Day 39 Baltimore OpSail

 We used the days in Baltimore to complete  needed maintenance.  Only issue on the entire trip was a drip in a plastic connector fitting on the hot water heater on the last day.  I took it apart and cleaned the threads and reinstalled it.  Still leaked.  I  tightened it  carefully until it cracked.  Now big leak.  Luckily I had a brass fitting to replace it in the spares carried on board. No car and no Home Depot nearby so one must carry spare parts and tools.  Crew was happy, shower would work.  I was happy no marine plumber needed, can't imagine what that would cost.

The Tall Ships entered the harbor as promised but were delayed due to bad weather as they sailed up from Norfolk.  Not only tall ships are in attendance
but also naval vessels from the US and other countries.

Note the old with the new, A clipper ship with a US Destroyer in the background

 As the tall ships came into the harbor the sailors were standing on the yard arms.  I guess a fear of heights would be a problem.

 Each ship must have a harbor pilot on board to guide the ship into the harbor.  After docking the pilot boat would take the pilot to the next waiting vessel.

 The Today Show (NBC) with Al Roker broadcast from the Inner Harbor on Thursday morning, I bicycled down to check it out.  They were interviewing a few of the crew from the Indonesian vessel.

 The Indonesian Crew all decked out for the Today Show audience.

 This is Canadian warship 280 aka the Iroquois, a destroyer docked near us at Fells Point.

 Security was evident throughout the harbor with Baltimore police boats and the Coast Guard.

 The Naval Academy sent 5 of their training vessels known as Yard Patrols (YP)

 Condos built out over the water on pilings.

Our harbor from the water taxi.  (Anchorage Marina)

We flew home for a few weeks to attend to matters at work and at home.  Stay tuned for the continuation of our voyage to Montreal in early July.

Day 36 Rock Hall to Baltimore (Fells Point)

We only had 25 miles to go to Baltimore across the Chesapeake Bay from Rock Hall so we bicycled around Rock Hall before heading out at 1100.  Beautiful day with light winds.  Usually we try not to travel on weekends, especially Sunday but we only had a few hour run so off we went.  Total miles today 23, total from Sarasota, 1471 miles!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will post pictures from Opsail, the parade of tall ships on Wed.   Link to Opsail    We have a front row seat from our marina.  After that the crew is taking a needed break to return to Cincinnati for a few weeks.

We needed to stay in one place for a few days to  reprovision, laundry, engine maintenance including changing the oil and filters, replace the zinc anodes, tighten all engine belts, and clean the engine cooling water strainers.  So far everything has performed without a hitch. Almost afraid to say that!

Not much marine traffic approaching the Francis Scott Key Bridge but that will change as we enter the Baltimore area.

 Baltimore is a busy seaport so you usually see many freighters entering and leaving the harbor.

 We saw this freighter anchored in the bay last week waiting to be called to the dock.

 Fort McHenry guarding Baltimore Harbor. This fort is famous for Francis Scott Key writing the Star Spangled Banner while a prisoner on a British Frigate near the fort.  We have visited the fort several times so we passed it today.



 Fort McHenry website

 Naval vessels that seem to be mothballed along the river.

 Thrill ride boat passed us.

 We are staying in a friend's boat slip that I rented for up to a month at Anchorage Marina in the Fells Point neighborhood of Baltimore.  Very handy as a West marine store is a block away and the grocery with a good wine department is across the street.  Very large marina.



.Link to Anchorage Marina

 Baltimore has done a very good job of developing the waterfront.  Here is a picture of condos looking on to the marina.

 Nearby Fells Point is teeming with shops, bars and restaurants.  Even a pirate ship calls it home

Debbie is scouting out a watering hole for later.

 We saw black smoke billowing into the air. We followed it to find a 5 alarm fire in an empty warehouse.  The fire was almost out by the time we arrived.  Poor firemen, about 90 degrees and they were wearing all that dark covered clothing and equipment.

 More condos built over the water near the marina

 Cincinnati has a pig contest, Baltimore has a crab contest.  See Debbie peeking out?

 A nice fountain near us.

Day 34, 35 Rock Hall, Md

 We had a final bike ride around St. Michaels before departing the dock at 0900.  WE arrived in Rock Hall, MD shortly after Noon for the short cruise of 27 miles.  We stayed at Haven Harbour Marina Link to Haven Harbour Website\

Haven Harbour was our home base for Island Hopper from May 2008 through October 2009. It is located in Rock Hall a small fishing village on the eastern shore of Chesapeake Bay due east of Baltimore.   Link to Rock Hall Info

To the right was our slip during those two seasons.

Several hundred boat slips, majority are sail boats.  Many of the boat owners are from PA and NJ as it is only 90 miles to the Philadelphia suburbs.

We had a great meal at an adjacent restaurant called the Osprey Point Inn.   Link to Osprey Point Inn

Debbie checked out the nicest shop in town, nothing hit her hot button today.

Scenes around the marina.

Day 33 St Michaels and Oxford, MD

 We enjoyed the second day in St Michaels.  I checked out the new exhibits at the museum and went for a long bike ride around St Michaels.  After about 4 miles I decided to turn around and head for the Oxford Bellevue ferry about 11 miles away.  We had stayed at the town of Oxford before but this trip we had to bypass it.

Debbie needed some pampering, not by me, at the local salon.

 The ferry was started in 1683 (no diesels then) as the sign below attests.  Bicycle with passenger is $6 round trip.  I waited for a few minutes after raising a yellow board and voile she appeared.

 I bicycled around the town and checked out the Highland Creamery, a transplanted Scotsman who makes the best ice cream.

Highland Creamery

This picture is of an old Inn that is open for dinner.


 Oxford Info    

I took a quick tour of the local shipyard that specializes in maintaining the many wooded vessels on the Chesapeake. Check out the one in the showroom.

After I returned to Island Hopper, Debbie said lets go on a bile ride.  I had logged 26 miles at this point on a folding bike with 20 inch wheels but being a good sport off we road another 4 miles.  Fun day.  I didn't have to feel guilty for eating the ice cream, either.

Day 32 Annapolis to St. Michaels

We enjoyed a walk around Annapolis this morning as we planned a late departure, 1100, the time they kick you out.  Our next stop, st Michaels is across the bay but only a 27 mile run.  A beautiful day had unfolded, light winds high in the 70s and not a cloud in the sky.

We came across a group of schoolchildren on a walk around Annapolis.

Lots of interesting shops so Debbie found a lamp for Island Hopper with a heavy base and some fresh flowers.

 Our next marina was the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St Michaels.    We have been members here since 2008, 2009 when we spent two summers on the Chesapeake.  You will note Island Hopper at the dock with two sailboats.  They were docked first so I docked between them with only a few feet to spare.  I did not think the space was long enough but we made it in. Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum

Lots to do in St Michaels.   St Michaels Info.

 We saw this sailboat docked with a sign do not board, don't worry I won't.  A real antique.

 The is the Hooper Island lighthouse that was relocated to the museum when it was taken out of service.  I can't imagine a life living in there on the bay especially in winter.

 A skipjack oystering sailboat takes folks on tours.  Note the small "boat" acting as a pusher.

The skipjack does not have an engine so the pusher is hooked on the transom.  It is equipped with a turbocharged diesel for propulsion.
  Skipjacks info

 I looked out the channel and saw this cruise ship coming in.  She ended up tying up at the bulkhead at the Museum, as you will see below.  Cruise line info