The Sterling Lady on
America's Great Loop
for the 2nd Time!
6/13/09
Today we're off to Solomon's Island. Lots of huge traffic today, but the Chesapeake is much friendlier.
I bought myself the ulitmate accesory,
a remote wireless control for my auto pilot, "George."
It works from anywhere on or in the boat.
We can drive from the bow even!
Solomon's Island , we are now in Maryland,and they still have their really nifty loaner car. It was old, slow, and smokey, no air or radio, back windows broke, but it was FREE!
We were invited over to Jim and Lisa Favors boat for cocktails , aboard their
Fanthom trawler Kismet. Jim and lisa have cruised the Great Loop and have written a book and have a CD about the trip. Click this link on how to get your copy
The Lady and her trusty dink, at rest in Solomons Maryland
6/16/09
The shoreline has high cliffs.
This is a fuel depot. located near the center of the Chesapeake, and surrounded by a do no enter security zone
Once again there were several frieghters to be concerned with. They are HUGE and fast!
As we got closer to Annapolis, the number of sailboats increased.
This car hauler was right out side of Annapolis
As you enter Annapolis harbor, the United States Navel Acadamy greets you.
Annapolis City Marina has a nice mooring field, @ $25 a day.
I prefer the mooring field south of the bridge. It's quieter, better protected, and still close to the city. You do , however, have to contend with the bridge schedule.
This is something I have never seen before. They post the bridge tenders phone number on the bridge. Refreshing.
And now, a pictorial of Annapolis.
The State Senate
Annapolis, like walking thru history!
6/17/09
It was another blowing rought day, so I did a 6 am departure for the 20 mile run to Baltimore. The weather was supposed to get worse for the next couple of days , so we chose to "hide out" in Baltimore, the summer of of our friends Capt. Bones and Lynn on the trawler Skinwalker.
This ship's Bow opens up so trucks can load and unload.
This is the pirate crew that desended on Fells Point this evening. From left to right,
Capt Bones, alias , Wayne, Admiral Judy, of Sterling Lady fame, The ol' Captain his self,
Mrs Bones, Admiral Lynn.
To see the travels of Wayne (allias Capt'n Bones) and Lynn , Click MVSKINWALKER.com
There are two of the statuette mermaids that guard the sidewalks that lead to Fells Point, and for some unknown reason, both the mermaids seem to be polished on a certain part of their anatomy??
Wasn't me!
It was half price hamburger nite at the Dead End bar, which alone was enough of a reason to go, but it also contains a little know secret about the term "belly up to the bar"........ This Baltimore port has been a home to shipbuilding and sailors for hundreds of years. Way back when the sailors arrived in town, there were two types of bars. Red Star bars, with a red star, that indicated a sailor could find female companionship, and Mens Bars....Whats a mens bar, you ask???
I swear this is true,, back then a men's bar was strictly for men only, and not for the reason you think. See the trough foot rests that run along the floor the whole length of the bar? They would run water thru it, to an outside drain, and when men had to use the bathroom, they would "belly up to the bar"
I kid you not! Don't be offended,it's part of our history.
6/18/09
Today we took a walk about a mile from the Marina, to the downtown tourist area, and took a tour of the Constilation
And found out, once and for all, where the term "head" comes from , for the bathroom of a boat.
Downtown Baltimore has a lot to see and do. It is a definate must see stop.
The last surviving ship from pearl harbor. Right down town!!
Took the water taxi back to the marina.
And this be the Urban Pirate ship "Fearless" operated by none other that ol Capt Bones , hisself,,
alias
Wayne FLatt from the
6/19/09
This huge ship passed us on the two just before we went out under the Baltimore Bridge.
Several hours after leaving Baltimore, we finally go out of the Chesapeak., even though she was good to us today, it was a relief to enter the C&D cannal.
Chesapeake City is an easy find. Go under the bridge, turn immediately right.
Cheasapeake City offers fee docks. They only charge for electric and water. I called the some other marina's in the cannal and they get $2 a foot.
You pay your free dockage around the back of the local town haul, just up a small hill from the marina.
Most of the homes here were built around the 1850'S. All very nicely restored
When my ship comes in, I am gonna buy me this ship! Not the bass boat in front, the Florida Coaster in back.
This VERY popular bar, is located just south of the docks. It closes at 1 am, but the LOUD dock parties continue till the wee hours.
Sorry this picture of the Hole in The Wall bar is blurred,, I took it after we LEFT the bar.
6/20/09
As predicted, it a thunderstormy, rainy, day . So we are staying here , if NOAA is correct, till Monday. Did a lot of the holy place (engine room) things this morning.
In between rain storms, we walked all the way around the basin to the museum.
The museum is all about the locks and the lift wheel the kept the cannals (they had locks then) full.
This guy was guarding the back fence, which had.......
<--------This propeller mounted on it.???
It rotated and everything.
6/21/09
Today was NOT a smooth day in Delaware Bay! The winds were 15 knots, gusting, but luckily, there were off the stern the whole 7 hour ride.
After a long, tiring, not fun day, we fueled up and got a slip at Miss Chris Marina, the best deal around for fuel. $2.45.
6/22/09
It's another cloudy rainy day. We have hardly seen sunshine since we left Florida.
The ICW is tight and has several bridges that must be lifted to get to Atlantic City.
Typical Atlanic City ICW homes,, but the do get worse as you get downtown.
Almost there!
