In the morning we stopped at the nearby West Marine before we did a provisioning run at the nearby Safeway. After stowing everything, walked back to Fell's Point to stop at Pitango, a great little bakery/deli to get some cream filled brioche we had sampled Sunday. We were disappointed to find brioche weren't an everyday item and settled for some croissants instead.
Although we didn't need to depart the marina until 1400, we checked out around noon to head for the Magothy River and a peaceful anchorage. Being only about 25NM, it would be a short day, splitting the distance to Annapolis to give us an early arrival on Tuesday. The harbor should be back to normal with the boats and vendors from the power boat show having departed on Monday. We watched them break down a show once, a very interesting event, with boats departing and crews removing the extra docks following in their wake.
Deeter has been working out the logistics of arranging transportation from Annapolis to either Baltimore International of Penn Station to catch a train home. We'll spend Wednesday in Annapolis before she departs Thursday morning, and we head toward Norfolk.
We've had a great time sharing this portion of the trip with Deeter. Her extra pair of hands have been greatly appreciated and we've thoroughly enjoyed having her on board to share in our adventure. She's been great about bunking down with our extraneous gear in the aft cabin, cocooned in a sleeping bag. She says it's a comfy, snug berth with plenty of room for her. It's wonderful to have a friend who enjoys doing similar things, although I expect we may have walked her further than she expected! That would hardly be inconceivable to those who cruise with us on the lake.
10/20/15-10/21/15 To 38 58.564N, 76 28.952W Annapolis Municipal Mooring #11 16.2NM
It was a short day, as planned, and after taking on fuel and water and doing a pump out, we picked up city mooring #11 in Annapolis and paid the harbor master for 2 nights. Although the power boats from the boat show had departed by the time we'd arrived, the crew was still working hard and breaking down the show. It's rather impressive as they drive in pilings into the harbor to support docks for both the sail and power boat shows and remove them afterward. We watched as boats towed away rafts of docks, 11 long, that had recently been filled with someone's dream boat. You could almost feel the town taking a deep breath of relief at the end of the boat show season. A number of the moorings still had red covers indicating they weren't available just yet. Many others were free now the crowds had departed.
After launching the dinghy we went ashore to explore the town with Deeter. Our first stop was the Market Place which offers a variety of stalls selling good food, to pick up a bite to eat.. After lunch, we walked up to the Welcome Center for Deeter to check out transportation to BWI to catch a train back home. The folks there were great, recommending an inexpensive ride who would pick her up by the Harbor Master's office, much easier than transferring buses several times over a much longer time interval. After a quick stop at the nearby post office to look at box sizes for shipping some of her gear home, we were off exploring.
We did a quick tour of the grounds at the Charles Carroll House, circa 1720. He was the only Catholic to sign the Declaration of Independence and the last of the signers to die. It is a lovely setting along Spa Creek with an interesting garden and expansive grounds. Next we checked out the Naval Academy. After watching the short introductory film, Leonard thought - briefly - about signing up. Very inspiring, given the vast numbers who apply to the Academy and how few get accepted, touching lightly on the plebe summer induction and first year. Those who get accepted have a tough 4 years ahead before graduating and becoming officers in the Navy or Marines. From this tax payer's point of view, it's money well spent. Everyone we saw on campus walked as if they had a sense of purpose - no skate boarders lounging about in sight.
Beautiful, old, wooden vessel on the dock at the USNA
The chapel at the Academy
We checked out the Naval sailing fleet, neatly lined up at the dock or out on the Severn River. As we walked past the chapel, we decided to take a peek inside. What a treat to hear the organ being played as we opened the door. It has one of the largest organ consoles in the world producing 15,688 equivalent pipes. The sound was magnificent, filling the chapel, and we were disappointed when someone stopped to chat with the organist, ending our impromptu concert. After walking back through town, we called it a day.
