18-19 May, 2021. Annapolis enjoyable, expensive and fun

 

St Mary’s high school

Our first day ashore we walked a bit to the Annapolis Visitor Center which was not opened yet, so we milled around for a while on a clear sky morning.  Our intent was to take a trolly tour to see the sights, letting someone else do the driving and talking.  No surprise really, but currently due to COVID, the trolly tours only operate Thursday thru Sunday.  Then we checked on a electric car personalized tour and the operator told us via the phone that they might not have any drivers and would call us back.  A couple of hours we were called back; still no drivers.  Maps in hand from the volunteers at the visitor center we decided just to find stuff ourselves.  We walked and looked at the architecture, various styles, historical homes have color coded placards identifiable by a chart we picked up at the visitor center.

Annapolis vernacular (1850s-1910)

 We even rode the free connector bus which connects outlying parking garages.  Draconian COVID procedures would not allow us to set together and the driver was strict.  On top of that the window were so shaded we could not see out.  After a while the driver asked us where we were going as we had not gotten off.  We said we were just tourist and riding the free connector bus to see the sights he shook his head.  Returning to where we started, we got off.  

Following along on google maps

Next, we hiked 0.8 mile to a local grocery.  It was so expensive, but we got deli sandwiches and cold drinks and sat on a shady grassy slope and had lunch.  Traffic passing probably thought we were Medicare homeless as we had backpacks too.  

Ancient cemetery we walked through 

Returning back to Serenity, we gathered our laundry and shower stuff and dinghied over to the city docks.  Doing our business and waiting for the laundry we people and boat watched.  Back to Serenity, left overs for supper and continued watching the boating traffic pass.

Serenity on mooring ball #51

Dinghy dock end of Shipwright Ave

Day two, headed to shore once again.   We set out on a two mile walk into Eastport to a West Marine and a Giant supermarket.  I was not content with the bike cable lock we have been using to secure the dinghy.  At the boat store I got 10 feet of 5/32 stainless steel cable and swedge fittings and made loops at each end. Walking another 1/2 mile we arrived at the grocery store.  Shopping complete, an adventure cannot be considered complete without trying public transportation.  Could have UBER but… armed with the bus schedule and a bus stop clearly visible at the grocery store entrance we waited.  Not long the brown bus arrived, purchasing old people discount tickets with transfer for $4.00 total we were loaded on headed back to Annapolis.  But first, we had to transfer to the green bus that was waiting at the transfer station as we arrived on the brown bus.  Too easy.  Moving again, it was not long when we rang the bell and got off  at the stop we wanted. Easy-peasy.  A short walk around and through the St Mary’s HS parking lot we joined Shipwright Ave and arrived at the dinghy dock.  Back aboard Serenity we put away the groceries, lunched and rested a bit.  Later this afternoon we returned to the city dock, secured the dinghy and walked around the hustle and bustle of the Annapolis waterfront.  

Main St from the waterfront

Another shower then off in the dinghy.  A bouncing return as the harbor was alive with all kinds of boats; power, sail and taxies.  Wednesday evenings must be the mid-week sailing hump day.  Harbor full of every size sail boat.  Kaos the dinghy was secured for tomorrow’s planned long cruise day.  The nights in the mooring field have been quiet, peaceful and safe.  It is time to get moving, miles of the Chesapeake bay remain ahead.

17 May, 2021. Big flat water of the middle bay

52 SM; 7.5 hours

 Early get up and go morning.  Another favorable weather day forecast on the bay.  Seems to be an unusual late spring/early summer event with the high pressure remaining firm over this portion of the east coast.  Not complaining as we have been beat around with winds and waves before and don’t intentionally intend to repeat.  Cloudy and chilly morning as we cast away from the Solomons Island mooring field at 0650.  Fog was forecast across the region, but visibility not supposed to be less than a mile.  Clearing the confineds of the creeks and rivers we were met with a surprisingly bumpy swell from the SE.  It did blow with showers around last night and with the big open bay, a long fetch for even 10-12 mph winds to kick up some waves.  Nothing serious, turning north a bit of swell on the starboard beam creating a gently roll but all in all OK.  

Entering the Patuxent—big smooth river mouth

Dodging a little bit, but planned our course far enough east before turning north to avoid several restricted/prohibited areas:  Calvert cliffs nuclear plant, LNG delivery station, and a couple of military areas.  About two hours north, thank goodness we were not sailing as we would have been in “irons” for sure.  Nearly dead calm, gentle swells where the sky and the water blended together; up/down, left/right was disorientating.  Not complaining!   Our little 27 foot boat chugging along at 7 MPH was quite happy in a glassy smooth Chesapeake bay.

Amazing day on the bay

Early in the afternoon, we were able to make out the outline of the bay bridge over 15 miles away.  Amazing, I was shocked visibility was that good today.  Inching off the miles, approaching Annapolis, MD a very congested area for a Monday.  Large cargo ships anchored south of the bridge, recreational boaters and of course sailboats.  Visit Annapolis

Annapolis in someways was more congested than other ports we have visited.   With the Naval academy along the waterfront, numerous marinas, nooks and crannies tucked off the harbor, mooring fields and water taxies/tour boats running helter-smelter.  We were headed to a mooring ball but first needed to fill our fresh water tank.  Annapolis dock master who also handles the mooring fields directed us to a slip located in the Ego Alley.

Annapolis basin—ego alley

Anyone who have been to Annapolis knows this location.  Restrauants on one side, pedestrians all along both sides and at the end.  This is the original Annapolis waterfront.  Everyone watches from here.  We pulled in got our water and backed out and turned around looking like pros without fuss or muss.  More luck than skill maybe but favorable weather and currents helped.  Less than a mile further around the corner,  we secured to the pendant of  mooring ball #51.  It was 1430 when the diesel and all electronics were secured.  Shortly, the dock master arrived in a big RIB and registered us and took our money.  $25/night which is a decent price for this neck of the woods. Showers and free dinghy dock included.

We splashed Kaos the dinghy and motored back around to Ego alley, securing the dinghy at the end.  We stretched our legs and walked around the waterfront, store fronts and over to the state house.

Maryland state house

Hum—no duck poo

Shooing away the mallard, we untied Kaos and make our way back to Serenity.  Stir-fried veggies, mashed potatoes and left over grilled hamburger made for a great supper as we watched water traffic pass along side.  Will be tourist for a day or two, do laundry, get groceries and a few items for the boat before resuming our northward journey.

3713 SM traveled; 1685.3 hours Hobbs