Summer in Baltimore - Part 4 and Fairfield Bay, Arkansas

June 10, 2019 - June 19, 2019

First order of business this week was to finally complete the back rests for the cockpit, thus completing my long drawn out cockpit cushion project! I spent most of the day in the boater's lounge working on this project. After several missteps the project was done. If I do say so myself, they look great!

The end product was worth all of the frustration!

We had a couple of cruiser get togethers; a couples get together in the boater's lounge on Monday (6/10), our usual Wednesday morning breakfast with the ladies, and an impromptu one on C dock on Saturday night. We had lot's of fun conversations with new and established friends (I am always reluctant to use the word old these days).

Jessica and Joe went to Johnstown, PA for a few days to finalize her contract for her new job as Orchestra Manager of the Johnstown Orchestra and find a place to live while there.  They made the big step of putting an offer in on a house. It should be a great adventure for them.  I had cat care duty and went over to their apartment to feed and clean up after their three cats on Wednesday (6/12).  Of course, I took advantage of being there and cut out some tops which I sewed up later in the week.  Jessica had inspired me to use fabrics left over from previous projects and it was like getting clothing for free.

Jessica and I had our pool day on Saturday.  This summer we have had great weather on the weekends so Saturday pool days has become a regular "date".

It was a great pool day!

On Sunday, I left bright and early for Fairfield Bay, AR to spend a week at a Wyndham lakeside resort with my son, Karl and his family.  I had never been to Arkansas and wasn't sure of what to expect, but it is a beautiful area.  

This is the view from our second story deck.

You're probably wondering what  a beach bum like me doing is in Arkansas. In an effort to get all of my children together I googled "what is the mid-point between Houston (Karby) and Chicago (Rachel)" knowing that Jessica (Baltimore) would not be available this summer because of moving and Grace (Portales, NM) had just started a new job.  Google came up with Eastern Arkansas and I found this resort through RCI and my time share.  I have to say it is the best resort I have ever stayed in with RCI.  It's huge but spread out enough to not seem like a huge resort, the units are large and recently updated, the pool is within walking distance, and the lake is beautiful. Although I was not successful in getting anyone but my son's family here this year, I hope to get everyone together here next summer.

Monday we took the shuttle boat to Sugar Loaf Mountain to hike to the top.  It wasn't a mountain climb, but it was a bit strenuous.

The path up to the peak was
bordered by huge rocks. 
Maddix and Acen are posing
atop a smaller rock.

The "fam" - Maddix in the background
Acen, Karl, and Brandy

Wow!

The view from the top was spectacular.

It was Karl's 35th birthday and we celebrated with carrot cake and ice cream.

Everyone sang a very out of
tune "Happy Birthday!"

On Tuesday we started the day at the pool - Acen would stay in the water all day if he didn't have to stop to eat.  

Fun in the pool!

After lunch we headed back to the Marina to rent kayaks and explore the lake.  The water was clean and clear.  If I thought I could have climbed back into the kayak easily I would have gone for a swim.  

Fun on the lake!

We'll be here a couple more days and then it is on to New Mexico for me to visit my youngest, Grace.

Thank you for reading my blog!

Summer in Baltimore - Part 3

June 2, 2019 - June 9, 2019

The weather this week was mostly sunny and most days had a cool breeze except Wednesday (hot) and Sunday (rainy).  After a trip to Annapolis on Monday to buy some zippers needed to complete the back rests for the cockpit I stopped by a marina acquaintances boat to measure his mattresses so I could construct fitted sheets and fitted mattress pads for him.  It won't be a major job, but will entail lots of measuring, seam ripping and resewing. Custom sheets are always a must for the odd shape mattresses in boat berths.

On Tuesday, I planned to complete the backrests for the cockpit only to discover that I needed to order more of the nagua soft fabric. Next project was to add a zipper to the binnacle cover which I couldn't complete because I didn't have the correct type of zipper (I needed an opening zipper).  So, after completing a small repair on our neighbor's encloser
doorway I decided to make the new grill cover.  I just wanted to have one project completed by the end of the day!  While I was working in the lounge our custom canvas maker, Dan, was on the boat patterning the new dodger windows and bimini cover.  His technique of using tape and translucent plastic was brilliant.  It is clear he is a very experienced canvas maker.

