Baltimore, MD, May 23 - June, 3, 2015

May 23 - June, 3, 2015

We pulled anchor at 8:30 a.m. this Saturday morning at our Dobbins Island anchorage on the Magothy River and motored toward Baltimore's Anchorage Marina. A short three hours later we docked in D-18, a slip owned by friends Peggy and Hans (Aqua Vitae) but currently available for us during our stay in Baltimore. A sincere thank you to Peggy and Hans who arrived early afternoon with a security key in hand for a reunion chat. Such fun for them to bring precious pup Naiya with them. Love that dog!

Following our boating friends' departure, we welcomed LAMO friend Karen Hallows and hubby Keith aboard then accepted their invitation for dinner at Kali's Court, a tapas restaurant 'with a Mediterranean influence' in the heart of historic Fells Point. What a delight our first day in Baltimore turned out to be!

Clay and I seemed to be on a late schedule Sunday; sleeping in does that to a day's routine for sure. Late walk. Late breakfast, followed by a late lunch, followed by a late dinner. Interspersed during the day were processing two loads of laundry, a 40-minute roundtrip trek to 'nearby' Target, and an attempt to get acquainted with the area near the Inner Harbor of Baltimore. When dinner time rolled around, we linked up with friends Linda and Floyd (Tumbleweed) for dinner at highly-touted-on-Urban-Spoon Langermann's which was conveniently right across the street from the marina. I love having my very own social director! Linda, you are a wonder! Clay chose the traditional Southern shrimp and grits; I selected a grilled salmon salad that was to die for, with roasted beets, goat cheese, walnuts and an orange vinaigrette dressing that was awesome!

On Monday, we fell into a routine of sorts that would survive our lengthy stay in Baltimore with a morning walk for exercise (always), computer work (me, at the boaters' lounge and Clay, onboard), a walk or bike ride to a chosen destination, often a grocery run to nearby Safeway (a five-minute walk) or to Target or Harris Teeter (a twenty-minute walk), and numerous miscellaneous encounters with other boaters at the marina.

Monday's highlights were happening onto a Memorial Day 5K Run where the route paralleled our morning walk today (which meant we also witnessed the fun celebration at the staging area for the race at Boston Running); and a Memorial Day BBQ aboard Tumbleweed with burgers and brats, potato salad, grilled asparagus, pound cake with ice cream and fresh berries.

Tuesday's highlights were my mid-morning solo bike ride to CVS in the Inner Harbor area of Baltimore for a Rx refill; a lunch visit with Jim and Sanci Canella at Langermann's; and a 4 p.m. departure via water taxi for a Baltimore Orioles vs the Houston Astros game with all the pre- and post- festivities. The game event was orchestrated by my 'social director' friend Linda (it's fun to have a friend who is such a great social planner and includes us as tag-alongs! Thanks, Linda!) We simply had to pre-game at Pickles, then eat bbq from the Boog's venue at the stadium. It was a late night (remember, 9 p.m. is Loopers' midnight, so anything after 9 p.m. is considered a 'late night'), but we certainly filled our day with memories!

Wednesday...my washer died. Bless sweet Clay's heart, he spent much of the day trying to find a Splendide (combo washer/dryer brand) repairman; no luck. Clay also worked with me to drain (through the filter compartment) the still-in-wash-mode-locked-door machine. I was possessed with draining because the wash water was turning pink before my very eyes, and I could do nothing about it but obsess over draining and rescuing my clothes! Because I'm smaller and more flexible, I pretzeled into the companionway, manually controlled the water flow out the filter compartment to drain six+ gallons of pink water (stretchy neon pink tank top, the culprit to blame for the pinkness), then started the dry cycle to unlock the door! Whew, a sigh of relief to rescue my multiple pieces of exercise clothes without damage. Clay sacrificed his day trip to Fort McHenry to rescue his Damsel in Distress (with capital 'D's')!

Following the Splendide fiasco, I biked to Floyd's Barber Shop for a highlight and cut (thanks, Sadie, for a job very well done) while Clay biked to Joe's Bike Shop for a new chain followed by lunch at Jimmy's where breakfast is served all day long.  Company for dinner coming soon, I hustled to prep dinner before welcoming Linda and Floyd (Tumbleweed) aboard for grilled pork chops, jasmine rice and grilled romaine. Our time with our Wichita friends was coming to an end which made us all the more intent on spending time together before their departure.