Our side curtains have worked well to cut the wind and make it more comfortable to be in the cockpit when it's chilly.. My only regret is the inexpensive vinyl we used is blurry compared to the isinglass in the dodger. There is always a lot to watch in the harbor, and the lack of clear vision was a bit frustrating. However, I suspect had we ordered the expensive stuff, they wouldn't have fit as well. Guess we can use these as templates - with a few minor tweaks - they'd be really great. We have yet to see how they fair in rain., but I'm sure we'll have plenty of opportunity before reaching Tiger Point in December. Nonetheless, it was pleasantly warm, tucked in out of the wind, having dinner in the cockpit watching the action.
After mailing Deeter's box in the morning, we had the whole day to explore Eastport and Annapolis. As we passed St. Anne's Church - aka the Circle Church - we saw a sign for free tours and a mini concert. A closer check indicated a free 12 minute organ concert at 1212, followed by a tour on Wednesdays - we were in luck. With a couple of hours to wait, we walked over to Eastport and wandered the docks, stopping by the Maritime Museum before heading back to town. Unfortunately the Maritime Museum was closed. They were hosting a school group and it was interesting to see how engaged many of the kids, middle school age, were. Perhaps there is hope that future generations will do a better job of saving the environment than we've managed to do.
We were treated to an airshow when an Osprey flew over head as we walked through Eastport, both in airplane and hovering 'helicopter' mode. Given the number of people out looking, it didn't appear to be a common event. It was interesting to watch as it switched from hover to airplane, very impressive!
Osprey overhead in helicopter mode
Bow detail of the Skipjack, Stanley Norman
Stanley Norman at the Maritime Museum
We hiked back to Annapolis, arriving at St Anne's Church just before the mini concert began. Although brief, it was a treat, both to listen to the organ and to sit and enjoy the tranquility of the sanctuary. The organ, a Tracker, built in Germany and installed in 1975 and updated in 2005 with additional digital controls. Although both organ and church were considerably smaller than the Chapel at the Academy, the sound filled the space nicely, and, as in the Chapel at the Academy, the acoustics were wonderful.
The organ in St Anne's Church
We took a self tour the State House, the oldest that is still in use, in the country. Annapolis served briefly as the Capitol before it was moved to Washington, DC. George Washington resigned his military commission in the Continental Army before the assembly in the Senate Chamber 1783, setting the precedent for the president to be the commander in chief for our military forces. The building is impressive, and the dome tower, the largest wooden dome in the country, is beautiful, from both outside and inside.
Painting of Washington resigning his military commission in 1783 by Edwin White (1858)
After lunch, we took a dinghy ride up Spa Creek, an impressive trip, featuring many yachts and the interesting homes along the shoreline. We stopped at one of the town dinghy docks to walk up to Zimmerman-Wilson House (I may be related on the Zimmerman side), a lovely1893 Queen Ann style Victorian. It has been beautifully restored by the First Presbyterian Church and serves as the National Naval Memorial of the Presbyterian Church, fittingly so, as it was the home of Charles Adams Zimmerman, USNA bandmaster who composed 'Anchors Aweigh', the official Navy song. It is now part of the church complex. As we were walking away, a neighbor lady told us the house was one of the first 'Craftsmen' homes, built from a kit purchased from Sears. Wow!
Zimmerman-Wilson House
Being our last night in port and cook's night off, we went to Chick and Ruth's Delly for our ritual 2 crab cake dinner. One dinner is more than enough for both of us. They didn't disappoint, and provided left overs for another meal. Dessert was one of Sofi's apple crisp crepes, another treat I look forward to each time we stop.
It was our last dinner with Deeter who would be departing Thursday, before breakfast, to catch an Amtrak train at the BWI stop back to RI. It's been great to have her with us since we enjoy similar things - being on the water, looking at boats and wandering through towns looking at the homes and gardens. We're going to miss her as we head south. She's been a great crew mate.
It was a short day, as planned, and after taking on fuel and water and doing a pump out, we picked up city mooring #11 in Annapolis and paid the harbor master for 2 nights. Although the power boats from the boat show had departed by the time we'd arrived, the crew was still working hard and breaking down the show. It's rather impressive as they drive in pilings into the harbor to support docks for both the sail and power boat shows and remove them afterward. We watched as boats towed away rafts of docks, 11 long, that had recently been filled with someone's dream boat. You could almost feel the town taking a deep breath of relief at the end of the boat show season. A number of the moorings still had red covers indicating they weren't available just yet. Many others were free now the crowds had departed.