 Finally a project completed.  I lined the cover with plastic to
prevent grease from the grill wicking through the sunbrella fabric.

 Wednesday was "boat ladies" breakfast at Captain James Restaurant.  It was quite a large group of 13 ladies.  Sharing the same lifestyle we automatically have a lot in common  even if we just met our conversation flows easily. That evening I went to Jessica's place to help her host an end of year party for her colleagues and student workers. After eating we played a very fun card game.

Thursday morning we decided to drop boat projects and drive to Glory Bees Sewing Center to research a new sewing machine for me.  My current machine was 30 years old and had been used for my bridal and formal wear sewing business for almost 15 years so it was ready to be retired.  I was looking for another Elna, but learned from the very knowledgeable owner of the shop that Janome and Elna were the same company.  I settled on a Janome 4130 style electronic machine which has some amazing new features that suit my sewing style perfectly.  Even though we hadn't planned on purchasing a machine that day we decided it was perfect for me and bought it on the spot!

Isn't it beautiful!

The next couple of days I spent getting to know my new machine after my regular chores.  I created a tank top and a maxi dress which I had cut out the week before a Jessica's house.

After scrubbing the grill on Saturday Jessica joined me at the pool.  She had just talked to her new boss at the Johnstown Orchestra where she accepted the job of Orchestra Manager.  It is an exciting job change for her, but I will miss having her so close by in Baltimore.

Sunday was the Annapolis Quilt Guild yearly show.  My neighbor, Mary, who is an avid and expert quilter, asked me to go along with her.  I agreed right away as my desire to create quilts has just blossomed.  My plan is to make quilts for all of my children in the next three or four years. It helps to have Mary close by for advice. Let me just show you some of the amazing quilts that were on display.

This stained glass window quilt changed my
mind about black fabric in quilts.

The unusual placement of the quilt
squares makes this quilt unique.

This quilt shows the importance of square arrangement,

This quilt is a variation of a log cabin quilt.

This quilt is a two fabric bargello design.

This is a whimsical basket design.

Thank you for reading my blog!

Summer in Baltimore - Part 2

May 13, 2019 - June 1, 2019

Projects:

While Bob has made progress on many of his projects (often with my help) the only project I have been able to work on is recovering the cockpit and helm seat cushions. I ran into several snags in completing this sewing job. First, the snaps on the cushion covers did not match up with the snaps attached to the cockpit.  After removing, adjusting and resewing the snap tabs I finally got the starboard side cushion to fit.  Bob had to remove the snap and reapply a new snap in a new spot to get the port side cushion to fit.  The helm seat cushions fit perfectly the first try.  Another snag was in designing the back rest to go with the seat cushions.  My first try was a complete bust.  I hadn't allowed for the curve in the coming which the back rest will attach to.  Bob came up with the idea of covering a pool noodle and attaching it to a redesigned back rest. We also had to use a different foam insert for the back rest as the type of foam we purchased from Sailrite was too soft.  I made a mock up of this design and with a few adjustments it should work perfectly.  That part of this project will be finished next week.

How do you like the color we chose?

Outings:

Most of our outings have been to Annapolis to procure items needed for boat projects.  Each trip to Annapolis includes a great lunch at one of our favorite restaurants; Italian Market, Jack's Fortune, Carol's Creek, Boatyard, and Storm Brothers Ice cream. We seem to visit our storage locker each time we go to Annapolis as well.  

One day we went out to lunch at On the Border in
Canton Crossing Shopping Center.  Bob had fajitas.

Jess and Joe joined me for an afternoon at the pool Memorial Day weekend and on this past Saturday.  The weather has been great for the pool!

Travel:

On Saturday May 26 Claire's husband, Fred, passed away.  His daughter Sheryl was with him.  The apartment that they were living in at the end had to be cleared out by the end of May.  I flew to Sarasota on May 29 to help Sheryl with this overwhelming task.  Sheryl and her friend Lori had made a lot of progress and when I arrived we finished sorting through items and taking what we couldn't use to various charities.  It was a sad, but necessary task.  