Thursday's highlights were a bike trek to Panera for lunch followed by a bit of afternoon shopping, then dinner at Outback; but plans to enjoy a zedeco outdoor concert foiled when both Linda and Floyd booed the misidentified zedeco genre music (me, I wouldn't know one zedeco from another!)

Friday was a day of high highs and low lows! We got up early to bid our Tumbleweed friends goodbye, vowing to meet again. Clay and I then mounted bikes for a ride into downtown Baltimore, unintentionally into the heart of the city; our destination on Lombard was not the nearby 856 East but rather 856 West which took us considerably farther and through the heavy traffic of downtown. Not pleasant riding! Clay's interest in the Craigslist non-folding bicycle was soon squelched when reality set it (where to store it?) At least we were on the same wavelength there!

Biking back to the boat through the Inner Harbor area, we stopped at a corner linen shop then mid-block at a funky variety store which had comingled shelved offerings of soup, WD-40, paint thinner and gift bags. As much the fun we had at the variety store, the funk hit when we exited the store, shocked to see only one bike beside the lightpost. Our cable lock was no match for the bolt-cutter-wielding bike thief; one clean slice and my bike was gone. Long walk home, made even longer by the woe; Clay, in an attempt to offer comfort, walked his bike along side me even though I encouraged him to go on. Coulda been worse! (Mom always said I was blessed to have this attitude!)

Never say die Sal quickly took the suggestion of our neighbor boater who suggested we might pursue pawn shops in an effort to recover the bike. I walked my little legs off during the remainder of the afternoon, trying to cover too many miles between pawn shops (the map makes them look so close). Home, exhausted, I guess I gave up on that idea and began processing the acquisition of another bike. Clay and I both firmly believe in the need for bicycles aboard.

With a West Marine store nearby and the availability of a folding bicycle, Saturday was bike-purchasing day. Noting the predominance of D-locks on locked bikes in Baltimore, Clay and I were quick to purchase two quality Master locks. The remainder of the weekend we spent doing the usual and customary. Maybe we'd had enough excitement?

Monday was a disjointed day spent much in preparation for friends' Johnny and Audrey Roberts arrival scheduled for Tuesday. We tolerated grumbling thunder and intermittent lightning with frequent weather radio alerts, and we tried to complete outdoor tasks between rain showers.

The weather ugliness continued on Tuesday accompanied by quite chilly temperatures. Because this was the forecast for LAST week, we'd postponed Roberts' arrival, only to have last week beautiful and this week inclement. Bummer! Johnny and Audrey arrived noon'ish and showered us with all of the enthusiasm they'd demonstrated on their previous trip! So fun to see a fresh look at our adventure; for us, it becomes somewhat redundant. We completed preparation for a Wednesday morning departure by visiting the local grocery stores (having better 'totability' with Roberts' car) and stocking up on edibles and snack favorites. We also found a safe spot to park the car (Clay had thorougly investigated the subject with various government authorities), lunched at Panera, visited nearby Canton Market for wine/beer (Baltimore grocery stores don't stock alcoholic beverages), secured bikes for upcoming travel, and dined at Langermann's which had become a favorite of mine.

As we depart Anchorage Marina, Baltimore, MD this Wednesday morning with Johnny and Audrey aboard, I must say that I'm not disappointed to be leaving this city behind. I imagine I will retain vivid memories of this city--both good and bad--for months if not years to come. 

Until SaSea Sally's next update, I wish for you a nice summer with sunny days ahead!

Lewisetta, VA to Dobbins Island, MD, May 18 - 22, 2015

May 18 - 22, 2015

Upon departure this Monday morning, SaSea Sally traveled the Glebe River then crossed the mouth of the Potomac, curled around Point Lookout and continued up the Chesapeake Bay towards Solomons, MD. As we enterd the mouth of the Patuxent River, Captain Clay spied Tumbleweed on the AIS also traveling the direction of Solomons Island. Oooooo, friends ahead! Having secured reservations at Spring Cove Marina, we quickly cancelled those in favor of Tumbleweed's destination of Solomons Yachting Center and a rendezvous with our friends Floyd and Linda, and of course their three-year-old labradoodle Dakota! Solomons Yachting Center wasn't a five-star in my books, but friendship outweighs stars anytime! We quickly planned a mini pool party after convincing the dock master that, if the pool passed the health inspection just that morning, then it surely means now open for the season. He hesitatingly but willingly unlocked the padlock and ushered us in for a chilly first dip.

