The
changes in plans for our time with Johnny and Audrey Roberts aboard the SaSea
Sally have probably gone through most all of the letters of the alphabet! Clay
suggested they delay their arrival for a week due to the weather forecast; it's
no fun boating in rain. With Roberts' road tripping and having family in the
area, they were able to reschedule their arrival--right along with the
inclement weather. So much for the accuracy of weather forecasting!
We
departed Anchorage Marina mid-morning this Wednesday, and Captain Clay set
sights on Havre de Grace (try pronouncing that like the natives!). We'd been
forewarned by our Tumbleweed friends that Havre de Grace wasn't worth the
effort, but once there, we found it to be quite delightful (which proves where
you 'land' makes ALL the difference!) We endured a first hour of rough ride
followed by five hours of relative calm to arrive at Tidewater Marina; the
captain took a lot of guff from the first mate during that first hour (she's
the only one who's in a position to voice her objection to the turbulence, so
she does). The day was overcast and chilly, but we were spared the rain. Kudos
to Mother Nature! We dined on fish entrees at Tidewater Grille which was a
scenic walk away from our marina.
I
surprised myself (with a capital 'S') Thursday morning by keeping pace with a
daily-jogging Audrey while Clay and Johnny assumed a more leisurely pace (with
a capital 'L', but at least they were doing it). Once breakfasted, we launched
mid-morning toward Delaware City, DE, enduring another chilly, overcast day.
But Johnny's enthusiasm more than made up for any morose attitude that might
have descended. That boy does love boating!
A
high-five to dock folks at Delaware City Marina for directing a safe docking
maneuver. I do believe we've never transacted such an intricate docking in our
21+ months aboard. But, thanks to movie-star-handsome Corey and
attractive-and-'with-it' Tara (both young and competent!), we nestled SaSea
Sally safely along the face dock in very swift current immediately behind our
Tumbleweed friends...we meet again! Hugs from a distance, wherever you are now!
Tumbleweed
hosted docktails aboard with labradoodle Dakota warming up nicely to Clay,
probably figuring he was the most-likely leaky mouth snacker. It was a definite
photo op! Of course, with plans for dinner at Lewinsky's on Clinton (Street),
the skies opened up just as we made way toward the restaurant, one of only one
choice in town this lovely evening. Amazing that it was an ugly day, but we suffered
no rain until dinner time. Do Sperry Topsiders stretch? Ask any of our
diners!
I
chose the special, which was flavorful at best, meager in quantity and needed a
major tweak or two by the restaurant chef! This restaurant is one of two in
town (second to open soon after renovation) owned by a couple of fellas from
New York; I later saw a Ferrari and two Jags parked streetside, obvious symbols
of restaurant success in this Delaware town.
Jogging
alongside Audrey on Friday morning, I directed our path which proved to be a
misunderstanding on my part of the route suggested by Tara; it wasn't pretty,
over pot-holed asphalt streets surrounding the water treatment plant for the
town. But, desiring an uninterrupted path, we got such. And, I kept up again with
Audrey (two days in a row...I've got a streak going!) Back by way of the
downtown area, we found Clay and Johnny at the bakery, grinning broadly over
coffee and pastry. My, but aren't they the sly ones?
Mid-morning
departure today saw us gliding through the relatively calm waters of the
Delaware River among BIG ships in a narrow channel toward Philadelphia. Left
alone at the helm wheel to handle the first big vessel we would encounter, I
gave an 'enthusiastic' intercom SOS to Clay for an assist. Slow to respond,
Clay heard a second and much more insistent command from me to 'get up here.'
He thought it funny...until his turn came to get squeezed between two large
moving ships. We were quite a performance for the Roberts' enjoyment! First
time for anything is hard; we both became far more proficient as we encountered
more and more of these vessels.
A
four-hour cruise had us docking at Penn's Landing Marina, downtown
Philadelphia; good choice Captain Clay, we were in the heart of Philly. We were
warmly greeted by harbor master Richard who ferried us in his golf cart quickly
to the base of Market Street so as to be able to view a bit of this historic
city before day's end. From the base of Market Street, we four made the six
block trek to the Visitors Center and took the suggestion of the guide to view
the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, both close by, before closing time of 7
p.m.
As
we began our lengthy walk back to the boat, notions of dinner plans entered our
female minds. Without verbalizing, both Audrey and I were on the same
wavelength of, "Once back at the boat, I ain't goin' nowhere!" We
were mentally recapping frig contents for our meals, both probably thinking,
"The fellas can do their thing; I'm grabbing a quick bite and going to
bed!" After verbalizing such, I made the executive decision to pick and
plop (or select and sit). I queried a nearby sidewalk diner as to the quality
of his meal, and when he responded that Rotten Ralph's had terrific Philly
steak and cheese sandwiches, my decision was made for us. Note: I've been in
this situation before; experience is a great teacher! It wasn't a five-star
Urban Spoon, but we were well fed.
Saturday
was a Budget-rent-a-car day for a road trip to Baltimore to return Johnny and
Audrey to their car and to reprovision. We four were elated to find Roberts'
car right where we'd left it! Celebratory lunch at Panera, we parted ways then
headed back to Philly while Johnny and Audrey began their road trip back to
Kansas.
On
that note, with fireworks exploding in the distance over downtown Philadelphia
and a roasted chicken on the table, I bid you a fond farewell until our
literary paths cross again.
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