I returned to Baltimore on Friday, May 31 exhausted physically and emotionally.

Lori, Sheryl, and I are standing in front of Lori's car that is
packed full of the items Sheryl is taking back to Michigan.

Thank you for reading my blog.

Summer in Baltimore - part 1

April 30, 2019 - May 12, 2019

The windy weather conditions kept us in Annapolis until Thursday morning when the wind died down to five to ten knots out of the southwest.  Annapolis is like home to us since we lived and worked there for so long (Bob for over 30 years).

We had to do something with the duck eggs which had increased to five by Wednesday morning.  Very gently, we took them by dinghy to the grassy area next to the creek behind St. Mary’s Church.  The mother duck was not happy with us for “stealing” her babies, but that was their only chance for survival.

Wednesday night is race night in Annapolis and we had a front row seat as the final leg of the race went right by our boat.

Sailboats gather for the races.

On the final leg of the race the sailboats
had their spinnakers out.

Who will be the winner?

When we woke on Thursday morning the harbor was socked in by a dense fog.  We waited until 9:00 to leave so we could have one last bagel breakfast at The City Dock Coffee Shop.  Bob took the helm for the first part of our trip to Baltimore going at only half our usual speed because of the fog.  Visibility was down to 100 ft. at one point.  After going under the Bay Bridge I took over the helm as the fog had mostly burned off.  We docked at Anchorage Marina in Canton at around 2:00 pm with the help of some dock hands.  Our neighbors, Chuck and Mary, were already there.  The new docks are beautiful and sturdy…no wobbling back and forth like the old ones.

By the time we got all of the dock lines situated and the bikes off the boat we were exhausted and ready for a quiet night.  On Friday, Chuck and Mary drove us to BWI Storage to pick up our car.  While in the area we drove to Annapolis to retrieve some items from storage, do some errands, and eat our favorite pizza at Italian market. That night I met up with Jessica and Joe at Slainte in Fells Point to enjoy a great meal and and great company!

On Saturday we watched the Baltimore Kenetic Sculpture Race as it passed in front of the marina.  These sculptures have to be powered by humans and be able to go from Federal Hill to the Canton Waterfront Park (where they have to be propelled through the water) and then on to Patterson park (where they have to get through a mud pond).  It was quite a spectacle!

The city closed one lane on Boston Street
to allow the sculptures to go by.

This sculpture is almost to the
water front park.  I hope all
of those swim tubes hold them up!

There was a big crowd at Canton Waterfront Park
to watch the sculptures enter the water
and to cheer them on.

This "Fake Gnus" sculpture made it
through the water challenge and is
headed to Patterson Parl.

Project work began in full force on Sunday.  Bob is making some changes to the framework of the dodger and bimini  before we have all of the canvas and windows replaced this summer. That big job took a couple of days. One of my jobs for the summer is to recover the cushions in the cockpit and add back cushions. I got started on that job, taking the cushions apart and cleaning the backings and the zippers for reuse. I was able to get the pieces for the cushions cut out, but with helping Bob with his projects I haven’t gotten to the sewing.  Hopefully, I’ll get them done next week.

Taking the cushions apart was intense work.

The marina cruising ladies started our weekly breakfast gathering at a nearby restaurant.

We enjoy sharing our adventures on the water.

On Saturday Jessica treated me to a pedicure and lunch as a Mother’s Day gift.  Jessica and I always enjoy these outings. I’m glad we were able to get together on Saturday because Sunday was a complete washout with rain (heavy at times) all day. I decided to binge on "The Crown", a Netflix series I'm watching, read, and catch up on my blog on this rainy Mother's Day.

Thank you for reading my blog.