Tuesday morning Clay and I embarked on our morning walk thankful for knowledge of the area and a memory of one of my favorite routes down the boardwalk along the spine of this island and circling around the triangle at the southernmost tip. Later morning, having discovered something amiss with the 15 hp dinghy motor, Clay secured the services of motor mechanic Sam and monitored Sam's progress while I swam laps in the small, rectangular pool where we'd enjoyed partying the past evening. Interspersed during the day were a number of housekeeping tasks which I like to consider routine but are more catch-as-catch-can aboard (bill-paying, laundry, sweeping, reorganizing, etc). We ended the evening with dinner at CD's Cafe with Floyd and Linda (Tumbleweed) and Ron and Beverly (Sea Venture) who accommodated our tardiness (Sam, you see) with a necessary wait time in the lounge; we quickly caught up (both on wine/beer and conversation). CD's Cafe came highly recommended, advertised as offering southern Maryland's most creative cuisine; we heartily agreed.

With Sam on the agenda early Wednesday, I enjoyed a rare solo walk down the now familiar spine while Clay awaited Sam's arrival. Later, we found plenty to do to 'kill' the day after Sam diagnosed need for a new carburetor to be overnighted and installed Thursday. My apprehension of not having anything to do aboard was ill-placed as there always seems to be more than I can successfully accomplish in a day.

We awakened Thursday to a rainy, chilly day, the ugliness of which put a damper on any optimism we might have had. Must have affected Sam in the same way; he was a no-show (maybe the overnighted carburetor was delayed). Nonetheless, we bid our Tumbleweed friends goodbye, promising to catch-up in Baltimore, and carried on with some investment activities to fill our day. Toward evening the rain tapered to a spritz which encouraged us to shower and dress warmly (jeans and a sweater for me and the layered-look for Clay) then hoof it to CD's Cafe; not only did we enjoy the creative cuisine on our previous visit, but the distance was 'affordable' in the misting chill. Both Clay and I chose fish dishes with me feasting on a mahi special while Clay enjoyed the seafood pasta. Yum! And, I didn't have to do the dishes!

Sun! So welcomed this Friday morning as was Sam! Once again I walked solo while Clay and Sam worked together to install the 15 hp's new carburetor and to reposition the dinghy aboard so we could accommodate our departure Baltimore bound. After a quick breakfast and a move to the fuel dock for fuel and a pumpout, we left port and faced thirty-knot winds which turned SaSea into a bucking broncho as she endured bow wave after bow wave on the Bay. I had planned to do some blog typing, but the boat's motion had my tablet angle repeatedly flattening out which made for a poor workspace...not gonna happen today!

After we approached the Bay Bridge from mainland Maryland to the Eastern Shore of Maryland the wind began to pick up, blowing 15-20.  Clay found a little hidey-hole near Dobbins Island on the Magothy River to tuck away for the overnight this Friday night. We dropped anchor to enjoy the evening sunset and the overnight at 'sea.' Tomorrow we will cruise on into Baltimore for the unknown adventures which lie ahead. Wish us well! Baltimore doesn't have the best of reputations of late!

Crisfield, MD to Lewisetta, VA, May 15 - 18, 2015

May 15 - 18, 2015

Expecting a six-plus hour trek across the Chesapeake Bay, I was delighted when Clay notified the Holmes of our pending arrival some two hours early. (As you can tell, I'm not particularly fond of boating the Chesapeake, but I love the little hamlets along the coastline!) We soon saw a small whaler in the distance approaching us to guide our way. As the small vessel neared, I saw Judy frantically waving; she received an equally frantic wave from me. Ah, such Theta enthusiasm! And, what a terrific escort service, especially appreciated by Captain Clay as we traversed unknown waters (depth!).

Judy and Gregg's dock was a work-in-progress which made an interesting docking and an even more interesting pathway to terra firma. I was impressed with Judy's dismount from the whaler which resembled an uneven parallel bars mount.  
You go, girl! She was our role model for future foot steps to and from shore. Gregg's ingenuity resulted in swing bridge access using the whaler as the swing bridge. Where there's a will, there's a way! Thanks, Gregg!