After launching the dinghy we went ashore to explore the town with Deeter. Our first stop was the Market Place which offers a variety of stalls selling good food, to pick up a bite to eat.. After lunch, we walked up to the Welcome Center for Deeter to check out transportation to BWI to catch a train back home. The folks there were great, recommending an inexpensive ride who would pick her up by the Harbor Master's office, much easier than transferring buses several times over a much longer time interval. After a quick stop at the nearby post office to look at box sizes for shipping some of her gear home, we were off exploring.
Looking down Main Street toward the harbor in Annapolis
One of the many houses decorated for Halloween - I've never seen such realistic cats!
Beautiful, old, wooden vessel on the dock at the USNA
The chapel at the Academy
Our side curtains have worked well to cut the wind and make it more comfortable to be in the cockpit when it's chilly.. My only regret is the inexpensive vinyl we used is blurry compared to the isinglass in the dodger. There is always a lot to watch in the harbor, and the lack of clear vision was a bit frustrating. However, I suspect had we ordered the expensive stuff, they wouldn't have fit as well. Guess we can use these as templates - with a few minor tweaks - they'd be really great. We have yet to see how they fair in rain., but I'm sure we'll have plenty of opportunity before reaching Tiger Point in December. Nonetheless, it was pleasantly warm, tucked in out of the wind, having dinner in the cockpit watching the action.
After mailing Deeter's box in the morning, we had the whole day to explore Eastport and Annapolis. As we passed St. Anne's Church - aka the Circle Church - we saw a sign for free tours and a mini concert. A closer check indicated a free 12 minute organ concert at 1212, followed by a tour on Wednesdays - we were in luck. With a couple of hours to wait, we walked over to Eastport and wandered the docks, stopping by the Maritime Museum before heading back to town. Unfortunately the Maritime Museum was closed. They were hosting a school group and it was interesting to see how engaged many of the kids, middle school age, were. Perhaps there is hope that future generations will do a better job of saving the environment than we've managed to do.
We were treated to an airshow when an Osprey flew over head as we walked through Eastport, both in airplane and hovering 'helicopter' mode. Given the number of people out looking, it didn't appear to be a common event. It was interesting to watch as it switched from hover to airplane, very impressive!
Osprey overhead in helicopter mode
Bow detail of the Skipjack, Stanley Norman
Stanley Norman at the Maritime Museum
We hiked back to Annapolis, arriving at St Anne's Church just before the mini concert began. Although brief, it was a treat, both to listen to the organ and to sit and enjoy the tranquility of the sanctuary. The organ, a Tracker, built in Germany and installed in 1975 and updated in 2005 with additional digital controls. Although both organ and church were considerably smaller than the Chapel at the Academy, the sound filled the space nicely, and, as in the Chapel at the Academy, the acoustics were wonderful.
The organ in St Anne's Church
We took a self tour the State House, the oldest that is still in use, in the country. Annapolis served briefly as the Capitol before it was moved to Washington, DC. George Washington resigned his military commission in the Continental Army before the assembly in the Senate Chamber 1783, setting the precedent for the president to be the commander in chief for our military forces. The building is impressive, and the dome tower, the largest wooden dome in the country, is beautiful, from both outside and inside.
Painting of Washington resigning his military commission in 1783 by Edwin White (1858)
Zimmerman-Wilson House
Being our last night in port and cook's night off, we went to Chick and Ruth's Delly for our ritual 2 crab cake dinner. One dinner is more than enough for both of us. They didn't disappoint, and provided left overs for another meal. Dessert was one of Sofi's apple crisp crepes, another treat I look forward to each time we stop.
It was our last dinner with Deeter who would be departing Thursday, before breakfast, to catch an Amtrak train at the BWI stop back to RI. It's been great to have her with us since we enjoy similar things - being on the water, looking at boats and wandering through towns looking at the homes and gardens. We're going to miss her as we head south. She's been a great crew mate.
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