Onancock, VA to Annapolis, MD

April 22, 2019 - April 29, 2019

We woke before sunrise and left Onancock Marina at 6:30 am.  The prediction was for calm wind and seas, but when we reached the mouth of Onancock Creek we discovered that we would be fighting 12 to 15 knot winds out of the north which caused us to hobby horse with waves crashing over the bow onto the deck.  Thank goodness for our enclosed which protected us from a soaking.  I became violently seasick after about two hours of the trip (yuck)  After that I wasn’t much help to Bob.  Instead of crossing the bay to Solomons we opted to travel up the Tangier Sound behind Tangier and Smith Islands.  We cut our trip short for the day and anchored in Fishing Bay on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.  In the morning we raised anchor at 7:00 am heading for St. Michaels.  We hadn’t visited St. Michaels for several years and were excited about returning.  Because of the weather predictions we could only stay in St. Michaels for two nights.  One night we anchored out in the Miles River just outside of St. Michaels.  

In the morning we motored to the marina to tie up on the face dock. We had lunch at the Crab Claw a local restaurant on the water.  I had my first crab cake since leaving Maryland last fall and Bob had a soft crab sandwich. Both were delicious.  St. Michaels used to have an Acme on the main shopping street in town which we discovered had been torn down to make room for more small shops.  Consequently, we Ubered  to the local Graul’s supermarket to provision.  After stowing all our groceries I set off to explore all of the town’s shops.  I took my time as Bob had stayed back at the boat and enjoyed browsing through the unique merchandise.  In the morning we had breakfast at a new restaurant called The Galley that was a couple of blocks from the marina.  We had a short trip across the bay to Annapolis, our home port.  

Rainy Days on mooring 16 in Annapolis Harbor. 

This was the weekend for the Annapolis Spring Sailboat Show and we were glad to get a mooring.  Because of the prediction of windy and stormy weather we planned to stay in Annapolis for seven days.  For four days the wind howled, sometimes with gusts up to 50 knots, but we enjoyed our time anyway.  We visited the boat show on Friday and were able to order the fabric, notions, and tools to complete the remaking of the cockpit cushions and a few other items that are showing wear.  We received a 10% discount and free shipping.  On Sunday we visited the Spring Festival on Maryland Avenue which consisted of a wide array of food, art, antique, and craft vendors.  There always seems to be something going on in Annapolis.  Annapolis has a vibrant and busy downtown and harbor with people and boats coming and going constantly.  It’s entertaining just to watch the activity. On Monday we did laundry and tried out the new Thai restaurant on Main Street, Tarin Thai Cuisine. 

The Maryland State House dominates State Circle.

Colorful houses on Corn Hill Street.

Fun times at City Dock!

Something unusual occurred over the weekend. A duck used the lines stored on our forward deck as a nest to lay her eggs.  Lola discovered two on Saturday and then on Sunday morning a third was added to the “nest”. We will try to place them in a more appropriate spot. but with the cold weather I don’t think they will survive.

Three duck eggs on board !

Thank you for reading my blog.

Hampton, VA to Onancock, VA

April 14, 2019 - April 21, 2019

 We had stopped In Hampton on the way down the bay last fall and had visited most of the “places of interest” then.  It’s a nice walkable town with cute shops, restaurants (our favorite is right next to where our boat was docked), a beautiful antique carousel, an air and space museum, and an informative history museum.  Our main goals during our two and a half days in Hampton were taking showers, buying provisions, and eating lunch out.  The marina was not busy; only two other boats were anchored on our side of the marina. We must be well ahead of the crowd of cruisers heading north.

We docked our boat at the Hampton Piers.

We decided to leave Hampton and head across the bay to Onancock on Tuesday given the great weather conditions. Bad weather was predicted for the rest of the week and Onancock is a spot well protected from high winds.  Our first year of cruising we waited out Hurricane Michael there.  On Tuesday night we anchored our boat out in the creak that leads to Onancock as our trip across the bay was lengthy and it was well past the closing time of the marina.  We arrived in Onancock before lunch on Wednesday, unloaded our bikes, and road into town for lunch at Bizzoto’s Restaurant.  After a terrific lunch we explored some of the shops in town.  One of our favorites is North Street Market which features a gallery, gourmet foods, wines, kitchen essentials, and local crafts.  We bought a new tea pot since the one we had (probably 25 years old) had ceased to whistle.

From our cockpit we had a lovely view of the creek.
 This picture was taken at sunset.