After two hours of non-stop chatter on our fly bridge, we parted company only to reassemble soon for a tour of their 'river home' (new purchase of October, 2014), a road trip through the neighborhood, a stop for pictures at the Lewisetta General Store, and finally a delicious spaghetti dinner in their home. Hey Judy, loved the bread! What a fantastic first day of our reunion...and the elation of more to come!

As Clay and I bid Gregg and Judy good night to traverse our makeshift swing bridge back to the boat for the night, Judy and I made plans for a morning walk. Asking if I was 'up' for a 6-7 mile walk roundtrip to the Lewisetta General Store, Judy was thrilled when I responded with an enthusiastic, 'Yes!' 

Judy and I covered 6.98 miles (per her RunKeeper app) on foot Saturday morning then played catch-up on mutual acquaintances (family, Theta friends, etc) in their family room while Gregg and Clay went bidding at a local auction. Clay's proposed idea for them to join us overnight at a nearby anchorage soon had the two of them hustling to pack and prep for a 24-hour absence from their home. What fun we were destined to have aboard SaSea Sally which would prove to be a learning experience for them both. 

Note: Judy and I had originally connected through Facebook September 2014 as Clay and I departed the Chesapeake Bay first time through. Judy had posted a picture of a newly-purchased sailboat on her Facebook page saying 'Now what do we do with it?' Clay, of course, had plenty of ideas as to what they could 'do with it,' and Susan also chimed in with a suggestion that Judy and I talk. Such fun that we are doing more than talking; we are sharing and showing them the ropes of a very small segment of the Great Loop!

As we cruised a smooth-as-glass Potomac River to the St. Mary's River, Clay introduced Gregg to the myriad of electronics aboard. Conversation was peppered with questions as to what, how, etc. Two hours cruising time had us dropping anchor just outside St. Mary's, MD, then launching the dinghy for exploration ashore. Our afternoon entertainment was poking around the harbor area of this historic town!

We dined aboard this Saturday night on grilled pork chops, zucchini, and jasmine rice, using the generator for stovetop preparation of the rice. Judy and I worked on a bottle of wine with abundant chatter continuing in the galley as we made dinner preparations. Following dinner, dessert was interrupted with the abrupt prompt of the 24/7 tuned-in-and-turned-on weather radio; we checked radar to see a distinct line of red approaching. Reinforcing this was a text from Walter giving us a heads-up. Ignorance is bliss, but preparation is crucial. We've been fortunate to have storms separate around us, but that isn't always the case. Not sure we've ever anchored with radar red approaching; this may have been a first!

But not to worry, we came out unscathed with only an initial and wild 180-degree swing around the anchor as pivot point. Was so weird to look out, feel the centrifugal force and see the red-and-white lights on land speed oh so quickly past! We four slept soundly this night once the storm passed!

Gregg captained the dinghy to shore Sunday morning for Judy's and my 6.75 mile (so said Judy's RunKeeper); we gave Captain Clay some 'me' time while Judy and I walked and Gregg read in the Adirondack chair riverside and monitored Clay's doings in the far distance (as if that were possible?). Back to the SaSea Sally, breakfast and an easy anchor pull completed the morning at which time we cruised back across the Potomac River to home base. Score one for the group!

Lunch aboard then some down time before we reconvened in the Holmes' home to meet and greet their Texas friends Billy and Frances and dine on leftovers...thank goodness for leftovers! During down time, Gregg and Billy fashioned a more convenient mount/dismount at their dock. Thanks, guys, for the secured ladder and your thoughtfulness.

Judy and I saw our time drawing near, even at this point, but were determined to make the most of the time we had left. That, of course, meant another lengthy walk (6.97 miles) Monday morning again round trip to the Lewisetta General Store. I had left Clay to give the boat a good washing in my absence which had been on his to-do list for considerable time. 

Late morning Clay and I untied SaSea as Gregg, Judy and Bill boarded the whaler to guide our way safely toward the Chesapeake Bay. Bound for Solomons, MD, we waved farewell to our friends, vowing to reconnect somewhere, sometime, someplace. What fond memories we have added to our Columbia and Theta ties!