Days 276 - 277    Delaware City Marina,

Delaware City , DE

Saturday May 28 – Sunday, May 29, 2011

Lighthouse on the way to the C and D Canal

 Delaware City Marina

 Delaware City Marina

It was time for all of the Memorial Day boaters to come out in full force, and they certainly did.  We traveled the C and D Canal from Chesapeake Bay to the Delaware Bay, and we were soundly rocked by numerous fast boats that sped by.  We were glad to get to the Delaware City Marina, a small straight dock tucked into a quiet area.  Whew!  

Saturday evening we had dinner at Crabby Dick’s with Becky and Carlton.  On Sunday we worked around the boat and relaxed.

Total miles:  48        Total bridges:  6        Total locks:  0

Day 275   Worton Creek Anchorage,

Worton, MD

Friday May 27,  2011

 Sunset from our anchorage at Worton Creek

We were ready for a little peace and quiet again, so we left Baltimore and anchored in Worton Creek. 

Total miles:   31         Total bridges:  1        Total locks:  0

Day 274   Inner Harbor Marina,

Baltimore, MD

Thursday May 26,  2011

 Francis Scott Key Bridge

      Marker of the location where Frances Scott Key wrote the

                         words to the "Star Spangled Banner"

 Fort McHenry

 Goofin Off (red top, blue dingy) at Inner Harbor East

 Baltimore skyline

Memorial to the "Pride of Baltimore"

Inner Harbor Marina

 View from the top of the Baltimore World Trade Center.

Dream Catcher is the 5th boat from the right on the top row.

 View from the top of the Baltimore World Trade Center

 View from the top of the Baltimore World Trade Center

Waterfall at the entrance to the Aquarium of Baltimore

 Aquarium of Baltimore

Aquarium of Baltimore

 Aquarium of Baltimore

Aquarium of Baltimore 

 Aquarium of Baltimore

Aquarium of Baltimore

 Baltimore inner harbor

  U.S. Navy ship from 1854

Baltimore skyline

 Excellent restaurant

 Domino Sugar at Baltimore

This ship was loaded with sugar when it arrived in Baltimore.   The waterline was right underneath the ship name "Clipper".  Now partially unloaded at Domino Sugar, the red bottom of the ship is visible.  

We left Back Cove early in the morning and traveled only 12 miles to arrive in Baltimore at 9:00.  Baltimore is obviously a huge, bustling city with lots to see and do.  Since we had decided to stay only one day, we first took a one-and- 1/2 hour trolley tour to hit the highlights.   We then enjoyed an excellent lunch at Chiaparelli’s in Little Italy.  While Becky and Carlton went back to their boat, we went to the top of the Baltimore World Trade Center for a bird’s eye view of the city. 

Our next stop was the Aquarium of Baltimore.   It is amazing with its tropical rain forest and marine life from around the world. 

Back at Seamoore we again met up with Rich and Linda from Goofin Off who are spending a few days in Baltimore.    The 6 of us went to dinner at The Rusty Scupper.  Our waiter’s first name was Bristin which is unusual in itself, but his middle name was Baba (like the sound from sheep).  His only explanation was that his parents were hippies!  He was a lot of fun, we had a great time, and an excellent dinner.   

Total miles:   12         Total bridges:  1        Total locks:  0

 

Day 273    Back Cove Anchorage,

Baltimore, MD

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Passing a freighter on the Chesapeake

Anchorage at Back Cove looking toward Stoney Creek

Since we have recently spent a lot of time in marinas, all of us were ready to spend a night “on the hook”.   We continued up Chesapeake Bay with Seamoore and anchored in Back Cove, a few miles from Baltimore.  There were a few houses and boat docks around, but it was a very quiet and relaxing night.     

Total miles:  29      Total bridges:  0        Total locks:  0

Days 271 - 272    Yacht Basin,

Annapolis, MD

Monday May 23 – Tuesday, May 24, 2011

A tow actually towing a barge on Chesapeake Bay

AYC

Dream Catcher and Seamoore docked in front of the Annapolis Yacht Club

Seamoore and Dream Catcher at Yacht Basin with green roof of USNA gymnasium in the background

McGarvey's Pub

Lunch with Linda, Rich, Carlton, Becky, and Jim at McGarvey's Pub

Annapolis street scene

Annapolis street 

Alex Haley statue

Plaque in the City Museum

Wrestling and martial arts room (yes, it's coed)

USNA pool where cadets must swim 4 laps (200 meters) in 5 minutes

USNA boasts 2 Heisman Trophy winners

Captain's Row at USNA

Monument honoring the Centennial of the U.S. Navy Submarine Force

Dormitory at USNA

Our tour guide in cadets' room

One cadet's side of a room shared by 2 cadets

Naval Academy chapel

Naval Academy chapel

Naval Academy chapel

Plaque on Capitol grounds

House chamber

Senate chamber

Plaque on the floor of the Capitol

One of numerous streets radiating from the Capitol

Pusser's dock with the Capitol building in the distance

Annapolis is one of the most impressive cities that we have visited on the loop.  The historic downtown area features original buildings from the 1700 and 1800s that have now been restored as shops and restaurants.  The area is referred to as “a museum without walls”.  The narrow, brick streets spread out in spokes from the State Capitol building that was once the U.S. Capitol building.  This is where George Washington resigned his commission as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army after the Revolutionary War.

The most impressive part of Annapolis is the U.S. Naval Academy.  In our 2 hour walking tour of the academy we learned that out of the over 18,000 applications received last year, only 1,000 students were selected.  Now that’s some of the best and brightest.  We stopped on the street to chat with several students.  They were all genuinely friendly, polite, and knowledgeable.  From what we experienced the future of our country is in excellent hands. 

Another reason that we enjoyed Annapolis is that we were able to catch up with Linda and Rich on Goofin Off.  They were at a different marina, but staying Monday night in Annapolis.  It was great to see them and to get part of the Looper Train back together again. 

On Tuesday we used our yacht club reciprocal agreement to go to dinner at the Annapolis Yacht Club.  It was a beautiful evening to sit outside and enjoy the harbor.             

Total miles:  54       Total bridges:  0        Total locks:  0