 During our stay pollen dust covered everything.
It was almost plague proportions.
This is a picture of pollen on the water.  

On Thursday we rented a car and drove to Cape Charles, a town we have wanted to visit by boat but never have.  I’ll tell the story of our visit in pictures.

This view is from the back porch of The Shanty where we had lunch.
It shows an entrance to the large marina.

This is where we were seated for lunch.

 These houses lined the road next to the beach.

...and the requisite Irish Pub.

The main street was lined with shops, restaurants,
and an old fashioned hardware store.  

The beach was wide and enjoyed by many on this 80 degree day.

When we approached this sign a couple asked Bob to take a picture of them
in front of the sign. Then the man proceeded to get down
 on his knee and present the lady with an engagement ring
and ask her to marry him.  Bob got a great picture
 of the event for them with their cell phone.

It was a long day and we got back to the boat around 6:00 pm and were greeted by two hungry cats.

The rest of our stay in Onancock was uneventful.  We were able to take several bike rides to explore the area, catch up on some cleaning tasks, and visit Bizzotti’s once again.  One night we experienced winds gusting up to 50 mph and torrential rain.  We were glad to be in a protected creek.

On Monday we will continue our travel up the bay.

Thank you for reading my blog.

Beaufort, NC to Hampton, VA

April 8, 2019 - April14, 2019

We were all set to leave Beaufort early Monday morning until Bob tried to start the engine and all we heard was “clunk”. Starter trouble, again! Bob called the marina office for a mechanic recommendation.  We couldn’t reach him on the phone so the office contacted him for us.  If he was able he would stop by the boat at the end of the day. Like all great mechanics he was overbooked and couldn’t make it until Tuesday morning.  He spent less than an hour reconnecting the ground wire of the starter and the engine came to life.  Hurray!

We took advantage of the extra time in Beaufort to visit two more restaurants, go to the grocery store and finish visiting the shops.  It was two days of relaxing.  Our big disappointment was the Black Sheep Restaurant with its fabulous pizza was closed both days.

Early Wednesday morning we cast off at sunrise to continue our journey north.  Our “Windy” app forecast some strong winds until 2:00 pm.  We debated about making it a short day or going the planned distance.  We stuck with the plan.  The wind was right on our nose and in the open waters of the Neuse River it seemed like we were riding a bronco. Yippee ki yi aah! We considered turning in at Oriental, but continued north. When we turned to the north east the waves were hitting the boat obliquely creating a washing machine effect. It was much worse than the bronco. After four hours of traveling the Nuese River we finally turned into a more narrow river and had a smooth ride to our anchorage in Goose Creek.

Our reward for rising with the sun

On Thursday we were up with the sun and headed to our anchorage in the Little Alligator River.  We were in narrow protected waters all day and did not feel any adverse effects from the wind.

I’m at the helm on the North River.
As you can see the weather is warm
enough for shorts and a tank top.

Friday was different.  We left at dawn, but traveled up the wide Alligator River, across the Pimlico Sound, up the wide Pongo River, and finally across the open waters of the Albemarle Sound.  It was a rough day again with lots of rocking and rolling. We made it to Coinjock Marina by 3:30 pm just in time for showers and a great prime rib dinner.

Saturday, was a short trip up some winding rivers to a free mooring just south of the Great Bridge Bridge.  We had our left over prime rib in sandwiches when we stopped.  We heard geese honking and observed a family with newly hatched goslings.

We had several down pours last night
so I had to bail out the dinghy.

We left our mooring at 8:00 am Sunday and made it through the Great Bridge Bridge and Lock in record time.  We were making good time until we were stopped for an hour in Norfolk for a railroad bridge.  We made to Hampton Public Pier by noon.  We have completed our travels on the ICW and are now in the beautiful Chesapeake Bay.  We are almost home!

Travel on the ICW through Norfolk provides
different sitings than the wildlife
we encounter on most of the ICW.

The weather this week has been warmer than we expected for this time of year, but we had some heavy rains on two days.  Our cockpit enclosure is a life saver during stormy weather.  

We will take our time traveling up the bay to Baltimore stopping at some of our favorite spots.

Thank you for reading my blog.