My last post left us in Annapolis, since then we returned to St. Michaels to show Billy the sites there. Then back to Baltimore and saying “Adios” to Billy. Now Tim, Maggie and I prepare for a long road trip to get the truck and deliver it to Brewerton, NY.
So let me go back to where I left you and that was in Annapolis heading out to the Naval Academy. 
The blue dot on the photo below shows where our boat was located compared to the Naval Academy. Not a bad walk at all, especially in nice weather. So here I have to insert our first crazy “small world” story from Annapolis. After showing our IDs and being allowed on the Naval Academy campus, we entered the visitor center to get the lay of the land. A young cadet was telling another couple about the campus and explaining where the living quarters, dining hall, etc. were. He told how more than 4,000 cadets are served within 5 minutes. Click for more: http://www.foodrepublic.com/2011/07/12/dinner-for-four-thousand/ 
So after the other couple leave, we continued to talk to him and learned he was from Dallas, raced in a youth sailing circuit, had sailed in Galveston Bay, was familiar with the Houston Yacht Club and then when Billy introduced himself, the cadet asked if he was related to Cody Richnow. Boy was that a moment when Billy told him that Cody was his son. Seems this cadet sailed with Cody and remembered Billy. Cody is now also in the navy aboard a nuclear sub that recently popped up in Alaska.
Billy coordinated with the Houston Yacht Club to get us into the Annapolis Yacht Club where we enjoy some refreshments.
On our way back to the boat, we decided to stop at Pusser’s for a beverage. Here’s where our second “small world” event took place. While sipping our cocktails on the deck overlooking Ego Alley, I notice a familiar face walking by. I remembered the face as a woman Tim and I met while walking Maggie back in Clear Lake Shores. She and her husband moved onto the island while we were out cruising last year. We began chatting almost daily when we crossed paths on our morning walks. She, Lisa, and her husband own an Island Packet sailboat and were planning to cruise to the Abacos this spring. We had a lot in common and as their departure date neared, we enjoyed sharing thoughts and experiences with her. We ended up leaving to begin our 2018 trip before they returned, so we were never able to follow up to see how their trip went. So, here they were in Annapolis, in the same joint as us. It was fun having them join us for another round as we caught up.
Our next stop was St. Michaels on the Eastern Shore. We went back to Higgins Yacht Yard only this time the marina was packed for the holiday weekend. We had free entertainment from our back deck just watching boats, yachts and dingys jockeying around. We returned to the Maritime Museum with Billy and found many exhibits that we did not have time to see our first trip. I guess this is why you get two days for the price of admission.
We got an early start Sunday morning for the long ride back to Baltimore. Leaving St. Micheals we were passed by pop singer, Usher’s, mega yacht that had anchored in the harbor. I think Usher and his pals were still sleeping in. The only people we saw were the uniformed crew.
We also kept our distance from this monster that was heading south in the bay. 
As we motored along, we kept our eyes on the weather. On Channel 16, the Coast Guard was issuing severe weather warnings for the Baltimore area, but we felt we would be docked before the bad stuff hit. We got in with no problems and wanted to hurry over to Fort McHenry so Billy could see it before leaving in the morning. Unfortunately, the weather ruled and we wisely decided to stay put. Lorrie and Rodger Swink on Reality joined us that evening for a walk in the rain to Captain James for a steamed crab dinner. On the news the next morning were reports of devastating flash floods in Elliott City, just 12 miles from us.
After seeing Billy off, Lorrie and Rodger joined us for a visit to Fort McHenry. We were in store for a great history lesson. Let’s see what you know.
Question #1. During what war did Francis Scott Key write the Star Spangled Banner?
Question #2. How many Stars and Stripes were on the flag that he saw waving?
Question #3. Why was it called the “Star Spangled Banner”?
- Key was on a ship in the Baltimore Harbor when the British Navy bombarded Fort McHenry on September 13, 1814, during the War of 1812.
- There were 15 stars and 15 stripes on the flag.
- On this flag, the stars were spangled- the points were turned in different directions. On our current flag, all star have a point facing up.
Cheers from Tim and I, Lorrie and Rodger Swink.
Tonight we are looking forward to dinnner with Tim’s cousin, Mindy, and her husband, Mark. In the morning we will pick up a rental car and drive to AYB, Chesapeake, Va. to get our truck. Then it will be a long drive in both vehicles to Brewerton, NY where we will be wintering our boat. The truck will be left at the marina and we’ll drive the rental back to Baltimore. We’re giving ourselves 4 days to make the delivery, making some side trips along the way. Once back on the boat we will be watching the weather for a good window. We plan to spend one night in Havre de Grace before running up the C & D canal for a night in Delaware City. After that we’d like at least a couple nights in Cape May before heading offshore of New Jersey. If the weather gods don’t look helpful, we may stay put in Baltimore until things are more promising. As always, our plans will be Subject to Change. Stay tuned.