their return, we bid farewell. I think the kids had a good time. Geoffrey wants to visit the boat again and he wants Joshie to join us!

After watching the ending to "The Guardian," Anna Marie and I filled the water tank and she was off to do the laundry and I check fluids in the engines and tended to the logs.

By the way, Mom called to say that the Phillies won their game (6 – 1) and were the champions of the national league east - amazing! The NY Mets had a pretty big lead with about 25 games to go but the Phillies caught them in the end. Hard to believe!

We’ll be leaving Baltimore early tomorrow morning. We hope to get to the West River by nightfall.