Annapolis, MD

What a great sail we had to Annapolis! We left Solomons by 6am Wednesday morning and set sail almost immediately for Annapolis. It was a brisk wind, 15-20 knots and we made good time. Wick hid in the litter box most of the time, but after several hours decided to brave the heeling of the boat and to wander around. He was like a little drunk sailor, leaning against the leeward (downward) walls, wobbling about on unsteady legs. Much better than the day before, though. He may become a boat cat yet

We passed Thomas Point Light on the way into Annapolis. This is the last remaining screwpile lighthouse in the Chesapeake. The rest were torn down in the 1960's and replaced with more modern structures. This one is privately owned and maintained by the Annapolis Historical Society. It was donated to them by the US Coast Guard - who says our taxes don't work sometimes!

After trying to find a spot to anchor in Spa Creek, we ended up on a mooring ball at the Annapolis City Dock. That's an easy dinghy ride into Ego Alley, with dinghy mooring at the end of the little canal.

There are THOUSANDS of boats here, mostly sailboats. There were multiple races Wednesday night, all ending at the draw bridge past our mooring. To make the races more interesting, a huge storm with high winds (we clocked 28 knots at our mooring) came blasting though just at the end of the race. All of the boats came racing in, full speed, through the mooring field and a rainbow, heeled way over, struggling to finish the race. It was exciting!

We opted to move the boat to an anchorage on Thursday in Back Creek. Back Creek is where Luke lived just after he graduated from college. We are anchored just past his old apartment building.

I'm working on my skipper's license for the dingy. Today I started being the one to take it out when we use it. I only ran over one floating marker. Everything else went fine. I think a little more practice is in order.

Our plan is to stay here one more day, a "work day": adding a cleat to the anchor locker, beefing up the dinghy davit, and a few small chores.

Thursday was an especially eventful day --- Luke's daughter Lisa and her husband Mat's son Simon was born! The first grandson! His other daughter Erin and her husband Cian are expecting the first granddaughter in just a few weeks, too!